News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 21, 1947, the Virginia Theatre located at 601 First Street was dedicated with a special ceremony. The program included official remarks, playing of the National Anthem, and the feature film “Carnival in Costa Rica.” With 1,200 seats, it was the largest theater in Alexandria at the time.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Approves, Rejects Set of Immigration Enforcement Bills — “The governor announced (Wednesday) that she has signed SB 352 and its House of Delegates companion HB 1482, which ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces, while vetoing legislation (SB 351 and HB 650) that would restrict federal immigration agents from conducting civil arrests in certain public places, including courthouses, schools and health care facilities.” [FFXnow]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 20, 1809 the ‘Long Bridge,’ built just north of Alexandria opened, connecting Virginia with the new capital city of Washington, D.C. across the Potomac River. During this time, Alexandria’s 18th century isolation and dependence on waterways for regional travel was being reduced as new highways were extended from Alexandria’s dead end street grid southward from Henry Street across Great Hunting Creek to Richmond, and northward from North Washington Street to Washington, D.C. along what is now Powhatan Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Vetoes Marijuana Retail Market Bills — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have created a legalized marijuana marketplace but is vowing to work with elected officials to resume work on plan ahead of the next General Assembly session. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Spanberger said the plan, as is, would have created a retail market without the ‘timeline, structure or resources to be successfully implemented.'” [WTOP]