The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, January 1
Your daily guide to what's happening, new, and to do in Alexandria.
Happy New Year, Alexandria! As we turn the page to 2026, I want to thank each of you for making The Alexandria Brief part of your morning routine. Covering this city—its people, its stories, its challenges and triumphs—remains the privilege of a lifetime.
Here’s to another year of keeping our community informed and connected. Now, let’s get to it.
~ Ryan Belmore
Founder and Publisher, The Alexandria Brief
1️⃣ What’s happening today in Alexandria
On the weather front, there will be increasing clouds today, with a high near 34 degrees. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 25 degrees. Light and variable wind.
The sun rose at 7:26 a.m., and the sun will set at 4:57 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 30 minutes of sun.
Events
10 a.m.: Yoga with Beth Wolfe at Lost Boy Cider
12 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Daytime Ice Skating at Cameron Run
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Village & Skating at Cameron Run
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
Lena’s: Gigi MacLaughlin at 6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Carroll at 8:30 p.m., Tyler Goldstein at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Practically Einstein at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
City Government: Closed
Holiday Schedule: Christmas/New Year
Flag Status: Full Staff
Trash Collection: 1-Day Slide
Recycling Collection: 1-Day Slide
Yard Waste Collection: 1-Day Slide
ACPS: Winter Break
2️⃣ Mayor Gaskins looks back on historic first year, ahead to 2026
Mayor Alyia Gaskins marked the end of her first year in office on Wednesday with a year-end message to residents, highlighting housing approvals, federal workforce support, and efforts to protect immigrant residents as key accomplishments.
Gaskins, who became Alexandria’s first Black woman to serve as mayor when she was sworn in on January 2, framed 2025 as a year defined by external challenges that tested the city’s resilience.
3️⃣ Federal appeals court rules against Alexandria fire chiefs in overtime pay dispute
A federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled Wednesday that battalion chiefs for the Alexandria Fire Department are not entitled to overtime pay, affirming a lower court decision in favor of the city despite finding that the trial judge applied the wrong legal standard.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that the 10 current and former battalion chiefs qualify as “highly compensated employees” exempt from overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act because they are paid on a salary basis.
4️⃣ DCA’s Rosh named to TSA’s 2026 canine calendar
If you’ve passed through security at Reagan National Airport recently, you may have spotted a sleek German shorthaired pointer named Rosh patrolling the terminal. Now the 4-year-old explosives detection canine is getting some well-deserved recognition.
Rosh is one of 13 dogs featured in the Transportation Security Administration’s newly released 2026 canine calendar, representing the December page. The free calendar, available for download at tsa.gov, honors the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working at airports nationwide.
5️⃣ Planning Commission to kick off Alexandria board meetings at temporary location Jan. 6
The Planning Commission will be the first city board to meet at Alexandria’s temporary council chambers when it convenes Jan. 6 at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.
Extra Extra!
Meals served at the food pantry at Christ House in Old Town Alexandria increased in 2025, according to a report from the Arlington diocese. But the charitable effort has provided consistency for guests by not missing an evening meal service for well over 40 years. (Patch)
In Alexandria, parents and children gathered for First Night Alexandria, an all-day event designed for those who may not want to stay out too late. (DC News Now)
During my time as Publisher of ALXnow, I wrote 10 of the site's top 30 most-read stories of the year — and edited nearly all 30. Thanks to everyone who read, shared, and supports my work. Covering Alexandria remains a privilege. (ALXnow)
Virginia is again joining the nationwide First Day Hikes initiative on Thursday, Jan. 1, to encourage residents to explore its state parks. (Virginia Mercury)