Author: ALXnow.com

Business Fundraiser for Animal Shelter — “Madison Street Tattoos’ ‘Tattoos for Rescues’ fundraiser on Saturday, April 25 was an immense success, bringing together animal lovers, artists, and the community for an unforgettable day in support of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA). The event raised an astounding $12,100 to benefit animals and pet families in need. In addition, the shop also collected physical donations of pet food and supplies to benefit our in-shelter animals. Over the course of 10+ hours, five dedicated tattoo artists worked tirelessly, inking more than 50 participants. [Animal Welfare League of Alexandria]

Budget Adoption on Wednesday — “On April 29, the Alexandria City Council will vote on the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget, which begins July 1, 2026. Join us in person at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center or watch online at alexandriava.gov/Dockets.” [City of Alexandria]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 28, 1861, soldiers attended Sunday religious services with their companies. Mount Vernon Guards attended Methodist Protestant Church, Old Dominion Rifles attended Christ Church, Warren Rifles attended Grace Church, Fairfax Calvary attended Second Presbyterian, Alexandria Artillery attended First Presbyterian, Emmett Guards and Irish Volunteers attended St. Mary’s, and Washington Home Guards attended Methodist Episcopal Church.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Council Holds Legislative Meeting Tuesday — “The April 28, 2026 Legislative Meeting of the Alexandria City Council is being held in the City Council Chamber at Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305, Alexandria, Virginia 22311) and electronically.” [City of Alexandria]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 27, 1850 the City of Alexandria presented a block of Virginia marble to be used in construction of the Washington Monument, begun in 1848 to the design of architect Robert Mills, who also designed Alexandria’s 1838 Federal courthouse that once stood at the northwest corner of Queen and North Columbus Streets. Construction on the monument proceeded apace until 1854, when it was stopped due to lack of funds and control of the Washington National Monument Society, and later the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1877 with the final completion in 1885. By that time, the colonnade was eliminated from the original design, and the flat top of the column was replaced by a pyramidion. The pause in construction is clearly visible by a change in stone color at the 152’ height, with Alexandria’s stone in the lower portion.” [Historic Alexandria]

More on White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Shooter — “The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.” [The Associated Press]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 24, 1940, the Robert Robinson Library opened its doors to the African American community, just eight months after one of America’s first “sit-in” demonstrations took place at the segregated Alexandria Library on Queen Street. The library was named after Robert H. Robinson, a former slave who became a pastor at a church on South Washington Street known today as Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church. The old Robinson Library building now houses the Alexandria Black History Museum.” [Historic Alexandria]

No Budget Deal as General Assembly Session Recesses — “The Virginia General Assembly convened for a special session Thursday to finalize the state’s $212 billion budget, but recessed after just a few hours without a deal, underscoring deep divisions within the Democratic majorities and leaving the spending plan unresolved. After a brief floor session, lawmakers left Richmond and returned to their districts, with no clear timeline for when negotiations might produce a compromise on the two-year spending plan.” [Virginia Mercury]

Judge Blocks Redistricting Election Result — A Tazewell Circuit Court judge blocked certification of Tuesday’s redistricting referendum, which voters approved. Attorney General Jay Jones vowed to appeal the order. [WJLA]

Alexandria Precinct Results on Redistricting Amendment — Precinct-level results are available for the redistricting question, which 78.89% of Alexandria voters cast a ballot in favor of. [Alexandria Living Magazine]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 22, 1890, the Alexandria Brick Company opened a new brick kiln off South Washington Street, in the area where the street ended at Hunting Creek, before the construction of the George Washington Memorial Parkway extended the roadway southward in the early 1930’s. Excavation for clay to make bricks took place on land that is now the Hunting Point apartment complex, and on property adjacent to the Freedmen’s Cemetery. Within two years, on March 29, 1892, an article in the Washington Post commented that the excavations within the brickyard had undermined the cemetery grounds to the point that coffins were sticking out of a hillside ‘like cannon from the embrasures of some great fort.’ … This newspaper article led Alexandria Historian T. Michael Miller to discover the existence of the long-forgotten burial place for African American Contrabands and Freedmen, and to the subsequent memorial that opened on the site in 2015.” [Historic Alexandria]

Duke Street Land Use Meeting Today — “Please join us for the Duke Street Land Use Plan Community Meeting #5 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. online via Zoom. The meeting will introduce the draft framework elements of the future Plan, including proposed Building Heights, Land Use, the Mobility Network, and the Open Space Network.” [City of Alexandria]