ROAD RAGE SHOOTINGS RISE: So far this year, more than half a dozen road rage incidents involving guns have been recorded across Maryland. Road rage shootings have killed three people and injured at least four, according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive and news releases from Maryland State Police. Cassidy Jensen/The Baltimore Sun.
SEAGRASS GROWTH SPEAKS TO HIKE IN BAY WATER QUALITY: Seagrass growth in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries increased in 2023 by 7%, according to newly released data, giving scientists another reason to believe that water quality in the Bay is improving. Seagrasses, which scientists and ecologists call “submerged aquatic vegetation,” shelter animals such as blue crabs and other fish. They make the water clear for swimming and also buffer against ocean acidification. Emily Hofstaedter/WYPR-FM.
UM REGENTS UPDATE TITLE IX POLICIES TO AID STUDENTS: The University System of Maryland Board of Regents voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon to update Title IX policies to reflect new federal language and requirements that take effect today, including restoring some protections pulled back in 2020, adding protections for pregnant students and outlining new procedures for students filing sexual misconduct complaints. Dillon Mullan/The Baltimore Sun.
STATE MISTAKENLY JETTISONS 250+ PEOPLE FROM MEDICAID PROGRAMS: More than 250 Marylanders with developmental disabilities were “erroneously” disenrolled this summer from Medicaid programs that gave them access to community services and other care, leaving family members frustrated and angry as they try to regain services for loved ones. Ryan Moran, the deputy Health secretary in charge of Medicaid and health care financing, confirmed Wednesday that there were “erroneous” disenrollments and that the agency has since restored coverage for 263 people. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
COMMENTARY: LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO CURB POLICE VEHICLE PURSUITS: Legislative action is needed now to curb deadly police vehicle pursuits … Following the April deaths of three innocent third parties killed in separate crashes where police chased suspects fleeing in motor vehicles, Attorney General Anthony Brown called for a statewide standard with clear guidelines that would enhance safety and reduce fatalities. Currently, there is no enforceable state or national standard governing officers chasing suspects in motor vehicles. Karl Bickel/Maryland Matters.
RASKIN HIGHLIGHTS GUN VIOLENCE IN ELRICH PRESS BRIEFING: U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 8) told reporters during Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s weekly virtual press briefing Wednesday that he is concerned about the state of gun violence in the country following the July 13 attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and that he wants Congress to do more to protect Americans and prevent shootings. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360.
NEIGHBORS WORRY ABOUT POLLUTION AS WR GRACE PROPOSES PLASTIC RECYCLING: A Maryland-based chemical company with a history of environmental violations is planning to build a pilot plastics recycling plant within a mile of several residential neighborhoods in Columbia. W.R. Grace & Co. — which became famous nationwide after a major water-pollution case in Woburn, Massachusetts — submitted an air permit application to house the manufacturing facility at its headquarters. Jess Nocera/The Baltimore Banner.
HARFORD TOURISM ORG SUES CASSILLY ADMIN FOR CONTRACT BREACH: Harford County’s longtime tourism organization filed suit Wednesday against the administration of Harford County Executive Robert Cassilly (R), claiming that it breached its contract by failing to pay $215,000 that was owed to the organization. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
- In June 2023, Visit Harford and the county entered into a contract obligating Visit Harford to provide tourism-related services for annual compensation of $645,000. Payments were to be made via three installments of $215,000. The first two installments were issued to Visit Harford without incident or question, but the third payment, due in January, was never made. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
TRUMP QUESTIONS HARRIS’s RACE AT BLACK JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE: While this isn’t a specifically Maryland-centric political story, it was co-reported by a Maryland journalist, a perspective on national news that is important: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump faced questioning Wednesday from a National Association of Black Journalists panel in a turbulent session during which he falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris “happened to turn Black” during her political career. William Ford and Ariana Figueroa/Maryland Matters.
