News

Frank Fannon, the last Republican to be elected to Alexandria City Council, will run for the office again in the April 21 special election.

Fannon announced his City Council campaign at the annual Friendship Firehouse Breakfast yesterday (Monday). The former councilmember told ALXnow he is running as an independent for the seat formerly held by Kirk McPike (D), who won the special election for Virginia’s 5th House District seat.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 17, 1859, the Mansion House Hotel, built in 1848 by local furniture manufacturer, James Green, and well-known as one of the most elegant hostelries on the Eastern seaboard, was reopened after a complete refurbishment. The Green’s lived in the home of John Carlyle, one of the town’s founders, and built the hotel across the front yard.” [Historic Alexandria]

Lunar New Year in ALX — “Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but some festivities are happening before then. The holiday is celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous other Asian cultures, marking the start of the 15-day Spring Festival. Here’s a look at some upcoming Lunar New Year events around Alexandria.” [ALXnow]


News

The Virginia Department of Health is advising people to avoid contact with the Potomac River following a massive sewage pipe rupture last month.

Recreational activities like swimming and kayaking should be avoided out of caution to prevent illness, VDH said in a release yesterday.


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 — Feb 13, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New fitness boutique opens next month in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood (535 views)
  2. Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow (491 views)

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

  1. JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat (15062 views)
  2. Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase (6251 views)
  3. Measles exposures reported at Reagan National Airport and on Yellow Line train (6019 views)
  4. Whiskey from new Alexandria distillery is coming to city’s Virginia ABC stores (5791 views)
  5. Buddhist monks share message of peace in Old Town during 2,300-mile pilgrimage (3865 views)
  6. New ‘Dive Bar’ theme coming to Del Ray’s Pop-Up Bar later this month (3696 views)
  7. Old Town couple cuts ribbon on ‘Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe’ at Braddock Metro Center (2095 views)
  8. Alexandria City School Board member suggests adding snow days after winter storm (2014 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high near 53 degrees, along with a west wind at 5 to 8 mph. The evening will be mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to a low around 32 degrees and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


Event

Join us Saturday June 13 for a special edition of the Gustave Art & Craft Market, celebrating Father’s Day and the 2026 World Cup! Find that special gift for Dad from local artisans & crafters and enjoy family fun, community & Gustave’s delicious World Cup specialties. Plus, singer songwriter Chris Fotos performs before the game.

Gustave Art & Craft Market takes place the Second Saturday of the month at Gustave Boulangerie, 2213 Mt. Vernon Avenue in the heart of Del Ray. Each month features special kids’ activities. Mark your calendars for the Second Saturday and see you at Gustave!


Around Town

Del Ray Hardware was declared the winner of the annual Heart of Del Ray Award on Friday morning.

Hundreds of people voted in the Del Ray Business Association’s annual popularity contest for businesses. Store owner Jay Portlance received an oversized heart to display for a year, symbolizing the store’s place in the community.


News

Virginia voters will get to cast ballots on a congressional redistricting plan benefiting Democrats while a court battle plays out over the legality of the effort.

The Virginia Supreme Court said Friday that a statewide referendum can be held April 21 on whether to authorize mid-decade redistricting, and the court will decide sometime later whether the plan is legal.


Around Town

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, preschoolers from Hopkins House brought joy and laughter to The Senior Center at Charles Houston during an annual celebration last week.

The k-prep class from Helen Day Preschool Academy joined Alexandria seniors for a lively morning of crafts and dancing on Friday, Feb. 6. About a dozen students made handmade valentines for seniors, many of whom are regular visitors to the center.


Around Town

A new high-end fitness boutique plans to open early next month in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood.

Owner Kenyatta Kavo is opening MuVe Studios on March 1 at 2050-B Ballenger Avenue, according to the fitness boutique’s Instagram page.


News

Update: Agenda Alexandria has rescheduled this event to 7 p.m. March 23, due to inclement weather. 

Housing development and affordability will be the subject of Agenda: Alexandria’s next program, now expected to take place in March.