city government | ALXnow

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

Published December 10, 2025 at 9:15AM

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.

News

Amid staffing issues, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire touts crime reduction in first year

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a long first year for Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire.

While the city has seen a double-digit reduction in reported crime to-date this year, the Alexandria Police Department is struggling with staffing and compensation. Ongoing staffing issues have prompted McGuire to transfer some officers from specialized units to staff patrol operations on the street.

News

UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 10, 2025 at 2:59AM

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

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

News

Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week

By Katie Taranto

Published December 8, 2025 at 2:46PM

Aquatics class at the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility (via Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA/Facebook)

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has released its Winter 2026 Program Guide, detailing new seasonal classes, activities and more.

Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Alexandria residents can sign up for RPCA’s winter programs, which start next month and run through April 2026. Registration for nonresidents opens two days later, on Dec. 19.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 10:30AM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

News

Alexandria will close lane to repair sewer pipe in Old Town North next week

By James Cullum

Published December 5, 2025 at 12:15PM

Alexandria will conduct a sewer pipe repair at 1201 E. Abingdon Drive on Monday, Dec. 8, 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will conduct a sewer pipe repair project next week, temporarily shutting down an Old Town North roadway from Monday, Dec. 8 to Thursday, Dec. 11.

One northbound road lane will be shut down near 1201 E. Abingdon Drive to repair an 18-inch combined sewer pipe, according to the city.

News

After ACPS 10-year plan comes in $54M over budget, subcommittee pushes for cuts

By Katie Taranto

Published November 26, 2025 at 1:45PM

City Council/School Board Subcommittee meeting on Nov. 24, 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

With less than a month until its adoption, city officials are pushing Alexandria City Public Schools leaders to make further cuts to the district’s 10-year Capital Improvements Program, stressing budget constraints.

The $340 million CIP proposal exceeds the city’s recommendation by $54.5 million and arrives during a period of expected citywide budget cuts. Officials underscored the need to limit budgets across the board during a City Council/School Board Subcommittee meeting on Monday night, which followed two ACPS work sessions to fine-tune the proposal.

News

Advocacy group continues calls for Alexandria to divest from Israel at Old Town vigil

By James Cullum

Published November 26, 2025 at 11:45AM

A candlelight vigil against the Israel war with Hamas at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 25, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of protestors continued their calls for Alexandria to divest itself from Israel, decrying the tenuous ceasefire with Hamas that’s been in effect for a little more than a month.

Standing under the covered stage outside City Hall at Market Square on Tuesday night, members of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights and their supporters held a candlelight vigil and sang songs, read poems and asked the city to stop working with companies they accuse of war profiteering.

News

Alex311 customer service program rises in popularity, driving plans for future upgrades

By Katie Taranto

Published November 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

The Alexandria City Council at the legislative meeting (via City of Alexandria)

New digital modernizations and a refreshed website are coming soon to Alex311, Alexandria’s customer service program.

Alex311 staff gave a presentation on the forthcoming redesign during last night’s City Council legislative meeting (Tuesday). The updates call for investment in tools like chatbots and virtual agents with multilingual capabilities.

News

World AIDS Day event with testimonies and music happening in Alexandria next week

By Katie Taranto

Published November 25, 2025 at 11:45AM

ACOHA Commissioner speaks at World AIDS Day 2023 (courtesy of Alexandria Health Department)

The city of Alexandria plans to honor World AIDS Day with an evening of choir performances, testimonies and education next week.

The city’s annual World AIDS Day Commemoration invites residents to remember those lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate progress made for people at risk or living with HIV/AIDS and stand in solidarity against stigmas surrounding the virus. The event is scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. next Monday, Dec. 1, at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center on 1108 Jefferson Street.

News

Alexandria needs to fill dozens of board, committee and commission vacancies

By James Cullum

Published November 25, 2025 at 9:55AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Civic-minded Alexandria residents who want to help lead their city have an opportunity to serve on a board or commission, and the deadline to apply is approaching soon.

Applicants must be city residents, and otherwise a special waiver will need to be approved by City Council. Committee assignments can last between two and five years, and residents can only apply for one committee at a time. The online application deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and the following openings are available: