Katie Taranto | ALXnow

Gaskins discusses the future of Alexandria’s affordable housing with Atlantic editor

Published December 9, 2025 at 12:00PM | Updated December 9, 2025 at 2:35PM

(From left to right) Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Yoni Appelbaum of The Atlantic and Laura Dobbs, Policy Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia during a Dec. 8 affordable housing discussion at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins shared possible initiatives to preserve Alexandria’s dwindling affordable housing supply during a conversation with an editor at The Atlantic last night (Monday).

Gaskins and Yoni Appelbaum, author of “Stuck“, met at The Lyceum to discuss affordable housing, the history of zoning laws and how Alexandria should approach ongoing efforts to update its Housing Master Plan.

News

Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 2:46PM

Aquatics class at the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility (via Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA/Facebook)

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has released its Winter 2026 Program Guide, detailing new seasonal classes, activities and more.

Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Alexandria residents can sign up for RPCA’s winter programs, which start next month and run through April 2026. Registration for nonresidents opens two days later, on Dec. 19.

Around Town

‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘Santa Jaws’: Holiday Boat Parade announces 2025 winners

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 1:30PM

A view of the boat line up. Leading the pack is "Splish Splash, Taking a Bath" which was the winner of the 2025 category "Thinking Outside the Christmas Box" (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s 25th annual Holiday Boat Parade brought gleaming, spirited displays of holiday cheer to Old Town’s waterfront on Saturday night.

Visit Alexandria has announced the winners of the parade today (Monday), with exhibits ranging from a hot pink Chappell Roan theme that captured “Most Spirited Crew” to a playful “Hanukkah Octopus” named Happy that won “Hardiest Soul.” Here’s a look at this year’s winners and categories.

News

Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 12:30PM

Proposed No Turn on Red restrictions (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will consider new “No Turn on Red” restrictions at an intersection near Del Ray and North Ridge, after a vehicle struck a woman and her child there in October.

The restrictions would apply to all approaches at the five-legged intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue and High Street, an area that connects single-family neighborhoods to churches and child care facilities, according to the city. The staff recommendation is part of the board’s consent agenda during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Monday).

News

‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 11:45AM

Fort Ward Park, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.

The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.

News

New Alexandria bus route with service to downtown D.C. launches this month

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 2:45PM

A Metrobus rides in the snow (via Metro Forward/Facebook)

A new Metrobus route in Alexandria will offer transfer-free service to downtown D.C. starting later this month.

The new A29 bus will begin service on Sunday, Dec. 14, with rides offered every 24 minutes in the morning and afternoon via the I-395 Express Lanes, including during rush hours. Morning service will operate north to Metro Center, with afternoon service running south toward Van Dorn Street.

Around Town

Annual holiday Toys4ALX Collection Drive ends next week

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 1:45PM

Volunteer Alexandria's Toys 4 ALX holiday toy drive (via Port City Brewing Company/Facebook)

Science kits, race cars, Legos and sport balls.

Those are just some of the donation ideas Volunteer Alexandria is calling on the community to contribute to its annual holiday drive, Toys4ALX, which closes next Thursday, Dec. 11. Volunteers are aiming to collect more than 3,500 new, unwrapped toys for 700 kids and counting across the city.

News

NWS issues another Winter Weather Advisory throughout N. Va. tonight

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 1:30PM

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

Following this morning’s wintry weather, the National Weather Service has issued another Winter Weather Advisory for Northern Virginia and the D.C. region.

The advisory goes into effect at 7 p.m. this evening (Friday) and will last until 1 a.m. Saturday, warning of freezing rain and drizzle, with a “light glaze of ice expected.”

News

Snowfall continues in Alexandria ahead of holiday parade weekend

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 11:15AM

Snowfall in Alexandria on Dec. 5, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s a marshmallow world in Alexandria this morning (Friday) as the snowy regional forecast is expected to continue into the afternoon.

The National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until 4 p.m. today, with total snow accumulation estimated around one inch. As a result, residents should “plan on slippery road conditions.”

News

School Board seeks more time to address concerns about APD contract

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 10:30AM

The Alexandria City School Board will meet on Jan. 8. (via Alexandria City School Board)

The Alexandria City School Board voted unanimously last night (Thursday) to extend its contract with the Alexandria Police Department through June 30.

The extended memorandum of understanding (MOU) will give the School Board’s Governance Committee more time to draft a new contract proposal that fully addresses its concerns, Division Counsel Robert Falconi said at last night’s meeting.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Max, your ‘loving sidekick’

By Katie Taranto

Published December 5, 2025 at 8:15AM

Max (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Max, an adorable four-legged companion in foster care who spent much of the past year at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

The three-year-old “gorgeous guy with his perfectly mismatched ears” weighs about 73 pounds, according to an AWLA volunteer. The pup is “playful and engages enthusiastically with chew toys and food puzzles.”