News | ALXnow - Part 157

Alexandria tourism taxes hit record $88M, fund city services

Published September 26, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 4:30PM

Shopping in Old Town Alexandria (via Visit Alexandria)

When visitors dine at Alexandria restaurants, stay in local hotels, or shop along King Street, they’re helping fund essential municipal services through the taxes they pay.

Alexandria’s tourism industry generated $88 million in consumption tax revenue during fiscal year 2025, a $2 million increase from the previous year, as visitor spending reached $1 billion for the first time in the city’s history. These taxes on sales, meals, and lodging from visitors traveling more than 50 miles to the city directly support the city’s core services.

Outgoing NOVA Parks director wins prestigious Pugsley Medal for conservation work

By James Cullum

Published September 26, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 12:25PM

NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert with the Pugsley Medal (courtesy image)

Outgoing NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert received the prestigious Pugsley Medal earlier this month for his dedication to conservation, promotion and development of public parks.

Gilbert was nominated for the Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal by late Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11). The award was presented Sept. 17 by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, and is recognized as the the most prestigious recognition for the promotion and development of public parks in the country, according to AAPRA. He has been executive director of NOVA Parks for 20 years and will be succeeded by former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson on Oct. 6.

Student brandishes knife at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, no injuries reported

By James Cullum

Published September 26, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

A student brandished a pocket knife during a classroom argument Thursday at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, but no one was injured, school officials said.

Teachers quickly separated the students involved in the dispute, and school resource officers responded immediately, Harrell said. The incident occurred in a second-floor classroom shortly before noon, according to radio dispatches.

Starbucks closes at least one Alexandria location as part of national restructuring

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2025 at 9:45AM

Starbucks at King & Union (Screenshot via Google Maps)

A Starbucks location in Old Town will reportedly close today as part of a sweeping national restructuring effort announced by CEO Brian Niccol on Thursday.

The Starbucks at King & Union streets — located at 100 S. Union Street — will close permanently on Friday, according to customers who visited the location. The closure comes as part of Starbucks’ plan to close roughly 400 underperforming stores across North America, representing about 1% of the company’s locations.

Alexandria tourism hits $1 billion milestone for first time in city’s history

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2025 at 9:08AM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 4:32PM

Alexandria's tourism industry reached the historic $1 billion milestone in visitor spending for the first time in 2024. Credit: Visit Alexandria

Alexandria’s tourism industry reached an unprecedented milestone in 2024, generating more than $1 billion in visitor spending for the first time in the city’s history, Visit Alexandria announced Thursday during its annual meeting at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center.

The historic achievement represents an 8% increase from $941 million in visitor spending in 2023 and marks a dramatic recovery from pandemic lows of $445 million in 2020. Alexandria’s growth rate outpaced both Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole, according to data released by the tourism organization.

Notes: Alexandria Police to close John Carlyle Street for Oktoberfest Saturday

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2025 at 8:01AM

Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Friday, Sept. 26, the 269th day of 2025. There are 96 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 82°F. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66°F. Calm wind.

Ex-FBI Director James Comey indicted in Alexandria federal court

By The Associated Press

Published September 25, 2025 at 10:42PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 6:33AM

FILE - Former FBI director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, June 8, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

By ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Comey was charged Thursday with lying to Congress in a criminal case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.

City Council to weigh human services grant changes, finalize defense contractor expansion deal

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 25, 2025 at 8:00PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 7:45AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City Council will consider a new framework for distributing human services grants and finalize agreements tied to a major defense contractor’s expansion when it meets Tuesday for its monthly legislative session.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. following a 5:30 p.m. executive session at City Hall, 301 King St. The session will also be available via Zoom and broadcast on government Channel 70.

Alexandria’s proposed tallest building heads to Planning Commission in November

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 6:00PM

Concept for a 365-foot-tall apartment building at 2425 Mill Road in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via Red Fox Development Co.)

A proposal to build a 365-foot-tall residential building with up to 775 units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood is heading to the Planning Commission. If approved, the project could result in the tallest at-grade building in the city.

The three-acre mixed-use development at 2425 Mill Road includes up to 775 residential units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Aldie-based Red Fox Development will present the proposal to the Planning Commission on Nov. 6.

Livewell Animal Hospital to hold grand opening Oct. 4 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 5:00PM

Livewell Animal Hospital is holding its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (via Facebook)

National veterinary chain Livewell Animal Hospital will hold its grand opening in Old Town on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The event will be held at the hospital’s location at in the Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and visitors will get hospital tours, a chance to meet the veterinary team, get free pet caricatures, and enjoy snacks (for pets and their humans), according to Livewell.

National Park Service to close southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway lanes for tree maintenance

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

Detour map showing southbound traffic diverted onto Park Terrace Dr. NPS Image

The National Park Service will temporarily close southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway from Tulane Drive to Morningside Lane next week for tree maintenance work.

The closures are scheduled for Oct. 1, 2, 6, and 7 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. Southbound traffic will be diverted onto Park Terrace Drive during the work periods.