Katie Taranto is a reporter at ALXnow. She previously covered local businesses at ARLnow and K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.
Meet Mia, a sweet, smart pup from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is eager to make new friends.
At just over a year old, Mia loves playing tug and fetch, and a volunteer with the AWLA told ALXnow that she’s picking up training pretty quickly. She also savors a good nap.
The Virginia Department of Health has partially lifted its recreational water advisory for a portion of the Potomac River as repairs continue from January’s massive sewage spill.
The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, has now been lifted for a stretch of the river including Alexandria’s waterfront. The cleared area starts south at the Route 120 Chain Bridge and ends at the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County, according to a VDH announcement this afternoon (Thursday).
A student “may have brought a loaded firearm” to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School yesterday (Tuesday), according to an Alexandria City Public Schools message sent to the school’s community today.
The Alexandria Police Department recovered a firearm inside an 8-year-old child’s backpack yesterday in a Child Protective Services office at 4850 Mark Center Drive, the department told ALXnow. No injuries were reported, and officers are investigating the cause of the incident.
The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to be cautious around wildlife after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town yesterday (Tuesday).
According to AHD, two people said they were bitten by a raccoon near N. Henry Street, N. Patrick Street and Cameron Street in Old Town. It’s unclear if the bites came from the same raccoon, “but the incidents happened close together in time,” according to an AHD announcement this afternoon.
Alexandria voters can begin casting early ballots this Friday to participate in the city’s April 21 special election.
This includes the City Council race and a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps.
Artwork “that reflects civic pride, historical connection, and optimism for the future” is the theme of a new poster contest in Alexandria.
As the City of Alexandria continues to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is joining the America 250 City Art Poster Project, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Endowment for the Arts.
A new Indian restaurant celebrated its recent foray into the Eisenhower East neighborhood over the weekend with festivities alongside local city and business leaders.
The Bombay Canteen rolled out the red carpet at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue yesterday (Sunday) for a grand opening of its Mumbai-inspired dining room and kitchen. The new eatery, which soft opened last month, is led by D.C.-area restaurateur Asad Sheikh and chef Nishi Barua, replacing a vacancy left by Hunan Cafe.
Three candidates have submitted the paperwork necessary to run for Alexandria City Council, meeting the city’s 5 p.m. deadline today (Friday).
Democrat Sandy Marks, independent candidate and former Republican City Councilman Frank Fannon, and independent Alison O’Connell have each turned in the necessary paperwork to be on the April 21 ballot, Director of Elections & General Registrar Angie Maniglia Turner confirmed to ALXnow shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
Dozens of volunteers in Alexandria will be recognized next month for their contributions to the community last year.
Eighty-five honorees have been announced in Volunteer Alexandria’s annual awards program, Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria, happening Thursday, March 12. The nonprofit, a top coordinator of volunteer services in the city, recorded more than 112,000 service hours in 2025 from over 4,260 volunteers — an estimated value exceeding $3.8 million.
Meet Spike, a happy dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is full of energy.
The three-year-old furry friend weighs 49 pounds and is known by his distinctive tri-colored coat “and a personality that can’t be beat,” an AWLA volunteer told ALXnow.
A festive afternoon of Irish dancing, pipe bands and emerald-green outfits and decorations is returning soon to Old Town.
The Ballyshaners‘ 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is expected to draw thousands of spectators to celebrate alongside a lineup of performers and community organizers. Local dignitaries plan to kick off festivities at noon Saturday, March 7, with the parade stepping off at 12:30 p.m.
