The Alexandria Brief — AM | Wednesday, Feb. 18
School Board signals support for Latin; opposition signs pop up on Braddock Road; council candidates back Zoning for Housing ahead of Saturday primary
Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Wednesday, February 18 — the 49th day of 2026, with 316 days left in the year. It’s Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent.
In Richmond, R. Kirk McPike will be sworn in today as delegate, and tomorrow Elizabeth Bennett-Parker will be sworn in as senator, following their recent wins in special elections. Sen. Adam Ebbin resigns his Senate seat today to take a role at the Cannabis Control Authority. McPike’s resignation from City Council took effect last week, and the race to replace him is heating up: the firehouse primary is Saturday, and The Alexandria Brief is interviewing two more candidates today.
Also: The School Board signaled support for saving the Latin program Tuesday night, but couldn’t muster the votes to block a healthcare cost shift to staff. And opposition signs have appeared on Braddock Road ahead of Monday’s public hearing on protected bike lanes.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ ACPS Board signals support for Latin; healthcare shift stays
The School Board signaled support Tuesday for restoring a Latin teaching position that had been slated for elimination — responding to weeks of advocacy from students, parents, and teachers who packed budget meetings to defend the program. In a 5-4 thumbs up, the board indicated support for adding one itinerant Latin teacher to serve both George Washington and Francis C. Hammond middle schools.
But the board did not reach the six-vote supermajority needed to ask the city for additional funding to maintain current employee healthcare contribution levels. That means the proposed 5% shift in premium costs to staff will remain in the budget — moving from an 80/20 employer/employee split to 75/25 for licensed staff.
The board will formally vote on the FY 2027 budget on Thursday. The superintendent’s proposed budget requests a 3.5% increase in city funding — more than double the 1.5% guidance from the city manager. If the city doesn’t fund the full request, the board will return in May to make additional cuts. “We are going to have very hard decisions moving forward,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt warned.
Read more: School Board signals support for Latin program, healthcare cost shift stays in budget
2️⃣ Opposition signs pop up on Braddock Road ahead of Feb. 23 hearing
Yard signs and flyers opposing protected bike lanes on Braddock Road have appeared in Rosemont ahead of a public hearing Monday on the city’s recommended design. The signs feature sarcastic messages, including “We support bikes...we also support not sitting in traffic” and “Braddock Rd Parking Funeral Feb 23rd, 2026” with a skull icon.
The Rosemont Citizens Association has voted to oppose the project, though both votes represented fewer than 2% of the neighborhood’s 4,136 residents. Meanwhile, the Del Ray Citizens Association voted 72% in support last week, and all five Democratic candidates competing in Saturday’s firehouse primary have backed the project.
The city is recommending continuous protected bike lanes along Braddock Road between Russell Road and West Street. The corridor has been identified as a safety priority by VDOT, and a 2023 Safe Routes to School Walk Audit at George Washington Middle School recommended improvements. The Traffic and Parking Board hearing is 7 p.m. Monday at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center and via Zoom.
Read more: Opposition signs, flyers appear on Braddock Road ahead of Feb. 23 hearing
3️⃣ Council candidates back Zoning for Housing; two more interviews today
Four of the five Democrats competing in Saturday’s firehouse primary say they support expanding housing supply and moving forward with Phase 2 of the city’s Zoning for Housing initiative, according to questionnaire responses submitted to YIMBYs of Northern Virginia. Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, Charles Sumpter, and Sandy Marks all agreed that Alexandria’s affordability crisis stems from decades of restrictive zoning. Cesar Madison Tapia did not respond by the deadline.
The Alexandria Brief and Liberally Social Podcast interviewed Marks and Laderach on Tuesday. Marks, the only woman and only ACPS parent in the race, said her election would create the first female-majority council in Alexandria’s 276-year history. Laderach emphasized fiscal responsibility and said the city’s “income problem” is its most existential issue. Two more interviews air today: Charles Sumpter at 8 a.m. and Cesar Madison Tapia at 9:30 p.m. Watch at alexandriabrief.com. So far, we haven't found a time that works for us to interview Roberto Gomez.
The firehouse primary is Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Beatley Library and Chick Armstrong Recreation Center. Online voting is available for those who registered by Friday. The winner will face former Councilman Frank Fannon, running as an independent, in the April 21 special election.
Read more: Council candidates back Zoning for Housing, call for Phase 2 | A conversation with Sandy Marks | A conversation with Tim Laderach
📰 In brief
What's alive and what's dead at the General Assembly's midway point. Democrats have advanced constitutional amendments on reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and voting rights restoration — all heading to the November ballot. Other bills that crossed over include cannabis retail, an assault weapons ban, minimum wage increase to $15 by 2028, and immigration enforcement limits. Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker's bill tightening firearm transfer rules for people subject to protective orders passed the House. Budget negotiations loom in the session's second half. Virginia Mercury
Virginia General Assembly advances cannabis retail framework. Legislation passed both chambers Tuesday, with retail sales poised to begin as early as November. The bills establish a 12.875% state tax, cap retail licenses at 350 statewide, and give the Cannabis Control Authority oversight. Gov. Spanberger has vowed to sign it. Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, initially recused himself before voting in favor on reconsideration. Virginia Mercury
Del Ray Chili Cook Off returns Feb. 28 to support Mount Vernon school pantry. The event at Commonwealth Academy benefits La Tiendita, a resource center where families can access food, hygiene products, and school supplies. Tickets $15-$20; contest entry $20. The Alexandria Brief
City Manager to present FY 2027 budget next week. James Parajon will present the proposed budget Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Public hearings and work sessions run through April; adoption is set for April 29. The Alexandria Brief
Nominations open for Alexandria's 2026 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. The annual honor recognizes residents, organizations and businesses demonstrating environmental leadership. Submissions due March 16; award presented at Del Ray GardenFest on April 26. The Alexandria Brief
Torpedo Factory's future, West End townhomes and EV charging on Saturday's council docket. The public hearing includes a franchise ordinance for the waterfront art center, two residential developments and new green building rules. Meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria seeks applicants for roughly 75 vacancies across 33 boards and commissions. Applications due by end of month; council will act on appointments March 10. Apply at boards.alexandriava.gov. The Alexandria Brief
Pentagon's new chief information officer lays out vision at Mark Center. Kirsten Davies, six weeks into the job, gathered senior leaders at the War Department's facility in Alexandria on Feb. 10 to outline priorities focused on supporting warfighters. War.gov
TPB to hear updated findings from Regional Roadway Safety Study. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) will be briefed today at 12 p.m. on findings from the recent Regional Roadway Safety Study Update and assessment of regional safety activities. The assessment inventories the strategies deployed by member jurisdictions to address roadway safety and examines their effectiveness, as well as barriers to implementation. TPB staff will also present a related review of the current research on the effectiveness of automated traffic enforcement. Additionally, the TPB Board will approve projects for funding in Virginia under the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Program for Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028. COG
Today in Alexandria
Weather: A chance of rain after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 60 degrees. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 43 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sun, Moon, & Tide: Sunrise at 6:54 a.m. | Sunset at 5:49 p.m. | 10 hours & 54 minutes of sun | High tides at 8:46 a.m. & 9:05 p.m. | Low tides at 3:03 a.m. & 3:19 p.m. | The lunar phase is a New Moon.
🗓️ Things To Do
8 a.m.: The Alexandria Brief and Liberally Social Podcast host a conversation with Charles Sumpter, Democratic candidate for Alexandria City Council (virtual)
10 a.m.: “Speaker Series: Exploring Horizons: Senior Education and Travel” at Beatley Central Alexandria Library
10:30 a.m.: Stitcher’s Space at Burke Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Beatley Central Library
11 a.m.: Just Babies at Barrett Branch Library
3 p.m.: Painternoon at Barrett Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Burke Book Club — “Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead (virtual)
4 p.m.: Creatives’ Club: Celebrating Black Creatives at Duncan Branch Library
5 p.m.: Paws to Read at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: American Revolution - Episode 3 watch party at Local History/Special Collections
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning 2 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Black Authors in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Tasting at Barrett Branch Library
6 p.m.: Knit Nite! at Beatley Central Library
6:30 p.m.: English Language Learning at Duncan Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Library 5-Year Plan Community Focus Group at Beatley Central Library
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
9:30 p.m.: The Alexandria Brief and Liberally Social Podcast host a conversation with Cesar Madison Tapia, Democratic candidate for Alexandria City Council (virtual)
🎶 Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Open Mic at 8:30 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.
Port City Brewing: Bluegrass Jam Night at 7 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Trivia at 7 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
Government & Schools: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Waste Collection: 1-Day Delay
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open
6 p.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free
6:30 p.m.: Library 5-Year Plan Focus Group
7 p.m.: Board of Architectural Review
7 p.m.: Transportation Commission