News | ALXnow - Part 292

Notes: Actor Jeff Daniels to open for Folk legend Tom Rush in Alexandria tonight

Published April 5, 2025 at 6:30AM

Tom Rush, Matt Nakoa, and Jeff Daniels will perform at The Birchmere Music Hall on April 5. (via The Birchmere)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., then isolated showers after 5 p.m.. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 76 degrees. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be around tonight before 2 a.m., then scattered showers after 5 a.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62 degrees. South wind around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

ACPS names new principal for Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 7:45PM

ACPS Announces Adaarema S. Kelly as Principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is welcoming Adaarema S. Kelly as the new principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, starting July 1, 2025.

Kelly, who currently leads Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, brings over 25 years of K-12 education experience to her new position.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins reflects on first 100 days, answers questions during live one-on-one conversation with ALXnow

By ALXnow.com

Published April 4, 2025 at 6:00PM

Ryan Belmore, Publisher of ALXnow, and Mayor Alyia Gaskins in conversation on Friday, April 4, 2025

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed many community concerns in the inaugural “Ask the Mayor” session with ALXnow on Friday (April 4), highlighting her first 100 days in office, the city’s response to federal uncertainty, and much more.

The conversation, hosted by ALXnow Publisher Ryan Belmore, marks the beginning of a new monthly ALXnow series designed to provide residents with direct access to city leadership.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 19, 2025 at 3:10AM

Alexandrie firefighters battle fire on Duke Street (via Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF Local 2141)

Welcome to Friday in Alexandria. What a week we’ve been having.

To start things off, ALXnow broke the story of an Alexandria Police Department’s arson and burglary investigation after Sunday morning’s (March 30) shopping center fire that shuttered multiple businesses in the 5200 block of Duke Street.

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter facing no opposition this November

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2025 at 3:30PM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s going to be a smooth election season for Alexandria’s Democrat Commonwealth Attorney Bryan Porter and Sheriff Sean Casey.

No Republicans or other Democrats filed respective primary bids for both seats by the April deadline. That means that the only opposition the Porter and Casey face is from write-in candidates on election day in November, according to the city registrar’s office.

Virginia House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring kicks off reelection campaign

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2025 at 3:15PM

Del. Charniele Herring at her campaign kickoff at Clyde's at 1700 N. Beauregard Street on April 3, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Facing no opposition in November, Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-4) launched her reelection campaign in Alexandria on Thursday night (April 3).

Herring was joined at Clyde’s (1700 N. Beauregard Street) in the West End by prominent Democrats, including U.S. Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-7th) and Don Beyer (D-8th), members of the General Assembly, as well as Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and members of City Council.

WATCH: Mayor Alyia Gaskins joins ALXnow for a one-on-one conversation

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 1:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins (staff photo by James Cullum)

ALXnow will launch its new monthly interview series featuring exclusive one-on-one live virtual video conversations with Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins today (April 4) at 2 p.m.

The “Ask The Mayor” series will provide Alexandria residents with regular opportunities to hear directly from Mayor Gaskins on pressing city issues and to submit their questions for consideration.

Mold, Pests, and Smoke: Here’s how the Healthy Homes Action Plan aims to create healthier homes in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 11:00AM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s Healthy Homes Network has unveiled a new action plan to tackle the city’s top home condition issues. The plan addresses problems like mold, smoke, pests, and hoarding.

This comprehensive strategy results from extensive community input, including a 2023 survey and nine focus groups where residents shared their experiences and proposed solutions. The Healthy Homes Network, a coalition of nearly 30 organizations and city agencies, used this feedback to develop five key strategies:

Notes: Alexandria goes to the dogs this weekend

By ALXnow.com

Published April 4, 2025 at 7:30AM | Updated April 4, 2025 at 8:33AM

ALX Dog Walk. Photo courtesy of Visit Alexandria

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3 p.m., then isolated showers between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. High near 71 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 90%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight, there will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 56 degrees. Northeast wind around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

School Board greenlights renaming process for three ACPS facilities

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 5:30AM | Updated April 4, 2025 at 9:28AM

The crowd at Alexandria City High School's Parker-Gray Stadium on Sept. 17, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

The Alexandria City School Board has approved starting the naming process for three school facilities.

At its April 3 meeting, the board approved initiating the naming process for the Early Childhood Center courtyard, Naomi L. Brooks Media Center, and Parker-Gray Stadium field.

Alexandria School Board reviews strategic plan, redistricting efforts

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 5:00AM | Updated April 11, 2025 at 12:40PM

ACPS School Board meets on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (via ACPS)

During its regular meeting Thursday (April 3), the Alexandria City School Board received presentations on the division’s draft strategic plan for 2025-2030 and updates on the ongoing redistricting process.

The meeting began with a recognition of five Alexandria City High School students who received prestigious Posse Foundation and QuestBridge scholarships. Delegate Alfonso Lopez presented proclamations from the Virginia General Assembly honoring the students.