The Alexandria Brief: Friday, March 13

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Friday, March 13 — the 72nd day of 2026, with 293 days left in the year.

Nicole Kidman's new Prime Video thriller "Scarpetta" dropped Wednesday — and Alexandria is the beating heart of the show. The series swaps Richmond, the setting of Patricia Cornwell's original novels, for our city. The whole thing was filmed in Nashville, but we'll take the name-drop.

The city is studying whether to extend the Beauregard Trail 1.5 miles from Fillmore Avenue to the Fairfax County line. The four-lane corridor connects high-density neighborhoods, NOVA, and two elementary schools but currently prioritizes vehicle traffic. No construction is funded yet — this is a feasibility study to position for future grants.

This weekend: Chamber ALX's Women's Leadership Forum Friday at The Westin. The Alexandria Festival of the Book Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal. And Del Ray's Shamrock Smash kicks off at noon Saturday. Full weekend guide below.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Alexandria eyes extension of Beauregard Trail to Fairfax County line

The City of Alexandria is studying whether it can extend the Beauregard Trail roughly 1.5 miles along a stretch of North Beauregard Street that officials say leaves pedestrians and cyclists with limited and inconsistent connections through one of the city's busiest corridors.

The feasibility study examines options to extend the existing trail from its current terminus at Fillmore Avenue south to the Fairfax County border. The four-lane corridor connects high-density residential neighborhoods, employment centers, parks, retail, and schools — including Northern Virginia Community College, Ferdinand T. Day Elementary, and William Ramsey Elementary — but currently prioritizes vehicle traffic.

City officials say the study is a prerequisite for securing future grant funding for full design and construction of the trail. No construction is included in the current project scope.

2️⃣ Nicole Kidman's new Prime Video thriller is set in Alexandria — even if it wasn't filmed here

Prime Video dropped all eight episodes of Scarpetta on Wednesday, and Alexandria residents have a compelling reason to tune in: Our city is the beating heart of the show.

The series stars Nicole Kidman as forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta and unfolds across two timelines. In the past-set storyline, according to Variety's review, it's 1998, and the city of Alexandria is being terrorized by a serial killer, with a fourth body just discovered and a young Kay Scarpetta newly installed as chief medical examiner.

Here's the kicker for fans of Patricia Cornwell's original novels: This is a deliberate departure from the books. The Hollywood Reporter notes that Scarpetta is back in Virginia — Alexandria in the series, Richmond in the books. Showrunner Liz Sarnoff made the call to swap Richmond for Alexandria when adapting the story for television.

3️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: March 13-15

Looking for something to do this weekend? Chamber ALX's Women's Leadership Forum brings together leaders from SHRM, Virginia Tech and the Alexandria Police Department at The Westin on Friday.

Book lovers won't want to miss the Alexandria Festival of the Book at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday — it's free and features five historians and biographers exploring America from the Revolution to the Jazz Age.

And if St. Patrick's Day is more your speed, Del Ray's Shamrock Smash kicks off at noon Saturday.

Weather-wise, expect mostly sunny skies Friday with highs in the 50s, partly sunny Saturday near 58, and mostly cloudy Sunday in the low 60s.

Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.

📰 In brief

Council holds second budget public hearing Saturday as advocacy groups plan return. It's the last opportunity for residents to address council directly before work sessions wrap up and the April 29 budget adoption vote. The Alexandria Brief

Dunigan says redistricting would move his campaign to Virginia's 7th District. Arlington-based candidate says he'll run where he lives regardless of how referendum vote goes April 21. The Alexandria Brief

General Assembly honors Table Talk on 50 years in Alexandria. Del. Kirk McPike welcomed owners Jeff and Kelly Yates to the House of Delegates gallery as the legislature passed a resolution commending the restaurant. "For the last five decades, Table Talk has been the place where Alexandria meets and eats," McPike said. Del. Kirk McPike

Warner-backed housing bill could give Alexandria new tools to tackle affordable housing crisis. Senate passage of ROAD to Housing Act aligns with city's Housing 2040 priorities — but Alexandria's biggest challenges may still require Richmond. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria power outages fully restored after affecting 2,000-plus customers. Power has been fully restored across Alexandria following a Thursday morning outage that knocked out service for more than 2,300 customers, knocked out traffic signals at multiple intersections, and prompted road closures in the city's core. The Alexandria Brief

School Board publishes letter requesting council postpone classification vote. The March 9 letter, signed by all nine members, asked for a joint work session before any action — but council passed the resolution unanimously the following night. The board raised concerns about collective bargaining interactions and "operational rigidity." ACPS School Board

Aslin Alexandria celebrates Pi Day Saturday. First 314 customers get pizza and two beers for $31.40; Old Town Lager $3.14 all day; plus a pizza eating contest, pi reciting challenge, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles screening. Noon to 6 p.m. Aslin Beer Co.

Community Meeting for Hume Avenue Stormdrain Bypass Project. On March 23, City staff will present the final proposed drainage improvements, update the community on project progress, and review anticipated construction impacts. There will also be an opportunity for the community to ask questions. City of Alexandria

City Council is seeking applicants to fill boards and commissions vacancies. Council will act on these vacancies at the April 14, 2026. City of Alexandria

On this day in Alexandria's history: In 1847, Alexandria was formally retroceded from the District of Columbia back to Virginia. The city had been part of the original 100-square-mile federal district since 1801, but economic stagnation, loss of voting rights, and a proposal to outlaw slavery in the District compelled Alexandrians to petition Congress to return to the Commonwealth. Historic Alexandria

April 21 Special Election: As of Wednesday, March 11, 9,858 mail-in ballots have been sent out to voters, and 1,175 have voted early in person (11,033 total voters). Early voting continues through Saturday, April 18, at the Office of Voter Registration & Elections (132 N. Royal St., Suite 100). City of Alexandria

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Increasing clouds today, with a high near 56 degrees. Breezy, with a light south wind increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.

Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 42 degrees. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

7:45 a.m.: Women’s Leadership Forum at The Westin Alexandria
10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Bold & Bitterful returns to Port City Brewing
2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión at Burke Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: WNO Musicians: Chamber Music – Serenade to the Stars at The Rectory on Princess

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Chris Timbers at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke at 7:30 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Myles Deep 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 Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Adel Marie, Nadia Nadie, Tiny Hands, & more at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Lenny Stevens at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: DC Ambiance at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey & Tyler Goldstein at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Late Night Superstars at 9 p.m.
Port City Brewing: Chris Rote in the Lighthouse Lounge at 6 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Paris Chansons at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Lights Out By 8 at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

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

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
8:30 a.m.: ACPS Governance Committee at Central Office
5:30 p.m.: Legislative Subcommittee Meeting — Virtual meeting on Zoom

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