Political signs displayed in an artist’s studio window at the Torpedo Factory Art Center have drawn national attention on social media this week, sparking debate over free speech in city-owned facilities. Alexandria officials have not publicly stated whether they can take action on the controversial display.
UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Artist M. Alexander Gray provided a statement to ALXnow defending his work and questioning the focus on his signs. Story updated below.
By MIKE CATALINI and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Barack Obama has endorsed the Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, seeking to boost Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger ahead of high-stakes elections next month.
Alexandria has set a deadline of Oct. 23 (Thursday) to give feedback on the Duke Street Land Use Plan.
When finished, the document will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street Corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. Last month, residents weighed in on draft principles for the document.
There’s a free family-friendly Halloween-themed bike ride in Del Ray on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Riders will be able to see all of the spectacularly spooky decorations throughout the neighborhood. The six-to-seven-mile ride goes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is hosted by the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. More details are below.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Thursday it arrested a man federal officials identify as an MS-13 gang leader wanted for murder in El Salvador during an operation in Alexandria on October 2.
According to the ICE press release, Ismael Enrique Mendoza Flores, also known as “El Calaco,” faces an active arrest warrant in El Salvador for aggravated homicide and illicit associations. ICE states he appears on the Salvadoran National Police’s “Most Wanted Gang Members” list, though the agency did not provide documentation or a link to verify this listing.
On This Day: Ford Plant Opened in Alexandria — On this day in 1932, a Ford Motor Company plant employing 225 men opened at the foot of Franklin Street along Alexandria’s waterfront. The structure, designed by Albert Kahn, featured yellow-glazed brick, a saw-tooth roof, and Art Deco elements. In the 1990s, the property was demolished and developed into Ford’s Landing residential community. [Historic Alexandria]
School Board Reviews Advisory Processes, Legislative Priorities — The Alexandria City Public Schools Board reviewed updated advisory committee processes and discussed legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session during a work session on Thursday evening. [ALXnow]
The Alexandria City Public Schools Board reviewed updated advisory committee processes and discussed legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session during a work session on Thursday evening.
The Operational Excellence Committee presented comprehensive changes to how the district manages its six advisory committees, focusing on improved communication and accountability between committees and the school board.
Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 16, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 46 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. See more from Weather.gov.
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.”
– Chris Grosser
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones squabbled over a host of lawyerly issues on Thursday in their first and only debate: criminal prosecutions, consumer protection and unlawful discrimination. But one matter overshadowed it all: Jones’ leaked text messages endorsing political violence toward a former colleague.
Miyares, the Republican incumbent running for reelection, pushed hard against Jones for suggesting to a Republican delegate in 2022 text messages that former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get “two bullets to the head.”
Updated Oct. 17, 10:10 p.m.: Alexandria Police issued a press release with new details about the investigation, including a specific address and timeline.
Alexandria police are searching for three masked individuals who allegedly threatened a family and attempted to break into their home in the 100 block of South Iris Street on Oct. 14.
A new spa just had a ribbon-cutting at the Archer Hotel (1600 King Street) in Old Town.
JoyLife Spa held its grand opening and ribbon cutting today (Oct. 16), offering customized facials, therapeutic massages, and nail care. The business was founded by massage therapist and esthetician Roshelle Veney, and its opening marks the only hotel in Alexandria with a full spa, according to the Chamber ALX.
