Cynthia Prairie

Under state police policy change, business owners can have their concealed carry handgun restrictions lifted; Maryland among states facing confusion, do-overs in Real ID rollout; lawmakers in the dark over whether Maryland will make Metro payment; Maryland families, ACLU say ICE using ‘bait and switch’ tactic to detain people; new law could end up lowering revenues into Howard County by $152 million; Washington County charities receive boon from tip-jar revenue; and Sun management, union return to bargaining table over pay raises for 100 Guild employees.

Maryland leaders are focusing on threat of white nationalism and related terrorism: Gov. Hogan met with FBI, State Police; state Sen. Hershey call out white supremacy as a national problem and U.S. Rep. Raskin says federal law enforcement has yet to recognize racist-fueled terrorism as a threat; Hagerstown Herald-Mail part of GateHouse, Gannett newspaper company merger; conservative activist tied to anti-Muslim group spurs cleanup of West Baltimore neighborhood; Horseshoe, Ocean Downs report lower revenues; U.S. Rep. Cardin talks Trump tweets, mass shootings; Frederick County to audit sheriff’s work with ICE; Carroll County Health Department to give out fentanyl test strips to drug addicts.

District Court hears case brought by former delegate challenging Gov. Hogan’s executive order requiring contractors to certify they won’t boycott Israel; Rep. Cummings says he would welcome President Trump to Baltimore; Cummings says he scared away intruder who attempted to break into home; MDOT Secty Rahn says state to give thorough review of Montgomery plan to ease traffic congestion on I-270, Capital Beltway; Montgomery asks Hogan to release $56 million for WMATA; Republican asks ethics panel to censure Del. Impallaria; Baltimore city may ban plastic bags; state-level grant funds keep Carroll County active in a cross-jurisdictional crime-fighting network; and Baltimore County settles federal excessive force death suit for $1.1 million.

Legislative panel working toward preparing state in case ACA is struck down in Texas challenge; failure of HBCU-state mediation called disappointing by HBCU advocates; state lawmakers seek update of public school social studies curricula to include disability, LBGT right movement; court finds Del. Jalisi avoiding be served in payroll dispute, orders him served by mail; as ACLU files complaint against Frederick sheriff over Open Meetings Act, some question whether he is covered by it; HUD Secty Carson defends President Trump over Baltimore tweets; meanwhile, Republican members of the U.S. House are planning a retreat in Baltimore; Trump taps Kendel Ehrlich for drug policy post; Baltimore city council president suggests giving 16-year-olds the vote; and Mathias DeVito, former Rouse Co. president, dies at 88.

With a $103 million shortfall to rebuild the much-needed CSX-owned Howard Street Tunnel for the Port of Baltimore, state continues to “push in all direction;” Metro asks Maryland to release $56 million state has withheld; HBCUs, state hit a stalemate in mediation; blue crabs apparently benefiting from climate change; Carroll County joins suit against opioid makers; President Trump claims Baltimore wasted and stole federal funds that could have helped it; John Delaney emerges during 2nd Democratic presidential candidate debate; leaders of Prince George’s, Montgomery skeptical of WSSC rebranding; and Montgomery council OKs sites for 22 emergency communication towers.

A Middle River Republican shot the W. Baltimore video that Fox aired, which gave way to President Trump’s tweet storm about the city and U.S. Rep. Cummings; Trump expands his attacks to encompass the Rev. Al Sharpton; response to Trump tweets continues to be fast as Gov. Hogan delivers a harsher assessment of the president’s tweets as do other politicians, religious leaders and residents; meanwhile, others in the Maryland GOP remain tight-lipped; in other news, new study finds women who take spouses to court over abuse lose custody of children at a higher rate; 29 Maryland Democratic lawmakers step up to back Joe Biden for president; and Annapolis resident Carole Brown to challenge John Sarbanes in Democratic primary for U.S. House.

President Trump’s tweets once again take up a lot of air, but this time they hit home with the president blasting Baltimore as “rat-infested” and blaming “brutal bully” U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who heads up the House government oversight committee. Many saw the attacks as racist and called him out while defending Baltimore, including the Sun editorial board, in a flat-out slam that was heard around the world. Gov. Hogan’s response however, was seen as tepid, while Baltimore County Exec Johnny Olszewski pointed out that the president’s son-in-law owns apartments that contribute to blighted conditions; meanwhile, other news was happening, including the fact that new members of the Handgun Permit Review Board are denying appeals at a higher rate; the board is also facing a lawsuit over “concealed carry” from gun advocates; a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working toward aiding Maryland’s small businesses; with more immigrants coming to Maryland, all jurisdictions struggle with the best translation software; transportation officials to study alternatives to Hogan’s toll plans; Del. Impallaria also suing former rival; and Carroll County’s charter government question on hold.

Public Service Commission OKs reopening of Baltimore County power plant after denying appeal from environmental groups; Board of Public Works agrees to fund $369,000 to settle state employees’ claims of mistreatment; state school board wrestles with allowing grace period for seniors who have to pass new standardized test to graduate; Office of Crime Control and Prevention offering religious organizations grants to beef up security; Del. Impallaria suing fellow Republicans for defamation; underwater grasses were flourishing, but recent rains cause uncertainty; regional panel OKs replacement of Nice/Middleton bridge; and Maryland’s U.S. senators are pushing drug affordability bill.

The firm behind planned offshore wind farm to invest $13.2 million to stage assembly at Port of Baltimore; Board of Public Works expected to OK three lawsuit settlements; money to fund initial recommendations of the Kirwan Commission has begun flowing to local school systems, ICE says it has arrested 35 in Baltimore City; Montgomery GOP blasts Executive Elrich’s order on not complying with ICE; Speaker Jones taps new member of UMMS board; Gov. Hogan names new deputy chief of staff; cost of Hagerstown stormwater management fee structure drops; and Baltimore city celebrates latest state-designated arts and entertainment district.

Maryland to receive $125 million in federal funding to expand Howard Street Tunnel to aid Port of Baltimore; state to get $5.7 million in lawsuit settling Equifax’s 2017 data breach; Gov. Hogan touts consumer saving in proposing more changes to toll lanes; state reports shortfall in mass transit funding; Montgomery homeowners protest zoning changes to allow single family properties to create apartments; following Healthy Holly scandal, Baltimore City Council passes tougher laws on financial disclosures; and after trip to southern border, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin says detainees seeking better life for their families.