Table of Contents
Good morning, Alexandria.
The City Council has asked Fairfax County to deny the electrical substation that would power a data center campus proposed just past Alexandria's western border. In an Aug. 3 letter to the county Planning Commission, Mayor Alyia Gaskins cited the number of city homes bordering the site and said heavy industrial use that close to dense housing is reason to reject the application. Dominion Energy says the substation is needed to serve the site's electrical load, and developer Starwood Digital Ventures says it would strengthen power reliability in the surrounding area. The commission holds its public hearing and vote Sept. 24. Alexandria has no vote in the decision.
Also today: Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt has resumed a more active role at Alexandria City Public Schools but has not returned full time, School Board Chair Christopher Harris said Wednesday, six weeks after the division announced her leave. And the Alexandria City High School PTSA and Cora Kelly School PTA were named National PTA Schools of Excellence, two of 25 designees in Virginia.
Here's what you need to know for Thursday, Aug. 6.
1️⃣ Alexandria City Council asks Fairfax County to deny data center substation at the city's edge
The Alexandria City Council has formally asked Fairfax County to reject the electrical substation that would power a data center campus proposed just beyond the city's western border, arguing that the project's effects will not stop at the county line.
In a letter dated Aug. 3 and addressed to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, Mayor Alyia Gaskins wrote on behalf of the council and city residents to request denial of the Edsall Data Center Substation 2232 application.
"The incompatibility of heavy industrial use in such proximity to a densely populated area of Alexandria residents is a clear and compelling reason to not support this application," Gaskins wrote.
2️⃣ Two Alexandria PTAs named National PTA Schools of Excellence
Two Alexandria City Public Schools parent groups have been named National PTA Schools of Excellence for 2025-2027, an award recognizing partnerships between families and schools.
The Alexandria City High School PTSA and the Cora Kelly School PTA appear on the national roster released Aug. 1. They are among 321 local PTAs and schools nationwide to earn the two-year designation, and among 25 in Virginia.
The Alexandria City High School PTSA announced its designation to members on Aug. 2, saying the group had made significant progress in welcoming families, communicating effectively, supporting student success, speaking up for every student and collaborating with community partners — five of the six National Standards for Family-School Partnerships that the program is built around.
3️⃣ Superintendent Kay-Wyatt is back at work part time
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt has begun taking on more of her duties but has not returned to work full time, School Board Chair Christopher Harris said Wednesday, six weeks after the division announced she was on leave.
"Dr. Kay-Wyatt has been on leave related to multiple personal matters beginning June 22, 2026," Harris said in a statement provided by the division. He said she had worked to support leadership staff and stay engaged in key division matters beginning in July, and resumed a more active role in school matters beginning Aug. 3.
"She has still not returned on a full-time basis," Harris said, "and Chief of Staff Dr. Grace Taylor continues to operate as the primary superintendent's designee in her absence."
In brief
The Alexandria branch of the NAACP will hold its 93rd annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 1, honoring Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the Black and Missing Foundation. (The Brief)
The Alexandria City Council is seeking residents to fill 92 vacancies across 32 city boards, commissions and committees. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project will hold an evening in remembrance of Benjamin Thomas on Friday, Aug. 28. (The Brief)
A Korean café chain's first U.S. store is coming to King Street — and a second is already lined up in Arlington. (The Brief)
Twenty-three homes closed in Alexandria last week, ranging from a $155,000 studio at Park Place on North Van Dorn Street to a $3.7 million historic townhouse on Duke Street in Old Town. (The Brief)
Mayor Alyia Gaskins and local rugby players on Wednesday participated in a civic welcome reception in Dundee’s city center. "It was a great way to kick off the start of the week of rugby," Mayor Gaskins shared. (Alyia4ALX/X) Follow @alexandriamayorscup on Instagram for more action from Scotland.
Alexandria's Taja Iglesias is at the center of this WAMU and KFF Health News story on why doula coverage hasn't meant access. (WAMU)
Region
Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached. (The Brief)
After years of bipartisan deliberation, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has introduced legislation to strengthen and protect a federal drug pricing program. (Virginia Mercury)
Sports
The Washington Commanders added needed depth at wide receiver with the signing of Stefon Diggs. (The Brief)
The Nationals snapped their seven-game skid with a 10-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night. (The Brief)
The Washington Mystics overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Dallas Wings 96-92 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory. (The Brief)
Today's Schedule
- 6:05 p.m.: Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Sunny, with a high near 92 degrees. Heat index values as high as 102 degrees. South wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75 degrees. South wind 3 to 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:14 a.m., sunset at 8:12 p.m. 13 hours & 58 minutes of sun.
High tide at 2:08 a.m. & 2:44 p.m. Low tide at 9:14 a.m. & 8:46 p.m. The moon phase is a Last Quarter Moon.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 3 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at 901 North Royal St.
- 5 p.m.: Historic Happy Hours at Josephine Brasserie & Bar
🎶 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.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena's Woodfired Pizza & Tap: Gigi MacLaughlin at Havana 151 at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Pat Garvey at 8:30 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Dave Hollister at 7:30 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: Full Staff
- Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
- 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
- 2 p.m.: Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee and Budget Advisory Committee subcommittee meeting (virtual)
- 5 p.m.: Historic Happy Hour at Josephine's Restaurant
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: Alexandria Library: A Legacy of Service Since 1937 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 / Cuentos en el jardín de lectura at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Kaydee Puppets 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 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 Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion — "Ghosts of Hiroshima" by Charles Pellegrino at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: 250th Film Festival — "On the Waterfront" at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Preserving the Seasons: The Art of Canning, Jamming and More at Virtual
- 3 p.m.: Carefull Knit & Crochet — America250 at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: Rebecca's Red Carpet at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Editor's Note: The listings above reflect information available at the time of publication. Schedules are subject to change. Please check with the venue or event host for the latest status.
On this day in Alexandria's history
On Aug. 6, 1890, a report found that the old tidal basin and lock of the Alexandria Canal, sitting alongside the Potomac, had fallen into disrepair. Congress had chartered the canal just 60 years earlier, after Alexandria merchants pitched a link between Georgetown and the Alexandria seaport to capitalize on the new Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The finished route ran seven miles and dropped 38 feet through four locks. By 1886 the canal was abandoned, and the towpath through what is now Arlington gave way to the electric railway to Mount Vernon. The tide lock and basin sat buried until the 1980s, when archaeologists excavated and reconstructed them alongside the Canal Center development. (Historic Alexandria)
The reconstructed tide lock is at Tide Lock Park, 1 Canal Center Plaza. More info
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Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist. Send news, tips, and feedback to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
