News

USDA to vacate Alexandria’s Braddock Place, home to food assistance programs

By Ryan Belmore
Braddock Metro Center (via Cushman & Wakefield)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday it will vacate its facility at 1320 Braddock Place in Alexandria as part of a sweeping reorganization that will relocate thousands of federal employees from the Washington region to five hub cities across the country.

The Alexandria facility houses the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers critical federal nutrition assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. The relocation could affect operations for programs that serve millions of Americans, though officials emphasized essential services will continue uninterrupted.

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USDA in sweeping reorganization to ship some DC workers to 5 regional centers

By Jacob Fischler, Virginia Mercury
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building in Washington, D.C., pictured on Dec. 18, 2017. (USDA photo by Preston Keres)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to slash its presence in the Washington, D.C., area by sending employees to five regional hubs, Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday.

The department wants to reduce its workforce in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia from 4,600 to less than 2,000 and add workers to regional offices in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City.

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Three sentenced to prison for series of armed robberies targeting Alexandria, Northern Virginia electronics stores

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Three people have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a series of violent armed robberies that targeted electronics stores across Northern Virginia last summer, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Javon Rustin Louis Paige, 38, received the longest sentence of 16 years in prison after being sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Vincent Henry Kirkland Jr., 31, who also goes by Daniel Eugene Robinson, was sentenced July 15 to 14 years in prison. Brianna Mamie Oceolia Archie, 27, received 5 years and 10 months in prison after her June 17 sentencing.

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There’s a vigil on King Street in Old Town on Friday against the Israel-Hamas war

By James Cullum
There's a vigil in Old Town against the war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza (via Instagram)

There’s a vigil on King Street in Old Town against the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas on Friday (July 25).

The protest will be held in the pedestrian-only 100 block of King Street at 7 p.m., according to an Instagram post from Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights. The group has been a near-constant presence in Alexandria for more than a year-and-a-half in the city. Members have demonstrated at city council meetings, a reelection campaign event with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and the opening of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

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Alexandria man pleads guilty to defrauding pandemic relief programs of $1.5 million

By James Cullum
Outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man pled guilty on Wednesday (July 23) to defrauding pandemic relief programs of nearly $1.5 million, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Dr. Muhammad Adil Quraish, 35, is a former Air Force dentist, and a financial advisor. Quraish admitted to conspiring with at least four other people to submit false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster loan, and using the funds to invest in cryptocurrency, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia.

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Without funding for redevelopment, Alexandria approves framework for skatepark improvements

By James Cullum
The Schuyler Hamilton Jones Skateboard Park at 3540 Wheeler Avenue (via Billy Sabatini)

Alexandria’s Parks and Recreation Commission has approved a framework for future improvements at the city’s only skateboard park.

The commission unanimously approved an amendment to the 2015 Neighborhood Park Improvement Plan, which means that the city has a plan on short and long-term improvements at the park once funding becomes available. The city says that the skate park, which was built in 2002, is “reaching the end of its usable life,” and that a final design will be developed in collaboration with skate park users.

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Finding Faith: There’s a new men’s only Bible study group in Old Town

By James Cullum
A new men's bible study group at Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a new bible study ministry in Old Town, and it’s just for men.

Every second and fourth Wednesday, more than a dozen men and boys talk about the Bible and staying on the right path at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street). The group “Men Seeking God” was founded earlier this year by lifelong Alexandria resident Bruce Anderson, boxer Tony Suggs and an old friend he met at the Alexandria jail, Reverend Myron Contee.

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Beat the Back-To-School Rush: Alexandria Health Department urges early vaccine appointments

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

As summer winds down and the new school year approaches, the Alexandria Health Department is encouraging families to schedule their children’s required immunizations now to avoid the typical back-to-school rush.

Virginia mandates specific vaccines for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade. These immunizations protect against preventable diseases, including measles, pertussis (also known as whooping cough), and meningitis.

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National Weather Service issues Heat Advisory for Alexandria Friday

By Ryan Belmore
Heat Advisory for ALX. Radar valid at 508 am EDT, Jul 24th 2025 (via National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Alexandria and the greater Washington region Thursday, warning residents to prepare for dangerous heat index values that could reach 109 degrees Friday.

The advisory takes effect at 11 a.m. Friday and remains in place until 8 p.m., covering portions of the District of Columbia, central and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia.

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Nonprofit serving Latino youth in Arlandria aims to raise $250K by August 27

By James Cullum
Casa Chirilagua at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue (Via Facebook)

A nonprofit serving Arlandria’s Latino community is trying to raise $250,000 by Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Casa Chirilagua (4109 Mount Vernon Avenue) launched its Summer Challenge Campaign today to fund its programming, serving over 400 people.

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