It was 160 years ago that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — after the Civil War’s end and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

The resulting Juneteenth holiday — its name combining “June” and “nineteenth” — has only grown in one-and-a-half centuries. In 2021, President Joe Biden designated it a federal holiday — expanding its recognition beyond Black America.


Voters are trickling into Alexandria’s precincts on this rainy Tuesday (June 17).

Today’s the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general. As of noon, 3,258 Alexandrians (3.33% of registered voters) cast in-person ballots, and 5,511 voted absentee — adding up to 8,769 ballots cast (8.7%).


The Alexandria Police Department (APD) has removed from consideration a controversial request that would have granted school resource officers direct access to student records, according to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).

Following the grilling of Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire by the City Council, the School Board unanimously voted last Thursday to extend the soon-to-expire two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ACPS and the police. The six-month extension means that Alexandria City High School and the city’s middle schools will continue with their assigned school resource officers as is, while the details of the draft MOU are ironed out.


During a critical June membership drive, ALXnow is aiming to reach 200 total members in its new Press Club by the end of the month to sustain its recent expansion of in-depth local news coverage. ALXnow is seeking the community’s help to bridge a gap created by a challenging economic climate and a decline in advertising revenue.

Over the past three months, our team has produced more than 730 stories—the vast majority of which are original, in-depth reports you won’t find anywhere else. We are digging deep into city government and budgets, providing regular updates on Alexandria City Public Schools, and diligently covering key beats such as criminal justice and local business. By attending nearly every notable local meeting and reporting on daily events, we ensure you stay connected to what’s happening across Alexandria.


Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of rain before noon, then a slight chance of showers between noon and 2 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy fog between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 82 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Hazardous Weather Outlook


RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats are set on Tuesday to pick their nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general, rounding out the statewide ticket and setting the stage for a bellwether election later this year.

Most of the nominees slated to be at the top of the November ticket have already been picked, and Republicans aren’t even having a statewide primary.


The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are warning residents about potential exposures to measles in Northern Virginia.

According to AHD, VDH has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in an individual. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.


Alexandria is set to break ground on improvements to Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.

Construction will result in a phased reopening of the park, with a full reopening scheduled for August 2026. The groundbreaking will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, according to the city.


Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) made changes to its 2025-26 school calendars, adding more instructional days and improving flexibility for weather-related closures.

The Alexandria City School Board approved updates to both the traditional and Tucker/Modified calendars during its School Board meeting on Thursday (June 12).


A Fairfax County man is out on bond after allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting two women at the Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metro stations last month.

Jeffrey Gary, 35, a Georgetown Law graduate, was employed as an assistant division chief by the Federal Communications Commission up until his June 1 arrest. He was released Friday (June 13) on four bonds totaling $14,000, according to court records.


There’s only three community cookouts left this summer in Alexandria, and the next one is around the corner.

With free food, games and more, the annual series of cookouts started in late April with the intention of connecting residents to their city government and leaders. The next cookout is Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (5653 Taney Avenue).


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