As 18 Democratic candidates in the 3rd congressional district prepare for their first forum in Annapolis Wednesday evening, a poll conducted recently for former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn shows him with a slight lead over state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel). The poll comes just ahead of candidate forum scheduled for Wednesday at a church in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis — and while political professionals are still absorbing the candidates’ latest campaign finance statements, which were filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.

The coronavirus pandemic caused a historic drop in Maryland’s prison population. But after the state of emergency ended and prisons filled again, the share of Black incarcerated people reached a five-year-high late last year, a Capital News Service data analysis has found. In March 2020, around 18,500 people were incarcerated in the state’s prisons. By summer 2021, there were almost 4,000 fewer prisoners.

U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Potomac)—who has repeatedly vowed to spend “what it takes” to win Maryland’s open Senate seat—continues to put his money where his mouth is, according to reports filed late Monday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Trone—co-owner of Total Wine & More, a nationwide chain of alcohol beverage retail outlets—pumped another $18.5 million in personal funds into his campaign during the first three months of this year, bringing the total amount of money for which he has reached into his own pocket to underwrite his Senate bid to more than $41.7 million.

The owners of White’s Ferry announced Tuesday that they have offered to donate the operation to Montgomery County to “enhance the odds” of reopening the historic Potomac River crossing, which has been closed since December 2020. “We are happy to propose a resolution to Montgomery County,” said Chuck Kuhn, the CEO of JK Land Holdings in a press release. “Our goal was always to get the ferry reopened.”

Baltimore’s largest book drive event is right around the corner. The Maryland Book Bank’s “Books for Kids Day” is on May 4 and leaders with the organization want you to donate as many books as you can. Right now, there are over 50,000 books inside the Maryland Book Bank’s warehouse. All of them are donations to make sure every kid has a book of their own.

Ghost guns — untraceable firearms usually put together by someone using unassembled or homemade components — are already illegal in Maryland. Nonetheless, they’ve been used in some high profile crimes in Prince George’s County in recent years, including several that involve juveniles. Now, the Prince George’s County Council wants to give prosecutors a new tool that will go after those who help juveniles get their hands on one.

It has been three weeks since the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after a cargo ship crashed into one of its support structures, and the U.S. Coast Guard is now taking journalists on boats to get a closer look at the wreckage and how it’s being cleared. WTOP’s Nick Iannelli was one of just a few reporters who got the chance to do that Tuesday, circling the disaster site and getting a 360-degree view of the wreckage.

Pro-democracy organization leaders on Tuesday said the Maryland House of Delegates failed voters by again declining to vote for special elections to fill legislative vacancies. The state Senate voted overwhelmingly for Maryland to hold special elections concurrently with statewide primary and general elections during presidential election years — which are off-years for Maryland state races — and the bill’s sponsor said she thought a compromise had been reached with House leaders.

It has been a rough few weeks for port workers in Baltimore after the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Thousands of workers remain without work due to the collapse. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade (PORT) Act into law to provide immediate relief, but those impacted said it’s taking too long.

It is very welcome news that two of the most intractable issues threatening the continued vitality of the city’s downtown historic district are both moving forward after years of delay and inaction. First, the long-vacant Asiana restaurant, which has sat like a missing tooth in a broad smile on North Market Street, appears to be finally moving toward a solution.