Roy Priest, ARHA's interim CEO, speaks to residents at a forum at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, Oct. 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Roy Priest says he’s “somewhat surprised” to find himself working back in his old office.
Since taking over as the acting CEO of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority in July, Priest set a goal of getting the nonprofit’s operating and capital budgets approved by the end of the year. He’s also resurrecting ARHA’s previous strategic plan with some updates — all part of an effort to navigate Alexandria’s public housing authority into calmer waters as a new CEO will likely take over this spring.
A DASH bus driver leaves the Braddock Road Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)
As DASH Bus reels from a $3.3 million overspending error in the last fiscal year, the Alexandria transit agency is considering service changes to mitigate current budget challenges.
On Wednesday (Oct. 14), the DASH Board of Directors pre-authorized a package of service cuts. The changes are intended to address a $2.4 million shortfall in the current operating budget.
Gabrielle Berg, Northern Virginia Tennis for Fun Chapter Founder, 2026 Youth Leader of the Year Awardee
Khoi Truong, Lake Braddock Boys Tennis Coach, 2026 Coach of the Year Awardee
Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 2026 Tennis Creates Impact Honoree
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.
(Left to right) Ryleigh Barnes-Thomas, Ambika Varma and Naomi Temprosa of the Alexandria City High School girls flag football team (staff photo by James Cullum)
Reliable veterinary care plays a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of Alexandria’s pet population. Local animal hospitals and clinics provide essential services that give pet owners peace of mind and support the broader community.
High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!
Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Three pumpkins on a wall at Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town, Oct. 31, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Halloween festivities are starting to ramp up in Alexandria as October continues on.
This weekend, the “Thriller” Zombie Flash Mob descends upon Old Town, retailers will host the new Sticker Treat sticker crawl, and the Spooky Mad Science Expo returns for an 11th year at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The Ethiopian Fall Festival has also been rescheduled for this weekend.
Halloween decorations in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 16, 1824, the beloved Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Alexandria for an extended visit during his ‘Grand Tour of America,’ one of the social high points in history of the young nation he had so fervently fought for. The Alexandria Gazette of October 19, 1824, vividly described his entrance to the city: ‘Between twelve and one o’clock General LaFayette entered the line from the Potomac Bridge, under a salute of artillery from Capt. Williams’s company. Here he was met by General Walter Jones and suite…. LaFayette then entered a splendid barouche, drawn by four fine greys, [and escorted to Alexandria]…. The procession entered the town through Columbus Street, went through a part of King into Fayette…to Washington Street.” [Historic Alexandria]
Amtrak Service Adjustments to Happen on Five Days — “Work will start after service ends on Friday, Oct. 16 and be completed before morning service on Monday, Oct. 26. Work will be done at the ‘A-Interlocking’ track and control point within D.C.’s First Street Tunnel. The point controls routing of all Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express trains between D.C.’s Union Station and Virginia. During the work, two train lines will run in segments, with the southern segment starting or ending in Alexandria.” [ALXnow]
School buses on W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria City Public Schools faces a $17 million shortfall as it starts its 2028 fiscal year budget deliberations.
Dominic Turner, the school system’s chief financial officer, laid out a stark reality with rapidly rising expenditures on Wednesday night at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus.
As seen at the 204-unit affordable housing apartment complex Samuel Madden Homes, Nov. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria is one of 15 cities across the country chosen to receive between $450,000 and $750,000 each in grant funding to increase its housing stock.
Today (Oct. 15), Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that Alexandria is among the first 15 cities to get the grant funding, and that 30 nationwide will be chosen to combat a national shortage of homes. Alexandria was awarded the funds, along with Albuquerque, N.M., Charleston, S.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Cleveland, Columbia, S.C., Durham, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Miami, Nashville, Tenn., Omaha, Neb., Pittsburgh, Portland, Maine, Providence, R.I. and San Jose, Calif.
