Opinion | ALXnow

Letter to the Editor: Redistricting – What we’ve heard, what’s changing, and what comes next

By Kelly Carmichael Booz, Christopher Harris, and Ryan Reyna

Published May 8, 2025 at 6:00AM | Updated May 8, 2025 at 6:32AM

Redistricting Update: What We’ve Heard, What’s Changing, and What Comes Next

As the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) redistricting process nears its final stages, members of the ACPS Strategy and Accountability Committee: Kelly Carmichael Booz (District B), Christopher Harris (District C), and Ryan Reyna (District A), are providing an update on their progress, detailing how community feedback has been instrumental in refining new boundary proposals and shaping key policy decisions.

While acknowledging the complexities and tough trade-offs involved, the update emphasizes a more straightforward path forward to strengthen the school system with students at the center of every decision.

Letter to the Editor: Brenman Park’s public restrooms are an embarrassment to Alexandria – and a wake up call

By Lawrence Stanley

Published May 6, 2025 at 3:15PM | Updated May 6, 2025 at 3:32PM

Ben Brenman Park (via City of Alexandria)

In a letter to the editor, Alexandria resident Lawrence Stanley voices outrage over the “shameful reality” of neglected public restrooms at Brenman Park.

Stanley describes unsanitary conditions, including feces-stained toilets and abandoned clothing, persisting over time, even with a satellite police station operating from the same facility. He calls for accountability from city leadership to restore the park’s restrooms to a dignified and usable state for the families, seniors, and community members who rely on this public space.

Poll: Who should have final say over content in the ACHS student newspaper, Theogony?

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:54PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

The debate over editorial control at Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper, Theogony, has drawn input from students, city leaders, and school officials after proposed policy changes raised concerns about censorship.

As the School Board committee sends the issue back for more discussion, we’re asking our readers to weigh in: Who should hold the authority to approve or reject student articles?

Poll: Which of these Alexandria-themed horses would you bet on in the Kentucky Derby?

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 2, 2025 at 9:00AM

2024 Kentucky Derby Race (via Kentucky Derby)

The air is thick with anticipation, not just mint julep aromas, as the 151st Kentucky Derby approaches tomorrow (May 3). While Alexandria might not have a horse running for the roses at Churchill Downs this year, the city’s rich history and iconic scenery provide ample inspiration for a dream field of contenders we can cheer for in spirit.

As racing fans nationwide pick their favorites, we decided to have a little hometown fun. What if the Derby contenders drew their names not just from pedigrees, but from the very streets, landmarks, and neighborhoods that make Alexandria unique?

Poll: What’s the best Mexican restaurant in Alexandria?

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 30, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated April 30, 2025 at 7:04PM

Poll: Best Mexican Restaurant in Alexandria

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away, but it’s always a great time to enjoy a margarita and a delicious meal from the thriving Mexican and Tex-Mex food scene in Alexandria.

Here are the top spots for Best Mexican Restaurant in Alexandria as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Your favorite Mexican restaurant not listed? Feel free to write it in.

Never miss Alexandria happenings: Get ALXnow headlines delivered for free

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 30, 2025 at 9:30AM

First off, thank you for following ALXnow on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and X. (And if you don’t already, you know what to do.)

If you want more local news, join the 8,500+ people who have already signed up for the free daily newsletter.

Letter to the Editor: Why Alexandria should let the Planning Commission do its job

By Phoebe Coy

Published April 30, 2025 at 5:45AM

The proposed conceptual design of The Whitley Phase 2, 802-808 N. Washington Street in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

Phoebe Coy of YIMBYs of Northern Virginia celebrates the Whitley Phase 2 housing approval but argues it exemplifies a flawed process in the following Letter to the Editor.

She contends that requiring City Council approval for nearly every housing project due to zoning, parking, or density bonus rules creates unnecessary delays and burdens the Council. Coy calls for zoning reforms to empower the Planning Commission to approve more housing directly, streamlining the response to Alexandria’s housing shortage.

Letter to the Editor: City must become much more aggressive in implementing its environmental plans and policies

By Bill Hendrickson

Published April 29, 2025 at 2:31PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

On Sunday, April 27, at the Del Ray Garden Fest, Alexandria resident Bill Hendrickson received the Ellen Pickering Award for Environmental Excellence from the city.

Upon receiving the award, Bill made the following remarks about the city’s environmental plans and policies. Bill provided the remarks to ALXnow for consideration as a Letter to the Editor.

Letter to the Editor: The benefits of bilingual education starting in elementary school

By Lauren Sutherland

Published April 25, 2025 at 12:30PM

Mount Vernon Community School at 2601 Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray (via Google Maps)

As debates surrounding language and education continue, both nationally and here in Northern Virginia, one local voice is passionately advocating for the power of bilingualism from an early age.

Lauren Sutherland, an Alexandria resident currently pursuing an Elementary Education degree at William & Mary and an alumna of Mount Vernon Community School’s dual-language program, argues that the advantages extend far beyond simply speaking a second language.

Grow Your Alexandria Business: Advertise on ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 24, 2025 at 9:30AM

Finding the right audience in a vibrant city like Alexandria is key to business growth, and ALXnow provides a direct connection to the heart of the community.

Since launching in 2019, ALXnow has become a trusted news source, rapidly growing to reach over 250,000 engaged monthly visitors (as of our 2024 data). This readership isn’t just passing through; they are the people who live, work, and invest in Alexandria and its surrounding areas, actively seeking local information, making ALXnow the premier digital platform to place your message for maximum local impact.

Speak Your Mind: ALXnow now accepting Letters to the Editor

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 21, 2025 at 2:30PM

ALXnow.com is opening its doors to reader opinions by accepting letters to the editor.

The first batch of submissions includes a letter from parents of the “Scroggins Triangle.” They’re worried about how the ongoing redistricting in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) might shuffle students around. Their main point? Keep disruptions to a minimum during this change.