Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria climbs to fifth place on Travel + Leisure’s “Best Cities in the U.S.” list

Published July 8, 2025 at 10:16AM | Updated July 8, 2025 at 1:49PM

Old Town Alexandria - 100 block of King Street - pedestrian zone (Credit Chris Cruz)

Alexandria has reached its highest position ever on Travel + Leisure’s annual “Best Cities in the U.S.” list, claiming the fifth spot in the magazine’s 2025 “World’s Best Awards” survey results announced Tuesday.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Alexandria has earned recognition on the prestigious list, but it represents the city’s best showing to date. In 2024, Alexandria was ranked #15 on the list.

Around Town

Aces pitcher throws first no-hitter in team history

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 7, 2025 at 4:15PM

Connor Hutchinson pitched the first no-hitter in Alexandria Aces history on July 6. (via Alexandria Aces)

Alexandria Aces (14-9) right-handed pitcher Connor Hutchinson etched his name into franchise history Sunday night, throwing the first no-hitter in the team’s 20-year existence during a 7-0 victory over the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (12-13) at Blair Baseball Stadium.

The Ball State University sophomore dominated from start to finish, striking out seven batters while allowing zero hits and zero runs over seven complete innings.

Around Town

PJ’s Coffee bringing New Orleans flavor to South Alex development

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 7, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated July 7, 2025 at 3:02PM

Photo credit: PJ's Coffee

A taste of the French Quarter has arrived in Fairfax County with the opening this week of PJ’s Coffee‘s first Virginia location at the South Alex development on North Kings Highway.

The New Orleans-born coffee brand will open its doors Tuesday (July 8) at 6220 N. Kings Hwy., Alexandria, bringing signature beignets, small-batch roasted coffee, and Southern hospitality to the transit-oriented community that bills itself as “Route 1 reimagined.”

News

This Week in Alexandria: Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration, Pipes & Drums concert, and live music galore

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 7, 2025 at 11:00AM

Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This week brings Alexandria’s biggest celebration of the year as the city marks its 276th birthday alongside America’s 249th on Saturday, July 12 at Oronoco Bay Park. The free waterfront event features the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, fireworks at 9:30 p.m., and birthday cupcakes distributed by City Council members.

The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with DJ Geena Marie, followed by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Alexandria Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso at 7:30 p.m. The evening builds to a grand finale with fireworks and ceremonial cannons by the Presidential Salute Battery. Port City Brewing will sell craft beer on-site, while food trucks line Pendleton Street and local vendors showcase their wares in a curated arts area.

News

Notes: Alexandria to hold community meeting for Mount Vernon Trail sidewalk expansion

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 6, 2025 at 7:37AM

Mount Vernon Trail Improvements at East Abingdon Drive (via City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Sunday, July 6, the 187th day of 2025. There are 178 days left in the year.

🌦️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91 degrees. Calm wind becoming south at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms tonight before 3 a.m., then isolated showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 74 degrees. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

News

Police investigating death on N. West Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 5, 2025 at 7:48PM | Updated July 7, 2025 at 6:28AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria police are conducting a death investigation in the 500 block of N. West Street, prompting a significant police presence in the Old Town area Saturday evening.

The Alexandria Police Department announced the investigation in a social media post at 7:28 p.m., stating that officers were on the scene but emphasizing “there is no active threat” to the public.

News

Notes: Fourth of July weekend brings historic tours, live music, and family fun to Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 5, 2025 at 8:30AM

A street lined with American flags in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Saturday, July 5, the 186th day of 2025. There are 179 days left in the year.

🌦️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low of around 66 degrees. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

News

Governor Youngkin taps four more Alexandria residents for state board positions

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 4, 2025 at 8:00AM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks speaks at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday (July 3) a new round of administration and board appointments that includes four Alexandria residents, continuing a recent trend of Northern Virginia appointments to state positions.

The latest Alexandria appointments include Douglas W. Domenech to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Dr. Edwin J. Feulner to the Board of Visitors of Mount Vernon, S. Lawrence Kocot to the Board of Pharmacy, and W. Patrick Wilson to the Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission.

News

Alexandria wants your Opinion: Should the 200 block of King Street stay car-free?

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 3, 2025 at 2:15PM

200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria is seeking input from residents and visitors on a pilot program that has temporarily transformed the 200 block of King Street into a pedestrian-only zone, as officials prepare to decide whether to make the change permanent.

The second phase of the pilot program, which began on March 14 and runs through September 30, 2025, has converted the 200 block of King Street, between Lee Street and Fairfax Street, into a car-free zone. The city is now collecting public feedback through an online form, with responses due by July 17.

News

Alexandria taps federal policy veteran as its new Legislative Director

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 3, 2025 at 1:00PM

City of Alexandria Names Wendy Ginsberg as Legislative Director (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria announced Thursday the appointment of Dr. Wendy Ginsberg as its new Legislative Director, bringing nearly two decades of federal government experience to a demanding role that will require her to shuttle between Alexandria, Richmond, and Washington to advocate for the city’s interests.

Ginsberg, a long-time Alexandria resident, most recently served as Director of Congressional Affairs at the National Archives and Records Administration. Her extensive Capitol Hill background includes leadership roles as Director of Subcommittees for the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and Staff Director for the late Representative Gerald E. Connolly.

News

Driver strikes pedestrian with vehicle on Executive Avenue

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 9:35PM | Updated July 3, 2025 at 8:37AM

Executive Avenue was shut down on Wednesday, July 2, after a pedestrian was struck (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria police are investigating after a driver struck a pedestrian with a vehicle on Executive Avenue Wednesday evening.

The incident occurred in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue, prompting a significant police response to the scene. According to the Alexandria Police Department, the driver remained at the location after the crash.