News

Eras, a Taylor Swift-themed popup bar, is opening next week on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

While still under construction, owner Bill Blackburn said that each section of the seasonal popup at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue represents one of Swift’s albums — Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, Reputation and Folklore. There’s even a hall with portraits of her ex-boyfriends.


News

A 41-year-old Alexandria man was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for executing the family dog in a fit of rage, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

Sean Nikai Callender was sentenced on Jan. 23 after being convicted of felony animal cruelty and reckless handling of a firearm. The incident occurred on Feb. 25, 2024, in an apartment in the 4300 block of Raleigh Avenue, which is near the Shoppes of Foxchase on Duke Street.


News

The owner of an iconic commercial building in the heart of Old Town wants to convert the second floor from commercial to residential space.

The special use permit (SUP) request is going before the Alexandria Planning Commission on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Building owner Jemals 628 Newco LLC wants to convert the 6,700-square-foot second floor of the building at 628 and 622 King Street into five studio and six one-bedroom apartments.


News

An Alexandria City High School student allegedly brandished a knife and injured a student in a fight on the school football field during a fire drill today (Jan. 29), according to a letter from the school’s principal to parents.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the ACHS King Street campus at around 11:30 a.m. for report of a 14-year-old male student who was injured with a cut to his finger, according to dispatches.


News

Alexandria nonprofits can breathe a sigh of relief after the White House today rescinded a controversial order by President Trump’s administration to withhold all federal grants and loans.

The Trump administration ordered a halt to all federal and grant programs on Monday (Jan. 27), and it was soon after temporarily blocked from going into effect until Monday, Feb. 3. The block was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan and the White House rescinded the order on Wednesday (Jan. 29).


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Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins says that recent immigration enforcement raids in nearby jurisdictions have resulted in “fear, confusion, and concern,” and that the city won’t assist federal investigators.

In a statement posted on the city website today, the Democrat mayor said that Alexandria will always be a welcoming community where “all residents are supported, respected, and valued.”


News

The Alexandria City Council disapproved a plan to reconfigure the city’s Independent Community Policing Review Board (ICPRB).

On Saturday, Council unanimously reversed a November 2024 decision that would have dramatically altered the rules and authority of the board and eliminated its subpoena power. The decision was made after considerable pushback during the public hearing, including from the ICPRB chair and vice chair, who are unhappy with the proposal.


News

George Washington’s cherry-filled past will be celebrated this month with the second annual GW Cherry Challenge.

The challenge is sponsored by George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate and requires participating venues to create the best “cherry-oriented appetizer, entrée, beverage, or dessert,” according to organizers.


News

Three teenagers have charged in the fatal shooting of Alexandria resident Kwakia Frazier and wounding two others, the Alexandria Police Department announced today.

A 16-year-old and two 17-year-old suspects have each been charged with murder by mob and two counts of malicious wounding by mob.


News

A number of pending bills in the Virginia General Assembly reward Israel and threaten Palestinian supporters, according to protestors outside Alexandria’s City Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The weather was near freezing as more than 50 protestors held signs, chanted and spoke out against legislation that they say targets Palestinian solidarity and activism, in addition to free speech and academic freedom. The effort was organized by three groups seeking a ceasefire in Gaza — Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights, Arlington for Palestine, and the George Mason University Coalition for Palestine.


News

Virginia Theological Seminary is defending one of its former students, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington Marianne Budde, for recently confronting President Donald Trump at Washington National Cathedral.

In a sermon on Tuesday, Budde asked Trump to have mercy on “gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.” She also called on Trump to have mercy on communities “whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.”


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