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Good morning, Alexandria. It's Tuesday, May 12 — the 132nd day of 2026, with 233 days left in the year.
Tonight, Sandy Marks will be sworn in to the Alexandria City Council at 6 p.m. — giving the city its first female-majority council in its history. Later in the meeting, council will publicly receive the lone bid to operate the Torpedo Factory, submitted by Scout Urban.
Also at 6 p.m., the school board holds a public hearing on Superintendent Kay-Wyatt's adjusted budget — the plan that closes the $5.6 million gap by eliminating 45.6 positions and reducing negotiated raises. A work session follows. The board targets a June 11 vote.
This afternoon at 4:30 p.m., the Commission on Aging presents its Excellence in Aging Awards at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, with Mayor Gaskins recognizing five honorees.
And in redistricting news: Adam Dunigan is back in the VA-8 race after Friday's Virginia Supreme Court ruling. Democrats have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene.
Here's what you need to know today.
~ Ryan
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1️⃣ AEDP picks FedTech to launch Alexandria business accelerator this summer
The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership has selected FedTech to develop and operate the new Alexandria Business Accelerator, with the program set to launch this summer.
AEDP chose the Arlington-based firm from a pool of more than 20 applicants to run a high-touch cohort program for up to 15 Alexandria start-ups in high-growth sectors, including robotics, aerospace, quantum, artificial intelligence, energy tech, computer services, cybersecurity and defense.
Read the full story: AEDP picks FedTech to launch Alexandria business accelerator this summer
2️⃣ Del Ray House and Garden Tour raises more than $30,000, with proceeds boosting caboose restoration
Hundreds of visitors fanned out across Del Ray on Saturday, May 9, for the biennial Del Ray House & Garden Tour, a fundraiser hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association that brought in more than $30,000 for local causes.
The self-guided walking tour featured a dozen homes, including historic buildings, new construction, renovated houses and two accessory dwelling units, making it the largest tour in the event's history.
Read the full story: Del Ray House and Garden Tour raises more than $30,000, with proceeds boosting caboose restoration
3️⃣ Dunigan returns to VA-8 race after Virginia Supreme Court strikes down redistricting referendum
Congressional candidate Adam Dunigan is back in the race for Virginia's 8th Congressional District after the Supreme Court of Virginia struck down the state's voter-approved redistricting referendum on Friday, reverting the commonwealth's congressional map to its pre-referendum boundaries.
Dunigan, a Marine combat veteran and former CIA case officer, launched his bid in January in the 8th District, which encompasses Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County. After voters approved the redistricting referendum on April 21, he shifted his campaign to the newly drawn 7th District, which stretched from Northern Virginia to areas west of Richmond.
Read the full story: Dunigan returns to VA-8 race after Virginia Supreme Court strikes down redistricting referendum | Democrats ask the Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districts
4️⃣ Commission on Aging to honor five at awards ceremony
The Alexandria Commission on Aging will hold its annual Excellence in Aging Awards on Tuesday, May 12, with Mayor Alyia Gaskins recognizing five honorees in four categories at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.
The 4:30 p.m. program in the center's cafeteria honors people and organizations whose work has benefited older Alexandrians.
Read the full story: Commission on Aging to honor five at May 12 awards ceremony
5️⃣ Sandy Marks to be sworn in
Sandy Marks will be sworn in as Alexandria's newest city council member this evening— nearly three weeks after her victory in April's special election.
Later in the meeting, the council will publicly receive what appears to be the only bid to take over operations at one of Alexandria's marquee cultural assets. According to a May 7 memo from Deputy City Manager Emily A. Baker, Scout Urban, LLC was the only firm to submit a timely proposal by the April 27 deadline to lease, manage, and operate the Torpedo Factory Arts Center at 105 Union St.
Read the full story: Marks to take oath Tuesday; City Council to receive lone Torpedo Factory bid from Scout Urban | Sandy Marks to be sworn in May 12 as Alexandria's newest city council member
📰 In brief
The ACPS School Board takes up Superintendent Kay-Wyatt's Adjusted FY 2027 spending plan tonight during a work session. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Alexandria Police Department is partnering with Inova Blood Donor Services for a community blood drive on May 13. (APD)
Virginia Democrats on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the voter-approved redistricting amendment struck down last week by the Supreme Court of Virginia, escalating the fight over the state’s congressional map to the nation’s highest court with the 2026 midterms inching closer. (Virginia Mercury)
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Sunny today, with a high near 72 degrees. North wind around 5 mph, becoming calm.
Increasing clouds tonight, with a low around 55 degrees. South wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:58 a.m., sunset at 8:11 p.m. 14 hours & 13 minutes of sun. High tide at 4:55 a.m. & 5:18 p.m. Low tide at 11:25 a.m. & 11:29 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Cooper Mill: Music Bingo at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Melissa Quinn Fox at 6 p.m.
- Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pete Baker at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Trivia at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Madeleine Peyroux at 7:30 p.m.
- The Commodore: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- The Garden Del Ray: Trivia at 7 p.m.
🏛️ City of Alexandria
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 8:45 a.m.: Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board Meeting
- Noon: Duke Street Land Use Plan Office Hours (virtual)
- 4:15 p.m.: Commission on Employment Regular Meeting
- 4:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging Excellence in Aging Awards
- 6 p.m.: City Council Legislative Meeting — Sandy Marks sworn in
- 6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 7 p.m.: Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops (virtual)
- 7 p.m.: Commission for Women Meeting at Charles Houston Recreation Center
- 7 p.m.: ACRP Committee of Inquiry
- (City of Alexandria calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime at Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Barrett Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Barrett Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Playtime! at Beatley Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself) with Dr. Vivienne Ming (virtual)
- 5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons - Arkipeligo at Duncan Branch Library
- 6:15 p.m.: What to Expect at Work - A Parents Guide to Employment Protections at Beatley Central Library
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools
- 3:30 p.m.: Virtual Job Fair Series: High School via Zoom
- 5 p.m.: Strategy & Accountability Committee at ACPS Central Office
- 6 p.m.: Public Hearing - Adjusted Combined Funds & CIP Budgets at School Board Meeting Room
- 6:15 p.m.: School Board Work Session - Adjusted CF & CIP Work Session #1 at School Board Meeting Room
- (ACPS calendar) (ACHS Titans sports calendar)
📜 Alexandria History
On May 12, 1909, a large fire broke out at Smoot Lumber at Union and Cameron streets. Originating at the planing mill near Lee Street, the fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage. Firefighters drafted water from the Potomac River to help put out the blaze.
The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria, Va., news and information you won't find anywhere else.
Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist.
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Send feedback, story ideas, news, and tips to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
