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

Gov. Spanberger signs first group of bills on housing, health care, energy

By Emily Leayman
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs bills on March 31, 2026 (via Office of the Governor of Virginia)

After more than 1,200 bills passed in the Virginia General Assembly, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed the first set of bills tackling several areas of affordability.

The governor’s action marks the first major set of bills signed from the 2026 General Assembly session. Spanberger had previously signed voter referendum legislation allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting to go before voters on April 21. The signed bills address housing, health care and energy.

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News

Alternatives to large plunge pool proposed for Taylor Run stream stabilization project

By Emily Leayman
Areas covered by the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project (via City of Alexandria)

Two alternatives to a larger plunge pool for the Taylor Run stream stabilization project — with fewer impacts to trees — were proposed as the project moves closer to construction.

The city is conducting the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization project on about 1.7 acres around Chinquapin Park near Alexandria City High School. It replaced the original stream restoration project that City Council sent back to study in 2021 amid controversy over its environmental impacts. The project aims to address erosion around the stream while protecting surrounding infrastructure, including sanitary sewer pipes, manholes, stormwater pipe outfalls and the park’s trail.

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News

More than 9,000 early, mail ballots cast in Alexandria’s April 21 special election

By Emily Leayman
Voters at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Three weeks before the April 21 special election, more than 9,000 votes have been cast through in-person early voting and mail ballots, according to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections.

According to data through Sunday (March 29), 4,245 people have voted early in person. General Registrar Angie Maniglia Turner told ALXnow another 244 early votes were counted through 3:30 p.m. Monday (March 30).

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News

With 19,000 voters expected at school sites, April 21 student holiday approved at ACPS

By Emily Leayman
Voting at Douglas MacArthur School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City School Board approved April 21 as a student holiday as election officials anticipate high turnout for the special election at school-based polling sites. While students will be off, ACPS staff will have a work day.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented the School Board with the proposal last Thursday (March 26) after a discussion with Alexandria’s election officials. April 21 is the date of the special elections to decide a statewide mid-decade redistricting amendment for Virginia’s congressional districts and fill former Councilman R. Kirk McPike’s City Council seat following his election to Virginia’s 5th House District.

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News

$1M prize claimed from Millionaire’s Raffle ticket sold in Del Ray

By Emily Leayman
A large stack of money (via Celyn Kang/Unsplash)

The winner of a Millionaire’s Raffle lottery ticket bought in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood has claimed the $1 million prize after initially forgetting about it, the Virginia Lottery said.

An Arlington woman anonymously claimed the prize, marking the fifth and final $1 million prize from the 2026 Virginia New Year’s Millionaire Raffle. Under Virginia law, winners of prizes of $1 million or more may claim their winnings anonymously.

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News

Sen. Bennett-Parker pulled off a busy session amid transition to Va. Senate

By Emily Leayman
State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The General Assembly session that wrapped up in mid-March was an especially busy one for state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39).

In addition to introducing legislation and other regular duties, Bennett-Parker ran a mid-session campaign to replace former state Sen. Adam Ebbin in Senate District 39. The former delegate won the Feb. 10 special election in the district, which covers Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Carbunco, a small sidekick with big energy

By Emily Leayman
Carbunco, an adoptable dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (courtesy of Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Carbunco, a small dog who brings big energy.

Carbunco would make an ideal companion for families looking for a smaller dog. This dog just shy of 2 years old has a black coat with white markings and weighs 13 pounds.  He walks well on a leash and will happily chase a ball, play with toys or follow his favorite people around.

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News

NEW: ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt to resign

By Emily Leayman
ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at the Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation ceremony at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, March 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt will resign on Oct. 1, the Alexandria City School Board announced Thursday night.

The announcement was made during Thursday night’s School Board meeting. Kay-Wyatt will continue in the role into the new school year as new school attendance boundaries are implemented at Alexandria City Public Schools.

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News

Speed limits to be reduced on two West End streets in April

By Emily Leayman
Yoakum Parkway in the Landmark neighborhood of Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Speed limits on Edsall Road and S. Pickett Street in the West End will be reduced from 35 to 25 mph in April.

The reduction will apply to the full length of Edsall Road from S. Pickett Street to the city limits, and Yoakum Parkway between Stevenson Avenue and Edsall Road.

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News

City’s $9.7M winter storm cost largely attributed to outside contractors

By Emily Leayman
Pile of 'snowcrete' in February 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria spent $9.7 million on the Jan. 25 snow storm response, the bulk of which was attributed to outside contractors brought in due to the challenges of clearing “snowcrete.”

The winter storm brought about 8 inches of snow followed by hours of sleet and freezing rain that created a solid layer of ice on top. According to an after-action report presented to City Council Tuesday, contract services cost the city $8.4 million. City labor cost about $600,000, while materials, supplies, food and lodging for employees cost $700,000.

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News

Hit-and-run pursuit leads to driver arrest on I-495 in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Police car lights (file photo)

A hit-and-run pursuit led to a crash and driver’s subsequent arrest in the Alexandria section of the Capital Beltway this morning (Thursday), Virginia State Police say.

The crash shut down all southbound I-495 lanes near Van Dorn Street, leading to backups stretching as far as 12 miles, according to an NBC4 report.

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