Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 80 degrees. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Alexandria reported a significant 11% decrease in homelessness in the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, with 166 people experiencing homelessness compared to 187 in 2024. This reduction aligns with a broader regional trend that saw overall homelessness decline by 1% across the Washington metropolitan area.
The annual count, conducted on January 22, 2025, reveals that Alexandria’s progress outpaces the regional average, making it one of four jurisdictions to report decreases in homelessness this year. The city’s reduction of 21 people experiencing homelessness represents meaningful progress in local housing efforts.
Visit Alexandria’s President & CEO Todd O’Leary leads with the belief that travel is a force for good, inspiring visitors to deepen their travel experiences by connecting with Alexandria’s myriad stories. That’s why 2026 National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3-9, 2026) isn’t just any week. It’s a time to reflect and celebrate the important role that tourism plays in bringing people together across cultures and geographies, creating shared understandings and memories that last a lifetime. This year’s theme, “Postmarked: Essential,” takes on special significance as Alexandria prepares to host several major events this summer, bringing the stories of our local community onto the world stage.
“This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations seem particularly fitting, given all the momentum we’re seeing in Alexandria’s hospitality industry,” said Visit Alexandria’s President & CEO Todd O’Leary. “As tourism grows in importance here, the dividends from visitor spending support our small business owners and ultimately our residents. Visit Alexandria is proud of the work done by our local industry to keep this city top of mind for domestic and international travelers.”
Last fall, Visit Alexandria announced that Alexandria’s tourism spending from travelers residing more than 50 miles away grew to $1 billion for the first time in history during calendar year 2024. Additionally, Fiscal Year 2025 city consumption tax revenues reached a record $88 million—supporting core city services, saving the average Alexandria household $832 annually, and sustaining more than 5,700 local jobs.
In conjunction with this year’s America 250th commemorations, Alexandria will host programs, exhibitions, historic tours and signature events, including the three-day Sails on the Potomac festival—all of which showcase Alexandria’s renowned historic character and ever-evolving progressive nature. As Alexandria continues to make waves on the world stage, especially as a destination for sports tourism, the city will serve as the official Team Base Camp for the Croatian National Football Team, a FIFA top ten ranked team, during the World Cup. With state-of-the-art facilities, a wide range of accommodations, a wealth of visitor experiences and incredible transportation access, Alexandria’s prominence in sports tourism is growing. (more…)
As Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) considers a new middle school redistricting proposal, a local parent has voiced significant concerns regarding its potential impact on students and established neighborhood cohesion.
The following letter to the editor from Kate Hennigan, a mother of two Douglas MacArthur Elementary students and a long-time Alexandria resident, articulates anxieties about the plan’s effects on school communities and student stability, particularly in the wake of recent educational disruptions.
Alexandria residents have spoken, and Taqueria Poblano is their top pick for Mexican cuisine in the city. The results come from a recent ALXnow reader poll that wrapped up on May 13, 2025, with over 1,800 local food lovers casting their votes.
Taqueria Poblano, located at 2400B Mt. Vernon Avenue, snagged nearly 25% of the votes, beating out Taqueria Picoso and Los Tios Grill for the top spot. The restaurant is a local favorite, known for its Southern California and Yucatan-inspired Mexican dishes. It’s no stranger to recognition, having previously earned praise for its margaritas and ranking among the DC area’s top Mexican eateries.
Join us for an evening of made-up-on-the-spot improv comedy! We’ll be calling on you to give us suggestions for a totally unique show that’ll never be seen again!
Show is 18+ recommended. Tickets are free, with a $10 suggested donation.
After coasting through the Planning Commission, plans to modernize George Mason Elementary School are heading to City Council for this Saturday (May 17).
Alexandria City Public Schools is hoping to cut the ribbon on the new two-story building in the summer of 2027. The project will keep the original 1939 building, although ACPS plans to demolish a majority of the existing school and replace it with a two-story structure for a capacity of 670 students and 80 teachers and staff.
ALVARADO, Texas (AP) — A Georgetown University scholar from India who was arrested in the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign college students was released from immigration detention Wednesday after a federal judge’s ruling.
Badar Khan Suri will go home to his family in Virginia while he awaits the outcome of his petition against the Trump administration for wrongful arrest and detention in violation of the First Amendment and other constitutional rights. He is also facing deportation proceedings in an immigration court in Texas.
A new Japanese restaurant is opening on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.
Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar has posted signs in the window that they’ll be coming soon to 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue in the former Zuki Moon space. They’re also looking to hire a sushi chef, sushi helper, line cook, dishwasher, and servers.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, there’s a bunch of positives about Imagine Artwear (1124 King Street) closing in Old Town.
Owner Carol Supplee is scaling back to focus on her health and just got approval from her landlord to keep her women’s clothing, art and jewelry shop open another month (until June 30). Until then, customers can get 50% off all merchandise. Supplee also said that she’s reached an agreement with her vendors as the store is moving online.
Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m.. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. High near 77 degrees. Northeast wind is around 6 mph and becomes south in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
