Archive for 'Politics'

New Alexandria School Board chiefs face bevy of issues

New Alexandria School Board chiefs face bevy of issues

By Melissa Quinn New school board chairwoman Karen Graf and vice chairman Justin Keating plan to address overcrowding and the achievement gap between minority students and their white peers this year. But taking control amid budget [...]

Rookie Alexandria city councilors outline goals for the coming months

Rookie Alexandria city councilors outline goals for the coming months

By Melissa Quinn Alexandria’s two rookie city council members took the reins of power Tuesday night, and they have big plans for the coming months. Education and affordable housing issues top City Councilor John Chapman’s to-do [...]

Moran takes second shot at gun control legislation

Moran takes second shot at gun control legislation

By Melissa Quinn U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) has reintroduced firearm legislation he believes gun owners will support in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. The bill, called the “NRA Members Gun Safety Act,” [...]

Senator sentenced after pleading guilty to drunk driving

Senator sentenced after pleading guilty to drunk driving

By Melissa Quinn U.S. Sen. Michael Dean Crapo (R-Idaho) pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge at Alexandria General District Court Friday morning. Judge Becky Moore handed Crapo — a first time offender — a suspended [...]

Small business owners brace for fiscal cliff

Small business owners brace for fiscal cliff

By Melissa Quinn For Joanne Sapp, the busiest time of the year is prom season. Her store, Dejavu Boutique, boasts racks and racks of dresses – floor length and cocktail, sparkles and silk – come spring, [...]

Police: U.S. senator arrested on DUI charge

Police: U.S. senator arrested on DUI charge

Alexandria police charged U.S. Senator Michael Dean Crapo (R-Idaho) with driving under the influence after he allegedly failed several field sobriety tests following a vehicle stop early Sunday morning. Crapo, 61, was arrested after an officer [...]

Congressman’s son pleads guilty to assault charge

Congressman’s son pleads guilty to assault charge

By Melissa Quinn Updated Monday, 10:36 a.m. Despite Patrick Moran’s, son of U.S. Rep Jim Moran (D-8), guilty plea in a District of Columbia court last Wednesday, Moran stands by his claim that girlfriend Kelly Hofmann’s [...]

Lawmakers meet with Alexandria residents before General Assembly session

Lawmakers meet with Alexandria residents before General Assembly session

By Melissa Quinn The expansion of Medicaid, voting access and uranium mining topped residents’ concerns for the upcoming General Assembly session in a public meeting last week with the city’s state lawmakers. About 25 people met [...]

Alexandria officials expect quiet end to lame duck session

Alexandria officials expect quiet end to lame duck session

By Melissa Quinn With four members departing in January, Alexandria City Council is in the midst of its lamest-duck session in recent memory — but don’t expect any major, last-minute legislation. Typically, the short session acts [...]

Sequestration worries local lawmakers, economic experts

Sequestration worries local lawmakers, economic experts

By Melissa Quinn While the threat of sequester keeps Washington tied up in knots, experts warn the looming federal spending cuts could have a substantial effect on local cities and counties. Alexandria officials downplayed possible repercussions [...]