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Good morning, Alexandria.
A Code Red Air Quality Alert is in effect today for Northern Virginia — the second-highest tier on the air quality index — as Canadian wildfire smoke pushes into the region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments says the air will be unhealthy for everyone today, not just sensitive groups. Real-time conditions are available at AirNow.gov.
The weekend forecast is unsettled. Saturday brings an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a heat index as high as 105 degrees and the potential for severe weather. Sunday clears out significantly — mostly sunny with a high near 88.
On the news front, Alexandria police have identified the victim in Wednesday night's homicide at ParcView Apartments as Charles Talley, 36. No arrests have been made. And with school starting Aug. 24, the Alexandria Health Department is urging families to schedule physicals, vaccines and sports clearances now before summer slots fill up.
Despite the forecast, it's a full weekend — the Pipes and Drums perform a free concert at Waterfront Park tonight at 7:45 p.m., the World Cup final is Sunday at 3 p.m., and Stewart Copeland plays The Birchmere Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Here's what you need to know for Friday, July 17.
1️⃣ Victim in Holmes Run Parkway homicide identified as Charles Talley, 36
The Alexandria Police Department has identified the victim in Wednesday night's homicide at the ParcView Apartments as Charles Talley, 36, with no fixed address.
At approximately 11:14 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, APD officers responded to the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway for a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located Talley suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
APD said there is no known ongoing threat to the community. Detectives continue to interview witnesses, process evidence, and follow investigative leads. No arrests have been made. Earlier Thursday, APD confirmed to the Alexandria Brief that no arrests had been made, despite reports elsewhere indicating two suspects had been arrested or apprehended.
Ryan Belmore
2️⃣ Wildfire smoke blankets Alexandria as severe storm threat looms Saturday
Alexandrians woke Friday to widespread wildfire smoke and a Code Red air quality alert covering the entire region, with a second major threat — a potentially severe storm system — bearing down for Saturday and heat index values expected to approach 105 degrees.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality confirmed the Code Red alert for Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, effective through midnight Friday. The National Weather Service's hazardous weather outlook, issued at 5:14 a.m. Friday, echoed the warning, noting the Code Red alert is in effect for the entire area through midnight.
Code Red is the second-highest tier on the Air Quality Index and means air pollution concentrations are unhealthy for the general population — not just sensitive groups. The alert is driven by fine particle pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke drifting southeast across the border.
Ryan Belmore
3️⃣ Back to school is weeks away. Alexandria health officials say now is the time to schedule that appointment
School starts Aug. 24, and Alexandria Health Department officials are warning families that summer is running out of time to get required physicals, vaccines and sports clearances scheduled.
"Appointments fill up quickly in late summer," AHD said in guidance released this week. "Book now."
The department is flagging the reminder against a backdrop of rising concern about vaccine-preventable diseases. Virginia is currently experiencing a measles outbreak with more than 150 confirmed cases, and Alexandria has seen an increase in other vaccine-preventable illnesses in recent years.
Ryan Belmore
4️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: July 17-19
The biggest soccer match in four years kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. in East Rutherford — Spain vs. Argentina, World Cup final — and Alexandria's bars will be packed. Before that, France and England settle third place Saturday at 5 p.m. in Miami.
Beyond the World Cup, it's a full weekend in Alexandria. Friday night, the Alexandria Pipes and Drums perform a free outdoor concert at Waterfront Park at 7:45 p.m. Saturday brings the 13th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl starting at Waterfront Park at 1:30 p.m. and a cabaret concert at The Lyceum at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Stewart Copeland — the drummer and co-founder of The Police — plays The Birchmere at 7:30 p.m.
Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.
Ryan Belmore
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📰 In brief
A classically trained singer who describes herself as an "opera comedian" is bringing a cabaret concert to Old Town on Saturday, pairing operatic performance with storytelling, humor and audience engagement. (The Brief)
Chord Bread & Bottle, a new shop from Alexandria restaurateur Scott Shirley, will hold a soft opening this Sunday in the former UnWined space at Bradlee Shopping Center. (The Brief)
Mayor Alyia Gaskins has been selected to join NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of rising Democratic state and local elected officials, the organization announced Wednesday. (The Brief)
Joseph Hensley Park is open again. The West End park at 4200 Eisenhower Ave. has completed a major renovation, the city announced this week, with all features now available to the public following a construction process that began in fall 2023 and stretched into April 2026. (The Brief)
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner warned Thursday morning that President Trump's primetime address could represent "the most significant step yet" to interfere with this year's midterm elections, urging Virginians to treat the president's claims with skepticism until they are independently verified. Shortly after Trump's primetime address concluded Thursday night, Warner issued a written statement saying his concerns had been confirmed. (The Brief)
A 21-year-old man has been arrested for destroying a pair of surveillance cameras in Alexandria last month. Police said the same man is suspected in multiple other instances of destruction of property investigations related to Flock Safety License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. (WUSA9)
Six months in, Spanberger defends her record as economic concerns persist. (Virginia Mercury)
The leasehold interest in an office property at 11 Canal Center Plaza sold Wednesday for $9.05 million following a multiday online receivership auction. (BizJournals)
The August 4 dual primary is 18 days away. As of July 15, 7,770 total ballots have been cast or sent on the Democratic side — 7,192 mail-in and 578 early in-person. On the Republican side, 1,058 total — 1,029 mail-in and 29 early in-person. The deadline to register to vote and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot are both July 24 — one week from today. Early voting expands this weekend, with Beatley Central Library opening Sunday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (City of Alexandria)
⚽ Sports
Carla Leite scored 14 points, Serah Williams had 12 points and the Portland Fire beat the Washington Mystics 75-56 on Thursday night. (The Brief)
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired one-time top prospect Robert Hassell III from the Washington Nationals on Thursday for cash or a player to be named later. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces fell to the Gaithersburg Giants 9-4 Thursday night at Frank Mann Field, their fourth straight loss. They are now 14-20 on the season.
Today's Schedule
- 4:30 p.m.: Alexandria Aces at Southern Maryland Senators
- 6:30 p.m.: Southern Maryland Senators at Alexandria Aces
- 9:40 p.m.: Washington Nationals at Sacramento Athletics
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Widespread smoke. Partly sunny, with a high near 92 degrees. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Tonight: Widespread smoke, mainly before 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74 degrees. Light southeast wind.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:57 a.m., sunset at 8:30 p.m. 14 hours & 33 minutes of sun.
High tide at 11:16 a.m. & 11:50 p.m. Low tide at 5:29 a.m. & 6:03 p.m. The moon phase is a Waxing Crescent.
🚇 Getting Around
Check here for the latest service alerts: Metro, DASH, VRE, Amtrak, and DCA
🗓️ Things To Do
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: In-person early voting open at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal Street)
- 8 a.m.: WEBA July Coffee & Collaboration with Movement In Science & Get Plated Catering at Beeliner Diner
- 11 a.m.: Not Fade: West Coast Pilsner Release Day at Port City Brewing Company
- 5 p.m.: Conversational Tour – America250 at Gadsby's Tavern Museum
- 6 p.m.: Sip & Shop at Current Boutique Old Town
- 6 p.m.: Tarot Readings With Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
- 6:30 p.m.: Friday Night Run Club at Daniel O'Connell's
- 6:30 p.m.: Port City Pursuit 5k/10k at Port City Brewing Company
- 7:30 p.m.: Singles Social Club (35-45) at Lost Boy Cider
- 7:45 p.m.: Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Waterfront Park
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance 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.
- Evening Star Cafe: No Regards in the No. 9 Lounge at 8:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Errth, Nightmarathons, Fond, and Truth or Dare at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Talk in Waves and Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Skulp & Gully, Jimson Quartet at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Magical Mystery Doors presents Beatles/Zeppelin/Doors at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: About Last Night at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
City Government: Open · Flag: Full Staff · Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste: On Time · Air Quality: Orange
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool Open at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool Open at Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility
- 10 a.m.: Memorial Pool Open at Memorial Recreation Center
- 11 a.m.: Warwick Pool Open at Warwick Recreation Center
- 11 a.m.: VIRTUAL: Commission for Women E-Board Meeting
- 12 p.m.: Old Town Pool Open at Old Town Recreation Center
- 5 p.m.: Conversational Tour: America250-Who We Remember at Gadsby's Tavern Museum
- 7:45 p.m.: Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Waterfront Park
- (City of Alexandria calendar) (ACPS calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: 123 Andrés! - Grammy-winning children's musicians at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
🗓️ On this day in Alexandria history
On July 17, 1946, the Alexandria City Council did something that only two American cities had done before: it passed an ordinance protecting the exterior appearance of its historic buildings, creating what would become one of the most recognized historic districts in the country. Read more
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