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

Woodrow Wilson Bridge to have drawbridge opening overnight

By Emily Leayman
An airliner approaches Ronald Reagan National Airport, viewed between the spans of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late-night drivers on the Capital Beltway may encounter a traffic stoppage on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge early Saturday (Aug. 29).

The drawbridge will open for a boat crossing between 1 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. Saturday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Drivers are asked to plan for delays and use alternate routes.

Go to Woodrow Wilson Bridge to have drawbridge opening overnight Read more
Around Town

Titan football, Around the World Cultural Food Festival lead Alexandria’s weekend events

By Emily Leayman
The 2025 Around the World Cultural Food Festival was held at Oronoco Bay Park on Aug. 23. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

It’s the final weekend of August, and there’s still summer fun happening even after the kids went back to school.

The Around the World Cultural Food Festival will be the biggest event of the weekend, bringing visitors to Alexandria’s Oronoco Bay Park for food, performances and vendors. Other notable events include the annual remembrance event for lynching victim Benjamin Thomas and the Alexandria City High School Titans’ first home football game of the season.

Go to Titan football, Around the World Cultural Food Festival lead Alexandria’s weekend events Read more
News

Measles exposure reported in N. Va., Alexandria health officials say

By Emily Leayman
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (Credit: Alexandria Health Department)
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is informing residents of a measles exposure reported in the Northern Virginia region.

The Virginia Department of Health was notified about a confirmed measles case involving an out-of-state resident who traveled through Northern Virginia. The visit happened Sunday, Aug. 16 when the person was infectious. Health officials are working to identify people who might have been exposed.

Go to Measles exposure reported in N. Va., Alexandria health officials say Read more
Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Kira will bring puppy energy to your home

By Emily Leayman
Close-up of a black dog wearing a purple collar, gazing at the camera against a light blue background, with an 'Adopt Me' logo visible in the bottom left.
Adoptable pup Kira (via AWLA)

Meet Kira, a young pup who wants to grow and explore the world with a new family.

This 7-month-old pup available at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a playful pup who will chase balls, play fetch and tag along on walks or hikes. Once playtime is over, she doesn’t mind a bit of rest and relaxation.

Go to Adoptable pet of the week: Kira will bring puppy energy to your home Read more
News

Alexandria committee finds some consensus on School Board election reforms at first meeting

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre (staff photo by James Cullum)

Members of Alexandria City Council and the Alexandria City School Board appointed to a special committee found some common ground as they met for the first time Tuesday (Aug. 25) to discuss School Board election reforms.

On Tuesday, the committee shared some agreement on increasing term lengths from three to four years. While there wasn’t any initial consensus on staggering terms, members will continue discussions at the next meeting and will also start dialogue on board size.

Go to Alexandria committee finds some consensus on School Board election reforms at first meeting Read more
News

Alexandria intervenes in proposed Dominion Energy, NextEra merger case

By Emily Leayman
A Dominion Energy lineman lifts himself up to work on a power line in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in North Augusta, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr., File)

The City of Alexandria is formally intervening in the proposed merger of Dominion Energy with Florida-based NextEra Energy under consideration by state and federal regulators.

The city government has filed as a participant in the case under review by Virginia’s State Corporation Commission. Along with the SCC, the $67 billion merger proposal is under consideration at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Go to Alexandria intervenes in proposed Dominion Energy, NextEra merger case Read more
Around Town

Political operative from Alexandria pens debut thriller novel, plans launch at Elaine’s Literary Salon

By Emily Leayman
Man in a dark green button-up shirt leans on a railing in an alley, looking solemnly at the camera.
Author Matt Lavoie (via Matt Mendelsohn)

Alexandria resident Matt Lavoie has spent decades working as a policy expert and political operative in D.C., and now he has taken that experience to pen and paper.

Lavoie’s thriller novel “Main Street Fringe” will be released by Level Best Books on Sept. 1. This is Lavoie’s first novel, following the story of a Virginia State Police detective going “undercover” as himself to pursue a violent conspiracy group, putting his own family at risk.

Go to Political operative from Alexandria pens debut thriller novel, plans launch at Elaine’s Literary Salon Read more
News

UPDATED: AFD extinguishes small fire on Metro tracks at Braddock Road station

By Emily Leayman
White metro SUV in the foreground on a city street, with a blue-yellow bus and concrete building behind, shaded by trees on a sunny day.
Braddock Road Metro station on Aug. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An apparent small fire on the Metro tracks prompted an emergency response at the Braddock Road Metro station Tuesday evening.

The Alexandria Fire Department was called to the station (700 N. West Street) around 5:14 p.m. According to radio dispatches, a Metro supervisor called 911 to report potential wood burning on Track 2. Units found an apparent smoking crosstie and did not believe Metro had to shut down the electrified third rail.

Go to UPDATED: AFD extinguishes small fire on Metro tracks at Braddock Road station Read more
News

Some Amtrak trips to run from Alexandria instead of D.C. for nine days in October

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria Amtrak station platform (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Alexandria Union Station will be busier than usual for nine days in October as it replaces D.C.’s Union Station for some Amtrak trips.

Amtrak announced Monday that it will be replacing aging track components for nine days, prompting a service suspension at the control point between D.C. and Virginia. Work will start after service ends on Friday, Oct. 16 and be completed before morning service on Monday, Oct. 26.

Go to Some Amtrak trips to run from Alexandria instead of D.C. for nine days in October Read more
News

Old Town North Alliance names three finalists to design arts and cultural district banners

By Emily Leayman
Sculptor Christian Benefiel’s art installation in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Old Town North Alliance is one step closer to developing branding for the neighborhood’s new arts and cultural district.

The alliance’s board of directors named three artists as finalists in the Old Town North Arts and Cultural District Banner Design Project. They will be subject to a public vote to determine the winning artist.

Go to Old Town North Alliance names three finalists to design arts and cultural district banners Read more
News

Alexandria’s Breast Cancer Collective keeps focus on patient outcomes after rebranding

By Emily Leayman
The Walk to Bust Cancer (courtesy of Breast Cancer Collective)

Nearly a year after rebranding as the Breast Cancer Collective, the Alexandria-based organization is preparing for major fundraisers in the fall to continue its work to make breast cancer screenings and treatments accessible.

The collective officially announced its rebranding as the Breast Cancer Collective last October. The name change from the National Breast Center Foundation sought to clear up confusion with other national breast cancer entities.

Go to Alexandria’s Breast Cancer Collective keeps focus on patient outcomes after rebranding Read more
View More Stories