News | ALXnow - Part 140

Students return to Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus for first full fall semester

Published August 25, 2025 at 11:45AM

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

Classes began today at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus as students returned to the 300,000-square-foot Academic Building One for their first complete fall semester since the building opened in January.

The 11-story facility at 3625 Potomac Avenue houses more than 500 graduate students in computer science, computer engineering, and business programs. Located adjacent to the Potomac Yard-VT Metro Station, the campus focuses on research in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and next-generation wireless technology.

ARHA to hold special board meeting Wednesday for personnel matter

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 25, 2025 at 10:00AM

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

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will convene a special board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 8 a.m. to discuss a personnel matter in executive session.

The meeting will be held virtually only via Zoom, according to a public notice posted on the city’s calendar system. The session is scheduled to run until 10 a.m.

Notes: Alexandria business leaders to meet lawmakers at annual legislative reception

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 25, 2025 at 7:30AM

The Chamber ALX's 2024 Legislative Reception (Credit: The Chamber ALX)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Monday, Aug. 25, the 237th day of 2025. There are 128 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 62 degrees. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Notes: Alexandria Fire Department responds to two vehicle fires

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 24, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated August 24, 2025 at 9:48AM

Engine 208 extinguished an auto fire Saturday afternoon on Duke Street near I-395.(Credit: Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF Local 2141)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Sunday, Aug. 24, the 236th day of 2025. There are 129 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then a slight chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Around the World Cultural Food Festival draws thousands to Alexandria waterfront

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 23, 2025 at 5:13PM

The 2025 Around the World Cultural Food Festival was held at Oronoco Bay Park on Aug. 23. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Thousands of visitors flocked to Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday for the Around the World Cultural Food Festival, a multicultural celebration now in its fourth year at the Alexandria waterfront location.

The festival, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., featured more than 45 countries represented through 24 food vendors, 19 performances and various arts and crafts displays. Organizers expect around 30,000 people to attend throughout the day.

Alexandria school board kicks off new year with student achievements, budget concerns, and policy updates

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 23, 2025 at 12:48PM

August 21 Alexandria School Board Meeting (Screenshot via ACPS)

The Alexandria City Public Schools board opened its first meeting of the 2025-26 school year Thursday evening with celebrations of student and staff achievements, while also addressing pressing concerns about teacher pay delays and outlining significant budget challenges ahead.

Superintendent Dr. K. Wyatt reported the district achieved its lowest staff vacancy rate in years at less than 2%, crediting successful recruitment and retention efforts that brought back former employees who had previously left the system.

Notes: Alexandria offers diverse weekend activities amid Restaurant Week

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 23, 2025 at 8:00AM

Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Ethan Yuan Photography)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Saturday, Aug. 23, the 235th day of 2025. There are 130 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 83 degrees. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Volunteer Alexandria collects 36,000 pounds of food in summer drive

By James Cullum

Published August 22, 2025 at 7:00PM

Volunteer Alexandria's Food4ALX collection drive netted 36,000 pounds of food (via Facebook)

Volunteer Alexandria collected 36,000 pounds of nonperishable food in its 2025 Food4ALX campaign, the nonprofit announced on social media.

While falling short of the 40,000-pound goal, Volunteer Alexandria says that the food will help feed thousands of Alexandrians. The third annual campaign was conducted throughout the month of July, and the results were announced today (Friday, Aug. 22). The food will be donated to Hunger Free Alexandria’s food pantries and ALIVE!.

ACPS wins federal award for school nutrition program

By James Cullum

Published August 22, 2025 at 6:00PM

Alexandria City Public Schools wins award from U.S> Department of Agriculture, Aug. 2025 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools has won an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its federally funded school nutrition program.

ACPS announced today (Friday, Aug. 22) that it received a Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Recognition Award from Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Alexandria to begin Duke Street repaving, Mt. Vernon Bridge work

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 22, 2025 at 4:30PM

Repaving and Street Maintenance Update: Duke Street Night Work Begins August 24 (Credit: City of Alexandria)

Two major road construction projects will begin early next week, affecting traffic on Duke Street and the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge, city officials announced Friday.

Nighttime milling and paving work on Duke Street between Roth Street and Wheeler Avenue is scheduled to begin Sunday, weather permitting. The roadwork will occur Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to minimize traffic impacts. No work is planned Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 2, due to the Labor Day holiday.

Fox tests positive for rabies in Alexandria’s Del Ray/Rosemont area

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 22, 2025 at 3:45PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

Health officials issued a rabies alert Friday after a fox in Alexandria’s Del Ray/Rosemont neighborhood tested positive for the virus following contact with a domestic cat.

The Alexandria Health Department said the fox encountered the cat on Monday near a home in the area. The fox died, and officials are working with the cat’s owner on safety measures.