News | ALXnow - Part 108

Virginia Democrats and some Republicans want to extend ACA tax credits as shutdown looms

By Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

Published September 23, 2025 at 5:15AM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 5:46AM

Patient rooms at Inova Health Center - Oakville (staff photo by James Cullum)

Several members of Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation met virtually Monday morning to discuss their efforts to extend special tax credits that help people purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The credits will expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them.

About 400,000 Virginians purchase health insurance through the state’s exchange, and some of those people qualify for Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which were established in 2021, extended in 2022 and apply to people that earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. About 100,000 Virginians are expected to lose marketplace coverage, the state exchange’s director said.

Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak adjust schedules to accommodate Long Bridge Project

By Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

Published September 23, 2025 at 5:14AM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 8:20AM

(Virginia Railway Express)

Starting in January 2026, Virginia Railway Express will adjust its rail service due to the Long Bridge Project, with some trains operating from Alexandria instead of Union Station. The company is also welcoming the return of the Amtrak Step-Up Program, offering additional travel options.

The Long Bridge Project, once completed by 2030, will enable more freight and passenger rail service by separating the lines between Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The current two-track system, widely regarded as a bottleneck, has negatively impacted travel times.

Alexandria schools join Fairfax County appeal over federal funding dispute

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 6:21PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools escalated its legal battle against the Trump administration Monday, filing a motion to intervene in Fairfax County’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and requesting emergency injunctive relief to halt federal funding restrictions tied to the district’s transgender student policies.

The development was first reported by Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, who shared the 101-page court filing on social media Monday evening.

Metro service restored after ‘trespasser’ struck by train in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 3:46PM | Updated September 22, 2025 at 5:57PM

Police are seen outside Potomac Yard Metro station following an incident that has suspended train service between National Airport and King Street stations. (Photo by James Cullum/ALXnow)

Metro train service has been restored between National Airport and King Street as of 4:08 p.m. after a “trespasser” was struck by a train outside Potomac Yard, according to Metro officials.

Service on track 1 and track 2 was shut down for approximately 30 minutes. During the disruption, Metro established shuttle bus service and offered route A1X as an alternative for travel between Braddock Road, Potomac Yard and Pentagon.

Alexandria native Kara Lawson named USA Basketball women’s national team head coach

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 3:22PM

Kara Lawson Named 2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team Head Coach (Credit: USA Basketball)

Alexandria native Kara Lawson was named head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028, the organization announced Monday.

Lawson, who was born on February 14, 1981, in Alexandria, Virginia, will lead the team at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

Clerk of court to officiate ‘Halloweddings’ Oct. 31 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2025 at 3:15PM

Alexandria's Clerk of Court Greg Parks is conducting "Halloweddings" on Oct. 31 in Old Town (via Clerk of Court's office)

Alexandria’s Clerk of Court Greg Parks will officiate “Halloweddings” on Friday, Oct. 31, in Old Town.

For the first time, Parks and his staff will perform the weddings in 18th-century costumes in the ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (138 N. Royal Street). He wants the happy couples to dress up however they want — as Lydia Deets and Beetlejuice, Gomez and Morticia Addams, even Ken and Barbie. The ceremonies take about 20 minutes to perform, and reservations are available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Family seeks funeral funds for Alexandria man killed in Woodlawn shooting

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 2:15PM

GoFundMe for Jaylin Theodore Hartless (Screenshot)

The sister of Jaylin Theodore Hartless says the family is struggling to process the sudden loss of the 21-year-old Alexandria man who was fatally shot Friday morning in Fairfax County’s Woodlawn area.

“Friday, 9/19, our beloved Jaylin Theodore Hartless was taken from us way before his time, at 21 years young,” Brianna Hartless wrote on a GoFundMe page established to help cover funeral expenses. “We just overcame a family battle with our sister, and now having to bury our brother is the most shocking and sad thing my family has ever faced.”

Kody Imports to take over Rosenthal Landmark Honda on Duke Street

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2025 at 1:30PM

Rosenthal Landmark Honda at 5125 Duke Street (via Google Maps)

Waldorf-based Kody Imports recently filed paperwork with the city to officially change ownership of Rosenthal Landmark Honda (5125 Duke Street), a longtime car dealership in Alexandria’s West End.

Waldorf-based Kody Holdings, which owns a dozen auto dealerships in Maryland, bought the dealership near Cameron Station for an undisclosed sum, according to the change of ownership filing. City property records haven’t yet listed the sale, but the property was last assessed at $7.3 million in value by the city in January. Rosenthal Landmark Honda bought the 120,000-square-foot property for $3.85 million in 2005.

Faith leaders to hold prayer vigil in solidarity with Alexandria’s immigrant community

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 1:06PM

Sign at the Mount Vernon Avenue entrance to the Four Mile Run Park Trail (Staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria faith leaders will gather Tuesday evening for a prayer vigil expressing solidarity with the city’s immigrant community amid what organizers describe as increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.

The interfaith vigil is scheduled for 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Four Mile Run Park Plaza, located at 4121 Mt. Vernon Avenue. The event is being organized by Tenants and Workers United, Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), and Community Lodgings.

Alexandria School Board sets budget planning session for Thursday

By James Cullum and Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 11:14AM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria School Board will hold a budget planning session Thursday evening to begin crafting the fiscal 2027 spending plan amid uncertainty over potential federal funding cuts.

The meeting, scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m., will feature ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt launching the budget process with the School Board. The session will lay the groundwork for releasing her proposed 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Program budget in November, the draft Combined Funds Budget in January, and final budget adoption in June.

Virginia Tech names Alexandria campus leader to expanded D.C. area role

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 11:30AM

Lance Collins, vice president of the greater Washington, D.C., area. Photo by Craig Newcomb for Virginia Tech.

Lance Collins, who has led Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria since 2020, has been promoted to vice president of the greater Washington, D.C., area, the university announced Wednesday.

In his expanded role, Collins will oversee Virginia Tech’s growing regional presence beyond just the Alexandria campus, taking responsibility for administration, operations, and strategic direction of all university activities in the D.C. area.