The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, March 12

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Thursday, March 12 — the 71st day of 2026, with 294 days left in the year.

It was 71 degrees outside when I started writing this newsletter at 5 a.m. By 6:30, it had dropped to 64. By 1 p.m., it'll be 36 with rain turning to snow. Dress in layers — or just stay confused.

Sheriff Sean Casey spent approximately 36 minutes before council Wednesday night answering questions about the cost of running the jail, an unfinished agreement with the city, and why his office has no performance indicators in the proposed budget, while dozens of ICE Out of Alexandria protesters filled the chambers in sustained, silent demonstration. Neither Casey nor any council member specifically mentioned ICE during the session.

Alexandria will host a town hall on the Potomac Interceptor collapse on March 19 at the Lee Center — the first Virginia jurisdiction to hold a community hearing on the crisis. DC Water and health officials will field questions from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tonight, the school board reviews mid-year progress on the ACPS 2030 strategic plan at 6 p.m. And The Commodore opens its doors at 220 N. Lee St. — ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Council presses sheriff on federal contract cost, missing performance indicators, and unfinished city agreement

Sheriff Sean Casey spent 36 minutes before five members of City Council on Wednesday night answering detailed questions about the cost of running the jail, the status of an unfinished agreement with the city, and why his office has no performance indicators in the proposed budget — while dozens of ICE Out of Alexandria protesters filled the chambers holding signs calling for an end to ICE transfers.

Neither Casey nor any council member mentioned ICE specifically during the session.

The crowd arrived early and stayed through the entire Safe, Secure & Just work session, holding signs reading "No $$$ for ICE Collaboration," "No Funds for ICE Collaboration," "Fund Education Not Terrorism," and "Casey, Stop ICE Transfers" — as well as at least one handmade sign reading "To Protect and Serve* *Some of Us." The demonstration was silent and sustained, stretching from the police department presentation through the fire department.

2️⃣ Alexandria to host Potomac Interceptor town hall March 19 at the Lee Center

As first reported by The Alexandria Brief, Alexandria will host a public town hall on the Potomac Interceptor collapse on Thursday, March 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lee Center, Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

Gaskins said the event will include DC Water, Alexandria's health department, and other major agencies involved in the response, though a full attendee list has not been released.

3️⃣ ACPS school board to review strategic plan progress tonight as staff retention concerns emerge

Alexandria City Public Schools' school board meets tonight at 6 p.m. for a work session at the School Board Meeting Room, 1340 Braddock Place. The session is not a voting meeting — both agenda items are informational — but the data being presented offers the clearest picture yet of how the district's new five-year strategic plan is taking hold at the halfway point of its first year.

The board will review two items: a mid-year update on the ACPS 2030 Strategic Plan, and a Data Digest produced in collaboration with Hanover Research that compiles key performance indicators from the previous strategic plan through the 2024–2025 school year.

📰 In brief

Brookings economist tells Alexandria council: private sector job losses are the city's real federal cuts story. DMV Monitor data shows Alexandria lost more private sector jobs than nearly any other jurisdiction in the region in 2025; home listings up 46%, median prices down 25%; bankruptcy filings up 28%. The Alexandria Brief

From 'Wonder Woman' to 'The Walking Dead,' Alexandria has always been camera-ready — now it's your turn. Two short films are actively casting local talent, adding new chapters to a city with decades of big-screen history. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission to consider letter on draft 2040 housing plan's sustainability provisions. Commission meeting Monday will also take up flood resilience, community energy aggregation. The Alexandria Brief

City of Alexandria warns permit applicants of phishing scam targeting property owners. Fraudulent emails impersonate city officials, request payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency and mobile apps. The Alexandria Brief

Thousands expected along Route 1 as Alexandria joins national No Kings protest March 28. A Bridge Brigade over I-395 in Shirlington adds to a day of regional demonstrations. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria Soccer Association is returning to Episcopal High School. Registration now open for annual Spring Break camp, which runs March 30 - April 3. Alexandria Soccer Association

The Commodore Old Town opens today. Serving up Chicago tavern-style pizza and craft beer at 220 N. Lee Street. 5 p.m. ribbon cutting. The Commodore

April 21 Special Election: As of March 10, 9,831 mail-in ballots have been sent out to voters, and 956 have voted early in person. Early voting continues through Saturday, April 18, at the Office of Voter Registration & Elections (132 N. Royal St., Suite 100). City of Alexandria

Police Activity Notice: The Alexandria Police Department served multiple search & arrest warrants this morning related to an ongoing criminal investigation in the blocks of 4900 Waple Ln., 2400 Mandeville,1200 Quaker Hill Dr., & 5800 Cowling Ct. "Uniformed officers were present at each location to inform neighbors of our presence". Alexandria Police Department

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Rain and snow today, mainly before 3 p.m. Temperature falling to around 36 degrees by 1 p.m. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 32 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.