Katie Taranto | ALXnow

NEW: Alexandria joins coalition challenging ICE deployment in Minnesota

Published January 23, 2026 at 5:00PM | Updated January 23, 2026 at 5:50PM

People protest against Federal immigration agents on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Alexandria is one of more than 80 local governments and leaders to join a coalition challenging the Trump administration’s recent surge of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

The coalition, co-led by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, has filed an amicus brief arguing that Trump’s deployment of more than 3,000 armed ICE agents to Minnesota — called “Operation Metro Surge” — is unconstitutional. Along with Alexandria, signatories include the governments of major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle, alongside legal nonprofit Public Rights Project.

Around Town

American restaurant in Del Ray featured on Yelp’s ‘Top 100 US Restaurants’ list

By Katie Taranto

Published January 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

Dishes from Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar (via Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar/Facebook)

A Del Ray restaurant is one of three Virginia eateries to make Yelp’s annual list of the “Top US Restaurants” released earlier this week.

Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar just made the rankings, coming in at No. 100 out of the 100 spots featured.

Weather

NWS: Power outages, tree damage ‘likely’ across N. Va. with Winter Storm Warning

By Katie Taranto

Published January 23, 2026 at 11:05AM

Walking on E. Reed Avenue in Alexandria, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning in Alexandria and the D.C. region this morning, advising of potential power outages and tree damage due to forecasted ice.

The warning, in effect from 11 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday, advises of heavy precipitation and as much as 14 inches in total sleet and snow accumulations across D.C., Northern Virginia and central, northeast and northern Maryland. It’s an elevation from NWS’ previous Winter Storm Watch in the area.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Inu, a happy dog who loves outdoor adventures

By Katie Taranto

Published January 23, 2026 at 8:15AM

Inu (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Inu, a happy pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who loves tug-of-war, hiking and long walks.

Two-year-old Inu weighs about 56 pounds, thrives with lots of affection and is super outdoorsy — he “would be thrilled to go on woodland hikes or neighborhood strolls, as long as he’s by your side,” according to an AWLA volunteer. While he may be active, “he transforms into a cuddle bug at the end of active days.”

News

Alexandria pretreats roads for snow as Gov. Spanberger declares state of emergency

By Katie Taranto

Published January 22, 2026 at 3:45PM

Cars covered in snow in Alexandria on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is preparing to face this weekend’s looming snowstorm, which is forecasted to bring several inches of snow to the D.C. area and has prompted Gov. Abigail Spanberger to declare a state of emergency today (Thursday).

City staff are currently brining and treating “priority routes, hills, and bridges,” in preparation for the storm, which is expected to sweep the Beltway area with 5 to 10 inches of snow between Saturday night and early Monday, according to Capital Weather Gang. Earlier today, Spanberger signed an executive order mobilizing state agencies, local governments and utility partners to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.

Around Town

Young cancer survivor from Alexandria celebrated New Year’s with surprise Caps tickets

By Katie Taranto

Published January 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

Sutton Bullard (bottom left) with a friend and family at Washington Capitals game on New Year's Eve (courtesy of Jolie Berman)

A young Caps fan and cancer survivor from Alexandria rang in the new year with surprise tickets to see the team and reunite with her favorite player earlier this month.

Sutton Bullard, 7, spent New Year’s Eve with her family watching the Caps defeat the New York Rangers, and later reuniting with goaltender Logan Thompson. It was the end of an eventful year for Sutton, who in November celebrated the end of her chemotherapy with a bell-ringing ceremony, in which Thompson had paid a surprise visit.

Around Town

New Mumbai-inspired restaurant plans debut in Eisenhower East next week

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Biryani from The Bombay Canteen (courtesy of jenniek PR)

People seeking warmth after this weekend’s impending winter storm can find solace in the slow-cooked curries of a new Indian restaurant opening soon in Eisenhower East.

The Mumbai-inspired Bombay Canteen is planning to “soft open” at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue on Monday, Feb. 2, a spokesperson told ALXnow. An official grand opening is planned for Sunday, Feb. 8.

News

Preschooler with measles led to potential exposures in N. Va. last week

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 12:30PM

Virginia Department of Health offices in Richmond. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for The Virginia Mercury)

The Alexandria Health Department is alerting city residents to recent measles exposures that occurred in Northern Virginia last week.

A preschool-aged child in the region who recently traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The child visited three health care sites across Woodbridge and Falls Church from Jan. 13-18, which AHD notes may have led to potential exposures.

News

Del. Bennett-Parker expresses interest in debate with Lineberry in State Senate race

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 10:30AM

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker reads a proclamation at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has expressed interest in participating in a virtual forum after special election opponent Julie Robben Lineberry proposed a series of debates yesterday (Tuesday).

Lineberry, the Republican nominee, “challenged” Bennett-Parker to participate in three debates in a press release yesterday afternoon. In a statement to ALXnow, Bennett-Parker said Lineberry contacted her after publicizing the challenge.

News

Metro closures will affect weekend rail service in Alexandria this spring

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 9:15AM

A train arrives at the King St-Old Town Metro station, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A series of weekend-long Metrorail closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport will start next month, impacting Blue and Yellow lines departing and entering Alexandria.

Trains on the Blue and Yellow lines will be suspended between those stations during ten weekends this spring, and Metro will offer free connecting shuttle bus services. The closures are planned to accommodate the construction of a second entrance at Arlington’s Crystal City station.

News

JUST IN: Councilman Kirk McPike wins Democratic firehouse primary for delegate seat

By Katie Taranto

Published January 20, 2026 at 10:30PM

City Council candidate Kirk McPike speaks at the ADC Straw Poll at Port City Brewing Company, April 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Councilman R. Kirk McPike has been declared the winner in today’s Democratic firehouse primary to succeed outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5).

McPike secured 60.5% of the vote Tuesday among 5th District Democrats, defeating three other candidates in the running. A total of 2,115 voters participated in the primary, placing district turnout at around 3%, according to tallies from the Alexandria Democratic Committee and data from the Virginia Public Access Project.