In one TV ad, a serious-sounding woman talks about how Angela Alsobrooks “dodged” thousands of dollars’ worth of property tax payments. In another ad, another serious-sounding woman declares: “We can’t trust Larry Hogan on abortion.” These television ads and others — as well radio, web and social media video ads — are impossible to miss in Maryland’s hotly-contested U.S. Senate race between Democrat Alsobrooks and Republican Hogan.

As students increasingly retreat into their cellphones during school hours, Anne Arundel County Public Schools and area private schools are putting in place new policies to limit usage in an effort to address concerns over safety, academic performance and student well-being. Educators say they observed students using their phones during downtime, sometimes to spread rumors of threats or coordinate fights.

Six months ago when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed and shut down the Port of Baltimore, leaders at nearby Tradepoint Atlantic stepped up with some desperately needed help. Cargo ships carrying new vehicles to Baltimore for processing were rerouted to the 3,300-acre former steel mill at Sparrows Point, doubling Tradepoint’s 24/7 operations. Pieces of the destroyed bridge were recovered and dragged from the Patapsco River to a canal at the site.