Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is the editor of ALXnow and contributes reporting to ARLnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

News

Virginia redistricting amendment passes narrowly, but legal challenges remain

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press
Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The redistricting amendment passed in Virginia Tuesday will allow Democrats to pursue redrawn congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections.

The Associated Press called the race in favor of the redistricting amendment’s passage at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday. According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, more than 1.5 million votes (51.45%) supported the amendment and more than 1.4 million (48.6%) opposed.

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News

Marks claims win in City Council race, Alexandrians largely support redistricting

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Democrat Sandy Marks speaks at Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ in Del Ray after her City Council special election win (staff photo by James Cullum)

Democrat Sandy Marks has claimed victory in the special election for City Council Tuesday, and Alexandrians overwhelmingly voted yes on the redistricting constitutional amendment.

According to unofficial election results, Marks leads with 53.37% of votes over independent candidates Frank Fannon (29.41%) and Alison O’Connell (15.02%), 32 precincts reporting vote tallies. There have been 51,256 ballots cast out of 116,366 registered voters, representing 44% turnout.

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Around Town

Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion to kick off main giving day with $2.5M goal

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria's day of giving, Spring2ACTion, will happen on April 22, 2026 (via ACT for Alexandria)

Alexandrians are being encouraged to open their pocketbooks and find a cause to support as Spring2ACTion’s main fundraising day arrives tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 16th annual Spring2ACTion aims to raise $2.5 million through at least 10,000 donors, according to organizing nonprofit ACT for Alexandria. Brandi Yee, chief program officer at ACT for Alexandria, told ALXnow that $640,000 had been raised through early giving as of Monday evening.

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News

UPDATED: Adult pedestrian killed in Old Town North crash

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A pedestrian was killed in a crash in Old Town North yesterday (Monday), according to Alexandria police and fire radio dispatches.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the fatal crash involving a pedestrian at St. Asaph and Montgomery Streets around 5:26 p.m. According to radio dispatches, multiple callers reported that the pedestrian was down and not breathing.

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News

JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death

By Emily Leayman
Senator Mark Warner during a Virginia media availability in May 2025 (via Sen. Warner's office)

Sen. Mark Warner (D) and his wife, Lisa Collis, shared today (Monday) that their daughter Madison Warner has died.

The 36-year-old died after decades of battling juvenile diabetes and other health issues, according to their statement.

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News

Tuesday’s special election ballot includes City Council race, redistricting amendment

By Emily Leayman
Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tuesday, April 21 marks Election Day in Alexandria for a statewide redistricting voter referendum and a special election for a City Council seat.

Candidates in the City Council special election are Democrat Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon. Marks is the former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Fannon is a former Republican member of City Council from 2009 to 2012, and O’Connell is a founding member of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights.

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Around Town

ALX Dog Walk to draw 2,000 walkers with dogs Saturday in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
2025 ALX Dog Walk (staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Old Town will go to the dogs tomorrow (Saturday) as the ALX Dog Walk returns.

The event, first held in 2022, combines the causes of animal welfare and sustainability for a two-mile walk through Old Town and a celebration with activities at Oronoco Bay Park. The event runs from 7-11 a.m., with the walk starting at 8:15 a.m. An estimated 2,000 walkers and their dogs are expected to participate.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Hannah will bring young energy to your life

By Emily Leayman
Hannah, an adoptable young dog (via Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Hannah, a dog who will keep you entertained with her young energy.

The 1-year-old pup is an easygoing companion that meets everyone with enthusiastic tail wags. She is active and would love to tag along on walks to show off her good leash manners, an Animal Welfare League of Alexandria volunteer told ALXnow.

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News

Braddock Road Metro kiss-and-ride overhaul heads to public hearing next week

By Emily Leayman
Braddock Road Metro station proposal (via WMATA)

The proposed redesign of the kiss-and-ride area at the Braddock Road Metro to accommodate future redevelopment is heading to a public hearing Monday, April 20.

The 21-space kiss-and-ride area at the 3.6-acre Metro-owned site would be replaced with 14 to 18 pickup and drop-off spaces on E. Braddock Road and N. West Street. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority proposes to reconfigure the five-bay bus loop at the existing location, eliminating a recirculation lane and adding a future signal where the bus bay meets E. Braddock Road. The 65 bicycle racks, six double-sided bicycle lockers and an on-site Capital Bikeshare station would remain.

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News

Motorcyclist dies in I-495 crash near Telegraph Road: state police

By Emily Leayman
Virginia State Police cruiser (staff photo)

A motorcyclist died in a crash on the Capital Beltway yesterday (Wednesday) near Alexandria, according to Virginia State Police.

State troopers responded around 3:52 p.m. to a collision between a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle and pickup truck on eastbound I-495 just west of Telegraph Road (Exit 176). Bystanders attempted to provide aid to the motorcyclist, who was found lying in the roadway by state troopers.

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News

UPDATED: Death investigation underway at park in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Police responded to Windmill Hill Park in Old Town for a death investigation this evening (Wednesday), according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Just before 4:30 p.m., police were called to the area of S. Union and Wilkes Street for a reported suicide with a gun, according to police radio dispatches. Police said there was a heavy police presence at the park, and there is no public safety concern.

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