Democratic congressional challenger Heather Mizeur again reported raising more campaign money than Republican Rep. Andy Harris in Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Harford County congressional district, but the incumbent, who is seeking a seventh term, held more in reserve as their first debate approached. Mizeur, who does not accept corporate political action committee contributions, reported raising more than $542,000 in the three months ending Sept. 30 — more than any recent challengers to Harris had accumulated during the same period. Harris, an anesthesiologist and supporter of former President Donald Trump who is the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, has routinely topped 60% of the vote in his previous reelection campaigns.

The third full week in October ushers in National Businesswomen’s Week each year. As women continue to make strides in the corporate and entrepreneurial world, there is also a growing trend in women’s giving. While women have long been thought of as taking the lead when volunteering talent and time, and they still do at 56%, women have also been slowly gaining momentum in another philanthropic category — charitable donations. Research about women and philanthropy shows that 73% of charitable donors in the world are women. Dialing that back to the U.S. in the high-net-worth category, it is estimated that approximately 93% of high-net-worth women gave money to charity, according to the “2018 U.S. Trust Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy.”

Kevin Ford Jr. works to educate Marylanders on how the cannabis industry can bring positive changes to Black and brown communities, whose families have historically been harmed by inequities in marijuana prosecutions. Ford serves as executive director of Uplift Action Fund Inc., a super PAC that recently began a get out the vote campaign urging support for the statewide ballot question that would legalize recreational cannabis use. His organization seeks $30,000 to spread the word through social media, digital ads and other forms of communication. According to a recent campaign finance filing, the PAC has raised $3,600 so far. Ford is among many Marylanders who use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

A majority of small-business owners and business leaders believe a cyberattack on their own company is inevitable — but many haven’t taken steps to prevent an attack. That’s according to the Travelers Insurance 2022 Travelers Risk Index, which found 59% of business leaders worry a great deal about cyber threats. That echoes other surveys that have found cybersecurity is one of the top concerns for business owners, even at a time of elevated inflation, recession fears and hiring challenges. The survey found many businesses haven’t taken simple steps that have been shown to thwart cyberattacks. For example, just 52% of companies said they have implemented multifactor authentication for remote users.

State officials are hoping to jump-start construction hiring in advance of a wave of federal funding for infrastructure projects. Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday that the state’s new $15 million Jobs that Build program comes on the heels of a federal infrastructure bill that will pay for projects around the country. State officials said they are concerned worker shortages could delay those projects in Maryland. “But as is the case with just about every industry right now, contractors are facing unprecedented challenges in finding enough skilled workers,” said Hogan. “These problems are made worse by historic inflation and persistent supply chain issues. This is not a field that offers the kind of remote work and flexibility that is becoming more commonplace after COVID.” Hogan compared the program to an earlier announcement in which he lifted the requirement for four-year college degrees for some state jobs.

Columbia’s BigBear.ai has tapped a former IBM executive to take over as CEO of the publicly traded tech company. Amanda Long, who most recently served as vice president of IT automation at IBM, took over the top job from Reggie Brothers effective Oct. 12, the company announced this week. At IBM, Long worked to grow the “Watson” artificial intelligence franchise, which famously won $1 million in Jeopardy. Watson now has 100 million users, with 70% of global banking institutions utilizing the software. Brothers will continue to have a relationship with the company, serving as a member of BigBear.ai’s board of advisors, which meets regularly with the company’s leadership team, Peter Cannito, chairman of the company’s board of directors, said in a statement to the BBJ.

Marylanders ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 booster shot, the Maryland Department of Health announced on Thursday. The updated booster shot, also called the bivalent shot, protects people against the original strain of the virus, as well as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Children between 5 and 11 years old who have gotten their last COVID-19 primary vaccine or booster shot at least two months ago can now receive an updated booster dose, according to a news release from the state health department on Thursday. “We urge all Marylanders 5 years old and older to get the bivalent booster shot as soon as they can to be COVIDReady and together safely enjoy the colder months and upcoming holidays,” Dennis Schrader, secretary of the state health department, said in the news release.

After shunning the Trump-aligned top of the GOP ticket in Maryland, popular and outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan plans to appear in just one scripted television ad boosting Republican candidates in the state he led for eight years, political advisers said Thursday. In a spot appearing this weekend on broadcast and digital platforms, Hogan (R) banters with comptroller candidate Barry Glassman, talking about the role of moderates in a Democrat-dominated state and driving a convertible — in the middle of the road. Hogan has refused to endorse the far-right Republican nominees for governor and attorney general, even saying gubernatorial hopeful Del. Dan Cox (R-Frederick) “is not, in my opinion, mentally stable.”