News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 15, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,’ says Old Town shop owner after mid-career change (1507 views)
  2. Alexandria sees homelessness increases among youth and Black residents (861 views)
  3. Torpedo Factory Art Center draws one operator bid as city weighs next steps (767 views)
  4. Poll: The best car wash or auto detailing service in Alexandria (708 views)
  5. Morning Notes for May 15, 2026 (631 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. UPDATE: Woman killed in Old Town North was walking with active pedestrian signal (15387 views)
  2. Alexandria police bust alleged sex trafficking at Huntington area massage parlor (10645 views)
  3. Four men arrested for alleged $100K copper piping theft at Inova Alexandria Hospital site (9429 views)
  4. Mount Vernon Avenue bridge fully closing for construction starting Saturday (5106 views)
  5. 1800s Old Town home could give way to three-story townhouse under owner’s proposal (3658 views)
  6. Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open Del Ray taproom later in 2026 (3207 views)
  7. Alexandria looks for creative parking solutions after closure of Market Square parking garage (3062 views)
  8. JUST IN: No injuries after townhouse fire on Prince Street in Old Town (2164 views)
  9. Alexandria City High School graduation next month to use AI name-reading for second year (1796 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies with a high of 84°F and calm winds shifting to southwest at 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 65°F and a southwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”
– Plutarch

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

ACPS introduces finalists for Alexandria City High School principal position

By James Cullum
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Two candidates for the open principal position at Alexandria City High School were introduced at an online meeting Thursday (May 14).

The candidates are Michael Burch, the ACHS lead administrator for operations and student support, and Anthony McWright, the executive principal at Denver School of the Arts and president of the Arts Schools Network. The meet-and-greet was moderated by former ACHS principal John Porter, who said Alexandria City Public Schools will conduct the final candidate interview next week before the finalist’s name goes to the School Board for consideration on May 28.

Go to ACPS introduces finalists for Alexandria City High School principal position Read more
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Around Town

INTERVIEW: Alexandria’s world-champ whistler shares life lessons

By James Cullum
Chris Ullman whistles at a Duke University basketball game (Jon Gardiner/DukePhotography)

Alexandria’s world champion whistler Chris Ullman has his sights — and lips — set on whistling at an NFL game and before the Pope.

Ullman, the subject of a recent Wall Street Journal profile, sat down with ALXnow to talk about being a four-time national and international whistling champion (1994, 1996, 1999 and 2000) and the author of the memoir “Find Your Whistle.” Ullman has whistled for President George W. Bush and top administration officials in the oval office, on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and “The Today Show” with Katie Couric, at Major League Baseball games, college basketball games, with jazz bands and symphony orchestras, and even a funeral.

Go to INTERVIEW: Alexandria’s world-champ whistler shares life lessons Read more
News

Torpedo Factory Art Center draws one operator bid as city weighs next steps

By Emily Leayman
The Torpedo Factory in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Council learned Tuesday (May 12) that the city received just one proposal for a potential operator of the Torpedo Factory Art Center during its procurement process.

Earlier this year, City Council allowed a procurement process to advance to select a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center at 105 N. Union Street. Bids were due April. 27.

Go to Torpedo Factory Art Center draws one operator bid as city weighs next steps Read more
Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Brutus is most happy around people

By Emily Leayman
Brutus (via Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Brutus, a people-loving companion who would never betray you.

This 1-year-and-7-month-old dog loves to stay active and is treat-motivated to learn new tricks, according to an AWLA volunteer. He loves playing fetch, although he is not always inclined to bring the ball back. Brutus would also enjoy accompanying you on walks or hikes.

Go to Adoptable Pet of the Week: Brutus is most happy around people Read more
Around Town

‘I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,’ says Old Town shop owner after mid-career change

By James Cullum
Jess Moak, owner of Eries Interiors at 103 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

In 2023, Jess Moak left behind a career as a program manager for large nonprofits to start her own interior design shop in Old Town.

The New York native opened her store Eries Interiors opened Eries Interiors at a 300-square-foot space at 101 S. St. Asaph Street in October 2024. The following month, a fire next door at 103 S. St. Asaph Street temporarily shuttered three women-owned businesses. The landlord spent nearly a year renovating the 1,800-square-foot space and approached Moak with a proposal to help design the interior and move in. Last October, Moak signed a lease and opened in time for Black Friday at 103 S. St. Asaph Street.

Go to ‘I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,’ says Old Town shop owner after mid-career change Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best car wash or auto detailing service in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

When your car gets dirty, scratched up or in need of an interior cleaning, there are numerous car washes and auto detailing services that have you covered. Services based in Alexandria range from physical locations to services that come to your home.

Here are the nominees for “Best Car Wash/Auto Detailing Service in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to car servicer? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Brunch Spot in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Lawn Care Service in Alexandria. The results are now official:

  1. Rosemont Landscaping and Lawncare
  2. Brandon Rushing Lawn & Garden Care
  3. (tie) Landed and Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape
News

Alexandria sees homelessness increases among youth and Black residents

By Scott McCaffrey
Volunteers and human services personnel spread out across the region on Feb. 4 for 2026 the Point-in-Time Survey of homelessness (via Council of Governments)

Alexandria posted a significant year-over-year increase in the number of residents counted as homeless, with major upticks in the number of Black residents and children experiencing homelessness, according to new data.

A total of 189 people across the city were tabulated as experiencing homelessness in the 2026 Point-in-Time Survey, conducted in early February across the Washington region.

Go to Alexandria sees homelessness increases among youth and Black residents Read more
News

Morning Notes for May 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Exercising along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

State Sen. Bennett-Parker Pushes for More Diaper Changing Tables — “Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development voted Monday to approve Bennett-Parker’s proposal to require diaper changing tables in new buildings that are open to the public. The policy would apply to each floor containing public restrooms in new assembly, business, educational, and mercantile occupancy buildings, Group R-1 hotels and motels, and highway rest stops.” [ARLnow]

9-Year-Old Leukemia Patient Inspires Blood Drive — “It was all smiles as 9-year-old Taylor McLeod arrived at the blood drive she organized through Children’s National Hospital, surrounded by her parents, grandmother, and younger brothers, all wearing matching hot pink lightning-bolt T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase: ‘Tough Like Taylor.'” [The Zebra]

Go to Morning Notes for May 15, 2026 Read more
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