DESPITE STATE ATTEMPTS TO STOP BOOK BANS, IT STILL HAPPENED IN HARFORD: Maryland’s Freedom to Read Act requires school systems to institute a process meant to prevent book bans. But in Harford County – which became the Baltimore area’s first test of the state’s law – a book still got banned, showing how empowered conservative parents remain. Kristen Griffith and Nori Leybengrub/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE SAYS HE WILL RUN ON RECORD, AGAINST TRUMP: It isn’t clear who he’ll be up against come November 2026, but Gov. Wes Moore (D), who formally announced his reelection bid on Tuesday, already has a message for the eventual challenger. “Whoever it is, they should come ready, because we have a very real record to run on — and a record that we’re very proud of,” said Moore, adding that he intends to make any GOP challenger’s ties to President Donald Trump (R) a campaign issue in deep-blue Maryland. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- Moore said, “While (President Donald) Trump’s reckless policies make everything cost more, we are showing Marylanders from across the state and party lines that there’s a better way forward to make our economy stronger and everyday life more affordable.” Keith Demko/The Salisbury Daily Times.
B’MORE MAYOR SCOTT SAYS CITY DOESN’T NEED NATIONAL GUARD: Mayor Brandon Scott has maintained in recent weeks that Baltimore does not need help from the National Guard, and that President Donald Trump deploying federal troops to the city would not reduce crime. Carson Swick/The Baltimore Sun.
INSIDE HITACHI RAIL’s 307,000-SQ-FT HAGERSTOWN FACTORY: Robotic dogs and workers wearing exoskeletons are building the D.C. Metro trains of tomorrow at a 307,000-square-foot factory in Hagerstown. Hitachi Rail’s sleek $100 million plant broke ground in 2022 and opened this week. Local assembly was a requirement of the Metro contract, currently at $700 million with a possible total of $2.2 billion. Rachel Weiner/The Washington Post.
FORMER DEL. KREBS TO FILL CARROLL COMMISSIONER’s SEAT: When former state Del. Susan Krebs decided not to run for reelection in 2022, many thought her 23-year career in public service had come to an end. But starting Thursday, Krebs will rejoin the political landscape as a Carroll County commissioner. Lily Carey/The Carroll County Times.
BA CO COUNCIL CRITICIZED FOR NEW REMAPPING MADE IN SECRET: The Baltimore County Council took it on the chin once again Tuesday night for making last-minute changes behind closed doors to a proposed redrawing of the council’s district lines, with critics saying it has mishandled the process by drawing up secret maps that weaken the political power of non-white voters. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
MO CO ERECTS 200+ ‘NO TURN ON RED’ SIGNS TO STOP PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS: More than 200 “No Turn on Red” signs have popped up at intersections across Montgomery County. Montgomery County leaders said drivers hit about 600 people who were walking or biking last year. The signs are part of an effort to cut down on such crashes. Adam Tuss/NBC-News 4.
WATER BILL APPEALS BACKLOG FOR HUNDREDS OF B’MORE RESIDENTS: An appeal process Baltimore created to challenge water bills has a backlog of hundreds of applicants, a list so long the city could not possibly catch up at current staffing levels, officials say. Emily Opilo/The Baltimore Banner.
CITY COLLEGE PROFS PROTEST LACK OF CONTRACT A YEAR AFTER UNIONIZING: Professors at Baltimore City College protested Tuesday the fact that almost a year after unionizing they still have no contract with the college. A few dozen faculty, students, union leaders and other supporters at the rally had a simple message: Pay staff fair and timely wages. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
