Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology just got a little upgrade, courtesy of nonprofit Rebuilding Together DC – Alexandria and Home Depot.
On Thursday, the elementary school at 3600 Commonwealth Avenue got help with painting, minor construction projects, rebuilding the school’s library, and assembling furniture, according to ACPS.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on a study examining potential safety and traffic improvements along South Van Dorn Street in Fairfax County, including the section that connects directly to Alexandria’s city limits.
The STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) study encompasses a 2.5-mile section of South Van Dorn Street, from Telegraph Road to the Alexandria boundary, and three-quarters of a mile of Franconia Road, between Grovedale Drive and South Van Dorn Street.
The Civil War Artillery Day at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled due to a rainy weather forecast.
“Historic Alexandria regrets that it has to cancel this weather-dependent event,” the Office of Historic Alexandria said in an email. There is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday.
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 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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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.
