The Alexandria Brief — AM | Monday, Feb. 2
Schools virtual again today; all four candidates square off at Sunday forums; Black History Month begins
Good morning, Alexandria.
It’s the start of a new week—and a new month—but schools remain virtual for a fifth straight day. ACPS is hoping to reopen on Tuesday. Meanwhile, all four candidates for the Feb. 10 special elections made their cases at Sunday’s forums, and the city is monitoring the partial government shutdown. February also means Black History Month, and there’s plenty happening across the city’s museums and libraries.
Here’s what you need to know today.
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1️⃣ Schools virtual again today; ACPS eyes Tuesday reopening
Another virtual day. ACPS buildings remain closed Monday—the fifth straight day—with a goal of reopening Tuesday, possibly with a two-hour delay. Students haven’t been in classrooms since Jan. 22. That’s 11 days.
School bus drivers did a dry run on Saturday and reported problem areas. As of Sunday, 99% of sidewalks around schools were clear. But Mayor Gaskins says the issue remains: “We need you, if you have not shoveled your sidewalk, to please get out there and make that a priority.”
The city is running out of places to store snow. Dangerfield Island and Four Mile Run Park have reached capacity. Northern Virginia Community College is now letting the city use its property. Today is expected to be the first day above freezing in nine days.
Free meals available at ACHS and Charles Barrett from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Read more: ACPS extends virtual learning to Monday; eyes Tuesday reopening | School bus drivers tested routes Saturday; ACPS to reopen Tuesday with possible delay
2️⃣ Senate, House candidates square off at Sunday forums
All four candidates for the Feb. 10 special elections made their cases Sunday at back-to-back League of Women Voters forums.
In the Senate District 39 race, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Republican Julie Robben Lineberry clashed on taxes, immigration and redistricting. Bennett-Parker supports adjusting the tax rate on millionaires; Lineberry said she’d vote no on most tax proposals. On immigration, Bennett-Parker backed bills to restrict ICE enforcement in schools and hospitals. Lineberry questioned whether the concerns were overblown: “Nobody is afraid.”
In House District 5, Councilman Kirk McPike and Republican Mason Butler found more common ground—both praised Virginia’s election system and supported prescription drug price negotiations. But they split on unions (McPike wants to repeal right-to-work; Butler favors a “hybrid approach”) and redistricting (McPike supports HJ4; Butler opposes it).
Early voting runs through Saturday at 132 N. Royal St.
Read more: Bennett-Parker, Lineberry outline competing visions at Senate forum | McPike, Butler make their cases at House District 5 forum
3️⃣ Democrats set Feb. 21 firehouse primary for council seat
Four candidates are already in the race for the seat Kirk McPike hasn’t even vacated yet. The Alexandria Democratic Committee will hold a firehouse primary on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Beatley Library and Chick Armstrong Recreation Center.
The candidates: former ADC chair Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, and Cesar Madison Tapia. Filing deadline is Feb. 6; the $750 fee is due in person at the ADC office between 4 and 7 p.m.
McPike resigns Feb. 9. The Republican committee hasn’t announced its nominating process.
Read more: Democrats set Feb. 21 firehouse primary for Council seat
4️⃣ City monitoring partial government shutdown; House vote expected soon
The partial federal government shutdown took effect Saturday, and Alexandria is watching closely. About 20% of the city’s workforce holds federal jobs—roughly 13,000 residents—well above the regional average.
“While Congressional negotiations are ongoing, our priority is to be prepared and responsive,” Mayor Gaskins said Saturday.
The House is expected to vote on Monday or Tuesday on a deal the Senate passed 71-29 on Friday. The city enters budget season already facing headwinds: the DC metro is the only large metro in the nation losing jobs, and federal employment has fallen by 277,000 positions nationally since January 2025.
Residents can contact FedImpact-AlexTax@alexandriava.gov or visit alexandriava.gov/FederalWorkers.
Read more: Mayor: Alexandria ‘prepared and responsive’ as partial shutdown begins
5️⃣ Black History Month begins with 30th annual poster exhibit
February is here, and Alexandria is marking Black History Month with events across the city’s museums and libraries.
The Alexandria Black History Museum’s annual MLK Jr. poster exhibition is now on display at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Now in its 30th year, the exhibit features a record 130-plus submissions from ACPS students. An awards ceremony was held on Sunday, drawing more than 200 students and families. Posters remain on display through March 1.
Coming up: a free concert Feb. 8 featuring the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices (it sold out last year), a family author program Feb. 28, and a library exhibit of photographs by Elric Murphy, who documented African American life in Alexandria from the 1940s through the 1960s.
“Black history is American history and celebrated 365 days of the year,” said Audrey Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum.
📰 In brief
APD officers authorized to wear Black History Month badge: Alexandria Police officers can wear a specialty badge during February and on Juneteenth designed by Officers Williams and Elam. The badge “acknowledges the history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans and serves as a point of reflection and conversation within the department and the community,” the department said. Alexandria Police Department
Measles exposure at Dulles airport: The Alexandria Health Department is urging residents to check their vaccination status after a confirmed case passed through Dulles on Jan. 24. Exposure sites include Concourse B, the International Arrivals Building, and baggage claim between 5 and 9 a.m. Virginia has reported four cases so far in 2026. Those unvaccinated and born after 1957 should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. The Alexandria Brief
Summer camp pre-registration now open: The city’s Power-On summer camp program for kids entering grades 1-6 is accepting pre-registration for families who qualify for financial assistance. The fee is $459 for the summer, $225 with free/reduced lunch documentation, and free for SNAP or TANF recipients. Pre-registration runs through Feb. 6; general registration opens Feb. 18. City of Alexandria
Alexandria cited as national leader in urban archaeology: The Post and Courier in Charleston is urging that city to follow Alexandria’s example in regulating archaeological work. City Archaeologist Eleanor Breen spoke at a Charleston preservation event last week, telling attendees: “Archaeology is a public asset. It brings positive publicity to the city, to the developer, to the investor in ways that are surprising to me.” Alexandria created its Archaeology Commission in 1975 and adopted an ordinance requiring archaeology review in 1989. Post & Courier
Solar siting bill clears Senate: A bill that would set up a framework for siting solar projects and prohibit localities from outright barring them from applying for permits passed the Virginia Senate 21-17. Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, is carrying the House version. "It sets the project standards ensuring communities trust in solar facilities are well designed and responsibly managed," Herring said. Virginia Mercury
On this day in 1848: Alexandria’s Nicholas Philip Trist negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War. President Polk had recalled him, but Trist ignored the order and signed anyway—without securing Baja California as instructed. Polk accepted the treaty but fired Trist for insubordination. He later served as Alexandria’s postmaster and died here in 1874. Historic Alexandria
On this day in 1904: Magnus L. Robinson was elected to chair the executive committee of the State Negro Press Association. A lifelong Alexandrian, Robinson founded and edited the Leader, a weekly African American newspaper. He became one of the city’s most respected Black leaders in the early 20th century. Historic Alexandria
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Sunny, with a high near 34 degrees. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 17 degrees. West wind around 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
Sunrise: 7:12 a.m. | Sunset: 5:30 p.m. | 10 hours & 18 minutes of sun | The lunar phase is a Full Moon
Things To Do
All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
9 a.m.: Monday Morning Coffee Club at Rosemont Cellar
6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
6:30 p.m.: Alexandria Theology on Tap - Fr. Daniel Reuwer at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant: Traditional Irish Music Session at 7 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
1:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging Executive Committee meeting (virtual)
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
7 p.m.: George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (virtual)
Alexandria City Public Schools
All Day: Synchronous virtual learning for grades 3-12
6:30 p.m.: Athletic Hall of Fame Advisory Committee Meeting at ACHS Media Center
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
10:15 a.m.: Baby Time at Duncan Branch Library
11:15 a.m.: Baby Time at Duncan Branch Library
1 p.m.: English Language Learning class at Burke Branch Library
4 p.m.: Restful Readaloud at Beatley Central Library (ages 6-12)
4 p.m.: Sensory Storytime at Duncan Branch Library (ages 2-8)
5:30 p.m.: Teen Takeover at Beatley Central Library (ages 12-18)