• The Washington Post is reporting that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will likely face a challenge in his 2010 bid for re-election from George W. Owings III, a former legislator from Southern Maryland. Owings has scheduled a press conference for January 6. more ›

The Ali family is holding a memorial service today for Ben's Chili Bowl co-founder Ben Ali, who died last week at 82. The memorial service actually began a short while ago, at noon, at the Lincoln Theater on U Street. While the service is open to the public, the short notice implies mostly family, friends and colleagues are in attendance today. In a message on the Ben's web site, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ben's Chili Bowl Family Foundation, a non-profit organization, at 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009. more ›

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty just put out his statement reacting to the passing of Ben's Chili Bowl co-founder Ben Ali. More statements we've received today from local politicos are rounded up after the jump. more ›

Ben's Chili Bowl continued to serve up its trademark chili-smothered half-smokes on Thursday, despite the loss Wednesday night of its co-founder, Ben Ali. The Post says Ali, 82, died at home, of congestive heart failure. The hearts of Ben's employees and customers were heavy today. more ›

Very sad news for D.C. residents and lovers of half-smokes the world over: Ben Ali, co-founder of Washington institution Ben's Chili Bowl, passed away Wednesday night, (as City Desk also reports). He was 82. more ›