Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) will visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday to launch the in-person lobbying effort aimed at persuading Congress to fulfill President Biden’s vow to fully pay to replace Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The wreckage still blocks the main shipping channel for the Port of Baltimore and strangles a key economic artery to the region.

All three bills in Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) affordable housing package have received final approval from both chambers of the General Assembly and are on the way to his desk. The bills were largely finalized on Saturday, when the Senate voted on some of his bills that had already been approved by the opposite chamber. But the House had to review the legislation one last time Monday before the bills officially landed on the governor’s desk.

A year ago, the CFG Bank Arena reopened its doors after extensive renovations, defying the skeptics who doubted its success. Today, it stands as a beacon of Baltimore’s resurgence and a testament to what can be achieved when the city and the private sector work together to leverage Baltimore’s unique assets and opportunities. (Photo credit: MGC Media/CFG Arena Facebook page)

Returning to the workforce as a new mother isn’t easy, especially for mothers who choose to breastfeed. I was appalled when Baltimore City courts recently updated their policy regarding new mothers and limitations on when and how they can feed their babies while serving as jurors. The courts reduced the time that moms have an opportunity to defer jury duty from one year to six months.

Nearly two weeks after a cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse, one of the East Coast’s busiest ports remains largely cut off from the seas. The reach of the Port of Baltimore is vast, and it could lose an estimated $15 million per day while closed. (Photo credit: Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun Staff)

The Maryland General Assembly passed a budget this session that raises approximately $340 million in additional revenue for transportation and education programs, and increases funding for the state’s shock trauma system. But not every Marylander will foot the bill. Most of the increases come in the form of vehicle-related fees and fines, which will be used to pay for trauma care and transportation projects.

Baltimore City schools are feeling the early benefits of first steps taken to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the multi-billion-dollar education reform legislation, as the state enters its third year of implementation. But in a virtual town hall Thursday night, district leaders said there’s still a long way — and much more funding — to go. Sandi Jacobs, the city’s Blueprint Coordinator, said some changes will require more funding than the state is currently allocating.

Business in Towson is booming. Over 50 different businesses have found their way to Towson since the beginning of 2020, according to Nancy Hafford, Executive Director of Towson’s Chamber of Commerce. “Towson has become more of the urban environment in Baltimore County; it’s sort of like a mini downtown, but it’s a safe place to go,” Hafford said.

A prayer service and candlelight vigil was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Highlandtown for the men who lost their lives while working on the Key Bridge at the time of the collapse. On Monday evening, people filled the pews to listen to prayers, sing hymns and pay their respects through 6 minutes of silence; one minute for each victim.

The Washington County Free Library at 100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, is offering a booth for community members to use for personal telehealth appointments. The telehealth pod is on the third floor of the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Library near the study rooms and new community health-related information displays.