News | ALXnow - Part 173

Ghazala Hashmi wins Democratic nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor

By Olivia Diaz | Associated Press/Report For America

Published June 18, 2025 at 11:01AM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 12:41PM

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The candidates for Virginia’s lieutenant governor are set to make history after Sen. Ghazala Hashmi won the Democratic nomination for the position on Wednesday.

Hashmi is the first Muslim and the first Indian-American to be nominated to appear on the ballot for a Virginia statewide office. She defeated five other candidates, including Democrat Levar Stoney by less than a percentage point, to secure the nomination in a razor-thin primary race. Stoney congratulated Hashmi on Wednesday in a concession statement.

Old Town sewer upgrade set for July, Wilkes Street Tunnel to close briefly

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 18, 2025 at 10:30AM

Alexandria is preparing to replace the old sewer pipes on the 500 block of South Lee Street. The project aims to boost capacity and prevent backups by replacing existing 6-inch and 8-inch pipes with larger 10-inch ones between Wilkes and Gibbon streets.

Set to kick off in July, this $250,000 upgrade is expected to take four months. City officials will share details at a community meeting for the South Lee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project at City Hall on June 25, with a Zoom option available for those who cannot attend in person.

Center for Alexandria’s Children names Terri Cheshire its Executive Director

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 18, 2025 at 9:15AM

The Center for Alexandria’s Children Announces Terri Cheshire as Executive Director (via The Center for Alexandria's Children)

The Center for Alexandria’s Children has named Terri Cheshire as its new Executive Director.

Cheshire, who’s been serving as Acting Executive Director recently, got the job after a nationwide search. She brings more than two decades of experience in child welfare, forensic interviewing, and advocacy to the table.

With official results pending, Hashmi declares victory in Democratic lieutenant governor primary

By Samantha Willis, Virginia Mercury

Published June 18, 2025 at 8:40AM

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi was one of seven contenders vying to be Virginia’s next lieutenant governor. She remained the leading candidate, although official results of the race were not determined by Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy campaign)

Richmond-based state Senator Ghazala Hashmi declared victory in Virginia’s Democratic lieutenant governor primary Tuesday night, although the official results of the six-way contest are yet to be determined.

As of Wednesday morning, Hashmi remained the frontrunner in the contest, with 27.49% of 477,845 votes total. Her closest competitors were former Richmond mayor Levar Stoney, with 26.65%, and Aaron Rouse, a state senator representing Virginia Beach who earned 26.16%.

Notes: How Alexandria voted in the 2025 June Democratic Primary

By ALXnow.com

Published June 18, 2025 at 8:00AM

Vote Here sign outside of Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Voters in Alexandria are participating in a Democratic Primary Election for Lt. Governor and Attorney General on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91 degrees. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Virginia Democrats move to round out ticket in key off-year election

By Olivia Diaz | Associated Press/Report For America and Ryan Belmore

Published June 17, 2025 at 9:01PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:04AM

Vote Here sign outside of Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Voters in Alexandria are participating in a Democratic Primary Election for Lt. Governor and Attorney General on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Del. Jay Jones will look to be the face of legal resistance to President Donald Trump in Virginia after winning Tuesday’s closely watched Democratic state primary for attorney general.

Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in the November general election. His victory was a critical step for Democrats in rounding out their ticket ahead of a bellwether election later this year.

Six Alexandria students receive Community Foundation scholarships

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 17, 2025 at 7:15PM

2025 Grantees & Scholarship Awardees (via Community Foundation for Northern Virginia)

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded scholarships to six Alexandria students, part of a group of over 100 recipients who will share more than $350,000 for the 2025-2026 school year.

These scholarships, which range from $1,200 to $5,000, assist students in managing the costs of higher education.

Olympic 100 champion Noah Lyles calls off weekend race with Miami’s Tyreek Hill for personal reasons

By The Associated Press

Published June 17, 2025 at 6:30PM | Updated June 17, 2025 at 6:56PM

FILE - Noah Lyles, of the United States, slows down after winning a men's 100-meters heat during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

A race between Noah Lyles, the Olympic 100-meter champion and Alexandria, Virginia native, and Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill that was never formally announced but supposedly taking place this weekend was called off by Lyles for “personal reasons.”

Lyles announced the cancellation Tuesday at Stagwell’s Sport Beach event in Cannes, France. His news was captured in a video posted by the New York Post on Instagram.

Development of Robinson Terminal North, the last open area on the waterfront, gets green light

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2025 at 6:15PM | Updated June 17, 2025 at 7:01PM

Plans for Robinson Terminal North (via City of Alexandria)

Robinson Terminal North, the last untapped area of Alexandria’s waterfront, just got unanimous approval for redevelopment by the City Council.

Property owner Rooney Properties wants to convert the 3.2-acre, two-block site into two mixed-use buildings with 73 luxury apartments, three restaurants, and more than an acre of open space along the Potomac River at historic West’s Point.

Here’s the last available voting turnout numbers in Alexandria before polls close

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2025 at 5:00PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:04AM

The 4 p.m. count on primary day, June 17, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

There’s less than three hours before polls close in Alexandria.

Here’s how the numbers are looking, as of 4 p.m.:

Alexandria’s historic Pendleton Rooming House getting a makeover

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

1022 Pendleton Street (Credit: Corrine Jackson Lee Dixon)

A 100-year-old rooming house in Alexandria’s Parker-Gray neighborhood is getting a significant facelift to keep providing affordable housing.

The Pendleton Rooming House (1022 Pendleton St.) is starting a big renovation project, according to the City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing. They’re upgrading the building’s central systems to make it safer and more accessible while preserving its historic charm.