A new report from the Chesapeake Bay Program says states need to flip the script in order to achieve pollution reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay. The 133-page report released by the program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee offers a range of findings about why progress toward those goals has been slow and why water quality improvements “are proving more challenging than expected.”

 

The owners of Persimmon in Bethesda passed the torch of ownership to three employees Monday afternoon after 25 years. Stephanie and Damian Salvatore had been contemplating selling Persimmon for the past couple of years. “It wasn’t an overnight decision,” Stephanie said. “It just evolved to where we were able to connect, and when we finally talked to the employees, I was really excited that they wanted to purchase it. It just took a while to make sure that’s what we wanted to do, both personally [and] professionally.”

 

 

For several weeks I have been researching a commentary, working title, “Should state schools superintendent Mohammed Choudhury stay or go?” And in a submission I sent in this week, I attempted a balanced analysis of his controversial two years in office. He (by July 1) and the State Board of Education (by no later than around September 30) must declare whether they are interested in renewing his contract, which expires in June 2024.

The U.S. government could default as soon as next month if Congress and the Biden administration can’t reach a debt limit agreement before then, according to a new analysis from the Bipartisan Policy Center. The updated guidance, which puts the default window between early June and early August, adds pressure to President Joe Biden and the four congressional leaders for an agreement ahead of a meeting later Tuesday.

Maryland’s high-profile race to replace U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin is off to a quick start, with four Democrats almost immediately jumping in for the rare chance to win an open seat in Washington, D.C., next year. Cardin, a three-term senator who’s been involved in Maryland politics for nearly six decades, is not seeking reelection in 2024. Democrats have held both of Maryland’s seats in the chamber since 1987 and are expected to see a competitive and crowded primary race while Republicans are looking to recruit their own candidates.

This time of year is filled with many “firsts” for young people throughout Maryland. Recent high school and college graduates may have just filed their first tax returns as independent adults. Those getting ready to graduate in a few weeks are looking for their first jobs. They may be getting ready to rent their first apartment or buy their first car. Others may be using a credit card for the first time.

A year and a half ago, Ross Dolloff moved to Baltimore in search of a fresh start. Partially paralyzed for more than a decade, he expected to face some hurdles as he adjusted to life in a new city. Though Dolloff enjoys living in Baltimore and finds it easier to navigate than other cities, he’s still felt excluded from certain areas and activities due to his disability.

To combat a leading cause of death and disability in Frederick County, officials recently launched a stroke awareness and prevention campaign to mitigate the condition’s affects. The campaign includes collaborative efforts with local community groups, as well as a host of online materials to train county residents on the signs of stroke and how to respond.

 

 

 

Battered by tax-shocked residents, county employee unions and the legions of people who regularly demand funding for their favored spending, the county council is trying to navigate a middle path that will leave no one happy but hopefully no one outraged.  It’s a rocky road to be sure, and today, we began to see some evidence of how the council is doing.

Baltimore, a city nestled in the Northeast megalopolis [but not the DMV] and defined by its four-one-oh, four-four-three, and six-six-seven zip codes, holds a special place in the hearts of residents who have had or are having the privilege to come of age here. Though not always spangled, the city’s grit and charm, combined with its upscale crab shacks, row homes, and the wide expanse of the inner harbor, make it a beloved home.