Politics

One Russian-designed tank was noticed in April during the two-day stint it spent at a Louisiana truck stop that doubles as a casino. The other was spotted at a Utah gas station in May. Both behemoths were headed to the same place: Aberdeen, Maryland. As the United States and other NATO countries support Ukraine in its war against Russia, a military post in the Northeast Maryland city of 17,000 could prove to be a valuable resource.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order this week clarifying the ways that state agencies will protect gender-affirming health care. The order — which he signed during a Pride Month reception at the governor’s mansion with LGBTQIA leaders — requires state agencies to protect people and organizations in Maryland involved with such care.

The oldest state government building in Annapolis doesn’t look like much these days. In fact, a visitor could be forgiven for not thinking much about it at all. Built in 1735 below the State House on the east side of what is now State Circle, the Old Treasury Building was once a hub of economic activity for a fledgling colony. Inside, iron chests held currency and coins issued by the state as well as bills of credit.

Gov. Wes Moore’s choices for the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections, including a disbarred Severna Park attorney, were seated and began meeting Thursday. The board includes two new members, Ed Evans, a Democrat, and Jason Rheinstein, a Republican. Rheinstein, 44, who worked with the county’s Republican Central Committee on multiple campaigns and as a poll watcher, was disbarred in 2020.

A key element of obstruction of justice charges against indicted former President Donald Trump are recordings from his attorney Evan Corcoran, a partner at the Baltimore firm of Silverman Thompson. It’s been previously reported that Corcoran took detailed notes and made recordings summarizing his interactions with Trump, and that they had been obtained under court order by the special counsel investigating the mishandling of classified documents.

Mayor Brandon Scott announced on Thursday that current Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison will step down from his role and city leaders have responded. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates: “Working with Commissioner Harrison over the past several months was my pleasure, and I wish him well in his future endeavors. I have deeply appreciated his partnership as we worked together to launch the citation docket program and restore accountability to the city we love.

The Maryland State Board of Elections hired a new elections administrator Thursday, selecting a longtime employee for the top job. Jared DeMarinis was chosen by a unanimous vote during a brief virtual meeting of the board. DeMarinis, who has worked as the director of the board’s candidacy and campaign finance division, will face a confirmation hearing before the Maryland State Senate next session before he can take on the role in a permanent capacity.

Residents will have the opportunity to tell the Board of Carroll County Commissioners whether they agree with its recommendation to no longer allow community solar panel projects on county farmland. The commissioners voted at their meeting Thursday to schedule a public hearing, though they did not set a date. On May 18, commissioners voted 4-1 to eliminate community solar projects on agricultural land. Commissioners’ President Ed Rothstein was the lone dissenting vote.

Mayor Rick Meehan said proposed code amendments prohibiting the issuance of on-site consumption licenses will not affect the town’s policies on smoking in public areas such as the beach and Boardwalk. Last week, officials presented the Mayor and Council with two code amendments pertaining to on-site cannabis consumption. The changes would not only prohibit the issuance of cannabis on-site consumption business licenses, but would establish penalties for any violations.