Opinion | ALXnow

Join the ALXnow Press Club: Support independent local journalism in Alexandria

Published July 9, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated July 9, 2025 at 9:45AM

We’re incredibly grateful that you’re part of the ALXnow community. Now, we invite you to take your connection with local news to the next level by joining the ALXnow Press Club.

New research from the Pew Research Center reveals a stark reality about how Americans consume news. While 74% of Americans regularly encounter paywalls when searching for news online, only 17% actually pay for journalism. When people encounter a paywall, only 1% pay for access; most either look elsewhere for free content (53%) or give up (32%).

Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 17, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated June 28, 2025 at 7:02AM

Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria (via ALXnow)

Whether you’re craving an egg sandwich or a bagel piled high with your favorite toppings, there are quite a few spots around Alexandria to get your fix.

Here are the nominees for “Best Bagel Shop in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

If you count on ALXnow for local news, we’re counting on your support this month

By ALXnow.com

Published June 12, 2025 at 1:15PM

ALXnow is producing more original local news coverage month over month than at any time in its history, establishing itself as an essential community resource. However, a challenging economic climate for advertising is threatening our ability to maintain that pace. To bridge that gap and continue our dogged coverage of Alexandria, we are launching a June membership drive for our recently formed ALXnow Press Club.

Over the past three months, our team has produced more than 730 stories—the vast majority of which are original, in-depth reports you won’t find anywhere else. We are digging deep into city government and budgets, providing regular updates on Alexandria City Public Schools, and diligently covering crucial beats like criminal justice and local business. By attending nearly every notable local meeting and reporting on daily events, we ensure you stay connected to what’s happening across Alexandria.

Be the Pulse of Alexandria: Why joining the ALXnow Press Club matters more than ever

By ALXnow.com

Published June 4, 2025 at 12:30PM

Since its launch in March, the ALXnow Press Club has been steadily growing, offering readers a unique way to deepen their connection with their community and the news that shapes it. Now, ALXnow is inviting all its readers to consider joining this vital initiative, which bolsters the local journalism that keeps Alexandrians informed and engaged.

At the heart of the ALXnow mission is a core belief: local, independent journalism should be accessible to everyone. That’s why all our daily reporting, from breaking news to in-depth community features, remains free for all to read, without a paywall in sight. The Press Club is designed to uphold and strengthen this commitment.

Letter to the Editor: We encourage our fellow Virginians to learn about Abigail Spanberger

By Roberta Finkelstein

Published May 28, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 3:48PM

Abigail Spanberger with Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala in Alexandria on April 10, 2025, after the candidate formally received the organization's endorsement (staff photo by James Cullum)

Roberta Finkelstein of Alexandria writes in strong support of Abigail Spanberger for Governor, citing her impressive background and focus on issues critical to Virginians.

This Letter to the Editor is in response to an April 10 ALXnow story on Spanberger’s rally and stance on gun safety.

Unlock Exclusive Access and Support Your Community: Join the ALXnow Press Club today!

By ALXnow.com

Published May 28, 2025 at 9:00AM

In an era where reliable local news is more crucial than ever, ALXnow is thrilled to offer readers an enhanced way to stay informed, save time, and directly contribute to the journalism that serves Alexandria. We invite you to become a founding member of the ALXnow Press Club, an exclusive membership designed to bring you closer to the news you care about while championing independent local reporting.

For those who value being in the know and want to ensure the continued vitality of community-focused news, the ALXnow Press Club offers a suite of benefits designed with you in mind:

Letter to the Editor: ACPS must act and do right by Patrick Henry

By Ruth H. Leiva

Published May 22, 2025 at 1:15PM

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

ALXnow has received the following Letter to the Editor from Ruth H. Leiva, a Landmark area resident and parent at Patrick Henry K-8 School. She writes to express deep concerns, shared by other families, teachers, and staff, regarding the ongoing Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) redistricting process and its potential impact on their West End community.

Disclaimer: The views or opinions expressed within this letter to the editor are those of the author and are not necessarily the views of ALXnow or its advertisers. Have an opinion that you’d like to share? Read more about speaking your mind through ALXnow Letter to the Editor here.

Letter to the Editor: ACPS redistricting adds disruption, not solutions

By ALXnow.com

Published May 14, 2025 at 6:00PM

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

As Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) considers a new middle school redistricting proposal, a local parent has voiced significant concerns regarding its potential impact on students and established neighborhood cohesion.

The following letter to the editor from Kate Hennigan, a mother of two Douglas MacArthur Elementary students and a long-time Alexandria resident, articulates anxieties about the plan’s effects on school communities and student stability, particularly in the wake of recent educational disruptions.

Connect with Alexandria: Advertise on ALXnow and reach 250,000+ locals monthly

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 13, 2025 at 9:00AM

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

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.

ALXnow Press Club: Membership soars, perks expand – join today and support your local news!

By ALXnow.com

Published May 8, 2025 at 9:30AM

The ALXnow Press Club, which kicked off in March, is seeing a surge in membership and offering more ways for people to get involved.

Nearly 100 founding members have already joined, allowing Alexandria residents to back independent journalism while getting special perks and content.

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.