Here’s a quick recap of our top stories this week. Over the last weekend, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed its list of sanctuary jurisdictions, which included Alexandria, from its website. The list contained numerous errors, including localities being mentioned multiple times, as well as towns being incorrectly designated as cities. It drew stern condemnation from Alexandria’s elected leaders.

“DHS did not provide any information regarding the criteria used to compile the list, any sources or research used for the designation, or a response to local governments seeking clarification,” Mayor Gaskins told ALXnow. “As a result, they published a list that was wrong and mischaracterized cities like ours. We follow the law and uphold the constitutional and civil rights of our residents.”


Things are about to get a little cozier for Alexandria soccer players.

The Alexandria Soccer Association is providing the city with eight bench shelters (four sets of two), valued at $58,520, to be installed at the soccer fields at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) and Limerick Field (1800 Limerick Street). On Tuesday (June 10), the City Council will consider accepting the KWIK Goal bench shelters and authorizing City Manager Jim Parajon to finalize the donation.


Plans to redevelop the Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise in Old Town have been deemed “infeasible” by the property owner, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has “terminated operating support for building management and maintenance” due to delays in the redevelopment, and now ARHA plans on moving more than 150 residents out of the 1970s-era building by the end of the year. Consequently, ARHA wants the city to back loans to acquire The Alate (1122 First Street), a recently built senior housing apartment building in the Braddock neighborhood, for the relocation of Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise residents.


The Alexandria City Council is set to tackle a wide-ranging agenda during its upcoming Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (June 10). The meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will be held in the Council Chamber (301 King Street) with options for electronic participation.

The meeting’s docket includes consideration of numerous grant applications, ordinances, and appointments to various boards and commissions throughout the city.


Some noticeable exterior changes at Wells Fargo Bank at 330 N. Washington Street are heading to the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review.

The bank is requesting permission from the city to remove its drive-thru window, replace a window with a night deposit box, and make other modifications to the 20,000-square-foot building.


Get ready for a possibly stormy weekend, Alexandria. The National Weather Service says storms are heading our way, starting Friday evening.

Despite a sunny start with highs near 86°F, there’s a 30% chance of rain after 5 p.m. Friday. As night falls, the odds of showers and thunderstorms increase, with a slight chance of rain returning after 2 a.m. Saturday. Expect overnight lows around 67°F.


Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Friday, June 6, the 157th day of 2025. There are 208 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Isolated showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 20%. Scattered showers and thunderstorms tonight before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67 degrees. Light south wind. The chance of precipitation is 30%.


Weather permitting, the Shirlington Circle ramp to the northbound I-395 general purpose lanes (I-395 North to Washington) will have nighttime closures Thursday night, June 5, and Sunday night, June 8, for paving, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

The ramp closures will occur as follows:


After nearly 20 years in Old Town, Izalia Hair Removal & Rejuvenation Laser Spa permanently closed this week. The company’s website is down, and so are their Facebook and Instagram pages.

In a farewell email to customers, founder Annette Antonelli stated that the situation is “heartbreaking” and that the business had been operating at a loss for “quite a while.” She also said the closure is partly due to customers who did not meet their agreed-upon dates for multiple laser hair removal sessions and consequently expected free treatments.


Patrick Henry K-8 School (4643 Taney Avenue) is dismissing students and staff early Thursday (June 5) due to issues with its air conditioning system.

Due to temperatures exceeding 80 degrees inside the building, students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. All school-related events at Patrick Henry Recreation Center are also canceled.


With summer vacation just days away, Alexandria leaders were on hand at Francis C. Hammond Middle School on Thursday (June 5) to receive 500 free backpacks filled with school supplies.

The backpacks, most of which are being stored for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, were donated to the Title I school as part of a collaboration between United Way National Capital Area, Enterprise Mobility, and American Water. United Way NCA’s partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools has provided more than 3,500 backpacks to the West End school since 2017.


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