According to the organization, the event, which includes an open house from 2 to 4 p.m., “marks a pivotal moment for the city’s homeless community. “

The redesign aimed to create comfortable and safe living spaces, encourage community, and support healing and mental well-being.

“At Carpenter’s Shelter, we believe that people respond to their environment. It is great to see how these changes add a warm and serene feeling for our residents as they navigate through a very trying time,” stated Carpenter’s Shelter Executive Director Shannon Steene in a statement shared with 91����.

“When Carpenter’s Shelter first assumed the operations of ACS in December 2023, the walls were industrial gray, and the building was dark. With this makeover, the shelter is brighter and has a more comfortable atmosphere that feels more like a home,” said Steene

In March 2023, the City of Alexandria entrusted Carpenter’s Shelter with managing operations at ACS, a 64-bed facility.

This partnership underscores the city’s recognition of the shelter’s impactful work. Both shelters provide emergency residential services, while ACS also hosts a winter shelter program that offers 50 additional beds during the cold months, ensuring no one is left vulnerable to harsh weather conditions.

In addition to shelter, Residents receive meals, toiletries, baby supplies, and other essentials. “Our goal is to meet their basic needs while helping them move toward stability,” said Michiko Yoon, a communications specialist for the organization.

Yoon said the Carpenter’s Shelter offers job coaching, educational scholarships, and on-site therapeutic services.

“It aims to address the root causes of homelessness and create lasting change,” She told 91����,“The Leeford Junior Educational Scholarship supports residents pursuing education or certifications, such as nursing or CDL licensing. In fiscal year 2024, $20,367 was awarded to five recipients.”

According to Yoon, this program includes financial support for moving expenses and assistance in finding employment.

Carpenter’s Shelter began in the basement of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church when a priest welcomed two homeless individuals seeking refuge from the cold.

“What started as a small act of kindness evolved into a nonprofit organization serving over 900 individuals annually across multiple programs,” said Yoon

Carpenter’s Shelter also operates David’s Place, a day shelter for chronically homeless individuals. Open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, it offers laundry facilities, showers, snacks, and referrals to housing programs.

In a document shared with 91����, last year, Carpenter’s Shelter delivered over $1 million in rental assistance subsidies through its Rapid Re-Housing program, helping clients secure stable housing.

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Data from Alexandria city showed that Evictions in Alexandria are approaching pre-pandemic levels. 

During the pandemic, eviction rates dropped significantly due to protections like eviction moratoriums and rental assistance programs. However, with those protections lifted, eviction filings have steadily increased in recent years.

Eviction notices in Alexandria issued this year reached 3,564 cases, according to data from Public Tableau.

In a recent webinar hosted by Alexandria’s Office of Housing, officials highlighted the alarming state of rental affordability and eviction rates, signaling a crisis that significantly affects marginalized communities.

For renter Tawfik Haqi, the rising costs are becoming unbearable. “I’ve lived in Alexandria for over more than three years, and the rent increases have been crazy,” Haqi said.“Each year, the rent goes up in an unacceptable way.”

Rent hikes squeeze Alexandria renters

As of November 2024, the rent in Alexandria is 13% above the national average, according to a connecting renters with property managers and landlords across the United States and Canada.

The latest data from the in Alexandria reveals significant increases in rental costs across all unit types.

This year, rent for apartments in Virginia surged by about 9%. According to the data, these increases, combined with monthly utility costs between $100 and $400, place unprecedented tension on renters​.

“My rent went up from $2000 to $2600 in the last 5 years,” said Gazwan Madani, who has been living in the area for the last 8 years.

According to a published by Alexandria City, nearly 44% of renters in Alexandria are considered housing cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. 

This burden is particularly acute among low-income households, with more than 12,500 renter households earning below 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) falling into this category.​

Economic Disparities by Race and Ethnicity

The average household income for Black or African American households in Alexandria is $78,942, while it is $79,583 for Hispanic or Latino households.

In contrast, non-Hispanic white households earn an average of $145,083. These disparities exacerbate the financial vulnerability of minority renters, making them more susceptible to housing instability, according to a document published by the Alexandria government.

“Many of my neighbors are facing similar struggles,” Haki added. “We’re all trying to hold on, but it feels like the system isn’t built for people like us.”

These filings contribute significantly to housing instability, particularly in large, multi-unit rental properties.

For Haki, the prospect of eviction is a constant source of anxiety. “It’s terrifying to think about losing your home,” he said. “I’ve seen one family in my neighborhood get evicted, and it could happen to any of us if things don’t change.”

Last month, Alexandria announced 2040’s Education Month to raise awareness as the city began updating its Housing Master Plan.

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In Dearborn, Michigan, 55% of residents are of Arab descent, coming from Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, the largest population. Trump won 42.48% of the vote in Dearborn,�� compared to Vice President Kamala Harris, who won 36.26%, according to the

From the beginning, the Trump campaign is said to have spent considerable resources hiring third-party contractors to help the campaign get out the vote in Arab American communities in the state, including Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck.

Wasel Yousef, who volunteered with the Trump campaign, described setting up meetings with religious leaders, community leaders, and even a mayor or two for the Trump campaign.

According to Yousef, Arab Americans recognized the importance of participating in politics and found a response from the Republican Party.

Yousef said that the “Trump campaign at least tried to listen to us,” while he said the Harris campaign ignored the community.

Imam Belal Alzuhairi, who appeared at a Trump rally on Oct. 26, told that Arab Americans in Michigan requested five demands from Trump related to stopping the war in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, fighting Islamophobia, hiring more Muslims in his administration, and ​​protecting children’s identity in schools.

“We are supporting Donald because he promised us that he will stop the war in the Middle East and Ukraine,”�� he said to the crowd of Trump supporters.

Laila Alhusini, a journalist and founder of US Arab Radio, which focuses on Arab American issues across the U.S., agreed that Trump won Arab votes by appealing to Arab Americans’ desires for peace and promising economic relief. Alhunsini also said, “At least he tried to listen to the Arab community.”

Abdul Hafiz Sharaf, a Michigander who also collaborated with Trump’s campaign, said that Arab American voters in Michigan did not vote for Trump because they wanted him but instead because “they didn’t want to vote for Kamala and the Democrats.”

Of the Arab Americans interviewed, all pointed to ending the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Trump has promised to do that for the Arab American community, already war-weary from decades of US and US-supported conflict in their homeland.

The Arab American community, particularly in Michigan, had, until Tuesday, voted exclusively Democrat since the early ‘90s. Mohammed Haj Ali, an Arab American who is a federal employee, said 60% of Arab Americans in Michigan switched to Republicans because of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

According to Haj Alli, foreign policies from the Obama and Biden administrations have devastated the Syrian community.

War is an effective tool for sowing discontent, said Tamara Miller, another Michigander who has been working with Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids. She voted for Jill Stein. “I am in no way, shape, or form going to support a genocide,” Miller said.

Miller, who started participating in activities supporting the Palestinians shortly after the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, said the Democrats are the ones who changed.

“They’re not representing us anymore,” Miller said. “I want to leave the Democratic party.”

Miller is not alone in feeling this way. 91���� half of younger adults say they wish there were more parties to choose from, according to a .

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From student loan debt and health care to economic stability, these issues drive voters to make their voices heard in what many see as a defining election.

For some voters, economic issues top the list. “For me, it’s the economy,” said Nelson Ulloa, one Fairfax resident. “Things that affect you daily, such as the economy and values, are important to me. The U.S. was built on certain principles.”

This perspective is common among voters who prioritize job stability, inflation control, and economic resilience, significantly as prices fluctuate and uncertainty looms over the future.

There’s a strong sense among Trump supporters that he’s the candidate to bring economic stability.

 “I believe Trump will bring back the strong economy we had before,” said Lisa Thompson, a Fairfax resident and small business owner.

“He understands how businesses work and wants to cut the red tape strangling small companies. That’s something we need more than ever right now.”

Lisa’s perspective resonates with many conservatives in Fairfax who feel that Trump’s policies offer the best path to economic growth and stability.

Toora Arsala, wearing a “Keep Virginia Blue” T-shirt, told 91����, “I’m all in for Kamala Harris.” Toora believes that Kamala is the best choice for the country.

Arsala wanted “student loans and health care” when he voted. “I think once Kamala gets elected, we will have a better health care system, and we’ll have abortion rights will be better for all women everywhere in the entire country.”

More in this report

The post Economic concerns and social values shape Fairfax county’s 2024 election first appeared on 91����.

In a unique fusion of technology and creativity, the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative is bringing cybersecurity to life through an exhibit that aims to change how visitors perceive the digital world around the

“I was blown away by how the artists made such a complex subject like cybersecurity feel so tangible,” said Fouad Medni, who visited who is visiting the exhibit. “It’s not every day you see something that makes you think deeply about what happens with your personal data,” Medni said.

The exhibit, funded by the Commonwealth, a statewide consortium of more than 40 universities and colleges across Virginia, features thought-provoking installations that delve into privacy, artificial intelligence (AI), misinformation, and surveillance themes.

This initiative combines the expertise of researchers and artists from institutions like Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and Old Dominion University to showcase projects that challenge people’s understanding of their relationship with digital technology.

This exhibit shows how the Internet of Things devices use artificial intelligence to create an image of us and how we can become invisible by using an invisible trigger, such as a sticky note, to activate a backdoor in the system.��

Engaging with the Digital World’s Hidden Risks

After purchasing nearly 90 used phones from eBay, Michael McDermott, an assistant professor of graphic design at George Mason University, used a program called XRY to extract any available data.

He then meticulously reviewed the recovered files, selecting content from the phones’ previous owners to produce the videos.

An installation featuring 80 video displays in a wall full of phones confronts viewers with the reality of how easily their digital footprints can be exposed.

McDermott wants people to see themselves in the information presented from the phones as many don’t realize how much data remains on their devices, even after a reset.

Are you replacing your smartphone with a newer model? Remember to wipe it clean. “All those photos, texts, voicemails, and other personal information could end up in the wrong hands,” said a paper hanging on the wall near the phones.

Our emotions can be tracked

On another wall, Sentiment Voice, a project from Virginia Commonwealth University, explores how emotion-tracking AI is used to analyze facial expressions and vocal tones.

Typically employed for commercial purposes or surveillance, this technology is repurposed in the exhibit to share stories from Richmond’s immigrant communities through a live virtual reality performance.

The installation fosters empathy between performers and audiences by blending virtual and real-world experiences.

Medni, who is an Alexandria resident, was especially moved by Sentiment Voice, saying, “It made me realize how easily our emotions can be tracked and interpreted by AI”.�� The exabit made him think about the potential for both harm and connection in these technologies.

Art reflecting digital concerns

Virginia Tech’s installation uses the concept of steganography—hiding information within digital media. While no real data is hidden within the exhibit, the artwork explores the potential for concealing sensitive information within images and sound.

The installation features dancer Davian Robinson and the Gregory Guard, Virginia Tech’s silent drill team, alongside visual elements inspired by the Amazon rainforest and advanced sound technology.

The exhibit also tackles the issue of online misinformation by designing next-generation security warnings to mitigate social media misinformation.

The team behind this installation from James Madison University developed new warning systems for social media, using eye-tracking and brainwave-scanning technology to ensure that users notice and respond to alerts about misinformation.

The organizers hope the exhibit will inspire future cybersecurity professionals while offering a new perspective.

Bringing cybersecurity issues to the public

The exhibit also features interactive installations like Unveiling Invisible Sight from Old Dominion University. As Rui Ning, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Old Dominion University, told 91����, “The project is about unveiling how IoT devices, like smartphones and smart cameras, see us from their perspective.”

Ning highlights that their research demonstrates how these devices collect various inputs to generate images that represent how they perceive humans.

Beyond showcasing this perspective, the project delves into the risks of AI manipulation. “We also created a backdoor in the AI model, which uses a trigger—like a pink sticky note—so when it is presented in front of the camera, the generated image will make it disappear,” Ning explains.

He adds that the message is clear: while AI models are powerful in recognizing faces and processing data, “they are also very dangerous and can be easily fooled by such a backdoor trigger.”

Visitors can interact with AI-generated avatars and learn about countermeasures that protect their data in a world of interconnected technology.

Ning hopes to convey to the audience that while “a model is very useful and interesting… it is also very dangerous,” urging caution when using AI for security-critical applications.

In addition to tech-driven projects, the exhibit offers Performances to reduce online scams, a Virginia Tech initiative aimed at helping older adults avoid online scams through interactive theater.

This project collects data directly from seniors and turns their experiences into a play, offering a unique way to educate the public about digital safety.

Reflecting on the exhibit, Medni said that he had never considered cybersecurity this way before. “It’s usually something you read about in the news or hear from experts, but seeing it through art made it feel more personal and real.”

From a Torpedo factory to the art center

The exabit is hosted by The Torpedo Factory Art Center, which began as a World War I-era munitions plant before evolving into a bustling art hub in Old Town Alexandria, housing more than 80 studios and galleries.

“The Torpedo Factory will be a place where visitors can see a diversity of art that reflects our evolving digital world,” said France Brou, who works for the center.

Brou said the Torpido factory has been working with a team of professors and students from Virginia “for about a year now, and they’ve been exhibiting different kinds of arts.”

The post Hacking Reality: Virginia’s art exhibit reveals the hidden world of cybersecurity first appeared on 91����.

This figure surpasses the previous record of $81 million set in 2023 and marks a 30% increase over pre-pandemic levels, according to the organization’s.

The organization shared a press release with 91���� stating that Alexandria’s lodging sector is finally making a solid comeback after years of lagging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.��

From the $86 million consumption tax revenue, including sales, meals, and lodging this year, the city’s lodging tax revenues reached nearly $15 million, a significant milestone for an industry struggling during recovery by Surgeing by $3 million.

The average revenue per available hotel room rose to $118 in 2024—a record high that puts Alexandria ahead of its neighbors, including Arlington and Fairfax.��

This increase shows that more people stay in the city and spend more money on their visits.

For Allie Lee, a salesperson at the newly opened HOTEL, AKA Alexandria, growth is more than just numbers on a page.

“In my opinion, there was definitely a rise in the market, especially this year compared to last year,” she said.��

The hotel, which opened in 2023, has already felt the effects of Alexandria’s tourism rebound, welcoming a steady flow of business and conference guests. “What attracts people to Alexandria is definitely the history,” Allie adds. “It’s what makes this place special.”

Jim Blanco, the owner of The George of Old Town Hotel, also shared his perspective on Alexandria’s thriving tourism industry. “It’s fantastic,” Jim said of the current business state.

��“The city has fully recovered from COVID, and I think we’re at pre-pandemic levels or even higher now.”��

Having purchased his property during the pandemic, Jim has witnessed firsthand how the city has bounced back and thrived beyond expectations. “People come for the history, but they stay for the great restaurants, the shops, the events—it’s a place that just makes you feel good,” Jim explained.

Blanco told 91���� the charm of Alexandria lies in its year-round appeal.��

“Every Saturday, there’s a farmer’s market at the square—the oldest farmers market in the country, where George Washington himself brought his produce,” Blanco shared.

“Then there are events like New Year’s Eve celebrations, Independence Day week, and countless others throughout the year that keep people coming back. It’s a community that knows how to celebrate its history and its people,” he added.

The resurgence of tourism has brought a renewed sense of energy to the city—cobblestone streets are bustling again, local cafes are filled with visitors, and live music can be heard drifting from local restaurants.��

Local Benefits: How Tourism Helps the Community

From the $86 million, Alexandria’s non-residents paid $61 million, an estimated 71% of consumption taxes. “Alexandria’s 160,000 residents also appreciate the amenities that come along with a vibrant visitor economy, ” said Kate Ellis, a board chair, in a letter shared with the organization’s annual report.

These funds are crucial for supporting city services, like maintaining parks and welcoming public spaces. “which means that tourism directly saves the average Alexandria household $822 per year,” according to the report.

Tourism in Alexandria improved the employment sector by 6%, with 5,611 jobs created in 2023 compared to 4,142 in 2020, according to a presentation shared with 91���� by email from the Visit Alexandria organization.

A Vision for the Future

According to the press release, Todd O’Leary, the new President and CEO of Visit Alexandria, optimized promotional plans and expanded the neighborhood program to distribute the benefits of tourism across the city.

Visit Alexandria also plans to leverage significant events like the U.S. presidential inauguration, WorldPride DC in 2025, and America’s 250th birthday in 2026 while boosting mid-week business through meetings and group travel.

91���� tried to obtain more information about the organization’s plan for promoting the city, but it was referred to documents shared with 91���� through emails.

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Hundreds of fans, city officials, and school leaders gathered at Lyles’ Alexandria City High School on Sunday afternoon to honor the 27-year-old track and field star.

Lyles, a 2016 Alexandria City High School graduate, began the celebration in the back of a red convertible car during a rally at Chinquapin Park. Later, he was honored with commendations from the city leaders in the school gymnasium.

Noah Lyles, an American sprinter, won a gold medal in the men’s 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the 200m.

The city Mayor, Justin Wilson, told the crowd at the gymnasium following the rally, “We all remember where we were… when he came on that track, and the screen said Noah Lyles, Alexandria, Virginia.”

Lyles attributed his success to his high school during his speech at the gymnasium, emphasizing the school’s crucial role in his journey. “I’m thankful I have a city that supports me,” said Noah.

He acknowledged the school’s unwavering support and the opportunities it provided him to compete at the highest levels.

He mentioned that the school allowed him and his brother to travel for competitions and set up specific track meets to prepare them for the Olympic trials.

Fighting back tears, Lyles remembered his late high school assistant track and field coach, Rashawn T. Jackson, who passed away during the Olympics. “I’m very thankful for him,” said Noah.

Lyles, refused to answer 91���� questions when the reporter tried to approach him during during the rally.

The City of Alexandria organized the event in partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools and The Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation.

The event also served as a platform for the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation to host a coat drive, highlighting Lyles’ commitment to giving back to his community.

“Noah Lyles is our official Olympian. He’s from this high school, from our city, so this commemorates his work in Paris about a month ago,” said Alexandria Town Crier, Ben Fiore-Walker.

“It means a lot to the city. It means a lot to the residents of Alexandria,” said Walker, who was wearing a colonial uniform.

Walker said, “Not only is the first president from Alexandria and other presidents since that, but we also have Olympians, and so it’s the idea of yet another thing that Alexandria has to draw attention to itself.”�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� ����

Lyles is considered the world’s fastest man. He is an American professional track and field sprinter renowned for his 100-meter and 200-meter prowess. His recent triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he clinched gold in the 100-meter sprint, further solidified his position at the pinnacle of the sport. Lyles’ athletic achievements extend beyond the Olympics, with multiple World Championship titles and an American record in the 200 meters under his belt.

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