Get your Bavarian hats ready, because Oktoberfest is coming to Alexandria this month.

The annual folk festival celebrating German culture, food and beer, starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 20) with a 5K and 10K run at Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue). The event wraps up at 8:30 p.m., and proceeds benefit NoVA Rugby.


A video of the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley condemning the decision to fly flags at half-staff for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk has ignited a firestorm on social media, drawing both support and fierce criticism for the Alexandria pastor.

Speaking to his congregation at Alfred Street Baptist Church on Sunday, Wesley didn’t mince words about Kirk, who was shot and killed last Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.


Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Monday, Sept. 15, the 258th day of 2025. There are 107 days left in the year.

🌤️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light northeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.


The City of Alexandria is asking residents to weigh in on proposed safety and accessibility improvements along a stretch of Braddock Road that community members have identified as one of the most dangerous corridors in the city.

The project focuses on Braddock Road between Russell Road and North West Street, connecting residential neighborhoods to the Braddock Road Metrorail Station and popular walking and biking trails. The Virginia Department of Transportation has designated the section between Mount Vernon Avenue and North West Street as a top priority for pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades statewide.


Rep. Don Beyer will host a financial guidance workshop for current and former federal workers on Sept. 20, as his Northern Virginia district grapples with reported mass layoffs across federal agencies under the Trump administration.

The free event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Paragon Theaters on Founders Avenue in Falls Church, is part of Beyer’s “Rising to Meet the Challenge” series aimed at supporting constituents affected by current federal policies.


The City of Alexandria unveiled a Virginia State Historic marker Saturday commemorating Colored Rosemont, a thriving African American neighborhood that existed from 1926 until it was dismantled in the mid-20th century through discriminatory housing policies.

The ceremony took place at the intersection of Wythe and West streets, near where the community once stood, bounded by Pendleton, Fayette, Madison, and N. West streets. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, descendants of former residents, and representatives from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources gathered for the dedication.


Some dogs are puppies at heart, no matter their age, but Shyla embraces her senior status with the grace and social charm of someone who knows exactly what she wants out of life. At 12 years old, this 62-pound beauty is proof that the golden years can be the best years.

Shyla is what you might call the social butterfly of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. If dogs had retirement communities, she’d be the resident who never misses bingo night and always has the best stories to share over dinner. This tan and white sweetheart thrives on companionship and social interaction, lighting up whenever someone tells her how pretty she is—which, let’s be honest, probably happens quite often.


Twenty-one Alexandria residents signed up to speak during the public discussion period at Saturday’s City Council meeting, addressing issues ranging from housing authority conditions to international divestment and waterfront development.

The large turnout required the council to extend its usual public comment format, with 15 speakers addressing the council at the beginning of the meeting and six additional speakers heard after regular business concluded.


The Alexandria City Council unanimously voted Saturday to permanently close the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic, extending the city’s pedestrian zone after a successful pilot program.

The 7-0 vote on second reading makes the closure effective immediately, eliminating 16 metered parking spaces and one short-term visitor space in front of the Alexandria Visitor Center.


The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk’s office is distributing gun locks featuring suicide prevention information through a new partnership with Brady, officials announced Friday evening.

Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks said his office gives out about 60 gun locks monthly to concealed carry permit applicants and walk-ins. The locks now include stickers with QR codes linking to Brady’s End Family Fire program, which provides resources on safe firearm storage and suicide prevention.


Here’s a rundown of our top stories.

Our top story this week is on the Thursday, Sept. 11, announcement that Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia. The defense contractor bought, and will renovate, a 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street. Attendees at the announcement included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.


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