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In response to a complaint filed by conservative organization America First Legal, the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said it will open an investigation into whether Northern Virginia school districts are violating Title IX in their policies regarding transgender students.

The letter from OCR, shared by America First Legal, was in response to a complaint filed by the organization targeting Northern Virginia school divisions’ transgender student policies.


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The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will be performing a free concert at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) on Sunday (Feb. 16) as part of Alexandria’s Black History Month celebrations.

Jubilee Voices is a group led by Alexandria’s former Senior Communications Officer Andrea Blackford which performs a mix of a cappella, drama, spoken word and dance that highlight local and regional history.


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Many people who look into estate planning ask, “What is the difference between wills and trusts?” While both wills and trusts deal with estate planning, they serve different purposes. In this post, the legal team of PJI Law, PLC, estate planning lawyers from Fairfax, VA, outline the key principles of wills, trusts, and their role in asset protection.

Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell

Here are the basic features of wills and trusts:

A Will

  • Only comes into effect once the will maker is deceased
  • States who will receive the decedent’s assets
  • Appoints an executor to carry out the decedent’s wishes
  • Is potentially contestable and must go through probate, a legal examination by the court

A Trust

  • Can take effect immediately after its creation
  • Allows a person or an institution (a “trustee”) to hold assets for beneficiaries
  • Can distribute property before or after the trustor’s passing
  • Can be irrevocable or revocable/changeable
  • Assets in trust generally avoid probate

While we recommend that everyone have at least a will (whether or not you also have a trust), trusts aren’t strictly necessary for all individuals. Trusts are particularly helpful for individuals who have assets that are potentially going through probate, own property across several states, or have minor children.

Wills: the Basics of Estate Planning

A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document specifying how the will maker wishes to handle asset distribution and other affairs after their death. A will typically includes all of the principal’s assets, such as real estate, vehicles, and other property, and usually a list of debts. A will may also provide directions for a funeral or memorial service.

Usually, every will must go through a probate court before execution. In some states, it may be possible to avoid probate under specific conditions. Certain assets, such as insurance policies and retirement accounts, may, if planned properly, pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate. (more…)


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Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunshine and a high of 38 today accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 8 to 13 mph with gusts of up to 21 mph. For Friday night, clouds will increase and temperatures will drop to around 27 while winds will transition to a calm southeast breeze at about 5 mph after midnight.


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Update at 5:15 p.m. — All lanes have now been reopened

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) warned drivers to avoid the Duke Street and Quaker Lane intersection after a crash involving anywhere between nine to eleven vehicles.


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Alexandria is a famously romantic locale and Lotus Blooms, an adult and lingerie shop at 1017 King Street, wants to help local couples make the most of Valentine’s Day tomorrow (Friday).

Teal Dye, owner of Lotus Blooms, said Valentine’s Day is the busiest time of year for the shop.


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Travelers along the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge should expect delays tonight and tomorrow morning owing to bridge maintenance.

“The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge is scheduled for bridge maintenance openings from Thursday, February 13th, 10 p.m., through Friday, February 14th, 5 a.m., weather permitting,” the City of Alexandria said in an alert. “There will be multiple openings and traffic stops during this timeframe.”


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Fifty-five years after Black students walked through the doors of the original Minnie Howard School for the first time, a plaque will be installed honoring those whose efforts made it possible.

The historic marker, which will honor the efforts of two families who targeted the Alexandria School Board’s segregationist policies, is set to be unveiled in a ceremony on March 8.


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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you don’t have to look far as there are dozens of events happening across Alexandria.

Of course, this is a big weekend for George Washington in Alexandria. On Saturday, thousands of spectators will line the streets of Old Town to cheer on the oldest and largest George Washington Birthday Parade in the country. 


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The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is warning that Alexandria is seeing a significant rise in influenza.

The Virginia Department of Health data shows that last week there were 122 visits — 13.36% of all emergency room visits — in which Alexandria residents were diagnosed with the flu.