The Alexandria City Council voted 5-2 to approve changes to the Independent Community Police Review Board ordinance, bringing an end to a years-long process to get the board fully operational.
The approved changes include limiting the board’s subpoena power to documents only and requiring City Council approval for investigations when there’s disagreement between the board and the independent auditor.
Welcome to Friday’s weekly roundup of our top stories.
With ALXnow, it’s easy to catch up on the latest news in Alexandria. This week, we focused on coverage of our local, state, and federal governments. We also reported a lot of crime, including a homicide in the city’s West End.
Alexandria is gearing up for a major economic summit on May 8, focusing on the city’s future growth. Stephanie Landrum, who heads the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), updated the Alexandria City Council on the event’s preparations during a Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (April 23).
“We’re aiming to engage the community in discussions about economic growth opportunities,” Landrum explained.
Alexandria City Council members reached consensus Tuesday night (April 22) on a series of budget adjustments for fiscal year 2026, including a $1 million transfer to Alexandria City Public Schools and funding for several community initiatives.
Alexandria City Council members submitted numerous budget proposals for consideration. They were first heard and discussed at a FY 2026 Budget Add/Delete Public Hearing on April 8. This add/delete work session allowed council members to propose final changes to City Manager James Parajon’s proposed budget before final adoption on April 30.
Alexandria City Council voted to advance proposed changes to the city’s police oversight ordinances Tuesday night (April 22), moving forward recommendations from a council subcommittee that address key issues, including investigation authority and subpoena power.
The ordinance amendments, which passed on first reading in a 6-1 vote, will be docketed for a public hearing and final passage on Saturday, April 26.
The Alexandria City Council is considering increasing stormwater fees. A public hearing was held during its Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (April 22).
Despite the opportunity for public input, no residents came forward to speak, and council members didn’t discuss the matter.
The Alexandria City Council is set to hold its Public Hearing Meeting on Saturday, April 26, with a diverse agenda that includes development projects, zoning amendments, and special recognitions.
The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber at 301 King Street and will also be accessible electronically via Zoom and other platforms.
Alexandria’s Independent Community Policing Review Board unanimously opposes proposed changes to its authority to investigate allegations of police misconduct.
Earlier this month, the board opposed ordinance changes reducing its subpoena power, as well as a proposal to let the City Council act as a final arbiter on whether cases are investigated in the event of an impasse between the Board and the Independent Policing Auditor. The changes were drawn up by a subcommittee, which includes Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and Council Member Canek Aguirre.
The Alexandria City Council is preparing for its April 22, 2025, legislative meeting, which has a packed agenda that includes public hearings on stormwater utility fees and residential parking permits, as well as special recognitions and updates on economic development.
The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. with an executive session to discuss investment of public funds, followed by two public hearings and the regular meeting agenda.
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber ALX) is gearing up for its annual City Council Breakfast on Tuesday, May 6. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the National Industries for the Blind (3000 Potomac Ave.).
Several key city officials are scheduled to attend, including Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, and council members John Taylor Chapman, Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi, Jacinta Greene, and Kirk McPike.
Life at Alexandria City High School isn’t easy, not even when you’re a cartoon.
Just follow the latest adventures of best friends Nyx and Soliana in the monthly West End Girls comic in the Alexandria City High School newspaper, Theogony. The cartoon is the creation of comics editor Rozalia Finkelstein, who won two awards for her work at last year’s National High School Journalism Conference.
