News | ALXnow - Part 151

ACLU files lawsuit in Alexandria alleging ICE unlawfully detaining young immigrants in Virginia

Published October 2, 2025 at 9:30PM

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

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia filed a class action lawsuit in Alexandria federal court today, alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unlawfully detaining young immigrants who have a legal pathway to citizenship — part of what the complaint describes as the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy.

The lawsuit, filed in the Alexandria division of the Eastern District of Virginia at the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse, challenges ICE’s detention of unaccompanied minors who entered the United States after being abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents — young people who federal law protects from detention.

Union Navy exhibition on display through 2026 at Fort Ward Museum

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 8:15PM

Fort Ward (photo via Visit Alexandria)

A new Union Navy exhibition opened at Fort Ward Museum (4301 W. Braddock Road) on Oct. 2, and will be on display through 2026.

The “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy” exhibition is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on Oct. 13, 1775, according to the city. Thousands of sailors, nicknamed jack-tars, helped blockade the 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, catapulting the unit into the largest navy in the world. Hallmarks of the exhibition include examples of tools, clothing, weapons and personal items from the sailors. It also features a profile on Commander James Harmon Ward, the namesake of the fort, who was the first Union Naval officer to die in the war.

Alexandria hosting youth mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 4:30PM

DCHS is conducting youth-focused mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15, 2025, at 4850 mark Center Drive (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is conducting an eight-hour mental health training session for adults on identifying warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse disorders, the effects of illness, and treatment options.

The free session, hosted by the city’s Department of Community and Human Services, will take place on Wednesday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive. Registration is required. The session is open to “parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring residents,” according to DCHS.

Alexandria unemployment rate rises to 3.8%, up from 2.8% a year ago

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria’s unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in August, up from 2.8% a year earlier, as the number of jobless residents increased by 35% to 3,793, according to state data released on Wednesday.

The figures from the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement show 3,793 Alexandria residents were seeking jobs in August, compared to 2,807 unemployed residents in August 2024. Total employment in the city stood at 96,898, down from 99,070 the previous year.

Alexandria seeks volunteers for Holmes Run Channel cleanup Oct. 11

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:15PM

Holmes Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is looking for volunteers for a stream cleanup event at the Holmes Run Channel later this month.

The cleanup is being led by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division, and will be held on Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. behind the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). Volunteers are recommended to wear covered shoes, long pants, and bring their own drinking water. The city will provide them with gloves, bags, and first-aid kits.

Justice Department fires key prosecutor in Eastern District of Virginia office already beset by turmoil, AP sources say

By The Associated Press

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:33PM

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department fired a top national security prosecutor amid criticism from a right-wing commentator over his work during the Biden administration, further roiling the prominent U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after the ousting of other senior attorneys in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Alexandria leaders to speak at first-ever State of Early Childhood event

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:30PM

Children listen to Paralympic gold medalist Trevon Jenifer at the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls Club at 401 N. Payne Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders will discuss the early childhood initiatives across the city in a first-ever series of conversations.

The Kids’ First Years (KFY) State of Early Childhood 2025 event will be held at First Baptist Church (2922 King Street) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Mayor Alyia Gaskins will kick off the free event with opening remarks, along with KFY CEO Michelle Smith Howard. The event is intended to bring together city leaders, educators, and advocates to “build a thriving early childhood system that fuels the city’s economy, strengthens the workforce and supports every family,” according to the nonprofit.

Playa Bowls seeks to open Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

A Playa Bowls franchise has submitted paperwork to open at 1229 King Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A Playa Bowls franchise just submitted paperwork with the city to open at 1229 King Street in Old Town.

The quick-service restaurant will sell “fruit bowls, oatmeal bowls, smoothies, and juices for takeout and pickup,” according to the special use permit (SUP) filed with the city. The chain was founded in New Jersey in 2014, and there are now more than 300 Playa Bowls locations nationwide, with the nearest one in Arlington, located at 2055 15th Street.

Friends of Dorothy, a neighborhood queer cafe, is fundraising to open in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 12:45PM

Dorothy Edwards is working on opening Friends of Dorothy, a neighborhood queer cafe, in Alexandria (courtesy image)

Are you a friend of Dorothy?

Since World War II, the coded question has been used to determine whether someone is queer. Now, Dorothy Edwards is using the phrase as the name for the first-ever LGBTQ+ focused cafe in Alexandria. For the last several months, Edwards has been raising money to cover six months of operating expenses at a yet-to-be-determined space, build-out of the space, and equipment. She says that once the cafe is up and running, it’s all she wants to do for the rest of her life.

Sweetside Café and Creamery to hold ribbon-cutting Oct. 11 in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Sweetside Coffee and Creamery opened this week next to Northside 10 restaurant at 10 E. Glebe Road in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood. (Photo via @thesweetsideva Instagram)

A new ice cream cafe is holding a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 11 in Del Ray.

The ribbon will be cut at Sweetside Café and Creamery (10 E. Glebe Road) at 10:30 a.m., and specials and giveaways will be offered at the event, according to the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA). The shop is owned by Teresa Keefer, who also owns Northside 10, which is directly next door, and Southside 815 in Old Town.

Alexandria eviction filings jump 21% in 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 10:15AM | Updated October 2, 2025 at 3:52PM

Alexandria's eviction trends dashboard shows 3,738 summonses filed in 2025, up 21% from the previous year. (Screenshot via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria recorded 3,738 eviction summonses in 2025 as of Thursday, up 21% from the previous year, according to the city’s eviction trends dashboard. The figure represents an increase of nearly 200 filings since Mayor Alyia Gaskins reported 3,544 filings during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The rising numbers come as Alexandria faces economic pressures from federal downsizing affecting approximately 13,000 federal employees living in the city and a federal government shutdown that began Wednesday.