STATE TO SPEND $85 MILLION TO RETAIN RIGHTS TO PREAKNESS, BLACK EYED SUSAN STAKES: The state said Thursday it is exercising its option to match an $85 million offer to retain the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, which were on the verge of being sold to the owners of the Kentucky Derby. Steve Crane and Mayah Nachman/Maryland Matters.
VAN HOLLEN ‘KICKING TIRES’ ON POTENTIAL RUN FOR PRESIDENT: A campaign spokesperson for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) confirmed Thursday that the two-term senator who has developed an increasingly high national profile is “kicking the tires” on a potential run in 2028 for the U.S. presidency. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
EARLY VOTING ENDS WITH LIGHT TURNOUT AT POLLS, THOUSANDS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS SO FAR: On the first seven days of early voting, more than 138,387 people cast their ballots, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections, nearly 3.8% of the 3.8 million eligible primary voters in the state. That’s up slightly from the first seven days during the 2022 gubernatorial election, when 125,384 turned out. The total for all eight days that year was 172,364. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
‘RELEASE EVERYTHING’ MOORE’S MILITARY RECORD FIGHT ESCALATES: For months, Gov. Wes Moore has countered questions about his military record, framing the scrutiny as politically motivated and accusing critics of peddling misinformation. But the persistent investigation into his service history is now intensifying locally and nationally, with a retired Army officer leading the probe asking the governor to settle the matter once and for all. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
AI PUT WES MOORE AND DAN COX IN AN UNLIKELY-POSSIBLE ILLEGAL- EMBRACE: A fake image circulating on social media shows the two men in a warm embrace in the Governor’s Reception Room. Cox, facing the camera, is grinning. Moore’s eyes are closed. The image is the work of the campaign of Ed Hale Sr., who is competing with Cox for the Republican nomination for governor. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
DAN COX, ED HALE PUSH PLANS TO OUST WES MOORE IN GOP GUBERNATORIAL RACE: The top Republicans seeking to unseat Gov. Wes Moore are out-raising and out-spending the pack of nine candidates. Dan Cox and Ed Hale are vying for the chance to challenge the incumbent Democratic governor in November. Kate Amara/WBAL 11 News.
OPINION: A JUNETEENTH REFLECTION: “Finally. Slavery ended. Bondage ended. Family separations ended. Free labor ended. Or did it? We often reflect on how far we have come and how far we have to go. Intellectual slavery persists. Our new master appears to be $Green. The marriage rate is down and the divorce rate is up. Prison labor has replaced slave labor. There is so much more to say about the plight of African Americans in the United States of America. That would be an apt reflection.” Linda Banks/Maryland Reporter
CARROLL COUNTY OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR $5.5 MILLION FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM: Carroll County is accepting applications for its agricultural land preservation program, which has $5.5 million to spend this cycle — including $3 million in new funding approved by commissioners to protect farmland and forestland from development. Sofia Montoya-Deck/Carroll County Times.
DEMOCRATS RAISE MORE THAN REPUBLICANS IN MANY COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACES: As voters head to the polls, many have already shown support through campaign donations. In certain local races, such as County Executive, Democrats in several counties have raised significantly more money than Republicans. Jessica Babb/The Baltimore Sun.
MAYOR SCOTT SIGNS BILL UPDATING OVERSIGHT ON CONTROVERSIAL YOUTH FUND: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed a bill this week updating oversight of how the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF) can spend millions of taxpayer dollars each year. The mayor’s signature follows nearly two years of investigative reports from Spotlight on Maryland about BCYF, which is more than 99% funded by city taxpayer dollars but operates as a nonprofit. Patrick Hauf/The Baltimore Sun.
MORE THAN 50% OF MO CO AT LARGE CANDIDATES LIVE IN SILVER SPRING: Ten of the 18 candidates for Montgomery County’s four at-large council seats live in the Silver Spring and Takoma Park area. Ginny Bixby/The Baltimore Banner.
TALBOT SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES A $72,500 WEAPONS DETECTION PLAN: The Talbot County Board of Education approved the first step of a weapons detection technology plan . The three metal detectors will be installed at the Easton High School stadium and St. Michaels Middle High School sports complex and supervised by officers from Talbot County Sheriff’s Office. Macayla Cook/The Star Democrat.
