Maryland High School graduation rate reaches seven-year high
Maryland’s high school graduation rate climbed to 88% in 2024, reaching its highest point since 2017, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Maryland federal contractor layoffs increase as Trump slashes federal spending
Maryland federal contractor layoffs continue rising as the Trump administration makes major organizational changes and slashes federal agency budgets.
D.C.’s Go-Go Museum showcases the music genre’s local roots, global influence
In the Anacostia Neighborhood lies a tribute to a genre of music at the core of Washington culture—the Go-Go Museum & Café.
U.S. dominance in science at risk with Trump cuts, scientists warn
The United States has been the world leader in science for decades, but the Trump administration has made plans to cancel or freeze federal grants that fund scientific institutions and universities and shrink or abolish federal scientific agencies.
Contracted Out
Audits show trouble lurking in school contracts
Auditors keep a close eye on school district contracting in Maryland — and if you’re wondering why, just look at what happened in May in Montgomery County. After auditors raised suspicions, the district’s former assistant director of transportation pleaded guilty…
An unprecedented look at Maryland public school spending
Billions of local, state and federal tax dollars go to funding Maryland’s public schools every year — and now, it will be easier for you to find out how your local school district spent that money. That’s because the Local…
Health care, construction, tech among biggest school expenses
With employee health care costs leading the way, Maryland’s public school districts spent $21.1 billion between fiscal years 2019 and 2022 not on teacher and staff salaries, but on everything else that keeps the schools running. That’s the bottom line…
Baltimore County leads state in transparency of school expenditures
If you’re curious about how your local school district is spending its money, you can download data from the “Contracted Out” database. But if you want to know exactly why school districts spend what they spend, you’re out of luck…
Annapolis
Oklahoma City marks a deadly attack and ongoing threat
OKLAHOMA CITY – The city is gathering this weekend to remember the victims of the catastrophic domestic terror attack that took place 30 years ago today. Local, state and federal officials are set to attend the city’s remembrance ceremony as…
These aid workers are still trying to get their Afghan allies to safety
Sophia Wilcox’s work to bring her Afghan team to the U.S. has always been difficult. Now the pressure is mounting even more. The Taliban is targeting Afghans who worked with the U.S., including those who worked with the University of…
Red Line funding survives in tight budget year, but some other transit goals are on hold
The inflation woes of Maryland’s transit agencies were not at the top of the General Assembly’s priority list this year, with lawmakers instead focused on digging out of a deficit. In most of the state, that means slim chances of transit service expansions in the foreseeable future.
Maryland will slow – not stop – its investment in schools
Maryland lawmakers passed a bill this week revising the state’s expensive education reform plan.
Data stories
Maryland High School graduation rate reaches seven-year high
Maryland’s high school graduation rate climbed to 88% in 2024, reaching its highest point since 2017, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Maryland federal contractor layoffs increase as Trump slashes federal spending
Maryland federal contractor layoffs continue rising as the Trump administration makes major organizational changes and slashes federal agency budgets.
After years of growth, Disney pulls back on Marvel, Star Wars releases
Under Disney’s guidance, both Star Wars and Marvel grew massively. Now, that expansion appears slowing as the studio curtails each brand’s annual output.
Maryland reported 3 measles cases in March. Here’s what you need to know.
Maryland health officials confirmed three measles cases in Maryland this month, making the state one of 18 with reports of the disease in 2025.
Washington
Returning from El Salvador, Van Hollen says ‘we need to bring Mr. Abrego García home’
DULLES, Va. — Handcuffed, shackled and unable to see out the plane windows or know where they were headed, Kilmar Abrego García and others were flown to El Salvador. Authorities placed him in a cell with around 25 others at…
U.S. dominance in science at risk with Trump cuts, scientists warn
The United States has been the world leader in science for decades, but the Trump administration has made plans to cancel or freeze federal grants that fund scientific institutions and universities and shrink or abolish federal scientific agencies.
D.C.’s Go-Go Museum showcases the music genre’s local roots, global influence
In the Anacostia Neighborhood lies a tribute to a genre of music at the core of Washington culture—the Go-Go Museum & Café.
Maryland lawmakers, legal experts press Trump to return Abrego García from El Salvador
Lawmakers, legal experts and advocates are continuing the fight to push for the return of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego García, who was mistakenly deported to CECOT, El Salvador’s most notorious prison, and has not been heard from for over a month.
Bringing Back Baseball
Hagerstown’s new ballpark: Picnic areas, walking paths and high expectations
HAGERSTOWN — From the corner of West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue, you can see the future of baseball in the Hub City There aren’t any home runs flying yet. But next Spring, the cranes and construction workers will be…
Baseball stadium aims to revitalize city center
HAGERSTOWN – The new ballpark under construction here is the latest effort to bring baseball back to a town that has a rich history tied to the game. But the project is also an attempt to revitalize a city core…
Neighbors remain skeptical of ballpark in their backyard
HAGERSTOWN — Hagerstown city officials and business owners are excited about the new minor league ballpark that’s under construction, but not all of its neighbors are cheering about it. Residents near the $70 million project – which leaders hope will…
For Black community, ties to city’s baseball traditions are complicated
HAGERSTOWN — Alesia Parson-McBean remembers the second time Willie Mays visited her hometown. Regarded as one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived, Mays returned in 2004 to Hagerstown, Maryland, the site of his minor league debut. During Mays’…
Maryland
Oklahoma City marks a deadly attack and ongoing threat
OKLAHOMA CITY – The city is gathering this weekend to remember the victims of the catastrophic domestic terror attack that took place 30 years ago today. Local, state and federal officials are set to attend the city’s remembrance ceremony as…
Maryland High School graduation rate reaches seven-year high
Maryland’s high school graduation rate climbed to 88% in 2024, reaching its highest point since 2017, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Maryland lawmakers, legal experts press Trump to return Abrego García from El Salvador
Lawmakers, legal experts and advocates are continuing the fight to push for the return of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego García, who was mistakenly deported to CECOT, El Salvador’s most notorious prison, and has not been heard from for over a month.
Fans flock to Nationals Opening Day
Opening Day marks a hopeful new year for baseball fans in Washington, D.C.
Video
Teenager in wheelchair defies odds and plays lacrosse
At the beginning of their season, Severn and Saints Peter and Paul Schools competed in a boy’s high school lacrosse game, and Caleb Krewson, a freshman on the team scored his first official high school goal, only Krewson is in a wheelchair. But head coach Freddie Wolters and the rest of the boys don’t see the wheelchair, they just see an athlete who works just as hard, and they say he’s giving them more than they could ever give him.
Allie Coyle becomes the first female to win a Maryland Boys’ Soccer State Title
Allie Coyle is the Boys’ Head Soccer Coach at Montgomery Blair High School in Montgomery County, Maryland. As a female coach of a boys’ soccer team, Coyle has been doubted for years, but that never deterred her pursuit of winning.
Chance Stephens uses cryotherapy to enhance recovery from knee injury
Chance Stephens tore his patellar tendon before he could ever play for Maryland men’s basketball but after a challenging recovery process, he’s back on the court due to the help of cryotherapy.
Serious and fatal crashes significantly reduced in Montgomery County
The Vision Zero Initiative in Montgomery County has helped drop the rate of serious and fatal crashes by over ten percent.