The Alexandria Brief: Friday, April 17

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Friday, April 17. It's the 107th day of 2026, with 258 days left in the year.

The School Board held a public hearing last night on the police-in-schools agreement — the document that drew sharp criticism at a May 2025 hearing, prompted two extensions, and was revised to remove the student privacy provision that triggered the backlash. This time, nobody showed up to speak. The hearing lasted one minute.

The election is a different story. More than 18,200 Alexandrians have already voted — roughly 18% of registered voters, up from 13% just six days ago. Two days of early voting remain: today and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 132 N Royal Street. After that, it's Election Day at your assigned polling place.

Saturday is also budget day at City Hall. Council convenes at 9:30 a.m. for public hearings on the tax rate, proposed budget, Sunday parking meters, and parking fine increases.

Weekend weather: Enjoy today and Saturday — highs in the mid-to-upper 80s, mostly sunny. Sunday turns wet, with showers likely and temps dropping into the low 60s. Plan accordingly.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan

Have a story idea, news tip, question, or feedback? Hit reply or email ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

1️⃣ More than 18,000 Alexandrians have already voted — and turnout is accelerating

“I Voted” stickers are seen in a polling station on November 4, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Early voting in Alexandria's April 21 special election has surged in the final stretch, with turnout numbers climbing sharply over the past week as the finish line comes into view.

According to the city's election dashboard, updated through Wednesday, a combined 18,227 Alexandria voters have already cast ballots — 11,967 in person and 6,260 by mail. That represents roughly 17.8% of the city's 102,597 active registered voters, up from about 13% just six days ago.

Two days of early voting now remain. The Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 N. Royal St. is open today and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After Saturday, the only option is Election Day at your assigned polling place.

Alexandria City School Board Meeting Room (ACPS)

The Alexandria City School Board's public hearing on Thursday on the revised two-year agreement governing the role of police in city schools adjourned after one minute, with no members of the community signed up to speak.

Board Chair Michelle Rief called the hearing to order at 5:04 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room at 1340 Braddock Place and conducted a roll call. Board members Abdulahi Abdalla, Tim Beaty, Kelly Carmichael Booz, Ryan Reyna, and Rief were present, constituting a quorum. Vice Chair Chris Harris and board members Donna Kenley, Alexander Crider Scioscia and Ashley Simpson Baird were absent.

"I'm going to announce at this time that we do not have any speakers signed up for our public hearing," Rief said. She adjourned the hearing at 5:05 p.m.

3️⃣ Sen. Bennett-Parker's bill that modernizes Virginia restaurant liquor regulations signed by governor

Captain Gregory's at 804 N. Henry Street. Sen. Bennett-Parker has credited former delegate and former owner of Captain Gregory's, Rob Krupicka, for championing the issue. (Captain Gregory's)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed HB975 into law Monday, modernizing a Virginia liquor regulation that hadn't been substantively updated in more than 35 years — and the push that finally got it across the finish line started in Alexandria.

Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who took up a cause many had tried and failed to advance for decades, told the crowd at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's annual General Assembly Breakfast on March 19 that the effort was rooted in a conversation with a local small business struggling to stay in the city. She credited former delegate and former owner of Captain Gregory's, Rob Krupicka, for championing the issue.

Krupicka told The Alexandria Brief by email on Thursday that Virginia's spirits laws were originally designed to protect larger establishments but had grown increasingly misaligned with how consumers actually drink.

4️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: April 17-19

The fifth annual ALX Dog Walk returns to Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday, April 18. (alxdogwalk.com)

Alexandria embraces spring with warm temperatures and blooming events as the ALX Dog Walk returns to Oronoco Bay Park and Historic Garden Week showcases Old Town's finest gardens and homes. Saturday brings the final day of early voting for Tuesday's special election alongside the City Council's budget public hearings, while poetry lovers can celebrate National Poetry Month at the all-day Poetry Palooza at Burke Branch Library.

Here's a look at everything on the calendar this weekend.

📰 In brief

Alexandria to host community meeting on substandard lot zoning review. (Read more)

Alexandria to mark the 129th anniversary of Joseph McCoy's lynching with a remembrance event. (Read more)

National pet care chain to take over South Peyton Street dog daycare, expand Olde Towne Pet Resorts brand. (Read more)

Renting still beats buying in the D.C. area, but the gap is closing fast. (Read more)

Beginning today, crews will be modifying a section of the Pendleton Promenade to increase walkability. The work is anticipated to be completed next week. (AlexRenew/Nextdoor)

Kingstowne Branch Post Office to host job fair this Saturday (USPS)

Alexandria City High School news you can use for the graduating class of 2026. (ACPS)

🗞️ Region

Conservation groups raise alarm as Potomac River is named the most endangered in the nation. (Read more)

Trump rails against court decision that once again stalls his White House ballroom project. (Read more)

Warner warns of mounting toll on Virginians from Iran war, economic fallout. (Read more)

Justin Fairfax killed his estranged wife and himself 2 weeks before a court deadline to move out. (Read more)

Federal agency approves concept for Trump's plan for a Triumphal Arch in Washington. (Read more)

Unions representing hundreds of thousands of Virginia workers call on the General Assembly to "reject anti-worker changes gutting the collective bargaining bill". (Virginia Public Sector Labor coalition)

Early voting picks up in Northern Virginia ahead of redistricting referendum. (WTOP)

🏀 Sports

Wizards GM says he expects coach Brian Keefe to return next season. (Read more)

The No. 7 pick in the draft is one of the few positives that came out of last season for Washington. (Read more)

James Wood singles to score an automatic runner in the 10th, the Nationals beat the Pirates 8-7. (Read more)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Mostly sunny today, with a high near 84 degrees. Northwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 61 degrees. Northeast wind around 8 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:28 a.m., sunset at 7:46 p.m. 13 hours & 18 minutes of sun. High tide at 8:42 a.m. & 9:18 p.m. Low tide at 2:46 a.m. & 3:43 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

8 a.m.: WEBA April Coffee & Collaboration at Beeliner
11 a.m.: Helles is back at Port City Brewing
4 p.m.: Alexandria Moms Passport Social Club Happy Hour Moms in Bloom at St. Elmo's - Old Town North

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Rich Russman at 9 p.m.
Aslin ALX: Comedy Show at 8 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Merlon Devine at 9 p.m.
Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
Daniel O'Connell's: Jason Hibler Duo 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: Blue North at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Blood Family Reunion/IFF/Shifting Harbor at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Lenny Stevens at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Carroll & Poehemia at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Kingpin at 9 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: Kindred The Family Soul at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Bansy 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 of Alexandria

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility
5 p.m.: Conversational Tour: Women Were Always Here at Gadsby's Tavern Museum
(Full details and calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies - Help your gently used soft toys find a new home at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
(Full details and calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

8 a.m.: Governance Committee (via Zoom)
(Full details and calendar)

ACHS Titans Sports

4 p.m.: Tennis: Girls Varsity Match vs. West Springfield at West Springfield High School
4 p.m.: Tennis: Boys Varsity Match vs. West Springfield at Alexandria City High School
5:45 p.m.: Lacrosse: Boys JV Game vs. South County at Alexandria City High School - Minnie Howard Campus
6 p.m.: Lacrosse: Girls JV Game vs. South County at South County High School
6:30 p.m.: Baseball: Varsity Game vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
6:30 p.m.: Baseball: JV Game vs. Robinson at Frank Mann Field
6:30 p.m.: Softball: Varsity Game vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
6:30 p.m.: Softball: JV Game vs. Robinson at Alexandria City HS - Witter Field
7:15 p.m.: Lacrosse: Boys Varsity Game vs. South County at Alexandria City High School - Minnie Howard Campus
7:30 p.m.: Lacrosse: Girls Varsity Game vs. South County at South County High School
(Full details and calendar)

📜 On This Day in Alexandria History

via Historic Alexandria

On April 18, 1955, two dozen school children in Alexandria received the Salk polio vaccine. The first and second graders were the first in the metropolitan area to receive the shots although Fairfax County had participated in the nationwide trials a year before.