News

Alexandria Democrats have announced a firehouse primary to replace State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), after he announced his resignation this week to fulfill a role in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

The primary will be held from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. this Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to the Alexandria Democratic Committee — less than a week out from Ebbin’s Jan. 7 announcement. ADC announced the primary over social media around 11 p.m. Friday.


News

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 — Jan 9, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘Five-star dive bar’ from D.C. plans new location at former Mystic BBQ & Grill in Old Town (3031 views)
  2. Wegmans declines to confirm use of facial recognition technology at Alexandria store (1305 views)
  3. Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow (688 views)
  4. Tysons-based financial planning firm relocating headquarters to Old Town (610 views)

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

  1. 18-year-old Alexandria man faces felony charges for allegedly shooting marijuana delivery driver (5742 views)
  2. Alexandria hosted ‘Queer Eye’ production team during show’s final season (3869 views)
  3. Alexandria man accused of stabbing girlfriend’s son with fork on New Year’s Day (3724 views)
  4. ACPS to consider prohibiting second jobs for administrators after employee’s dismissal (2953 views)
  5. Old Town-based bank expanding into Pennsylvania through $354M deal (2796 views)
  6. DASH party bus helps Del Ray preschooler celebrate his ‘dream’ birthday (2706 views)
  7. National Park Service proposes new safety, trail and waterfront upgrades in Old Town North (2541 views)
  8. City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow (2389 views)
  9. Political domino effect hits Alexandria as Sen. Ebbin resigns to join Spanberger administration (2313 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect rain primarily before 4pm with a high near 49 and a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph; precipitation chance is 100%, with potential accumulation between half to three quarters of an inch. Saturday night, rain is likely between 7pm and 1am with a low around 40, winds becoming northwest from 5 to 10 mph and the possibility of gusts up to 18 mph. Precipitation chance is 80%, with new accumulation between a tenth and quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


News

A longtime leader in regional transportation and former City Council member was honored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission last night (Thursday) as he prepares to depart the organization.

This month, Paul Smedberg departs both the commission and the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Before serving as the governor’s representative on NVTC, Smedberg had represented Alexandria, which has two seats on the 21-member body.


News

A financial planning firm headquartered in Tysons Corner will soon be relocating to Old Town.

Pillar Wealth Partners will embark on its next chapter when it opens in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street on Feb. 1. An office warming and ribbon cutting will be held Feb. 10 to celebrate.


Event

Join us for Trivia Night at Cherry On Top! Grab a team, order your favorite coffee, wine, or snack, and test your knowledge over a fun evening in Old Town. Come with friends or join a team when you arrive. Win a bottle of wine!


News

Wegmans has declined to say whether its Alexandria store uses facial recognition technology, after the supermarket chain shared that some of its locations employ the security measure.

Cameras with facial recognition technology have been set up “in a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk,” Wegmans said in a statement. Spokesperson Marcie Rivera declined to comment on the chain’s Carlyle location at 150 Stovall Street and other Northern Virginia locations.


News

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is officially relocating this weekend in advance of construction on City Hall and Market Square.

The Saturday morning market is moving across the street from Market Square to the 100 block of N. Royal Street before construction is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20.


News

Starting this month, Alexandria residents wanting to carry a concealed weapon can apply for a plastic permit at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office in Old Town.

Clerk Greg Parks recently revamped the city’s concealed carry permits from paper to plastic, and residents can now complete permit applications on his website. All these new measures are intended to streamline the process — which used to be “very inefficient,” Parks told ALXnow — for the public and his staff.


Around Town

A popular pub in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is expanding across the river to Old Town, bringing its self-described “five-star dive bar” approach.

The Commodore is planning a second location at 220 N. Lee Street, owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim announced yesterday (Thursday). The pub will replace Mystic BBQ & Grill, which closed in late November, after about a year and a half in business. Before Mystic, the space hosted Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ.


News

Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).

Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.