Emily Leayman | ALXnow

Federal job cuts, furloughs hit Alexandria harder than regional average, report shows

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published September 30, 2026 at 11:45AM

FILE – People rally at Health and Human Services headquarters to protest the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell, file)

Alexandria households are feeling a greater impact of federal government workforce reductions than the D.C. regional average, according to a recent regional survey.

The report released last Thursday (Sept. 24) from Gallup and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, titled “Voices of the Community: DC, Maryland, Virginia,” incorporated research on federal government disruptions on the region’s residents.

News

Alexandria board rejects T&ES-recommended parking additions around Russell Road

By Emily Leayman

Published September 29, 2026 at 3:45PM

Proposed area to remove on-street parking along Russell Road in Alexandria’s Rosemont/North Ridge neighborhoods (via City of Alexandria)

As the Transportation & Environmental Services plan for Russell Road is being appealed to City Council, the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board rejected additional proposals for parking spaces on Russell Road.

On Monday (Sept. 28), the board considered parking additions that T&ES director Leah Riley had recommended in her Alternative C. The board voted against adding five on-street parking spaces in the 600 block of Russell Road, two loading zone spaces in the 600 block of Russell Road with time restrictions and six on-street parking spaces in the 700 block of Johnston Place.

News

Daughter of Alexandria military family reaches top 10 in Baby of the Year contest

By Emily Leayman

Published September 29, 2026 at 11:45AM

Ava Pasley made the top five of the 2026 Baby of the Year competition (courtesy of Gabrielle Pasley)

At just 10 months old, Alexandria baby Ava Pasley has earned her place in the national spotlight.

Ava is in the top 10 of the 2026 Baby of the Year competition run by Colossal Management to support nonprofit Baby2Baby. She has advanced to the round of voting that will determine the top five babies. She comes from an Air Force veteran mother who is now a deputy sheriff at the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and active-duty Air Force father.

News

Alexandria teams up with Arlington in Dominion Energy merger intervention

By Emily Leayman

Published September 28, 2026 at 11:45AM

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 and Arlington County are joining forces to intervene in the proposed Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy merger case.

The neighboring localities announced Monday (Sept. 28) they filed a joint representation agreement on Sept. 22 to join the case.

Around Town

Alexandria Fall Art Festival and new Old Town Beauty Crawl top weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published September 25, 2026 at 1:45PM

The 100 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

September is already approaching its end, and fall events are ramping up around Alexandria.

Some of the month’s biggest events are taking place this weekend — the returning Alexandria Fall Art Festival in Carlyle and sold-out 84th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour in Old Town. Other highlights include the new Old Town Beauty Crawl, Alexandria Film Festival’s premiere of “Ask E. Jean,” the Friends of Beatley Central Library book sale, Wilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival and an event with “The Silver Linings Playbook” author Matthew Quick.

News

JUST IN: Metro seeks developer proposals for Braddock Road station

By Emily Leayman

Published September 24, 2026 at 11:45AM

Braddock Road Metro station proposal (via WMATA)

Metro is moving forward with seeking developers for the Braddock Road Metro station‘s kiss-and-ride area.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority released a request for proposals today (Sept. 24) for a developer to construct a “new mixed-use, transit-oriented development.” Metro says its vision for the 3.4-acre property involves new housing, neighborhood-serving retail and other amenities near public transit.

News

Mayor Gaskins proposes Croatian friendship city after Alexandria hosts World Cup team

By Emily Leayman

Published September 24, 2026 at 10:00AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins welcomes Croatia’s national football team to the city, June 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s mayor wants to keep the connection going with Croatia after the city hosted the Croatian National Football Team as its World Cup home base.

At Alexandria City Council’s meeting Tuesday (Sept. 22), Mayor Alyia Gaskins proposed a memo to establish a friendship city with Osijek, Croatia.

News

March starting in Alexandria to rally for Virginia data center moratorium

By Emily Leayman

Published September 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

A commercial building at Plaza 500 (via Google Maps)

Organizations and residents opposed to planned data center development just outside city limits are leading a march starting in Alexandria’s West End.

At 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the march will run from Aslin Beer Company (950 S. Pickett Street) to the Plaza 500 center (6295 Edsall Road in Lincolnia) where data centers and a proposed substation are planned.

News

Alexandria STEM standout heads to GMU after award-winning high school career

By Emily Leayman

Published September 23, 2026 at 11:45AM

David De Costa (courtesy of De Costa family)

It’s been quite the whirlwind in the past few years for Bishop Ireton High School graduate David De Costa.

De Costa had been named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program nominee for Virginia. Locally, the 18-year-old was the high school winner of the George Washington Legacy Foundation Essay Contest, earning a chance to participate in Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade on Feb. 14 and the Friendship Firehouse Annual Breakfast on Feb. 16.

News

Trump repeal of Chesapeake Bay cleanup order targets local stormwater utility fees

By Emily Leayman

Published September 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

A pair of Mallard ducks swim in the Potomac at the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

President Donald Trump (R) has rolled back a 2009 executive order that has guided mandates for the Chesapeake Bay’s cleanup for more than 17 years. The action took aim at localities like Alexandria with stormwater utility fees.

The White House said the 2009 executive order created a “broad mandate” for states and localities to improve the Chesapeake Bay’s health “without providing clarity on how to implement that order’s requirements.” According to the feds, Virginia — collectively with New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., Delaware and West Virginia — has met 100% of the goal for sediment reduction, 90% for phosphorus reduction, and 57% for nitrogen reduction.

News

Carlyle House and Winkler Nature Preserve set for upgrades under new NOVA Parks budget

By Emily Leayman

Published September 21, 2026 at 3:45PM

Winkler Botanical Preserve (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Plans for upgrades at two NOVA Parks-owned Alexandria properties are getting a boost under the regional park system’s latest capital budget.

The fiscal years 2027-2031 budget adopted by the NOVA Parks Board of Directors on Sept. 17 allocates $1.5 million for building renovations at Carlyle House Historic Park (121 N. Fairfax Street) and $1 million for Winkler Botanical Preserve (5400 Roanoke Avenue) entrance improvements.