Financial abuse and exploitation of older adults is a vexing problem requiring increased public awareness. Every year, thousands of cases are reported in Maryland. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (“IC3”), up to 5 million older Americans experience financial exploitation every year, but it is estimated that only one in 24 instances of abuse is reported.

I have been involved in the election process in Anne Arundel County for the last four election cycles. Functioning as a chief judge three times, as well as other duties from canvassing to picking up ballots at drop boxes, including correctional facilities. I have been impressed with the competence of the people involved, both full-time and temporary. The process “chain of custody” for ballots is thorough. However, I am surprised by the gap in the structure of the board of elections.

 

The Baltimore Orioles and T. Rowe Price on Monday announced a sponsorship agreement for the Baltimore-based global investment management firm to become the exclusive investment and wealth management sponsor of the baseball club. The centerpiece of the deal is a T. Rowe Price-branded uniform patch that will adorn the sleeve of Orioles players’ jerseys for all regular season and postseason games, beginning Tuesday when the Orioles host the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Under Armour is placing a $25 million bet on Kevin Plank. The Baltimore company’s CEO has four years to double Under Armour’s stock price, and if he can do that, he will earn more than $25 million in stock compensation. Plank, who recently returned to the company’s top job, had his new compensation plan outlined in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that details the company’s financial aspirations.

Since the purchase five months ago of the Baltimore Sun by conservative broadcast mogul David D. Smith, staffers have been watching for changes, bristling at some (the rightward tilt of the op-ed pages) and eye-rolling at others (the paper now carries an “Ask the Vet” column by Smith’s veterinarian daughter, Devon Smith).

Apple has jumped into the race to bring generative artificial intelligence to the masses, spotlighting a slew of features Monday designed to soup up the iPhone, iPad and Mac. And in a move befitting a company known for its marketing prowess, the AI technology coming as part of free software updates later this year is being billed as “Apple Intelligence.”

 

The County Council’s budget comes up about $400,000 short of what the Salisbury Fire Department asked for. Meanwhile, an additional $75,000 will go towards other volunteer departments throughout the county. It has stirred up contention among local officials and fire department heads. Council President John Cannon said the move was fiscally responsible.

The Baltimore City Council will hold at least four oversight hearings examining the city’s response to its unprecedented overdose epidemic, two city councilors announced Monday. Councilman Mark Conway announced that he had scheduled his previously announced hearing for July 10, where top officials under Mayor Brandon Scott are slated to testify.

 

Montgomery County Public Schools announced Monday afternoon that no current teachers are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the district’s plan to increase class sizes for the next school year. The increase in class sizes–which was anticipated to lead to layoffs of up to 150 educators–is one of several budget-cutting moves that MCPS is undertaking to close a $30 million gap in its roughly $3.3 billion spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1.

 

Baltimore has reached a $45 million settlement with pharmaceutical company Allergan related to the city’s lawsuit tied to the opioid epidemic. It’s a big sum compared to what the city would have received had it joined Maryland in a similar agreement. City leaders took a gamble in 2023 when they became the only jurisdiction in the state to opt out of Maryland’s settlement with drug companies in hopes of securing a larger payout.