Alexandria’s public transit system has named its new mascot “Dashy” following a community vote that drew more than 250 participants.
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) announced Tuesday that Dashy received 37% of the votes in an online contest that ran from July 3 to 18. The other options were Duke (29%), Dasher (19%), and Alex (16%).
In a high-stakes voting rights battle with roots in the Reconstruction era, civil rights groups on Friday filed two new motions in a federal lawsuit that could restore voting rights to thousands of Virginians with felony convictions.
Announced Monday, the filings by the ACLU of Virginia, Protect Democracy and the law firm WilmerHale seek summary judgment in the case and class-action status on behalf of the more than 300,000 Virginians who they say remain disenfranchised under a state constitutional provision. The plaintiffs argue Virginia is violating a 150-year-old federal law — the Virginia Readmission Act of 1870 — which governed the state’s return to the Union after the Civil War.
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
Good morning, Alexandria!
🗓️ Today is Tuesday, July 22, the 203rd day of 2025. There are 162 days left in the year.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the suspect was an employee of the UPS store. The suspect was reported to police by a UPS employee and does not work at the facility. We apologize for the error.
A 33-year-old man, formerly a resident of Alexandria, is being held without bond for multiple narcotics possession charges. The man was allegedly getting his drugs mailed to a local UPS Store.
Event location
Cherry On Top
1021 Queen street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
A mystery is brewing at Cherry on Top!
Join us for a thrilling Murder Mystery Night filled with secrets, unexpected twists, and a little detective work. Follow the clues, uncover hidden motives, and see if you can solve the mystery before the night is over!
Alexandria residents have plenty to choose from this week, with Monday kicking off with yoga at the library and open mic comedy at Alexandria Bier Garden, followed by Pokemon GO Club and BeerYoga on Tuesday. Wednesday brings hands-on fun with a Mad Science program for kids and a handmade pasta cooking class at Aslin ALX, while Thursday features the Old Town North Farmers’ Market and a welcome home party for the Tall Ship Providence.
The weekend promises even more variety, with Friday’s wine garden event and multiple live music venues hosting everything from The Bacon Brothers at The Birchmere to karaoke nights across town. Saturday morning starts early with farmers’ markets in Old Town and Del Ray, plus unique activities like candle-making workshops and a beer festival, before Sunday rounds out the week with chamber music at the Lyceum and Rock Del Ray’s July concert featuring local bands The Derds, Parallel Lives, and Flawd By Birth at Evening Star Cafe.
Tiffany Barner, a Dean of Students at Alexandria City High School, has died.
The ACHS community was notified of Barner’s death in a note today from ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell. No cause of death has been released, and Harrell said that counselors and mental health professionals are available to help anyone in this “heartbreaking moment.”
With just over a week left until voting closes, Alexandria’s barbecue lovers are making their voices heard in ALXnow’s latest Readers’ Choice Poll.
The competition for “Best Barbecue Restaurant in Alexandria” is heating up as part of our ongoing ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards, which celebrate the businesses, organizations, and services that make Alexandria special. Nearly 1,500 votes have already been cast since polling began on July 15, with Smoking Kow BBQ pulling ahead with a commanding 28% lead, followed by Mystic Bar & Grill at just over 20% and Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company close behind at 18%.
ALIVE! is hosting two free food distributions this week in Alexandria.
The nonprofit gives away free food to approximately 20,000 families in the city every month. No registration is needed, although proof of city residency may be requested. The walk-up distributions will be on Saturday (July 26) from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue) and William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue).
With the 2025-2026 school year just a month away, the Alexandria Health Department is urging parents to get their children’s school-required vaccinations.
“Scheduling vaccine appointments early makes it easier to find an appointment that fits your schedule,” Alexandria Health Department Director Dr. David Rose said, “and vaccines protect our children from getting sick and being sidelined from school and activities later on.”
