News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 30, 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 — Apr 30, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. The wind will shift from northwest to southwest at 5 to 8 mph. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F as the wind changes from west to northwest at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
– William James

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

City Council backs $20M revenue bond funding for Ladrey redevelopment in Old Town North

By James Cullum
The Alexandria City Council in session at the Del Pepper Community Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Tuesday (April 28), City Council adopted a resolution authorizing up to $20 million in revenue bonds by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the redevelopment of The Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise in Old Town North.

City Council was presented with ARHA’s new plan to redevelop the 11-story, 1970s-era building at 300 Wythe Street, which was deemed obsolete last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prompting the authority to relocate all of the building’s residents.

Go to City Council backs $20M revenue bond funding for Ladrey redevelopment in Old Town North Read more

City Council approves $979.1M budget with unchanged real estate tax rate but eyes tougher choices ahead

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Council on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s $979.1 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget with a few changes Wednesday night.

The budget represents a 2.4% increase over the FY2026 budget and maintains the real estate tax rate of $1.135 per $100 of assessed value, although some City Council members expressed caution about a potential tax increase in next year’s budget. Property owners whose assessment values increased could still see higher tax bills under the unchanged rate.

Go to City Council approves $979.1M budget with unchanged real estate tax rate but eyes tougher choices ahead Read more

Parking fees and fines to rise after Alexandria City Council budget approval

By James Cullum
Parking meter in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Alexandria City Council on Wednesday (April 29) approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposal to increase metered parking fees and parking ticket fines.

Without discussion, City Council approved raising parking meter rates from $1.75 to $2.75 and parking ticket fines from $40 to $55. The approvals were part of Parajon’s $979.1 million Fiscal year 2027 budget, which Council approved Tuesday night without a real estate tax increase.

Go to Parking fees and fines to rise after Alexandria City Council budget approval Read more

Morning Notes for April 30, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The George Washington National masonic Memorial in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Data Center Tax Exemption Debate Continues for State Budget — “As lawmakers work behind closed doors to finalize the state’s $212 billion budget before the next fiscal year begins in July, negotiations hinge on whether the data center industry’s sales and use tax exemption should end, or continue with new requirements.” [Virginia Mercury]

AG Jay Jones on Supreme Court Voting Rights Decision — “I want to assure Virginians that my office will always fight to defend not only the right to vote but also equal representation under the law, and any efforts to illegally disenfranchise or impede access to the ballot box will be met with swift and aggressive legal action.” [Office of Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones]

Go to Morning Notes for April 30, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 29, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Wednesday 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 — Apr 29, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Three arrested after teen stabbed in Alexandria’s West End (3180 views)
  2. Old Town’s Il Porto to celebrate rebrand with ‘Renaissance’ dinner tomorrow (2677 views)
  3. City manager proposes $135M financing deal to develop former Old Town North power plant (1531 views)
  4. Del Ray’s First Thursday dates reduced as citizens association takes over event (1308 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

It will be mostly sunny with a high near 67°F and a northwest wind blowing at about 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 44°F and a lighter northwest wind at 7 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not an accident, success is a choice.”
– Stephen Curry

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

ACPS seeks former proposed arena space in Potomac Yard for school bus parking lot

By James Cullum
School buses on W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools is asking the city for permission to use a temporary parking lot in Potomac Yard — once part of the former arena proposal — for school buses this summer.

ACPS filed a special use permit application with the city asking to temporarily use a 45,000-square-foot lot for three months at 3331 Exchange Avenue in the Potomac Yard neighborhood. The property was pitched in 2023 as a new $2 billion home for the Washington Wizards and Capitals before losing support in Alexandria and fizzling out with lawmakers in Richmond.

Go to ACPS seeks former proposed arena space in Potomac Yard for school bus parking lot Read more

City manager proposes $135M financing deal to develop former Old Town North power plant

By James Cullum
Rendering of development at the former Potomac River Generating Station property in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

On Tuesday, City Manager Jim Parajon unveiled a plan to catalyze a two-phase development of the former Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North with a $135 million city investment.

The $135 million, 30-year tax increment financing agreement would be funded by projected future tax revenues at the 19-acre mixed-use site through the creation of a Community Development Agency. Under the proposal outlined to City Council, Parajon said the $135 million investment would spark more than $2 billion in private sector investment and generate more than $770 million in tax revenues.

Go to City manager proposes $135M financing deal to develop former Old Town North power plant Read more

Pride of Baltimore II to arrive in Alexandria, prompting Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening

By Emily Leayman
Pride of Baltimore II during a previous Alexandria visit near Founders Park (via Pride of Baltimore II/Facebook)

The Pride of Baltimore II will be sailing into Alexandria Thursday for several days of tours and sails.

The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, a drawbridge on the Capital Beltway (I-495), will open at midnight Thursday (April 30) to allow the ship to pass. Drivers should expect delays during the drawbridge opening and follow signs displayed on the bridge, according to the city government.

Go to Pride of Baltimore II to arrive in Alexandria, prompting Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening Read more

Three arrested after teen stabbed in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Two teenagers and an adult were arrested and charged with malicious wounding after an alleged attempted robbery that left a teenager with non-life-threatening stab wounds in Alexandria’s West End.

The victim reported the incident to police at around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, April 23 in the 2100 block of N. Early Street, which is near the intersection with W. Braddock Road. The victim told police he was approached by four Hispanic males, and that one of them — wearing a black ski mask and holding a knife — stabbed him in the face, according to Alexandria Police Department dispatches.

Go to Three arrested after teen stabbed in Alexandria’s West End Read more

D.C. region’s federal workforce reaches lowest level since 1990, analysis says

By Emily Leayman
The US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The D.C. region’s federal workforce has reached its lowest level since 1990 under cuts pursued by the Trump administration, according to a new economic analysis from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The D.C. metropolitan area lost 62,100 federal jobs between January 2025 and January 2026, putting the region’s federal workforce — approximately 313,700 — at its lowest level since 1990, according to the COG report.

Go to D.C. region’s federal workforce reaches lowest level since 1990, analysis says Read more
View More Stories