Michael Lee Pope is an award-winning journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria. He has reported for Connection Newspapers, WAMU 88.5 News, the New York Daily News and the Tallahassee Democrat. A native of Moultrie, Ga., he grew up in Durham, N.C., and graduated high school in Tampa, Fla. He has a master's degree in American Studies from Florida State University, and he is a former adjunct professor at Tallahassee Community College. Pope is the author of "Hidden History of Alexandria, D.C." (2011) and "Ghosts of Alexandria" (2010), both published by History Press in Charleston, S.C.
Recent Stories
Beyer Rakes in Campaign Cash in Democratic Primary
Fundraising numbers reveal former lieutenant governor has significant edge.
Campaign finance documents released this week show Don Beyer well ahead of his competitors in the race for cash, giving the former lieutenant governor a significant edge over the nine other Democrats in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8).
Alexandria to Stop Dumping Human Waste into Potomac River by Earth Day 2035
Fixing combined sewer overflows to cost at least $200 million.
The year 2035 seems like a distant dream. But it's a Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of officials at City Hall. That's the year Alexandria will no longer dump human waste into the Potomac River.
New Superintendent Hopes to Cut the Numbers of Suspensions in Half
Black male students suspended at disproportionate rates.
Less than a month into office, new Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Alvin Crawley is taking on the challenge of reducing the number of suspensions by half.
Bike Lane Controversy Creates a King-Sized Debate in Alexandria
City Council set to take up proposal to remove parking and install bike lanes.
Months of bitter accusations and counter-accusations are set to culminate this weekend as members of the Alexandria City Council take up a plan to remove four blocks of parking spaces on King Street to make room for a bike lane in each direction.
Wiggle Room on the Alexandria Tax Rate
Council members advertise half-a-penny increase in tax rate, allowing more flexibility.
Although Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young issued a proposed budget that keeps the current tax rate, members of the City Council voted this week to advertise a tax rate that's half a penny higher.
Northern Virginia's Growing Debt Burden
Local governments use debt as a tool to build for the future.
Back in the 1920s, Harry Byrd became governor of Virginia on what he called a "pay-as-you-go" platform.
Alexandria School Board Selects Interim Leader to Head Division
Alvin Crawley to take control of city schools at critical time.
Turns out, the national search for a new superintended wasn't able to find a candidate as good as the guy who is already sitting in the chair.
Arlington Schools Scramble to Fund Enrollment in Challenging Budget Environment
$439.4 million budget represents a 3.1 percent increase over last year.
Arlington Superintendent Patrick Murphy's proposed budget for the coming school year would scale back a program aimed at helping students older than age 22, add trailers to deal with the crush of new students as well as add four new bus drivers and create a new coordinator for transporting special-equation students.
Should Royal Street Become a Bicycle Boulevard?
Alexandria hires consultant to consider ways to encourage more bicycle traffic.
Pedestrians and bicyclists clash with vehicles up and down Union Street, a concern for city leaders who want to find a way to move cyclists to Royal Street.
Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.