The Alexandria Brief: Wednesday, April 15

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Wednesday, April 15 — Tax Day. It's the 105th day of 2026, with 260 days left in the year.

Let's start with the obvious: it's going to be hot. Not August hot, but mid-90s-in-April hot — the kind of heat your body isn't ready for yet. The National Weather Service has Alexandria under a Moderate Heat Risk today and tomorrow. If you're older, work outside, or don't have good AC, take it seriously. Drink water. Find shade.

Now to the election. Six days out, and more than 16,700 ballots are already in. Last night, I published a look at the campaign finance filings — and what they reveal is a race that's competitive in name but wildly unequal in resources. Three candidates, three very different donor coalitions. Worth a read before you vote.

Two things on your radar: The School Board's public hearing on the police-in-schools agreement is tomorrow at 5 p.m. — noon today is the deadline to sign up to speak. And Saturday brings public hearings on the tax rate, budget, Sunday meters, and parking fines. Council convenes at 9:30 a.m.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan

Have a story idea, news tip, question, or feedback? Hit reply or email ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

1️⃣ Sunday parking meters, BPOL tax, and parking fines advance on first reading amid council skepticism

Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting on April 14. (Screenshot/City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council advanced three budget-related ordinances on first reading Tuesday night, setting up a Saturday public hearing on proposals to expand parking meters to Sundays, raise parking fines, and increase a business tax — even as two council members signaled they would not ultimately support the most controversial of the three.

The meeting, which adjourned at 8:06 p.m., was presided over by Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley after Mayor Alyia Gaskins joined remotely from Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she is attending the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. The council also received a sobering monthly economic update, recognized Volunteer Alexandria and Autism Acceptance Month, and filled seats on nine city boards and commissions.

2️⃣ Inside the finances of Alexandria's April 21 City Council race

Voters wait in-line outside a polling station on November 4, 2025 in Alexandria, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

All three candidates in next Tuesday's Alexandria City Council special election filed campaign finance reports with the Virginia State Board of Elections this past weekend and Monday. Read together, they reveal a race that is competitive in name but dramatically unequal in resources — and three donor coalitions that could not look more different from one another.

The filings cover activity through April 9. All three campaigns are still actively raising money and hosting fundraisers. The next full report covering the final stretch through Election Day isn't due until May 21 — a month after the race is decided. What happens financially between now and Tuesday is largely invisible to the public, with one exception: Virginia law requires campaigns to report any contribution of $500 or more received between April 10 and April 20 within 24 hours. The Brief will monitor those filings through the weekend.

Here is what the filings show.

3️⃣ Alexandria resident Olivia Troye enters crowded race for Virginia's new 7th Congressional District

Olivia Troye Announces Campaign for Congress in Virginia’s New 7th District (OliviaTroye.com)

Olivia Troye, a longtime Northern Virginia resident and former national security official who gained national attention for her opposition to Donald Trump, announced Tuesday she will run for Congress in Virginia's newly proposed 7th Congressional District — entering one of the most competitive and closely watched Democratic primaries in the country.

Troye, who lives in Alexandria near the border of the proposed open seat, has lived in Northern Virginia for 20 years and told The Alexandria Brief on Tuesday that she plans to move into the new district once its boundaries are finalized.

Her announcement comes one week before Alexandria voters will decide whether the district she wants to represent will even exist.

4️⃣ Some Alexandria parents want to reform the school board. Some members of that board have wanted the same — for years.

Alexandria City School Board Meeting Room (ACPS)

A parent-led petition calling on Alexandria City Council to overhaul the structure of the Alexandria City Public Schools Board before the 2027 elections has drawn more than 200 signatures in less than a week. The ask sounds straightforward: shrink the board, pay members more, and hold someone accountable. What the petition doesn't address is how complicated that actually is — or how long the board it targets has already been trying to do something similar.

Jakob Wolf-Barnett, who organized the effort with a group of Alexandria parents, said the push stems from years of frustration with a board they see as unaccountable, insulated from consequences at the ballot box and unresponsive to community input on decisions that directly affect students.

📰 In brief

The fifth annual ALX Dog Walk and Sustainability Festival returns this Saturday, April 18, bringing a two-mile stroll through historic Old Town together with a dog fashion show, sustainable vendors, adoptable animals and family-friendly activities. (The Brief)

Virginia Railway Express will host a virtual community information session next week to brief Alexandria residents on construction activity tied to improvements at Alexandria Union Station and the replacement of the adjacent King & Commonwealth bridges. (The Brief)

The Potomac River has been named the most endangered river in the United States, according to American Rivers' annual America's Most Endangered Rivers® report released Monday. (The Brief)

Virginia voters face pivotal decisions in upcoming special elections, weighing a controversial amendment to redraw congressional maps and selecting a new Alexandria City Council member. (WUSA9)

Mudhouse Coffee sets sights on early June debut in Old Town. (Alexandria Living Magazine)

The City of Alexandria has announced that Witter Place Apartments will start accepting applications on May 14. Located at 2712 Duke Street, the community will, upon completion, have 94 two- and three-bedroom affordable units. The community is anticipated to be ready for occupancy no later than September 1. (City of Alexandria)

April 21 Special Election: As of April 13, 10,658 early in-person votes have been cast, and 6,130 mail ballots have been returned. Early voting continues today at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

🗞️ Beyond Alexandria

A long-lasting weather pattern is poised to blast hot air like a furnace across the eastern United States, with the unusual heat wave threatening to shatter record high temperatures on Wednesday in big cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. (AP/The Brief)

Hundreds of bills were continued to 2027 following the recent Virginia General Assembly session that concluded in mid-March, a method political experts say is increasingly used by lawmakers for several reasons. (Virginia Mercury)

An aviation safety bill seeking to address lessons learned from last year’s midair collision of a jet with an Army helicopter near DCA was approved by the House Tuesday, but key senators and the families of the 67 victims think the bill still needs to be strengthened. (AP/The Brief)

Redistricting battle narrows for US House as states seek partisan edge in November elections (AP/The Brief)

Just hours before a midnight deadline, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday submitted a series of amendments to high-profile gun legislation passed by the General Assembly last month, while also signing several related measures into law. (Virginia Mercury)

The Kennedy Center's new leadership wants to prove to critics that the building is damaged beyond simple repair. It's starting with Congress. (AP/The Brief)

🏀 Sports

CJ Abrams went 3 for 4 with a home run, a double and two RBIs as the Washington Nationals held off the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 on Tuesday night. (AP/The Brief)

Alex Ovechkin had an assist on the go-ahead goal in what perhaps will be the final game of his record-breaking career and the Washington Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Tuesday night in the season finale for both teams. (AP/The Alexandria Brief)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Mostly sunny today, with a high near 93 degrees. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 70 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:31 a.m., sunset at 7:45 p.m. 13 hours & 13 minutes of sun.

High tide at 7:15 a.m. & 7:42 p.m. Low tide at 1:14 a.m. & 1:57 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

6 p.m.: Literary Libations (April Book Club) at The Study at Morrison House
6:30 p.m.: Friends of Barrett Library Monthly Meeting
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
Augie's: Mackenzie Ryan at 5 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Open Mic at 8:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Port City Brewing: Bluegrass Jam Night at 7 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
Southside 815: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.

🏛️ City of Alexandria

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
9 a.m.: Walk In Wednesday Hiring Event — Alexandria Police Department
9 a.m.: Youth Mental Health First Aid — free eight-hour training and certification program
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
6 p.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free! — free tax prep for eligible residents
7 p.m.: Alexandria Archaeological Commission Meeting
(Full details and calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

All day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge (virtual)
All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
All day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
All day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
All day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library — accepting donations through April 20
10:30 a.m.: Stitcher's Space at Burke Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Beatley Central Library
11 a.m.: Just Babies at Barrett Branch Library
11:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Beatley Central Library
2 p.m.: The Basilica of St. Mary - The History of the Catholic Church in Virginia at Local History/Special Collections
3:30 p.m.: Mystery Book Club (virtual)
5 p.m.: Spitfire Club at Duncan Branch Library
5 p.m.: Paws to Read at Beatley Central Library
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Digital Skills For Life (En español) at Duncan Branch Library
6 p.m.: Knit Nite! at Beatley Central Library
6:30 p.m.: English Language Learning at Duncan Branch Library
(Full details and calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

No school board meetings or events are scheduled.

ACHS Titans Sports

4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Tennis vs. Fairfax at ACHS
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Fairfax at Fairfax High School
5 p.m.: Girls Varsity Outdoor Track vs. West Potomac at West Potomac High School
5 p.m.: Girls JV Outdoor Track vs. West Potomac at West Potomac High School
5 p.m.: Boys Varsity Outdoor Track vs. West Potomac at West Potomac High School
5 p.m.: Boys JV Outdoor Track vs. West Potomac at West Potomac High School
6 p.m.: Boys JV Lacrosse vs. Bishop O'Connell at Minnie Howard
6:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Washington-Liberty at Witter Field
(Full details and calendar)

📜 On This Day in Alexandria History

via Historic Alexandria

On April 15, 1791, the first boundary stone of the District of Columbia was laid at Jones Point in Alexandria. During a ceremony, the Alexandria Masonic Lodge set the stone at the south corner of the boundary of the new federal district.

On April 15, 1847, General Tom Thumb appeared at The Lyceum. The performer is seen in this 1850 image with promoted P.T. Barnum. Then only nine-years-old and born in Bridgeport, CT with the name Charles Sherwood Stratton, the youngster was advertised by circus showman P.T. Barnum as much older, and brought from Europe “at great expense.” Measuring only 25 inches tall and weighing only 15 pounds, “The Man in Miniature” performed comical acts based on Napoleon Bonaparte, a Scottish Highlander, and other characters as part of his routine. After appearing in Alexandria, he performed in Richmond the same week.

On April 15, 1910, the Civic Improvement League proclaimed a universal clean-up day in Alexandria, urging all residents to “join in the movement.” The League argued that the huge accumulations of kitchen waste, trash and filth that were routinely deposited in certain areas during the winter months were a major sanitary and aesthetic hazard to the City’s health and appearance.The cleansing of the City’s private yards and alleys, and the sprinkling of lime over damp areas throughout the City, were both deemed necessary to eliminate breeding grounds for the dreaded “typhoid fly” and mosquito. Over a dozen private businesses provided teams and carts to supplement City crews in the clean-up effort.

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