city government | ALXnow

ACPS ‘censorship’ of Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper Theogony ignites firestorm of criticism

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated May 5, 2025 at 2:13AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After a firestorm of criticism from city leaders and student journalists over proposed oversight changes to Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper, Theogony, this morning (May 2), the Alexandria School Board’s Governance Committee returned to the drawing board.

From reporting on a transportation controversy to investigations into the School Board, transgender policies, or even lampooning metal detectors in cartoons, Theogony student journalists take their roles seriously. Now, with City Council members warning of potential “censorship” and “authoritarian” behavior from the school system, student journalists are alleging a concerted effort from the administration of Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt to suppress touchy or controversial stories from appearing in the monthly publication.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:50PM

This man was among three men shot in the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard in Arlandria on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been an intense week in Alexandria.

Here’s a look back on this week’s top stories. Our most-read post was on the shooting of three men in Arlandria on Sunday night (April 27). Police found the victims with gunshot wounds shortly after being called at around 9 p.m. They were transported to area hospitals, and no arrests have been announced. Witnesses heard a barrage of gunfire, and the Alexandria Police Department is asking for help in the investigation.

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Alexandria City Council passes $956.5 million FY 2026 Budget amid ‘time of great uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2025 at 9:05PM

Alexandria City Council approves the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, April 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, Alexandria’s City Council unanimously adopted its $956.5 million operating budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon said it was challenging crafting a budget that keeps city services without increasing real estate or property taxes. The city’s budget grew 3.2% over the current fiscal year, with its largest line item being a fully-funded Alexandria City Public Schools, as well as significant stormwater management funding for the city’s $2.1 billion FY 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Program.

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Alexandria wants to increase rental fees at these city-owned facilities

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2025 at 2:00PM

The swimming pool at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s about to get more expensive to have fun at city-owned properties in Alexandria.

On Wednesday, April 30, the City Council will consider approving rental fee increases for several of the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities programs.

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10 Questions with Alexandria’s outgoing Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2025 at 2:07PM | Updated April 25, 2025 at 10:44AM

Alexandria Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam at City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

For a moment, Zeina Azzam seemed lost for words.

On Tuesday, Alexandria’s outgoing poet laureate was praised by the City Council for her literary impact on the city. For the last three years, Azzam has written and read 23 original poems at the city’s birthday celebration and other significant events with thousands in the audience. She’s led poetry readings and workshops, visited schools, and judged poetry contests.

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Alexandria’s Independent Community Policing Review Board is against proposed changes to its investigative authority

By James Cullum

Published April 18, 2025 at 1:30PM | Updated April 20, 2025 at 12:41AM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Alexandria’s Office of Climate Action gets gutted in budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 2:15PM

Hanging out at Waterfront Park in Old Town in July. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Office of Climate Action is only two-and-a-half years old, and now the City Council is considering eliminating half of its budget to partially fund a one-time, $1 million reallocation to Alexandria City Public Schools.

Multiple speakers both decried and supported the proposed move to eliminate $300,000 from the department’s budget during Tuesday night’s public hearing on proposed additions and deletions from the city budget.

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Alexandria Police Chief discusses 100-day action plan, crime reduction strategy with ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire gives an update to City Council, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire is focusing on six “micro areas” throughout the city as part of a targeted approach to reducing crime.

McGuire, who just finished his first 100 days in office, spoke about his plans with ALXnow in an exclusive interview after his presentation to the City Council on Tuesday (April 8). The specific locations have not been revealed, except he said that they are well-known crime hotspots.

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100 days on the job and counting, Alexandria Police Chief to provide update on public safety

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 7:10PM

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

A little more than 100 days on the job, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire will appear before City Council on Tuesday (April 8) to present his department’s public safety review and plan.

McGuire started work last November, embarking on a 100-day action plan that involved town hall meetings to solicit feedback from the public on areas needing focus.

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ACPS restarts collective bargaining process as Alexandria renews agreements with police, fire and technical staff

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2025 at 1:00PM

School buses preparing at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools wants a formalized collective bargaining agreement sent to the city manager by the end of the year, but it comes as the city is renegotiating its agreements with police, fire, and administrative and technical staff.

It’s been a year since the school system failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the Education Association of Alexandria (EAA). Last year, the School Board held a public hearing and approved a draft collective bargaining resolution with the goal of presenting the package to City Manager Jim Parajon for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

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PLANS: Council Chambers gets moved to the ground floor in proposed Alexandria City Hall renovation

By James Cullum

Published March 31, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 1:45PM

Concept of the Alexandria City Hall modernization, March 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

When all is said and done, Alexandria’s City Council may conduct city business on the ground floor of the renovated City Hall.

That’s just one of the many proposed changes to the 150-year-old building and Market Square at 301 King Street heading to the city’s Board of Architectural Review on April 16 (Wednesday).