Daily Brief | June 10

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Wednesday, June 10 — the 161st day of 2026, with 204 days left in the year. This newsletter is now serving 5,953 Alexandrians, 264 of whom keep it free for the other 5,688. Thank you.

The Croatian national soccer team holds its first training session in Alexandria today as part of its World Cup base camp here in the city. There are no open to the public events or fan experiences associated with the team's stay — sessions and press conferences are all closed to the public. I've been accredited to cover the team during their stay, with access to more than 27 opportunities, including daily press conferences, training sessions, and time with players and coaching staff. I'd like to hear from you on how much World Cup coverage you'd like to see — daily updates, the bigger picture, the players, economic ripple effects. Reply to this email or drop a note to ryan@alexandriabrief.com — I'm shaping the coverage around what readers want.

In today's news: The City Council spent most of Tuesday night walking through the $135 million tax increment financing package at the center of the former Potomac River Generating Station redevelopment — the binding vote on the financing package is still to come, scheduled for Saturday, June 13. The Alexandria City School Board's add/delete work session reshaped Tuesday night after a legal warning about collective bargaining steered members away from the compensation restorations many had proposed, with the board ultimately restoring two Afghan Family Liaison positions, one Advanced Academic teacher, and a partial down payment on Communities In Schools — all without changing the bottom line. And a reminder that the city is warning of heavy traffic near Episcopal High School this afternoon from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a ticketed event.

Here's what you need to know today.

Thanks for reading,

- Ryan Belmore

1️⃣ City Council takes up power plant financing, hears police plan ahead of Saturday votes

Alexandria City Council's legislative meeting on Tuesday, June 9. (City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council spent the better part of Tuesday night working through the financing proposal at the center of the former Potomac River Generating Station redevelopment, but the night's most consequential business is still to come: the binding votes land Saturday, June 13.

City Manager James Parajon and his staff presented the term sheet for a proposed $135 million tax increment financing package as an oral report — an informational briefing with no vote attached. "This is what's going to be in front of you on Saturday at public hearing," Parajon told the council, framing the evening as the last walk-through before the council weighs in for real.

2️⃣ School board restores Afghan liaisons and a teacher, holds pay decisions for bargaining, heading into Thursday's budget vote

Alexandria City School Board Meeting Room (ACPS)

A late legal warning about collective bargaining reshaped the Alexandria City School Board's final add/delete work session Tuesday night, steering members away from the compensation restorations many had proposed and toward a narrower set of changes — two Afghan Family Liaison positions, one advanced academic teacher, and a partial down payment on Communities In Schools — before the board adopts the FY 2027 budget Thursday.

The board went into the June 9 session with 45 add/delete proposals, 38 of which had cleared the four-co-sponsor threshold needed for priority discussion under the budget process rules. By the time Chair Michelle Rief gaveled out at 8:51 p.m., the net change to the bottom line was zero — every addition was offset by a corresponding cut, with money shifted between categories rather than added.

3️⃣ Reminder: Expect traffic near Episcopal High School today

City warns of traffic near Episcopal High School for Wednesday event

A reminder this morning that the city is warning residents to expect heavier-than-usual traffic near Episcopal High School this afternoon and evening.

The advisory covers the 3900 block of W. Braddock Road from about 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., citing a ticketed event at the school. The city is urging residents who live in or travel through the area to allow extra time, and said officers from the Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County police departments will help manage traffic.

W. Braddock Road in front of Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, part of the corridor the city is studying for safety and access changes. (Google Street View)

The City of Alexandria said this week it invited Alexandria City Public Schools to take part in the current phase of the W. Braddock Road and N. Howard Street safety study, but the school did not — confirming ACPS was not involved in the present design work while disputing the framing in an ACHS PTSA newsletter that said the city had not consulted the schools at all.

The city's statement, provided Tuesday, said its outreach built on engagement from the 2023 Safe Routes to School audit and that staff invited ACPS representatives at both the campus and administration levels to review project materials, join a site walk and design charrette, and provide feedback. "Although ACPS was unable to participate during this phase of the study, the City remains committed to collaboration and welcomes ACPS involvement as the project advances," the statement said.

A budget vote tomorrow, a major financing vote Saturday, and the World Cup arriving on our doorstep. If today's edition gives you what you need to follow along, send it to a neighbor — local journalism grows when readers pass it along.

📰 In brief

Alexandria City Public Schools holds its second community engagement session tonight at 6 p.m. as part of the search for a new superintendent to succeed Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, who retires Oct. 1. The in-person session takes place at the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard Campus Forum, 3775 W. Braddock Road. Tonight's session follows last week's virtual forum, where more than a dozen community members emphasized trust, transparency, and the need for a strong advocate as top priorities. A community survey remains open through Friday at hyasurvey.com/ycksdh7t. (The Alexandria Brief)

ServiceSource and The Jimmy Pizzano Memorial Fund have been jointly named recipients of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's Commitment to Disability Award, the chamber announced Tuesday. (The Alexandria Brief)

Are you headed to Alexandria this weekend for Sails on the Potomac and ALX Jazz Fest? Use car-free transportation to save time and money. (City of Alexandria)

The Croatian National Football Team arrived in Alexandria last night. See a photo gallery of the arrival and fans outside AKA Hotel. (Reuters)

The FIFA World Cup doesn’t begin until later this week, but excitement is already building in Alexandria as Croatia’s national soccer team settles into its temporary home in Northern Virginia. (DC News Now)

World Cup excitement continued to grow across the Washington region Tuesday as Croatia's national soccer team arrived at Dulles International Airport ahead of the tournament. (Fox5)

The Old Town Boutique Community (OTBC) said more than a dozen stores are participating in Shop the Checkers, a nod to Croatia’s National Soccer Team, which chose Alexandria as its home base for the tournament. (DC News Now)

Region

Senator Tim Kaine on Wednesday introduced a bill in Congress that would establish a grant program to address the national teacher shortage and better support early-career educators. (Virginia Mercury)

Sports

Luis García Jr. launched a two-run homer, Jacob Young scored a pivotal run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 6-3 on Tuesday night. (The Alexandria Brief)

Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman and club owner Michele Kang have been named to the inaugural 2026 TIME100 Sports list, which recognizes 100 of the most influential figures shaping the global sports landscape, the club announced Tuesday. (The Alexandria Brief)

The Alexandria Aces snapped a two-game skid Tuesday night, routing the D.C. Grays 19-7 at Robert J. Talbot Field at Catholic University. The Aces (4-3) continue their road trip tonight at the SS-T Thunderbolts at Blair Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Washington Nationals look to complete a sweep of the San Francisco Giants this afternoon at 3:45 p.m. before returning home for a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners that begins Friday at Nationals Park.

Last night's school board work session and city council legislative meeting, tonight's superintendent search session, Thursday's budget vote, Saturday's power plant financing vote, daily World Cup coverage from inside the Croatian team's camp — covering Alexandria takes time. 264 readers fund this newsletter so every Alexandrian can read it free. Join them with a monthly, annual, or one-time contribution.

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Hazardous Weather Conditions: Hazardous Weather Outlook

Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3 p.m. High near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Low around 72 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 5:42 a.m., sunset at 8:33 p.m. 14 hours & 50 minutes of sun. High tide at 4:12 a.m. & 4:41 p.m. Low tide at 10:58 a.m. & 10:41 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

5 p.m.: Rosemont Citizens Association Happy Hour at Rosemont Cellar
6 p.m.: Daniel and the Modern Imagination: A Literary Salon Book launch with Dr. Stephen Cook at Elaine's Restaurant
6:30 p.m.: Sushi & Cider at Lost Boy Cider
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
7:30 p.m.: Duke Street Land Use Staff and TRCA Meeting at First Christian Church of Alexandria

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
Augie's: Live music at 5 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Line Dancing at 6:30 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
Southside 815: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Cowboy Junkies at 7:30 p.m.

🏛️ City of Alexandria

City Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool Open at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center
8 a.m.: Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission Meeting at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St.
4 p.m.: Minnie Howard Pool Open at Minnie Howard campus
4:30 p.m.: Warwick Pool Open at Warwick pool
5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Steering Committee Meeting at Alexandria Black History Museum
6 p.m.: Champions of Children Awards Ceremony hosted by the Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission
7 p.m.: Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities Monthly Meeting
7 p.m.: Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Special Board Meeting (interim CEO interviews)
(City of Alexandria calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
10:30 a.m.: Stitcher's Space at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Story Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
11 a.m.: Just Babies — Solo Los Bebés at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Ink & Intrigue: Burke's Mystery Book Club — "The Red Widow Murders" by John Dickson Carr (virtual)
6 p.m.: Literary Virginia Book Group — "Black Star" by Kwame Alexander (virtual)
6 p.m.: Author Talk — "Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater" at Local History/Special Collections
6:30 p.m.: "The Significance of World Cup 2026" with Futbol Papa at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Laugh Lab: Stand-Up Comedy Workshop Graduation Showcase at Port City Brewing Company
(Alexandria Library calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

6 p.m.: Superintendent Search Community Engagement Session at Alexandria City High School - Minnie Howard Campus
(ACPS calendar)

📜 On this day in Alexandria history

One hundred and seven years ago today, Alexandria's streets filled with cheering crowds as nearly a hundred returning veterans of World War I marched from King and Patrick streets to Washington and Prince streets in the city's official homecoming parade.

Homecoming parade for World War I soldiers, June 10, 1919. (Alexandria Library Special Collections)

The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria, Va., news and information you won't find anywhere else.

Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist.

Got a story idea, news the city should know, or a calendar event we missed? Send it to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.