News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 10, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 10, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria City Council ends impasse, approving police union’s collective bargaining salary increase (2111 views)
  2. Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor (792 views)
  3. Gov.-elect Spanberger taps Alexandria Sheriff for transition committee (472 views)
  4. ACPS student performance holds steady behind state levels, new data shows (376 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature near 37 degrees and northwest winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, occasionally gusting up to 29 mph. Cloud cover will increase during Thursday night, bringing the temperature down to around 27 degrees while a gentle west wind blows at 5 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

ACPS student performance holds steady behind state levels, new data shows

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria City High School's graduation at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena, May 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Student achievement across Alexandria City Public Schools appears to be hovering steady compared to last year, according to new state data, but the district’s numbers still linger behind the commonwealth.

In the 2024-2025 school year, 62% percent of ACPS students passed state reading tests, up one percentage point from the year prior, according to Virginia Department of Education’s accountability system, the School Performance and Support Framework.

Go to ACPS student performance holds steady behind state levels, new data shows Read more
Sponsored

First look: Inside Old Town’s newest ultra high-end townhomes

By Brett Rice
1/12

Some of the most ultra high-end (some with an elevator) townhomes in the DC region will deliver in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, just blocks from the King Street Metro.

Sales have already begun and while some new owners have already moved in, there are immediate move-ins available.

Brooks Estate is a collection of 13 sophisticated, four-bedroom and four-and-a-half bath residences that blend custom details, modern amenities and cutting-edge technology.

Looking for walkability? It doesnt get much better than this! Restaurants like Call Your Mother Deli and Hard Times Cafe and Augies Mussel House and Beer Garden are seconds away, and Brooks Estate is just a couple of blocks walk to the King Street Metro.

All of the homes boast 2,600 to over 3,000 square feet of space, chef’s kitchens with professional series Thermador appliances, spa-like baths, as well as rooftop terraces, two-car garages, and some homes available with elevators. Pricing starts at $2,287,500.

The homes at Brooks Estate provide an exceptional blend of luxury living with traditional architectural details that reflect the Old Town neighborhood. Rooms are connected by graceful arches and adorned with traditional flourishes like crown moldings.

Brooks Estate standard finishes include high-end custom cabinetry and custom-built rift and quartered white oak oven hoods and island surrounds. The flooring—by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray—is a true 3/4-inch-thick luxury wide-plank engineered European white oak hardwood floors that are sanded and finished on site.

Cutting-edge details include wireless smart home features throughout the house, with Lutron Wi-Fi light switches; garages fitted with Wi-Fi and cameras, and that are EV-ready; Wi-Fi/Bluetooth unit entry-door locks; Wi-Fi heated floors in the primary bath; nearly soundproof windows; and sound insulation in all bedrooms, bathrooms, and mechanical rooms. (more…)

News

More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish’ economy

By Katie Taranto
City Manager Jim Parajon provides a city economic update to City Council, Dec. 9, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have continued to seek out local tax assistance as the city’s economy reels from federal layoffs, rising living costs and increased unemployment.

Alexandria has currently provided a total of 95 car tax payment plans averaging some $1,053 each, in addition to 12 real estate payment plans that average $4,189 per year.

Go to More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish’ economy Read more
News

Gov.-elect Spanberger taps Alexandria Sheriff for transition committee

By James Cullum
Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey at the swearing in of Police Chief Tarrick McGuire, Dec. 10, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey has been named to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s Transition Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Policy.

Casey was notified last week in an email from Spanberger’s staff that he was named to the committee and assigned to its eight-member Criminal Justice/Corrections Subcommittee.

Go to Gov.-elect Spanberger taps Alexandria Sheriff for transition committee Read more
News

Alexandria’s public housing authority struggles with budget uncertainty

By James Cullum
ARHA properties in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s public housing authority is struggling to put together its budget in the wake of the recent government shutdown.

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a goal of submitting its budget to its Board of Commissioners next month, ARHA’s Chief Financial Officer Sheila White told the board on Monday night.

Go to Alexandria’s public housing authority struggles with budget uncertainty Read more
Around Town

Washington Capitals bringing new youth street hockey league to Alexandria

By Katie Taranto
Capitals street hockey programming (courtesy of the Washington Capitals)

Francis C. Hammond Middle School is among three regional venues that will host a new, co-ed youth hockey league led by the Washington Capitals in the new year.

Registration has opened for the team’s first-ever Capitals Street Hockey League (CSHL), intended for kids ages 5-12. The season’s eight weekends of games, lasting from March through May 2026, will take place at three venues, including the middle school at 4646 Seminary Road, according to a release.

Go to Washington Capitals bringing new youth street hockey league to Alexandria Read more
News

Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor

By Katie Taranto
Ameratu Kamara speaks at her appointment as Alexandria's Independent Policing Auditor on Dec. 9 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ameratu Kamara has been appointed as Alexandria’s second Independent Policing Auditor.

Kamara was first appointed as the city’s acting auditor in January following the December 2024 death of former auditor Kim Neal, who had fulfilled the role since its commencement in 2022. City Council unanimously appointed Kamara to the role during its legislative meeting last night (Tuesday).

Go to Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor Read more
News

Alexandria City Council ends impasse, approving police union’s collective bargaining salary increase

By James Cullum
Dozens of Alexandria Police Department officers attended City Council's public hearing on collective bargaining with the department's union on Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council ended the collective bargaining impasse regarding three outstanding issues between the Alexandria Police Department’s union and the city late last night (Tuesday).

In a meeting at City Hall that lasted until 11:30 p.m., Council decided in favor of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association’s request for $10.2 million in increased salaries for APD officers, sergeants and lieutenants over the next three years, while backing the city’s positions on pay parity and an annual $1,200 longevity bonus for those sworn staffers.

Go to Alexandria City Council ends impasse, approving police union’s collective bargaining salary increase Read more
News

Morning Notes for December 10, 2025

By ALXnow.com
Holmes Run trail in December 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

VRE Names New President — “Virginia Railway Express will soon have new leadership at the helm, with Katie Choe stepping in as its next chief executive officer as the system accelerates its shift from a commuter-focused rail service to expanded operations beginning in January.” [Virginia Mercury]

APD Story Updated — A story published Monday was updated with a table reflecting the city of Alexandria’s most recent collective bargaining offer to the Virginia Police Benevolent Association from the time of publication. Another story regarding last night’s City Council resolution hearing is forthcoming. [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for December 10, 2025 Read more
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