Daily Brief | May 29

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Friday, May 29— the 149th day of 2026, with 216 days left in the year.

A quick heads-up to start: per AlertDC, the U.S. military will conduct an aircraft flyover over Arlington National Cemetery at approximately 11:03 a.m. today, so don't be alarmed if you hear it overhead. The skies should otherwise be quiet and sunny — another picture-perfect day, with a high near 79 degrees to cap off the workweek.

In today's news: Alexandria police told regional officials this week that pedestrian crashes in the city are down 14% so far this year and bicycle crashes down 28%, with a redesigned Holland Lane streetscape unveiled to mark the kickoff of the Street Smart safety campaign. Virginia Theological Seminary says it has uncovered what appears to be an early draft of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in the papers of a late bishop. And Mayor Alyia Gaskins says Alexandria has formally joined a regional fight against a slate of proposed utility rate hikes, including a water-rate request that would push city water bills up more than 260% since 2022.

Heads up for the weekend, too: with sunny skies and mid-70s across all three days, our full guide to the long weekend — anchored by Sunday's 16th Annual D-Day Commemoration at Carlyle Square — is below.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Alexandria pedestrian crashes down 14% this year, police say at Holland Lane safety unveiling

COG Executive Director Clark Mercer delivers opening remarks at the Spring 2026 launch event for COG’s Street Smart campaign, which was held in front of the newly restored streetscape on Holland Lane in Alexandria. (COG)

Pedestrian crashes in Alexandria are down 14% so far this year and bicycle crashes are down 28%, the city's police department said Thursday, as regional officials gathered in the Carlyle neighborhood to unveil a redesigned Holland Lane streetscape aimed at making the corridor safer.

The numbers came from Assistant Chief Mike May, who commands the Alexandria Police Department's Community Support Bureau, at an event organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to launch the spring round of its Street Smart safety campaign. May said traffic fatalities in the city have also declined, from two at this point last year to one in 2026.

2️⃣ Virginia Theological Seminary discovers an early draft of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'

The Burgesses’ copy of Dr. King’s letter with the *portrait Drum Major for Justice,* used with permission by the artist, Gerald Byrd.

An archive at Virginia Theological Seminary has discovered what it says is an early draft of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," one of the most consequential documents of the American Civil Rights Movement.

The draft was found in the papers of the late Bishop John M. Burgess and his wife, Esther, donated to the African American Episcopal Historical Collection by their daughters, the seminary said in announcing the discovery Thursday. The collection is a joint initiative of Virginia Theological Seminary and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, housed at the seminary's Bishop Payne Library on Seminary Road.

3️⃣ Alexandria joins regional fight against utility rate hikes, including a water increase near 30%

Mayor Gaskins says the city is intervening in four State Corporation Commission cases; residents have until June 3 to comment on a Virginia American Water request the mayor says would push city water rates up more than 260% since 2022. (City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is formally challenging a series of proposed utility rate increases before Virginia regulators, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said, including a water-rate request that has drawn coordinated opposition from three localities and faces a public comment deadline next week.

In a video posted to social media Thursday, Gaskins said the city is participating in four cases before the State Corporation Commission, the state agency that regulates utilities, with the goal of keeping any rate increases "as low as possible." She named the Virginia American Water rate case, the Washington Gas rate case, and two Dominion Energy cases involving demand-side management and net energy metering.

4️⃣ Section of Mt. Vernon Avenue to close Saturday for crane work in Del Ray

Scheduled crane work will take place on Mt. Vernon Avenue between W. Reed Avenue and Russell Road on Saturday, May 30 from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. During this time, traffic on Mt. Vernon Avenue will be diverted to Russell Road and W. Glebe Road. (City of Alexandria)

A stretch of Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray area will close most of the day Saturday for scheduled crane work, the city announced Thursday.

The road will be closed between W. Reed Avenue and Russell Road from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. Traffic will be detoured to Russell Road and W. Glebe Road. The sidewalk on the west side of Mt. Vernon Avenue will also be closed during construction.

5️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: May 29-31

The weekend's centerpiece is Sunday's 16th Annual D-Day Commemoration at John Carlyle Square. (City of Alexandria)

With perfect sunny weather and highs in the mid-70s forecast across all three days, Alexandria offers an ideal weekend to explore the city's rich history and vibrant community. The weekend's centerpiece is Sunday's 16th Annual D-Day Commemoration at John Carlyle Square, a free, family-friendly event bringing the spirit of the 1940s to life with World War II reenactors, historical displays, live jazz music, swing dancing, and children's activities.

History enthusiasts can dive deeper into Alexandria's past through walking tours exploring Civil War hospitals, women's contributions to medicine at the Apothecary Museum, or a rare behind-the-scenes look at Gadsby's Tavern. Meanwhile, live music venues deliver stellar entertainment all weekend—Lyle Lovett headlines The Birchmere both Friday and Saturday, while JackRabbit featuring Dermot Mulroney takes the stage Friday night. Farmers markets, a book sale benefiting Burke Branch, bird-watching tours through Del Ray, and community gatherings round out a weekend celebrating both remembrance and the simple joys of spring in Alexandria.

Here's a look at everything on the calendar this weekend.

📰 In brief

Alexandria is adding a pair of ticketed evening receptions aboard a historic tall ship to its Sails on the Potomac festival next month. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria's Office of Housing is currently marketing five affordable for-sale homes to income-eligible first-time buyers, including a four-unit lottery at a new Old Town North condominium building. (The Alexandria Brief)

The 'Analog Bag Weekend' scheduled to take place in Old Town this weekend has been postponed to June 12 - 14, according to organizers. (The Alexandria Brief)

Reminder: During the King Street Bridge closure this weekend, King Street will be fully closed between Russell Road and Daingerfield Road, with traffic detoured to Duke Street. (The Alexandria Brief)

Region

A day after the President Donald Trump -affiliated Freedom 250 announced the “first wave” of performers for “The Great American State Fair” shows on the National Mall in June and July, the lineup has been hit with a wave of cancellations. (The Alexandria Brief)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has removed Rector John Rocovich from Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, citing misconduct in a letter sent Wednesday. (The Alexandria Brief)

Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard and Joan Baez will headline a star-studded protest festival set for the Washington, D.C., area a month before the midterm elections. (The Alexandria Brief)

Reminder: Metro Customers traveling through Reagan National Airport and Crystal City should plan additional travel time this weekend as Metro completes construction of a second entrance at the station. (Metro)

Sports

Washington Nationals open a weekend home series against the San Diego Padres tonight at 6:45 p.m., with games Saturday at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Washington Mystics host the Los Angeles Sparks tonight at 7:30 p.m. at CareFirst Arena, the start of a brief homestand.

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Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Today: Sunny, with a high near 79 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 60 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming northwest after midnight.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 5:46 a.m., sunset at 8:25 p.m. 14 hours & 39 minutes of sun. High tide at 7:48 a.m. & 8:20 p.m. Low tide at 1:36 a.m. & 2:34 p.m. The moon phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

🗓️ Things To Do

5 p.m.: Specialty Tour – Women in Medicine at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
6:30 p.m.: Friday Night Run Club at Daniel O'Connell's
6:45 p.m.: Rooftop Full Moon Sound Bath at The Aidan
7:30 p.m.: Dream Loud: Spring 2026 Alexandria Singers Concert at Bishop Ireton High School

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Timmie Metz Duo at 5 p.m.
Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
Daniel O'Connell's: Franklin Music Duo at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Public House: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Epicure on King: Live music at 6:30 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Sable Drive at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Nine Lives: New Works by Mike Egan at 6 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Evan Ross at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: The Friendship Series at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Poehemia & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Anaconda at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: JackRabbit featuring Dermot Mulroney with special guest Charles Esten at 7:30 p.m.
The Commodore: Kenny Kohlhaas at 9 p.m.
The Light Horse: supernova at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria: The Drowsy Chaperone at 8 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.

🏛️ City of Alexandria

City Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: 1-Day Slide

5 p.m.: Specialty Tour: Women in Medicine at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
(City of Alexandria calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

1:30 p.m.: Film Screening - "Remarkably Bright Creatures" at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
(Alexandria Library calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

No meetings are scheduled.
(ACPS calendar)

ACHS Titans Sports

5 p.m.: Outdoor Track Boys & Girls Varsity Region Finals at Robinson High School (Occoquan Region Finals Day 2)
6 p.m.: Lacrosse Girls Varsity Region Semifinals vs. West Springfield at Alexandria City High School — Minnie Howard Campus
(ACHS Titans sports calendar)

🗓️ This Weekend

The Alexandria Brief

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

The Alexandria Brief has no ads, no paywall, and no corporate owner. Support this work with a monthly or annual subscription, or a one-time contribution.

Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist. Send feedback, story ideas, news, and tips to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.