News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief header over a downtown sidewalk with pedestrians and storefronts in the background.

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 — Aug 21, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Herd of goats recruited to tackle invasive plants in an Alexandria park (3288 views)
  2. Morning Notes for August 21, 2026 (575 views)
  3. Poll: The best live music venue in Alexandria (443 views)

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

  1. Alexandria teen pleads not guilty in manslaughter trial over fatal Potomac Yard Metro chase (6395 views)
  2. JUST IN: Thousands without power along Quaker Lane in Alexandria (6340 views)
  3. Elderly Alexandria woman loses $77K in scam involving multiple impersonators (6245 views)
  4. Van Metre buys land for 110 townhomes at Alexandria’s WestEnd development (5027 views)
  5. National Symphony Orchestra to utilize Alexandria venue amid Kennedy Center shutdown plans (3795 views)
  6. Long-awaited splash pad to open in Del Ray in early September, city says (3077 views)
  7. Alexandria teen found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in man’s death after Potomac Yard Metro chase (2902 views)
  8. Horror and sci-fi bookstore Long Dark House to hold grand opening in early September (2428 views)
  9. Developer wants Prince Street office conversion project to wrap by summer 2027 (1516 views)
  10. Alexandria’s Hypergoat Coffee Roasters is expanding with a second location in Del Ray (1504 views)
  11. Residents pack Beatley Library forum on Plaza 500 data center plans near Alexandria (1305 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 showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 pm, followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms until 5 pm, with areas of fog in the morning. The high will be near 79°F with east winds at 3 to 7 mph. Rainfall could reach a quarter to half an inch, and there is an 80% chance of precipitation. Saturday night will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms from 8 pm to 11 pm, then isolated showers, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 68°F. Winds will be light and variable, with a 50% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
– Wayne Gretzky

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

AT&T gives away 115 refurbished laptops at Potomac Yard store

By James Cullum
Man hands a blue reusable tote bag to a woman at a community event booth under a tent with balloons and a laptop on the table.
A laptop giveaway at AT&T at 3725-C Richmond Highway, Aug. 20, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just in time for school, AT&T gave away 115 free refurbished laptops to students and families at its Potomac Yard location in Alexandria on Thursday (Aug. 20).

With a waitlist of more than 7,000 people, the 115 recipients were pre-selected via lottery. The event was the last of 10 distributions across the country this summer.

Go to AT&T gives away 115 refurbished laptops at Potomac Yard store Read more
Sponsored

Local business is what makes Alexandria, Alexandria

By Jordan Ciminelli
Image from Local business is what makes Alexandria, Alexandria

The corner coffee shop. The family dentist. The realtor who knows every block. They’re a part of what makes Alexandria feel like home. The same neighbors who read ALXnow every day aren’t just part of the community, they’re looking to support it, one local business at a time.

Since 2019, ALXnow has been Alexandria’s go-to source for local news, now reaching 400,000 readers a month. People come here for what’s happening around the city, and along the way, they discover the businesses that serve it.

Advertising here feels different, and readers tell us so: according to our 2025 reader survey, 84% say they like seeing local ads on ALXnow, and 43% have taken action after seeing one. When businesses appear alongside the news your neighbors trust, it becomes part of the community conversation rather than an interruption to it.

There are a few ways to take part, whether you want to introduce your business, promote an event, or tell your story. And because ALXnow is independent local journalism, your support also helps keep Alexandria informed.

If you’ve been thinking about reaching your neighbors, we’re glad to help you find the right fit.

Explore every option at lnn.co/advertise, email [email protected], or call 703-348-0583.

News

Herd of goats recruited to tackle invasive plants in an Alexandria park

By Emily Leayman
Two goats with white and brown coats gaze upward toward the camera in a sunlit, bokeh-filled background.
Goats (via Bailey Mahon/Unsplash)

In a developed city like Alexandria, residents may soon be surprised to find four-legged landscapers wandering a West End park.

Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is launching a pilot program to bring 35 to 40 goats to All Veterans Park (4725 Duke Street). Starting Sept. 8, the herd of goats will be brought to graze on invasive plants on the slopes of the park. The invasive plants being targeted in the pilot program are kudzu, garlic mustard and multiflora rose.

Go to Herd of goats recruited to tackle invasive plants in an Alexandria park Read more
News

Del Ray’s Bagel Uprising to compete with world’s best at the New York BagelFest

By James Cullum
Outdoor cafe courtyard with long picnic tables and red umbrellas, string lights, and a colorful mural of a raised fist on a building wall under a blue sky.
Bagel Uprising at 2307A Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bagel Uprising is on a roll.

This Nov. 15, the Del Ray-based bagel shop will be participating with more than 25 of the top bagel shops around the country in the coveted New York BagelFest, the world’s premier bagel-making competition. After Bagel Uprising’s application last year to participate in the international festival and competition was denied, co-owner Chad Breckinridge says it’s an honor to be featured in the competition alongside Dallas-based Starship Bagel, New York City’s Utopia Bagels and Spain’s Si Si Bagels.

Go to Del Ray’s Bagel Uprising to compete with world’s best at the New York BagelFest Read more
Event

College Counseling Workshop — Saturday, August 29, 10:15-11:30

College Sage logo: green wordmark with a three-leaf green icon on the right.

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact

Learn how to make your essay stand out in the competitive college application process. Workshop led by Sheila McGrory, College Counselor with the College Sage. For seniors and accompanying parent in Old Town Alexandria. Free but register by emailing [email protected] for specific location and more details.

Go to College Counseling Workshop — Saturday, August 29, 10:15-11:30 Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best live music venue in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com
Wide shot of an arena stage being set up for ALX Now Reader Choice, with a large LED screen and empty seating areas nearby.

Between full venues that can accommodate larger audiences and neighborhood outposts that serve up food and drinks with performances, Alexandria residents have a range of live music options they can check out without leaving the city.

Here are the nominees for “Best Live Music Venue in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to music venue? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Dog Park 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 Taco Spot in Alexandria. The results are now official:

1. La Tingeria

2. Taqueria Poblano

3. Taqueria Picoso

Around Town

Mount Vernon Trail wins public vote for national Hall of Fame induction

By Emily Leayman
Exercising along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Mount Vernon Trail has secured a place in Rails to Trails Conservancy’s catalog of the nation’s best trails.

Trails advocacy organization Rails to Trails Conservancy announced that the Mount Vernon Trail received 58% of public votes to win the Hall of Fame accolade. The other nominees were National Battlefield Trail in Texas and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Ohio. Public voting was open from Aug. 5 to 16.

Go to Mount Vernon Trail wins public vote for national Hall of Fame induction Read more
News

Morning Notes for August 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A group of young children walking in a line on a brick sidewalk, supervised by two adults beside storefronts on a city street during the day.
Tots out for a walk on King Street in Old Town (courtesy of George Brazier)

On This Day in Alexandria History — Becoming the trademark tactic of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the first sit-in occurred well before the era of social unrest that would characterize the decade of the 1960s. Prior to the famous Woolworth counter sit-in in Greensboro, North Carolina, five courageous African-American youths staged the first deliberate and planned sit-in at the Alexandria “public” Library on August 21, 1939 … Although this first act of defiance against the system of Jim Crow did not garner the media attention, this was the first step towards the City of Alexandria seriously considering a colored branch for its African-American citizens and facing the issue of accessibility, however unequal, for all of its citizens.” [Historic Alexandria]

Testing of Speed Cameras Happening Today — “The City of Alexandria will test school zone flashers and camera systems on Friday, August 21 ahead of the first day of school for ACPS next week. Residents may see the flashers in operation during normal weekday hours as part of the test. No citations will be issued during the testing period … School zone speed camera enforcement will resume on Monday, August 24, the first day of school for the majority of Alexandria City Public Schools.” [Alexandria T&ES]

Go to Morning Notes for August 21, 2026 Read more
News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief banner on a sunlit street scene with houses and trees; overlay reads 'Daily Debrief for Aug 20, 2026'

Good Thursday 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 — Aug 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria teen found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in man’s death after Potomac Yard Metro chase (1132 views)
  2. Long-awaited splash pad to open in Del Ray in early September, city says (863 views)
  3. UPDATE: Tornado Watch added to severe storm outlook in Alexandria (702 views)
  4. Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar travels on Metro from King Street station this morning (671 views)
  5. Crooked Run Fermentation opening taproom in Del Ray Aug. 28 (483 views)
  6. Morning Notes for August 20, 2026 (462 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛅️ Friday’s forecast

It will be mostly sunny with a high of 82°F, with a north wind turning east in the afternoon at about 6 mph. Friday night brings increasing clouds and a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 2 a.m., with a low around 69°F and light east winds. Rainfall could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with possibly more during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

View More Stories