Politics

Some Marylanders utility bills are set to go up hundreds of dollars starting next year, according to a state agency’s report, and several state lawmakers are blaming the regional grid energy operator’s “mismanagement” for the increased rates. The report released this month by The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel shows monthly residential rate increases across four locational deliverability areas in the state that use regional energy grid operator PJM, which also operates in 12 other states as well as Washington, D.C.

Maryland showcased some “rising stars” at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week. The list includes Gov. Wes Moore, Prince George’s County Executive and current U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks, and Rep. Jamie Raskin. Analysts agree that the message of the convention is renewed patriotism, joy, and positivity.

The Baltimore City Council excoriated Department of Public Works officials Thursday night, calling out agency leadership over a long list of shortcomings and failures that are under renewed scrutiny following a sanitation worker’s on-the-job death earlier this month. From long-running culture problems to the the poor facilities and working conditions employees face, it was open season on DPW management, and the agency heads knew it.

On his first night in town, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore walked into a bar filled with young and influential social media content creators, hoping to talk about poverty. He pulled up a stool next to a Barbie doll in a hot pink pantsuit. A phone camera focused on him, Moore leaned toward Lil Gretch, the raven-haired doll Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer uses as a social media avatar, and said: “I gotta talk to you about the child tax credit. I’m with you. Let’s end child poverty together.” He tapped her plastic hand in a micro high-five.

Former President Bill Clinton returned to the Democratic National Convention stage to denounce Donald Trump as selfish and praise Kamala Harris as focused on the needs of Americans, giving another of his emblematic, off-the-cuff addresses. Clinton said November’s election would be “‘We The People’ versus ’Me, Myself and I,’” firing up Wednesday’s third night of the DNC before vice presidential nominee Tim Walz got the chance to introduce himself to a national audience.

President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday as the United States presses Israel and Hamas to agree to a “bridging proposal” that could lead to a cease-fire in the war in Gaza. Hamas and Israel have signaled that challenges remain amid significant differences over the presence of Israeli troops in two strategic corridors in Gaza and other issues, dimming Biden’s hopes that a deal can soon be reached.

Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking neighbors and visitors to keep an eye out for marine mammals and sea turtles while enjoying coastal and tidal waterways through the rest of the summer. DNR asks anyone who spots dolphins, whales, seals, manatees, or sea turtles to report the sighting via the Maryland Natural Resources Police Hotline.