Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Savannah Bananas take over Alexandria Dunkin’ for fan event

Published June 28, 2025 at 11:04AM | Updated June 28, 2025 at 11:45AM

Savannah Bananas Bring 'Greatest Show in Sports' to Alexandria Dunkin' (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Hundreds of fans wrapped around the Alexandria Dunkin’ building twice this morning as players from the Savannah Bananas took over the Richmond Highway location to serve customers and hand out promotional items.

The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., drew such large crowds that some people waited in line for more than an hour to meet the players and receive free merchandise.

News

Notes: Chewish Deli leads tight race for Alexandria’s Best Bagel Shop as voting nears end

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 28, 2025 at 7:22AM

Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria (via ALXnow)

⛈️ Today’s weather: Areas of drizzle before 8 a.m. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 101. Calm wind becoming southwest around six mph in the afternoon.

With just days remaining before voting closes on Tuesday (July 1) at 11:59 p.m., The Chewish Deli has established a commanding lead in ALXnow’s “Best Bagel Shop in Alexandria” poll. After cleaning up multiple votes from the same IP addresses, the popular eatery maintains its strong position with 46.85% support from 2,262 voters out of nearly 4,900 total participants in the survey.

News

EXCLUSIVE: Warner, Kaine, Beyer demand answers on NSF’s forced exit from Alexandria headquarters

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 27, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 3:20PM

(Left to right) Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and GSA Commissioner Michael Peters announce HUD would be taking over NSF headquarters on June 25, 2025. (Staff Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Alexandria’s congressional delegation is escalating pressure on federal officials regarding the controversial decision to relocate the National Science Foundation (NSF) from its Alexandria headquarters to accommodate the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to a letter obtained exclusively by ALXnow.

Just one day after Senator Mark Warner criticized the move and demanded a full cost-benefit analysis during a media availability, the Virginia delegation has now formalized their concerns in writing.

News

Alexandria riders face new bus routes, signs as Metro launches system-wide overhaul

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 27, 2025 at 1:00PM

Metrobus near Potomac Yard (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria residents will experience a fundamentally different bus system starting Sunday as Metro launches its Better Bus Network Redesign, the first comprehensive overhaul of Metrobus service since 1973.

The transformation, which takes effect June 29, introduces new route naming conventions across the Washington metropolitan area. Alexandria bus routes will now carry the “A” designation, indicating their service to the Arlington and Alexandria communities.

Around Town

Alexandria’s 8th Annual Pride Fair returns Saturday with drag story hours, health services, and 90+ exhibitors

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 27, 2025 at 11:15AM

8th Annual Alexandria Pride Fair (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s 8th Annual Pride Fair takes place Saturday (June 28) from 3 to 6 p.m. at City Hall and Market Square, featuring more than 90 exhibitors, drag story hours, and free health testing.

The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force partners with the Alexandria Library, Department of Community and Human Services, and community organizations to host the annual event at 301 King Street.

News

Housing Alexandria unveils Cardinal Path: 31 affordable townhomes coming to Seminary Road

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 27, 2025 at 9:10AM

Housing Alexandria rebrands Seminary Road development to Cardinal Path Courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Housing Alexandria has rebranded its Seminary Road development as Cardinal Path, bringing 31 affordable townhomes to Alexandria with prices starting at $365,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers.

The nonprofit announced Thursday that the development at 4575 Seminary Road will offer a mix of 16 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units priced at $365,000 and 15 three-bedroom, two-bathroom units at $395,000. The development also includes five single-story, elevator-accessible condominium flats, bringing the total homeownership units to 36.

Around Town

Forget the cookie, an Oreo you can cuddle is waiting at the AWLA

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 2:30PM

Oreo (via AWLA)

Meet your new best friend, Oreo – this week’s adoptable dog of the week.

Available for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA), Oreo is a male one-year-and-seven-month-old mixed-breed.

News

Senator Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, raises concerns about NSF displacement

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 3:21PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees.

The Virginia Democrat, speaking during a media availability Thursday (June 26), said he has not seen any cost evaluation for the move that will displace approximately 1,800 NSF employees from their headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave.

Around Town

Things to do in Alexandria this weekend: June 28-30

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 11:00AM

Pride flag (photo via Sophie emeny/Unsplash)

This weekend in Alexandria is packed with major events, including the annual Alexandria Pride Fair at City Hall on Saturday. Plus, Port City Brewing Company is getting a very early start on Oktoberfest, a Mystical Pride Prom takes over the Torpedo Factory, and there’s a full slate of live music, workshops, and family-friendly activities across the city.

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.

News

USPTO switches Southeast Regional Office from Atlanta to Alexandria, sparking congressional criticism

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 8:39AM

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will establish its new Southeast Regional Outreach Office at its Alexandria headquarters, reversing a previous decision to locate the facility in Atlanta, according to an announcement from the federal agency on June 6.

The USPTO had originally announced in December 2023 that it would launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office in Atlanta in late 2025. However, the agency now says it “wants to begin serving the southeast region immediately from Alexandria.”

News

Notes: Virginia Tech brings STEM Summer Camps to Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 8:06AM | Updated June 26, 2025 at 8:41AM

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, June 26, the 177th day of 2025. There are 188 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northeast around five mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%.