Many people who retire from Congress are ready to leave the long days, partisan infighting, frustrating pace of legislation, endless fundraising and time away from family. But Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Maryland, isn’t quite ready to say goodbye yet, despite announcing his retirement after 40 years in public office.

The opioid and overdose crisis continues, and it has evolved as Fentanyl has taken hold as the cause of 81% of overdose deaths in Maryland. Despite all the amazing work by first responders, health care professionals, and many others across the state, there does not seem to be an end in sight. Gov. Wes Moore has shown tremendous leadership in his first year in office, broadening the state’s response to opioids and overdoses by enhancing coordination between and across all levels of government.

Technical internships play a vital role in nurturing and building vibrant innovation ecosystems. As students actively engage with local companies and startups, they bring fresh ideas, talent, and unique perspectives, fueling the growth of Maryland’s next generation of innovators. The majority of students who complete the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) signal desire to stay and work in Maryland, and retaining this trained and valuable workforce in our state — along with making it financially-viable for small and local businesses to host interns — makes MTIP a crucial player in Maryland’s workforce development.

It is said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Maryland is among states poised to roll back or repeal bipartisan criminal justice reforms, including reforms for children, teenagers and young adults, even when the evidence is clear that they should not. We are former federal judges. We have seen this movie before.

Last month, members of the Baltimore City Council took action that was long overdue. They voted unanimously to ban all tobacco products from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Since smoking was already banned in city stadiums, this will mostly impact the use of smokeless tobacco by fans and players alike. Yet what a powerful statement from the city and the teams involved.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski took it on the chin twice at Monday night’s County Council meeting, in the ongoing political tug of war over zoning. Council members overrode an Olszewski veto involving a proposed development in Hunt Valley. The 5-1 override vote came moments after legislation Olszewski had proposed to create mixed use zoning was withdrawn because council members overwhelmingly opposed it.

 

Ravens fans can expect plenty of new food and beverage options at M&T Bank Stadium soon as the team makes a “major expansion” to its food and beverage program, the team announced Monday. That expansion includes a change from its current concessionaire, Aramark. The team said it picked from several concessionaires after a monthslong decision process, but did not say who the new vendor is.

Air travel at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has recovered from major pandemic disturbances, and prices are starting to show it. The average one-way domestic ticket out of BWI Airport was $157.50 in the third quarter of 2023, down 3.7% from the same quarter a year earlier, according to a recent Business Journals analysis of airfare data from Cirium Inc.

Domino Sugar plans to rebuild a bulkhead along the shoreline of its Baltimore harbor refinery, a project designed to protect against erosion and environmental contamination. Domino’s parent, American Sugar Refining Inc., outlined the project in an application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A public comment period will run through March 13.

United Way of Frederick County is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its annual Unity Campaign, a large-scale fundraising effort to bring in money for local nonprofits. This year’s fundraising will begin on Wednesday and put the spotlight on nonprofits that help Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals and families. It will run until March 20.