Cynthia Prairie

Despite state compensation for wrongful imprisonment, emotional scars remain for the five exonerees; Sen. Kelley said these five cases are just tip of iceberg of those wrongfully convicted in Maryland; Gov. Larry Hogan declines invitation to meet with Kirwan commission “to find common ground” on policy recommendations, funding formula; Frederick County seeks state aid in widening Route 194; Transportation chief Rahn wants Pennsylvania cooperation in securing federal funds for Rt. 219 upgrade; Washington County commissioners rehire lobbyist Bereano for work in Annapolis; campaign treasurer of former Del. Gaines also charged with misuse of funds; Del. Moon chases a car thief; mental health trial postponed for killer of Capital-Gazette employees; and Baltimore city opens public online lobbyist registry, disclosure portal.

Board of Public Works set to OK $9 million in compensation for five exonerees; Exelon to spend $200 million to clean up Susquehanna as Conowingo Dam owner reaches settlement with state; state employees complain of troublesome understaffing; despite changes in health benefits, wave of state employee retirements did not occur; Gov. Hogan orders Bay Bridge repair work through Thanksgiving holiday weekend; ground broken on multi-first responder training facility in Washington County; state’s bat population falling; former Prince George’s Exec Rushern Baker plans birthday bash, but is there more to it?; mayoral candidate T.J. Smith to campaign for zero murders in Baltimore city; and Baltimore city council bans gag order on police complaints.

Four veteran lawmakers were vying to become the next Senate president, when 36-year-old Sen. Bill Ferguson’s name came on the scene, thanks to Sen. Delores Kelley; should Ferguson be named to replace Senate President Mike Miller, the winds changes will be blowing in Baltimore’s direction; opinionator Barry Rascovar finds that despite his stepping back, Mike Miller is obviously still managing; Gov. Hogan sets special primary, election dates to fill the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings’ seat; man accused in Capital Gazette murders enters guilty plea; Cecil, Harford counties quarantined after invasive moth discovered; T.J. Smith announces his run for Baltimore City mayor; Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ray Jenkins dies at 89; former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden dies at 74. and Jeff Raymond, city DPW spokesman, former PPC reporter, dies at 56.

Days of memorial services begin today for the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, starting with a public viewing this morning; Cummings will also lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, a rare honor; it wouldn’t be unusual if Maya Rockeymoore Cummings takes over her late husband’s seat; with funeral services today for ‘Young Tommy’ D’Alesandro, Sun columnist Dan Rodricks recalls his courageous actions; with caucus meeting, press conference set for Thursday, speculation heats up over state Senate President Mike Miller’s future; Medical Marijuana panel plans two probes into license awarding; lobbyist Bruce Bereano seeks to get law license reinstated; U.S., Maryland lawmakers seek more transparency for Metro agency, board; Baltimore Mayor Young will run for office; security tightened at Carroll County government building; and Rockville’s first election by mail drawing outside attention.

JPMorgan Chase commits $5 million to nonprofits to support affordable housing, small businesses threatened by development along new Purple Line; Gov. Hogan’s Beltway, I-270 road widening plans have yet to get support from leaders of Montgomery County; state Legislative Black Caucus pulls proposal to force some members to choose between their black and Latino ethnic backgrounds; what you need to know about the public, private services set for U.S. Rep. Cummings; House colleagues continue tributes to Cummings; funeral set for Wednesday for ‘Young Tommy’ D’Alesandro; state psychiatrist says man charged in killing five Capital Gazette staffers is sane; and Manchester town administrator celebrates 40 years of public service.

The late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings will lie in state at U.S. Capitol, funeral services set for Friday in Baltimore; even while mourning continues, many ponder who will replace Cummings in the House and some eyes focus on his wife, Maryland Dem Party chair Maya Rockeymoore Cummings; Cummings’ campaign account totaled $1 million; Cummings last official acts were to sign subpoenas; post-Labor Day school start in 2020 would mean very late ending of school in summer 2021; Post-UM poll finds Gov. Hogan could lead incumbent Chris Van Hollen in Senate race; poll also finds majority of Marylanders OK with D.C. statehood; ‘Young Tommy’ D’Alesandro, former Baltimore mayor from storied political family and brother to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, dies at 90; Baltimore’s Styrofoam food container ban goes into effect; and Howard County’s rising juniors exempt from redistricting plan.

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, Baltimore Democrat and key figure in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump, dies at 68 from complications of longstanding health problems; reaction pours in for the man many considered a powerful leader and steadfast civil rights activist; new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll finds strong support for boosting education spending; Gov. Hogan says state will come up with a plan to compensate five men exonerated of crimes after years behind bars; Hogan, ‘furious’ over Bay Bridge backups caused by repair work, says there is ‘no magical fix’ to the situation; medical cannabis regulators, independent investigators to review – for third time — top-ranking applications for 14 cannabis licenses; and Goucher College to remove racist clause from 1921 deed.

Kirwan education funding work group seeks $2.8 billion from state, $1.2 billion from locals by 2030 to offer competitive, “world-class” education to Maryland children; speculation rises as Democratic state senators called to Annapolis for unknown confab; Gov. Hogan issues plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions; Commerce Department seeks to raise oversight of loans, tax credits; Attorney General Frosh signs onto amicus brief backing Vermont ban on high capacity gun magazines; Rockville’s first vote-by-mail election to be more expensive, but may attract more voters; and, as Howard County debates school desegregation, racism rears its ugly head.

Gov. Hogan’s Change Maryland groups to host high-dollar fund-raiser to further political agenda, including stopping Kirwan education funding; Kirwan work group expected to vote today on $4 billion funding allocations; Speaker Jones says objections to State House Civil War plaque has to do with expressed Confederate sympathies; as criticism mounts over traffic backups due to Bay Bridge work, Hogan pushes back, says communications were open; Carroll County, inundated with opioids, refiles lawsuit against drug makers; two from Frederick County, on opposite sides politically, seek to bring civil discourse back; and Montgomery County files suit against vaping product maker.

Tropical storm pushes water up Bay, flooding coastal areas, roads in waterfront communities throughout state as Audubon study suggests large population of Maryland birds at risk of losing habitat; flooding models also suggest Naval Academy will have to seek new home; new Goucher poll finds blame for climate change depends on party affiliation; Queen’s Anne leaders continue to push state over traffic tangles during Bay Bridge work; state ramping up school safety plans; report finds Maryland schools can improve when it comes to lunch shaming; two nominees sent to Gov. Hogan’s desk to replace State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt; despite illness, U.S. Rep. Cummings continues to work on impeachment inquiry; Montgomery expected to sue vaping companies; and city group wants state to fine DPW over ruptured pipe, fish kill.