News

Morning Notes for March 2, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Views from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 2, 1867, two to three hundred Black men met at The Lyceum to demand the right to vote as full citizens in upcoming municipal elections. After City officials consulted with President Andrew Johnson and the U.S. Attorney General, it was agreed that African Americans could cast ballots, but that their votes would not be counted in the final tally. To keep the peace, two companies of U.S. troops and a battalion of cavalry were sent to Alexandria as about 1,000 African Americans voted for the Union ticket. It was not until 1870 that the Fifteenth Amendment was passed, granting voting rights to Black citizens.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Roads Pretreated — “City staff are continuing to monitor the forecast and prepare for the wintery mix predicted for Monday night! Getting ready this weekend means we’re fully prepared to respond quickly and effectively no matter how the forecast may change.” [Alexandria T&ES]

Go to Morning Notes for March 2, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Feb 27, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria residents fuel 3.4% rise in tax base, new assessments show (460 views)
  2. Independent candidate Alison O’Connell turning in signatures to join City Council special election (420 views)
  3. Reduced apartment rents in Northern Virginia likely to rise as springtime comes (338 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. DEVELOPING: National Park Service denies approval of pump station at Waterfront Park (12346 views)
  2. UPDATED: I-495 ramp reopens after state police respond to tractor-trailer crash (3260 views)
  3. Developer proposes converting office complex into townhomes on Eisenhower Avenue (2796 views)
  4. Traffic board approves Braddock Road corridor safety redesign and parking removal (2701 views)
  5. UPDATED: ACPS will close Monday as snowfall continues (2503 views)
  6. Longtime officer Bennie Evans retires after 28 years with APD (2450 views)
  7. JUST IN: Republican nominee withdraws from Alexandria City Council race (2412 views)
  8. Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority board served with lawsuit by fired CEO (1922 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high of around 62 during the day, accompanied by calm winds shifting to the south at about 5 mph. As for Saturday night, the skies will remain mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to approximately 42 and a gentle breeze coming from the southeast. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”
– Thomas Edison

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Three candidates meet filing deadline to run for Alexandria City Council

By Katie Taranto
Voters at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Three candidates have submitted the paperwork necessary to run for Alexandria City Council, meeting the city’s 5 p.m. deadline today (Friday).

Democrat Sandy Marks, independent candidate and former Republican City Councilman Frank Fannon, and independent Alison O’Connell have each turned in the necessary paperwork to be on the April 21 ballot, Director of Elections & General Registrar Angie Maniglia Turner confirmed to ALXnow shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.

Go to Three candidates meet filing deadline to run for Alexandria City Council Read more

Independent candidate Alison O’Connell turning in signatures to join City Council special election

By James Cullum
Alison O'Connell (courtesy photo)

With today’s 5 p.m. deadline fast approaching, Alison O’Connell is working to submit 125 signatures needed to file an independent candidacy to run for Alexandria City Council.

O’Connell, a founding member of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights, is hoping to run for City Council with platform issues that include affordable housing, ethical investment and anti-immigration enforcement measures. She and her team have been collecting signatures and turning them in throughout the day to the city’s registrar’s office, she told ALXnow this afternoon (Friday).

Go to Independent candidate Alison O’Connell turning in signatures to join City Council special election Read more

Plaintiffs against Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing initiative raise $28K needed for appeal

By James Cullum
The Alexandria courthouse in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The plaintiffs in Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All lawsuit say they have raised the $28,000 required to pay for attorneys in their appeal against the Circuit Court’s November dismissal.

The plaintiff group, the Coalition for a Livable Alexandria, announced this morning (Friday) that it raised the funds for a fee agreement to move forward with attorneys at Dunn, Craig and Francuzenko. Last month, members of the group asked for donations in their continuing effort to reverse the city’s 2023 zoning overhaul, setting a Feb. 27 deadline.

Go to Plaintiffs against Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing initiative raise $28K needed for appeal Read more

Alexandria residents fuel 3.4% rise in tax base, new assessments show

By James Cullum
A street lined with American flags in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The gap between Alexandria’s residential and commercial tax bases continues to grow, with residents shouldering more of the city’s tax burden, according to the city’s released real estate tax assessments.

As of Jan. 1, Alexandria’s overall tax base increased by 3.4% in value, or nearly $1.7 billion, to reach $51.4 billion in 2026. The city’s residential tax base increased by 4.4% in value, or $1.4 billion, while the commercial tax base gained $334.8 million in value, up 1.9%, and the non-locally assessed tax base declined by $20.5 million, dropping 2.8%.

Go to Alexandria residents fuel 3.4% rise in tax base, new assessments show Read more

Reduced apartment rents in Northern Virginia likely to rise as springtime comes

By Scott McCaffrey
The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A springtime uptick is expected, but for now, Alexandria apartment rental costs are running below last year’s rates.

The median apartment rental cost of $2,187 in the city was down 2.8% year-over-year in February, according to data reported by Apartment List. Median city rental rates were $2,003 for one-bedroom units and $2,460 for two bedrooms.

Go to Reduced apartment rents in Northern Virginia likely to rise as springtime comes Read more

Morning Notes for February 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com
As seen in Potomac Yard (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Mayor Gaskins: Pump Station Alternatives Discussion Next Month — “In March, the manager and staff will come back to the city. They’ll present an update, they’ll present other alternatives and things that they have been exploring … I hope you’ll continue to engage in the conversation. Our waterfront belongs to all of us, and we can all be a part of shaping the path forward and making sure that we continue to be more resilient in the face of climate change.” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins]

Potomac Advocate Shares Story in Podcast — “One of the fiercest advocates for action and advocacy after last month’s mass sewage spill has a long background in fighting for the Potomac River. Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks was one of the first at the scene of the burst Potomac Interceptor pipe in Montgomery County on Jan. 19.” [ARLnow]

Go to Morning Notes for February 27, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 26, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Feb 26, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Republican nominee withdraws from Alexandria City Council race (925 views)
  2. Officials break ground on 377-unit affordable apartment complex at Victory Center (802 views)
  3. Nonprofit requests extension for 91-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Arlandria (473 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 53°F and calm winds becoming southerly at 5 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with lows near 38°F and south winds between 3 and 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Nonprofit requests extension for 91-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Arlandria

By James Cullum
Elbert Avenue Apartments (via Google Maps)

Housing nonprofit Community Lodgings, Inc. (CLI) is asking for an extension to redevelop an existing 28-unit affordable apartment building in the Arlandria neighborhood with more housing.

CLI is planning to construct a six-story, 91-unit affordable apartment building at 3908 Elbert Avenue, more-than tripling the amount of units the property currently has. The nonprofit, which received approval for the project in February 2023, previously said in its application that it wouldn’t have been able to break ground before the expiration of its development special use permit, which passed yesterday (Wednesday).

Go to Nonprofit requests extension for 91-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Arlandria Read more

JUST IN: Republican nominee withdraws from Alexandria City Council race

By James Cullum
Voting at Temple Beth El Synagogue (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Gerry Chandler, the Alexandria Republican City Committee’s nominee in the April 21 City Council special election, is withdrawing from the race.

Chandler, an educator and computer scientist, told ALXnow that he will not be running due to the “financial disclosures” he would have to submit. So far, Democratic nominee Sandy Marks and independent candidate Frank Fannon are the only people running to replace former Councilman-turned-Delegate R. Kirk McPike.

Go to JUST IN: Republican nominee withdraws from Alexandria City Council race Read more
View More Stories