STATE SUPREME COURT TO TAKE UP REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT CHALLENGES: Maryland’s long-running clash over redistricting reaches the state’s highest court today, when justices consider whether voters should decide the fate of a constitutional amendment that could clear the way for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map years earlier than typical.The Supreme Court of Maryland will hear two challenges to Question 3, which could clear a legal obstacle to an unusual mid-decade redraw of a map adopted after the 2020 census and ordinarily expected to remain in place until the next census. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
MARYLAND REGULATORS PONDERING CUTS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM: Maryland’s electric utilities submitted proposals Tuesday to reduce the size of EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s signature energy efficiency program, changes that could save residential customers up to $9 a month on their electric bills starting in January. The proposals follow a temporary reduction of the program by lawmakers earlier this year to offset high electric bills, amid pressure on the grid from data centers, retiring power plants and more. Now, regulators at the Maryland Public Service Commission are deciding how dramatically to cut the EmPOWER program. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
TWO MEDICAL CENTERS HIT BY CYBERATTACKS: Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis and Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham were struck by cyberattacks that are causing some ambulances to reroute where they take non-critical patients. Parent company Luminis Health posted an alert on their website Tuesday evening. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
FREDERICK $110 MILLION DATA CENTER PROPOSAL CRITICIZED: Frederick County would lock in development rules for a proposed data center for at least eight years — and potentially 13 — under an agreement that promises the county $110 million for schools, parks and other public projects. The proposed deal with Quantum Maryland LLC, announced Tuesday by County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, is drawing criticism from some who say the county is giving the developer long-term protections that could limit the authority of future county leaders. The extension requires Frederick County Council approval. Benjamin Rothstein/The Baltimore Sun.
USM AGREES TO PAY RAISES IN AFSCME CONTRACT: The University System of Maryland has agreed to pay out raises outlined in AFSCME’s union contract after two months of back-and-forth and legal disputes. AFSCME Maryland – the largest union in state government – immediately started putting pressure on USM when negotiated 2.5% merit increases did not go into effect on July 1. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
IN BALTIMORE, ALL POLITICAL ROADS GO THROUGH BLACK WOMEN: In Baltimore politics, all roads go through Black women, the city’s largest, most reliable group of voters. When voters register in Maryland, they don’t report their race, meaning there’s no data on the voting patterns of Black women, but local political analysts say it’s impossible to win a citywide election without them. The demographic shapes the way candidates campaign and even dictates where some attend church, according to one strategist. John-John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
NAME RECOGNITION: WHO IS THE GOP’s ARUNDEL EXEC CANDIDATE? Dave Crawford, the Republican candidate for Anne Arundel County executive, has a problem. He’s not sure voters know who he is. “People see my signs or hear my name, and go, ‘Well who is this guy really?’” said Crawford, a political newcomer. “You just can’t know everybody in this county.” Cody Boteler and Matti Gellman/The Baltimore Banner.
IN ARUNDEL EXEC RACE, DEMOCRAT FAR OUTRAISES REPUBLICAN: Allison Pickard, the Democratic nominee for Anne Arundel County executive, is significantly outraising and outspending her opponent, Republican Dave Crawford, as the general election approaches. In the latest campaign finance reports, Pickard reported more than $63,800 in cash on hand. Her campaign has raised more than $881,000 overall and spent more than $827,900. Crawford reported more than $33,700 in cash on hand. He has raised about $26,900 overall and spent nearly $55,700 by lending himself $62,500. Katharine Wilson/The Baltimore Sun.
MO CO OFFICIALS SAY FLOCK CAMERAS NEEDED AS AUTO THEFTS SURGE: Across the D.C. region and the country, pushback over police surveillance through license plate readers or Flock cameras is sparking debates. But Montgomery County police said their cameras are giving officers critical leads in investigations, especially as auto thefts surge. Officials said their automated license plate readers can track stolen cars, help investigate carjackings and find vehicles linked to crimes. In the last year, the county recorded a 22% increase in auto thefts. Tom Fitzgerald/Fox-5 DC News.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION HAS NO TIMELINE FOR FILLING BOARD VACANCIES: Four months after the Columbia Association’s board of directors removed three of its members, there’s little hope of a quick resolution to the ensuing dispute that’s left several villages unrepresented. The three members, kicked off the board in April, were accused of weaponizing the association’s ethics policy and not cooperating with an outside investigation. A fourth member left the board in May for personal reasons. Jess Nocera/The Baltimore Banner.
SOMERSET PARENT: SCHOOL BOOK POLICY VIOLATES FIRST AMENDMENT: A Somerset County School Board policy that makes young adult books in school libraries unavailable to almost all students in county schools violates state law and the First Amendment, an appeal to the State Board of Education claims. The appeal, filed by a county parent, the Somerset Education Association and the Maryland Association of School Librarians, targets board Policy 500-19, which requires that all young adult books be put in an adult section of the library and be prohibited for any student under age 18. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
SOMERSET SCHOOL BOARD PAID SUPER $525,000 TO LEAVE: Somerset County’s school board paid its school superintendent Ava Tasker-Mitchell $525,000 to leave her position last year, according to settlement documents. Tasker-Mitchell’s departure came after the board attempted to fire her in June 2025 for insubordination. The Maryland State Department of Education intervened, first reinstating her while she appealed her firing and then ruling that she had been fired without due process. Liz Bowie/The Baltimore Banner.
KITTEN IN BALTIMORE COUNTY TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES : A kitten in Phoenix tested positive for rabies and exposed one human to the viral disease, Baltimore County officials announced Wednesday. This comes after three people visiting Maryland state parks were bitten by beavers and two of the animals tested positive for rabies. Darreonna Davis/The Baltimore Banner.
