STATE BUDGET GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1: With July 1 comes a new fiscal year in Maryland and, as such, a newly enacted budget. On Wednesday, the $70.8 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year will go into effect, including $124 million for local law enforcement, $100 million in utility relief, $100 million in tax cuts for businesses, $73 million for energy efficiency, $384 million in low-income rental assistance and $1.7 billion for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding. Hannah Gaskill/The Daily Record.
AMID HIGH HEAT, PJM GRID THREATENED WITH HIGH DEMAND: As a powerful heat wave threatens much of the eastern United States this week, the nation’s largest electric grid is warning of record-high power demand. Beginning on Tuesday and extending through Friday, the entire 13-state PJM Interconnection grid, which includes Maryland, will be operating under a hot weather alert, with temperatures climbing toward the triple digits in Baltimore and beyond. With the system under increased strain, adverse events such as blackouts are more likely — and short-term energy prices can soar. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- A prolonged heat wave will drive temperatures dangerously high in Maryland ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. A hot air mass, often referred to as a heat dome, has settled over portions of the U.S. and is driving eastward, according to the National Weather Service, with temperatures expected to reach triple digits starting Wednesday. High humidity could make the weather feel even hotter, with a heat index as high as 115. Clara Longo de Freitas/The Baltimore Banner.
CECIL’s ONLY BIRTH CENTER SHUTTERS, BUT WHY? Union Hospital in Elkton is closing its Family Birth Center on June 30, citing declining deliveries, staffing challenges and an aging population — common reasons across the country, but not the full picture here. Nationally, rural hospitals typically shutter labor and delivery services when those services become unprofitable. Things are supposed to be different in Maryland, which has a unique funding system designed to preserve these services in every corner of the state. Darreonna Davis, Meredith Cohn and Kasturi Pananjady/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND OFFERS ‘SUN BUCKS’ TO CLOSE HUNGER GAP FOR KIDS: Maryland families struggling to put food on the table can receive a monthly boost in food assistance dollars this summer, as Maryland Sun Bucks kicks off for the third year to help alleviate the “hunger gap” that occurs when schools close. Gov. Wes Moore hopes to build on last year’s success, when 630,000 Maryland students qualified for Sun Bucks, equating to $75 million in benefits. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
STATE PANEL RETURNS TO MONITOR INSURANCE COVERAGE UNDER TRUMP ADMIN: Almost 10 years ago, Maryland lawmakers pulled together a watchdog group to monitor health insurance coverage under President Donald Trump’s first term. The group disbanded during President Joe Biden’s term, but now as the second Trump administration pushes policies that could shake thousands of Marylanders off their insurance plans and increase healthcare costs, the Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission is back. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND AMONG 26 TO SUE OVER NEW ‘DIFFICULT’ MEDICAID RULES: Maryland and other 24 Democratic-led states plus the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration over its new work requirements for people who get their health insurance through Medicaid. At issue is a “medically frail” designation that the states say is too narrow and will make it too difficult for ill and disabled people to remain on Medicaid. Anna Claire Vollers/Maryland Matters.
CALLING COX ‘UNELECTABLE,’ HOGAN SAYS HE FACES TOUGH VOTE: Former Gov. Larry Hogan did not commit to supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox, whom he also declined to endorse in 2022, renewing questions about whether Maryland Republicans can win statewide without the coalition Hogan built. In a Sunday Fox 5 interview, Hogan said Maryland Republicans are “nominating unelectable people in the primaries.” “I’m going to have to make a tough decision about what I do in November,” Hogan said. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
JUDGE SANCTIONS CORRECTIONS DEPT OVER INFORMATION ON INMATE’s DEATH: A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge has sanctioned the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for failing to follow another judge’s order to provide documents to lawyers representing the family of Lamont Mealy, who died in his cellblock of dehydration in July 2023. Ruben Castaneda/The Baltimore Sun.
OLSZEWSKI TOUTS FEDERAL HOUSING BILL: The Road to Housing Act is bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering housing costs. It would streamline permits, expand financing, and spur more homebuilding. Democratic U.S. Rep. Johnny Olszewski argues the legislation could be big for places like Baltimore, where empty homes remain a persistent problem and even rural areas where commercial buildings are underutilized. President Trump canceled a planned signing ceremony last week. But the bill could still pass in 10 days. Wambui Kamau/WYPR-FM.
ONE-THIRD OF CARROLL HOUSEHOLDS HAS TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET: One in three Carroll County households cannot afford the basic cost of living — and the share is growing, according to new data that reveal just how far the federal poverty line falls short of what it costs to survive in the county. Single-parent families, adults under 25 and Hispanic households were among those most likely to face financial hardship. For households headed by someone under 25, the situation was especially stark: 81% could not afford basic living costs in 2024. Sofia Montoya-Deck/The Carroll County Times.
B’MORE CITY HALL MUM ON ADVISOR’s EMPLOYMENT: One week after a FOX45 News investigation raised questions about Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott‘s senior adviser Marvin James and his apparent use of a city-issued vehicle for personal activity, City Hall has yet to provide answers about James’ employment status, responsibilities or whether any disciplinary action is being taken. Mikenzie Frost/WBFF-TV News.
STAN SAUNDERS, FORMER WJZ JOURNALIST, DIES AT 72: Stan Saunders, a well-known and respected WJZ weekend sports anchor and journalism instructor, died Friday after a lengthy illness. He was 72. His family confirmed his death in a statement to his former news station, telling WJZ that Saunders struggled with long Covid, which then “turned into sarcoidosis and took its toll.” Cayla Harris/The Baltimore Banner.
