Maryland's political and policy landscape shifts as state leaders navigate immigration challenges, economic development debates, and positioning for future elections.

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• Maria Flores Garcia, a University of Maryland student and Prince George's high school valedictorian, was detained by ICE and faces potential deportation proceedings.
• “Detaining Maria Flores Garcia... puts a clear lie to ICE’s claim that they are going after ‘the worst of the worst.’ They are not. They are going after whoever they please, and it’s clear they’re not making our communities any safer,” Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement Tuesday.

• Gov. Wes Moore is publishing a book scheduled for March release about healing a divided nation.
• The book release follows Moore's national travel and media appearances, amid speculation about potential presidential ambitions.

• Maryland lawmakers are advancing legislation to address prediction markets and strengthen protections for election judges.
• The measures aim to regulate emerging betting markets while enhancing security measures for election officials administering votes.

• Baltimore County Executive-Elect Julian Jones announced he will proceed with the Lutherville Station development project despite controversy.
• The project has generated public debate, making Jones's commitment to advance it a notable policy position for his incoming administration.

• Baltimore Spirits Co.’s Epoch 6 Year Cask Strength Rye earned the Best in Show Whiskey award at The Tasting Alliance’s Top Shelf Awards in San Francisco on Sunday.
• The Top Shelf Awards are one of the largest international spirits competitions in the world. Baltimore Spirits Co. beat more than 1,500 competitors for the title of 2026’s best whiskey.

• Four years ago, Maryland Republicans had a popular two-term governor, Larry Hogan, and had won three of the previous five gubernatorial races.
• GOP candidates such as two-time gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox have brought nearly zero crossover appeal needed to win Maryland races. That’s left the party in its current anemic state: another gubernatorial drubbing, losing ground in General Assembly, county executive and county council contests and ceding once solid red territory.

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