Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Friday, Aug. 8, the 220th day of 2025. There are 145 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83 degrees. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 64 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Amtrak Virginia’s ridership numbers continue to show increases, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. Ending fiscal year 2025, more than 1.4 million passengers traveled on state supported rail service — an increase of 4.8% compared to the same time last year. It was the region’s highest ridership recorded since the service launched in 2009, with one roundtrip route between Washington D.C. and Lynchburg.
“The growth that we are continually seeing in our Amtrak Virginia ridership just confirms our work to expand passenger rail in Virginia,” said DJ Stadtler, executive director of VPRA in a press release.
More than 600 local children ages 5-14 gathered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria on July 31 for the 31st annual Thingamajig Invention Convention, a free event hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.
The convention drew 619 participants who engaged in more than 25 hands-on activities designed to promote science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills during the summer break between school years.
The group Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights isn’t going to stop disrupting political events any time soon.
You might’ve noticed members of the growing group disrupting all manner of political events in the city since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October 2023. In addition to asking Alexandria to approve a ceasefire resolution, the group wants the city to divest itself from Israel and boycott companies it says are profiting from the conflict.
A 26-year-old Washington, D.C. man has pleaded guilty to felony charges related to the attempted abduction and rape of a woman in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.
Dykwon Perry Davis pleaded guilty in Alexandria Circuit Court on August 7, 2025, to abduction with the intent to defile and attempted rape for the incident, which occurred on February 3, 2024. He faces up to life in prison for the abduction charge, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the rape charge, according to a press release from Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.
Skylar may be keeping her paws crossed for the right connection, but this well-mannered 4-year-old could be the perfect match for families seeking a calm, companionable dog.
The 51-pound brown and white mixed breed is currently available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, where volunteers describe her as an “easy-going girl” who has moved well past the energetic puppy phase.
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority has completed its $56.8 million purchase of a senior living facility to house residents from a deteriorating high-rise, abandoning plans to demolish and rebuild the aging property.
ARHA closed Tuesday on The Alate Old Town Senior Living Facility at 1122 North First Street, which will house 110 age-eligible residents from the Ladrey Senior High-Rise at 300 Wythe Street. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development terminated operating support for Ladrey and issued vouchers to relocate its 168 residents.
The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has turned over 35 inmates in the city jail to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this year to date, and a local group wants the practice to stop.
Advocacy group Grassroots Alexandria says that the Sheriff is cooperating with ICE, and risks losing the respect of his community. In contrast, the Sheriff’s Office says it must transfer inmates in compliance with federal law. The number of Alexandria inmates transferred to ICE custody was recently revealed in a July 15 Freedom of Information Act request from Grassroots Alexandria.
The city of Alexandria is partnering with EcoAction Arlington to launch a new volunteer training program aimed at mobilizing residents to take climate action in their neighborhoods.
The EcoAmbassadors program will train environmentally conscious volunteers to help their neighbors undertake personal actions that make homes and communities healthier and more livable, according to a press release issued Monday.
Alexandria residents and visitors have a packed weekend ahead with the city’s annual Sidewalk Sale taking center stage Saturday, transforming Old Town into a shopper’s paradise while farmers markets, live music venues, and cultural attractions offer something for every taste.
Thursday kicks off the festivities with National IPA Day at Port City Brewing and the Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square, while Friday brings the return of Derecho Lager and trivia nights at historic sites. Saturday’s highlights include the all-day sidewalk sale, multiple farmers markets from Old Town to Del Ray, and evening entertainment ranging from improv comedy at The Lyceum to tribute bands at The Birchmere.
A new French cafe wants to open in a prominent location in Old Town.
New York City-based Maman Coffee Baking Kitchen has filed a special use permit application to operate a cafe, bakery, restaurant, and accessory event space at 701 King Street. That’s the former home to Foxtrot, which closed in 2024, located at the corner of King and N. Washington Streets.
