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Around Maryland

Homecoming at Morgan State University, other HBCUs is a cultural phenomenon
October 7, 2022 -

It’s been 24 years since Azikiwe DeVeaux graduated from Morgan State University, but he still makes it a mission to attend its homecoming celebration each year. The New York City native likes to build on the fond memories he made as a transfer student more than two decades ago at the Baltimore-based university, a member of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs. “At an HBCU, you create these friendships that become like your cornerstone as you navigate through life,” said DeVeaux, 47, of Mount Washington. “In the real world, you are oftentimes outnumbered. Your HBCU family are people who can relate, they can be that anchor for you in a storm, and it is also reminiscent of a time when you didn’t have certain pressures.”

Read More: The Baltimore Banner
Maryland parents claim state agency bungled pandemic relief program
October 6, 2022 -

As state senators questioned her agency’s performance, Secretary Lourdes Padilla emphasized how the Department of Human Services worked diligently to issue benefits during the early days of the pandemic. “And we were very successful in that,” Padilla said, highlighting pandemic relief programs as one of DHS’ key achievements. But a Facebook group filled with Maryland parents trying to get benefits for their children might disagree. These parents are fighting for owed benefits after the state delayed issuing pandemic relief funds for the 2021-22 school year amid record-high inflation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the delays in an email.

Read More: Baltimore Banner
‘The human part of this’: Maryland task force aids Florida after Ian’s destruction
October 6, 2022 -

The Maryland Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue team, based in Montgomery County, is halfway through its deployment to assist those affected by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida. The search and rescue team, one of 28 task forces across the country, is led by Chase Fabrizio, a battalion chief with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, the host agency of the squad. The squad also includes members from Frederick, Howard, Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.’s fire and rescue departments, as well as civilians.

Read More: WTOP
Carroll County school board holds first discussion on strategic plan for the next five years
October 6, 2022 -

The Carroll County Board of Education is working to create a strategic plan for the public school system’s next five years, focusing on growth in student success, family and community partnerships, and support for staff. The school board held its first work session Monday afternoon to create the new strategic plan. The current five-year plan is due to expire next year and a new plan is due to the state by March 15. “It’s a living document, and you constantly tweak it,” said Board of Education President Kenneth Kiler, “but we hope to learn from it and to use that information to improve.”

Read More: Carroll County Times
Anne Arundel Co. spreading out resources to address bus driver shortage
October 6, 2022 -

A national shortage of school bus drivers has hit Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland particularly hard, prompting school leaders to spread transportation resources to reach more students. Superintendent Mark Bedell announced the new plan during Tuesday’s meeting of the county’s Board of Education, although he acknowledged that it is more of a “Band-Aid approach” than a permanent fix. “This is not a cure for families,” Bedell said. “It is a temporary solution.”

Read More: WTOP
Annapolis affordable housing project proposed for Pat Sajak’s WNAV property
October 6, 2022 -

A Frederick-based nonprofit and a New York-based developer plan to build a 57-unit workforce and senior housing community on 7.5 acres owned by game show host Pat Sajak. Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development announced last week that the developers have been awarded $3,750,000 million in state and federal tax credits to build on Admiral Drive in Annapolis. The application submitted by the developer Conifer, in partnership with the Interfaith Housing Alliance, received high marks from the state because it “would create intergenerational housing opportunities” in the Baltimore region.

Read More: Capital Gazette
Covid-19 Vaccine Bottle Mockup (does not depict actual vaccine).
As Baltimore-area schools walk back restrictions, COVID-19 response becomes part of familiar health messages
October 6, 2022 -

Anne Arundel County schools superintendent Mark Bedell rolled up the sleeves of his white t-shirt outside of the Parole Health Center in Annapolis Sept. 29 and pointed to his shoulders. “Can I get Moderna on the right and flu on the left,” he asked the licensed practical nurse administering his vaccines ahead of the winter season. “I have to do this, with all of the people I’m around.” Bedell is among many school officials around the region emphasizing the importance of vaccinations and continued vigilance against the COVID-19 virus this fall. As Baltimore-area school systems have walked back most restrictions and mandates, the COVID-19 response is increasingly woven into familiar public health messaging about the approaching flu season or the common cold.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Ian leaves minimal damage, but substantial flooding for Eastern Shore
October 5, 2022 -

Even after the remnants of Hurricane Ian soaked the Delmarva Peninsula and brought high winds, its impact is still being felt with minimal damage and flooding across the region. The area had been under a Coastal Flood Warning for the past few days as the remnants of Ian passed by. Other hazard advisories also had warned of rough surf, storm surges and rip tides. Among the areas more severely hit was Assateague State Park as day use areas remained closed Tuesday due to moderate to major coastal flooding with large dangerous waves and extreme high tides. “We had significant erosion to our dunes, and we have a significant drop-off now with some areas being 4-6 feet in height.

Read More: Delmarva Now
Why has D.C. administered more monkeypox vaccines than Maryland? Here’s what we found.
October 5, 2022 -

While looking for a place to get vaccinated against monkeypox in August, Jack Feng of Baltimore looked to the city health department to try and schedule a shot. Case counts in the state and country were rising, and Feng wanted to be part of the solution and protect himself against the infectious disease. To his dismay, the health department and a private partner had limited doses in their possession, and Feng, a public health researcher and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, could not get an appointment. He also faulted the state and city health department for not immediately launching a pre-registration website, call line or public service announcement campaign to help people learn more about the outbreak. Feng asked himself: Was it worth leaving the state for someplace where shots were more plentiful?

Read More: The Baltimore Banner
The student loan forgiveness application will soon be available. Here’s what you need to know to prepare.
October 5, 2022 -

Soon, the online application for federal student loan forgiveness will go live, with millions of Americans eligible for relief. In August, President Biden announced his decision to cancel up to $20,000 of debt for Pell Grant recipients who have Department of Education-held loans, and up to $10,000 for those who were not Pell Grant recipients. The relief is limited to those making less than $125,000 a year, or earning less than $250,000 as a married couple. “According to a Department of Education analysis, the typical undergraduate student with loans now graduates with nearly $25,000 in debt,” a White House fact sheet said. Close to eight million borrowers for whom the federal education department already has income data for and whose eligibility can be verified without waiting for an application could receive relief without applying. All others will need to apply for relief.

Read More: The Baltimore Banner

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