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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

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

What a week it’s been in Alexandria. Here’s our recap of top stories.

ALXnow had its highest single-day visitor count ever on Thursday (June 12), with more than 53,000 views, following a report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four major cities across the country.

Citing two unnamed sources “familiar with the planning of future ICE operations,” MSNBC reported that ICE is preparing to deploy tactical response teams in New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia. Alexandria was recently designated a Sanctuary Jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; however, their published list, which included hundreds of localities, was soon removed from the DHS website.

Our second most-read story is on North Carolina-based Asana Partners putting 21 Old Town properties along the King Street Mile (between the waterfront and the King Street Metro station) on the market. Asana acquired the properties between 2016 and 2018 for a reported $100 million and invested $20 million in their redevelopment. The portfolio, which includes more than 200,000 square feet of property, is being marketed by D.C. firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

Walking in the 100 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Our number-three story this week is on the temporary installation of a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. “The Wall That Heals” will be on display until Sunday, June 15.

The Wall That Heals (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

On Saturday (June 14), many of Alexandria’s elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), Virginia House majority leader Charniele Herring (D-4), Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, will speak at an anti-Trump administration rally at Market Square. It’s going to be a busy day, with road closures and disrupted flights at Reagan National Airport due to the parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

There’s a “No Kings in Alexandria” protest against the Trump administration on Saturday, June 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Market Square at 301 King Street in Old Town (via AlexDems)

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Report: ICE preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four big cities (82244 views)
  2. Asana puts 21 Old Town properties on the market (11850 views)
  3. Notes: ‘The Wall That Heals’ arrives in Alexandria on Wednesday, will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday (9009 views)
  4. Weather Alert: Tornado Watch issued for Alexandria (7197 views)
  5. Alexandria elected officials to speak at anti-Trump protest outside City Hall (5119 views)
  6. Alexandria asks VDOT to delay adding express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge (5042 views)
  7. This week in Alexandria: Petting Zoos, Pride Gnomes, ‘The Wall That Heals,’ and Jazz Fest (3488 views)
  8. ACPS moving out of George Mason Elementary School and into swing space for 2 years (3077 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.