DOGE is cutting GSA leases across Maryland and D.C. Here’s why the market’s optimistic
The Department of Government Efficiency’s mission to dramatically reduce the General Service Administration’s federal portfolio has sparked a mix of cautious optimism in the Capital region’s real estate market.
Loss of federal funds could leave migrant children in the lurch
The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to end a contract that pays for the legal representation of children navigating immigration court cases after entering the country without parents or guardians. That decision could have outsize impacts in Maryland,…
Education Department employees cheered as they leave, warn of impacts of cuts on the future
WASHINGTON – Suitcases and large cardboard boxes rolled across the pavement outside the Department of Education’s offices this week as recently fired federal workers packed up their desks. Waiting outside, workers were greeted with claps, cheers and whistles as they…
Trump wants the Panama canal back, but Afro-Caribbeans are staking a personal claim
For the community around the canal, this is not just a dispute over who may run the historic passageway. It’s about who rightfully shares in its legacy.
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
Loss of federal funds could leave migrant children in the lurch
The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to end a contract that pays for the legal representation of children navigating immigration court cases after entering the country without parents or guardians. That decision could have outsize impacts in Maryland,…
Former NIH director urges patients to speak out against Trump’s health cuts
The former director of the National Institutes of Health warned that cuts to the agency under President Donald Trump’s administration could affect more than just employees and their families.
Lawmakers seek to ban gender-affirming medication for those under 18
The bill, Protect the Kids Act, would prohibit licensed medical professionals from prescribing cross-sex hormone therapy like hormones or hormone blockers.
Maryland lawmakers target the tranquilizers behind recent overdose deaths
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is attempting to push Maryland’s Department of Health to restrict the distribution of two veterinary tranquilizers that play a growing role in the state’s overdose crisis.
Data stories
DOGE is cutting GSA leases across Maryland and D.C. Here’s why the market’s optimistic
The Department of Government Efficiency’s mission to dramatically reduce the General Service Administration’s federal portfolio has sparked a mix of cautious optimism in the Capital region’s real estate market.
A shift in Christianity across the U.S. may continue as Gen Z ages
Although Gen Zers generally identify as spiritual, Christianity doesn’t seem to resonate as much as it did with previous generations.
Metro sees a spike in rides amidst return to work orders
This movement comes one month after President Donald Trump issued a memorandum that required federal employees across the country to terminate remote-work arrangements.
Trump’s immigration arrests and deportations, by the numbers
Recent ICE data shows deportations falling below expectations, though immigration arrests are significantly higher than under former President Biden.
Washington
Education Department employees cheered as they leave, warn of impacts of cuts on the future
WASHINGTON – Suitcases and large cardboard boxes rolled across the pavement outside the Department of Education’s offices this week as recently fired federal workers packed up their desks. Waiting outside, workers were greeted with claps, cheers and whistles as they…
Van Hollen, Subramanyam lead Democrats against Trump’s efforts to move federal agencies
WASHINGTON – Maryland and Virginia Democratic lawmakers are proposing legislation aimed at preventing costly federal agency moves pushed by the Trump administration. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, are sponsoring companion bills that would require federal…
Van Hollen, other Senate Democrats call Social Security nominee unfit
Senate Democrats said President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Social Security Administration could jeopardize benefits for seniors and Americans with disabilities.
GOP-controlled panel rejects Mfume’s efforts to get documents on federal firings
Maryland Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume failed to get Republican support for his legislation requesting documents from the Trump administration on the firings of federal workers.
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
Loss of federal funds could leave migrant children in the lurch
The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to end a contract that pays for the legal representation of children navigating immigration court cases after entering the country without parents or guardians. That decision could have outsize impacts in Maryland,…
DOGE is cutting GSA leases across Maryland and D.C. Here’s why the market’s optimistic
The Department of Government Efficiency’s mission to dramatically reduce the General Service Administration’s federal portfolio has sparked a mix of cautious optimism in the Capital region’s real estate market.
Former NIH director urges patients to speak out against Trump’s health cuts
The former director of the National Institutes of Health warned that cuts to the agency under President Donald Trump’s administration could affect more than just employees and their families.
How the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is reshaping daily life in Baltimore
When the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, it didn’t just disrupt traffic, it altered the daily routines of countless Maryland residents.
Video
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. Coyle went on to lead Blair High School to its first Maryland Boys’ Soccer State Title in over 50 years, proving to young women and her athletes that gender does not determine your success as a coach.
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.
Montgomery Co., Maryland hosts video contest to increase awareness of drug overdosing
After losing their son 20-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose, a mother goes around to local middle and high schools to share the dangers of using unknown drugs.