Sarah Bagley | ALXnow

Councilmembers lobby for housing, school funding and gun safety laws in Richmond

Published January 30, 2026 at 2:45PM

Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley testifies in support of a gun safety bill in the House Firearms Subcommittee (via Virginia General Assembly)

Members of City Council traveled to Richmond yesterday (Thursday) to advocate for more authority to expand housing options and increase state funding for school construction, among other goals.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, Councilmembers John Taylor Chapman, R. Kirk McPike, Abdel Elnoubi and Canek Aguirre visited the state Capitol for a lobby day to advocate for their legislative priorities, which were set in December. They met with several lawmakers and members of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

News

Torpedo Factory Art Center could receive new operator, with selection process into the spring

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city of Alexandria could take a step closer to choosing a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center, following last night’s City Council meeting (Tuesday).

City Council voted to advance to public hearing and final vote an agreement for an operator to lease, manage and operate the historic arts facility at 105 N. Union Street. The public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.

News

Former Alexandria councilman celebrated after 20 years serving N. Va. Transportation Commission

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

Paul Smedberg at Jan. 8, 2026, NVTC meeting (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A longtime leader in regional transportation and former City Council member was honored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission last night (Thursday) as he prepares to depart the organization.

This month, Paul Smedberg departs both the commission and the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Before serving as the governor’s representative on NVTC, Smedberg had represented Alexandria, which has two seats on the 21-member body.

News

N. Va. Transportation Commission elects Bagley to lead as region seeks state funding approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Sarah Bagley, second from left, and other members of the NVTC 2026 leadership (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).

Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.

News

Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley to serve as 2026 chair of N. Va. Transportation Commission

By Katie Taranto

Published January 6, 2026 at 3:00PM

Alexandria City Council Member Sarah Bagley after being voted vice mayor by her colleagues, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission plans to elect Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley as its new chair this week.

Bagley currently serves as the commission’s vice-chair and is a member of its Program Advisory Committee, following her initial appointment in 2022. This is in addition to her role as chair of the Virginia Railway Express’ Operations Board.

News

Alexandria leaders show support for Jewish community after Hanukkah mass shooting

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2025 at 11:45AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the menorah lighting at the Lyceum in Old Town, Dec. 16, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

During a community menorah lighting last night (Monday), Mayor Alyia Gaskins condemned Sunday’s deadly shooting on the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Rabbi Mordechai Newman, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, hosted the organization’s 23rd annual menorah lighting yesterday at The Lyceum at 201 S. Washington Street.

News

Advocates support proposal for new ACPS subcommittee focused on capacity challenges

By James Cullum

Published December 15, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 15, 2025 at 7:41PM

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School at 1501 Cameron Street (via Jefferson-Houston/Facebook)

A proposal to create a new City Council/School Board subcommittee focused on Alexandria City Public Schools’ capacity challenges has won the support of a local advocacy group.

Save Jefferson-Houston (Save JH), which opposes the Alexandria City School Board’s plans to convert two K-8 schools into a middle school and elementary school, has voiced support for the proposal, which was offered by ACSB members Ryan Reyna and Kelly Carmichael Booz during a Capital Improvement Program work session last week.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 10:30AM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

News

PHOTOS: Thousands turn out for Del Ray’s 29th annual Halloween parade

By James Cullum

Published October 26, 2025 at 5:28PM | Updated October 26, 2025 at 8:19PM

The Del Ray Halloween Parade, Oct. 26, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Thousands of superheroes, witches, princesses, and other costumed revelers attended the 29th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade along Mount Vernon Avenue Sunday afternoon.

The grand marshal of the parade was Mount Vernon Community School 5th grader Linci Campos Cifuentes, who rode with her principal along the parade route. The event is one of the best Halloween parades in the country, according to USA Today.

News

Notes: VRE set to welcome 100 millionth rider this October, vice mayor announces

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 10, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated September 10, 2025 at 9:36AM

A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Wednesday, Sept. 10, the 253rd day of 2025. There are 112 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 72. North wind around 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 59. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

News

Alexandria honors 13 residents age 100 and older at annual ceremony

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 9, 2025 at 6:25PM | Updated September 10, 2025 at 7:54AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins at Centenarian Day Recognition (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

About 50 family members, friends, and city officials gathered at Alexandria City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to celebrate the city’s 13 centenarians during the annual recognition ceremony.

The event, held in the Vola Lawson Lobby, honored residents age 100 and older with personalized birthday displays, music from the Alexandria Citizens Band, and a decorated sheet cake reading “Celebrating Alexandria’s Centenarians!”