Table of Contents
Good morning, Alexandria.
A hazmat incident involving an unknown caustic white powder closed westbound Duke Street for most of Monday — the Alexandria Fire Department responded at 8:09 a.m., and the road didn't fully reopen until 5:12 p.m. The source of the spill remains under investigation.
On a lighter note, Mudhouse Coffee Roasters is days away from opening at 1119 King St. in Old Town — the Charlottesville-based roastery is putting the finishing touches on the space. And an Alexandria man now faces nearly 200 charges after investigators linked him to a months-long string of thefts from gym parking lots across Northern Virginia.
One more thing worth your attention today: severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, with damaging wind gusts, large hail and flash flooding all in play. Keep an eye on the forecast.
Here's what you need to know for Tuesday, July 21.
1️⃣ Mudhouse Coffee to open Alexandria location this month
A Charlottesville-based coffee roastery that got its start with a cart on the Downtown Mall is days away from opening its newest location on King Street in Old Town Alexandria, according to the company's Instagram page.
Mudhouse Coffee Roasters announced Sunday that it will open at 1119 King St. this month. The company initially posted it would open "this week" before contacting The Alexandria Brief and updating the post to reflect the new timeline.
"Something new is brewing in Alexandria," the company posted. "We're putting the finishing touches on our newest location, and we can't wait to welcome you through the doors."
2️⃣ Hazmat incident involving unknown white powder closes Duke Street for hours Monday morning
A hazardous materials incident involving an unknown caustic substance closed westbound Duke Street in Alexandria for most of Monday, prompting a multi-hour response from the Alexandria Fire Department before the road fully reopened at 5:12 p.m.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded at 8:09 a.m. to the 5300 block of Duke Street after an unknown white powder substance was reported. The material was tested and determined to be caustic in nature, but the exact product was not identified. The source of the spill remains under investigation, AFD said.
3️⃣ Alexandria man faces nearly 200 charges in multi-jurisdiction gym parking lot theft ring
An Alexandria man faces nearly 200 criminal charges after a months-long investigation into a series of thefts from vehicles parked at fitness centers across Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdictions, Fairfax County Police said Monday.
Kumneger Ayalsew, 29, of Alexandria, was arrested June 26 in the City of Alexandria with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department and the Falls Church Police Department following a coordinated investigation by Fairfax County detectives, according to a release from the Fairfax County Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division.
Detectives say that since April 2026, Ayalsew targeted unlocked vehicles parked at gym locations across Northern Virginia, stealing wallets, credit cards and other personal belongings before quickly making fraudulent gift card purchases at nearby retailers — often before victims realized the thefts had occurred. Investigators linked the cases using surveillance footage, financial records, digital evidence and search warrants.
4️⃣ Local leaders to discuss Alexandria's future at Gensler roundtable Thursday
A group of local officials, developers and community leaders will gather Thursday evening to discuss Alexandria's growth, investment landscape and development future at an event co-hosted by global design firm Gensler and Alexandria-based general contractor rand* construction.
The roundtable, part of Gensler's District Ambassadors series, is scheduled for July 23 at the rand* office at 1029 N. Royal St. in Old Town. It will feature Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins alongside a panel that includes Jay Kelly, senior vice president of development at Foulger-Pratt; Liz Bolton, communications lead at the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership; Lynn Thomas, executive director of Community Lodgings; and Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association.
In brief
Today is the last day to register your neighborhood, civic association or apartment community for National Night Out on August 4. More than 40 groups have already signed up — Police Chief Tarrick McGuire is aiming to break last year's record of more than 50 events. (The Brief)
The city holds a community meeting tonight on Alexandria's gas-powered leaf blower ban, which takes effect Nov. 17. The meeting runs 7 to 8 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center and via Zoom. City staff will cover the ban, enforcement, alternatives and how to dispose of prohibited equipment. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Fire Department is accepting applications for its 2026 Fall Community Fire Academy, a free eight-to-10-week program that gives Alexandria residents, workers and business owners a firsthand look at how the department operates. (The Brief)
Governor Abigail Spanberger has appointed Nyree Wright of Alexandria to the Commonwealth Council on Women. Wright is the principal of NW Consulting, LLC. (Governor of Virginia)
Alexandria Fire Department rescued a man from the water off of Jones Point on Monday night. (WUSA)
Applications for the city's 2026 Eco-City Academy are now open. This is Aatwo-day program, held over two Saturdays, where you will learn about City programs and resources that are driving progress on their energy, climate, and environmental goals, and walk away with practical ways you can contribute to that progress. (City of Alexandria)
Morocco Day, an Alexandria-based platform affiliated with the Moroccan American Network, has partnered with the IDMAJ Foundation to expand U.S.-Morocco sister-city ties. The initiative will be spotlighted at Morocco Day's 10th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 31 in Alexandria, which will draw government officials, business leaders and diplomats from both countries ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. (Morocco World News)
⚽ Sports
Kiki Iriafen had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Shakira Austin finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the Washington Mystics rallied past Golden State for a 90-82 victory Monday night to snap the Valkyries' nine-game winning streak. (The Brief)
Andrés Chaparro, Jacob Young and CJ Abrams homered to lead the Washington Nationals past the Colorado Rockies 7-3 on Monday night. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces split a doubleheader against the Olney Cropdusters on Monday at Frank Mann Field, falling 10-6 in the opener before winning 4-3 in the nightcap. The Aces are now 16-21 on the season.
Today's Schedule
- 6:30 p.m.: D.C. Grays at Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field
- 8:40 p.m.: Nationals at Colorado Rockies at Coors Field (Game 2 of 3)
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Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Alexandria, with scattered severe thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat, though large hail, a tornado and flash flooding are possible. Isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts are also possible Wednesday afternoon. (National Weather Service)
Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91 degrees. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72 swfewwa. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of a quarter to half an inch possible.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6 a.m., sunset at 8:28 p.m. 14 hours & 27 minutes of sun.
High tide at 2:28 a.m. & 2:55 p.m. Low tide at 9:07 a.m. & 9:01 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)
- 6:30 p.m.: D.C. Grays at Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field
- 7 p.m.: Sweet & Salty Book Club Meetings at Hotel Heron
- 7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Cooper Mill: Music Bingo at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
- Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pete Baker at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Trivia at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Commodore: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- The Garden Del Ray: Trivia at 7 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
City Government: Open · Flag: Full Staff · Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste: On Time
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 10 a.m.: Memorial Pool open
- Noon: Old Town Pool open
- 6 p.m.: Planning & Zoning Virtual Community Update
- 6 p.m.: AlexRenew Regular Board of Directors Meeting at Ed Semonian Boardroom (in-person and virtual)
- 7 p.m.: Historic Alexandria Resources Commission meeting (in-person)
- 7 p.m.: Commission for the Arts monthly meeting (virtual)
- 7 p.m.: Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban community information meeting at Charles Houston Recreation Center
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime — Martes de niños at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Dino Balloon Show with Mike Klee at Mount Vernon Recreation Center
- 10:30 a.m.: Playtime! — ¡Hora de jugar! at Beatley Reading Garden
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Dino Balloon Show with Mike Klee (2nd session) at Mount Vernon Recreation Center
- 2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Teen Summer Book Club — Realistic/Historical Fiction at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 4 p.m.: Robotics for Kids! at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (full)
- 4 p.m.: Bookworms Compost at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons — The Kingdoms of Living Giants at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (registration required)
- 6 p.m.: Banned Book Club at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 6 p.m.: Death Café at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (registration required)
- 6 p.m.: Technología y Entrenamiento Profesional — Sesiones de español at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
On this day in history
On July 21, 1861, as Union troops fell back in panic from the fields of Manassas, Capt. Delaware Kemper's Alexandria Light Artillery opened fire at Cub Run Bridge — where a single overturned wagon had triggered chaos among the retreating soldiers. Alexandria, already under Union occupation since May, was watching its own sons fight on the other side of the war.
On July 21, 2015, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The 333-foot memorial on Callahan Drive — built between 1922 and 1932 and designed after the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt — was formally designated a National Historic Landmark on August 4 of that year.
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