News

Increased building heights, more housing areas considered in Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum
Traffic on Duke Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Increased building height allowances and new areas for housing and open space along Duke Street are among the changes Alexandria staff plan to propose in the updated Duke Street Land Use Plan.

Alexandria City Council received an update Tuesday (May 26) on the plan, which will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The proposal includes areas deemed “opportunity sites” in industrial areas that city staff wants to redevelop, adding more housing supply and open space, with building heights of up to 150 feet.

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News

Alexandria’s D-Day commemoration moves to new location during City Hall construction

By Emily Leayman
World War II reenactors at a past D-Day commemoration at Market Square (via Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee)

Alexandria’s annual D-Day Commemoration won’t be skipped this year even as City Hall and Market Square construction moved it out of its normal location.

The 16th Annual D-Day Commemoration will take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Carlyle Square (300 John Carlyle Street). Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, Council Member John Taylor Chapman, Council Member Jacinta Greene and representatives from the French and British embassies, the U.S. military and veterans organizations are expected to provide remarks.

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News

City Council briefed on student questioning, privacy rules in new ACPS agreement with APD

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Tuesday (May 26), Alexandria City Council was briefed on changes to the recently approved memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria City Public Schools.

As no action was required from City Council Tuesday, City Council members did not formally endorse the updated MOU approved earlier this month by the School Board. ACPS previously extended the 2023–2025 agreement while the city’s School Law Enforcement Partnership subcommittee, which is made up of members of City Council, the School Board and APD staff, finalized the new language.

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News

City Council considers special committee to discuss School Board election reform, more ACPS funds

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria City Council on May 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council took a step Tuesday (May 26) to consider changes to the School Board’s terms and the size of the nine-member board. The council is also considering using potential contingent funds that will be available in the new fiscal year to fund Community in Schools of Northern Virginia at Alexandria City Public Schools.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins received support from a majority of City Council members on the proposal to form an ad hoc committee on election reform. City Council’s request will direct City Manager Jim Parajon to prepare a resolution to create the committee that two City Council members would be in. Gaskins said the committee’s scope would allow it to look at staggered terms and other election reform items such as board size, timing of terms or representation. The two City Council members would work with two School Board members to bring forward election reform recommendations.

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Around Town

Alexandria kicks off World Cup welcome with Croatian cultural celebration at Waterfront Park

By Emily Leayman
A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria will celebrate the Croatian National Team’s use of the city as a home base during the World Cup with a welcome event next month.

The city will host “Flavors & Sounds of Croatia – Alexandria” from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) to celebrate Croatian heritage. The event is free to attend. The Croatian National Football Team will not be in attendance.

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Around Town

Old Town businesses host ‘Analog Bag Weekend’ for screen-free hobbies

By Katie Taranto
Display at Penny Post (via Penny Post/Facebook)

Five local businesses in Old Town are hosting a weekend of discounts to encourage hands-on, screen-free activities.

The “Analog Bag Weekend” is coming to fibre space, Penny Post, Pippin Toy Co., Red Barn Mercantile and Stitch Sew Shop this Saturday and Sunday. Attendees at the event are encouraged to bring their own bags and visit each shop to collect patches while browsing supplies for creative hobbies.

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News

Morning Notes for May 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Scenes from Old Town as a storm front bringing rain and high winds moves through the region (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Man Charged in Woodbridge Fatal Shooting — “Taiyon Damari Jackson, 20, of Alexandria, was arrested on May 21. William Latrale Lisenby, 23, of Lorton, was arrested on May 22. Both have been charged in the death of Frances Joseph Douglas, 42, of Bowling Green, on May 12.” [Old Town Alexandria Patch]

Next Metro Shutdown for Crystal City Station Project — On May 30 and 31, free shuttles will replace trains between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport and the Crystal City station will be closed on the Blue and Yellow Lines. [WMATA]

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 26, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 26, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Fresh Market’s Alexandria store is staying put as other N. Va. location closes (1527 views)
  2. JUST IN: Jury finds Alexandria man guilty of manslaughter in West End shooting (1035 views)
  3. Morning Notes for May 26, 2026 (553 views)
  4. Alexandria releases draft Housing 2040 Plan ahead of public hearings (517 views)
  5. Alexandria journalist swaps news for retail with Made in ALX (481 views)
  6. Alexandria’s jobless count has remained above 3,000 for nearly a full year (457 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog before 11am and a high near 80°F. Winds will be light and become westerly in the afternoon. Rainfall may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms are likely into the evening, tapering off around 11pm, with patchy fog developing until 1am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 64°F and winds shifting northwest after midnight. There’s a 60% chance of rain, with potential for similar rain accumulation as during the day. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.”
– Walt Whitman

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Alexandria journalist swaps news for retail with Made in ALX

By James Cullum
Beth Lawton, owner of Made in ALX at 415 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After 20 years in journalism, Beth Lawton says she’s traded the stress of deadlines for the stress of owning a business in Old Town.

In addition to being a mom with two kids, Lawton has spent the last five years selling handmade items from dozens of local artists at her shop, Made In ALX. At the end of 2024, she had to hang up her journalism hat as the publisher of Alexandria Living Magazine and at least temporarily left behind a long career in journalism.

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