THREE GOP GOV HOPEFULS DEBATE; SIX OTHERS STAY AWAY: A debate among Republican candidates for governor Tuesday lacked fiery exchanges, name recognition and two-thirds of the nine primary candidates. The three candidates fielded questions on topics ranging from President Donald Trump to the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the state’s fiscal condition. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- You can watch the three candidates who did show up – John Myrick, Shannon Wright and Douglas Larcomb – on this WYPR-FM and MPT sponsored show by clicking here. Matt Bush of WYPR-FM is the moderator. Staff/WYPR-FM & MPT.
- Most Republican candidates for Maryland governor — including former nominee Dan Cox and businessman Ed Hale — are skipping a televised statewide debate, underscoring how traditional campaign forums are losing influence in modern political campaigns. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
ELECTIONS OFFICIALS DEFENDS AGAINST TRUMP ATTACKS ON MAIL BALLOT ISSUE: President Donald Trump is attacking Maryland officials after a mix-up that caused a portion of voters to receive the wrong mail-in ballot for the state’s June 23 primary. Because of the error, which the State Board of Elections announced publicly on Friday and attributed to a vendor, elections officials are re-sending all 565,000 of the mail-in ballots issued so far, which are expected to arrive in mailboxes by May 29. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND SUES US ED DEPT OVER NARROWING PROFESSIONAL DEGREES: Maryland is at the head of a lawsuit with 25 other Democratic jurisdictions that are challenging a new U.S. Department of Education rule that would limit loan access for students pursuing some graduate and professional degrees. The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, claims a final rule implemented May 1 by the department unlawfully narrows the definition of “professional degree” to exclude students in fields such as nursing, physician assistant and physical therapy. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND TO REMOVE FOSTER CHILDREN FROM CARROLL FACILITY: Maryland officials are preparing to remove foster children from Silver Oak Academy after the state confirmed for the first time that youth will no longer remain at the troubled Carroll County facility beyond June 30, marking the clearest sign yet that the privately operated program is effectively shutting down. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
PENSION BOARD SEEKS PUBLIC TRUSTEES: The Board of Trustees for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) is seeking two trustees, one each from Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. Public Trustees serve a three-year term, from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029. The Board holds fiduciary oversight of the ERS for the sole benefit of members and beneficiaries. County residents interested in serving must submit a statement of qualifications and resume, by 5:00 p.m. on May 27, 2026 to [email protected]. For more information, contact [email protected] or (301) 454-1415 or visit us at ers.mncppc.org.
STATE SETTLES WITH 3 COMPANIES IN HARFORD FOR SEDIMENT RELEASE: Maryland inked a $4.1 million settlement deal with the developer, homebuilder and contractor of a Harford County home development blamed for damaging releases of sediment into the Gunpowder River, the attorney general’s office announced on Tuesday. Under the deal, the three companies will pay a combined $2 million civil penalty, along with $2.1 million for environmental remediation projects in the affected area, and attorney’s fees. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- The release of runoff into the river’s Foster Branch led to a decline in underwater grasses and marine life throughout the waterway, the lawsuit argued. The settlement includes a $2 million civil penalty for the developers of the Ridgely’s Reserve development in Joppatowne. Another $2.1 million will go toward “community-driven remediation projects to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitats,” according the Attorney General’s office. Lily Carey/The Baltimore Sun.
B’MORE PAID CITY EMPLOYEES $312,000 FOR UNWORKED HOURS, IG FOUND: Baltimore paid city employees more than $312,000 for hours that were largely unworked as part of their separation from City Hall, an investigation by the city’s inspector general found. About half of the total payments were made to employees of the mayor’s office, according to a report issued Tuesday by Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming. Emily Opilo/The Baltimore Banner.
SAN FRANCISCO POLICE DID SEEK TO ARREST TO B’MORE COPS IN RAPE CASE: San Francisco Police did seek to arrest two Baltimore Police officers for allegedly raping a woman while she said she was unconscious, believing there was probable cause to support the charges, new records show. The Banner reported last month that prosecutors in San Francisco declined to bring charges, saying the evidence could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Justin Fenton/The Baltimore Banner.
MONTGOMERY FIRE DEPARTMENT RELIES HEAVILY ON OVERTIME WORKERS: A Montgomery County firefighter made more than $315,000 in overtime in 2025. That, plus a regular salary, added up to more than $472,000 in total compensation, more than $200,000 more than the county executive. The firefighter represents the most extreme example of a department that relies heavily on overtime. Antonio Planas/The Baltimore Banner.
CARROLL OKs $2.2M FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES: The Board of Carroll County Commissioners unanimously approved $2.2 million in state-funded community support services for schools last week, but some commissioners questioned why the limited mental health funding isn’t being spent on local prevention programs. About 70% of the money will go to organizations based outside Carroll County, though still in the state. Marissa Yelenik/The Carroll County Times.
