DESPITE EFFORTS BY LAWMAKERS, ENERGY BILLS ARE GOING UP AGAIN. HERE’S WHY: Discussions about rising energy costs may have dominated this past Maryland General Assembly session. But even higher bills are on the way. Beginning June 1, elevated rates took effect for utilities across Maryland, from Baltimore Gas & Electric to Delmarva Power and Pepco. The reasons go back to economics class: low supply and high demand. But who is to blame depends on who you ask. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
NEW LOAN PROGRAM FOR LAID-OFF FEDERAL WORKERS: Marylanders affected by federal layoffs this year can now apply for an interest-free state loan to help them pay the bills in the short term, according a press release Thursday from the state Department of Labor. Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters.
HOW THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL GOT FROM HOPKINS INTO B’MORE HARBOR: Crews worked around the clock to clean up 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel that dyed the water red near Harbor East and had environmental groups concerned about long-term impacts. Mike Hellgren/WJZ NEWS Baltimore.
- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources pulled oil-covered animals from Baltimore’s harbor after a fuel spill. Along the Inner Harbor, where crews worked to clean up the spill and save wildlife, it was an all-hands-on-deck response that included Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. Tommie Clark/WBAL TV-News.
MOORE TRIMS B’MORE CITY REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO, OTHER SPENDING TO $576M: Maryland officials are taking new steps to trim the state’s real estate portfolio in Baltimore City as part of a larger effort to save hundreds of millions of dollars over the next two decades. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
MARYLANDERS REACT TO TRUMP’S TRAVEL BANS, RESTRICTIONS: Less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump announced that citizens from 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States, Marylanders with strong ties to the local immigrant community affected by the ban reacted with shock and outrage, anxious about what might come next. John-John Williams IV/The Baltimore Banner.
AFTER RUMBLINGS, REFERENDUM CAMPAIGNS FALL SHORT: Though there were some rumblings, no one turned in petitions to challenge actions of the Maryland General Assembly via referendum this year, state elections officials say. At least two laws, both focused on energy policy, were in the crosshairs this year. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
KATHY KLAUSMEIER REFLECTS ON FIRST FIVE MONTHS AS BA CO. EXECUTIVE: The former legislator spoke in a recent interview about permit delays, teacher salaries and outrage over her inspector general decision. Rona Kobell/The Baltimore Banner.
JANSSEN EVELYN ANNOUNCES SECOND RUN IN HOWARD CO. 4TH DISTRICT: Janssen Evelyn announced Thursday his candidacy to represent Howard County’s 4th District on the County Council. This is the Democrat’s second attempt at securing a spot on the council. April Santana/The Baltimore Sun.
JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP CUTS TO AMERICORPS IN MD, 23 STATES: A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to AmeriCorps, ordering the agency to reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in terminated grants and bring back thousands of service members across about two dozen states. Jack Hogan/The Daily Record.
CECIL ADOPTS $280M OPERATING BUDGET: The Cecil County Council has unanimously approved a $280M operating budget for fiscal 2026, affirming key investments in public safety, education, and infrastructure while maintaining steady tax rates, even amid mounting budget pressures from the State. Kevin Kinnally/Conduit Street (MAco).
FEDERAL JUDGE UNSEALS SOME RECORDS IN ABREGO GARCIA CASE: The Maryland federal judge overseeing the lawsuit concerning the wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia unsealed documents Wednesday that the Trump administration had asked to keep unavailable to the public under the so-called state secrets privilege. Ariana Figueroa/Maryland Matters.
