News | ALXnow - Part 219

Housing Alexandria unveils Cardinal Path: 31 affordable townhomes coming to Seminary Road

Published June 27, 2025 at 9:10AM

Housing Alexandria rebrands Seminary Road development to Cardinal Path Courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Housing Alexandria has rebranded its Seminary Road development as Cardinal Path, bringing 31 affordable townhomes to Alexandria with prices starting at $365,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers.

The nonprofit announced Thursday that the development at 4575 Seminary Road will offer a mix of 16 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units priced at $365,000 and 15 three-bedroom, two-bathroom units at $395,000. The development also includes five single-story, elevator-accessible condominium flats, bringing the total homeownership units to 36.

Notes: Free Lyft rides available in Alexandria this July 4th weekend to combat drunk driving

By ALXnow.com

Published June 27, 2025 at 8:10AM

Lyft. Credit: Lyft

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79 degrees. East wind 6 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72 degrees. East wind around six mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

Dual threats from Trump and GOP imperil nursing homes and their foreign-born workers

By Jordan Rau/KFF Health News

Published June 27, 2025 at 5:30AM

Most of the caregivers at Goodwin House Alexandria are foreign-born. “Nearly every one of us from Africa, we know how to care for older adults,” says Jackline Conteh, a certified nursing assistant, standing with one of the residents, the Rev. Donald Goodness. (Photo by Alyssa Schukar for KFF Health News)

By Jordan Rau/KFF Health News

In a top-rated nursing home in Alexandria, Virginia, the Rev. Donald Goodness is cared for by nurses and aides from various parts of Africa. One of them, Jackline Conteh, a naturalized citizen and nurse assistant from Sierra Leone, bathes and helps dress him most days and vigilantly intercepts any meal headed his way that contains gluten, as Goodness has celiac disease.

Alexandria Living Legend Gayle Reuter is retiring, and sticking around Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 7:40PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 7:09PM

Del Ray's Gayle Reuter speaks at the mayoral campaign kickoff for Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins Jan. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Gayle Reuter is retiring.

The news will travel fast around Del Ray, where the Alexandria Living Legend has lived and volunteered for decades. For the last five years, she’s also worked full-time as the accreditation manager for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO).

Alexandria Health Department warns of another potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 2:00PM

Skin of a patient after three days with measles rash (via CDC)

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is sharing details on a June 19 potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Health was notified that on June 19, a child with a confirmed case of measles traveled from another country to Washington Dulles International Airport en route to North Carolina. VDH announced the potential exposure on June 25 (Wednesday).

VDOT suspending highway work zones and lane closures July 3-7

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 1:30PM

Interstate 395 northbound in Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good news if you’re traveling in and around Alexandria for the upcoming July 4 weekend.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) just announced that it will suspend many highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures on interstates and major roads from 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, to 12 p.m. on Monday, July 7.

Senator Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, raises concerns about NSF displacement

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 3:21PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees.

The Virginia Democrat, speaking during a media availability Thursday (June 26), said he has not seen any cost evaluation for the move that will displace approximately 1,800 NSF employees from their headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave.

Heat Advisory and Flood Watch issued for Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 12:00PM

Flooding in Old Town on May 9, 2022, staff photo by James Cullum

The heatwave continues, as the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and flood watch for Alexandria.

Heat index values of up to 107 degrees are expected in the region, and the advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. The NWS has also issued a Flood Watch, which will be in effect from 3 p.m. into the evening.

Alexandria Mayor Gaskins endorses Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorse Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the dpecial election for Virginia's 11th Congressional District (via Facebook)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorsed Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the special election for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat.

There are 10 Democrats and seven Republicans vying for the seat, following the death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in May. Both the 11th District Democratic Committee and the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee have chosen Saturday, June 28, as the primary date to choose their respective candidates. The special election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

There are just four days left to vote for Alexandria in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Small Cities” list

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 9:45AM

Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are only four days left to choose Alexandria in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

Alexandria has been consistently ranked as one of the top five small cities in the country for the past six years. Last year, the city got third place nationwide. The voting deadline is Monday, June 30.

USPTO switches Southeast Regional Office from Atlanta to Alexandria, sparking congressional criticism

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 26, 2025 at 8:39AM

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will establish its new Southeast Regional Outreach Office at its Alexandria headquarters, reversing a previous decision to locate the facility in Atlanta, according to an announcement from the federal agency on June 6.

The USPTO had originally announced in December 2023 that it would launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office in Atlanta in late 2025. However, the agency now says it “wants to begin serving the southeast region immediately from Alexandria.”