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Good morning, Alexandria — and enjoy the weather today. After a week of heat advisories, air quality alerts and severe storms, Thursday is bringing mostly sunny skies and a high near 82 degrees. It's the best day of the week.
On the news front, a revised pedestrian safety plan for Russell Road near Naomi Brooks Elementary goes before the Traffic and Parking Board on Monday — the proposal looks significantly different from what the city first presented in May, after 170 community comments reshaped it. Two people were stabbed in separate incidents Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with suspects charged in both cases and no known ongoing threat to the community. And if you've noticed your takeout arriving in paper or cardboard lately, there's a reason — Virginia's foam container ban took effect July 1.
One deadline worth flagging: tomorrow, July 24, is the last day to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot for the August 4 dual primary. If you haven't done either, today is the day to act.
Here's what you need to know for Thursday, July 23.
1️⃣ Traffic and Parking Board to weigh revised Russell Road safety plan Monday after community feedback reshaped proposal
A pedestrian safety overhaul along Russell Road near Naomi Brooks Elementary School goes before the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board on Monday — but the plan heading to the board looks significantly different from what the city first proposed in May. After receiving 170 comments during a public engagement period, city staff scaled back their original parking removal proposal and identified an opportunity to add two spaces on the 600 block of Russell Road, resulting in a net loss of just two spaces citywide — a significant reduction from the four to 19.5 spaces originally on the table.
The divide in the community was not simply pro-safety versus anti-safety. Nearly every letter expressed support for improving pedestrian conditions near the school. The disagreement centered on how much parking to remove, whether existing speed tables should stay, and whether the city's nearly decade-old underlying data justifies permanent infrastructure changes. Teachers at Naomi Brooks — one of the few Alexandria schools without a dedicated staff parking lot — were among the most vocal opponents, arguing that removing nearby street parking would create a functional barrier to accessing their workplace.
If approved, construction is anticipated in spring 2027 as part of a planned repaving of Russell Road.
2️⃣ Why Alexandria restaurants stopped using foam containers
If your takeout has been arriving in paper, cardboard or foil lately, there's a reason.
As of July 1, Virginia banned the use of expanded polystyrene — the foam material commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam — for all food vendors in the state. That includes restaurants, food trucks, grocery store salad bars, catering companies and cafeterias, including those in Alexandria City Public Schools.
The ban, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021, rolled out in two phases. Large chains with 20 or more locations in Virginia were required to stop using foam containers by July 1, 2025. As of July 1 this year, every other food vendor in the state must comply.
3️⃣ Two people stabbed in separate incidents in Alexandria; both suspects charged
Two people were stabbed in separate incidents in Alexandria Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with suspects charged in both cases and no known ongoing threat to the community.
In the first incident, officers responded to the 1200 block of Braddock Place at approximately 8:05 p.m. Tuesday near the Braddock Road Metro Station. An adult male was located with a knife wound; the suspect, Maurice Moore, 55, with no fixed address, was apprehended at the scene and charged with malicious wounding. In the second incident, a domestic-related stabbing at Newport Village Apartments on West Braddock Road at approximately 2:26 a.m. Wednesday left an adult female with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, Junique Morris, 42, of Alexandria, was quickly apprehended and charged with malicious wounding. Both victims were transported to local hospitals.
Anyone with information on the Braddock Place incident is asked to contact Det. Jones at 703-746-1964. For the West Braddock Road incident, contact Det. Mendez at 703-746-6736. Tips can be submitted anonymously in both cases.
In brief
A group of local officials, developers and community leaders will gather this 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 Brief)
Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot for the August 4 dual primary. As of July 21, 8,154 Democratic voters have cast ballots or been sent mail-in ballots. On the Republican side, 1,082 total. Early voting continues today at 132 N. Royal St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (City of Alexandria)
Twenty-two homes closed in Alexandria last week, ranging from a $240,000 one-bedroom condo near Landmark to a $2.6 million townhome in Ford's Landing, according to data from Redfin. (The Brief)
Frank Fannon has joined the board of directors of the Coalition for a Livable Alexandria. (The Brief)
The Friendship Firehouse Festival returns Saturday, Aug. 1 on the 100 block of South Alfred Street in Old Town. (The Brief)
David Paladin-Fernandez has been elected president of the Education Association of Alexandria. (Alexandria Times)
Revived plans to reconfigure portions of the Taylor Run stream have been temporarily delayed in response to ecological concerns. (Alexandria Times)
Starwood Capital Group is moving forward with its plan to develop two data centers off Edsall Road in Fairfax County near the Alexandria line. (WBJ)
Housing Alexandria will host a virtual orientation on its Shared Equity Homeownership Program (SEHP) on Tuesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. (City of Alexandria)
The city will slide select yard waste collection routes regularly scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday (July 22-23) to Friday, July 24 due to operational changes. (City of Alexandria)
Congressman Don Beyer is among 70 House Democrats demanding that the National Park Service immediately address its reported backlog of 1,400 grant approvals, which has delayed more than $360 million in funding. (Beyer)
⚽ Sports
Tai Baribo scored in the 78th minute Wednesday night for D.C. United in a 1-1 tie with the Houston Dynamo in the first game for both teams since the World Cup break. (The Brief)
Shakira Austin scored 25 points, converting a three-point play after an offensive rebound with 12.8 seconds left, to lead the Washington Mystics to a 100-99 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night. (The Brief)
Cade Cavalli threw six strong innings, Luis García Jr. hit a two-run homer as part of a six-run seventh to break open a tight game and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0 on Wednesday. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces' game against the Southern Maryland Senators on Wednesday was canceled due to field conditions.
Today's Schedule
- 6:30 p.m.: D.C. Grays at Alexandria Aces — First Round Play-In Game (#7 Grays vs. #6 Aces), Frank Mann Field
Next up: Nationals vs. Arizona at Nationals Park, Friday, 6:45 p.m. DC United hosts Toronto FC on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. The Spirit host Denver at Audi Field on Sunday, 7 p.m. The Mystics are home Tuesday vs. Connecticut, 7:30 p.m.
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. North wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 64 degrees. Light and variable wind.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:01 a.m., sunset at 8:26 p.m. 14 hours & 24 minutes of sun.
High tide at 4:17 a.m. & 4:51 p.m. Low tide at 11 a.m. & 10:39 p.m. The moon phase is a Waxing Gibbous.
🚇 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 132 N. Royal St.
- 8:30 a.m.: The Chamber ALX's Professional Women's Network July Coffee & Connections at United Way Worldwide
- 3 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at 901 North Royal St.
- 4 p.m.: Golden Hour Thursdays at Eliana Curated
- 5 p.m.: The Future of Alexandria at 1029 North Royal Street
- 6:30 p.m.: D.C. Grays at Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field
- 7 p.m.: The Art of the Duo: Tom Teasley & Chelle Fulk at Athenaeum
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Atlas ALX: Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Steel drums at 5:30 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: The Walkaways in the No. 9 Lounge at 8:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Summer Night an Rnb/Rap Musical Experience at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Rocky Guttmann at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Southfield at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Catch Me If You Can at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
City Government: Open · Flag: Half Staff · Trash & Recycling: On Time · Yard Waste: Partial Service Slide
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 10 a.m.: Memorial Pool open
- 11 a.m.: Warwick Pool open
- 12 p.m.: Old Town Pool open
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Rainbow Puppets — The Really BIG Dinosaur Show at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs (2nd session) at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 12 p.m.: Line Dancing 201 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
- 2 p.m.: American Style Mahjong at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Continuum of Care Panel at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 4:30 p.m.: Robotics for Kids! at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: Tai Chi at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group A at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Technology & Career Readiness — English Sessions at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
On this day in history
On July 23, 1830, the Alexandria Common Council authorized the purchase of 500 shares of stock in the Alexandria Canal Company. When completed in 1845, the canal ran from a terminal in Georgetown, across the Potomac on an aqueduct, along the west side of the Virginia shore, over Four Mile Run on another aqueduct, into Alexandria, and descended to the Potomac by means of three lift locks which lowered barges to the river. The canal never turned a profit — competition from the railroads undercut its business almost immediately after it opened — and it was largely abandoned by the 1880s. Today, traces of its route can still be found along the Alexandria waterfront. (Historic Alexandria)
The Alexandria Brief
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