The secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, an 87-year-old retired veterinarian and a master craft brewer walk into a taproom. No, it’s not the beginning of a lame joke: It was part of the guest list at Heavy Seas Beer in Baltimore County at a recent celebration for the release of a beer brewed with the Monocacy hop, a genetically unique plant that’s believed to be the only hop native to Maryland.

Minutes after emergency responders arrived to a growing fire on Linden Heights Avenue, firefighters called out “Mayday” triggering a scramble for information across emergency dispatch radio lines. Authorities have not completed their investigation into the circumstances of the deadly fire and its cause, said Amanda Hils, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Baltimore division on Thursday.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater on Wednesday announced the creation of a new government office to oversee agriculture, as well as the opening of a 24/7 walk-in crisis center and the launch of a dashboard to gauge her administration’s transition. Fitzwater highlighted three recently completed projects during her first State of the County address — a tradition she inherited from the prior administration.

Holly Beach Farm is a garden of marshes, coves and coastal woodlands with sweeping views that include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge — a twin expanse of steel over blue-green waters dotted by boats and ships. Now this environmental treasure is up for grabs. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation on Wednesday posted a notice calling for letters of interest in taking over the 300-acre site just across the Severn River from Annapolis.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have exempted liquor stores and certain types of bags from the plastic bag ban law set to take effect Nov. 1. The Baltimore County Council passed three bills last week aimed to curtail the Bring Your Own Bag Act, which is set to go into effect Nov. 1. Olszewski vetoed two of those bills.

Shortly after April McClain Delaney announced her run for Congress in District 6, one of her Democratic rivals – Delegate Joe Vogel – attacked her on Twitter. Vogel has been running since early May and is the current leader in fundraising. His video is posted below and is accompanied by a transcription. Do you seriously think the answer to the chaos we’re seeing in Congress right now is to let another mega-millionaire buy an election?

In Washington, D.C., where political divisions often define the discourse, there exists a rare point of unity. It’s a point that transcends party lines and can unite both chambers of Congress. This common ground is the need for the 2023 Farm Bill. Agriculture is Maryland’s largest commercial industry and is a historical cornerstone of our great state. For generations, our hard-working farmers have selflessly worked to feed and fuel our country, and it’s time for Washington to lend our farmers a helping hand.

A legislative workgroup created to assess Maryland Higher Education Commission policies for approving new academic programs convened for a third time Wednesday, but has less than six weeks to complete its work. Called the Program Approval Process Workgroup, it is co-chaired by Sen. Nancy King (D-Montgomery) and Del. Stephanie Smith (D-Baltimore) and it heard presentations on the commission’s higher education plan and overviews of plans from other states.

The full impact of social media on our children’s lives is still being studied and debated, but much of the ugly evidence of harm is right in front of our eyes. From body shaming to bullying to — in the most extreme cases — suicide, parents know how the pervasive social media environment is hurting young people. growing up in this brave, new world.

In Maryland, where the state’s population is about a third Black, roughly 71% of incarcerated people are Black. That “staggering” figure is the worst in the country, Attorney General Anthony Brown said Wednesday as he and the state’s chief public defender, Natasha Dartigue, announced that their offices — often adversaries in the courtroom — will partner in a new collaborative designed to tackle the overincarceration of Black Marylanders.