Amid controversy, Supreme Court shows surprising unanimity in most rulings – so far
WASHINGTON– As the 2023-2024 Supreme Court term nears its end, data reflects historic unanimity among the justices, although a number of potentially divisive cases are to be decided in the coming weeks. Casual observers may be surprised to learn that…
Will Maryland’s Blueprint for education work? An oversight board — and district officials — will be watching
Maryland plans to spend $16.6 billion through 2029, along with billions more after that, to improve its public schools. But will it work? State legislators created a seven-member oversight board to ensure it would. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a…
Months after costly civil lawsuit settlement, Baltimore City’s rivers still polluting
In one of his most viral videos to date, with over three million views on Instagram and close to a million views on TikTok, Baltimore crabber and social media influencer Luke McFadden addresses the camera while standing on his boat…
Statehood activists push for Puerto Rico status vote
WASHINGTON – Statehood activists are once again pushing Congress to set up a vote for Puerto Ricans to pick a new status for the territory. Puerto Ricans are U.S citizens, abide by the Constitution and are subject to federal laws.…
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
Legal gray areas hinder police watchdogs
Three years after passing the Maryland Police Accountability Act, the rollout of the new police oversight systems has proven slow.
Activist mom turns son’s life into hopeful legacy
Three years after losing her son to gun violence, Ja’Ka McKnight is helping others suffering from the aftermath of gun violence.
Gov. Moore confident in Maryland’s play to keep Commanders
Despite the jurisdictional dispute, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is confident the Commanders will remain in Prince George’s County.
Maryland governor hopeful of GOP support for Key Bridge clean-up
Gov. Wes Moore says several Republicans have been “incredibly encouraging” about federal support for the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Data stories
Maryland sees improvement in fatal overdose rates despite nationwide opioid epidemic
Fatal overdoses in Maryland continued their downward trajectory in 2023, whereas overall deaths in the United States surged to new highs.
Maryland’s NAEP scores reflect trends of nationwide learning loss
The results for Maryland’s 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for grades four and eight reflected a national declining trend that began in 2013 and worsened during the pandemic.
From “Red Solo Cup” to Cowboy Carter: How country music has morphed in the mainstream
Country was one of the fastest-growing music genres last year. In addition to a class of up-and-coming stars making countless hits, new fusions combining the genre with other popular sounds are taking it to new heights.
Jackson Holliday’s early MLB struggles were historic among top draft picks
Holliday collected the fewest hits by a position player selected No. 1 overall across their first 34 major league at-bats. The 20-year-old infielder was sent back to the minor leagues on April 26 after batting .059 over his 10-game stint with the Orioles.
Washington
Amid controversy, Supreme Court shows surprising unanimity in most rulings – so far
WASHINGTON– As the 2023-2024 Supreme Court term nears its end, data reflects historic unanimity among the justices, although a number of potentially divisive cases are to be decided in the coming weeks. Casual observers may be surprised to learn that…
Statehood activists push for Puerto Rico status vote
WASHINGTON – Statehood activists are once again pushing Congress to set up a vote for Puerto Ricans to pick a new status for the territory. Puerto Ricans are U.S citizens, abide by the Constitution and are subject to federal laws.…
Some Maryland households face disconnect from federal discount internet program
Over 287,000 Maryland households risk losing access to high-speed internet at the end of this month unless a bipartisan agreement can be struck in Congress to extend a discount program.
House passes bill to exclude non-citizen representation, add citizenship question to census
The Republican-led House Wednesday passed a bill to add a citizenship question to the decennial census and exclude non-citizens from the population count used to determine federal representation.
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
Months after costly civil lawsuit settlement, Baltimore City’s rivers still polluting
In one of his most viral videos to date, with over three million views on Instagram and close to a million views on TikTok, Baltimore crabber and social media influencer Luke McFadden addresses the camera while standing on his boat…
A look at Black-owned startups in Prince George’s County: PerVista aims to prevent active shooters
Vennard Wright is among a growing number of African Americans who in recent years have formed companies in Prince George’s County.
A look at Black-owned startups in Prince George’s County: Tetragram helps cannabis users keep track of products
Otha Smith III is a Prince George’s County native who launched Tetragram, a mobile app for cannabis users.
Prince George’s has more new businesses than any Maryland county. What’s behind the surge?
Prince George’s County has long been considered the poor step-sibling of the DMV’s more affluent and business savvy counties. But that image is starting to change.
Video
Beau Brade stays home after going undrafted in NFL Draft
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Playing at the professional level is the goal for many college athletes, but playing for your hometown team is a dream come true. Maryland safety Beau Brade now has the opportunity after going undrafted in the…
Reduced bus trips and different start and dismissal times for Prince George’s County Public Schools
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – Prince George’s County announced new start and closing times for public schools next year. The current 13 start times will be reduced to three, and the 17 different dismissal times, reduced to six.
Teenager in wheelchair defies odds and plays lacrosse
EASTON, Md.- 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…
Prince George’s Co. playgrounds get makeovers
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. – Kids in Prince George’s County will have new play spaces to enjoy this summer as the county partners with Kaboom!, a Washington-based organization dedicated to creating playspace equity.