A government shutdown could halt flood insurance, delaying thousands of home closings
Congress keeps hitting dead ends in attempts to extend a long-term plan for the federal program that provides flooding coverage for homeowners in the country.
Lawmakers may revisit issue of drivers smelling of marijuana
The Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches law was approved during the final minutes of the 2023 session.
One year into Metro’s Silver Line extension, ridership is modest
Many of the new stations are located in suburban areas where the only way to access them is by driving and parking in a parking garage, an additional daily cost on top of Metro fares.
In wake of shootings, HBCU advocates urge more security resources
On Oct. 3, five people were injured after a shooting on Morgan State’s campus during homecoming festivities. Just four days later, two people were injured after a shooting on Bowie State’s campus, also during homecoming.
Contracted Out
Audits show trouble lurking in school contracts
Auditors keep a close eye on school district contracting in Maryland — and if you’re wondering why, just look at what happened in May in Montgomery County. After auditors raised suspicions, the district’s former assistant director of transportation pleaded guilty…
An unprecedented look at Maryland public school spending
Billions of local, state and federal tax dollars go to funding Maryland’s public schools every year — and now, it will be easier for you to find out how your local school district spent that money. That’s because the Local…
Health care, construction, tech among biggest school expenses
With employee health care costs leading the way, Maryland’s public school districts spent $21.1 billion between fiscal years 2019 and 2022 not on teacher and staff salaries, but on everything else that keeps the schools running. That’s the bottom line…
Baltimore County leads state in transparency of school expenditures
If you’re curious about how your local school district is spending its money, you can download data from the “Contracted Out” database. But if you want to know exactly why school districts spend what they spend, you’re out of luck…
Annapolis
Lawmakers may revisit issue of drivers smelling of marijuana
The Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches law was approved during the final minutes of the 2023 session.
Problems persist in juvenile services schooling 2 years after transfer from education department
Two years after the Maryland General Assembly transferred responsibility for incarcerated students’ education from the state Education Department to an independent school board within the Juvenile Services Department, students confined in Maryland’s secure youth facilities continue to face multiple long-standing challenges.
Moore counters political polarization with positive messaging
Gov. Wes Moore flashed his signature smile to the crowd as he pointed to people saying, “We need you,” and thanking everyone like he’d just won an Oscar. The smile and shoutouts that punctuated the October launch of his service year program have become characteristic of Moore’s optimistic style.
Trans patients face geographic, availability barriers to care, medications
Gender-affirming care is a medically necessary group of treatments, including hormone therapy, alterations to voice, laser treatment and surgeries. But medical “care” also includes using the patient’s preferred pronouns and staying up-to-date on gender identities and protocols.
While access to gender-affirming care has improved in recent years, it still varies across Maryland. From finding experienced doctors to the availability of prescribed hormones, trans care can require a lot of work on the patient’s part.
Data stories
Emma Hayes’ successful career leads to her USWNT head coach appointment
On Nov. 14, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Chelsea’s Emma Hayes as the replacement for Vlatko Andonovski as the U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) head coach. She will take over at the conclusion of this season. During her time as Chelsea head coach, after joining them during the 2012 Women’s Super League (WSL) season, she became one of the most decorated coaches in the history of soccer.
Maryland women’s basketball fueled by assist-to-turnover ratio
When Maryland women’s basketball hosted Niagara on Nov. 30 at the Xfinity Center, it ended with 30 assists, 17 turnovers and a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio; that many assists played a key role in its 70-point win. Maryland head coach Brenda Frese was elated about the Terps’ performance and said, “It’s a great step in the right direction with our chemistry.”
Taylor Swift is successfully ‘shaking off’ her old record label with her new re-records
This past summer, Taylor Swift released a re-recording of that album, entitled Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). The decision to re-record her albums is an attempt to have ownership over her songs and devalue her original work following the announcement in 2019 that the original masters rights to her songs were sold when Big Machine Label Group, which includes Swift’s old record label, Big Machine Records, was bought by Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings for around $300 million.
New MCAP results show signs of recovery from pandemic learning loss in English and math while science declines
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) tests for grades 3 to 8. The results show that student proficiency in English Language Arts has surpassed the level it was at before the pandemic. Math scores have improved, but have yet to fully rebound from the pandemic, while science scores have declined, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Washington
A government shutdown could halt flood insurance, delaying thousands of home closings
Congress keeps hitting dead ends in attempts to extend a long-term plan for the federal program that provides flooding coverage for homeowners in the country.
One year into Metro’s Silver Line extension, ridership is modest
Many of the new stations are located in suburban areas where the only way to access them is by driving and parking in a parking garage, an additional daily cost on top of Metro fares.
In wake of shootings, HBCU advocates urge more security resources
On Oct. 3, five people were injured after a shooting on Morgan State’s campus during homecoming festivities. Just four days later, two people were injured after a shooting on Bowie State’s campus, also during homecoming.
Eagle Harbor activists hope federal aid will help boost environmental restoration
James Crudup has vivid memories of traveling to Seagull Beach in Charles County, Maryland, during his teenage years. “I remember that water being just as clear as if we were in Florida…that’s the way it was back then,” Crudup said.…
Bringing Back Baseball
Hagerstown’s new ballpark: Picnic areas, walking paths and high expectations
HAGERSTOWN — From the corner of West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue, you can see the future of baseball in the Hub City There aren’t any home runs flying yet. But next Spring, the cranes and construction workers will be…
Baseball stadium aims to revitalize city center
HAGERSTOWN – The new ballpark under construction here is the latest effort to bring baseball back to a town that has a rich history tied to the game. But the project is also an attempt to revitalize a city core…
Neighbors remain skeptical of ballpark in their backyard
HAGERSTOWN — Hagerstown city officials and business owners are excited about the new minor league ballpark that’s under construction, but not all of its neighbors are cheering about it. Residents near the $70 million project – which leaders hope will…
For Black community, ties to city’s baseball traditions are complicated
HAGERSTOWN — Alesia Parson-McBean remembers the second time Willie Mays visited her hometown. Regarded as one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived, Mays returned in 2004 to Hagerstown, Maryland, the site of his minor league debut. During Mays’…
Maryland
Problems persist in juvenile services schooling 2 years after transfer from education department
Two years after the Maryland General Assembly transferred responsibility for incarcerated students’ education from the state Education Department to an independent school board within the Juvenile Services Department, students confined in Maryland’s secure youth facilities continue to face multiple long-standing challenges.
Moore counters political polarization with positive messaging
Gov. Wes Moore flashed his signature smile to the crowd as he pointed to people saying, “We need you,” and thanking everyone like he’d just won an Oscar. The smile and shoutouts that punctuated the October launch of his service year program have become characteristic of Moore’s optimistic style.
Trans patients face geographic, availability barriers to care, medications
Gender-affirming care is a medically necessary group of treatments, including hormone therapy, alterations to voice, laser treatment and surgeries. But medical “care” also includes using the patient’s preferred pronouns and staying up-to-date on gender identities and protocols.
While access to gender-affirming care has improved in recent years, it still varies across Maryland. From finding experienced doctors to the availability of prescribed hormones, trans care can require a lot of work on the patient’s part.
Lead persists as problem in holiday gifts, environmental cost
Lead poisoning has hit the news recently with pollution from leaded aviation gasoline, poisoning from applesauce pouches and federal lead pipe replacement projects. But some lead poisoning threats come during the holiday gift-giving season from jewelry, toys, makeup and other gifts.
Video
A real-time crime monitoring center is coming to the nation’s capital
WASHINGTON – D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan police chief Pamela Smith announced plans to open a center to monitor camera feeds throughout the D.C. metro area. The Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) will help police respond to crime in the…
A Babe Ruth card over 100 years old could sell for more than $10 million
An auction is underway for a 1914 Baltimore News baseball card of George Herman “Babe” Ruth. The card depicts Ruth, a Baltimore native, when he was still a pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization and is expected to compete with the record for the priciest baseball card ever sold at $12.6 million.
Adnan Syed returns to court to appeal decision to reinstate conviction
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Subject of the podcast “Serial,” Adnan Syed returns to the Supreme Court of Maryland to appeal the March 2023 decision to reinstate his conviction. Syed was released in October 2022 after serving 23 years in prison for…
Fairfax County middle schools have school sports for the first time
Alexandria, Va.- Fairfax County added middle school sports for the first time this fall. All middle schools in the county now offer cross country. It is available to any student who wants to join and the schools compete against each…