CONTROLLED DEMOLITION TOMORROW ATOP DALI: Salvage crews are preparing explosive charges for the demolition, which will break the portion of the bridge atop the Dali into smaller pieces that can be hauled away, and free the vessel. Jean Marbella and Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Sun.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR DALI AFTER DETONATION?: If all goes as planned, the detonation will sound like fireworks, look like puffs of smoke and plunge into the water the pieces of bridge that have weighed the ship down since March 26. In the immediate aftermath of the explosive cuts, however, the Dali is likely to remain in the Patapsco River. Dan Belson and Hayes Gardner/The Baltimore Sun.
Q&A WITH TRONE & ALSOBROOKS: For months, the Democratic front-runners have battled on style, policy and identity, while offering primary voters the same broad positions on many prized policy goals. Hear how Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks would represent Maryland. Erin Cox, Hadley Green and Lateshia Beachum/The Washington Post.
TRONE, ALSOBROOKS CAMPAIGN WITH COMPETING ENDORSERS: In Howard County, both U.S. Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks brought along the elected Democrats who had endorsed them. Supporters of each said their favored candidate was the better to defeat former Gov. Larry Hogan, the presumed Republican nominee. Len Lazarick/Maryland Reporter
ENDORSERS HELP TRONE: In the final days before the May 14 primaries, U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) is looking to his congressional colleagues, major state political figures and other supporters to help him garner votes and snag the Democratic nomination for Maryland’s competitive U.S. Senate seat. Danielle Brown, Josh Kurtz, William Ford/Maryland Matters
ELFRETH’S UNEXPECTED ALLY WITH DEEP POCKETS: In the Democratic race for the 3rd Congressional District, state Sen. Sarah Elfreth has found herself with an unexpected, deep-pocketed ally that has literally changed the trajectory of the primary, writes Josh Kurtz in Maryland Matters.
PIMLICO RACE COURSE TO BE REBUILT, TRANSFERRED TO STATE CONTROL: Gov. Wes Moore signed a measure on Thursday to rebuild Baltimore’s historic but antiquated Pimlico Race Course and transfer the track to state control. Under the new law, Maryland can use $400 million in state bonds to rebuild the home of the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Brian Witte/Associated Press. (Frederick News Post)
DREDGING AT HART-MILLER ISLAND MAY RESUME: For the first time in about 15 years, Baltimore County’s Hart-Miller Island could be reopened as a disposal area for dredged sediments as development plans accelerate for a new container ship terminal at Sparrows Point. A bill passed by the legislature is awaiting Gov. Wes Moore’s signature. Christine Condon/The Baltimore Sun.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEADS IN SPENDING: Its budget proposal is a whopping $7.1 billion, more than the combined spending plans for Anne Arundel, Howard and Frederick — plus seven of the state’s 16 smaller counties. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
SENTENCING FOR MOSBY: NO PRISON TIME OR 20-MONTHS?: Former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby is seeking to avoid prison when she is sentenced for perjury and mortgage fraud later this month. Prosecutors, however, want her to serve nearly two years of prison. In a pair of sentencing memos filed Thursday, the defense and prosecution laid out dramatically contrasting views of the case against Mosby. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Sun.
ENOUGH ACT ADDRESSING CHILD POVERTY AMONG BILLS SIGNED: Gov. Wes Moore signed 275 bills into law on Thursday, which included one that addressed gaps in existing funding streams to support children and families. The ENOUGH Act calls on poor neighborhoods to come up with plans to lift the community out of poverty. In return, they would get the funding they need to put the plan in motion. Robert Lang/WBAL NewsRadio
‘KIDS CODE’ BILL ENHANCES SAFETY ON SOCIAL MEDIA: A house and senate bill were signed into law Thursday requiring default privacy settings and safety measures for children, including how social media and other companies collect or sell data of users who are minors. Bryan P. Sears and Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I VOTE? VOTING GUIDE: On Tuesday, Maryland voters will decide a slate of congressional races that include a closely watched U.S. Senate contest with national implications, setting the field for one of a handful of elections expected to determine control of the chamber. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Katie Shepherd and Nicole Asbury/The Washington Post.
IN-PERSON VOTING ENDS UNTIL TUESDAY’S PRIMARY: By Thursday afternoon, almost 150,000 Marylanders had cast early in-person votes, compared to the 178,000 who voted early in the 2022 primary, according to Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s election administrator. The trickle of voters who kicked off early in-person voting last week continued Thursday as the last day to cast a ballot in person before Tuesday’s primary drew to a close. Lia Russell/Baltimore Sun.
OPINION: LAW HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY KEY BRIDGE CLOSURE: The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore caused six deaths and upended the lives of countless workers who lost jobs due to the closure of the Port of Baltimore. Thanks to efforts by federal, state and local officials, these workers are getting support to help them get by. Vincent DeMarco/Maryland Matters
OPINION: KEY BRIDGE DESERVES TO KEEP ITS NAME: Some people are now advocating that the rebuilt bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore no longer should bear the name of Francis Scott Key, a slave-holder who wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” on a ship near the site of the bridge. Why change the name of this bridge? Will this somehow compensate the Black community in Baltimore? Some proposing the change want the bridge to be renamed the Parren James Mitchell Bridge. Marc King/ Maryland Reporter
