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Good morning, Alexandria. For the first time in what feels like weeks, there are no weather alerts, no air quality advisories, and no World Cup matches on the calendar. Just a regular Monday in July — enjoy it.
The August 4 primary is two weeks away and more than 7,800 Democratic voters have already cast or been sent ballots. If you haven't voted yet, the deadline to register and request a mail-in ballot is July 24 — this Friday. Early voting is now available on weekends at Beatley Central Library.
A Lorton man has been indicted in the April death of Alexandria pedestrian Norma Floyd-Sayles, charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield. And on a lighter note, an Alexandria artist invented a board game after a 10-year-old couldn't put down her hex puzzle — and a new book is about to take readers inside 44 of Old Town's most historic private homes, most never before photographed.
Here's what you need to know for Monday, July 20.
1️⃣ Thousands of Alexandrians have already voted in the Aug. 4 primary — here's everything you need to know before the deadline
As of July 16, 7,814 Democratic voters had either cast early in-person ballots or been sent mail-in ballots, according to the city's election dashboard — representing roughly 7.6% of Alexandria's 102,597 active registered voters. Of those, 2,694 ballots have been returned, 4,217 are still awaiting return, 32 need to be cured and 253 were marked undeliverable. Another 618 Democrats voted early in person.
Republican primary participation is considerably lower, reflecting Alexandria's heavily Democratic registration. A total of 1,061 Republican voters had been sent mail ballots or voted early as of July 16, with 287 ballots returned, 694 awaiting return and 32 early in-person votes cast.
The election includes a Democratic primary for the 8th District U.S. House seat and a Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Virginia voters may choose either ballot — but not both.
2️⃣ A puzzle, a 10-year-old, and a brainstorm: How an Alexandria artist invented a board game
About a year ago, Maritza Maxwell made a small hex puzzle for a friend. The friend's 10-year-old daughter loved it so much she started carrying it around and challenging strangers to beat her time.
That was enough for Maxwell.
"When I heard that, I thought, 'I should create a competitive puzzle game,'" she said. "I recognized that there are few competitive puzzles on the market, and fewer that can be played by people with different skill sets."
3️⃣ A new book opens the doors to 44 of Old Town's most historic private homes
Most of the people who walk Old Town's brick sidewalks every year never see what's behind the historic facades. A new book is about to change that.
Old Town Style: Inside Alexandria's Most Beautiful Historic Homes, written by Robert F. Weinhagen Jr., president of the Historic Alexandria Foundation, opens the doors to 44 private residences throughout Old Town — many never before photographed or published, and not accessible to the public. The book is set for release Sept. 8 and is available for pre-order now on Amazon at $64.99.
4️⃣ Driver indicted in death of Alexandria pedestrian Norma Floyd-Sayles
A Lorton man has been indicted in connection with the fatal pedestrian crash that killed an Alexandria woman in April, the Alexandria Police Department announced Friday.
The Alexandria Grand Jury returned an indictment on July 15 charging Tekaligne Shirko, 46, of Lorton, with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death. Shirko surrendered Thursday and is being processed through the Alexandria Adult Detention Center. A court date has not been set.
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📰 In brief
W. Braddock Road near Timber Branch Drive was closed briefly overnight after a downed tree branch blocked the roadway. APD posted the closure at 12:17 a.m.; the road has since reopened. (APD)
A portion of southbound N. Fairfax Street will partially close beginning today, as part of the ongoing City Hall Renovation Project, the city announced Wednesday. (The Brief)
Virginia Tech's Presidential Search Committee will hold a public listening session today at its Alexandria campus later this month, giving D.C.-area members of the university community a chance to weigh in on the search for the institution's next leader. (The Brief)
Street repaving is scheduled this week on King Street from 30th Street to North Hampton Street (night work, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., beginning Sunday), North Gailard Street from Seminary Road to end, North Pickett Street from Seminary Road to end, Stonebridge Road, and Braddock Road from Van Dorn Street to North Quaker Lane. Lane closures on King Street should be expected during overnight hours. (City of Alexandria)
The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery today at 11:40 a.m. (AlertDC)
How a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace thrust a Texas monk and his rescue dog into the spotlight. (The Brief)
Alexandria man dies weeks after being injured in Fairfax County pedestrian crash. (WTOP)
⚽ Sports
Spain is the 2026 World Cup champion. Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. — their second World Cup title.
Correction: An earlier version of this brief incorrectly stated that Spain's 2026 World Cup title was their fourth. It was their second. The Alexandria Brief regrets the error.
Tara Rudd and Trinity Rodman scored for the Washington Spirit in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Legacy on Sunday in the first meeting between the teams. (The Brief)
CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning to send the Washington Nationals to a 5-2 victory over the Athletics on Sunday. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces beat Metro South County 6-3 Sunday at Frank Mann Field.
Gabby Williams hit two key 3-pointers over the final six minutes and finished with 18 points, Veronica Burton had 11 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, and the Golden State Valkyries held off the Washington Mystics 74-69 on Saturday night for their ninth straight win. (The Brief)
Today's Schedule
- 8:40 p.m.: Nationals at Colorado Rockies, Coors Field
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Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 71 degrees. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:59 a.m., sunset at 8:28 p.m. 14 hours & 29 minutes of sun.
High tide at 1:35 a.m. & 1:58 p.m. Low tide at 8:11 a.m. & 8:16 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)
- 5 p.m.: Celebrate 15 Years of The Pincus Center at The Pincus Center
- 6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
- Clyde’s at Mark Center: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Traditional Irish Music at 7 p.m.
- Del Ray Public House: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
- Mason Social: Rook Richards at 5 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 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
- 11 a.m.: Warwick Pool open
- 12 p.m.: Old Town Pool open
- 6:30 p.m.: Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project — 60% design community meeting at 2900 Business Center Drive
- 7 p.m.: George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee meeting at Lloyd House
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Baby Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (tickets required)
- 10:30 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Baby Time (2nd session) at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (tickets required)
- 1 p.m.: English Language Learning at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (no registration needed)
- 3:30 p.m.: Teen and Tween Summer Craft Camp at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Horror Fans Unite! at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (registration required)
- 6 p.m.: Intro to DJing at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 6:30 p.m.: Stability in Motion — weekly yoga with Seven Petals Yoga at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (full)
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