News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 17, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 17, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ICE announces arrest in Alexandria of man officials say is wanted MS-13 leader in El Salvador (3665 views)
  2. Controversial political art at Torpedo Factory tests free speech limits (3651 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Eight Alexandria housing commissioners resign after Mayor, City Council demand their departure (23076 views)
  2. Suspect with knife steals cigarettes from West End convenience store (8028 views)
  3. Police investigate after masked trio threatens, attempts to break into Alexandria home (7731 views)
  4. Banned book speakeasy returning to Morrison House in Old Town (5639 views)
  5. Police investigate $5,500 theft from Old Town Lululemon (4583 views)
  6. Driver rescued after crashing into parked tractor-trailer in Alexandria’s West End (3598 views)
  7. Swedish company to demo flying electric ferry on Potomac River (3204 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect mostly cloudy skies to gradually clear up and bring sunshine with a high around 71 degrees. The calm wind will transition into a southerly breeze at 5 to 7 mph during the afternoon. As for Saturday night, it will be mostly clear and a low of approximately 55 degrees, accompanied by a southeast wind around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
– Joshua J. Marine

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Alexandria tourism programs receive $35,000 in state marketing grants

By Ryan Belmore
Old Town Alexandria - 100 block of King Street - pedestrian zone (Credit Chris Cruz)

Two Alexandria tourism organizations will receive a combined $35,000 in state matching grants as part of a statewide initiative to boost off-season travel, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday.

The grants, distributed through the Virginia Tourism Corporation, are among 104 awards totaling more than $627,000 given to local tourism programs across the Commonwealth. Local partners committed an additional $729,992 in matching funds, generating more than $1.3 million in new marketing initiatives that will benefit 624 tourism partners statewide.

Go to Alexandria tourism programs receive $35,000 in state marketing grants Read more

Housing board scandal, convenience store robbery top week’s news

By James Cullum
ARHA properties in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

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

The top story this week was on the resignation of all the commissioners overseeing the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board. The crisis began in August when ALXnow first reported that then-ARHA CEO Erik Johnson was living in an ARHA-managed public housing unit. The ARHA board published a statement acknowledging the situation, demanded that he vacate the property, and then terminated his employment in September. In a special meeting on Wednesday, the City Council appointed six new ARHA board members.

Go to Housing board scandal, convenience store robbery top week’s news Read more

Ukrainian photographer finds new life, purpose in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Portrait photographer Yelyzaveta Pyvovarova in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Yelyzaveta Pyvovarova is looking for happiness in her portraits. It’s a feeling she’s been trying to recapture in Alexandria since leaving Ukraine after the outbreak of the ongoing war with Russia.

Lyza, as she’s formally known, escaped from Oleksandriya, Ukraine, with her two daughters shortly after the war broke out, and moved to the Alexandria area of Fairfax County in July of 2022. Her husband later joined the family, and since then she launched her own portrait photography business and manages events for ALX Community in Old Town.

Go to Ukrainian photographer finds new life, purpose in Alexandria Read more

Controversial political art at Torpedo Factory tests free speech limits

By Ryan Belmore
Political signs displayed in Studio 17 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center include references to Julius Caesar's assassins and a message about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. (Staff photo/Ryan Belmore)

Political signs displayed in an artist’s studio window at the Torpedo Factory Art Center have drawn national attention on social media this week, sparking debate over free speech in city-owned facilities. Alexandria officials have not publicly stated whether they can take action on the controversial display.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Artist M. Alexander Gray provided a statement to ALXnow defending his work and questioning the focus on his signs. Story updated below.

Go to Controversial political art at Torpedo Factory tests free speech limits Read more

Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger

By The Associated Press
FILE - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

By MIKE CATALINI and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Barack Obama has endorsed the Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, seeking to boost Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger ahead of high-stakes elections next month.

Go to Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger Read more

City extends feedback deadline to Oct. 23 for Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum
Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria has set a deadline of Oct. 23 (Thursday) to give feedback on the Duke Street Land Use Plan.

When finished, the document will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street Corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. Last month, residents weighed in on draft principles for the document.

Go to City extends feedback deadline to Oct. 23 for Duke Street Land Use Plan Read more

Del Ray to host free Halloween bike ride Sunday

By James Cullum
There's a free Halloween-themed bike ride through Del Ray on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 (via Facebook)

There’s a free family-friendly Halloween-themed bike ride in Del Ray on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Riders will be able to see all of the spectacularly spooky decorations throughout the neighborhood. The six-to-seven-mile ride goes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is hosted by the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. More details are below.

Go to Del Ray to host free Halloween bike ride Sunday Read more

ICE announces arrest in Alexandria of man officials say is wanted MS-13 leader in El Salvador

By Ryan Belmore
Ismael Enrique Mendoza Flores (via Homeland Security)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Thursday it arrested a man federal officials identify as an MS-13 gang leader wanted for murder in El Salvador during an operation in Alexandria on October 2.

According to the ICE press release, Ismael Enrique Mendoza Flores, also known as “El Calaco,” faces an active arrest warrant in El Salvador for aggravated homicide and illicit associations. ICE states he appears on the Salvadoran National Police’s “Most Wanted Gang Members” list, though the agency did not provide documentation or a link to verify this listing.

Go to ICE announces arrest in Alexandria of man officials say is wanted MS-13 leader in El Salvador Read more

Morning Notes for October 17, 2025

By Ryan Belmore
Ford Motor Company. Bill Lebovich, HABS/HAER 1996, Library of Congress.

On This Day: Ford Plant Opened in Alexandria — On this day in 1932, a Ford Motor Company plant employing 225 men opened at the foot of Franklin Street along Alexandria’s waterfront. The structure, designed by Albert Kahn, featured yellow-glazed brick, a saw-tooth roof, and Art Deco elements. In the 1990s, the property was demolished and developed into Ford’s Landing residential community. [Historic Alexandria]

School Board Reviews Advisory Processes, Legislative Priorities — The Alexandria City Public Schools Board reviewed updated advisory committee processes and discussed legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session during a work session on Thursday evening. [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for October 17, 2025 Read more

ACPS school board reviews advisory committee updates, 2026 legislative priorities

By Ryan Belmore
ACPS School Board hosting a work session on October 16. (Screenshot via ACPS)

The Alexandria City Public Schools Board reviewed updated advisory committee processes and discussed legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session during a work session on Thursday evening.

The Operational Excellence Committee presented comprehensive changes to how the district manages its six advisory committees, focusing on improved communication and accountability between committees and the school board.

Go to ACPS school board reviews advisory committee updates, 2026 legislative priorities Read more
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