FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP PLAN TO BAN DEI IN SCHOOLS: A federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools by threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that refuse to comply. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
U.S. DEPT. OF ED BEGINS COLLECTION OF DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS: The U.S. Department of Education’s plan to begin collecting federal student loans in default has caused anxiety among some Maryland graduates, while others say the time has come for them to accept fiscal responsibility. Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TRY WORKAROUND TO DEI CUTS: Maryland schools are not required to sign a certification of compliance with the U.S. Department of Education’s demand to cut diversity, equity and inclusion, a federal judge ruled Thursday. But Maryland sent its own version of a certification anyway. Bridget Byrne and Mary Carole McCauley/The Baltimore Sun.
SECOND MAN DEPORTED TO EL SALVADOR LAST MONTH, VIOLATING COURT ORDER: Kilmar Abrego Garcia was not the only man erroneously deported to El Salvador last month despite a Maryland judge’s order. John-John Williams IV/The Baltimore Banner.
PORT OF BALTIMORE BECOMES CAR PURGATORY AMONG TARIFFS: President Donald Trump implemented a 25% tariff on cars earlier this month. To avoid hefty levies, some manufacturers are opting not to process cars through customs at ports across the country, instead parking them in a sort of purgatory. Hayes Gardner/The Baltimore Banner.
$1 MILLION TO BE ADDED TO MO CO PARKS DEPT. FUNDING AFTER ERROR: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) will be amending his proposed county operating budget for fiscal year 2026 after his staff “inadvertently underfunded the amount necessary to fully fund the Parks Department’s employee contract obligations” by $1 million, according to a letter he sent Tuesday to County Council President Kate Stewart. Ginny Bixby/Bethesda Today.
BGE PLAN FOR OVERHEAD POWER LINES OPPOSED BY SOME BALT. CO RESIDENTS, OFFICIALS: : Baltimore County elected officials and residents on Wednesday evening voiced opposition to the modification and construction of new overhead power lines intended to compensate for a retiring coal plant. They cited worries about fire risk and exposure to electromagnetic fields and “forever” chemicals. Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
COVID GRANT BUYS PROPERTY INSTEAD OF HELPING COMMUNITY: Baltimore is suing a recipient of some of its federal coronavirus relief funds, alleging that the group used money intended to provide rental assistance and mental health resources to instead buy property. Emily Opilo/The Baltimore Banner.
CONSERVATIVE SCOTUS READY TO RULE ON DENYING PARENTS RIGHT TO OPT STUDENTS OUT OF LGBTQ+ BOOKS: The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears poised to rule against a Montgomery County Public Schools policy that leaves parents with no choice to opt their three and four-year-old children out of reading books in class containing LGBTQ related content. Ryan Dickstein/WMAR TV.
NORWEGIAN COMPANY’S INDOOR SALMON FARM SHIFTS TO SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BANKS: After giving up on plans to build an indoor salmon farm on the Eastern Shore, a Norwegian company shifted its sights to the banks of the Susquehanna River in Northern Maryland, saying the new location is better equipped to withstand environmental impacts. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner.
COMMENTARY: AFTER TOXIC COCKTAIL OF COMPLAINTS, CHANGES ARE COMING TO AACO LIQUOR BOARD: Changes are coming for booze in Anne Arundel County. Prompted by a toxic cocktail of complaints, a state senator is leading the latest attempt to reform the county Board of License Commissioners. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
B’MORE’S PLANNING DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN: Chris Ryer announced Wednesday he will be stepping down this year as director of Baltimore’s Planning Department after six years in the cabinet-level post. Brew Editors/The Baltimore Brew.
THURMONT REVIEWING PROPOSED $4.9M GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026: Thurmont’s Board of Commissioners is considering about $4.9 million in expenses in the town’s general fund for fiscal year 2026 — up from about $4.7 million allocated for general fund expenses in the current operating budget. Gabrille Lewis/The Frederick News-Post.
