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Good morning, Alexandria.
It’s been a long week. Schools are virtual for the fourth day in a row, the cold isn’t letting up, and we’re still shaking off the worst ice storm in 30 years. But there are signs of life returning—roads are nearly clear, Restaurant Week has been extended, and early voting kicks off tomorrow. Yesterday marked one year since the DCA crash that killed 67 people, and the city announced plans for a riverside memorial. A lot to process, so grab some coffee and settle in.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ City 95% clear; schools stay virtual as more cold looms
Alexandria is still clawing its way out from the worst ice storm in 30 years. Residential roads hit 95% passable Thursday—up from 57% a day earlier—and crews are pretreating ahead of possible snow Saturday. Schools remain virtual on Friday, the fourth day in a row, with no new content and no grades. Free meals for kids under 18 are available 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alexandria City High School and Charles Barrett Elementary. Back-to-back cold weather advisories run through Saturday morning with wind chills dipping to 5 below. Metro, DASH, and VRE are running with detours—check their sites before heading out. Del Ray Farmers Market canceled Saturday for the first time in 30-plus years. Restaurant Week extended through Feb. 8.
Read more: Friday storm update: Schools virtual for fourth day; city prepares for possible weekend snow | ACPS extends virtual learning through Friday; buildings remain closed | Mayor: Residential roads reach 95% passable; city suspends sidewalk fines | Del Ray Farmers Market cancelled Saturday for first time in over 30 years
2️⃣ Warner won’t back DHS funding without ICE reforms
Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday he won’t support additional DHS funding without “meaningful” reforms to an agency he says has “run amok” after recent shootings in Minneapolis killed two U.S. citizens. He and Sen. Tim Kaine asked the DHS inspector general to investigate whether immigration enforcement is using surveillance tech in ways that violate the Fourth Amendment—a question with local relevance, since Alexandria police use Flock license plate readers and explicitly prohibit their use for immigration enforcement. Separately, Warner demanded Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard explain her presence at an FBI raid in Georgia tied to the 2020 election.
Read more: Warner demands ICE reforms, questions Gabbard’s role in Georgia FBI raid
3️⃣ Alexandria to honor 67 killed in DCA crash with riverside memorial
One year ago yesterday, American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac, killing all 67 aboard. Wreckage landed just off Alexandria's shoreline, and city first responders were among the first on scene. Rep. Don Beyer and Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced a memorial bench, and plaques bearing all 67 names will be installed at Rivergate City Park, overlooking the water near the crash site. No timeline yet.
Read more: Alexandria to install memorial honoring 67 killed in DCA crash
4️⃣ Free utility resource fair Saturday at Charles Houston
Struggling to keep up with utility bills? The city and Councilman John Taylor Chapman are hosting a free resource fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Virginia American Water, Dominion Energy and AlexRenew will be there to talk payment plans, discount programs and energy-saving tips. Giveaways too.
Read more: Alexandria to host free utility resource fair Jan. 31
5️⃣ Weekend guide: Early voting begins, candidate forums Sunday
Early voting for the Feb. 10 special election kicks off Saturday at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. League of Women Voters hosting virtual forums Sunday—Senate District 39 at 1:30 p.m., House District 5 at 2:45 p.m. Restaurant Week still going, Old Town Farmers’ Market on as usual Saturday. Hops N Shine is celebrating seven years, Alexandria Symphony is performing “Symphony in Space” at Schlesinger, and Lost Boy Cider is hosting a Wassail party Saturday night.
Read more: Weekend Guide: What’s happening in Alexandria Jan. 30–Feb. 1 | Early voting begins Saturday for Feb. 10 special elections | League of Women Voters to host candidate forum Sunday for Senate, House races
📰 In brief
Alexandria man's lawsuit restores voting rights for thousands: A federal judge partially struck down Virginia's felony disenfranchisement rule, potentially making hundreds of thousands eligible to vote again. Tati King, 54, of Alexandria, argued the state constitution violates an 1870 federal law designed to protect Black voters during Reconstruction. Ruling takes effect May 1. VPM
Bennett-Parker among Democrats pushing renter protections: Several bills would strengthen tenant rights, including the Alexandria delegate's measure requiring landlords to offer payment plans before terminating leases. Other proposals would extend the late-rent grace period, let localities cap rent increases and boost enforcement on health and safety issues. Virginia Mercury
Four Virginians, Naumov qualify for Winter Olympics: Figure skater Maxim Naumov will make his Olympic debut in Milan next month, one year after losing both his parents in the DCA crash. Four Virginians also made the team: Fairfax figure skater Ilia Malinin, Fairfax speed skater Brandon Kim, Haymarket figure skater Sarah Everhardt and Nokesville skeleton competitor Mystique Ro. Games run Feb. 6–22. Theogony
Crooked Beat closing Del Ray location, plans new store: Crooked Beat Records will close its Mt. Vernon Avenue shop Saturday, less than three weeks after flooding damaged hundreds of vinyl records. Owner Bill Daly said a new location coming soon. The Alexandria Brief
Green Building Plan gets recognized. The city's new Green Building Plan caught the attention of the U.S. Green Building Council. USGBC
On this day — Alexandrians left for California gold rush: On Jan. 30, 1849, Montgomery D. Corse and a group of Alexandrians headed west to seek their fortune. Corse later returned and led the 17th Virginia Regiment during the Civil War. Historic Alexandria
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Hazardous Weather Outlook | Cold Weather Advisory
Mostly sunny, with a high near 22 degrees. Wind chill values as low as zero degrees. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -4 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:15 a.m. | Sunset: 5:27 p.m. | 10 hours & 11 minutes of sun
Things To Do
- All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
- 7 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke at 8:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: DeadEye Stare at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Franklin Music Duo at 9:30 p.m.
- Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: George Katsos at 8:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Hardly Quiet (teen songwriters) at 6 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Mike Leverone at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Powers & McLaughlin and Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Never Elected at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Will Downing at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Black Cactus Hotels at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: Delayed
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
- 8 a.m.: Deadline to Request a Ballot by Mail (last day for Feb. 10 Special Election)
- 10 a.m.: Everyone’s an Asset Builder workshop (virtual, two-day event)
Alexandria City Public Schools
- 8 a.m.: ACPS School Board Governance Committee (virtual)
- Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
- All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
- All day: Winter Lego Building Contest (virtual, ages 6-16)
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
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