Politics

Former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby is headed to trial next week, and the judge overseeing the case agreed to limit some of the prosecution’s arguments at a pre-trial hearing Monday. But the defense didn’t get everything it was seeking, and other issues remain unsettled. Mosby was originally charged with perjury and making false statements on a mortgage application, with prosecutors alleging she lied about suffering an “adverse financial consequence” related to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to gain early access to retirement funds, then used that money to purchase vacation homes in Florida, and, in doing so, lied in related paperwork.

Officials from the Baltimore Orioles and the state government unveiled the outlines of a future lease for the team at Camden Yards with great fanfare this fall. We know the two sides have agreed in principle on a number of terms for the ballclub to remain at the state-owned Oriole Park at Camden Yards: The term would be for 30 years, the team would pay no rent but take over routine operations and maintenance costs, and the team would be allowed to redevelop areas including the B&O Warehouse, the Camden Station building and a strip of parking lots between the warehouse and train tracks.

With another government shutdown deadline less than a month away and no end in sight to the feuding over who House Republicans will elect speaker, Maryland officials are setting up a new lifeline for some federal employees who may soon be forced to work without pay. The program — pending approval at Wednesday’s state Board of Public Works meeting — would offer small, no-interest loans to civilian federal employees who work in Maryland but are not otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Members of Howard County’s school board, county council, and state legislative delegation discussed legislative priorities in an online meeting Thursday. During the meeting, attendees expressed concern over a shortage of 14 special education teachers, while the county’s superintendent noted the school system had solved its bussing problems.

Will Jawando, who worked to position himself as the progressive Democrat in Maryland’s U.S. Senate race, announced Friday he will no longer seek the position in 2024. The Montgomery County councilmember was the first person to announce his intention to seek the Senate after longtime Sen. Ben Cardin (D) said in May he wouldn’t seek reelection. Jawando sought to make history as the state’s first Black senator.

Mayor Brandon Scott and former Mayor Sheila Dixon held dual fundraisers Wednesday night. Scott’s was held at the newly renovated CFG Arena Fearless Club, a 900-person space. The event was originally planned for Sept. 13, but postponed due to a scheduling conflict, according to a campaign spokesman. A standard ticket cost $100, while higher-tier tickets cost $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $6,000. It was closed to press. Scott’s fundraiser is Colleen Martin-Lauer of Martin-Lauer Associates.

Annapolis City Council members had lots of questions, but received few conclusive answers, Monday at a meeting called to address mold and HVAC problems plaguing Wilbourn Estates, a year-old federally subsidized apartment complex. Two representatives from the Pennsylvania-based firm Pennrose attended the meeting to defend their ongoing oversight of the complex.

A petition to unseat Anne Arundel County NAACP President Rickey Nelson Jones over accusations of homophobia, sexism and other issues is being forwarded to the organization’s national leadership for consideration within the next few days. Since Jones assumed office around the start of the year, members have taken issue with statements he’s made on same-sex relationships and the role of women in society — both in his written works and interactions with members, according to petition organizer Marguerite Morris, speaking on behalf of the petition signatories in a news release.