Katie Taranto | ALXnow

Yellow Line extends service further into D.C. and Maryland

Published December 31, 2025 at 10:45AM

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

Metro riders on the Yellow Line can travel further into D.C. and Maryland beginning today (Wednesday).

The Yellow Line has extended with service to Maryland’s Greenbelt station for the first time since 2023, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Trains on that line previously ended service at Mount Vernon Square in D.C.

News

SoberRide offering free Lyft rides in Alexandria for New Year’s Eve

By Katie Taranto

Published December 31, 2025 at 10:00AM

SoberRide vehicle (via Washington Regional Alcohol Program/Facebook)

SoberRide, the initiative that has been offering free Lyft rides home in the D.C. area this holiday season, will continue to operate for New Year’s Eve.

Rides will become available starting at 10 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and lasting until 4 a.m. tomorrow. During that period, residents 21 and older can enter a promotional code into Lyft’s “Payment” tab to receive a ride home. Tonight’s promotional code will be posted at 9 p.m. on www.SoberRide.com.

News

VSP: Suspect in stolen vehicle rammed trooper after attempted traffic stop in Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published December 30, 2025 at 3:00PM

Virginia State Police trooper's vehicle following a crash during an overnight pursuit on Dec. 29, 2025 (courtesy of Virginia State Police)

A Maryland woman has been arrested following a pursuit to recover a stolen vehicle that left one Virginia State Police (VSP) trooper with injuries last night (Monday).

The pursuit began around 11:47 p.m. after a trooper attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in Alexandria, VSP said in an announcement today (Tuesday). The suspect, 24-year-old Naturi Michon Hayes, allegedly kept driving.

News

New state funding will support small businesses and workforce development in Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published December 30, 2025 at 2:45PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks speaks at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

More state funding for economic development projects is coming to Alexandria and several other localities across Virginia.

The city is slated to share some $1.3 million for programs supporting small businesses and the technology workforce. The projects “advance Virginia’s economic competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry growth,” the office of outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced today (Tuesday).

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Alexandria trash collection pushed back for New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 30, 2025 at 10:30AM

Taking out the trash in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The city of Alexandria will not collect waste on New Year’s Day, and the remainder of the week’s collection will follow a modified schedule.

After Thursday, waste collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week, according to the city.

News

Plaintiffs in Zoning for Housing lawsuit file notice of appeal

By Katie Taranto

Published December 26, 2025 at 9:30AM

The Alexandria courthouse in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a judge dismissed their case last month, plaintiffs in Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All lawsuit have announced a notice of appeal.

Under The Coalition for a Livable Alexandria, several Old Town residents are seeking to overturn a Circuit Court decision upholding Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All initiative last month. The group announced its intent to appeal in an email on Wednesday.

Around Town

Annual New Year’s Eve music, fireworks and performances returning to Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published December 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

First Night Alexandria fireworks (via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

First Night Alexandria will bring hours of live music and performances, family-friendly fun and fireworks to Old Town and Carlyle for New Year’s Eve next week.

In its 31st year, the annual holiday festival includes a packed schedule of activities and arts, culminating in a countdown to midnight at the Old Town waterfront.

News

Alexandria government offices closing for Christmas, New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 22, 2025 at 11:45AM

Holiday wreath in Old Town (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Government offices in Alexandria will close on Wednesday and Thursday to observe Christmas.

Closures this week will affect Alexandria courts, the Alexandria Library, the Department of Motor Vehicles, health facilities, the city’s impound lot and more. Metered parking restrictions and residential permit parking will not be enforced during this period.

Around Town

These were the most popular books in Alexandria this fall

By Katie Taranto

Published December 19, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

What did you read this past fall?

The Alexandria Library system shared its most-checked out books from mid-September through last week with ALXnow, with over a dozen fiction reads topping the charts. The library recorded a grand total of 1,811 check-outs of its top 20 titles during that period.

Around Town

Several Alexandria artists nominated in regional Wammie Music Awards

By Katie Taranto

Published December 19, 2025 at 12:30PM

Wammie Awards crowd (via The Wammie Awards/Facebook)

Fourteen Alexandria artists and groups have received nominations in a program recognizing musical talent across the D.C. area.

Alexandria’s nominees for the 37th Annual Wammie Music Awards represent several genres, from funk and folk and hip-hop and pop. The voting period for the 2026 awards is now open and will run through Jan. 15, ahead of the March 28 awards show in D.C.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Diesel, a dog ‘full of love and curiosity’

By Katie Taranto

Published December 19, 2025 at 9:15AM

Diesel the dog (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Diesel, a sweet, wrinkly-faced pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to go home for the holidays with fur-ever humans.

The three-year-old cutie patootie is about 89 pounds, “with a heart to match his impressive physical presence,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The social pup is “full of love and curiosity.”