Katie Taranto | ALXnow

ICE actions in Minnesota prompt advocacy, donation efforts at Old Town businesses

Published February 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Stack of letters to legislators at Friends to Lovers Bookstore on Jan. 30, 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Some Alexandria businesses closed and others encouraged civic involvement last week during nationwide strikes protesting immigration enforcement.

In Old Town, businesses like fibre space, Friends to Lovers Bookstore and Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop made posts encouraging actions such as donating money or supplies and contacting lawmakers to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and detained a 5-year-old child.

Around Town

Cafe in Del Ray makes Eater DC list of ’16 Best Coffee Shops Around D.C.’

By Katie Taranto

Published February 3, 2026 at 10:45AM | Updated February 3, 2026 at 4:06PM

Latte from Swing's Coffee (via Swings Coffee Roasters/Facebook)

Swing’s Coffee is one of the best coffee shops in the D.C. area, according to one ranking.

A new list from Eater DC lists the cafe in the top 16 coffee shops in the area, highlighting “the best drip java, pour-overs, and lattes in town.” The coffeehouse with historic local roots has two downtown D.C. shops and a flagship Del Ray roastery at 501 E. Monroe Avenue.

News

Alexandria sidewalk enforcement resumes Tuesday, requiring snow removal within 72 hours

By Katie Taranto

Published February 2, 2026 at 4:30PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal in late January 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

Sidewalk ordinance enforcement is back on the books in Alexandria tomorrow (Tuesday), according to a city announcement this afternoon.

Starting tomorrow, City of Alexandria residents, property owners, community associations and businesses are required to clear sidewalks, driveways and entrances within 72 hours, due to the storm’s “Level 3” severity. According to the city, residents should do the following to abide by City Code Section 5-2-21.

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Market Square Garage will close next week to allow for renovations

By Katie Taranto

Published February 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Market Square parking garage (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Market Square Garage is closing next Monday, Feb. 9, to allow crews to begin renovations at City Hall and Market Square, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Monday).

Monthly pass holders “should have already been contacted” about new parking options, and a list of alternative locations in Old Town is available on the city’s website. The garage is closing as the project site will be secured with fencing this month, according to the announcement.

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JUST IN: ACPS will reopen schools, offices Tuesday with two-hour delay

By Katie Taranto

Published February 2, 2026 at 3:00PM

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

Alexandria City Public Schools will reopen with a two-hour delay for in-person learning tomorrow (Tuesday), according to an announcement this afternoon.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said ACPS remains “mindful of student safety during school arrival and dismissal, particularly for those who walk to school or wait at bus stops,” according to the announcement. Students and staff are encouraged to dress warmly amid the cold weather.

News

House of Delegates candidates debate popular vote, ‘right-to-work’ at League of Women Voters forum

By Katie Taranto

Published February 2, 2026 at 2:30PM

City Councilman R. Kirk McPike (left) and Mason Butler (right) (via Kirk McPike for Delegate/Facebook and Alexandria Republican City Committee/Facebook)

Special election candidates for the House of Delegates in the 5th District discussed their views on redistricting, the popular vote, “right-to-work” laws and more during a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City yesterday (Sunday).

Democrat R. Kirk McPike and Republican Mason Butler attended the virtual forum, which was moderated by LWV Vote 411 Director Anna Weber. Candidates were each given two minutes to respond to questions.

News

State Senate candidates debate redistricting, utility costs at virtual League of Women Voters forum

By Katie Taranto

Published February 2, 2026 at 12:50PM

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (left) and Julie Robben Lineberry (right) (images via Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker/Facebook and courtesy of the Arlington GOP)

Special election candidates for State Senate in the 39th District fielded questions about immigration, taxes, snow removal and more during a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City yesterday (Sunday).

Democrat Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) and Republican Julie Robben Lineberry attended the virtual forum, which was moderated by LWV Vote 411 Director Anna Weber. Candidates were each given two minutes each to respond to questions.

News

ACPS will continue virtual learning Monday as crews remove ‘snowcrete’ at facilities

By Katie Taranto

Published February 1, 2026 at 5:30PM

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

Alexandria City Public Schools will continue with synchronous virtual learning tomorrow (Monday), as the school system aims to reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday.

All ACPS buildings and offices will remain closed “due to continuing frigid temperatures resulting in sidewalks not being cleared and safe for students to walk to school and wait for the bus,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon. The closure comes as crews remove what is known as “snowcrete,” or thick, compacted layers of frozen snow and ice, from ACPS facilities.

News

Measles case reported at Dulles last weekend led to potential N. Va. exposures

By Katie Taranto

Published January 31, 2026 at 2:45PM

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

Health officials are advising of potential measles exposures after confirming a case that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last Saturday.

A person with measles traveled through the Dulles airport and took a shuttle bus to its rental car facilities on Saturday, Jan. 24. Health officials “are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights,” the Virginia Department of Health said in a release today (Saturday).

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Alexandria police identify D.C. man killed in Wednesday shooting on N. Patrick Street

By Katie Taranto

Published January 30, 2026 at 7:30PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department has identified the man fatally shot Wednesday on N. Patrick Street as 27-year-old D.C. resident Marquette Holmes.

Officers had responded to shots fired at the 900 block of N. Patrick Street around 6:36 p.m. Wednesday. At the scene, police located a man, now identified as Holmes, and a teenage male suffering from gunshot wounds, first responders said on the scanner.

News

Alexandria will begin Black History Month with annual student poster exhibition

By Katie Taranto

Published January 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

Students' posters in the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition (via City of Alexandria/Facebook)

Black History Month starts this Sunday, and in Alexandria, it will be celebrated with the city’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition.

More than 130 student posters inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. will go on display at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street), starting Sunday during an awards ceremony from 1-3 p.m. The event has showcased posters by students in grades 2-5 at Alexandria City Public Schools for over 30 years.