Commentary

You may notice them around the county, vending machines that do not dispense candy and snacks, soda or cigarettes.Rather, they offer, for free, a drug that can save lives. The Frederick County Health Department set up distribution boxes in four locations this past spring — three in the city of Frederick and one in Thurmont.

I’ve taught Spanish in Baltimore County Public Schools for six years. This is only the second year that I’ve worked in a fully staffed department, and still, we have classrooms with too many students to get the individualized attention they deserve. My school, Overlea High, is designed for 1000 students but serves 1,500. Eleven trailers are used for classrooms, and special educators without offices sometimes have to use the faculty lounge to assess students.

As an architect, much of my career has revolved around creating buildings that Maryland’s families and residents can find joy and comfort in. I’ve learned that well-designed buildings — from schools and commercial spaces to our homes — can impact one’s health, safety, and quality of life. That’s why I’m encouraged by new Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) included in Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act.

When Hamas a year ago led the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, there seemed to be immediate shock and sympathy in the U.S. The numbers were stunning: more than 1,100 people killed, including dozens of children and hundreds of civilians; thousands wounded; more than 200 hostages, including American citizens; dozens of reports of rape and sexual assault. Families, dreams and communities ripped apart.

Chronic absenteeism often reflects deeper issues, such as adverse childhood events (ACEs), unmet health needs and socioeconomic disparities. Children grappling with ACEs are more likely to experience mental health challenges, which can lead to school avoidance. Chronic health conditions like asthma, eczema and diabetes can also directly cause frequent absences.

My cellphone automatically went into sleep mode as I left Main Event in Columbia on a recent Saturday night. It was 9:15 p.m., but my night had only just begun. So why was I out in Columbia when I would normally be getting settled in bed for the night? Over the summer, my Howard County colleague Abby Zimmardi and I set out to answer the following question: How does Columbia cater to its younger residents?

Power prices are rising and poised to rise further in the wholesale power market, known as PJM, that includes Maryland, with a vigorous debate over the root causes. As a result of this shift in the wholesale market, the Office of People’s Counsel is forecasting a nearly 20% retail bill increase for Baltimore customers next year. This projection assumes that these wholesale prices will more or less automatically pass through to retail customers.