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Good morning, Alexandria.
A man was shot and killed late Wednesday night at ParcView Apartments on Holmes Run Parkway, and The Alexandria Brief has been on it since the early hours of this morning. APD says there is no known ongoing threat to the community — detectives are on the scene, K-9 units are assisting, and Holmes Run Parkway remains closed in both directions.
It's a heavy way to start a Thursday. There's also a lot more below — a new ACHS principal who says he's not going anywhere, a sobering jobs report for the Washington region, a road closure coming to Old Town next week, and a leaf blower ban that's closer than you think.
Here's what you need to know for Thursday, July 16.
1️⃣ Man fatally shot at ParcView Apartments on Holmes Run Parkway
An adult male was fatally shot late Wednesday night at the ParcView Apartments on Holmes Run Parkway, the Alexandria Police Department confirmed Thursday.
At approximately 11:14 p.m., APD officers responded to the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway for a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
APD said there is no known ongoing threat to the community. Detectives are interviewing witnesses, processing the scene for evidence, and utilizing K-9 resources as part of the ongoing investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
2️⃣ 'It's my last job': ACHS gets a principal who says he's here to stay
Seventy-eight parents RSVP'd. About 50 showed up Wednesday morning, filling tables in the rotunda at the King Street Campus — the event had already been moved from a smaller room to accommodate the demand.
That turnout — for a summer breakfast meeting with a brand-new principal — may say as much about Alexandria City High School families as anything Michael Burch said once he stood up and faced the room. But what he said was worth hearing.
Burch, who took over July 1 as ACHS's first permanent principal in a year, held the inaugural "Breakfast with Burch" at the King Street Campus, introducing himself to families, walking through the year ahead, and fielding questions for nearly an hour on everything from cell phones to outdoor lunch space to what it will take for him to be the leader ACHS has been waiting for.
3️⃣ Washington region loses 100,500 jobs in a year. Alexandria's unemployment rate is holding — for now
The Washington metropolitan area lost 100,500 jobs between May 2025 and May 2026, with federal workforce reductions accounting for more than half of those losses, according to new data from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Of the total jobs lost, 54,500 were federal positions. From January 2025 to May 2026, the total number of federal jobs in the region dropped from 375,800 to 312,500 — the lowest level in 30 years. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area has a higher concentration of federal employment than any other metropolitan area in the United States, according to COG.
The professional and business services sector also shed approximately 32,100 jobs compared to the previous year.
4️⃣ Southbound N. Fairfax Street will partially close July 20 for City Hall renovation work
A portion of southbound N. Fairfax Street will partially close beginning Monday, July 20, as part of the ongoing City Hall Renovation Project, the city announced Wednesday.
The closure runs through Friday, July 31. During that time, crews will install new municipal fiber lines. The northbound lane will remain open, and flaggers will direct traffic in both directions through the single available lane. Drivers are asked to watch for workers and follow posted signs and flagger directions.
The lane closure is one of several disruptions tied to the renovation of Alexandria's 1871 City Hall building at 301 King St. The north sidewalk along King Street between N. Royal and N. Fairfax Streets has also been closed to pedestrians since June 15 and will remain closed through July 31.
5️⃣ Alexandria's gas-powered leaf blower ban is four months away. Here's what you need to know
This fall will be the last time the familiar roar of gas-powered leaf blowers is legal in Alexandria. The city's historic ban — the first of its kind in Virginia — takes effect Nov. 17, and with four months to go, officials are holding a community meeting next week to answer questions and help residents and businesses prepare.
Starting Nov. 17, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums is prohibited at all times within Alexandria city limits. The ban applies to all properties — residential, commercial and public — and covers any handheld, backpack or walk-behind blower or vacuum powered by an internal combustion engine running on gasoline, diesel, alcohol or any other fuel.
📰 In brief
Historic Alexandria is offering a summer series of Grown-Up Field Trips, giving adults a chance to explore the city's history through hands-on activities, primary sources, and guided conversations. (The Brief)
The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden has promoted Jenny Waters to museum director, the Old Town institution announced Wednesday. (The Brief)
The City invites community members to attend a meeting on Monday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m., where it will present the 60% design plans for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project. (City of Alexandria)
The deadline to register your neighborhood, apartment community, civic association, business, or faith-based organization for National Night Out 2026 is Tuesday, July 21. (APD)
Early voting for the August 4 Dual Party Primary Election is underway. As of July 14, 7,740 total ballots have been cast or sent on the Democratic side — 7,188 mail-in and 552 early in-person. On the Republican side, 1,057 total — 1,029 mail-in and 28 early in-person. The last day to register to vote and the last day to request a mail-in ballot are both July 24. (City of Alexandria)
The Justice Department has installed Theo Stamos, a longtime state and local prosecutor, to lead the Eastern Virginia US attorney’s office in Alexandria. (Bloomberg Law)
⚽ Sports
Argentina beat England 2-1 Wednesday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, setting up a World Cup final of Spain vs. Argentina on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. France and England meet in the third-place match Saturday at 5 p.m.
Rose Lavelle scored in the first half and Gotham FC beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Wednesday night in a match at Citi Field that was dubbed the Queens Classic. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces were shut out 15-0 by the Metro South County Braves on Wednesday night at South County High School. The Aces are now 14-19 on the season, third in the South Division and nine games back of division-leading Southern Maryland with seven games remaining in the regular season.
Today's Schedule
- 6:30 p.m.: Gaithersburg Giants at Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field
- 7 p.m.: Washington Mystics vs. Portland Fire at Capital One Arena
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Air Quality Alert in effect today for Northern Virginia — Code Orange, meaning air pollution may reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart disease. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Today: Patchy smoke between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97 degrees. Heat index values as high as 102. Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 and 10 p.m. Low around 77 degrees.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:56 a.m., sunset at 8:31 p.m. 14 hours & 35 minutes of sun.
High tide at 10:24 a.m. & 10:59 p.m. Low tide at 4:35 a.m. & 5:17 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)
- 3 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at 901 North Royal Street
- 6 p.m.: The Chamber ALX's 2026 40 Under 40 Awards at the American Physical Therapy Association
- 6:30 p.m.: Gaithersburg Giants at Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field
- 7 p.m.: Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner at Chart House Restaurant
🎶 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: Rap is Poetry Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio 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.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: GXB at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Lyfe Jennings at 7:30 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: On Time · Air Quality: Yellow (forecast Orange today and tomorrow)
- 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
- 5:30 p.m.: Public Health Advisory Commission meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
- (City of Alexandria calendar) (ACPS calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Outdoor Play — on the Columbus Street lawn 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 (tickets required)
- Noon: Line Dancing 201 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Film Screening — "Nuremberg" at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Migrant Heart — Reyna Grande (Virtual)
- 2 p.m.: Move & Groove at William Ramsay Recreation Center
- 3 p.m.: Carefull Knit & Crochet at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Handcraft Crafternoon at Beatley Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Julie's Field Day — American Girl Party at Beatley Reading Garden
- 5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Oddball Cinema — Monsoon Wedding at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons Teen Group at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (wait list only)
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group B at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (registration required)
- 6 p.m.: Technology & Career Readiness — English Sessions at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Great Books Foundation Discussion Group (Virtual)
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
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