OPPOSITION TO CONOWINGO RECERTIFICATION FALLS AWAY: Several Eastern Shore counties have withdrawn from an appeal of Maryland’s recertification for the Conowingo Dam, a challenge that the state feared could put a $340 million settlement with Constellation, the dam’s owner, in jeopardy. But the county that hosts the dam, Cecil, is moving forward with the complaint, which argues that counties on the Shore were improperly excluded from the recertification process. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- Dorchester County voted last week to withdraw its challenge to a state environmental certification for the dam, while the attorney leading the coalition spearheading the challenge said two other counties, Queen Anne’s and Kent, also backed out. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner.
PSC DENIES BGE PARTIAL RATE HIKE: Maryland’s utility regulator partially denied Baltimore Gas and Electric’s request to recoup cost overruns from 2023 — blunting an increase in monthly bills. In a Monday order, the Maryland Public Service Commission said it would grant BGE a $77.2 million “true-up,” about half of the $152.3 million originally requested. Giacomo Bologna and Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND LETS ANYONE FILE FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES, BUT INNOCENT PEOPLE PAY: The district court commissioner system was intended to give people greater access to justice, and advocates argue that it can play a critical role in helping some survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. But the decades-old legal process has few safeguards, and Maryland stands out because of how much leeway it gives everyday people to initiate charges. Dylan Segelbaum/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND WIND PROJECT NOT AMONG THOSE STOPPED BY TRUMP ADMIN: President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks, but the Ocean City project is not one of them. Shauneen Miranda/Maryland Matters.
POLL: MARYLANDERS LESS JOLLY THIS YEAR, THANKS TO POLITICS: Santa may find Marylanders less than jolly when he arrives in the Old Line State later this week. A poll released Monday by the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County surveyed residents on the upcoming holidays. Mileah Kromer, a political science professor and director of the poll, said many of the answers spoke to how people feel about the current state of political affairs in the country. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
PART 2: MOORE ON ICE & THE CONSTITUTION, PIEDMONT POWERLINE PROJECT: In Part 2 of a four-part interview, Gov. Wes Moore addresses dealing with ICE and upholding the Constitution, essential services, the Piedmont powerline project and education spending. Armstrong Williams/The Baltimore Sun.
PART 3: MOORE ON SPENDING, DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS, AI: Part 3 of the four-part interview with Gov. Wes Moore focuses on controlling spending, data-driven decisions on approaches to juvenile crime and the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Armstrong Williams/The Baltimore Sun.
CANNABIS SALES REMAIN STRONG: Cannabis sales in Maryland continue to be profitable, as the state’s comptroller’s office released revenue numbers for July–September 2025. The State of Maryland collected more than $26.8 million in cannabis sales tax revenue in that three-month period. Aliza Worthington/Baltimore Fishbowl.
COLUMN: THE MURKY JOB OF TRACKING LAYOFFS IN MARYLAND: Not every layoff in 2025 was related to chaotic cuts to federal agencies, programs and funding. In January, an explosion ripped through the PharmaCann plant on Kent Island. A few days later, the Chicago-based owner notified the state that it would lay off all 19 employees. Those were among the first employment casualties over the last 12 months, a year that saw layoffs across the state. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FUNDING ENTERS BALTIMORE COUNTY EXEC RACE: For the first time, a candidate running for Baltimore County executive can use public money to help pay for their campaign. Councilman Pat Young, who is running for the Democratic nomination in 2026, is banking on the matching public funds making him competitive against well-financed opponents. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
JUDGE RULES ABREGO GARCIA CAN REMAIN FREE, WARNS JUSTICE DEPT: A federal judge on Monday kept in place a temporary order prohibiting the Trump administration from re-detaining Kilmar Abrego García, saying she wants officials to tell her their intentions while she considers how to rule next because she doesn’t trust that he won’t again be deported illegally. Steve Thompson/The Washington Post.
- “Once again, I’m making a finding that these representations, which are misrepresentations, are in bad faith,” Judge Paula Xinis told the Justice Department attorney. “You cannot do that, OK? Judges take the rule of law very seriously and are faithful to giving both sides the opportunity to be heard.” William Ford/Maryland Matters.
