Katie Taranto | ALXnow

Firehouse primary candidates attend only forum in Alexandria before endorsement vote

Published January 12, 2026 at 10:00PM | Updated January 12, 2026 at 10:30PM

(Left to right) Moderator Michael Lee Pope, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5), Charles Sumpter and former Del Mark Levine (D-45) at a debate for Virginia’s 39th Senate District at Charles Houston Recreation Center, Jan. 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Democratic candidates in tomorrow’s 39th District firehouse primary fielded several questions during a packed public forum tonight (Monday), with topics ranging from the primary’s scheduling to affordability, right-to-work and more.

Del. Elizabeth Bennet-Parker (D-5), former Del. Mark Levine (D-45) and Charles Sumpter participated in the forum at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, while former Vice Mayor Amy Jackson was unable to attend.

News

Alexandria Police Department adopts new hate crime policy after alleged assault in grocery store

By Katie Taranto

Published January 12, 2026 at 12:30PM

Police Chief Tarrick McGuire speaks during an APD press conference Jan. 12, 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Alexandria Police Department has adopted a new hate crime policy following a Christmas Day incident in which a suspect reportedly threw groceries and shouted homophobic statements at a man in a store on Christmas Day.

Police Chief Tarrick McGuire announced the department’s first-ever policy for bias incidents and hate crimes, developed over the past year, at a press conference this morning (Monday).

News

Hundreds gather in Alexandria to protest ICE after fatal Minneapolis shooting

By Katie Taranto

Published January 12, 2026 at 10:00AM

Anti-ICE protestors line Mount Vernon Avenue for an "ICE Out For Good" protest Jan. 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds of people gathered in Alexandria yesterday (Sunday) to protest federal immigration enforcement, days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.

Demonstrators displayed anti-ICE signs and American flags along Mount Vernon Avenue at Four Mile Run Park Plaza, earning loud honks from passersby throughout the afternoon. They chanted “ICE Out For Good” while memorializing Renee Good, joining at least 1,000 similar protests nationwide by the organizing group Indivisible.

News

Man hospitalized after Sunday night shooting near Potomac Yard

By Katie Taranto

Published January 12, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated January 12, 2026 at 10:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man who suffered gunshot wounds from a shooting near Potomac Yard last night (Sunday) was transported to the hospital in “serious but stable condition,” according to the Alexandria Police Department.

APD responded to the 400 block of Calvert Avenue just after 9 p.m. last night following multiple reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers found a 25-year-old man with gunshot wounds in a parking garage at 450 Swann Avenue and transported him to the hospital. They also recovered shell casings at the scene.

Around Town

Ceremony, volunteer events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. returning to Alexandria this month

By Katie Taranto

Published January 12, 2026 at 8:15AM | Updated January 12, 2026 at 8:41AM

Sign for Alexandria's 53rd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony on Jan. 15, 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Alexandria’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program returns this week, marking 53 years of city commemoration for the civil rights leader.

Guests can expect an evening of “delicious food, uplifting music, and speakers to honor the legacy of Dr. King,” according to the program website. A reception will be held from 5:30-6:20 p.m. on Thursday, and the program will run from 6:30-8 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Drive)

News

JUST IN: Alexandria Democrats schedule firehouse primary to replace Sen. Ebbin

By Katie Taranto

Published January 9, 2026 at 11:20PM | Updated January 11, 2026 at 4:55PM

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) reads a resolution at Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats have announced a firehouse primary to replace State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), after he announced his resignation this week to fulfill a role in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

The primary will be held from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. this Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to the Alexandria Democratic Committee — less than a week out from Ebbin’s Jan. 7 announcement. ADC announced the primary over social media around 11 p.m. Friday.

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Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published January 9, 2026 at 12:30PM

Old Town Farmers' Market (via City of Alexandria)

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is officially relocating this weekend in advance of construction on City Hall and Market Square.

The Saturday morning market is moving across the street from Market Square to the 100 block of N. Royal Street before construction is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Oakley, senior sweetheart and ‘couch potato’

By Katie Taranto

Published January 9, 2026 at 8:15AM

Oakley (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Oakley, an “extra-large dog with a big heart” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who enjoys walks and slow, snuggly afternoons.

The 10-year-old senior fellow is “a sweetheart with a winning personality,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The pooch is fairly calm, enjoys meeting new humans and knows cues to sit and shake.

News

Alexandria benefit concert will fundraise for child abuse intervention

By Katie Taranto

Published January 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Banding Together Gala: Alexandria’s Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse in February 2025 (via The Center for Alexandria's Children, Inc./Facebook)

An Alexandria-based nonprofit is planning a concert to raise funds for local child abuse prevention programs.

The Center for Alexandria’s Children has announced its annual “Banding Together: A Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse,” which is planned from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). This year’s lineup includes local performers from School of Rock Alexandria and Guilty Ghost, led by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

News

‘Near miss’ incidents involving kids in Alexandria raise concerns about Hickory Street intersection

By Katie Taranto

Published January 8, 2026 at 10:30AM

The roundabout at Hickory and Kennedy Streets in Alexandria's Potomac West neighborhood, Nov. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new report on traffic safety in Northern Virginia is raising concerns about the number of “near miss” incidents in Alexandria, especially those involving children.

A total of 155 near miss incidents involving children were reported in Alexandria from January 2024 to December 2025 — more than in any other Northern Virginia locality, according to the report from Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS). Of those incidents, 53 of them occurred at a single intersection in Potomac West.

News

Stolen Amazon delivery truck on Duke Street recovered in parking lot near Holmes Run

By Katie Taranto

Published January 8, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An unattended Amazon delivery truck that was stolen from Duke Street in Landmark on Tuesday night was later recovered in a nearby parking lot.

The truck was reported stolen to the Alexandria Police Department just after 9 p.m. Tuesday at the 5200 block of Duke Street, APD spokesperson Tracy Walker told ALXnow. Shortly after, police recovered the vehicle less than a mile away in a parking lot at the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway.