Katie Taranto | ALXnow

JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:30PM

State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

News

JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:25PM

R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.

News

Alexandria celebrates arrival of historical events, tall ships and more in America250 kickoff

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

OHA Deputy Director Liz Williams speaks about Sails on the Potomac during the America250 kickoff event at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Office of Historic Alexandria celebrated the kickoff of America250 last night (Monday), previewing several city events that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.

City officials joined leaders of OHA, Visit Alexandria and the local business community at The Lyceum to launch the yearlong commemoration, which will include at least two new museum exhibits, a Revolutionary War history forum and this weekend’s George Washington Birthday Parade, among other events.

Around Town

Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:15AM

Sign for Barnes & Noble at the Shoppes at Foxchase (staff photo by James Cullum)

Barnes & Noble is planning a new bookstore in the Shoppes at Foxchase.

The national book retailer hopes to open in Walgreens’ former space at 4515 Duke Street toward “the end of this year,” a spokesperson told ALXnow. The plans come as the company seeks to open at least 60 stores across the country in 2026, including a new multilevel bookstore that opened last month in D.C.

Around Town

Alexandria Warehouse Sale extends through this weekend due to cold weather

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 8:45AM

The Shoe Hive at 127 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Frigid temperatures over the past few days have prompted the Alexandria Warehouse Sale to extend through Presidents Day weekend.

The annual sale featuring dozens of independent Old Town shops and boutiques has extended until Monday, Feb. 16, after the sale’s initial weekend was hit with extreme cold and a High Wind Warning. Discounts at participating retailers range from 60-80% off on goods like clothing and shoes, home decor, toys, books and more.

News

Buddhist monks share message of peace in Old Town during 2,300-mile pilgrimage

By James Cullum and Katie Taranto

Published February 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

Lead monk Bhikkhu Pannakara talks to hundreds of people outside Christ Church in Old Town, on the final stretch of a 2,300-mile peace march, Feb. 9, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds gathered to see the group of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” as they passed through Alexandria today (Monday).

Joined onstage by city officials, the group’s leader, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, gave an address outside Christ Church, touching on themes of mindfulness and reflection in today’s heavily digital — and often divided — world.

News

Summer camp registration in Alexandria begins next week

By Katie Taranto

Published February 9, 2026 at 3:00PM

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

Registration starts next week for more than 50 summer camps and programs hosted by Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.

This year’s camp offerings range from sports programs to culinary education, crafting, performing arts and academics. City residents can begin to register for summer 2026 programs at 9 a.m. next Wednesday, Feb. 18, with non-resident registration opening two days later.

News

Measles exposures reported at Reagan National Airport and on Yellow Line train

By Katie Taranto

Published February 9, 2026 at 10:05AM

Departure board at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

New potential measles exposures in Northern Virginia were confirmed last week, following several cases in the region so far this year.

A preschool-age child and an out-of-state resident with measles recently traveled in Reagan National Airport and a Yellow Line Metro train, in addition to visiting a medical facility in Haymarket. Dates, times and exact locations of the potential exposure sites are listed below, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

News

Buddhist monks on 2,300-mile ‘Walk for Peace’ will pass through Old Town on Monday

By Katie Taranto and The Associated Press

Published February 7, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:10PM

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," are seen with their dog, Aloka, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Alexandria will recognize a group of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile journey to D.C. on Monday as they near the end of their months-long “Walk for Peace.”

The group of monks, who began their pilgrimage on Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, are expected to pass through Old Town on Monday and interact with passersby at Christ Church (118 N. Washington Street) around noon.

News

Alexandria Health Department advises of potential exposures from another N. Va. measles case

By Katie Taranto

Published February 5, 2026 at 3:30PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising city residents of Northern Virginia’s fourth confirmed measles case this year and warning of potential exposures.

An adult from Northern Virginia with measles traveled through various sites in Fairfax County late last month, leading to potential exposures, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Dates, times and locations for the potential exposures are listed below.

Around Town

King Arthur Baking Company plans new store and baking school in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published February 5, 2026 at 1:45PM

Baking merchandise displayed at a King Arthur Baking Company store (courtesy of King Arthur Baking Company)

King Arthur Baking Company is eyeing Old Town to open a new retail store and baking school.

The Vermont-based company selling flour, bakeware and other baking supplies is planning to open a new store in Old Town “late this summer,” a company spokesperson told ALXnow.