SOYBEAN FARMERS ARE CAUGHT IN A U.S.-CHINA TRADE WAR: China, the world’s top purchaser of soybeans, gets a large share of its beans from American farmers. Last year alone, China bought more than half of the soybeans exported by them, or $12.6 billion worth. The more than 12,000 Maryland families growing the beans have leaned on the foreign trade partner to keep both the demand and prices of their bushels from dropping. Matti Gellman/The Baltimore Banner.
LAWMAKERS PREPARE TO REIN IN AND UNLEASH AI: Many members of Maryland’s General Assembly– who will soon consider several proposals to regulate AI – are equally intrigued by the technology’s potential applications in health care, education and other industries. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
FORMER GOVERNORS, STATE AG WEIGH IN ON TRUMP’S DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS: President Donald Trump’s novel use of National Guard troops for law enforcement purposes has reopened a debate over states’ authority to control police powers, as dueling briefs from current and former state leaders filed in Illinois’ lawsuit against the president show. Jacob Fischler/Maryland Matters.
PG CO COUNCIL COMMITTEE ADVANCES CONTROVERSIAL NOMINEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POST: A Prince George’s County Council committee advanced the nomination Thursday of Samuel Moki to be lead the county’s Department of the Environment, largely brushing aside concerns that he had been terminated from a job at the agency about a decade ago. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
CARROLL COUNTY LEADERS ASK TRUMP TO STOP THE CONTROVERSIAL POWERLINE PROJECT: Carroll County leaders are asking for help from the federal government to stop the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. Adam Thompson/CBS Baltimore.
STILL NO ANSWERS ON WHEN ENROLLMENT FREEZE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS WILL END: Early childhood education operators Michelle Lloyd and Cindi Webb appreciated that Maryland State Department of Education officials provided updates on various initiatives Thursday, but they still didn’t get an answer to their question. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
MOORE ANNOUNCES NEARLY $37M INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Thursday that the state will invest $36.8 million to build and preserve affordable housing across the state. The funding will support 13 projects expected to create or maintain more than 1,200 rental homes for low- and moderate-income residents. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
MOORE REMOVES MOST MEMBERS OF B’MORE CITY LIQUOR BOARD: Gov. Wes Moore has removed most members of the liquor board for Baltimore City, state officials confirmed Thursday. Mathew Schumer/The Baltimore Sun.
HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE MO CO CANDIDATES RAISED COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE, SO FAR: Council member Andrew Friedson has raised $1.5 million to fuel his campaign for Montgomery County executive, which puts him far ahead of his competitors in the money race. Ginny Bixby/Baltimore Banner
BA CO STRENGTHENS HISTORIC PROTECTION AFTER CHOATE HOUSE DEMOLITION: Six months after the bulldozers came for a beloved Randallstown landmark, the Baltimore County Council has passed legislation to fortify historic protections. The two new laws passed this week clarify when the county can issue a demolition permit, and how the public and elected officials can appeal decisions to demolish buildings. Rona Kobell/The Baltimore Banner.
$4.9 MILLION FOR ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES: The Maryland Energy Administration will award $4.9 million in grants for electric school buses, charging infrastructure and associated costs, the agency announced this week. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
SCOTT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO COMBAT OVERDOSES IN B’MORE: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) on Thursday announced an upcoming grant program for opioid reduction efforts, an announcement that came on the heels of the city’s third mass overdose event in recent months. Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters.
- Baltimore City will award $2 million from the Opioid Restitution Fund to local organizations through a competitive grant application process, according to the mayor’s office. Janay Reece/CBS News Baltimore.
- As Baltimore witnessed another mass overdose this week, the city is moving ahead with plans to fund community groups that help people who struggle with drug addiction. Alissa Zhu/The Baltimore Banner.
FREDERICK CO RESIDENTS WANT IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGE: Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater heard from residents as she outlined her recommendations for the General Assembly at the county’s annual Legislative Town Hall Wednesday night. Nathanael Miller/WYPR-FM.
