SCHOOL BOARD GIVES BLUEPRINT TEAM EXTENDED TIME: The board charged with implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future agreed Wednesday to give a special education work group until May 30 to finish its work, well beyond the Dec. 1 target for the group to prepare recommendations for lawmakers. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
BMORE’ CITY EMPLOYEE CAUGHT IN BRIBERY SCHEME: When FBI agents secretly recorded conversations with a Baltimore City employee offering to wipe debts or delay payment deadlines in exchange for bribes, the employee, Joseph Gillespie, indicated he was getting help from a “girl” in “water” — the city’s Department of Public Works. Hallie Miller/The Baltimore Banner.
$60 MILLION REWARD FOR RUSSIAN HACKERS CHARGED IN MD: The U.S. Justice Department has widened its indictment of Russians in the so-called “WhisperGate” malware attack aimed at destroying computer systems in Ukraine and 26 NATO allies including the United States. Brian Witte, Associated Press/Baltimore Banner.
- They may look more like college students hanging out at a corner bar, but federal authorities say the men launched a cyber attack exposing the private information of Ukrainian citizens before the first Russian tank crossed their border. Jeff Hager/WMAR-TV 2.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES TO OPEN A CENTER PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR KEY BRIDGE IMPACT: Catholic Charities of Baltimore to open center in Dundalk for those impacted by Key Bridge collapse. Jessica Albert/WJZ.
FEDS APPROVE MARYLAND’S OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT: The federal government announced Thursday that it has given final approval to a proposed wind energy development off the coast of Maryland — a significant milestone in a process that has dragged on for more than a decade. US Wind’s Maryland offshore wind project, as approved, is expected to generate over 2 gigawatts of renewable energy for the Delmarva Peninsula, enough to power more than 718,000 homes. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
HOGAN AND THE ANTI-TRUMP REPUBLICANS: A dinner Wednesday night by Principles First sought to define the path ahead for anti-Trump Republicans like former Gov. Larry Hogan. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters
$40 MILLION ON THE TABLE FOR HART – MILLER ISLAND DREDGING DEAL: A deal appears to be taking shape that would allow dredge material to be dumped on an island that is home to a state park and migratory birds. Tradepoint Atlantic, the logistics center in Sparrows Point, is seeking approval to reopen the dredging facility at Hart-Miller Island, which is off Baltimore County’s coast. In exchange, several people said that Tradepoint is offering $40 million, to be split evenly for recreational improvements to the island and to nearby communities. John Lee/ WYPR-FM.
STATE SUPREME COURT RULES ON BLACK CEMETERY REMAINS IN BETHESDA: The Maryland Supreme Court has ruled that human remains from a former Black cemetery are likely still interred under a Bethesda apartment complex, but that the property can still be sold, according to the court’s decision filed Friday. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360.
$204.7 MILLION CAPITAL BUDGET MOSTLY FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION: Superintendent Mark Bedell laid out a $204.7 million capital budget for the coming fiscal year to the Anne Arundel County Board of Education at the school district headquarters in Annapolis, Wednesday. The request is roughly $32 million less than this year’s budget. Bridget Byrne/The Baltimore Sun.
EASTERN SHORE GRAPPLES WITH KEY SENATE AND CONGRESS RACES: While much of the attention during this election year is focused on presidential campaigns, the Eastern Shore is still grappling with key races for Congress and Senate, plus in Wicomico County, a charter amendment referendum. Kristian Jaime/Salisbury Times.
HOWARD CO. QUARRY CONTINUES OPERATION AFTER FAVORABLE RULING: A Howard County quarry that saw its zoning permissions revoked earlier this year amid complaints from nearby residents will continue operating after a recent ruling from the Howard County Board of Appeals. Christine Condon/The Baltimore Sun.
HIGH FRUSTRATION LEADS TO NO SECOND TERM FOR DEL. ERIC BOUCHAT: News of Del. Eric Bouchat’s decision not to seek a second term representing Carroll County in the Maryland General Assembly has led two members of the county’s Board of Commissioners to air their frustrations with Bouchat’s recent accusations that commissioners improperly crafted the current operating budget. Sherry Greenfield/Carroll County Times.
CITY OF FREDERICK EXAMINES TIMETABLE FOR CHARTER RELATED ELECTION CHANGES: As the 2025 city of Frederick election process nears, city officials are examining whether possible charter changes could force an overhaul of the timeline. The city is scheduled to start accepting candidate applications on Jan. 1. However, a proposal to expand the city’s legislative body and consider district representation has forced city officials to consider a new approach. Tani Levitt/The Frederick News Post.
EARLY VOTING OPTIONS GROW IN POPULARITY: While polling sites around the country are gearing up for huge voter turnout on Election Day, data and experts predict that a majority of the votes that will decide this year’s key races will be cast months before. In fact, many of those votes could be cast in the next few weeks. ABC News/WBAL Radio.
ONGOING STRIKE BRINGS A PICKUP ON SATURDAY TO AFFECTED AREAS: Residents in Pasadena, Severna Park, Odenton and Laurel whose recycling and yard waste collections are affected by the ongoing strike by some of Anne Arundel County’s contracted sanitation employees will get make-up collections Saturday, the county’s Department of Public Works said. Natalie Jones/Baltimore Sun
AACO LAUNCHES NEW WEBINAR SERIES FOR CONSTITUENTS: The Office of Community Engagement and Constituent Services is launching a new initiative, EngageArundel! EngageArundel consists of a webinar series, in-person informational sessions, and a collection of resources designed to empower community members with the tools needed to participate and advocate within county government. The first webinar, Engaging with County Government, will be held virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6 to 7 pm. AACounty.org/EngageArundel.
