News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday 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 27, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘Ridiculous,’ Mayor Gaskins calls GOP bill to return Alexandria and Arlington to D.C. (1770 views)
  2. Virginia Supreme Court hears challenge to voter-approved redistricting amendment (1467 views)
  3. Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine (997 views)
  4. Morning Notes for April 27, 2026 (886 views)
  5. Spring brings more wildlife calls in Alexandria as wildlife experts encourage hands-off approach (827 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

🌦️ Tuesday’s forecast

Showers are possible from late morning to afternoon, under mostly cloudy skies with a high near 65°F. Expect south winds at 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The evening sees a slight chance of showers before 7pm and after 8pm, with a low of 52°F and southeast winds at 7 mph. Overall, the chance of rain is 40% during the day and 20% at night. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
– Joshua J. Marine

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine

By Katie Taranto
Soomin Kim leads a Virginialicious tour (courtesy of Virginialicious)

An Alexandria-based food tour company is celebrating two years of teaching people about the local Korean culinary scene.

Alexandria resident Soomin “Mina” Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.

Go to Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine Read more
Sponsored

Most and least expensive homes – October

By Adrianna Vallario
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass. Based in the North Ridge area of Alexandria City, Adrianna is more than just a real estate agent – she is a trusted advisor, relocation expert, and community advocate.

In October 2026, 26 detached homes sold, 50 condos sold, and 41 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 40% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 52%, and townhomes are down 18%.

Most Expensive Detached Home Sales:

Least Expensive Townhome Sales:

3400 Saylor Pl - Listed by DSA Properties, photo from Bright MLS
3400 Saylor Pl – Listed by DSA Properties, photo from Bright MLS

If you have any questions about these listings, or are looking to make a move in the DMV, please contact Adrianna Vallario – Your Alexandria Real Estate Agent.

Around Town

Stardust Vintage and Gift shop closing in Del Ray in June

By James Cullum
Grand opening of Stardust Vintage & Gift (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

After being open for a year, a vintage gift shop in Del Ray is closing at the end of June.

Amy Sills Eggers, the owner of Stardust Vintage and Gift (1904 Mount Vernon Avenue), told ALXnow that she needs to focus on her family. She said she’ll be selling all of her merchandise and fixtures at a discount.

Go to Stardust Vintage and Gift shop closing in Del Ray in June Read more
Announcement

Old Town Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Down to Final 2 Spots Before Saturday Deadline

By Revolutionary Fitness

Revolutionary Fitness is a semi-private strength and longevity training studio for adults 50+ at 215 N. Payne St. in Old Town. Registration for its 21-day Fall Into Fitness program closes this Saturday, October 31. Two spots remain.

The program is built for adults who never trained seriously, haven’t trained in years, or keep starting programs that don’t stick. Members get:

Go to Old Town Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Down to Final 2 Spots Before Saturday Deadline Read more
News

‘Ridiculous,’ Mayor Gaskins calls GOP bill to return Alexandria and Arlington to D.C.

By James Cullum
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins is calling a congressional bill to make Alexandria and Arlington part of D.C. “silliness,” “ridiculous,” and a “huge distraction.”

In a recent Facebook post, Gaskins said U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick’s (R-Ga.) Make DC Square Again Act would upend the rights of residents in both jurisdictions. McCormick introduced the bill after the narrow passage of a statewide redistricting referendum on April 21, which gives Democrats the power to redraw congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections.

Go to ‘Ridiculous,’ Mayor Gaskins calls GOP bill to return Alexandria and Arlington to D.C. Read more
Event

Dialogue for Democracy

Poster advertising Dialogue for Democracy event with Nov 3 schedule and Capitol dome illustration, plus registration info and topics.

Event location

George Mason University, Buchanan Hall

4379 Mason Pond Drive

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Add to Calendar

High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!

Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.

Go to Dialogue for Democracy Read more
News

Virginia Supreme Court hears challenge to voter-approved redistricting amendment

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press
Signs at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, April 21, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Virginia Supreme Court judges on Monday questioned whether the state’s Democratic-led legislature complied with constitutional requirements when it sent a congressional redistricting plan to voters, in a case that carries high stakes for the balance of power in the U.S. House.

A Republican challenge to the redistricting plan, which could net Democrats four additional seats and won narrow voter approval last week, contends that the General Assembly violated procedural rules by placing the constitutional amendment before voters to authorize mid-decade redistricting. If the court agrees that lawmakers broke the rules, it could invalidate the amendment and render last week’s statewide vote meaningless.

Go to Virginia Supreme Court hears challenge to voter-approved redistricting amendment Read more
Around Town

Spring brings more wildlife calls in Alexandria as wildlife experts encourage hands-off approach

By Emily Leayman
A deer fawn (via Erika Fletcher/Unsplash)

With spring underway, wildlife help lines are receiving increasing calls about baby animals that residents believe need help. But wildlife experts say intervention is often unnecessary.

Tony Rankin, chief of Animal Services at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, told ALXnow wildlife calls begin to increase in mid-March and steadily rise through early October. Last year, the city’s animal services responded to nearly 1,000 wildlife calls during that period, and most were resolved by educating residents about wildlife.

Go to Spring brings more wildlife calls in Alexandria as wildlife experts encourage hands-off approach Read more
News

Morning Notes for April 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com
America’s 250th anniversary flag in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 27, 1850 the City of Alexandria presented a block of Virginia marble to be used in construction of the Washington Monument, begun in 1848 to the design of architect Robert Mills, who also designed Alexandria’s 1838 Federal courthouse that once stood at the northwest corner of Queen and North Columbus Streets. Construction on the monument proceeded apace until 1854, when it was stopped due to lack of funds and control of the Washington National Monument Society, and later the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1877 with the final completion in 1885. By that time, the colonnade was eliminated from the original design, and the flat top of the column was replaced by a pyramidion. The pause in construction is clearly visible by a change in stone color at the 152’ height, with Alexandria’s stone in the lower portion.” [Historic Alexandria]

More on White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Shooter — “The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.” [The Associated Press]

Go to Morning Notes for April 27, 2026 Read more
News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 24, 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 — Apr 24, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. UPDATED: No charges sought after vehicle crash into building in Old Town – UPDATED: No charges sought after vehicle crash into building in Old Town (5111 views)
  2. Poll: The best breakfast spot in Alexandria – Poll: The best breakfast spot in Alexandria (3253 views)
  3. Driver sentenced in Alexandria crash that killed pedestrian on sidewalk (2181 views)

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

  1. UPDATED: Adult pedestrian killed in Old Town North crash (12028 views)
  2. JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death (10540 views)
  3. Two men charged after woman fights off armed robbery attempt in Braddock neighborhood (7403 views)
  4. Marks claims win in City Council race, Alexandrians largely support redistricting (5872 views)
  5. Alexandria Library Board faces backlash after ousting member over city takeover study (5489 views)
  6. City Council backs plan to replace Old Town office with 32 townhomes (4865 views)
  7. Tiki pop-up bar opens today at waterfront restaurant in Alexandria (4121 views)
  8. Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port (3479 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

Showers are likely today, with possible thunderstorms after 5 PM, and mostly cloudy skies with a high near 66°F. Expect east winds at 10 to 13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, and a 60% chance of rain with minimal accumulation except during thunderstorms. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms continue with a low around 47°F, northeast winds around 14 mph, gusts up to 22 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”
– Dalai Lama

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Driver sentenced in Alexandria crash that killed pedestrian on sidewalk

By Emily Leayman
The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse at 520 King Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A driver has been sentenced for a fatal crash that killed a pedestrian walking on a sidewalk in April 2025, according to the Alexandria Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Jilmar Doria Medina, 43, of Accokeek, Md., was sentenced April 9 in Alexandria Circuit Court to six years in prison. Medina was convicted on a felony charge of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.15-0.20 after a four-day jury trial in December 2025. He is being held without bail at the Alexandria jail pending his transfer to prison.

Go to Driver sentenced in Alexandria crash that killed pedestrian on sidewalk Read more
View More Stories