REPUBLICANS SEE OPPORTUNITY IN 3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Republicans believe that the new map for the 3rd Congressional District – once considered the most gerrymandered in the nation – and, more significantly, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes’ absence from the ballot for the first time in 18 years — gives them a shot at flipping the still-blue district in next year’s election. It won’t be easy. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
MTA TO MAKE PUBLIC DATA MODELING FOR B’MORE RED LINE: When the next round of Maryland Transit Administration public meetings on the Red Line for Baltimore City kicks off on Thursday, MTA officials will share the results of data modeling for six potential options — three routes, each with two mode choices (buses or light rail) — that compare variables like cost, ridership and travel times. Daniel Zawodny/The Baltimore Banner.
CAREER, TECHNICAL ED MAJOR FOCUS OF EDUCATION REFORM: As Maryland continues to implement a decade-long education reform plan, the focus of multiple state boards and commissions has shifted to a key initiative: ensuring that all students are college and career ready. As the state Board of Education reconsiders how to define “college and career readiness,” other boards and commissions are focused on dramatically expanding apprenticeship opportunities for juniors and seniors in high school. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
At an October press conference, from left, are state Board of Education President Clarence Crawford, interim state Superintendent Carey Wright, and board Vice President Joshua Michael. Photo from the Maryland Department of Education
OPINION: WRIGHT’s EXPERIENCE, TALENT FACE MARYLAND’s NEED: Interim state Superintendent Carey Wright has far more experience in all aspects of public education than the man she replaces, Mohammed Choudhury. She also appears to have lots more collaborative leadership skills. And with her successes over her many years in education, and particularly within the Mississippi school system, there are high hopes for her in Maryland. Len Lazarick/MarylandReporter.com.
6th DISTRICT HOUSE HOPEFULS WEIGH IN ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, U.S. RESPONSE: As the Israel-Hamas war rages on overseas, constituents in Montgomery County are watching to see how elected officials and those seeking political office will respond. MoCo360 sent a three-question survey regarding the Israel-Hamas war to candidates running for the Sixth Congressional District seat. Their responses are listed in alphabetical order. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR PROTEST AT SEN. CARDIN’s ROCKVILLE OFFICE: About 75 protesters gathered outside of Sen. Ben Cardin’s office in Rockville on Monday night, calling for the senator to introduce a resolution in the Senate in support of a cease-fire amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The protestors stood in the rain outside of Cardin’s office and chanted, “Hands off, Gaza!” Staff/MoCo 360.
U.S. SENATE CONFIRMS MADDOX AS U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE: The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted 55-42 to confirm former magistrate Matthew Maddox of Baltimore to Maryland’s federal bench, the fifth appointee that President Joe Biden has placed on the 10-member U.S. District Court. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
BA CO TO TEST EVIDENCE IN OLD SEX-ASSAULT COLD CASES: Baltimore County officials and the state’s attorney are expected to announce this morning new measures to test years-old forensic evidence in sexual-assault cold cases. In a news release, the county said it will announce “a landmark commitment” to expedite testing of Sexual Assault Forensic Examination evidence, called SAFE kits, provided to law enforcement through medical examinations of sexual-assault survivors. Taylor DeVille/The Baltimore Banner.
PG TO REQUIRE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ON SOME RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES: Owners of high-occupancy buildings or age-restricted senior residences will be required to establish video surveillance of properties under a bill the Prince George’s County Council passed Tuesday, billed by proponents as an attempt to boost resident safety amid rising crime. Lateshia Beachum/The Washington Post.
BA CO EXEC ON RIDE ALONG WHEN POLICE ARREST SUSPECT: Police arrested a teenager Tuesday morning suspected of stealing a car during a ride-along with Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. in Baltimore City, according to county police spokesperson Joy Stewart. Lia Russell and Cassidy Jensen/The Baltimore Sun.
B’MORE PASTOR WALKS 40 MILES FOR REPARATIONS HOUSE BILL: One day each month, Rev. Robert Turner lugs his hulking 6-foot-6 frame 40 miles from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about H.B. 40, a bill in Congress that would establish a commission to study reparations and consider a national apology for slavery. Turner makes the journey by foot, rain or shine, carrying 400 roses to represent the 400 years that Black people were enslaved in America. He then delivers the bouquet to the gates of the White House. John-John Williams/The Baltimore Sun.
