Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].
Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Sunday, Aug. 17, the 229th day of 2025. There are 136 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 94 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House will commemorate the close of Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824-1825 farewell tour of America with a daylong event Sept. 7.
“Farewell to Lafayette: A Bicentennial Tribute,” organized in collaboration with the American Friends of Lafayette, will take place during the final weekend of bicentennial celebrations honoring Lafayette’s historic visit to the United States.
Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from Alexandria Police provided at 3:59 p.m. Saturday. Following a Sunday, Aug. 17 press conference, we have a follow up story here – Alexandria Police Chief provides preliminary details on in-custody death, emphasizes ongoing investigations.
Allan F. Tucker II, 32, of Woodbridge died in police custody at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center on Friday evening, hours after officers arrested him for public intoxication following reports of a disturbance at an apartment complex.
Alexandria Restaurant Week, one of the city’s biggest summer events, will return Aug. 22-31 with dozens of participating restaurants offering special prix fixe menus across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
The 10-day culinary event, hosted twice yearly by Visit Alexandria since 2009, will feature multi-course prix fixe dinner menus at $30, $40 or $50 per person. Select fast-casual restaurants throughout Alexandria will also offer additional special offers, making it easy to sample a wide range of cuisines at every budget.
A 21-year-old Alexandria man has been indicted on murder and child abuse charges in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter nearly two years ago.
Travon Anthony Hugee was charged by a grand jury on Aug. 11 following a lengthy investigation into the infant’s death on July 19, 2023, according to a press release Thursday from the Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, defying a U.S. Department of Education ultimatum that required a response by today’s deadline.
In a statement released Friday at 12:24 p.m., School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief and Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced that ACPS “disagrees with the legal analysis in the Letter of Findings, and cannot agree to the VRA [Voluntary Resolution Agreement] currently proposed by OCR.”
Alexandria’s weekend calendar is packed with activities for residents and visitors, featuring a diverse mix of outdoor markets, craft workshops, live entertainment, and family-friendly events across the city—with improving weather conditions as the weekend progresses.
While Friday afternoon brings a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms and sweltering heat index values reaching 101°F, conditions look much more pleasant for weekend activities. Saturday starts mostly cloudy but clears to sunny skies with a comfortable high of 87°, perfect for the Old Town Farmers’ Market at 7 a.m. and Del Ray Farmers’ Market at 8 a.m. Sunday promises beautiful weather with sunny skies and highs near 93°.
UPDATE: Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change transgender policies, keeping current inclusive policies in place.
Alexandria City Public Schools faces a critical deadline today to respond to federal demands that it change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding and potential legal action.
The Spitfire Club wrapped up its second annual Camp Spitfire this week, providing 50 girls from across Alexandria with a week of reading, community building, and confidence-boosting activities at Trinity United Methodist Church.
The weeklong camp, which concluded Tuesday, centered around the organization’s core values of curiosity, resilience, empathy, authenticity, and tenacity. Campers kicked off the week exploring the question “How can we show up as our most authentic selves?”
Lucas, a 7-month-old black and white pup with striking blue eyes, is looking for his forever home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s “Back to School” adoption event.
The 64-pound mixed breed has already mastered leash walking and would make an ideal companion for hiking or neighborhood strolls, according to AWLA volunteer Maria Stebbins. Lucas also excels at fetch and enjoys squeaky toys.
