Around Maryland

Three women, previously unrelated. Except that they are residents of Baltimore, a small city in the big scheme of things, in a world that is figuratively getting smaller just as their city literally is as well. They were joined about a year ago after a war broke out on Oct. 7 far away from their homes but close to their hearts and minds. A war that really started a long time ago and not only hasn’t ended, but has gotten larger and bloodier.

Drew Moore considers his family to be a public transportation household, with members making regular use of buses and light rail to get in and out of downtown Baltimore from their house in Mount Washington. But when light rail cars were too crowded — and few and far between — to take back after the Bruce Springsteen concert last month, Moore said he hopped on a Lime bike and pedaled a frustrating 45 minutes home.

Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine is headed to California. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, a series of events surrounding New Year’s Eve, including college football’s Rose Bowl game, invited the university’s marching band to perform at the storied Rose Parade in 2026, the university announced during its homecoming festivities this weekend.

In June 2022, Angela Coleman filed an application with the Baltimore County Department of Housing and Community Development. The Owings Mills nonprofit executive wanted financial help building 22 apartment units after buying a single-acre property on Eastern Avenue near Beasley Lane in Bengies-Chase, a historically Black village in Middle River.

Collin Brady moved to Glen Burnie from Millsboro, Delaware, this year to teach middle school math with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The 28-year-old said he loves living in Glen Burnie. With its restaurants, variety of grocery stores and proximity to sporting events, Brady is happy to call it home. “I love the vibe of Glen Burnie. Some parts are a bit rough around the edges, but overall I love living here,” Brady said.

Leila invites a reporter into her two-bedroom apartment at Cider Mill, an 864-unit complex in Montgomery Village, where she lives with her three school-age children in a largely African immigrant and Latino neighborhood. She walks into her tiny kitchen and fires up all four gas burners on the stove, as if to prepare a big meal. But Leila – who has asked us not to use her real name – is not cooking on this day.

A unique program in Maryland is being recognized for rehabilitating and supporting at-risk youths affected by an increasing prevalence of gun violence. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services was honored with an innovation award for its Thrive Academy program, which works to interrupt a cycle of violence and stop future gun crimes before they start by giving victims and perpetrators resources and mentorship opportunities.

Almost half of Marylanders say they would support a tax increase if the state would invest in projects to ease traffic congestion and enhance safety on the road, a poll released in September found. According to a Gonzales poll of 820 registered voters conducted between Aug. 24 and Aug. 30, 49% of residents said they would be willing to pay a little more in taxes for projects that would significantly reduce traffic congestion, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, repair potholes and increase safety.

While Maryland officials are in Sweden to conduct environmental research, examine the feasibility of using electric ferries, and meet Swedish leaders, Annapolis Boat Show goers are considering electric boats. The event draws hundreds of visitors from around the world, but electric boats are still relatively new. Last year, there were approximately four on display. That number doubled to about eight this year, according to Ryan Gullang, communications coordinator for the show.