Around Maryland

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.

A few winters ago, as a viral petition calling for a snow day circulated, Christian Pensiero recognized some of the names attached to it. As a fifth-grade teacher at Veterans Elementary School in Ellicott City, Maryland, Pensiero noticed that not only had she taught several of the students who signed the document, but several of her former students were among those who helped create it.

All Baltimore City School Police officers will wear body cameras by next academic year. At a school board meeting Tuesday night, school police officials said officers will record arrests, interviews, uses of force, and instances when officers stop cars, bicycles or people. “They provide clear documentation of our officers’ interactions. They play a crucial role in evidence collection,” Nick Smith, the director of school police systems, said at the meeting.

Baltimore’s long-stalled Superblock project on downtown’s west side is facing another delay, and city officials said Wednesday they are considering ending an agreement with the developer. The developer countered that it has made significant progress over two years, including building momentum to create “a truly transformative anchor in the Bromo Arts District and for all of downtown,” said Chris Janian, president of joint venture partner Vitruvius, in a statement.