Around Town

A Taco Bell Cantina on King Street will be the starting point and finish line for hundreds of runners competing in a “Taco Bell DC 50K” race next month.

Described as “the ultimate mix of endurance and spice,” the unlicensed event takes runners through a course of eight Taco Bell restaurants across Alexandria, Arlington and D.C., where they must eat at least one menu item per stop — Baja Blasts not included.


News

On This Day in Alexandria: Museum Hiring — “On October 31, 1850, the Alexandria Council passed a resolution requiring trustees of the Alexandria Museum to hire a ‘suitable person for preservation and exhibition.’ The museum was located in City Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1871. [Historic Alexandria]

Happy Halloween! — “The city does not set an official trick-or-treating time. Residents and motorists should expect kids and families traversing the neighborhoods throughout Friday evening.” [ALXnow]


News

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 — Oct 30, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Ken Burns unveils new documentary series ‘The American Revolution’ at Mount Vernon (945 views)
  2. Old Town North developments to be highlighted in annual walking tour (876 views)
  3. Morning Notes for October 30, 2025 (740 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high near 59, accompanied by a breezy west wind blowing at 15 to 20 mph and gusting up to 38 mph. For Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 42. The west wind will remain persistent, blowing at 8 to 11 mph and gusting as high as 24 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
– Wayne Gretzky

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


News

Democrat Abigail Spanberger holds a 10-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, according to a new Roanoke College poll released Thursday, as early voting surges across the commonwealth with just days remaining before Election Day.

The survey shows Spanberger, a former U.S. representative, leading 51% to 41% among likely voters, with just 4% undecided. The poll of 1,041 likely voters, conducted Oct. 22-27, has a margin of error of 4.05 percentage points. Spanberger’s advantage represents a 3-point increase from the college’s August poll, according to the Virginia Mercury.


Event

When there’s a chill in the air, nothing satisfies like a rich Cabernet, a velvety Merlot, a smoky Syrah, or a brambly Shiraz. So put down your garden rake (the leaves can wait) and head to Arrowine to sample 20 of the Best Bargains in Big, Bold Reds from California, Washington State, and beyond.

We have spent the last two months tasting well over 200 wines and selected the top 20 for you to enjoy during this event. All of these wines overperformed and have exceptional price-to-quality value ratios. We know you will be impressed with our selections.


News

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger appeared in a “Latinos for Spanberger” rally today (Thursday) in Alexandria.

Spanberger spoke at a packed event at Los Tios (2615 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray, flanked by Latino legislators Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Del. Alfonso Lopez D-Virginia House District 3), and City Council Member Canek Aguirre. Spanberger has a 10-digit lead against her opponent, Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, according to a recent Roanoke College poll.


Around Town

The Alexandria Police Department has a few tips for families to have a safe Halloween tomorrow (Friday).

Trick-or-treaters should wear light-colored or reflective costumes and carry flashlights or glow sticks for visibility, the department recommended. Families can also add contact cards inside their kids’ costumes in case they are separated, according to an APD flier distributed on social media this week.


News

Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveiled his latest documentary series, “The American Revolution,” at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate on Wednesday.

The filmmaker spoke in a panel discussion before sharing an outdoor preview of the new six-part series, which features George Washington and his pivotal role in winning the Revolutionary War. Episodes will air on PBS at 8 p.m. nightly from November 16 to 21.


News

An annual walking tour with Old Town North’s Urban Design Advisory Committee this month will highlight several new developments in the area.

During the walk on Wednesday, Nov. 12, city staff will provide participants with information on the mixed-use development project at Robinson Terminal North, redevelopment of the Montgomery Center and the Ladrey Apartments, among other developments.


News

On This Day in Alexandria: Leon Day, Negro League Star, Born in Alexandria — On Oct. 30, 1916, Leon Day, a star baseball player in the Negro League, was born in Alexandria, where his father Ellis worked in a glass factory. Day was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on March 7, 1995, and died six days later. [Historic Alexandria]

City Council Supports Expanding Parking Enforcement Pilot Program — Alexandria City Council unanimously expressed support Tuesday night for expanding the city’s parking enforcement pilot program after data showed substantial improvements in citation rates, response times, and revenue collection since contractors began supplementing city staff in December 2023. [ALXnow]