Alyia Gaskins | ALXnow

Visit Alexandria celebrates 30th anniversary as city records $1 billion visitor spending milestone

Published September 17, 2026 at 1:45PM

Visit Alexandria President and CEO Todd O’Leary announces the first-ever Tourism Champion Award (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Visit Alexandria founders, city leaders and businesses from the hospitality industry gathered to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary and the tourism industry’s achievements Wednesday (Sept. 16).

The milestone came as Visit Alexandria reported strong financial results from visitor spending. At the Visit Alexandria meeting at The Westin Alexandria Old Town, Mayor Alyia Gaskins reported the city had reached a milestone of $1 billion in visitor spending in 2025 for the second consecutive calendar year. The figure applies to visitors coming to Alexandria from 50 or more miles away.

News

ACPS targets intersections across Alexandria in rush to resolve bus dispute

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

School bus outside Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools staff are evaluating potential road hazards across the city this week as families await answers on how they can get school buses returned to their neighborhoods.

That was the message relayed at Monday night’s (Sept. 14) Joint City Council and School Board Subcommittee meeting. With a looming Sept. 30 deadline to respond to parent requests to reinstate bus service, city and ACPS staff laid out a process of evaluating public complaints.

News

Alexandria first responders, leaders mark 25 years since 9/11

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 11, 2026 at 6:32PM

The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Alexandria Police Department headquarters, Sept. 11, 2026 (courtesy of Alexandria Police Department)

Alexandria leaders and first responders commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Alexandria Police Headquarters this morning (Sept. 11).

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on 9/11 when terrorists flew commercial airliners into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center buildings in New York City, and into a field near Shanksville, Pa. On that fateful day, the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments and Sheriff’s Office responded to the Pentagon after it was struck by American Airlines flight 77.

News

Visit Alexandria: America250 and World Cup fuel rise in hotel stays

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary with Vice President of Marketing Vito Fiore, before City Council on Sept. 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a summer it’s been for tourism in Alexandria.

With tourism boosted by America’s 250th birthday celebration and Alexandria’s participation in a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” hosting a World Cup team, Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary and staff reported to City Council on Tuesday night (Sept. 8) that hotel stays are up, revenue per available room is up and so is the percentage of visitors staying overnight.

News

Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger

By Emily Leayman

Published September 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

A DASH bus driver leaves the Braddock Road Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

As the state studies a potential consolidation of several Northern Virginia bus systems, year-over-year data showed Alexandria’s DASH continues to see ridership growth.

The data presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on Sept. 3 focused on transit providers in Northern Virginia — Arlington Transit, City of Fairfax CUE, Alexandria DASH, Fairfax Connector, Loudoun County Transit, Metro and Virginia Railway Express.

News

Alexandria remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks

By Emily Leayman

Published September 10, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria's Joint Public Safety Honor Guard at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Alexandria's Market Square, Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and the rest of the nation will take a day to reflect and remember Friday (Sept. 11) on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The City of Alexandria will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue). The ceremony, remembering the victims, survivors, first responders and others impacted by 9/11, will include a presentation of colors, remarks by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and public safety officials and a return to quarters ceremony.

News

‘I do not think there’s a role for Flock’ in Alexandria, says Mayor Gaskins

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 9, 2026 at 4:58PM

Attendees at the Sept. 8, 2026 City Council meeting protesting Flock cameras (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins told city leaders on Tuesday that she does not “see a role for Flock” cameras in Alexandria.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, two City Council members joined Gaskins in the sentiment after a presentation by Police Chief Tarrick McGuire on license plate reader (LPR) technology used in the city. The Alexandria Police Department has 61 license plate readers and other cameras along public roadways, according to Flock’s transparency portal.

News

Alexandria looks to relieve businesses hurt by City Hall and Market Square renovation

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 9, 2026 at 4:53PM

City Hall renovations (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is looking for ways to relieve businesses from the years-long renovation impacts of City Hall and Market Square in Old Town.

With parking temporarily halted on the streets next to the property at 301 King Street, sidewalks closed and the sound of continual construction, businesses in a one-block radius of the building are feeling the effects.

News

Thousands lose power and multiple rescued from floodwaters as strong storms hit Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published September 4, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 4, 2026 at 3:54PM

Downed tree at Chinquapin loop road (courtesy of Eric Keber)

Downed trees and thousands of Dominion Energy customers with power outages were without power in Alexandria after a strong thunderstorm system that rocked the region overnight into Friday.

Most power outages had been restored. More than 2,300 customers were without power at 10 a.m., and that number dropped to about about 400 by 4 p.m.

News

Alexandria officials mark major milestone in George Mason Elementary reconstruction

By Emily Leayman

Published September 3, 2026 at 9:15AM

Topping out at George Mason Elementary School (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria officials gathered yesterday (Sept. 2) to mark the topping out of the reconstructed George Mason Elementary School, the latest of Alexandria City Public Schools’ modernization projects.

Monday’s topping out ceremony represented the installation of the final structural steel beam on the school. The school at 2601 Cameron Mills Road in the North Ridge neighborhood is being rebuilt to address capacity needs and replace an aging facility, according to ACPS. Built in 1939, the school was renovated before in 1949 and 1977.

News

Alexandria residential parking permit confusion prompts apology from Mayor Gaskins

By Emily Leayman

Published September 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Parked cars in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

As residents received their latest car tax bills in the mail starting last week, they were surprised to find their residential parking permit stickers have not arrived.

Vehicle owners used to receive permit stickers at the same time as personal property tax bills. But that did not occur this year when the tax bills arrived.