STATE SEEKS FEDERAL AID FOR FARMERS FOR ‘CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE’ TO CROPS IN APRIL FREEZE: Gov. Wes Moore (D) petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday for a disaster declaration for Maryland farmers after an early-season freeze in April caused “devastating” crop losses to orchards and vineyards in some counties. Maryland Matters Staff.
TRIAL IN KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE SET FOR MONDAY. WILL ANY EYEWITNESSES SHOW UP? It’s one of the most consequential maritime disasters in modern American history. But as the long-awaited civil trial over liability in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is set to begin, it’s unclear how many eyewitnesses will actually show up. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
FAMILIES OF KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE VICTIMS REACH SETTLEMENT WITH DALI OWNER/OPERATORS: The families of the victims of Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse have settled with the owners and operators of the M/V Dali container ship. The terms of the settlement are not being disclosed. Adam Thompson/CBS News.
STATE DUMPS MOODY’S A YEAR AFTER IT DOWNGRADED BONDS: Maryland has ended a decades-long relationship with one of three major bond rating firms a year after that firm downgraded the state’s credit rating. The state is scheduled to go to an $800 million bond sale on Wednesday with ratings from Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and a relatively new firm, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, which took the place of longtime rating agency, Moody’s. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
SENATE PRESIDENT FACES TOUGHEST ELECTION CHALLENGE AS REDISTRICTING LURKS IN RACE: After 16 years representing South Baltimore and the Inner Harbor, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) is facing his toughest primary race since his first election win. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
‘PROUD OF MY RECORD’: Q&A WITH MO CO COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATE EVAN GLASS: Second of Bethesda Today’s interviews with the three top Democratic contenders. Ceoli Jacoby & Louis Peck/Bethesda Today.
OPIOID DASHBOARD LAUNCHED TO TRACK SETTLEMENT SPENDING: Maryland has launched a public dashboard to track how opioid settlement dollars are received, distributed and spent across the state. Baltimore Sun Staff.
AA CO EXECUTIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES MAKE THEIR CASE AHEAD OF PRIMARY: Five candidates are running to replace Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, with four Democrats competing for their party’s nomination ahead of the Maryland primary. Ja Nai Wright/WMAR 2.
NRA LAWSUIT CLAIMS BAN ON ‘MOST POPULAR HAND GUNS IN AMERICA’ IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL: A Maryland law that will ban Glocks and Glock-style guns — “many of the most popular handguns in America” — is unconstitutional, according to a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun groups. The lawsuit targets Senate Bill 334, which Gov. Wes Moore signed into law Tuesday. JT Moodee Lockman, WJZ-TV.
DATA CENTER BOOM RAISES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS: Lerner Enterprises, a real estate firm operated by the family that owns the Washington Nationals, has proposed a $5 billion, 4-million-square-foot data center complex on the site of the long-demolished Landover Mall. Jeremy Cox/Bay Journal.
KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA FIGHTS DEPORTATION TO LIBERIA AFTER CRIMINAL CHARGES DROPPED: Following a dismissal of criminal charges the Trump administration lodged against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the wrongly deported Maryland resident Thursday pressed a federal judge to prevent his removal to any country that is not Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee. Ariana Figueroa/Maryland Matters.
GOV. MOORE ORDERS B’MORE CO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO FILL BOARD VACANCY: Gov. Moore’s office intervened Thursday in Baltimore County’s latest school board vacancy, ordering a nomination commission to reverse a controversial decision that would have left thousands of District 1 residents without representation until at least December. Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
STATE BOARDS APPROVE ADDED METRICS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: Two state education boards approved additional metrics Thursday to improve student achievement that includes a focus on kindergarten and 10th grade students, which is connected to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
