Alexandria has released its draft Housing 2040 Plan, which will set new housing goals for the next 15 years, ahead of June public hearings.
The Housing 2040 Plan is slated to replace the city’s current Housing Master Plan, which was first approved in 2013. That plan had a goal of producing and preserving 2,000 affordable housing units by 2025, and the city exceeded that goal when counting units under construction.
The number of Alexandria residents among the ranks of the unemployed stayed above 3,000 for the 11th consecutive month in March, according to new state data.
The 3,333 Alexandrians reported as seeking work in March was up 14.8% from 2,902 a year before, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 26, 1830, the United States Congress granted a Charter to the Alexandria Canal Company. The canal was proposed earlier that year by a group of Alexandria businessmen to link the communities of Georgetown and Alexandria, which at the time were both within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. When completed, the Alexandria Canal crossed the Potomac River in an aqueduct bridge over between Georgetown and Rosslyn, then ran on level ground seven miles to Alexandria, terminating in a large basin.” [Historic Alexandria]
Alexandria City Council Meeting Today — “Join us tomorrow night for a City Council legislative meeting at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center! See the full docket and links to watch online at alexandriava.gov/Dockets.” [City of Alexandria/Bluesky]
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 22, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect rain and areas of fog with a high near 61 degrees today and an east wind around 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch likely. Rain continues into Saturday night, with a low around 55 degrees and an east wind of 6 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation remains high at 90%, with similar new rainfall amounts expected. See more from Weather.gov.
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
– Amelia Earhart
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
Poets and Poetry Lovers: Please join us for our next Del Ray Poetry Reading on Friday, June 5 (7-9pm) at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Our featured reader is poet Claire Kinnane. After her reading we’ll open the mic for all to read their poems. The theme this month is “Summertime.”
Your Cohosts,
A candidate for president of the Education Association of Alexandria was informed via Zoom that he was disqualified from the race less than 12 hours before the union’s officer elections, and that there was “not time” to go through a democratic process, according to audio obtained by ALXnow.
On Wednesday night (May 20), ACPS middle school teacher David Paladin-Fernandez was informed of his disqualification from the union president race. All candidates running in the election were on the call. Andrea Hill, chair of the EAA Credentials/Election Committee, told the candidates she had conducted an investigation and that the union’s executive committee had voted to disqualify Paladin-Fernandez.
A new “passport”-inspired promotion to generate support for Duke Street businesses has launched, the city announced Friday (May 22).
The program encouraging residents to shop local is a lighter side of the Duke Street Land Use Plan, a process updating the land use vision for the Duke Street corridor. Christian Brandt, an urban planner for the city, told ALXnow 19 businesses have signed up to participate in the Duke Street Business Passport Program, with more to be added. Businesses within a half-mile of Duke Street are eligible to join.
Alexandria native Claire Constant, captain of the DC Power women’s professional soccer team, is heading to the hall of fame.
The Alexandria City Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame, that is.
Whether you want to send flowers to a loved one or brighten up your space or event, local florists are there to help get flowers customized for your needs. Alexandria has a range of florists to provide arrangements for anniversaries, funeral services and everything in between.
Here are the nominees for “Best Florist in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your go-to florist? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Car Wash/Auto Detailing Service 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 Brunch Spot in Alexandria. The results are now official:
This story has been updated to provide the latest timeline on the jury verdict.
A 27-year-old Alexandria man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his former roommate has pleaded not guilty and now awaits a jury’s verdict.
