MARYLAND FALLS 8 SPOTS IN NEW KIDS COUNT RANKINGS: The economic welfare of Maryland’s kids has been relatively stable in recent years, with measures like childhood poverty staying level from 2023 to 2024, according to a new national report. But Maryland still fell from 10th place among states to 18th in the newest edition of the annual Kids Count data book, as other states improved faster. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND STUDENTS HAVE A MATH PROBLEM: The state is experiencing a “math crisis” that begins long before students head to college. Despite recent signs of growth post-pandemic, middle school math achievement in Maryland remains among the lowest in the country. Maryland’s ranking on a standardized math test has fallen from 12th in the nation to 38th, a bigger drop than anywhere else in 15 years. Jessica Calefati/The Baltimore Banner.
DEL WU SEES RACIST ATTACKS BY COLLEAGUES AS POLICY RELATED: Despite being the target of a racist podcast video posted in April, State Del. Chao Wu (D-Howard and Montgomery counties) says he doesn’t see the comments made by his far-right colleagues as a personal attack. Wu says the video, posted in late April by Maryland Freedom Caucus members Del. Mark Fisher (R-Calvert County) and Del. Brian Chisholm (R-Anne Arundel County), is symbolic of a larger “perpetual foreigner” stereotype directed at Maryland’s immigrant community. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
RISING COST OF FUEL PUSHES UP COSTS OF CRABS: The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab harvest is a Maryland summer ritual measured in bushel baskets and brown paper-lined tables. This year, however, the math of the harvest has become as precarious as the tides. As the crabbing season gains momentum, Maryland watermen are grappling with a surge in operational expenses, led by high fuel prices that are forcing them to pass rising costs on to consumers. Tessa Bentulan/The Baltimore Sun.
DUPLICATE BALLOT RAISES NEW QUESTIONS: A duplicate ballot arriving at one Maryland home is raising new questions about a batch of replacement mail-in ballots sent to more than 400,000 voters. The replacement mail-in ballots were rushed to voters last month after it was discovered that the state’s printer had mistakenly sent some Democratic and Republican voters the ballot for the wrong party. But in the rush, at least one voter received two replacement ballots. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
AFTER BA CO SHOOTINGS, EXEC CANDIDATES PUSH FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS: A spate of shootings in Baltimore County this weekend is further cementing the need for stronger public safety plans among candidates vying to be the next county executive. While candidates agree that the county needs a plan to tackle crime and ensure residents feel safe, each differs slightly in their approach to public safety. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
AFTER SPLIT WITH BGE, B’MORE NEEDS TO FIND SOLUTION: With Baltimore’s decision not to renew its underground conduit agreement with BGE now public, officials are weighing what will replace a deal that expires Dec. 31 — and who will be responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in future infrastructure work. Brian Carlton and Chevall Pryce/The Baltimore Sun.
COMMERCE DEPT AWARDS $7M IN INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS: The Maryland Department of Commerce on Monday awarded 10 companies and the University of Maryland, Baltimore nearly $7 million in taxpayer-funded grants to support infrastructure development. The companies span industries including biotechnology, manufacturing, aerospace, seafood processing and medical technology. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
CARROLL EMT TRAINING FOCUSES ON INJURED DOGS: Lt. Chris Petry, a Carroll County paramedic, said emergency personnel classes lack training for treating injured animals beyond basic scene safety. A course for first responders held Friday could help improve outcomes for injured working dogs. Marissa Yelenik/The Carroll County Times.
