Zaid Mastou

Carpenter’s Shelter, in the heart of Alexandria, will celebrate a milestone today by ribbon-cutting its freshly renovated Alexandria Community Shelter (ACS) at 2355 B Mill Road. 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.

The Trump campaign, as well as that of Vice President Kamala Harris, spent considerable time in the swing state of Michigan, home of the largest Arab Muslim community in the U.S. 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 Detroit Free Press.

Originally a Republican stronghold, Fairfax began to shift in the early 2000s as its population grew more diverse and younger families moved in. 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.