Emily Leayman | ALXnow

UPDATE: Fireworks suspected in fire that displaced ARHA residents in Braddock Metro neighborhood

Published July 6, 2026 at 12:55PM | Updated July 6, 2026 at 4:19PM

Firefighters responding to a fire in the Braddock Metro neighborhood, July 5, 2026 (courtesy of Geoffrey Brown)

Fireworks are believed to be the cause of a fire at an Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority home in the Braddock Metro neighborhood yesterday (July 5).

The fire was reported around 11:01 p.m. on the roof of the home at 1318 Madison Street, part of the Samuel Madden Homes community. Units from Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington County had responded to the call and encountered smoke coming from the roof of a three-story rowhome. An Alexandria Fire Department spokesperson told ALXnow the fire had started on the exterior at the gutters and spread to the roof and attic.

News

Alexandria to celebrate its 277th birthday and America’s 250th with fireworks

By Emily Leayman

Published July 6, 2026 at 10:00AM

Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After many of the D.C. region’s fireworks shows have come and gone, Alexandrians will have another to look forward to this weekend.

The Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration is set for Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street). This year’s event celebrates Alexandria’s 277th birthday and America’s 250th.

Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Mocha will tag along on your outdoor adventures

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 3:15PM

Adoptable Mocha (via AWLA)

Meet Mocha, a former stray who will melt the heart of her next owner.

Mocha came to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria as a stray and is looking for a home of her own. She prefers the company of people over toys and would love to accompany her owner wherever they venture to.

News

City Council denies Virginia Paving Company’s five-year extension in West End

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 1:45PM

Virginia Paving Company facility near the Van Dorn Metro station (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council voted yesterday (Wednesday) to deny an extension of Virginia Paving Company’s operations in the West End.

The asphalt production plant, which has been at an 11-acre site at 5601 Courtney Avenue since 1960, had been given Jan. 1, 2027 as a date to clear out operations. The special use permit extension would have allowed it to continue to Jan. 1, 2032.

News

Alexandria charity sends disaster relief to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 10:00AM

Relief in Venezuela after earthquakes (via Global Empowerment Mission)

In the wake of deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, an Alexandria charity is among the U.S. organizations lending a helping hand.

Various regions of Venezuela are reeling from a humanitarian crisis as the earthquakes have resulted in thousands of confirmed casualties and tens of thousands unaccounted for, as well as building collapses and structural damage.

News

8th Congressional District candidate forum set for next week in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published July 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Shiloh Baptist Church and the NAACP Alexandria Branch will host a candidate forum for the 8th Congressional District race on July 9, 2026 (via Shiloh Baptist Church)

Candidates for the 8th Congressional District will gather in Alexandria for a candidate forum next week.

Shiloh Baptist Church and the NAACP Alexandria Branch will host the candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9 in the Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center (1401 Jamieson Avenue). Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

News

Virginia budget provides $1M to rehabilitate Alexandria’s historic Freedom House Museum

By Emily Leayman

Published July 1, 2026 at 9:15AM

Freedom House Museum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Alexandria’s Freedom House Museum has received $1 million in Virginia’s approved two-year budget to support its continued renovations.

The $1 million in state funding provided in the 2027 fiscal year and matching city funds through the Office of Historic Alexandria will support interior rehabilitation and accessibility improvements at 1315 Duke Street. Historic Alexandria director Gretchen M. Bulova told ALXnow the upgrades will provide public access to the basement where enslaved men were held when it was home to one of the country’s largest slave trading companies.

Around Town

Alexandria’s Bastille, Andy’s Pizza collect awards at regional RAMMYS

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 3:15PM

Bastille Brasserie & Bar's Juan Ramirez won the Manager of the Year award at the 2026 RAMMYS (via Bastille/Facebook)

Two restaurants with Alexandria ties have earned RAMMY awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Winners of the 44th Annual RAMMYs Awards were announced yesterday (Monday) at a gala at The Wharf’s Arena Stage in D.C. The 20 categories of the RAMMYS recognize the D.C. region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

News

Gun restrictions, paid leave and foam container ban: Virginia bills taking effect on July 1

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated July 1, 2026 at 10:20AM

Del. Charniele Herring at her campaign kickoff at Clyde's at 1700 N. Beauregard Street on April 3, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Over 1,100 bills made it out of the latest General Assembly session, and many will take effect Wednesday (July 1).

As Democrats gained a trifecta with the election of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and control of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, legislators’ bills focused on priorities like immigration enforcement, gun control, housing and tenant protections, reproductive rights and more. Democrats also passed Virginia’s first-ever paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and child care assistance programs for workers.

Around Town

Mayor Gaskins launches Art In Every Space initiative to display art in more businesses

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 9:15AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks before City Councilwoman Sandy Marks is sworn into office on May 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced her new initiative Art In Every Space, piloted yesterday (Monday), to bring art to more businesses in Alexandria.

The initiative places original artwork by Alexandria-area artists in local businesses at no cost to either the artists or businesses. According to the mayor, the initiative supports the work of Alexandria’s art organizations by providing additional locations for artists to display their work.

News

Rep. Beyer says President Trump shouldn’t be impeached just as a ‘messaging exercise’

By James Cullum and Emily Leayman

Published June 29, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 29, 2026 at 4:06PM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) in his office in the Longworth House Office Building in D.C. (staff photo by James Cullum)

With the November midterm elections just four months away, Northern Virginia Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) is considering the implications of a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives.

In his office at the Longworth House Office Building, Beyer told ALXnow in an interview that President Donald Trump deserves to be impeached a third time, but not as a messaging exercise that will result in an acquittal from a divided Senate. He also said that no matter the outcome of the November midterms that the country will still have two years left of an administration that operates under the unitary executive theory of the presidency.