Alyia Gaskins | ALXnow

Alexandria leaders rattled by Trump administration’s attempt to freeze federal grants and loans

Published January 29, 2025 at 2:35PM

Donald Trump (from campaign website)

Alexandria nonprofits can breathe a sigh of relief after the White House today rescinded a controversial order by President Trump’s administration to withhold all federal grants and loans.

The Trump administration ordered a halt to all federal and grant programs on Monday (Jan. 27), and it was soon after temporarily blocked from going into effect until Monday, Feb. 3. The block was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan and the White House rescinded the order on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

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Mayor says Alexandria law enforcement won’t help ICE conduct immigration raids

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated January 29, 2025 at 12:10PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins says that recent immigration enforcement raids in nearby jurisdictions have resulted in “fear, confusion, and concern,” and that the city won’t assist federal investigators.

In a statement posted on the city website today, the Democrat mayor said that Alexandria will always be a welcoming community where “all residents are supported, respected, and valued.”

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ACPS superintendent to present budget this week after city asks to keep increase modest

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2025 at 11:30AM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt will unveil her fiscal year 2026 budget this week, and the city is asking the school division to keep the budget increase over last year’s budget modest.

In his budget presentation to the City Council in November, City Manager Jim Parajon outlined a 2%, or $5.5 million, combined funds budget increase for ACPS amounting to $278.5 million.

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Mayor Alyia Gaskins says Alexandria needs to take ‘bold swings at economic development’

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Without getting into specifics, Alexandria’s new Mayor Alyia Gaskins says that the city has to be intentional and take “big, bold swings at economic development.”

More than 80% of the city’s revenue comes from residential real estate taxes, versus about 19% from commercial properties. The issue was a major political conversation from council candidates leading up to the Democratic primary in June and general election last month.

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Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council sworn into office amid ‘backdrop of deep uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published January 3, 2025 at 11:20AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, with her family, takes the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the new City Council were sworn into office on Thursday (Jan. 2), ushering in a new era of city governance with the new year.

Gaskins is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of the city. She stood alongside her husband and two children and took the oath of office from Clerk of the Court Greg Parks onstage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (4915 E. Campus Drive) at Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus.

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Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire sworn in and unveils ‘100 Day Action Plan’

By James Cullum

Published December 11, 2024 at 9:51AM | Updated December 11, 2024 at 10:11AM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire gets sworn in at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Dec. 10, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Surrounded by city leaders, Alexandria’s new Police Chief Tarrick McGuire was sworn in on Tuesday (Dec. 10).

McGuire is the third permanent chief of the Alexandria Police Department in three years. The city’s Chief Circuit Court Judge Lisa Kemler swore him in onstage at the amphitheater of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Old Town.

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PHOTOS: Del Ray celebrates Christmas tree and menorah lighting

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2024 at 3:30PM

The Del Ray Christmas tree lighting, Dec. 8, 2024 (photo by Danielle Anderson)

It’s officially the holiday season in Del Ray.

On Sunday night, hundreds turned out for the lighting of the Del Ray Christmas tree and menorah at Pat Miller Square on Mount Vernon Avenue.

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Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson is leaving politics

By James Cullum

Published November 27, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated November 27, 2024 at 8:16PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray, Nov. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Pretty soon email inboxes won’t get those monthly newsletters from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. It’s the end of an era in the city, as Wilson leaves office in January.

Wilson is looking forward to it.

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BREAKING: Alyia Gaskins elected Alexandria’s first Black female mayor

By James Cullum

Published November 5, 2024 at 10:07PM | Updated November 6, 2024 at 12:28AM

Alexandria Mayor-elect Alyia Gaskins speaks at Pork Barrel BBQ after declaring victory, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins made history tonight by becoming the first Black woman elected mayor of the city.

Gaskins was surrounded by her City Council colleagues and Democratic supporters as she accepted the results at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray.

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‘I feel ready’ says Alexandria’s next Mayor Alyia Gaskins after casting vote

By James Cullum

Published November 5, 2024 at 7:55AM

Alexandria Democratic mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins, holding her son, votes in the early morning of Election Day at the Cameron Station precinct, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After nearly a year of campaigning, City Council Member Alyia Gaskins said on election day that she’s ready to be the next mayor of Alexandria.

Gaskins won the three-way Democratic primary for mayor in June, and faces no opposition in the general election. She will be the first Black woman elected mayor of the city.

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PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 275th birthday celebration on the waterfront

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2024 at 9:55AM | Updated July 15, 2024 at 12:29PM

Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cupcakes, music and fireworks punctuated Alexandria’s 275th birthday on Saturday.

It was a clear night for a party at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) along the Potomac River. Mayor Justin Wilson and city leaders spoke onstage before handing out thousands of birthday cupcakes.