PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SEE UNEXPECTED DIP: Maryland’s public school enrollment appears to have dipped this year, an unexpected turn in a state that predicted an overall increase in the number of students in the next decade. Though the state education department won’t release official numbers until December, Maryland’s superintendents are already anticipating that budgets will be squeezed next year, as the money they get from the state declines as enrollment falls. Liz Bowie/The Baltimore Banner.
KIDS NEED SLEEP; GIVING IT TO THEM CAN BE COSTLY TO SCHOOLS: Studies have long shown that children need more sleep than adults and that sleep deprivation can profoundly affect academic performance. But efforts to delay school start times in Baltimore County have been hampered by one simple fact — even a slight schedule change can cost cash-strapped districts tens of millions of dollars. Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
BA CO SCHOOL REDISTRICTING WOULD IMPACT ONE STUDENT, 11 SCHOOLS: Baltimore County Public Schools is gearing up for redistricting once again. But this time, only one student would change schools. Kristen Griffith/The Baltimore Banner.
COMMENTARY: IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS NOT CRIME PREVENTION: With Maryland’s 2026 legislative session just a few months away, special interests are gearing up to introduce their proposals. Efforts to limit the reach of or to eliminate ICE 287(g) agreements, will find their way to the legislative inbox. These agreements allow local law enforcement to assist ICE in detaining for deportation individuals suspected of being undocumented. Karl Bickel/Maryland Matters.
STATE SEN. ATTAR, OTHERS PLEAD NOT GUILTY IN EXTORTION CASE: Sen. Dalya Attar; her brother, Joseph, a real estate developer; and Kalman Finkelstein, a Baltimore Police officer, pleaded not guilty Monday morning in federal court to the extortion and conspiracy charges against them. Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
- A federal grand jury indicted Attar in October, on charges that she attempted to blackmail a political consultant who she feared would spread negative information about her to thwart her 2022 reelection campaign. Finkelstein, a Baltimore City police officer has been suspended without pay. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
CRAIG THOMPSON ON THE FUTURE OF THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY: As chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority, Craig A. Thompson has spent the past two years at the center of some of Maryland’s most closely watched public works projects. He’s overseeing major renovations across the state’s sports and entertainment venues, including the $400 million rebuild of Pimlico Race Course and multimillion-dollar upgrades at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. He spoke about the future of the Stadium Authority, its role in reshaping state-owned facilities and the challenges ahead. Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
DHS EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTED TO HIDE MASSAGE EXPENSES, DOCUMENTS SAY: A Maryland Department of Human Services employee directed $400 of taxpayer money to pay for massages for themselves and colleagues — an expense the employee tried to conceal by instructing the massage business to alter its invoice so the state would approve it, according to documents. Tessa Bentulan/The Baltimore Sun.
REPUBLICANS STRUGGLE TO FIND FOOTHOLD IN BLUE HOWARD COUNTY: Howard County’s only elected Republican isn’t running for reelection next year. And the sole Republican candidate who had filed thus far to replace him just announced he’s dropped out of the race. Former County Executive Allan Kittleman, a Republican, says it’s unfortunate there are no other Republicans running for council or county executive yet in Howard County. It is a very “difficult time” to be a Republican in such a blue county, he says. April Santana/The Baltimore Sun.
JAWANDO, RUNNING FOR COUNTY EXEC, WON’T SEEK MO CO COUNCIL TOP SEAT: Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando (D-At-large) won’t seek the council’s top leadership position as he campaigns for county executive. Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesda Today.
SENIOR ADMIN UNDER KLAUSMEIER TAKES JOB AT JHU: Sameer Sidh, a senior deputy administrative officer for Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, will depart county government in December for a new role with Johns Hopkins University. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
ANOTHER NAVAL ACADEMY LEADER RELIEVED OF DUTIES: Another top leader at the U.S. Naval Academy has been removed, the latest change during a tumultuous few months for the Annapolis military college. Capt. Gilbert Clark Jr., the commandant of midshipmen at the military academy, was “relieved from his duties” just six months after starting his role, the academy announced Monday. Ellie Wolfe/The Baltimore Banner.
