MOBILE SPORTS BETTING MOVES FORWARD WITHOUT RACE, GENDER CRITERIA: Maryland’s move toward mobile sports betting took another step Wednesday, but the process will not initially consider race and gender. The Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission approved emergency regulations governing the awarding of 60 mobile licenses. Thomas Brandt, chair of the panel, said the decision allows prospective applicants for licenses for physical locations and the more lucrative mobile licenses to prepare for the application process. Bryan Sears/The Daily Record.
HARRIS APPARENTLY DID NOT ASK TRUMP FOR PARDON: Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland was among at least 10 House Republicans who attended a December 2020 White House meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss actions that could be taken to keep Trump in power on Jan. 6, 2021, the committee investigating the attack on the Capitol revealed in its latest hearing. Meagan Flynn/The Washington Post.
- Six of the attendees of the December 21, 2020, meeting sought pardons. Harris apparently was not one of them. Brian Metzger/The Insider.
OPINION: ANDY HARRIS, UNREPENTANT CO-CONSPIRATOR: It was believed few Marylanders had any significant roll in the planning the attempt to overturn the 2020 election until the panel investigating it revealed that U.S. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland was summoned to the White House on Dec. 21, 2020, in an apparent attempt to garner their support for a scheme to overturn the election. He has expressed absolutely no regret over being part of this. Editorial Board/The Baltimore Sun.
INSURRECTIONIST FROM MARYLAND SENTENCED: A Maryland man who used a lacrosse stick attached to a Confederate battle flag to shove a police officer during the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced on Wednesday to five months in prison, according to a Justice Department spokesman. David Alan Blair, 27 of Clarksburg was also sentenced to 18 months of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution. Michael Kunzelman/The Associated Press.
SCHULZ ATTACKS COX’s RECORD: Kelly Schulz this week chided her main rival in the Republican gubernatorial primary, state Del. Dan Cox, saying his campaign has been largely devoid of ideas. She said her service in Gov. Larry Hogan’s cabinet has taught her that “being a leader” involves “more than rhetoric.” Cox declined to respond to multiple attempts to contact him over two days. The first-term Republican delegate has few legislative victories to point to — and his gubernatorial campaign has offered fewer policy rollouts than others. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: DOUG GANSLER ON BALTIMORE: Doug Gansler, Democratic candidate for governor, submits a video explaining his views on three most important challenges facing Baltimore and the region, and solutions he supports to make progress. David Nitkin/Baltimore Fishbowl.
LONG PRIMARY SEASON ALMOST OVER: Maryland’s primary season — from the candidates’ announcements more than a year ago to the delayed voting dates because of redistricting — has already dragged on far longer than usual. And don’t expect it to wrap up quickly when polls close Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands of Maryland voters are expected to cast ballots either in-person or by mail by the end of the day July 19 — but a significant portion of those ballots won’t even begin to be counted until two days later. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
SURPRISING RISE IN MAIL-IN BALLOTS IN HARFORD: As early voting drew to a close Thursday, the Harford County Board of Elections saw a dramatic increase in mail-in ballots compared to the 2018 midterm primary, according to elections director Stephanie Taylor. Jason Fontelieu/The Aegis.
HOGAN TOURS NORTHEAST ON ‘PRE-CAMPAIGN TRAIL:’ With the battle to succeed him nearing a crucial moment, Gov. Larry Hogan has been traveling throughout the Northeast including New Hampshire, meeting with business leaders and conducting media interviews ahead of a potential White House bid in 2024. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
MOSBY CHALLENGERS SPEND BIG ON ADS: Mary J. Miller, the retired T. Rowe Price executive who ran for mayor in 2020, has chipped in $435,000 to support Ivan Bates through an obscure political action committee. Meanwhile, Bates and Thiru Vignarajah, the other challenger to Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, have spent $625,000 of their own campaign money, retaining $560,000 in reserve. Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
988 SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE GOES INTO EFFECT: This weekend individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts are encouraged to call or text a new phone number — 988 — to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In Maryland, the old phone number of 211 will automatically route callers to the new hotline starting on July 16. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Kristen Mosbrucker/WYPR-FM.
B’MORE CALLS TOGETHER SQUEEGEE PANEL: Under mounting pressure from businesses and residents, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is convening a work group of local stakeholders beginning Thursday to develop a strategy for handling issues related to squeegee workers. Emily Opilo and Jean Marbella/The Baltimore Sun.
MO CO TO TARGET PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN FAST-TRACKING SIDEWALKS: As traffic congestion grows, the population ages and an increasing number of lower-income residents can’t afford cars, Montgomery planners say their 1 million residents need faster, more proactive and data-driven ways to make walking safer and less stressful. Building sidewalks more quickly — and before residents have to ask — is one of dozens of recommendations they presented this past week for the first countywide “pedestrian master plan” aimed at retrofitting suburbs designed for cars. Katherine Shaver/The Washington Post.
