PUBLIC DEFENDER TO SEEK FUNDS FOR MORE LAWYERS, STAFF TO MEET CASELOAD: The Maryland Office of the Public Defender plans to continue pushing its mantra to pursue justice and equity to serve all people fairly — but says it needs help to do so. Boosting the size of the office to keep pace with an increased workload will be among the office’s main requests to legislators next year, along with trying again to end the practice of charging youths as adults and cutting down on random traffic stops by police. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ATTY GEN & PUBLIC DEFENDER ENDS: An historic partnership formed with the Maryland attorney general and public defender has come to an end, after fulfilling its charge to deliver recommendations on ending mass incarceration, they announced in a letter. Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) and Public Defender Natasha Dartigue wrote that the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative has been dissolved, a little more than two years after its October 2023 launch. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY PLEADS GUILTY TO DUI: Human Services Secretary Rafael López had already “taken full responsibility” when he was charged with driving under the influence earlier this year in Washington, D.C. He made it official Monday, pleading guilty in D.C. Superior Court in a deal that could get the charge dismissed a year from now. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
- López pleaded guilty to DUI under an arrangement with prosecutors known as a deferred sentencing agreement. Sentencing is delayed for 12 months, and during that time, López must complete 40 hours of community service, pay a $100 fine and not violate any laws. If he meets those terms, López will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea and the prosecution will ask for the case to be dismissed. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE ANNOUNCES RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOL FAMILIES: Gov. Wes Moore announced that families and students enrolled in Community Schools can apply for emergency financial support through the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program in eight local jurisdictions. Applications are open now for those experiencing homelessness or who are at risk for housing instability. Aliza Worthington/Baltimore Fishbowl.
BA CO IG MADIGAN TO BECOME HOWARD’s FIRST INSPECTOR GENERAL: Kelly Madigan, Baltimore County’s first inspector general, is leaving her position after four difficult years to become the first inspector general in Howard County, she said in a resignation letter. “It was not an easy choice, but it was the right one,” Madigan said of her decision to leave Baltimore County effective Jan. 2. Rona Kobell and Lillian Reed/The Baltimore Banner.
B’MORE POLICE DISCIPLINARY CASES FACE SERIOUS BACKLOG: More than 500 disciplinary cases involving Baltimore Police officers were set for administrative trial boards. Most of the cases, police officials and attorneys involved in the hearings say, are for minor infractions such as failing to activate body cameras on time. The problem, though, is that at the current pace at which cases are heard — an average of just over two trial boards a month this year — it will be extremely difficult to catch up. Dan Belson/The Baltimore Sun.
PITTMAN IN HOT WATER OVER NEWSLETTER REMARKS: In his recent weekly newsletter, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman reflected on Republican President Donald Trump halting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the ongoing reconstruction of the Key Bridge; and the life of a local civic leader who died last month. But his writing recently got him into hot water with the county’s Ethics Commission — and not for the first time. Alex Mann/The Baltimore Banner.
MT AIRY SEES COSTS RISE FOR PLANNED ROUNDABOUT: Mount Airy’s Town Council plans to vote on putting $80,000 more toward a planned roundabout on South Main Street near Interstate 70, in hopes of getting the roughly $2.1 million project done by next June. The bill says the extra funds would cover “unplanned utility relocation” and safety upgrades to the project. Bryna Zumer/The Carroll County Times.
FREDERICK COUNTY NONPROFITS WORRY OVER FEDERAL HOMELESS COUNTS: Frederick County nonprofits are worried federal methods of counting unhoused people may provide an incomplete picture at the local level when compared to state counts. The federal point-in-time survey is conducted each winter. The data determines how much funding local jurisdictions get from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address unhousedness at the local level. Nathanael Miller/WYPR-FM.
NAVAL ACADEMY SUPER DEFENDS COMMANDANT’s FIRING: Naval Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte on Monday took responsibility for firing Commandant Gilbert Clark, saying Clark was not upholding the academy’s standards and “had to be removed.” After a closed door meeting, U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth said, Borgschulte “was appointed to make difficult decisions, including personnel decisions. He has a very high standard of excellence and service for his staff, especially his senior staff, and I respect his decision-making there on the campus.” Benjamin Rothstein/The Baltimore Sun.
WINNERS OF LOCAL 44 RACES ASK COURT TO STOP UNION DO-OVER: Stancil McNair and other grassroots candidates who won the AFSCME Local 44 election last August to represent Baltimore sanitation workers are asking a judge to block an election rerun scheduled for Saturday. The insurgents are seeking a court injunction against the union to stop it from conducting what they call an “unlawful and unjustifiable” second election, saying they “have exhausted internal union remedies” and are “at risk of being deprived of their protected interest in the election results.” Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
TIN IS BACK IN FOR OLD BAY: Fans of a sturdy spice container, rejoice. McCormick & Co. is bringing back tin packaging for Old Bay Seasoning, its original material before the brand switched to plastic in 2017. Clara Longo de Freitas/The Baltimore Banner.
- To celebrate the shift back to tin, Old Bay is collaborating with the Baltimore Ravens for the “This Just Tin” Sweepstakes where participants can win Old Bay and Ravens crossover prize packs. The sweepstakes takes place between Dec. 1 and Dec. 14. Chevall Pryce/The Baltimore Sun.
