TRUMP AIDE WARNS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ON IMMIGRATION LAW VIOLATIONS: Letters suggesting several Maryland jurisdictions are violating federal immigration law and threatening penalties were sent late last month to officials in three local jurisdictions by a group led by Stephen Miller, an adviser to President-elect Donald Trump. The letters, sent to officials in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and numerous other officials in Maryland, take aim at the jurisdictions for policies “concealing, harboring or shielding” immigrants. Emily Opilo/The Baltimore Banner.
LAWMAKERS PREFILE 250 BILLS AS JAN. 8 SESSION OPENING NEARS: When Maryland’s legislative session starts Jan. 8, lawmakers will address a projected $2.9 billion state deficit, as well as high-profile bills that include in vitro fertilization treatment protections, phone-free classrooms and new election regulations. Over 250 bills have been pre-filed by state lawmakers to go along with the thousands expected to be introduced in the 90-day session. Glynis Kazanjian/The Baltimore Sun.
NINE MONTHS AFTER CRASH, KEY BRIDGE REBUILD TO BEGIN: The costly effort to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge will begin this month, about nine months after a massive cargo ship crashed into the structure when it lost power on the Patapsco River, destroying the span and killing six people. Katie Mettler/The Washington Post.
CONTESTED POWERLINE SEEKS PERMIT FROM PSC: The utility company planning to build a 70-mile power line from northern Baltimore County to southern Frederick County applied Tuesday for a key permit from the Public Service Commission, formally putting its controversial plan in front of Maryland regulators. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner.
POWERLINE CONTROVERSY OVERSHADOWS CLIMATE, ENERGY ISSUES: As Maryland policymakers deliberated potential solutions to climate challenges and energy demands throughout 2024, they became distracted by a proposal that nobody knew was coming until the middle of the year. No energy and climate issue produced more fury in the state this year than a proposal to build a new high-voltage electric transmission line through three Maryland counties — largely to provide more power to energy-hogging data centers in Northern Virginia. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
PERKINS PATIENT ATTACKED BY TWO OTHERS: A patient at Maryland’s troubled maximum security psychiatric hospital suffered a brain bleed this month after authorities say two other patients stomped on his head nearly 20 times before security and nursing staff intervened — an attack that came just days after the state’s health secretary faced critical questions from lawmakers about safety at the facility. Katie Mettler/The Washington Post.
FEARING RIGHTS ROLLBACK, LGBTQIA+ MARYLANDERS TAKE PRECAUTIONS: When Baltimore resident Matt McCoy made plans to marry the love of his life this week, he envisioned the ceremony as the joyous culmination of a four-year relationship. But in the back of his mind, McCoy said, he wasn’t able to stop thinking about whether his same-sex marriage to Cole Bishop on New Year’s Eve would still be protected under a new president. John John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
SUPERINTENDENT WRIGHT OPTIMISTIC ON EDUCATION REFORMS … Despite concerns raised by Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other legislative leaders regarding future commitments to Maryland’s signature education plan, the Blueprint for Education, State Superintendent Carey Wright is optimistic for the future of education reforms in the state. She emphasized that “the glass is more than half full” and she expects to see further progress in the next year. Richard Elliott/The Washington Informer.
… BUT CALLS FOR PREPARATION SHOULD U.S. ED DEPARTMENT BE ABOLISHED: “We’ve got to be prepared.” That was the statement coming from Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright after a bill was introduced in Washington, D.C., to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. And with the election of Donald Trump, a lot could soon change in education. Chris Papst/WBFF-TV News.
‘HIGH DOSAGE’ MATH TUTORING TAKING HOLD IN MARYLAND: A model for high dosage math tutoring employing nearly 1,000 college and graduate students has taken root across Maryland, converting some into lifelong educators and providing middle schoolers with diverse mentors. Marianna McMurdock/The 74.
FREDERICK COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMITTED TO SCIENCE OF LEARNING: The Frederick County school district has made educating faculty and staff on cognitive science a top priority. In 2017, the county partnered with the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning and began training teachers, instructional coaches and leaders in the bedrock principles of the science of learning, including an understanding of how memory works and its pivotal role in academic learning. Holly Korbey/The 74.
LAWMAKERS’ WINDOW TO RAISE CAMPAIGN CASH SHORTER: Thanks to the way the 2025 calendar is aligned, this year’s General Assembly session is opening on the earliest date possible, Jan. 8 — which means the annual pre-session scramble by lawmakers and statewide elected officials to raise money before a three-month fundraising ban goes into effect is more condensed and intense than ever. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REMAINS MAJORITY DEM; ADDS 3 WOMEN: Though the 2024 election was generally favorable for Republicans nationally, Maryland’s next congressional delegation will consist of nine Democrats — including four new members — and just one Republican. Learn more about the two senators and eight House members who will represent the state upon being sworn into the 119th Congress on Friday. Carson Swick/The Baltimore Sun.
OLSZEWSKI FACES SLOWER ACTION, GOP MINEFIELD IN U.S. HOUSE: The new job as U.S. representative is a drastic shift in power dynamics for Johnny Olszewski. As Baltimore County’s top official, the Democrat could move on most major local issues relatively quickly. Congress, though, will be a majority-Republican minefield of polarized politicians known for moving at a glacial pace. Danny Nguyen/The Baltimore Banner.
OLSZEWSKI REFLECTS ON SIX YEARS AS BA CO EXECUTIVE: The span of Johnny Olszewski’s six years as county executive is bookended by huge financial challenges for Maryland’s third largest county. Along the way the Congress-bound Democrat faced a pandemic, stumbled over the role of the Inspector General, and took steps to fulfill a mandate for more affordable housing. On Friday morning Olszewski will resign, just before being sworn into Congress. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
ELRICH TOUTS CRIME DROP IN MONTGOMERY: Overall crime in Montgomery County dropped 7% in 2024, said County Executive Marc Elrich on Tuesday. He touted the drop, saying property crime dipped 6%, motor vehicle thefts dropped 15% and carjackings plummeted 43%. There were 19 homicides in 2024 — down from 29 in 2023 — and the number of shootings dropped 19%. Elrich added, “The numbers are good, but I’m not a big fan of declaring victory. The numbers are still too high.” Kate Ryan/WTOP-FM.
FORMER STATE SEN. RICHARD COLBURN DIES AT 74; SERVICES TODAY: A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 2, for former state Sen. Richard Colburn, who died last Friday, Dec. 27, at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health in Easton. He was 74. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Open Bible Church in Cambridge, followed by a memorial service at the church, according to the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home. Burial will be private. Staff/Maryland Matters.
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