News | ALXnow - Part 194

Alexandria schools reassure families that ICE agents have not visited campuses amid enforcement concerns

Published August 19, 2025 at 12:12PM

School buses preparing at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt sent a message to the school community Tuesday reassuring families that federal immigration agents have not visited any school campuses, following concerns about recent enforcement activity in the city.

“We want to clarify that while ICE agents currently may be active in the City of Alexandria, ICE agents have thus far not visited any ACPS campuses during this school year,” Kay-Wyatt wrote in the message shared with students, staff and families.

Federal agents return to Chirilagua, arrest individual at bus stop day after construction worker detentions

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published August 19, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated August 19, 2025 at 2:53PM

Federal immigration officials arrested a man at the DASH bus stop at W. Glebe Road and Florence Drive, near the Eaton Square apartments in Alexandria’s Chirilagua neighborhood, Aug. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Federal agents returned to Alexandria’s Chirilagua neighborhood Tuesday morning and arrested an individual at a bus stop, one day after detaining 15 construction workers in the same area.

Video provided to ALXnow shows approximately six agents, some masked and some not, with “Police Federal Agent” markings arresting an individual at the DASH bus stop at W. Glebe Road and Florence Drive, near the Eaton Square apartments where the construction workers were taken into custody Monday afternoon.

Music, markets, and cultural festivities highlight busy Alexandria week

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 19, 2025 at 10:30AM

Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Ethan Yuan Photography via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria residents can kick off the week with BeerYoga and book clubs Tuesday night, then dive into a packed weekend featuring the 2025 Around The World Cultural Food Festival at Oronoco Bay Park, continuing Summer Restaurant Week specials, and live performances ranging from Beatles tributes at The Birchmere to open mic nights across the city.

The week also offers educational opportunities including Korean language classes, robotics workshops for kids, and various farmers markets throughout the weekend, while city meetings address budget affairs and public health initiatives.

AlexRenew offers free tours of Alexandria wastewater facility Sept. 20

By James Cullum

Published August 19, 2025 at 10:00AM

AlexRenew headquarters (via Alexandria Renew Enterprises/Facebook)

Where does all that water go after it rains, or after you take a shower?

AlexRenew is hosting free open house tours of its wastewater facility at 1800 Limerick Street in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood. The tours last approximately 45 minutes and will be held on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children aged 14-17 must be accompanied by a guardian, and all visitors are required to wear closed-toe shoes and pants. They will also be provided with a hard hat, safety vest, and toe covers.

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership issues RFP for website redesign

By James Cullum

Published August 19, 2025 at 9:00AM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership has put out a request for proposals (RFP) to revamp its website.

While the nonprofit doesn’t want a new logo, it does want qualified marketing and design firms for a “phased communications and marketing initiative” that includes a “light-touch messaging framework, a full website redesign (including video and content support), and collateral templates to support AEDP’s business development and public engagement efforts,” according to AEDP.

Notes: Alexandria School Board to meet Thursday for regular business session

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 19, 2025 at 7:59AM

The Alexandria School Board selected Michelle Rief as chair and Chris Harris as vice chair for the 2025-2026 school year on July 10, 2025 (via ACPS)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Aug. 19, the 231st day of 2025. There are 134 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

New poll shows Spanberger ahead, but Earle-Sears closes gap

By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury

Published August 19, 2025 at 7:55AM | Updated August 19, 2025 at 12:50PM

Democrat Abigail Spanberger (left) and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears are competing in Virginia’s 2025 governor’s race. A new Roanoke College Poll shows Spanberger leading by 7 points. (Photos by Parker Michels-Boyce and Mechelle Hankerson for the Virginia Mercury)

Democrat Abigail Spanberger holds a 7-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for Virginia governor, according to a new Roanoke College Poll that shows the contest tightening since the spring.

The survey, released by the college’s Institute for Policy and Opinion Research Tuesday morning, found Spanberger supported by 46% of likely voters compared with 39% for Earle-Sears. Fourteen percent remain undecided, and 1% said they would back someone else. The numbers mark a closer race than in May, when Roanoke’s poll showed Spanberger ahead 43%-26%.

Community leaders condemn ICE arrests of construction workers in Alexandria’s Chirilagua neighborhood

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 18, 2025 at 6:35PM | Updated August 19, 2025 at 2:54PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at community gathering (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Federal immigration agents arrested 15 construction workers at an Alexandria apartment complex Monday afternoon, sparking an evening community rally where city officials and residents denounced the enforcement action.

The arrests occurred at Eaton Square Apartments on Florence Drive in the Chirilagua neighborhood while the men were working on a roofing project, according to Evelin Urrutia, executive director of Tenants and Workers United. The timing coincided with the first day of school in Alexandria, heightening community concerns about children’s safety.

Alexandria seeks public input on school crosswalk upgrades by Aug. 29

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2025 at 6:30PM

Proposed pedestrian improvements outside Charles Barrett Elementary School and George Washington Middle School (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is asking for public feedback on plans to upgrade crosswalks near schools in Arlandria and Del Ray.

The city’s Crossing Improvements Phase II would transform the sidewalks around Charles Barrett Elementary School (1115 Martha Custis Drive) and George Washington Middle School (1005 Mount Vernon Avenue). The deadline to submit feedback on the plans is Friday, Aug. 29.

Family member launches GoFundMe for man who died in Alexandria police custody

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 18, 2025 at 4:30PM

Standing For Allan: Farewell With Dignity & Fight 4 Justice (via GoFundMe)

The family of Alan Tucker II, who died Friday while in Alexandria police custody, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and legal expenses as they seek answers about his death.

The fundraiser, titled “Standing For Allan: Farewell With Dignity & Fight 4 Justice,” was organized by Brittany Tucker, who identified herself as Tucker’s younger sister. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised $2,850 toward a $16,000 goal from 22 donations.

Debating the debates: Spanberger, Earle-Sears to face off Oct. 9

By Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

Published August 18, 2025 at 4:28PM | Updated August 19, 2025 at 6:25AM

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger (left) and Winsome Earle-Sears (right). (Photos by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

In Virginia’s governor’s race, the candidates aren’t just preparing to debate — they’ve been debating whether to debate.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that she has accepted a debate set for Oct. 9, hosted by Norfolk State University and WAVY-TV.