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

Spanberger signs Alexandria legislators’ bills on guns, immigration, national popular vote

By Emily Leayman
(Left to right) Virginia House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring (D-4th), State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39th) and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd) at the Alexandria Democratic Committee's Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Numerous pieces of legislation from Alexandria lawmakers are officially set to become law or are heading back to the General Assembly with amendments after action by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Among the approximately 1,200 bills passed out of the 2026 session, legislation on guns, housing, the national popular vote, energy and immigration enforcement all came by way of state senators and delegates representing Alexandria. Most signed bills will take effect on July 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified.

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News

Revised agreement with APD goes to School Board public hearing

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

A public hearing will be held Thursday (April 16) on the revised memorandum of understanding between the Alexandria City School Board and the Alexandria Police Department.

Alexandria City Public Schools is required to have an MOU with the police department due to the presence of school resource officers in schools, and it must be reviewed at least every two years. The proposed agreement would be in effect from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.

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Around Town

Ulta opens new location at Potomac Yard Shopping Center

By Emily Leayman
Ulta at the Potomac Yard Shopping Center (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Beauty retailer Ulta has opened its new location at Alexandria’s Potomac Yard Shopping Center.

An employee confirmed the store at 3501 Richmond Highway opened in late March. The location includes a full salon with hair and brow services, along with the retailer’s usual selection of beauty, hair, skin, fragrance and wellness products.

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News

Volunteers sought for Waterfront Park cleanup in Old Town this weekend

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

Volunteers will gather this weekend to clean up Waterfront Park, a popular gathering spot for Old Town visitors along the Potomac River.

The Alexandria Beautification Commission and NOVA Cleanups are hosting the volunteer cleanup from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday (April 12). Volunteers will pick up litter and debris throughout the park, covering walking paths, green spaces and the waterfront.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Billie Jean, a dog seeking human companionship

By Emily Leayman
Billie Jean is an adoptable dog from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

Meet Billie Jean, a dog who loves cuddling just as much as her favorite people.

This 5-year-old dog is looking for a home where she can be around her human companions most of the day. An AWLA volunteer told ALXnow that Billie Jean prefers human company over canines.

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News

City Council candidates address sheriff’s ICE policy, taxes, more at civic association forum

By Emily Leayman
(Left to right): Sandy Marks, Frank Fannon and Alison O'Connell participate in an April 8 forum hosted by the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations (via Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations video)

With less than two weeks until the April 21 special election, candidates for an open seat on Alexandria City Council made their pitches to civic association members yesterday (Wednesday) at a forum.

Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon joined the forum, held during Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations’ monthly meeting. Candidates answered questions on topics the civic association leaders selected, along with a lightning round of policies they would support or oppose.

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Around Town

Code Ninjas Alexandria to host casting call for Netflix show

By Emily Leayman
Code Ninjas Alexandria will host a casting call for children's Netflix competition series "Schooled" (courtesy of Code Ninjas Alexandria)

An Alexandria learning center has been chosen to host an open casting call for a new Netflix children’s competition show.

Code Ninjas Alexandria will serve as a casting site for “Schooled,” a national competition series created by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer who worked on the Mars Curiosity rover and now runs an engineering school called CrunchLabs Academy.

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News

Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge to have drawbridge openings tonight

By Emily Leayman
A view of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge from Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge will have drawbridge openings tonight through early Friday morning due to maintenance, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced.

The openings and traffic stoppages will occur between 10 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday. Drivers on the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) should expect delays and follow signals, according to VDOT. The maintenance work is weather permitting.

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News

Del Ray splash pad construction nears finish line after years of planning

By Emily Leayman
Construction on the interactive fountain/splash pad at Colasanto Park in Del Ray, April 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years of planning, a splash pad along Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue will soon be available for families to enjoy in the summer season.

The Colasanto Interactive Fountain, which replaced a pool that’s been closed since 2010, is being constructed behind Del Ray Artisans at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. The latest timeline calls for completion in late April, according to the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.

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Around Town

Spring2ACTion early giving begins today for Alexandria nonprofits

By Emily Leayman
Spring2ACTion marks 16 years in April 22, 2026 (via ACT for Alexandria)

Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s annual day of giving, kicks off early giving today (Wednesday) — two weeks before the main event.

The fundraising campaign supporting local nonprofits is marking its 16th year on Wednesday, April 22. Early giving runs through April 8 up to the event date.

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News

UPDATE: Adult pedestrian hit in West End Alexandria

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
N. Van Dorn Street closure at the crash scene (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria police and fire are responding to the West End for a pedestrian crash this afternoon (Tuesday).

The pedestrian was struck around 3:22 p.m. in the area of N. Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue, according to the police and fire scanner. Alexandria Police Department spokesperson Rebekka Heite told ALXnow the pedestrian is an adult woman.

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