Author: Katie Taranto

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.

Around Town

Several Alexandria artists named finalists in regional Wammie Music Awards

By Katie Taranto
Wammie Awards crowd (via The Wammie Awards/Facebook)

Eight Alexandria artists have advanced as finalists in the 37th annual Wammie Music Awards, as competition narrows down in the regional program.

Several musicians made the cut from Alexandria’s initial 14 nominees, receiving 12 finalist nominations for their work across multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop, funk and more. Winners will be announced during this year’s live awards show on Saturday, March 28, at D.C.’s Capital Turnaround.

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BREAKING: ACPS closed Monday as plans shift to synchronous learning

By Katie Taranto
Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed tomorrow (Monday), with students participating in synchronous learning, the school system announced tonight.

ACPS made the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, shifting gears from previous plans to open with a two-hour delay due to the ongoing snow. All schools and offices will be closed, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday.

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UPDATED: ACPS will close Monday as snowfall continues

By Katie Taranto
ACPS school buses in snowy, icy conditions, Jan. 30, 2026 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools has announced it will be closed tomorrow (Monday), following previous plans to open with a two-hour delay.

All schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday. ACPS announced the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, adjusting from the previously planned two-hour delay.

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News

Measles case may have led to exposures at Alexandria office building

By Katie Taranto
2800 Eisenhower Avenue (via Google Maps)

An Alexandria office building is one of several potential measles exposure sites in Northern Virginia confirmed by state health officials last night (Thursday).

People in the office building, located at 2800 Eisenhower Avenue, could have been exposed to measles between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The office was reported as an exposure site in connection with two new measles cases in the region.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Drako, a playful companion

By Katie Taranto
Drako (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Drako, a one-year-old pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to explore the world with a new family.

Drako “would be a lovely companion on weekend road-trips and sniffy neighborhood walks,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. He’s also confident and easygoing around other dogs, and “never passed on making a new friend,” according to his pet profile.

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City Council candidates explain more policy stances in forum ahead of Democratic primary

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations hosts a City Council candidate forum (photo courtesy of James Minichello Photography)

Democratic candidates for Alexandria City Council shared their views on economic development, traffic and parking, housing growth and more during a forum last night (Wednesday).

The event was hosted by Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations at Immanuel Church on the Hill ahead of Saturday’s Democratic firehouse primary. About two dozen people turned out and several more attended via Zoom to the event, which was moderated by Bill Rossello, president of the Seminary Hill Association.

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News

Pedestrian safety project at two Alexandria schools slated to receive $2M in federal funds

By Katie Taranto
George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A pedestrian safety improvement project near George Washington Middle School and Charles Barrett Elementary School is slated to receive $2.17 million in federal funding.

The project, phase two of the city’s Safe Routes to School Crossing Improvements, aims to bolster student safety and “strengthen connectivity to nearby neighborhoods” at the schools by installing curb extensions with crosswalks, shortening crossing distances, improving bus stops and removing a slip lane.

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Around Town

Annual chili cook-off brings competition and flavor to Del Ray this month

By Katie Taranto
Samples, beer and trophies at the Del Ray Chili Cook Off in 2024 (via Del Ray Citizens Association/Facebook)

Flavor, fundraising and friendly competition are coming to Del Ray with the return of the Del Ray Chili Cook Off this month.

The annual culinary competition by the Del Ray Citizens Association is open to individual and team entries from Del Ray residents. It will kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 in the gymnasium at Commonwealth Academy.

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News

Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. health officials say in new advisory

By Katie Taranto
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Department of Health is advising people to avoid contact with the Potomac River following a massive sewage pipe rupture last month.

Recreational activities like swimming and kayaking should be avoided out of caution to prevent illness, VDH said in a release yesterday.

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Around Town

Hopkins House preschoolers share songs, crafts with seniors for Valentine’s Day

By Katie Taranto
Students from Hopkins House's k-prep class met with seniors on Friday, Feb. 6, for a Valentine's Day celebration (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, preschoolers from Hopkins House brought joy and laughter to The Senior Center at Charles Houston during an annual celebration last week.

The k-prep class from Helen Day Preschool Academy joined Alexandria seniors for a lively morning of crafts and dancing on Friday, Feb. 6. About a dozen students made handmade valentines for seniors, many of whom are regular visitors to the center.

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‘Agenda: Alexandria’ to host panel on housing and affordability this month

By Katie Taranto
Agenda: Alexandria hosts a panel on aging in November 2025 (via Agenda: Alexandria/Facebook)

Update: Agenda Alexandria has rescheduled this event to 7 p.m. March 23, due to inclement weather. 

Housing development and affordability will be the subject of Agenda: Alexandria’s next program, now expected to take place in March.

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