USDA PROMISED TO PAY FARMS HIRING IMMIGRANT LABOR; WHERE IS THE MONEY? Even Maryland Rep. Andy Harris couldn’t get an answer from the Trump administration. An executive order in late January paused multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, including one aimed at farmers trying to hire immigrant workers legally to address labor shortages. On March 28, Harris started a congressional inquiry into the frozen funds. But after three weeks, he was only left with more questions. Matti Gellman/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE SAYS HE’s TAKING ACTION ON SQUATTER CRISIS: Gov. Wes Moore’s response regarding the state’s efforts to tackle the region’s squatter crisis sharply contrasts with what state lawmakers and real estate professionals describe as a full-blown war against alleged unauthorized occupants and the online networks profiting from such activities. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
TRUMP CUTS CRITICIZED FOR TAKING AIM AT B’MORE HOUSING PROGRAM: The Trump administration’s proposed cuts to housing assistance could affect thousands of Maryland residents — drawing criticism from Democratic members of Maryland’s congressional delegation. “Donald Trump is deliberately taking aim at programs in Baltimore that provide housing with no regard for the families and children they will kick to the curb,” U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume said in a statement Mfume represents Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
QUESTIONS ARISE OVER STATE SENATOR’s ROLE IN AIDING DISGRACED DEVELOPER: A developer with a checkered past had a vision for a narrow plot of land in East Baltimore. Ronald Lipscomb and his business partner wanted to build an apartment tower near the Johns Hopkins Hospital on a parcel that was owned by a quasi-governmental agency. There were three problems: The land was appraised at $5.25 million, Lipscomb needed money and the community had questions. That’s when East Baltimore Democrat and influential state Sen. Cory McCray stepped in. Giacomo Bologna and Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND OFFICIALS EXPRESS HORROR OVER MINNESOTA KILLINGS, ASSAULTS: Maryland officials expressed shock and horror following the allegedly politically motivated shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers from Minnesota and their spouses, warning the violence strikes at the heart of civic life and threatens public service itself. Jessica Calefati/The Baltimore Banner.
THOUSANDS OF MARYLANDERS FILL STREETS, PARKS FOR ‘NO KINGS’ EVENT: Thousands of protesters filled streets and parks across Maryland on Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, one of the largest coordinated protest actions of the year against President Donald Trump’s administration. Demonstrators gathered in Baltimore, Bethesda, Columbia and dozens of other communities, waving signs and chanting in defense of civil rights and democratic institutions. Lee O. Sanderlin, Darreonna Davis, Ben Conarck, Cody Boteler and Alexander Taylor/The Baltimore Banner.
- Several thousand people lined one of the busiest intersections near the Columbia Mall Saturday to protest President Trump as part of “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance” Saturday morning. Cars and trucks honked their approval as the crowd waved hand-made signs and American flags as suggested by the national organizers. Some used profanity to emphasize their message. Len Lazarick/Maryland Reporter.
- Gary Waugh clutched the 13-folded flag in its frame as he stood among more than 1,000 people gathered on a hot, smoggy Saturday afternoon at Patterson Park in Baltimore for a political rally. Waugh, 71, said the flag represented his father, William, a World War II vet who he said would have been “disgusted” by the Trump administration. Waugh brought the folded flag so his father could be a part of the more than 2,000 “No Kings” rallies nationwide to protest the Trump administration. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
COLUMN: AN ASSASSINATION IN MINNESOTA QUIETS ANNAPOLIS RALLY: The “No Kings Day” protest in Annapolis, one of two in the city and one of hundreds around Maryland and the nation, began as a strangely happy thing. How could it not be when Randy Goldberg, a reenactor decked out in George Washington’s buff and blue Continental Army uniform, was ready to take the stage to surrender his commission? Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
ICE ARREST, DETENTION DATA HAS BEEN CURTAILED: In Maryland, it’s almost impossible to know how many have been detained or arrested by ICE since January — and immigration and data experts say this time-sensitive data is vital for transparency and accountability. Despite regular news releases trumpeting arrests and detentions of immigrants, the federal immigration agency — Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE — has sharply reigned in actual data releases on its activities, and in some cases, stopped entirely since President Donald Trump took office. Stella Canino-Quinones/The Baltimore Sun,
INTERNATIONAL FACULTY, STUDENTS FEEL PRESSURE OF TRUMP BATTLES: International students and faculty have unwittingly been drawn into two of President Trump’s most fervid battles: against universities that he characterizes as hotbeds of “wokeness” and against foreigners, even if they are here legally. Jean Mirabella/The Baltimore Sun.
FIVE DEMOCRATS LINE UP TO SEEK MO CO EXEC SEAT: More than a year ahead of Montgomery County’s elections, five candidates are already vying to succeed Marc Elrich (D) as county executive. Montgomery County Council Democrats Will Jawando, Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass announced plans to run in their party’s June 2026 primary. Celeste Iroha, a health-care professional, and Mithun Banerjee, who invests in real estate for a living, are also vying for the Democratic nomination. No Republicans have submitted documentation to run for the seat yet. Dana Munro/The Washington Post.
ABREGO GARCIA PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO HUMAN SMUGGLING: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose wrongful deportation to an El Salvador prison sparked national debate over Trump administration immigration crackdowns, entered not guilty pleas on Friday to two federal human smuggling charges. Anita Wadhwani/Maryland Matters.
DARRYL HALE, LONG-TIME TANEYTOWN OFFICIAL REMEMBERED FOR WORK: On May 3, friends, family and co-workers crowded into the Fireman’s Activity Building on the Taneytown fairgrounds to honor and celebrate the life and accomplishments of longstanding Taneytown city official Darryl Hale. He was 58. Hale passed away on April 1, after a brief illness. At the time of his death, Hale was serving as the director of Planning and Zoning and Code Enforcement in Taneytown. Kevin Dayhoff/The Carroll County Times.
