The Alexandria Brief — AM | Tuesday, February 17
Happy Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year; council primary is Saturday — live candidate interviews start today; Fannon enters race as independent
Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Tuesday, February 17 — the 48th day of 2026, with 317 days left in the year. It’s also Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse. Grab a king cake before Lent begins tomorrow.
The City Council firehouse primary is Saturday, and this week The Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast are teaming up to interview all five Democratic candidates live. Sandy Marks is on at noon today, followed by Tim Laderach at 1 p.m. Watch at alexandriabrief.com. Meanwhile, former Councilman Frank Fannon announced Monday he’s running as an independent — setting up a contested April 21 special election.
Also: Health officials are warning residents to stay out of the Potomac River after a major sewage spill, and the response has become a political flashpoint between President Trump and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Council primary is Saturday: Live candidate interviews this week, online voting now available
The Democratic firehouse primary to fill Kirk McPike’s City Council seat is Saturday — and this week, The Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast are teaming up to interview all five Democratic candidates live. Sandy Marks is on at noon today, followed by Tim Laderach at 1 p.m. Charles Sumpter joins on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and Cesar Madison Tapia at 9:30 p.m. An interview with Roberto Gomez is being finalized. Watch live at alexandriabrief.com or on The Alexandria Brief’s YouTube channel.
For the first time, the Alexandria Democratic Committee is offering online voting. Voters who want to cast ballots online must register by 5 p.m. Friday. Approved voters will receive an email with a unique link to vote on Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. In-person voting is still available at Beatley Library and Chick Armstrong Recreation Center.
The Democratic nominee will appear in a special election on April 21.
Read more: The Alexandria Brief and Liberally Social Podcast team up to interview Council candidates | Democrats add online voting option for Feb. 21 primary
2️⃣ Fannon jumps into council race as an independent
Former City Councilman Frank Fannon announced Monday he is running as an independent for the City Council seat vacated by Del. Kirk McPike. Fannon, a fourth-generation Alexandrian who served on council from 2009 to 2012, made the announcement at the Friendship Firehouse Presidents’ Day Breakfast.
Fannon’s campaign centers on fiscal responsibility, opposing tax increases and protecting single-family neighborhoods from what he calls “inappropriate large-scale development.” He criticized the Zoning for Housing package that council passed unanimously in 2023, saying it “was forced upon” homeowners. A city survey of more than 1,700 residents during that process found a majority supported more housing options.
Fannon won his seat in 2009 as a Republican, breaking a Democratic stranglehold on the council at the time. He was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2020 and currently serves as president of the Alexandria Aces. He’ll face the winner of Saturday’s Democratic firehouse primary in the April 21 special election.
Read more: Former Councilman Fannon announces independent bid for McPike’s seat
3️⃣ Health officials warn residents to avoid Potomac River as sewage spill response becomes political flashpoint
Alexandria health officials are warning residents and their pets to stay out of the Potomac River after a major sewage spill that has sent hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the waterway. The advisory covers 72.5 miles of river, from the American Legion Memorial Bridge to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge. Repairs are expected to take four to six weeks. Alexandria’s drinking water is safe.
The spill began Jan. 19 when a major section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed. E. coli levels have been measured at thousands of times above recreational water quality standards, according to University of Maryland researchers working with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network — though concentrations have started to fall.
The response has become a political flashpoint. President Trump blamed “gross mismanagement of local Democrat leaders” on Monday and said he is directing federal authorities to coordinate the response. A spokesperson for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore pushed back, saying the Trump administration “has failed to act for the last four weeks.” The city is working to post warning signs at Alexandria’s water access points.
Read more: Alexandria health officials warn residents to avoid Potomac River after sewage spills | ‘Incompetent local leadership’: President Donald Trump blames Gov. Moore for Potomac sewage spill (WTOP)
📰 In brief
On this day in 1859: The Mansion House Hotel at 121 North Fairfax Street reopened after a lavish refurbishment, awed by guests as one of the most elegant hostelries on the Eastern seaboard. The grandeur was short-lived — just two years later, Union forces invaded Alexandria and confiscated the hotel as a hospital for Civil War soldiers. The story was later featured in the PBS series “Mercy Street.” Historic Alexandria
Health officials warn of measles exposure in Northern Virginia. An adult who recently traveled internationally has tested positive. Exposure sites include Giant Food in Lorton on Feb. 11, Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care on Feb. 13 and Inova HealthPlex Lorton ER on Feb. 14. Anyone present at those locations should fill out a survey for the Virginia Department of Health and watch for symptoms for 21 days. City of Alexandria
Lost Boy Cider owner among small businesses squeezed by Trump tariffs. Tristan Wright, founder of the Alexandria cidery, told States Newsroom that aluminum can costs have risen due to tariffs on aluminum. "They're literally banking the future of the country on the tariffs," Wright said. Small business owners are awaiting a Supreme Court decision on whether the president's emergency tariffs are legal. Virginia Mercury
Alexandria-based Military Order of the World Wars launches ‘Freedom Bells’ for America’s 250th. The free web app will unite Americans in a coordinated national bell tolling at noon on July 4, 2026. Participants can toll digital bells from any device as a synchronized countdown reaches noon in their local time zone. Schools, community groups and families can register. PR Newswire
Fox News op-ed calls on Trump to explore restoring DC’s original borders. A policy director argues the 1847 retrocession of Arlington to Virginia was unconstitutional and motivated by slavery, and that Trump should issue an executive order directing the DOJ to explore restoring the District to its original boundaries. "As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday, it would be a fitting moment for him to return Arlington residents to their constitutionally-approved residence," the author writes. Fox News
Agenda:Alexandria calls housing panel nonpartisan. Its board, panelists and questions tell a more complicated story. The Feb. 23 panel includes the chair of a group that lost a lawsuit challenging the city’s zoning reforms and is now fundraising for an appeal — context omitted from the press release. Board chair says the panel is balanced; a review of its composition, board and programming history raises questions. The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria summer camp registration opens tomorrow. Registration opens Feb. 18 for residents and Feb. 20 for non-residents. Programs for ages 2-17 include sports, outdoor exploration, creative arts, STEM and performing arts. Before- and after-care available at select locations. The Alexandria Brief
Three community groups seek nearly $30,000 in city matching funds for park improvements. A community garden, Alexandria Little League scoreboard and a teen-led skatepark renovation are up for review at a public hearing Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Written comments due by 5 p.m. today. The Alexandria Brief
Frozen Feet 5K raises funds for families battling pediatric cancer Saturday. The family-friendly 5K at Episcopal High School begins at 9 a.m. and supports families facing the financial toll of treatment. Last year’s event raised roughly $17,000. The Alexandria Brief
Today in Alexandria
Weather: Areas of fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 58 degrees. Light south wind. Cloudy, with a low around 44 degrees. Light southeast wind.
Sun, Moon, & Tide: Sunrise at 6:56 a.m. | Sunset at 5:47 p.m. | 10 hours & 51 minutes of sun | High tides at 8:10 a.m. & 8:26 p.m. | Low tides at 2:24 a.m. & 2:33 p.m. | The lunar phase is a Waning Crescent.
🗓️ Things To Do
10 a.m.: English Language Learning 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.: Mardi Gras Celebration at Hops N Shine
2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Burke Branch Library
4:30 p.m.: Tuesday We Play at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: One-On-One Computer Help at Barrett Branch Library
5 p.m.: February NOTICe Social at The A-Lounge
6 p.m.: Banned Book Club at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Death Café at Barrett Branch Library
7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
7 p.m.: Sweet & Salty Book Club at Hotel Heron
7 p.m.: Alexandria NAACP and DPC to host City Council Candidate Debate at Departmental Progressive Club
🎶 Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Jay Byrd at 6 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Trivia at 8 p.m.; 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.
Southside 815: Mardi Gras Party with Combo Indigo at 7:30 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
Government & Schools: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Waste Collection: 1-Day Delay
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
7:30 a.m.: Waterfront Commission Meeting
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
6 p.m.: School Board Work Session - CF Add/Delete Work Session #1
6:30 p.m.: ACPS School Health Advisory Board
6:30 p.m.: Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
7 p.m.: Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops (virtual)
7 p.m.: Commission for the Arts
7 p.m.: Human Rights Commission