The Alexandria Brief: Friday, March 6

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Friday, March 6 — the 65th day of 2026, with 300 days left in the year.

A school board member is pushing back on a city proposal to change how Alexandria funds its public schools — and calling on Council to slow down. Kelly Carmichael Booz says the plan to appropriate ACPS funds by spending category rather than as a lump sum was introduced at the end of Wednesday's joint session with no opportunity for discussion. Council was expected to vote on a resolution of intent on Tuesday, March 10.

Early voting begins this morning at 132 North Royal Street for the April 21 special election. The Alexandria Brief interviewed all three candidates this week — watch, listen or read the full conversations below. And Virginia health officials have partially lifted the Potomac River advisory, clearing Alexandria's waterfront nearly three weeks after the sewage pipeline collapse upstream.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Alexandria school board member pushes back on city's plan to restructure school funding

A school board member is calling on Alexandria City Council to slow down a proposal that would fundamentally change how the city funds its public schools — one she says was introduced at the end of Wednesday's joint budget work session with no opportunity for discussion.

Board member Kelly Carmichael Booz published a statement Thursday night that she had intended to deliver at the school board meeting before a power outage canceled it. In it, she raises legal, operational, and procedural concerns about a city plan to appropriate ACPS funds by major spending category rather than as a lump-sum transfer, as has been the historical practice. Council was expected to vote on a resolution of intent on Tuesday, March 10.

"Not a single question about it was asked or answered between the two bodies," Booz wrote.

2️⃣ Early voting begins today — here's where the three candidates stand

Early voting opens this morning at 132 North Royal Street for the April 21 City Council special election. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through April 18.

The Alexandria Brief interviewed all three candidates this week. Watch, listen to, or read about the conversations we had about them below.

3️⃣ Potomac River advisory partially lifted; Alexandria waterfront cleared

Virginia health officials have partially lifted a recreational water advisory for the Potomac River, removing restrictions that had covered Alexandria's waterfront since mid-February following a catastrophic sewage pipeline collapse upstream.

The Virginia Department of Health announced the partial lift Thursday, nearly three weeks after issuing the original advisory Feb. 13. The Alexandria Health Department notified residents the same day.

The advisory remains in place for a 4.7-mile stretch of the river running from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) to the Route 120 Chain Bridge — the area closest to the spill site.

📰 In brief

Missing Alexandria woman, 80, found safe. A passerby spotted Virginia Richards Thursday evening and contacted authorities. The Alexandria Brief

Virginia, Maryland lawmakers advance Metro funding Alexandria endorsed. Maryland passed a $150 million annual capital funding bill Thursday; Virginia budget conferees negotiating ahead of March 14 deadline. The Alexandria Brief

St. Elmo's temporarily closing Del Ray location for refresh. The flagship Mount Vernon Avenue café shuts down Monday for "the next chapter"; pop-up planned at Piece Out during the closure. The Alexandria Brief

Warner calls Iran conflict a 'war of choice,' urges congressional oversight. The Virginia senator said he's received classified briefings and still cannot identify a clear military objective. The Alexandria Brief

Mount Vernon Trail closes today near Old Town for shoreline repairs. Trail segment between East Abingdon Drive and 3rd Street closed for five to six weeks; use alternate route along East Abingdon Drive. The Alexandria Brief

City accepting applications for Eco-City Advocates Grant. The Office of Climate Action is launching a program empowering community organizations to engage residents in energy efficiency and mobility programs. Applications due March 30. City of Alexandria

Historic Happy Hour March 12 at Il Porto. Jim Holloway presents "Science, Pseudoscience, Humbug, & Magic at The Lyceum" from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; 10% of proceeds support America 250 commemorations. City of Alexandria

Peak cherry blossom bloom predicted March 29 – April 1. The National Park Service announced the Yoshino cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin are expected to reach peak bloom — when 70% of blossoms are open — during that window. National Park Service

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

via the National Weather Service

A slight chance of showers today after 1 p.m. Patchy dense fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 55 degrees.

A chance of showers tonight, mainly before 1 a.m. Patchy dense fog between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45 degrees.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

11 a.m.: Maniacal DIPA returns at Port City Brewing Company
1 p.m.: Film Screening - "Song Sung Blue" at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Lego Competition at Duncan Branch Library
5 p.m.: Rooftop Season Kickoff Party with live DJ and German beer at Alexandria Bier Garden
7 p.m.: A Night Celebrating Middle Grade Readers at Old Town Books Junior

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Brandt Dunn at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Mike Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Mantis at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Live Indie Rock and Pop Music Night at 8 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Will Barkley at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Sara Delaney at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Bitter Luck at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
St. Elmo's Del Ray: Poetry Reading at 7 p.m.
The Birchmere: The High Kings at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Practically Einstein 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.: Health and Safety Coordinating Committee
3:30 p.m.: CYFCC Advocacy Committee Meeting at Gustave's Bakery
5:30 p.m.: Legislative Subcommittee Meeting (virtual)

This weekend

What's happening in Alexandria this weekend. St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town; Women's Bar Crawl in Del Ray; EmpowerHER forum Sunday. The Alexandria Brief

Local musician Rook Richards leads St. Patrick's Day Parade as grand marshal Saturday. The 43rd annual Ballyshaners parade steps off at 12:15 p.m. at King and Alfred streets. The Alexandria Brief

EmpowerHER Women's Health Forum Sunday at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Councilwoman Jacinta Greene hosts free event for International Women's Day. The Alexandria Brief