News | ALXnow - Part 122

Alexandria pastor’s Charlie Kirk comments lead this week’s top stories

Published September 19, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 3:47PM

The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley delivers his Sunday sermon at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 15, 2025. During the sermon, Wesley criticized the decision to fly flags at half-staff for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling Kirk "an unapologetic racist." (Screenshot via YouTube)

It’s been quite a week, Alexandria. Here’s a look at our top stories.

Our most-read story this week is on Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley sermonizing against President Trump’s decision to fly flags at half-staff across the country for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, Wesley condemned the Sept. 10 assassination, but said he should not be expected to honor Kirk, who he called an “unapologetic racist who spent all of his life sowing seeds of division and hate into this land.”

Alexandria’s Lyles ties Bolt’s record with 4th straight 200m world title

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2025 at 2:38PM

Alexandria native Noah Lyles won his fourth consecutive 200m gold at the World Championships in Tokyo, Sept. 19, 2025 (via Twitter)

Alexandria native Noah Lyles sprinted to his fourth consecutive victory in the 200 meters at the World Championships in Tokyo on Friday.

The 28-year-old Lyles finished in 19.52 seconds, just ahead of teammate Kenny Bednarek. The 200m win ties the four 200m victories earned by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Lyles’ win comes a day after he ran the fastest semifinal 200m in history, with a time of 19.51 seconds.

Alexandria schools set Sept. 30 deadline for back-to-school forms

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2025 at 1:00PM

George Mason Elementary School Principal Christopher Finan with students on the first day of school, August 21, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

September 30 is the deadline for parents of Alexandria City Public Schools students to turn in back-to-school forms.

The school system states that the forms assist administrators with updating health information, providing points of contact for students, and addressing other significant changes. ACPS has also released videos in English (see below), Spanish, Amharic, and Dari on the forms.

Senate confirms new director for Alexandria’s patent office

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 19, 2025 at 12:20PM | Updated September 22, 2025 at 11:04AM

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

The U.S. Senate confirmed John Squires on Thursday as the new director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, placing a former law firm partner at the helm of one of Alexandria’s major federal employers.

The 51-47 vote followed a contentious confirmation process that required multiple procedural maneuvers to overcome Democratic opposition. The Senate confirmed Squires as part of an “en bloc” vote that approved 48 nominations simultaneously. Both of Virginia’s Democratic senators opposed the nominations—Tim Kaine and Mark Warner voted “nay”—joining all Democrats and independents while Republicans unanimously supported the nominees.

Things to do this weekend in Alexandria: Sept. 19 – 21

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 19, 2025 at 11:52AM

Cinema Del Ray

Alexandria kicks off a memorable weekend as early voting begins for November’s election, while comedy takes center stage with The Second City bringing “Laugh Harder, Not Smarter” to The Birchmere and Friday’s tribute marking the 25th anniversary of “Remembering the Titans.” From Oktoberfest celebrations spanning multiple breweries to the grand opening of Kabul Bazaar Halal Market, the weekend captures Alexandria’s diverse spirit.

Whether you’re looking to cast your ballot early, catch live music at beloved neighborhood spots, or participate in unique experiences like tarot readings at a cat cafe, Alexandria offers the perfect blend of civic engagement, cultural enrichment, and weekend fun.

Who’s more excited to welcome this Trump ally to Virginia – Democrats or Republicans?

By Steve Peoples and Olivia Diaz, Associated Press

Published September 19, 2025 at 11:11AM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 8:29PM

FILE - Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears greets visitors prior to the start of the Senate Session at the Virginia Capitol, Jan. 25, 2022, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) — With President Donald Trump noticeably absent from Virginia’s race for governor, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears turned to a prominent Trump ally to help energize supporters Friday night.

And Democrats may have been more excited than Republicans to welcome the special guest.

ACPS details redistricting timeline with limited deferrals, construction accommodations

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 19, 2025 at 10:42AM

Triangle Map 3 showing the approved redistricting boundaries with affected schools and study areas highlighted

Alexandria City Public Schools presented an implementation update Thursday during the school board meeting for redistricting changes approved in June, detailing how students will transition to newly assigned schools beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

The redistricting implementation update was listed as a monitoring item on the Sept. 18 school board meeting agenda, providing information on the initial implementation of boundary changes the board voted to approve on June 12.

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center reopens Monday after $1.2M renovation

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2025 at 10:12AM

Chinquapin Park and Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility

The Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility will reopen Monday, Sept. 22, after being closed for renovation for more than a month.

The recreation center closed for the $1.2 million project on Aug. 9. The city estimates the project to wrap up Jan. 31, 2026, and said that visitors may “notice some construction activity, including occasional noise and dust.”

Notes: Early voting opens today in Alexandria for November election

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 19, 2025 at 7:00AM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 9:32AM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high near 87 degrees during the day, accompanied by a light northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. As we transition into Friday night, skies will be partly cloudy with a low around 64 degrees. The wind will become calm, shifting to a gentle northeast breeze of around 5 mph after midnight.

Students voice strong opposition to DASH bus proposal in survey results

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 19, 2025 at 5:31AM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 2:28PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Three out of five Alexandria City High School students oppose the city’s proposal to replace school buses with DASH public transit, student representatives told the school board Thursday.

A survey of 131 high school students found 60.3% oppose the proposal — with 37.4% strongly opposed and 22.9% moderately opposed. Only 26% support the plan, while 13.7% reported being indifferent, according to data presented by student representative Madesen Lynch during the representatives’ regular update to the board.

Former Alexandria City High swimmer Emil LaSida, 21, dies; held college records

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 4:15PM

Former ACHS swim and dive team captain Emil LaSida (via Facebook)

Emil LaSida, 21, a record-holding swimmer at Case Western Reserve University and a former captain of the Alexandria City High School swim and dive team, died Sept. 15.

Case Western Reserve University announced Sept. 17 that LaSida had died, but the cause of his death has not been released. A fourth-year student majoring in engineering, LaSida set the school record last year in the men’s 50 freestyle with a time of 19.98 seconds at the NCAA Division III Championships and earned All-American Second Team honors, according to the university.