Emily Leayman | ALXnow

Alexandria seeks resident input into next legislative agenda for 2027 General Assembly

Published August 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

The City of Alexandria is asking residents if and how it should change its legislative priorities for the next Virginia General Assembly session in 2027.

Because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, localities can only use authority specifically granted by the General Assembly through a state law or city charter. The city sends requests to state lawmakers each year through its Legislative Agenda.

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Police and fire presence at ACHS Minnie Howard Campus planned for emergency drill

By Emily Leayman

Published August 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

Residents shouldn’t be alarmed when they see an increased police and fire presence at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus later this week.

The Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria City Public Schools and other emergency partners will hold an incident response drill at the campus (3775 W. Braddock Road) Thursday (Aug. 13). Expect police, fire and EMS vehicles and personnel to be in the area between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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T&ES director recommends Russell Road alternative after board approves parking removals

By Emily Leayman

Published August 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

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

After the Traffic and Parking Board approved the removal of 20 parking spaces on Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary in July, the director of Alexandria’s Transportation and Environmental Services is proposing a different option.

First reported by Alexandria Brief, T&ES director Leah Riley proposed Alternative C, which she says will minimize parking impacts while prioritizing pedestrian safety, neighborhood concerns and the Traffic and Parking Board’s request for more parking to accommodate school staff.

Around Town

Tax-free shopping and Port to Port Festival lead off Alexandria’s weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published August 7, 2026 at 3:45PM

Port to Port Beer Festival (via Port City Brewing Company)

Beer lovers and shoppers alike will find things to keep them busy this weekend in Alexandria.

If you want to sample beers from different places, Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Co. is gathering breweries from around the country for its Port to Port Beer Festival. Shoppers will have extra reason to head out on the town between Virginia’s sales tax holiday and Old Town Boutiques’ special Tax-Free Weekend promotion.

Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Handsome Chino is a well-rounded companion

By Emily Leayman

Published August 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Adoptable Chino (via AWLA)

Meet Chino, a sweet young dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in the market for a new home.

This handsome 3-year-old is reported to have good house manners and crate training, and he loves everyone he meets. He’d like to show off his smarts with the cues for sit, paw and down.

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State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published August 6, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated August 10, 2026 at 3:02PM

Solar panel installation (via Bill Mead/Unsplash)

A solar panel installation program championed by Virginia’s governor is gaining traction in Alexandria and other areas of the state as homeowners look for ways to address rising electricity costs.

Switch Together, a bulk purchasing initiative to connect residents to solar installers, was recently expanded from Northern Virginia to other parts of the state. It was previously only open in Fairfax and Arlington counties, with Alexandria joining the roster last summer.

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Alexandria shoppers can skip the sales tax on certain back-to-school items this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published August 6, 2026 at 9:15AM

School supplies (via Tim Gouw/Unsplash)

This weekend is the time to stock up on school supplies, clothing and emergency supplies at stores in Alexandria and across the state.

Virginia will hold its annual three-day sales tax holiday, from Friday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 9. During the three days, state and local option sales taxes are temporarily lifted on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies, as well as emergency preparedness products and some appliances. The tax exemption applies to in-store and online shopping.

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Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center

By Emily Leayman

Published August 5, 2026 at 11:45AM

Members of the Alexandria City Council at the Chamber ALX's annual City Council Breakfast at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town on May 14, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council has joined a growing number of local residents asking Fairfax County to deny a substation associated with data center development just outside city limits.

In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, City Council cited “the incompatibility of heavy industrial use” near densely populated Alexandria. The letter was sent by Mayor Alyia Gaskins on behalf of the entire City Council.

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Rep. Don Beyer wins nomination in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary

By Emily Leayman

Published August 4, 2026 at 8:35PM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 10:08AM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rep. Don Beyer has earned the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District in Tuesday’s primary election.

The congressman, who is seeking his seventh term, defeated four challengers — former Alexandria City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, veteran and former CIA officer Adam Dunigan and military family advocate Lorena Bruner. The Associated Press called the race at 7:34 p.m. after polls closed.

Around Town

17 Old Town boutiques to cover entire sales tax for shoppers this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published August 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Tax free weekend at participating boutiques in Old Town (via Old Town Boutique District)

As retailers across Virginia will have tax-free promotions on certain items during this weekend’s sales tax holiday, a group of Alexandria’s independent boutiques will cover the sales tax for their entire stores.

More than 15 Old Town Alexandria boutiques are participating in a tax-free shopping weekend Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, covering the sales tax for customers on clothing, gifts, home decor and other items. The Old Town Boutique Community is hosting the event with support from the City of Alexandria to encourage support for local businesses during back-to-school shopping.

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Alexandria gears up for 2026 congressional primary elections Tuesday

By Emily Leayman

Published August 3, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 10:10AM

Voting at Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria voters are headed to the polls Tuesday (Aug. 4) to cast their votes in Democratic and Republican primaries, which will determine nominees for the 2026 midterms.

Polls will be open between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters are not registered by party in Virginia, so they can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. As of Aug. 1, Alexandria has over 117,000 registered voters.