UNCHECKED CLIMATE OF CHAOS AT MAXIMUM SECURITY PERKINS MENTAL HOSPITAL: A Washington Post investigation into the tenure of its Clifton T. Perkins psychiatric hospital CEO Scott Moran found that the allegations outlined in the restraining order petition were not isolated, but a culmination of years of well-documented but unaddressed complaints about hospital mismanagement and safety that had prompted staff departures and, at times, left employees and patients vulnerable. Katie Mettler/The Washington Post.
DESPITE POSITIVE POLL, ABORTION ADVOCATES FIGHT COMPLACENCY, AS DO FOES: Polls show overwhelming support for Question 1, the ballot question that would guarantee “reproductive freedom” as part of the state constitution, but advocates on both sides of the issue say that’s not the end of the fight. In fact, they say, it’s a reason to fight hard until the end. With a recent poll by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Institute of Politics showing that 69% of likely voters will vote for Question 1 and just 21% planning to vote against it, both sides say they want to ensure that their voters do not get complacent because of the seemingly insurmountable gap. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
OPINION: QUESTION 1 IS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Opponents of Question 1 are claiming a multitude of falsehoods. Opponents argue that the amendment is not necessary because we already have laws in Maryland that protect an adult’s right to have an abortion. This is true, however, we all know that laws can be repealed and or changed, depending on who is elected to political office or who is chosen to fill judgeships. Some opponents are claiming that the amendment will require taxpayer funding of sexual reassignment surgery of children. Reproductive health for women and girls needs to be driven by safety and medical expertise, not by scarcity or political moralizing. Katie Curran O’Malley/Maryland Matters.
ALSOBROOKS EMPHASIZES WORKING CLASS ROOTS IN RACE FOR SENATE: Maryland has never elected a Black U.S. senator. But Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks, downplaying race and gender, said Monday it is her working-class roots that would make history if she is elected. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
MAYOR SCOTT TARGETS BLACK MEN AS SURROGATE FOR HARRIS, ALSOBROOKS: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat and surrogate for both the Kamala Harris campaign for president and Angela Alsobrooks campaign for Senate, has been on the trail making an appeal to Black men to vote for the two prominent Black women at the top of Maryland’s ticket. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
CECIL TAKES FAMILY, GENERATIONAL FOCUS IN ADDICTION RECOVERY: There has been a shift in the way education and health officials view the opioid epidemic. They have come to believe reducing the generational harm will take a focus on the whole family, rather than each individual with a substance-use disorder. Across Cecil County, an informal network is developing ways to track down more children and get them help as early as possible — including while their mothers are still pregnant. Meredith Cohn/The Baltimore Banner.
LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE SOLAR COMPANIES PAY COUNTIES FOR FARMLAND: The Maryland Association of Counties, a nonprofit, nonpartisan voice for all 24 counties in the state, is proposing that solar companies with state approval to build solar farms on agricultural land, be required to pay $3,500 to $5,000 per acre to the county where farms are located. The money would be used in that county for conservation or agricultural preservation. Sherry Greenfield/The Carroll County Times.
DEM FUNDRAISERS, INCLUDING ONE FEATURING WALZ, ABOUND IN MARYLAND: Deep-pocketed Maryland Democrats or elected officials who are interested in making the scene may have to find a way to be in two places at once on Wednesday evening — or even more. That’s because the Maryland Democratic Party has scheduled a fundraiser in downtown Baltimore that evening around the same time the Democratic nominee for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser in Potomac. There are at least four other fundraisers for Democratic candidates or political causes also taking place that night, according to event invitations. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
BA CO COUNCIL CONSIDERS OPPOSING PIEDMONT RELIABILITY PROJECT: As the preferred route for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is expected to be announced soon, Baltimore County Council members are weighing in, opposing the project. Jessica Babb/WBFF-TV News.
NO MENTION OF YOCUM CONTROVERSY AT ARUNDEL SCHOOL BOARD FORUM: Protesters lined the entrance to the library parking lot with signs that read “Shame on Chuck, drop out now.” But inside the library, no word was mentioned in an hourlong candidates forum about what has become a central issue in the Anne Arundel school board race. Anne Arundel County Democratic leaders called on Charles “Chuck” Yocum to drop out of the District 3 race after The Banner reported last week that Yocum was charged 30 years ago with child sexual abuse and removed from his teaching position at Northeast High School over those and other accusations. Liz Bowie/The Baltimore Banner.
MOSBY SEEKS NIGHTLY CURFEW TO ACCOMMODATE NEW JOB: Former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby is asking a federal judge to replace her home detention with a nightly curfew, a move her attorneys say is necessary for a new job that requires “routine travel” within Maryland. Darcy Costello/The Baltimore Sun.
