The city of Alexandria is seeking residents’ insights on how they are commuting and getting around the city.
The city released its 2025 AlexMoves survey yesterday (Monday), aiming “to gather a representative sample of trips made in the City of Alexandria.” The survey, also known as the Transportation Needs Assessment Survey, is conducted in partnership with firm Polco and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 28.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins shared possible initiatives to preserve Alexandria’s dwindling affordable housing supply during a conversation with an editor at The Atlantic last night (Monday).
Gaskins and Yoni Appelbaum, author of “Stuck“, met at The Lyceum to discuss affordable housing, the history of zoning laws and how Alexandria should approach ongoing efforts to update its Housing Master Plan.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 9, 1839, the first lecture program was performed at Alexandria’s newly-built center for adult learning and knowledge, The Lyceum. The Alexandria Lyceum was founded a year earlier by a group of well-educated local men with an interest in improving public educational and cultural opportunities throughout the community. In early 1839, the group joined with the Alexandria Library to construct a new home for both organizations. This historic site has also served as a Civil War hospital ward, a private residence, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nation’s first Bicentennial Visitor’s Center.” [Historic Alexandria]
Habitat Restoration Pilot Launches at Four Mile Run — “For this pilot program, two sections along the park’s forest edge have been set aside as Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs)—places where nature will be given space to thrive. The project will use both natural regeneration and hands-on planting to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen the park’s ecosystem.” [The Zebra]
Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 8, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
– Roy T. Bennett
Thanks for reading!
Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.
With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has released its Winter 2026 Program Guide, detailing new seasonal classes, activities and more.
Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Alexandria residents can sign up for RPCA’s winter programs, which start next month and run through April 2026. Registration for nonresidents opens two days later, on Dec. 19.
The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will consider new “No Turn on Red” restrictions at an intersection near Del Ray and North Ridge, after a vehicle struck a woman and her child there in October.
The restrictions would apply to all approaches at the five-legged intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue and High Street, an area that connects single-family neighborhoods to churches and child care facilities, according to the city. The staff recommendation is part of the board’s consent agenda during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Monday).
The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.
The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.
Northern Virginia’s local and legislative leaders are preparing for a full-court press — and perhaps an uphill battle — in wringing additional transit funding out of the General Assembly.
Aimee Seibert, a lobbyist for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, said at the commission’s Dec. 4 monthly meeting that four different bills, two in each house of the legislature, are being prepared for consideration as part of an effort to add nearly a half-billion dollars annually in regional transit funding.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 8, 1953, the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution that ‘no discrimination be shown in the employment of city government personnel because of race, creed or national origin.’ Though the first African American to serve as an Alexandria police officer would not be hired until 1965, African American women had served as crossing guards since 1951.” [Historic Alexandria]
Freedom House Closes for Repair — “Due to a plumbing repair, Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke Street) is closed to the public on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Office of Historic Alexandria asks all guests to check the Freedom House website for updates on its re-opening.” [Historic Alexandria]
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 5, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Patchy fog is expected to clear by 11am, making way for a partly sunny day with a high of around 42. Winds will be light and variable. For Saturday night, the sky will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to around 29 accompanied by light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
