FEDERAL JUDGE REINSTATES PERMITS FOR ICE FIELD OFFICE IN HOWARD: A federal judge ruled Monday that construction may continue on a planned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Elkridge, dealing a blow to Howard County leaders’ attempt to halt the controversial project. Lillian Reed/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND GETS $80M IN FED FUNDS TO BOOST RURAL HEALTH ACCESS: Dozens of projects from county health departments, healthcare systems and Maryland hospitals will share $80 million in new federal funding to improve access to healthcare in Maryland’s rural communities. It’s the first round of $168 million in funding the state is expected to receive this year, the first year of the new five-year federal Rural Health Transformation Program. That program, funded at $50 billion nationwide, aims to boost healthcare access in rural counties across the country. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
HOW ONE MARYLAND COUNTY DEFEATED AN AMAZON DATA CENTER: In late February, Calvert County residents noticed something odd: Amazon had posted a job listing for a construction manager in the little town of Lusby. Amazon doesn’t have any facilities in the area. Then residents learned county officials knew that but hadn’t said anything. In June’s Republican primary, three incumbent commission members — all of whom repeatedly had opposed moratoriums on data center development — lost reelection. Then, on Aug. 4, Amazon pulled the plug on its plan. Adam Willis and Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
OTHER COUNTIES ALSO MOVE TO CONTROL DATA CENTER GROWTH: Data centers have become a contested issue in recent years, and as local governments are facing more opposition to the facilities, many are taking time to understand how they should move forward. Currently, 13 counties have enacted temporary data center moratoriums, with two voting last week, and more counties are considering a pause. Mayah Nachman/Maryland Matters.
AFSCME MEMBERS REPORT SHORTAGES IN STAFFING, PAY: AFSCME Maryland – the largest union in state government – released its “State of Our State Services Report,” revealing an overwhelming majority of the workers it represents report issues with staffing shortages and compensation. AFSCME surveyed over 25,000 of unionized employees, and over 78% of respondents reported having considered leaving their state job. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
- Patrick Moran, president of the state council, and others said the problems began under former Gov. Larry Hogan, a two-term Republican with whom the union had a contentious relationship. But Moran said things remain tough for state employees, even with the change to Democratic control under Wes Moore. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
COMMENTARY: THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SPORTS BETTING TAX BOOM: Lawmakers will happily parade the record-breaking $132.3 million state contribution from FY 2026 around Annapolis. They point to a massive 48.8% year-over-year jump as absolute proof of concept. The reality of the sports betting boom is quite a bit darker when you peek beneath the hood of that $6.91 billion annual handle. Rahul Rana/Maryland Reporter.
POLICE RESPONSE TO STATE SENATOR’s DRIVING INCIDENT RAISING QUESTIONS: Annapolis Police say a Maryland state senator told officers he had consumed one drink when they asked him about a driving incident last week, but they did not pursue a broader investigation and allowed another licensed driver to take his SUV from the scene. The disclosure adds to scrutiny over how police handled an incident involving state Sen. C. Anthony Muse, a Prince George’s County Democrat and longtime pastor. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
BUSINESS OWNERS SUE PRINCE GEORGE’S OVER $5,000 ‘USE & OCCUPANCY FEE:’ Prince George’s County is being sued by a group of business owners who say a new fee passed earlier this year by the County Council and allowed to become law by the county executive is illegal. The law assesses a $5,000 annual fee on the owners of liquor stores, tobacco stores, gun stores and consolidated storage businesses. Plaintiffs say the council dubbed it as a “use and occupancy” fee, but that it’s actually a tax and that under state law, the county can’t assess that without state permission. John Domen/WTOP-FM.
NATIONAL SUICIDE CALL LINE IN HOWARD LAYS OFF 62 AFTER FEDERAL FUNDS CUT: A Howard County nonprofit that answers calls, chats and texts to the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline is laying off 62 employees after losing federal funding. The federal government ended its contract with Grassroots Crisis Intervention, which has served as a national backup call center for the hotline, answering communications from people across the U.S. and its territories whose calls or messages cannot be answered locally in a timely manner. Lillian Reed/The Baltimore Banner.
B’MORE FIRST LADY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST FOX45, BALTIMORE SUN: Baltimore first lady Hana Scott says she has “been silent way, way too long” about local media coverage of her, her family, and her work. Scott recorded a video that she posted to her Instagram page Sunday afternoon. In it, she spoke out against coverage by Fox45 and The Baltimore Sun, saying that they “do not operate with journalistic integrity.” Marcus Dieterle/Baltimore Fishbowl.
FREDERICK CITY OKs 10,000-SEAT CRICKET GROUND UNIQUE TO EAST COAST: The City of Frederick’s council has approved rezoning 24 acres for a 10,000 person cricket stadium. Known as the Gateway Property, the plot of land is located on the eastern border of the city. What is currently a golf driving range could soon become one of the only professional and international-grade cricket stadia on the East Coast. Nathanael Miller/WYPR-FM.
