Opinion

Between mowing, fertilizing, controlling weeds and other lawn care needs, Alexandrians have numerous trusted services to choose from when it comes to caring for their properties.

Here are the nominees for “Best Lawn Care Service in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to lawn care service? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Breakfast Spot in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Playground in Alexandria. The results are now official:

  1. Potomac Yard Park
  2. Beverley Park
  3. Windmill Hill Park

Around Town

Meet Bugsy, a guinea pig doubling as an aspiring magician who can make her favorite veggies disappear.

Bugsy is a white and brown guinea pig awaiting her forever family at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. She’s ready to dazzle people with her food vanishing talents.


News

House Passes Funding to End DHS Shutdown — “The House passed a bill funding DHS, minus dollars for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The measure passed by voice vote on what was the 76th day of the shutdown.” [NPR]

Seniors Advocate for Immigrant Caregivers in D.C. — “On Tuesday, April 28, residents from Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads joined care workers, advocacy groups, and lawmakers for a rally pointedly titled ‘Seniors Care for Caregivers.’ Organized by Care for Seniors and Care for America, the gathering came just one day before the Supreme Court of the United States was set to hear arguments on the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS).” [The Zebra]


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 — Apr 30, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. The wind will shift from northwest to southwest at 5 to 8 mph. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F as the wind changes from west to northwest at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
– William James

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


News

On Tuesday (April 28), City Council adopted a resolution authorizing up to $20 million in revenue bonds by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the redevelopment of The Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise in Old Town North.

City Council was presented with ARHA’s new plan to redevelop the 11-story, 1970s-era building at 300 Wythe Street, which was deemed obsolete last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prompting the authority to relocate all of the building’s residents.


Sports

The Alexandria Aces, a collegiate summer baseball team, are seeking host families to provide a “home away from home” for their players during the 2026 season.

The team, which plays wooden bat baseball games at Frank Mann Field (3700 Commonwealth Avenue), regularly seeks Alexandria families to host student-athletes. This year, the team needs hosts from May 30 to July 25.


News

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s $979.1 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget with a few changes Wednesday night.

The budget represents a 2.4% increase over the FY2026 budget and maintains the real estate tax rate of $1.135 per $100 of assessed value, although some City Council members expressed caution about a potential tax increase in next year’s budget. Property owners whose assessment values increased could still see higher tax bills under the unchanged rate.


News

Alexandria City Council on Wednesday (April 29) approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposal to increase metered parking fees and parking ticket fines.

Without discussion, City Council approved raising parking meter rates from $1.75 to $2.75 and parking ticket fines from $40 to $55. The approvals were part of Parajon’s $979.1 million Fiscal year 2027 budget, which Council approved Tuesday night without a real estate tax increase.


Around Town

A block party involving numerous independent boutiques is coming to Old Town this weekend.

The Old Town Boutique Community, an organization of 30 small businesses in Old Town, will host the Spring Fling: An Old Town Block Party, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (May 2). The family-friendly block party will feature activities for all ages, including tarot card readings, build-your-own flower bouquets and other hands-on crafts, outdoor yoga sessions and snow cones.