Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana and Oklahoma bested Baltimore in a competition this month for federal dollars to build a tech hub. The loss was disappointing and surprising for the partners of the Greater Baltimore Tech Hub Consortium, who applied for a $70 million grant after winning a designation last year as a federal tech hub.

SuperBook Sports, one of the Baltimore Orioles’ most visible sponsors, has stopped its sports gambling operations in Maryland and seven other states after failing to gain a strong footing in those markets. The company emailed customers on Monday that it will no longer accept bets, deposits or new accounts in Maryland and the other states but will continue to operate in its home state of Nevada.

Vice President Harris is on a glide path to the 2024 Democratic nomination just two days after President Biden’s decision to end his campaign. Despite some talk about a contested race, Harris faces no high-profile opponents yet and has already amassed the support of more than two-thirds of delegates — well more than the majority she needs. Her nomination could become official via a virtual vote as early as next week.

 

On a scalding hot weekday morning, Baltimore-area residents boarded the region’s light rail line running from Hunt Valley south to BWI Marshall Airport and Glen Burnie. Doors malfunctioned, conversations were interrupted by incessant honking, cigarettes and empty alcohol containers lay scattered across the floors, and people spaced out across a half-full train car muttered loudly about delays.

A drought watch in Maryland has been expanded to included the western parts of the state, authorities said. The news from the Maryland Department of the Environment comes nearly two weeks after it declared a drought watch for the Eastern Shore, which remains in effect. The new drought watch is based on lower-than-normal stream flows and groundwater levels for this time of year, state officials said.

Starting in September, Baltimore residents can apply for vouchers to help buy electric bikes under a city pilot program. Through the program “Bike Baltimore Electric,” the city wants to promote environmental sustainability, equitable access to transportation options and transport independence. Submitting an application, however, does not guarantee a voucher.

A multipurpose greenspace in northwest Baltimore has been upgraded with a new playing space on the football field, scoreboard, and playground. The Fields at Pimlico Park is the new name of the greenspace at Pimlico Safety Academy, formerly Northwest Baltimore Academy, on Northern Parkway. City and state officials, community members, and representatives from the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Terps Youth Sports program unveiled the updated space on Monday.

Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order Tuesday directing state agencies to use “plain language” that provides clear and brief information on any documents or websites from state government aimed at the average reader in Maryland. Moore signed the four-page order – with eight whereas clauses and nine subsections – to make government websites and services easier to read and access in recognition of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act later this week.

Maryland’s consumer utility watchdog joined the chorus of residents, legislators, environmental advocates and farmers concerned about a plan to build a 70-mile power line through Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties. David Lapp, the people’s counsel, wrote a letter voicing his worries to the managers of PJM Interconnection LLC, the utility that manages the power grid infrastructure in Maryland and 12 other states.

One can scarcely blame certain residents of Frederick, Carroll and Baltimore counties for protesting construction of a new power line in their backyards. The proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project would bring a 500,000-volt transmission line along a 70-mile-long, 550-foot-wide path from southern Frederick County to an existing Baltimore Gas & Electric line in northern Baltimore County.