The Alexandria Brief: Friday, April 10

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Friday, April 10— the 100th day of 2026, with 265 days left in the year. You're one of 5,742 neighbors reading this morning.

A quick note: If you're an Xfinity/Comcast customer and are having trouble accessing alexandriabrief.com this week, this is a known issue — Xfinity's security system is incorrectly flagging the site. I've reported it, and it's (hopefully) being (quickly) fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Now to the news. The School Board met for nearly three hours last night and spent significant time on the revised police-in-schools agreement. Public hearing is next Wednesday at 5 p.m. — sign-up deadline to speak is noon Tuesday.

Today is also the last day to request a mail ballot for the April 21 special election. Extended early voting hours begin tomorrow at 132 N Royal Street.

Big weekend ahead — The Majestic relaunches today, Freedom House marks the Pearl anniversary, and Del Ray Dog Fest is Sunday.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan

1️⃣ ACPS School Board discusses police-in-schools agreement as public hearing approaches

ACPS School Board Meeting on Thursday, April 9. (Screenshot/ACPS)

The Alexandria City School Board met Thursday night for nearly three hours, with significant time spent on the draft agreement governing School Resource Officers — a document nearly a year in the making that now heads to a public hearing next week.

Board Chair Michelle Rief briefly acknowledged Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt's impending retirement at the top of the meeting, noting the board is actively working on selecting an executive search firm and will keep the community updated. Kay-Wyatt, who announced her Oct. 1 retirement just before spring break, said she still has work to do. "I'm still here," she said.

2️⃣ Construction underway at former Big Wheel Bikes site as Waterfront Taco Factory takes shape in Old Town

Men approach a street corner in front 2 Prince Street in Old Town, April 8, 2026. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Construction is underway on Waterfront Taco Factory at 2 Prince St. in Old Town, where the former Big Wheel Bikes building is currently boarded up, its windows and doors sealed with plywood as workers transform the space into a waterfront restaurant.

The project's city permit carries a key deadline. Under the terms of Special Use Permit #2024-00070, approved December 13, 2024, construction must begin and be diligently pursued within 18 months — a deadline that falls this June — or the permit becomes void.

3️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: April 10-12

The Del Ray Dog Fest returns this weekend. (Visit Del Ray)

It's a big weekend in Alexandria — and the weather is perfect for it. Expect sunny skies and highs in the low to mid-70s all weekend.

The Majestic relaunches today under new ownership, featuring a reimagined menu from chef Santiago Lopez. Freedom House Museum marks the 177th anniversary of the Pearl escape attempt — one of the largest in U.S. history — with free events Saturday and Sunday. Dog lovers can head to Del Ray Dog Fest on Sunday at George Washington Middle School, benefiting retired Alexandria police K9s. Also Saturday: test drive EVs and e-bikes at Chinquapin Park, catch BunnyFest at the Torpedo Factory or check out the world premiere of "Becoming Wild" at The Lyceum.

Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.

📰 In brief

Virginia Tech president Tim Sands stepping down after 12 years; Alexandria campus among his signature achievements. (The Brief)

Alexandria's music scene punched above its weight at the 37th annual Wammie Music Awards on March 28. (The Brief)

The Alexandria Library is inviting local teens to participate in a series of small group conversations this spring as part of a national program aimed at amplifying youth voices and improving community life. (The Brief)

Gov. Spanberger signed bills by Del. Charniele Herring allowing water and sewage companies to offer discounted rates for low-income customers. (Virginia Mercury/The Brief)

The ACPS Board will hold a closed hearing related to a student matter on April 16. (The Brief)

The Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on April 16 to receive public comments on a $12.5 million plan to replace the Old Town Pool. (The Brief)

Historic Alexandria will commemorate one of the largest escape attempts in American history this weekend, offering free admission and special programming at Freedom House Museum. (The Brief)

Gov. Spanberger signed a bill by Del. Lopez into law that allows localities to give federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay during a government shutdown an extension on personal property tax payments. (Gov. Spanberger)

‘Stay the course’: At Alexandria listening session, Va. education leaders vow to limit changes. (WTOP)

The Alexandria Fire Department has put a new fire engine into service. (AFD)

April 21 Special Election: 7,157 early in-person votes, 5,652 mail ballots returned. Today is the last day to request a mail ballot. Extended early voting hours begin tomorrow at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

🗞️ Beyond Alexandria

New Virginia laws taking effect address health care, housing affordability, and surprise billing. (Virginia Mercury/The Brief)

A federal judge postponed termination of temporary protected status for Ethiopians — Alexandria's largest immigrant group at 16.4% of the city's immigrant population. (AP/The Brief)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation to gradually raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028. (Virginia Mercury/The Brief)

Spanberger has also vetoed legislation that would require the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to call a referendum vote on a casino in Tysons Corner. (Gov. Spanberger)

🏀 Sports

ACHS alum Kye Robinson won the NCAA Division III basketball title and was named tournament and Final Four Most Outstanding Player. (ACPS)

Leonard Miller's career night paces Bulls to 119-108 win over Wizards (AP/The Brief)

Sid and Ovi through the years: A look at the Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry as its final acts loom (AP/The Brief)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Partly sunny today, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80 degrees. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Increasing clouds tonight, with a low around 57 degrees. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west after midnight.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:38 a.m., sunset at 7:40 p.m. 13 hours of sun.

High tide at 2:58 a.m. & 2:54 p.m. Low tide at 8:39 a.m. and 9:40 p.m. The moon phase is a Last Quarter Moon.

🗓️ Things To Do

6:30 p.m.: Grown-Up Field Trip: Archaeology Museum

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Tony Gatlin at 5 p.m., Skyler & Cooper at 9 p.m.
Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
Daniel O'Connell's: Kenny Kohlhaas at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Public House: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Epicure on King: Trotters Spring at 6:30 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Vince Borrelli at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Censored Image EP Release at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Chris DeSantis at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: DC Ambiance Swing Ensemble at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Powers & McLaughlin & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Bitter Luck at 9 p.m.
Port City Brewing: Chris Rote at 6 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
St. Elmo's Del Ray: Poetry Open Mic Night at 7 p.m.
The Birchmere: Who's Bad at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Hot Cactus at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 8 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

City Government: Open | Schools: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
8 a.m.: Deadline to Request a Ballot by Mail
6:30 p.m.: Grown-Up Field Trip: Archaeology Museum

📚 Alexandria Library

All Day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
All Day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All Day: Exhibit: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - The Struggle and Beyond at Local History/Special Collections
All Day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
All Day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
All Day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge — Virtual
All Day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library — Accepting plush donations through April 20
10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Burke Branch Library
1 p.m.: Low Vision Resource Group - Accessing News and Podcasts at Beatley Central Library
2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Burke Branch Library

📜 On This Day in Alexandria History

"In the early Spring of 1907, a number of Alexandria residents came forth with reports of the unusual fecundity of fowls belonging to them, some with their eggs linked, others with their daily egg output suddenly multiplied. On April 10 of that year, it was reported that Mr. John Travers of South Henry Street had the most unusual output of all. One of his hens had laid a huge “triplicate” egg, the size of a goose egg that, when opened revealed three distinct eggs inside. The event was described locally as just “another lusus naturae,” meaning “freak of nature.”

~ Historic Alexandria