B’MORE FAITHFUL MARK NEW ERA WITH AMERICAN POPE: The Baltimore faithful are marking a new era of the Catholic Church amid the election of the first American to become pope. Chicago-native Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Thursday after four rounds of voting, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Tori Yorgy/WBAL-TV NEWS.
- Catholics and other officials in Maryland celebrated the news. Archbishop William Lori said in a statement he’s met Leo “on several occasions” and described the new pope as “a true missionary.” Cody Boteler, Darreonna Davis and Jasmine Vaughn-Hall/The Baltimore Banner.
- Baltimore Catholics gathered at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen to celebrate a history-making selection at the Vatican. Kelly Swoope/WMAR-TV NEWS.
B’MORE REGION ASKED TO CONSERVE WATER: With much of Maryland experiencing severe drought, Baltimore Public Works officials are urging residents in the city and surrounding region to limit their water use heading into the summer. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner.
- Severe drought has settled in Baltimore County for the past six months with no end in sight, a worrying trend as warmer months approach, climate experts said. Ela Jalil/Capital News Service.
SANDY POINT AND OTHERS TO REQUIRE DAY PASSES: The Maryland Park Service will soon require day passes to visit several state recreation areas, which could have residents scrambling for other ways to cool off in the summer. A new Day-Use Reservation System will go into effect May 19, starting with Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro and Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, which both have access to swimming areas, among other amenities.Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
550 AMERICORPS POSITIONS LOST TO TRUMP CUTS: Maryland officials are getting a clearer picture of the scope of loss from tHe Trump administration’s dismantling of AmeriCorps. They said Thursday that the state will lose at least $12 million in grants and shed about 550 positions across more than 20 programs. Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
- Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is calling on the private sector to fill the gap left when the Trump Administration began dismantling AmeriCorps last week. Rachel Baye/WYPR-FM.
- Private donors have chipped in $80,000 to help AmeriCorps programs in Maryland that were slashed by the Trump administration, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said Thursday at a news conference in Baltimore. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- The agency abruptly cut $400 million, or 41% of its budget, and placed 85% of its staff on administrative leave last month, according to court records. Ashley Murray/Maryland Matters.
TEAM MARYLAND FOCUSES ON TRUMP’S PROPOSED BUDGET IMPACTS STATE: It’s budget season in Washington, D.C. Last week, President Donald Trump transmitted his budget proposal to Congress, which drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including members of Maryland’s congressional delegation. Kate Amara/WBAL-TV NEWS.
TRUMP CUTS IMPERIL CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS: Center for Hope and other community-based crime prevention programs are facing an existential threat in the form of budget cuts, amounting to $1.2 million, from the Trump administration. Without those funds, last year’s progress on citywide crime reduction may be erased, according to Freedom Jones, director of violence intervention programs for the Center for Hope. Adam Hudacek of Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter
MD. LAWMAKERS JOIN 24-HOUR PROTEST AGAINST MEDICAID CUTS: “Keep your hands off our Medicaid,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen said. “We cannot stop for one second…we are gathered to make sure that our voices will be heard, and we will keep doing this between now and the time that we save Medicaid.” Mennatalla Ibrahim and Daranee Balachandar, Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter
MFUME SAYS TRUMP, MUSK, SHOULD BE ARRESTED: Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who acknowledged his statement may sound “crazy and ludicrous,” said that President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk should be arrested. Ben Mause/The Baltimore Sun.
RALLY TODAY IN ANNAPOLIS TO SUPPORT REPARATIONS COMMISSION: While Gov. Wes Moore (D) continues to be noncommittal on whether he’ll sign a Maryland Reparations Commission bill into law, a group of supporters plan to rally Friday in Annapolis to show their support for the measure. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
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KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE UPENDED WORKERS FAR BEYOND BALTIMORE: Newly released data shows people in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and beyond receiving emergency state relief funds after losing their jobs.Matt Cohen, Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter
CARROLL COMMISSIONERS DEBATE APPROVAL OF MORE FUNDING FOR PINEY RUN PARK: Though the Board of Carroll County Commissioners unanimously approved additional funding for improvements to Piney Run Park in Sykesville, the request was scrutinized. Sherry Greenfield/The Baltimore Sun.
B’MORE MAYOR BEING SUED BY FORMER EMPLOYEES: Two former Baltimore City employees are suing the mayor and City Council over allegations of wrongful termination and political retribution. The plaintiffs allege Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott ordered their firings “due to their association with the mayor’s political opponents,” according to the complaint obtained exclusively by 11 News Investigates. Tolly Taylor/WBALTV.
JAWANDO TO ENTER MO CO EXECUTIVE RACE: Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando (D-At-large) will make a campaign announcement on May 21 at an event he is hosting in downtown Silver Spring, following speculation that he will run to replace County Executive Marc Elrich (D) in 2026. Ginny Bixby/Bethesda Today.
COMMENTARY: SHOULD NAVAL ACADEMY LEADER PUSH BACK ON BOOK BAN? SIX HUNDRED GRADS SAY YES:The Naval Academy grads wrote an open letter to Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, saying the decision to pull 381 books from the academy library’s shelves shows that the superintendent isn’t doing her job to protect the sanctity of ideas. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
