News | ALXnow - Part 221

Alexandria City Council to consider increases to residential parking permit fees

Published April 3, 2025 at 12:30PM

The Alexandria City Council will consider substantial increases to residential parking permit fees at its upcoming April 8 legislative meeting. The proposed ordinance would amend the city code to raise fees across all permit categories, with the most significant increases targeting households with multiple vehicles.

The ordinance, scheduled for introduction and first reading, would modify Section 5-8-77 of the city code governing parking permits in residential districts. If approved, the changes would take effect following a second reading and enactment planned for April 30.

History-Making Mayor: Alyia Gaskins celebrated by peers as Alexandria’s first Black female leader

By James Cullum

Published April 3, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated April 3, 2025 at 3:47PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins (center in green) honored by her peers, April 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Role model, history maker and mayor — being Mayor of Alexandria is more than just chairing meetings. On Wednesday (April 2), Mayor Alyia Gaskins was honored with a party by her peers as the first Black female mayor of the city.

The event, which wasn’t a fundraiser, was held at Junction Bakery & Bistro (1508 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray, and was organized by City Council Member Jacinta Greene, retired Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, and Monika Chapman.

ALXnow set to launch inaugural Readers’ Choice Awards, inviting community to celebrate local favorites

By ALXnow.com

Published April 3, 2025 at 9:30AM

ALXNow Reader Choice logo

Get ready to champion your favorite local spots!

Next week, ALXnow, Alexandria’s most-read news source, will launch the ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards, a new initiative designed to celebrate the city’s best businesses, people, and activities, as chosen by the community itself.

Lawmakers push back on Youngkin budget, pass bipartisan bills on probation, dangerous driving

By Charlotte Rene Woods, Nathaniel Cline and Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury

Published April 3, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated April 3, 2025 at 1:07PM

The Virginia House of Delegates during veto session on Wednesday. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

In a swift and silent rebuke, the Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday signed off on just 41 of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed changes to the $188 billion state budget, rejecting the other 164 without floor debate.

Democrats fail to override Youngkin vetoes in largely symbolic showdown

Notes: Meetings next week offer Alexandria residents the chance to comment on proposed I-495 express lanes extension

By ALXnow.com

Published April 3, 2025 at 7:30AM

I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study Map (via VDOT)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers. Patchy fog between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 82 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20%. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 64 degrees. Showers are likely on Friday, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 68 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Democrats fail to override Youngkin vetoes in largely symbolic showdown

By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury

Published April 2, 2025 at 7:40PM

The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond in the spring of 2025 (photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

In a dramatic but ultimately symbolic show of defiance, Virginia House Democrats on Wednesday tried — and failed — to override 13 of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes from this year’s legislative session, knowing full well the numbers were never in their favor.

Youngkin, a Republican, rejected 157 of the 915 measures sent to his desk by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly in February, flexing his veto pen more aggressively than any Virginia governor in decades.

Wacif has millions in loan financing ready for women entrepreneurs in Northern Virginia

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2025 at 4:09PM

Jenna Perkins of DiscovHer Health in Alexandria (courtesy photo)

Alexandria’s Jenna Perkins has a goal to revolutionize women’s health, but she can’t do it alone.

Perkins has been able to stay afloat and grow her business DiscovHer Health (113 Oronoco Street) with loan assistance, mentoring, and more in a Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) accelerator program. This week, Wacif is launching their Office of Women’s Initiatives, which will loan millions in capital support to women like Perkins to start and grow their businesses.

Senator Warner warns ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs will raise costs for Americans

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 2, 2025 at 3:40PM

Senator Mark Warner during media availability on Wednesday, April 2 (via Senator Mark Warner's office)

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is leading a bipartisan effort to block President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, warning they will raise prices for American consumers and damage a crucial trading relationship with one of the nation’s oldest allies.

“This Liberation Day is actually going to be going down as tax day for Americans,” Warner said during a media call with Virginia media on Wednesday (April 2), referring to Trump’s self-proclaimed “Liberation Day” announcement of new tariffs.

FAA increasing support, oversight for air traffic controllers at DCA; evaluating current arrival rates

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 2, 2025 at 3:30PM

At Gravelly Point, a man in a folding chair reads a book as planes land at National Airport (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out new safety measures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

On Wednesday (April 2), the FAA announced plans to boost support and oversight for air traffic controllers at DCA. This includes increasing the number of operational supervisors from six to eight.

Volunteers to be honored for thousands of community service hours in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2025 at 2:15PM

Image via Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteering in Alexandria isn’t exactly a thankless job.

Later this month, 84 individuals working with Volunteer Alexandria will be honored for their selfless work to donate thousands of hours toward the betterment of the city. From gathering and distributing free food to shoveling snow and organizing meet-ups and clubs, the honorees provide a valuable service that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.

ACPS restarts collective bargaining process as Alexandria renews agreements with police, fire and technical staff

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2025 at 1:00PM

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

Alexandria City Public Schools wants a formalized collective bargaining agreement sent to the city manager by the end of the year, but it comes as the city is renegotiating its agreements with police, fire, and administrative and technical staff.

It’s been a year since the school system failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the Education Association of Alexandria (EAA). Last year, the School Board held a public hearing and approved a draft collective bargaining resolution with the goal of presenting the package to City Manager Jim Parajon for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.