Around Maryland

Frederick County Public Libraries welcomes back readers and explorers of all ages for its annual summer reading program, being held June 1 to Aug. 15. As in years past, this summer, FCPL is challenging you to read books and visit community destinations. Read for at least 20 days this summer, and you’ll not only build a healthy new habit, you will earn rewards.

Jose Argueta ran his knife along the spine of a Northern snakehead, pulling the meat from the body of one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most threatening invasive fish. An inspector stood over his shoulder in a white lab coat, embroidered with the letters “USDA.” But she paid little mind to the snakehead on the table, inside the kitchen-sized slicing room at BSA Seafood in Queen Anne’s County’s Grasonville.

Nearly two decades ago, Baltimore officials made an ambitious promise to the residents of Poppleton, a predominantly Black neighborhood west of downtown. The city would spend millions of dollars buying property, moving residents and razing structures to clear 14 acres of land that would be given exclusively to one developer. In return, that developer would create a new, diverse, vibrant mini-city with room for them to return.

The Montgomery County school board is considering requiring a financial literacy course to graduate, joining a growing number of school systems intent on providing students with skills to make better money decisions later in life. The school system currently offers the lessons in elective courses including personal finance and financial mathematics.

A reimagining of the long-awaited Red Line transportation system could connect Howard County to eastern Baltimore County. The proposed expansion is part of a 25-year regional transportation plan released by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. The plan also includes a multibillion transit corridor connecting Towson to Baltimore City.

The Maryland State Department of Education has returned more than $800,000 in federal grant money earmarked for salaries and professional development amid complaints of a toxic work culture and staffing exodus. Assistant State Superintendent Justin Dayhoff said about $844,000 was returned to the U.S. Department of Education.

Truleo, a provider of automated body camera review and analysis technology for law enforcement, Thursday announced the Elkton Police Department has signed on to utilize the company’s body camera data analysis platform. Truleo processes body camera videos for departments across the country to help automate supervision, facilitate coaching, and promote police professionalism.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surprised graduates at Johns Hopkins University’s commencement on Thursday, speaking to them in a live stream about his country’s fight to restore freedom and the students’ own futures. “I will not be too long,” said Zelensky, telling the crowd that time is of the essence, more valuable than even oil, uranium and lithium.