News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

We made it to Friday, Alexandria!

Here’s a quick recap of our top stories this week. Over the last weekend, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed its list of sanctuary jurisdictions, which included Alexandria, from its website. The list contained numerous errors, including localities being mentioned multiple times, as well as towns being incorrectly designated as cities. It drew stern condemnation from Alexandria’s elected leaders.

“DHS did not provide any information regarding the criteria used to compile the list, any sources or research used for the designation, or a response to local governments seeking clarification,” Mayor Gaskins told ALXnow. “As a result, they published a list that was wrong and mischaracterized cities like ours. We follow the law and uphold the constitutional and civil rights of our residents.”

Man playing soccer (image via Emilio Garcia/Unsplash)

Our top story this week was on Alexandria’s Episcopal High School being named as a FIFA World Cup base camp. Alexandria will host Al Ain FC from the United Arab Emirates, which will stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First Street) and practice at Episcopal. In case you missed it, the City Council recently approved Episcopal’s plan to build dozens of 40-to-100-foot-tall field lights to accommodate the team.

Rendering for proposed Waterfront Taco Factory (image via City of Alexandria)

Our number-two story this week was on the concept designs for Waterfront Taco Factory at 2 Prince Street. That’s the former longtime home to Big Wheel Bikes, which relocated to 110 S. Union Street.

Looking to get out? ALXnow’s number-three post this week was on the latest happenings in Alexandria. There is so much to do that one person couldn’t possibly do everything on our list. Could you?

A packed house at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Alexandria scores as FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Team Base Camp (10502 views)
  2. Check out the concept designs for Waterfront Taco Factory in Old Town (4804 views)
  3. Alexandria This Week: Softball showdown, Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair, and more (June 2-8) (3012 views)
  4. Alexandria Police arrest suspect in Metro station assaults (2481 views)
  5. DHS removes ‘Sanctuary Jurisdiction’ list, which included Alexandria, from its website (2242 views)

Have a safe weekend!

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.