Two proposed housing developments in the city of Alexandria are officially allowed to move forward after receiving City Council’s approval during its Saturday meeting.

A 640-unit, multi-building project in southern Potomac Yard and a 145-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Old Town each received unanimous approval for development special use permits (DSUPs) after advancing through the Planning Commission earlier this month.


Free Lyft rides are returning to Alexandria and the D.C. area starting this Friday and lasting through New Year’s Day.

Lyft rides totaling up to $15 will be available free of charge from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. nightly through Thursday, Jan. 1. The rides are courtesy of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide initiative, which aims to combat drunk driving.


There’s something different, a little more polished, about the morning announcements at Alexandria City High School these days.

Students and Alexandria City Public Schools leadership were on-hand last Friday for the opening of the newly renovated television studio for ACHS’ TV and Media Production class. With top notch equipment to boot, the new studio looks like something out of CNN, offering students real-world experience in television production, including directing, operating cameras and creating educational content.


Alex311, the city of Alexandria’s customer service program, has a new look.

The program announced the launch of its new portal today (Monday), with the latest version of its mobile app debuting next Monday, Dec. 22. The updates promise easy access and quicker navigation.


The city of Alexandria is hoping to update its environmental standards for new developments, with a proposal slated for review by the Planning Commission and City Council next month.

Released last week, the proposed Green Building Plan establishes new criteria for private and public developments in aspects like renewable energy usage and wastewater infrastructure. It serves as an update to the city’s 2019 Green Building Chapter, which currently “relies heavily on prescriptive third-party sustainability certifications with specific ‘performance points’ identified for each certification option,” according to the city.


Menorah Lighting in Old Town Tonight — A 6-foot menorah lighting and Hanukkah festival will include latkes, hot chocolate, doughnuts, live music and more. The celebration is put on by Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington and starts at 6 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. [Eventbrite]

APD Shares Hanukkah Message — “As members of our community begin the Festival of Lights, we extend our warmest wishes for peace, resilience, and hope. We recognize that celebrations may feel different during times of uncertainty and violence around the world. Please know that the safety and well-being of our community remain our priority. Your Alexandria Police Department is committed to ensuring everyone can observe their holiday traditions safely and without fear. If you see or experience anything concerning, please report it. We are here for you. Chag Sameach.” [Alexandria Police Department]


Alexandria woke up to a light blanket of snow this Sunday morning, prompting road treatments and some event cancelations in the city.

The National Weather Service reported one inch of snow in Alexandria this morning, as farmers’ markets in the West End and Old Town North were canceled due to the weather. Alexandria City Public Schools also canceled all school-sponsored activities scheduled before noon on school grounds.


The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a fatal crash at King Street and S. Taylor Street that took the life of a man this morning (Saturday).

Around 8 a.m., APD shut down a portion of King Street between Menokin Drive and N. Quaker Lane to respond to the two-vehicle crash. Two men were injured and transported to a hospital, where one of them later died.


Alexandria, Northern Virginia and the rest of the D.C. region are under a Winter Weather Advisory starting at midnight tonight (Sunday).

The National Weather Service is predicting between 1-3 inches of snowfall in the region this weekend, starting tonight and lasting through early Sunday morning. The advisory will remain in effect through 10 a.m. Sunday.


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 — Dec 12, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Missing Alexandria man found dead in Joseph Hensley Park (2487 views)
  2. California-based autonomous food delivery robots launch service in Alexandria (826 views)
  3. Alexandria Fire Department extinguishes residential fire in North Ridge (737 views)

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

  1. UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse (5600 views)
  2. Alexandria City Council ends impasse, approving police union’s collective bargaining salary increase (5560 views)
  3. Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash (3512 views)
  4. Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor (1894 views)
  5. Gov.-elect Spanberger taps Alexandria Sheriff for transition committee (1864 views)
  6. Office conversion into 20-unit apartment building proposed in Old Town (1844 views)
  7. Police investigate after vehicle strikes pedestrian in Rosemont (1782 views)
  8. ‘Ten Thousand Villages’ store in Old Town to rebrand as ‘The World Crafted on King’ (1163 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 a mostly cloudy day with a high near 45 and a southwest wind around 6 mph. On Saturday night, snow showers are likely, possibly mixed with rain, before turning into all snow after 4am. The low will be around 29, with calm winds shifting to north at 5 to 8 mph after midnight. The chance of precipitation stands at 80% with new snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches possible. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


In a roundtable near Alexandria today, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said there is a small chance that the Senate will coalesce around a deal to prevent premium health care hikes for millions of Americans before next month.

Kaine made the statement surrounded by health care professionals at a Neighborhood Health clinic just south of Alexandria, in the wake of Thursday’s rejection of health care bills in the U.S. Senate to extend Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions passed in 2021 that will expire at the end of this year.


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