APD Traffic Alert: Both lanes are closed in the 100 block of Pickett St due to downed power lines. Please use alternate routes.

[AlertDC] A Fireworks Show will occur near the National Mall at approx. 10:30PM tonight, July 4. Expect loud noises, flashing lights. Details: freedom250.org

Anybody going to this sold-out event tonight? Very interested to hear about what fireworks you see between 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. and if it’s worth the $250 ticket. heronalexandria.com/event/red-wh...

[AlertDC] America’s Independence Day Parade in downtown DC (July 4, 10:30AM) has been CANCELED by organizers due to Extreme Heat Warning. Heat index 110-115F.

Anyone know a collector in the Barbie business? My mother-in-law mailed my wife her childhood Barbie collection (unopened) against her will, and… 🤷

[AlertDC] Woodrow Wilson Bridge Management reports a bridge opening for a vessel at 12:01AM on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The opening should last 15-20 minutes. Please expect delays.

Public Square: A CNU Journal - An ode to Alexandria www.cnu.org/publicsquare...

School Board chair addresses budget, unfinished CBA, superintendent transition

Alexandria grabs the attention of OutKick/Fox News. www.foxnews.com/outkick-cult...

May need to update my bio… “Foremost Croatian national team local correspondent Ryan Belmore of the Alexandria Brief” Thanks for the mention and for linking to my coverage.

In from AlertDC: Woodrow Wilson Bridge Management reports a bridge opening for a vessel at 3:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026. The opening should last 15-20 minutes. Expect delays.

During the board's regular July meeting following the vote, two of Tucker's family members addressed the board during public comment — this time with gratitude rather than demands.

During tonight's City Council public hearing, a resident from Little Street, who said she had missed the appeal hearing, used her three minutes to passionately explain to the Council why they were wrong to approve the Braddock Road safety improvement project.

Eater’s take on Little Birdie is in. dc.eater.com/dining-repor...

Happy fiscal new year!

I (finally) created a place for all of my coverage of the Croatia national football team in Alexandria. If you're looking for a story, or to get caught up on all the action, you can find it here - www.alexandriabrief.com/tag/croatia/

[AlertDC] “The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct routine live-fly exercises over the National Capital Region between June 30 and July 2 from midnight to 5:30 a.m. Expect low flying aircraft, loud noises. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled”.

“We are not standing here seeking sympathy. We are standing here seeking accountability." Family and community members spoke Monday during a three-hour hearing on Allan Tucker's in-custody death. The board reconvenes Wednesday.

When I started The Alexandria Brief, I figured I'd cover council meetings, schools, and small businesses. I did not have "interview a World Cup team in my own backyard for a month" on the list. But that's been the last month. And today, Croatia leaves Alexandria. (1/4)

After nearly a month, Croatia trained one last time in Alexandria this morning and head for Toronto this afternoon. I asked two players what they'll miss. Their answers: the people who welcomed them, and facilities a World Cup player called "crazy... and this is just a high school."

Three hours of presentation, public comment, and board debate on Allan Tucker's in-custody death. No conclusion. Alexandria's civilian review board recessed until July 1. More to come on alexandriabrief.com.

What does a month as a World Cup team's home actually do for a city? Visit Alexandria's Todd O'Leary on the global exposure "money can't buy," the early economic signs, and an unexpected conversation with Croatia's tourism ministry.

The statement arrives on a significant day in the Tucker case. Tonight, the city's Independent Community Policing Review Board holds a public hearing beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center on the Independent Policing Auditor's findings.

A boarding high school in Alexandria beat out more than 60 sites to become Croatia's World Cup home. As the team heads out this week, Episcopal's Dan O'Neil looks back on the month — golf carts, ice shortages, and a choice he didn't see coming.

Dalić on Croatia's turnaround: he took the blame publicly to restore the team's belief after the England loss. Now they're in the Round of 32 — and leaving Alexandria after Tuesday.

Flood Watch from 6/28/2026 10:24 AM to 2:00 PM EDT for ALX. inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=13...

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić holds a press conference in Alexandria at noon today — the team's first availability since beating Ghana to reach the Round of 32, where they'll face Portugal in Toronto on Thursday. What do you want me to ask?

Flood Watch from 6/27/2026 4:14 PM to 10:00 PM EDT for ALX. inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=12...

The 9th Annual Alexandria Pride Fair is underway until 6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square Park. More to come on alexandriabrief.com.

Gov​. Spanberger has appointed Debra Evans of Alexandria to the state's Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards Committee​. Evans is the Division Chief of the Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program for the city​. www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/new...

The Washington Spirit are eliminating the standalone General Manager position, with responsibilities redistributed across its existing leadership team.

Alexandria's police chief released the department's inaugural annual report today. I sat down with him this morning for an exclusive one-on-one. Crime down 29% in his first full calendar year — and a lot more beyond the numbers.

Last night I had the honor of speaking at the Tiles & Type reception at the Torpedo Factory — the unveiling of an 85-tile community mosaic from April's Local News Day pop-ups. Stephen Jefferson and Bloom Labs assembled what 100+ Alexandrians wrote about what matters to them. Go see it.

“Elme disclosed that a subsidiary of Beitel Group on June 17 terminated an agreement to buy Riverside Apartments, a 1,222-unit community in Alexandria, Virginia, for $280M.” www.bisnow.com/washington-d...

There’s something for everyone this weekend; enjoy!

Fantastic essay from Ryan, framed around a fantastic idea - Alexandria needs to cap this World Cup hosting experience by adding a Croatian sister city. We should absolutely make that happen.

Heading to Episcopal HS this afternoon for Croatia's press conference — defender Joško Gvardiol and midfielder Nikola Moro, on what's likely the team's last availability in Alexandria before they bus to Philadelphia for Saturday's finale vs. Ghana. What do you want me to ask?

I've spent the better part of this month in a room listening to a World Cup team talk about my city. Now they're preparing to leave. New Publisher's Note: Croatia made Alexandria home — and I make the case that the friendship shouldn't end when the tournament does. Why not a fifth sister city?

Citing tech issues and now the Superintendent now being on leave, I've been given the opportunity to submit questions to School Board Chair Michelle Rief. What questions do you have for the chair?

WTOP's Housing 2040 piece quotes Save Del Ray's Nate Hurto as a preservation voice without noting the group formed to oppose Zoning for Housing — legislation Council passed in 2023, not just "proposed." Worth keeping in mind wtop.com/alexandria/2...

I asked Croatia's coach what he'll take away from a month based in Alexandria — at what's likely his last press conference in the city. His answer: "beautiful," "peaceful," no objections. The team turns to a decisive World Cup finale vs. Ghana on Saturday.

“Columbia Capital, the venerated Alexandria venture capital firm founded in 1989 by Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, has agreed to be acquired by data center giant Digital Realty” for $775 million. www.bizjournals.com/washington/n...

“The United States Maritime Foundation is under contract to acquire a site adjacent to Alexandria's Waterfront Park at 1 Prince St. for the planned museum, expected to be around 50,000 square feet” www.bizjournals.com/washington/n...

Tough part of this job — watching footage like today's Canterbury Square body cam release. In a way, I even hate sharing it. But transparency matters, and those who want to see it should be able to. Viewer discretion strongly advised.

I deleted my post from earlier this a.m., regarding some changes I was kicking around regarding website access. It was creating more confusion than it was helping. I’ve decided not to change anything for readers, but to change how I handle the repub of our content. Thanks all for your feedback.

Call it the Alexandria Cup.

I’ve updated this story to clarify that it’s a four member committee. Two members and an alternate from each body.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire will release body-worn camera footage from the May 18 Canterbury Square officer-involved shooting at a noon press briefing today. I'll have coverage on alexandriabrief.com later today. Original story - www.alexandriabrief.com/woman-fatall...

Croatia's back at Episcopal HS this afternoon — coach Zlatko Dalić speaks at 5 p.m., his first presser since the Panama win, with a winner-advances finale against Ghana looming Saturday in Philadelphia. What do you want me to ask?

Trying something new on Instagram and here — a daily carousel pulling together Alexandria's calendar (things to do, entertainment, city meetings, library programs) into one quick scroll. Hoping it makes the day a little easier to plan. Let me know what you think.