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Virginia Senators snag $4 million for Alexandria housing and pre-k programs | ALXnow

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Virginia Senators snag  million for Alexandria housing and pre-k programs | ALXnow


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A rendering of the Ladrey High-Rise on Wythe Street (via ARHA)

New federal funding could be coming to Alexandria, particularly to programs boosting affordable housing and pre-k programs for low-income families.

The funding is in the Senate’s draft government funding bills, which just passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Two of the biggest items pertaining to Alexandria are related to benefitting low-income residents:

  • $2,000,000 for the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) to support a project to construct 270 modern, affordable apartments for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Alexandria.
  • $2,000,000 for Hopkins House to create space to house economic security, early learning, and housing stability programs for low-income Virginians in Alexandria.

While the release from Kaine’s office doesn’t specify which project the ARHA funding will go to, ARHA is working on a 270-unit redevelopment of the Ladrey High Rise in Old Town North, which houses seniors and residents with disabilities.

Hopkins House, meanwhile, runs a day preschool academy in Old Town that provides education for children and families regardless of income.

Additional funding set aside for Alexandria includes:

  • $1,150,000 for the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia to support English proficiency to help Virginians in Arlington and Fairfax counties and Alexandria enter the workforce.
  • $419,000 for the City of Alexandria to renovate and create ADA accessibility to the Freedom House Museum. From 1828 to 1861, the site stood as a slave pen and center of the domestic slave trade in Alexandria and the U.S.
  • $405,000 for Survivor Ventures to help survivors of human trafficking enter or re-enter the workforce through paid employment opportunities with local small businesses in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William counties and Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, and Manassas.

  • Vernon Miles

    Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He’s covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he’s not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.




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PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments

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PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach Police are at the scene of a firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments Saturday afternoon, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

The department also confirmed there are no shooting victims at this time.

10 On Your Side is at the scene and working to gather more information about the situation.

10 On Your Side will update this story when more information is available.

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Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.



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Hampton Roads leaders, experts weigh in on Virginia Supreme Court redistricting ruling

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Hampton Roads leaders, experts weigh in on Virginia Supreme Court redistricting ruling


PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Democrats are not happy about a state Supreme Court decision declaring last month’s referendum to draw new congressional districts null and void.

Democrats, however, have filed a motion asking the Virginia Court to delay its 4-3 decision while they file an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

Virginia’s current map that favors Democrats by a narrow 6-5 margin will stay in effect for the midterms. Both sides, though, have a lot to say to say about today’s decision.

Two months ago, you couldn’t avoid the political ads and mailers on both sides of the issue.

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“Everybody remembers we got a few million dollars worth of flyers in our mailboxes, and everything with redistricting that whole referendum has now been overturned by the court decision,” said Old Dominion University Associate Professor of Political Science Jesse Richman.

On April 21, Virginia voters approved redrawing congressional maps that would have given Democrats a 10-1 advantage, giving them a strong chance to pick up four additional seats in November.

More than two weeks later, the Virginia Supreme Court rendered the results null and void, saying the required constitutional processes were not followed before this was put up for a vote. So what does that mean for Virginians?

“As it is, we stay with the districts we have,” Richman said. “If [Democrat] Bobby Scott’s your representative, he’s still your representative. The lines aren’t moving. If [Republican] Jen Kiggans is your representative, [she’s] still your representative.”

Scott and Kiggans spoke to 10 On Your Side shortly after today’s decision.

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“I’m disappointed,” Scott said. “People voted, three million people voted, it carried in 55 of the 100 House of Delegates districts, so the people spoke.”

“It’s a big day for Virginia today,” Kiggans said. “It’s a victory for the rule of law [and] it’s a victory for fairness.”

That split reaction has also been felt among voters, some even rallying in front of the Virginia Supreme Court. One of them was Hampton’s NAACP Branch President Gaylene Kanoyton.

“We have got to make sure that we mobilize and don’t let this get us down,” Kanoyton said. “We need to be energized.”

Virginia Democrats have vowed to fight Friday’s ruling, saying they intend to file an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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“I expect we’ll see more intense political campaigning in the midterms in this area because of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Richman said.



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17th Annual VB Surf Art Expo kicks off summer season at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

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17th Annual VB Surf Art Expo kicks off summer season at Virginia Beach Oceanfront


90+ artists to exhibit on the Va. Beach boardwalk with the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Get ready for the largest surf art show on the East Coast!

The 17th Annual Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on the boardwalk, 3rd through 7th streets, will begin Saturday, May 23, through Sunday, May 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., ending on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Courtesy: VB Surf Art Expo (Antone Nixon, with VB Sunrise)

The Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo features over 90 regional artists from Maine to the Mid-Atlantic region and down through Florida, capturing the essence of the beach, the ocean, wildlife, sea life, and surfing-related themes in art.

The Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo is partnered with the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic and the surfing competition at the 1st Street Jetty.

This event is an official kick-off to the summer season at the Oceanfront.

“Isn’t seeing an artist’s interpretation of the beach vibe the very best way to enjoy it? We drip salt water from our pores,” says Jodie Woodward, founder and show director of the Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo.

Surf art comes in all mediums, including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, wood, metal, fiber, glass, and mixed media, all available for purchase at the art expo.

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Each artist has a special connection with surfing, the ocean, beach life, sea life, seascape scenes, shells, coral, dolphins, fish, lighthouses, mermaids, custom surfboard and skateboard designs. 

Expect to see more Patriotic themes this year in alignment with America’s 250th birthday, officials say.

“We can’t wait for the 23rd Annual Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic presented by Katin,” says D. Nachnani, president of Coastal Edge. “This Memorial Day Weekend, the heart of Virginia Beach becomes the soul of East Coast surfing. We’re proud to host the WSL World Tour Longboard event alongside our professional shortboard competition. With over 300 athletes representing more than a dozen countries, and a combined $16,000 purse on the line, this is more than a contest—it’s a celebration of art, athleticism, music, and the surf culture that defines our coast,” Nachnani went on to say.

For more information about the Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo, click here, call (757) 348-1048, connect on the Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo’s Facebook here, or their Instagram here.

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