ALXnow - Alexandria Now

‘Beyond disqualifying’: Jay Jones controversy jolts Virginia’s pivotal 2025 elections

Published October 6, 2025 at 7:40AM

Democrat Jay Jones speaks in Richmond during his 2024 campaign kickoff for attorney general. Jones is now facing bipartisan backlash over newly surfaced text messages containing violent remarks about a former Republican House speaker. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

What began as a quiet October Friday in Virginia politics erupted into a full-blown national scandal when screenshots of private, three-year old text messages showing Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones fantasizing about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children were made public.

The National Review story revealed an August 2022 exchange between Jones — a former Norfolk delegate and one-time assistant attorney general — and Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield. In the texts, Jones described a scenario in which Gilbert “gets two bullets to the head,” followed by a wish that the Republican lawmaker’s children “die in their mother’s arms.”

News

Watch Live: Mayor Gaskins answers your questions Oct. 7 on ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 5, 2025 at 9:16AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will join ALXnow for her live one-on-one monthly virtual video conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m.

Our “Ask The Mayor” series provides Alexandria residents with regular opportunities to hear directly from Mayor Gaskins on pressing city issues and to submit their questions for consideration (submit your questions below).

Listing of the Day: 1004 Virginia Ave

By ALXnow.com

Published June 19, 2026 at 5:45PM

1004 Virginia Ave

Noteworthy: High-performance design meets timeless luxury in Alexandria

Welcome to 1004 Virginia Ave—a custom-built 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence that seamlessly blends timeless luxury with forward-thinking design. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a home that feels both elevated and effortless, offering the perfect balance of sophistication, comfort, and everyday practicality. Whether you’re looking for room to grow or a lifestyle centered around ease and convenience, this exceptional home delivers.

News

Beyer bill would let federal workers tap retirement funds without penalty during shutdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 5, 2025 at 8:51AM

U.S. Rep Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee's Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer introduced legislation Friday that would allow federal employees to withdraw up to $30,000 from their retirement accounts without penalties during the ongoing government shutdown, offering potential relief to thousands of Northern Virginia workers facing missed paychecks.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would waive the 10% early withdrawal penalty that federal workers under age 59 currently face when making hardship withdrawals from their Thrift Savings Plan accounts. The bill would also allow employees to restore withdrawn funds to their retirement savings later.

News

PHOTOS: Thousands attend the 30th annual Art on the Avenue in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published October 4, 2025 at 5:32PM

As seen at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood was packed with art lovers for the 30th annual Art on the Avenue festival in Del Ray on Saturday (Oct. 4).

Hundreds of juried artists sold their work, live music was performed on four stages and the event and its founder Pat Miller were recognized by Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th), Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley.

Event

DEXA Scan in Alexandria at Revolutionary Fitness

July 9, 2026 7:00 am -3:00 pm

Revolutionary Fitness

215 N. Payne St.

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact

July 9th, Revolutionary Fitness, Old Town Alexandria

Your bathroom scale can’t tell you if you’re losing fat or losing muscle. It can’t see the visceral fat wrapping around your organs. It can’t measure the bone density that determines whether you stay strong and independent into your 60s, 70s, and beyond.

News

Activists plan Sunday rally at Market Square to press Warner on Israel policy

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 4, 2025 at 10:05AM

A flyer promoting Sunday's rally at Market Square calls on Sen. Mark Warner to stop U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. The event is organized by Jewish Voice for Peace-DC Metro and Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights. (Image courtesy organizers)

Pro-Palestinian activists plan to rally at Market Square on Sunday before walking to press U.S. Sen. Mark Warner to end American weapons shipments to Israel.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m., according to organizers. After a short walk from the meeting point to the final location, participants will remain stationary, organizers said.

Around Town

Alexandria watch party set for ‘Neighborhood Favorites’ season two premiere

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 4, 2025 at 9:06AM | Updated October 4, 2025 at 9:34AM

A watch party and fundraiser for "Neighborhood Favorites with George Worrell" season two will be held Monday, Oct. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at Cooper Mill in Old Town Alexandria. (Courtesy Neighborhood Favorites with George Worrell)

A watch party and fundraiser will celebrate the season two premiere of “Neighborhood Favorites with George Worrell” on Monday at Cooper Mill in Old Town Alexandria.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 10 Duke Street. Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will serve as special guest and deliver a welcome address.

News

Health insurance premiums projected to rise for Virginia families if federal subsidies expire

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 4, 2025 at 8:27AM

Patient rooms at Inova Health Center - Oakville (staff photo by James Cullum)

Virginia families buying health insurance through the state marketplace face monthly premium increases of hundreds — and in some cases more than $1,000 — if enhanced federal subsidies expire, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine warned Friday.

The Democratic senators called the newly released projections from the state’s Health Benefit Exchange a “grim new forecast for Virginia” in a statement decrying the ongoing federal government shutdown and Republican inaction on preserving health care tax credits.

Around Town

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Oct. 3, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Published October 3, 2025 at 8:32PM

Good Friday 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 3, 2025.

News

Fragrance boutique to open in November on Cameron Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 3, 2025 at 5:15PM

Arielle Shoshana is coming to 313 Cameron Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Fragrance boutique Arielle Shoshana is planning to open across the street from City Hall in Old Town in November.

The company planned to open at 313 Cameron Street over the summer, and has a sign on the door with a QR code. The code leads to the company website with the message, “After 10 years as D.C/’s first niche fragrance boutique, Arielle Shoshana is bringing out curated collection of exceptional, exclusive fragrances to Cameron Street!”