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Good morning, Alexandria.
Thank you to everyone who reached out about yesterday’s publisher’s note on believing everyone is doing their best. The response—emails, comments, messages—reminded me why I do this work. We’re all tired, but we’ll get through this together. It’s much easier with patience, compassion, kindness, and understanding.
Here’s what you need to know today: Alexandria returns to regular operations as the city digs out from this week’s storm, though schools remain virtual, and wind chills could hit 9 below zero. Police are investigating a fatal shooting on N. Patrick Street, and most of the City Council travels to Richmond for Lobby Day. Plus, Restaurant Week has been extended—get out and support local businesses when you can.
Stay safe and warm.
1️⃣ Alexandria reopens city services as bitter cold lingers; schools stay virtual
City offices, facilities and courts return to regular hours today, but Alexandria City Public Schools remain closed for in-person learning with students continuing virtual instruction via Zoom. A cold weather advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m., with wind chills as low as 9 below zero, and a second advisory kicks in at 7 p.m. through Friday morning.
Trash and recycling collection resumes at 10 a.m. As of Wednesday afternoon, all primary and secondary roads were passable, with residential streets at 57%. Metro and DASH return to regular weekday service with snow detours, and VRE operates limited service with some trains terminating at Alexandria.
Warming centers are open at five recreation centers and four library branches. A chance of snow returns Saturday afternoon, with dangerous wind chills possible for several more nights.
Read more: Thursday storm update: City returns to regular hours, schools still virtual as recovery continues | Alexandria schools to remain closed Thursday; virtual learning continues
2️⃣ Man killed, juvenile wounded in Wednesday evening shooting on N. Patrick Street
An adult man is dead and a juvenile male was injured in a shooting Wednesday evening in the 900 block of N. Patrick Street. Officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 6:36 p.m. and found both victims inside an apartment building with apparent gunshot wounds.
Both were transported to a local hospital, where the adult male later died. Detectives are actively investigating. Police said they will increase patrols in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call 703-746-4444.
Read more: One dead, juvenile injured in N. Patrick Street shooting
3️⃣ Council members head to Richmond to push for transit funding, housing tools, and federal worker support
Most of Alexandria’s City Council travels to Richmond today for the city’s annual Lobby Day as the 60-day General Assembly session enters its third week. Mayor Alyia Gaskins said members will testify on key bills and meet with delegates and senators.
The city’s 2026 Legislative Package frames Alexandria as home to 157,000 residents, an estimated 13,000 federal employees and $3.4 billion in government contracts—but warns federal policy shifts have hit hard, with nearly 12,000 residents relying on SNAP and 30,000 on Medicaid.
Top priorities include $400 million in additional annual transit funding, new housing tools such as a right of first refusal when publicly supported affordable housing is sold, and state support to backfill federal funding losses.
Read more: Alexandria City Council heads to Richmond Thursday for Lobby Day
4️⃣ Restaurant Week extended through Feb. 8 after winter storm disrupts business across Alexandria
Alexandria Restaurant Week has been extended seven days, giving diners extra time after this week’s storm disrupted travel and business across the city. The event now runs through Sunday, Feb. 8—spanning 17 days and three weekends.
Nearly 80 restaurants are participating, offering prix-fixe dinners at $35, $45 or $55 per person. Diners can explore restaurants throughout Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle, Arlandria-Chirilagua and the West End.
This storm has been hard on businesses across Alexandria—get out and support them as soon as you can. Details at AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com.
Read more: Alexandria Restaurant Week extended through Feb. 8 following winter storm
5️⃣ This day in 1947: Neon signs atop the George Mason Hotel sparked Alexandria's first sign regulations
On Jan. 29, 1947, City Council directed that a new ordinance be prepared to regulate public signs, according to Historic Alexandria. The move came a year after Alexandria established the Old and Historic Alexandria District, making it the third regulated historic district in the nation.
After World War II, signs grew larger to attract motorists. A prime example stood atop the George Mason Hotel at Prince and South Washington streets—three neon signs pointing toward City Hall and both directions on Washington Street.
The six-story Colonial Revival building operated as a hotel for 45 years before closing in 1971. The landmark reopened as Hotel Heron in June 2024, now part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Read more: This day in history: How neon signs atop the George Mason Hotel prompted Alexandria’s sign ordinance
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Hazardous Weather Outlook | Cold Weather Advisory
Sunny, with a high near 24 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -5. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 5 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:16 a.m. | Sunset: 5:26 p.m. | 10 hours & 9 minutes of sun
Things To Do
- All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
- 6:30 p.m.: Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop at AR Workshop Alexandria
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: John Haywood at 8:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Aeonia, Lay Waste, Deathreefer, and Lagoon 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 Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Pat Carroll at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Loudon Wainwright III & Chris Smither at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
- Vola’s Dockside Grill: Comedy Night Series at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: Delayed
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open
- 10 a.m.: Everyone’s an Asset Builder (virtual)
- 6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open
Alexandria City Public Schools
- All day: Synchronous virtual learning for students
- 6 p.m.: Special Called School Board Meeting (virtual)
- 6 p.m.: Virtual Budget Advisory Committee Meeting (virtual)
- Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Note: The CF Work Session #2 has been cancelled.
Alexandria Library
- All day: Winter Lego Building Contest (virtual)
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning Workshop at Beatley Central Library
- 10 a.m.: One-on-One Application Assistance at Barrett Branch Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Duncan Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Burke Branch Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Duncan Branch Library
- Noon: Line Dancing 201 at Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
- 3 p.m.: Handcraft Crafternoon at Beatley Central Library
- 4 p.m.: Preschool Storytime at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters at Duncan Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Self-Publishing 101 (virtual)
Note: Preschool Story Time at Barrett and Air-Dry Clay Snails are cancelled.
📰 In brief
Retiring Mariners broadcaster got his start in Alexandria: Seattle play-by-play voice Rick Rizzs, who announced Wednesday he'll retire after the 2026 season, called minor league games in Alexandria before reaching the majors. Rizzs joined the Mariners in 1983 and is now in his 41st season in Seattle. The Score/AP
Kaine presses Rubio on Venezuela policy: Sen. Tim Kaine questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the administration’s Venezuela operations during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Wednesday. Kaine, who has Virginians deployed in the operation, criticized the lack of transparency nearly five months after U.S. forces attacked Venezuelans on boats in open waters. He also pressed Rubio on Trump’s dismissal of opposition leader María Corina Machado and the president’s repeated confusion of Iceland and Greenland at Davos. Sen. Kaine
Warner introduces bill to strengthen FAA safety oversight: Sen. Mark Warner joined colleagues to introduce the FAA SMS Compliance Review Act, which would create an independent expert panel to review the agency's safety management system. The bill comes on the one-year anniversary of the DCA midair collision. The NTSB found the FAA failed to act on data showing over 15,000 near misses between helicopters and commercial aircraft at Reagan National in the three years before the crash that killed 67 people. Sen. Warner
ACHS students and teachers weigh in on Venezuela invasion: The Theogony spoke with students and teachers about the U.S. operation in Venezuela, drawing comparisons to past interventions in Panama and Iraq. “Venezuela is more similar to Iraq than Panama,” said social studies teacher Ralph Espach. Students offered mixed views on the operation’s impact on Venezuelans, while teachers raised concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of checks and balances. Theogony
Pump station opponents release cost estimate: Two local economists who oppose the Waterfront Park pump station have released an unsolicited analysis claiming the project could cost the city an additional $50 million in lost property tax and tourism revenue over 100 years. The document—which was not commissioned, peer-reviewed, or independently vetted—was produced by Mary Lou Egan, a member of the Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission, and her husband Marc Bendick Jr. The city is currently studying an alternative location at 1 Prince St., with results expected in late winter or early spring. Alexandria Times
