Around Maryland

There’s a wonky, long-running and almost entirely under-the-radar hitch that makes it harder for some women in Maryland to get an abortion. Maryland is one of 17 states that covers the full cost of the procedure for low-income women enrolled in its Medicaid health program — unless the women qualified for the coverage because they were pregnant. The obscure loophole has persisted in the administration of Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, and past administrations of both parties, even after an attempt by the General Assembly to close the gap after the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two years ago.

The Maryland Transit Administration has scheduled public meetings for Baltimore’s Red Line transit project. The meetings scheduled in the fall intend to share potential route alignments, key project considerations and technical updates, as well as gather community input. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore revived plans in June 2023 to construct the multibillion-dollar, east-west transit line after former Gov. Larry Hogan killed the project in 2015.

A group of Baltimore longshoremen has sued the owner and manager of the ship that caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, arguing the companies should compensate them for wages lost while the port was closed in the aftermath of the deadly disaster. The proposed class action adds to a slew of other legal claims alleging the ship’s Singapore-based owner and manager, Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, knowingly sent an unseaworthy ship into U.S. waters.

Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers addressed the district’s safety protocols and programs with the community on Thursday at Catonsville High School. The district hosted its first of two “Community Conversations on School Safety” meetings. “We’re putting in place any steps that need to be taken,” Rogers said.

The Frederick County Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously voted to approve the design development documents of a combined Middletown Elementary and Middle School. As a result of the board’s approval, Frederick County Public Schools plans to submit the project documents to the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction for its review and approval.

Priority Partners Cupboards Project has launched a brand new self-serve mini pantry in Salisbury, Maryland. The first Priority Partners community pantry in Salisbury. The objective is to help tackle food insecurity in the community, the initiative started in 2021 and has placed four mini pantries all across Maryland neighborhoods, this is the first one on the Eastern Shore.

A new resource is opening to tackle food insecurity in Baltimore. Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library cut the ribbon Wednesday on the new Pratt Free Market inside the Southeast Anchor Library in Highlandtown. The Pratt Free Market will be stocked with produce, dry goods, paper goods and more products available for free to those in the community who need it. Each customer will be allowed to fill one library-supplied bag per day.

In honor of Banned Books Week, Anne Arundel County announced the first book sanctuary in the state. The public library joins 12 other library systems across North America, offering access to banned materials. The Anne Arundel County Public Library hopes that by doing this, it ensures all stories and perspectives are protected.