LONGSHOREMEN PUT STRIKE ON HOLD: Longshoremen are returning to work at the Port of Baltimore and other ports from Maine to Texas, just three days after walking out on a strike that threatened to cripple the economy if it went on for an extended period of time. Staff/Maryland Matters.
- Scott Cowan, president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, says he is happy that the strike was so short, especially since the workers already had a tough time earlier this year after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Jai Nai Wright/WMAR TV.
- The Port of Baltimore is expected to fully reopen Friday morning after the union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports reached a deal to suspend their strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract. Bria Overs and Tom Krisher, Associated Press/The Baltimore Banner.
- For days, local and national outlets have been warning that a labor strike at ports from Texas to Maine could cripple the country’s supply chain — and lead to widespread banana shortages. While some companies have been stockpiling consumer goods or routing them through West Coast ports, that’s not possible with bananas. They need to be picked, shipped and sold within a couple of weeks. Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Banner.
OBAMA BACKS ALSOBROOKS, SAYS SENATE CONTROL ‘COULD COME DOWN’ TO MD: Former president Barack Obama on Friday endorsed Democrat Angela Alsobrooks for Maryland’s open Senate seat in a campaign ad touting her record on crime and her commitment to protecting democracy — adding extra appeal to her campaign that highlights the high stakes of her race with former governor Larry Hogan (R). Katie Shepherd/The Washington Post.
AFTER ALSOBROOKS’ TAX ERRORS, AUDIT FINDS PROBLEMS WITH AGENCY HANDLING TAX CREDITS: Days after Angela Alsobrooks acknowledged improperly receiving property tax credits for two residences over several years, a new audit of the beleaguered agency that handles those types of credits in Maryland found extensive issues — including with its oversight of the benefits at the center of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate’s problems. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
PRO HOGAN SUPER PAC OUTSPENDS ALSOBROOKS’ COUNTERPARTS ON ADS: In a battle of super PACs, an especially well-funded one supporting Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan is gobbling up airtime seeking to influence his U.S. Senate race against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and swing Senate control to Republicans. The super PAC called “Maryland’s Future” launched a week after the former two-term governor entered the race in February. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
POWER LINE DEVELOPER SENDS LETTER TO LAWMAKERS: A New Jersey-based power developer sent a letter to Maryland lawmakers Friday forecasting a busy fall season along with continued messaging about its controversial power line project. Gary Collins/Fox 45 News.
TALBOT SHERIFF SQUARES OFF WITH ELECTION OFFICIALS: The Talbot County Sheriff has waded into a dispute over election judges in the county, writing county election officials to remind them that his office provides election security and “strongly” urging them “to comply with Maryland law.” The letter, which some interpreted as a veiled threat, drew a swift and sharp rebuke from Maryland’s top election official. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
586,266 LOW-INCOME KIDS BENEFITED FROM SUMMER FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Sarah Moorefield, 40, a single mother of two teenagers, was pleasantly surprised to learn in June that her daughters had been automatically enrolled in Sun Bucks, a new federally funded grocery benefit that gave the family an additional $40 per child per month throughout the summer. Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters.
MAIL-IN BALLOT KNOW-HOW: WHAT IF YOU ARE SENT MORE THAN ONE BALLOT? Your vote counts, but you only get just one. So a Maryland voter who got two mail-in ballots for the same person contacted WTOP and wanted to know: What should they do? Gilberto Zelaya, the community engagement public relations officer for the Montgomery County Board of Elections, said in a case like that, the answer is simple: “Vote one, return the voted one and discard or destroy the other.” Kate Ryan/WTOP News.
CARROLL COMMISSIONERS FUND PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECTS: The Board of Carroll County Commissioners unanimously approved the use of $71,925 in county funds Thursday for 11 parks and recreation projects. Local recreation and parks councils will also contribute $23,158 to the projects. Thomas Goodwin Smith/The Carroll County Times.
MO.CO. ADVANCED VOTER REGISTRATION ENDS SOON: The Montgomery County Board of Elections is reminding voters that advanced voter registration for the Nov. 5 presidential election ends on Oct. 15. Residents can register in person at the Board of Elections in Gaithersburg at 18753 N. Frederick Ave., Suite 210, or online. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360.
INDUSTRY WORKERS WEIGH IN ON ELECTRIC BOATS: While Maryland officials are in Sweden to conduct environmental research, examine the feasibility of using electric ferries, and meet Swedish leaders, Annapolis Boat Show goers are considering electric boats. Megan Loock/The Baltimore Sun.
