News | ALXnow - Part 224

ACPS ‘censorship’ of Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper Theogony ignites firestorm of criticism

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated May 5, 2025 at 2:13AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After a firestorm of criticism from city leaders and student journalists over proposed oversight changes to Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper, Theogony, this morning (May 2), the Alexandria School Board’s Governance Committee returned to the drawing board.

From reporting on a transportation controversy to investigations into the School Board, transgender policies, or even lampooning metal detectors in cartoons, Theogony student journalists take their roles seriously. Now, with City Council members warning of potential “censorship” and “authoritarian” behavior from the school system, student journalists are alleging a concerted effort from the administration of Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt to suppress touchy or controversial stories from appearing in the monthly publication.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:50PM

This man was among three men shot in the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard in Arlandria on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been an intense week in Alexandria.

Here’s a look back on this week’s top stories. Our most-read post was on the shooting of three men in Arlandria on Sunday night (April 27). Police found the victims with gunshot wounds shortly after being called at around 9 p.m. They were transported to area hospitals, and no arrests have been announced. Witnesses heard a barrage of gunfire, and the Alexandria Police Department is asking for help in the investigation.

Alexandria Planning Director Karl Moritz to retire after 16 years with city

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:45PM

Planning & Zoning Director Karl W. Moritz (via City of Alexandria)

Karl W. Moritz, Alexandria’s Director of Planning & Zoning, is retiring after 16 years with the city, including 11 years in his current role.

City Manager James Parajon today announced the retirement, which marks the end of Moritz’s 40-year career in planning.

Alexandria Weekend Weather: Warm Saturday gives way to high rain chances, soggy Sunday expected

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:00PM

Break Water rendering courtesy of Nekisha Durrett

Alexandria can look forward to a warm, if breezy, start to the weekend, but umbrellas will be essential as chances for showers and thunderstorms increase Saturday afternoon and become highly likely throughout a cooler, soggy Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Expect highs near 88 degrees Saturday before widespread rain arrives Sunday, when temperatures will only reach the upper 70s and the chance of precipitation climbs to 90 percent.

City to unveil new Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project designs at public meetings

By ALXnow.com

Published May 2, 2025 at 12:30PM

A rendering of a fully built-out Point Lumley Park along the Alexandria waterfront in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

City officials are preparing to showcase updated designs for the ongoing Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project at a series of public meetings scheduled throughout May and June.

Residents will have multiple opportunities to view and learn about the latest plans for protecting key areas, including Point Lumley Park, Waterfront Park, and the King Street waterfront area, starting with a presentation to the Board of Architectural Review on May 7th.

City of Alexandria wins 2025 Better Practice Award from U.S. Department of Energy

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 2, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated May 2, 2025 at 11:58AM

Three city representatives, Energy Manager Valerie Amor, Green Building Manager David Kaiser, and Energy Project Specialist Charles Jackson, accepted the award. (via Eco-City Alexandria)

Alexandria is making waves in energy management, earning a 2025 Better Practice Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative. The city’s Building Performance Program for City Facilities caught officials’ eyes, showcasing innovative energy efficiency approaches.

The award, presented in Washington, D.C. on May 1, highlights Alexandria’s commitment to smart energy practices. Jeremy McPike, Director of the Department of General Services, points out that the city has already cut energy use by about 16% in the last five years. This new program aims to build on that success, keeping Alexandria at the forefront of sustainability efforts.

Notes: Titan Student Art Exhibition opens today at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

By ALXnow.com

Published May 2, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated May 2, 2025 at 9:55AM

Alexandria City High School Titan Student Art Exhibition at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Isolated showers before 8 a.m., then scattered showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight – Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then isolated showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. South wind 5 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Primary season begins as early voting kicks off Friday and Virginians start shaping the 2025 ballot

By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury

Published May 2, 2025 at 5:23AM | Updated May 2, 2025 at 10:42AM

Early voting in the June 17 primaries starts May 2. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

Virginia voters can begin casting ballots Friday, May 2, as early voting opens for the June 17 primary elections. These primaries will determine party nominees for key statewide offices and legislative seats ahead of the November general election, which could reshape the state’s political landscape.

While Virginia’s gubernatorial race between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is set, Democrats still have to settle their tickets for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

US wants to move Georgetown scholar’s deportation lawsuit from Alexandria to Texas. Judge appears skeptical

By Olivia Diaz and Ben Finley | Associated Press/Report for America

Published May 1, 2025 at 6:12PM | Updated May 2, 2025 at 3:32PM

Anita Martineau, of Arlington, Va., left, and her daughter Marisa Martineau, center, rally in support of Georgetown University scholar Badar Khan Suri, in opposition to his arrest and detention, before a news conference following his hearing outside of the courthouse, at the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Trump administration told a federal judge Thursday that a Georgetown University scholar’s lawsuit against deportation should be moved from Virginia, where it was filed, to Texas, where he’s jailed over allegations of “spreading Hamas propaganda.”

U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles seemed skeptical of the government’s request, which would involve her dismissing the case in Virginia. She raised concerns that a dismissal in her court would void her order in March to keep Badar Khan Suri in the U.S. while his First Amendment case plays out.

Uber and Lyft drivers boycott for higher wages in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated May 1, 2025 at 4:00PM

Uber driver Nupur Chowdhury participated in a boycott of the rideshare service at the New Virginia Majority office in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of Uber and Lyft drivers from around the region boycotted both companies today by turning off their apps in Alexandria.

The boycott was part of an international May Day effort calling on Uber and Lyft to be more transparent in regard to fees, fares, and more. Over four hours today, the drivers gathered at the New Virginia Majority office (3801 Mt Vernon Ave) and made speeches, ate lunch, held a poetry reading and talked to each other.

Supporters rally in Alexandria for Georgetown professor detained by ICE

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 1, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated May 1, 2025 at 6:13PM

Supporters Rally for Dr. Badar Kham Suri, a Georgetown Professor who was recently detained by ICE (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Dozens of supporters are currently gathered outside the U.S. District Court in Alexandria to support Georgetown University professor Dr. Badar Khan Suri during his immigration hearing. The rally, which began at 1 p.m. on May 1, continues as supporters await the results of the proceedings.

Dr. Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 17 after his J-1 visa was revoked. According to rally organizers, he was “abducted by masked ICE agents” as part of what they describe as a campaign against visa and green card holders connected to pro-Palestine activism.