Ameratu Kamara has been appointed as Alexandria’s second Independent Policing Auditor.
Kamara was first appointed as the city’s acting auditor in January following the December 2024 death of former auditor Kim Neal, who had fulfilled the role since its commencement in 2022. City Council unanimously appointed Kamara to the role during its legislative meeting last night (Tuesday).
The Alexandria City Council ended the collective bargaining impasse regarding three outstanding issues between the Alexandria Police Department’s union and the city late last night (Tuesday).
In a meeting at City Hall that lasted until 11:30 p.m., Council decided in favor of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association’s request for $10.2 million in increased salaries for APD officers, sergeants and lieutenants over the next three years, while backing the city’s positions on pay parity and an annual $1,200 longevity bonus for those sworn staffers.
VRE Names New President — “Virginia Railway Express will soon have new leadership at the helm, with Katie Choe stepping in as its next chief executive officer as the system accelerates its shift from a commuter-focused rail service to expanded operations beginning in January.” [Virginia Mercury]
APD Story Updated — A story published Monday was updated with a table reflecting the city of Alexandria’s most recent collective bargaining offer to the Virginia Police Benevolent Association from the time of publication. Another story regarding last night’s City Council resolution hearing is forthcoming. [ALXnow]
Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 9, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect rain between 8am and 2pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 45. There will be south winds of 11-14 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 32 and west winds of 10-13 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
– Oprah Winfrey
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Alexandria police are investigating after a vehicle struck a man at the intersection of Russell Road and W. Glendale Avenue in Rosemont this afternoon (Tuesday).
The victim sustained a non-life threatening head injury, according to dispatch reports. The incident briefly shut down southbound Russell Road at W. Glendale Avenue, and police and the Alexandria Fire Department responded to the scene.
It’s been a long first year for Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire.
While the city has seen a double-digit reduction in reported crime to-date this year, the Alexandria Police Department is struggling with staffing and compensation. Ongoing staffing issues have prompted McGuire to transfer some officers from specialized units to staff patrol operations on the street.
The city of Alexandria is seeking residents’ insights on how they are commuting and getting around the city.
The city released its 2025 AlexMoves survey yesterday (Monday), aiming “to gather a representative sample of trips made in the City of Alexandria.” The survey, also known as the Transportation Needs Assessment Survey, is conducted in partnership with firm Polco and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 28.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins shared possible initiatives to preserve Alexandria’s dwindling affordable housing supply during a conversation with an editor at The Atlantic last night (Monday).
Gaskins and Yoni Appelbaum, author of “Stuck“, met at The Lyceum to discuss affordable housing, the history of zoning laws and how Alexandria should approach ongoing efforts to update its Housing Master Plan.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 9, 1839, the first lecture program was performed at Alexandria’s newly-built center for adult learning and knowledge, The Lyceum. The Alexandria Lyceum was founded a year earlier by a group of well-educated local men with an interest in improving public educational and cultural opportunities throughout the community. In early 1839, the group joined with the Alexandria Library to construct a new home for both organizations. This historic site has also served as a Civil War hospital ward, a private residence, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nation’s first Bicentennial Visitor’s Center.” [Historic Alexandria]
Habitat Restoration Pilot Launches at Four Mile Run — “For this pilot program, two sections along the park’s forest edge have been set aside as Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs)—places where nature will be given space to thrive. The project will use both natural regeneration and hands-on planting to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen the park’s ecosystem.” [The Zebra]
Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 8, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
– Roy T. Bennett
Thanks for reading!
Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.
With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.
