Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Gaskins’ vote against I-495 express lanes blocks NVTA regional endorsement

Published October 2, 2025 at 9:20AM | Updated October 2, 2025 at 10:44AM

The segment of I-495 being studied by the state (via VDOT)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins cast the lone dissenting vote that blocked the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority from endorsing a proposed extension of express lanes along the southern stretch of I-495, she told the City Council on Tuesday night.

The NVTA considered approving a letter of support for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s I-495 Southside Express Lanes Project at its Sept. 11 meeting. Still, the measure failed due to the authority’s voting requirements.

News

Notes: The Thirteen opens season with Palestrina’s 500th birthday celebration at Virginia Theological Seminary

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 8:15AM

On That Distant Day (via The Thirteen)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Oct. 2, the 275th day of 2025. There are 90 days left in the year

🌤️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the morning. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 52. Light east wind.

News

Fired State Department official from Alexandria enters 8th Congressional District race

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 6:37PM

Michael Duffin is running for Virginia's 8th Congressional District (via Micahel Duffin on Facebook)

Michael Duffin, a former State Department official who was terminated in July, announced on Wednesday his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, joining a growing primary field that includes a former Alexandria city councilman.

Duffin announced his candidacy early Wednesday morning on LinkedIn before making a formal campaign announcement later in the day, according to Patch.

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Warner blames Trump for shutdown, warns of health care crisis in Virginia

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 5:00PM

Senator Mark Warner during media availability on Oct. 1. (via Warner's office)

Sen. Mark Warner blamed the Trump administration on Wednesday for the government shutdown that began at midnight, saying the president bears responsibility for failing to prevent the closure despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.

Speaking to Virginia media during a remote availability from the Capitol, Warner said the shutdown differs from previous ones because bipartisan negotiations completely broke down. The Virginia Democrat said Trump had only one meeting with Democrats before the shutdown deadline.

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Visit Alexandria offers free attraction passes during government shutdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 3:15PM

Carlyle House in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The federal government shutdown is affecting residents and visitors across the Washington region, but attractions, restaurants, shops, and hotels in Alexandria remain fully open for business.

Visit Alexandria announced Wednesday it has launched a dedicated webpage highlighting things to do in the city during the shutdown and is offering free attraction passes to hotel guests and federal employees.

News

Patent office lays off staff, closes Denver office amid broader federal workforce cuts

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 2:15PM

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office laid off employees on Wednesday as part of a reduction-in-force plan that has been in development for months, according to multiple sources and internal emails reviewed by Bloomberg Law.

The Alexandria-based agency cut positions across several departments, including the communications team, the Office of Public Engagement, and the Patents Unit, according to Bloomberg Law. The layoffs occur as the federal government shut down on Wednesday due to a funding impasse in Congress, although the USPTO remains open and operational, funded by operating reserves from fee collections.

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Alexandria moves forward with next phase of Confederate street renamings

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 11:30AM

The committee proposes rededicating Calhoun Avenue, currently named for a major in the Confederate army, to Robert Calhoun Avenue. Robert "Bob" Calhoun was a former Alexandria City Council member. (via Google Maps)

The Alexandria City Council’s Naming Committee is moving forward with plans to rename or rededicate four streets currently named for Confederate military leaders, focusing on honoring local historical figures and civic leaders instead.

Councilman John Chapman presented the committee’s Phase 2 recommendations during Tuesday’s council meeting, outlining proposed changes for Calhoun Avenue, Stevens Street, Frost Street, and Iverson Street. The changes are part of an ongoing effort to address street names established by a 1953 ordinance that required north-south streets to be named after Confederate leaders.

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Alexandria receives state planning award for AlexWest Small Area Plan

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 10:21AM

The American Planning Association (APA) presented the Virginia Plan of the Year Award to the City of Alexandria for the AlexWest Plan Legislative Meeting. A proud moment for staff, who are pictured with members of APA and City Council. (Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

Alexandria officially received the 2025 Virginia Plan of the Year Award on Tuesday for its AlexWest Small Area Plan, with state planning officials presenting the honor to the City Council more than three months after it was announced in June.

Nick Rogers, president-elect of the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, and Sophie Huemer, chair of the chapter’s 2025 awards committee, made the formal presentation during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Huemer is also the director of the Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design Services at Alexandria City Public Schools.

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Alexandria City Council signals support for $150K study of alternative pump station site

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

AWA presentation slide showing aerial view with pump station relocated to 1 Prince Street (Screenshot of Alexandria Waterfront Alliance presentation)

Alexandria City Council signaled support Tuesday night for spending $150,000 to study an alternative location for a controversial flood mitigation pump station. This move would pause current design work for several months.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins introduced the proposal during council member updates, explaining that the Waterfront Commission had recently requested staff examine 1 Prince Street as an alternative to the current Waterfront Park location.

News

Notes: Together Women Rise to mark International Day of the Girl Child at Alexandria event

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 8:20AM

Together Women Rise invites you to a special International Day of the Girl Celebration on October 11 in Alexandria. (via Together Women Rise)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

🌤️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71 degrees. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph.Clear tonight, with a low around 52 degrees. Northeast wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.

News

Alexandria mobilizes resources to help residents affected by federal shutdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 5:33AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria officials are mobilizing resources to assist residents impacted by the federal government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, with City Manager James Parajon announcing comprehensive support services during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

“We have created a federal government shutdown information resource page on our website for the City of Alexandria,” Parajon said during his manager’s update at the council meeting. The shutdown began just hours after his comments, following Congress’s failure to reach a funding agreement by the midnight deadline.