News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

It’s been another fast week in Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories over the last several days.

Our Tuesday (June 24) story on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development taking over the National Science Foundation’s headquarters (2415 Eisenhower Avenue) garnered more than 125,000 views, making it the most-read story of the year. While bringing in more than 2,700 HUD workers, the move will also displace about 1,800 NSF employees over the next two years.

(Left to right) Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and GSA Commissioner Michael Peters on June 25, 2025. (Staff Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined HUD Secretary Scott Turner and General Services Administration Commissioner Michael Peters in making the announcement at NSF headquarters Wednesday morning (June 25). Our coverage of that announcement was the second most-read post this week.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins welcomed HUD, and said that moving forward, close collaboration with the agency is essential. Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th) was more critical.

“As a proud Alexandrian, I am always proud to welcome federal agencies into our community,” Beyer said, “but this proposed move raises serious concerns about the future of NSF, the over 1,800 employees who work in the building, and the broader integrity of American science.”

A Metro train headed toward the Van Dorn Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Get ready for some Metro closures in Alexandria next month. Our report of Blue Line closures and bus route updates was our third most-read post of the week.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is closing parts of the Blue Line from July 5 to July 26, 2025, for essential construction and rehabilitation work.

A Pride flag waves at Market Square outside City Hall in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Got plans this weekend? The City’s eighth annual Pride Fair is being held Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Market Square and City Hall. The fair features more than 90 exhibitors, drag story hours, and free health testing.

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Report: National Science Foundation headquarters to be taken over by HUD, displacing 1,800+ employees (125244 views)
  2. HUD announces relocation to National Science Foundation building in Alexandria (11495 views)
  3. Blue Line closures to disrupt Alexandria Metro Service in July (11488 views)
  4. Exhibition baseball team ‘Savannah Bananas’ taking over Dunkin’ in Alexandria (9477 views)
  5. USPTO switches Southeast Regional Office from Atlanta to Alexandria, sparking congressional criticism (7104 views)
  6. Alexandria Police investigate indecent exposure in Rosemont (6852 views)
  7. Shake Shack unveils vision for former bank in Old Town (5106 views)
  8. Street named after former President Eisenhower’s childhood hometown proposed in Alexandria (4913 views)
  9. Alexandria campaign treasurer pleads guilty to embezzling over $840,000 (4839 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.