MARYLAND REVOKES BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, SEEKS NEW CONTRACTOR: Maryland’s initiative to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge encountered a significant obstacle on Tuesday, as state authorities unexpectedly terminated a crucial construction contract, challenging Governor Wes Moore’s assertion that the project is the nation’s “fastest-moving” major infrastructure undertaking. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
- Officials from the state transportation sector pledged on Tuesday to maintain the momentum of the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction, while commencing the search for a new contractor. The decision to part ways with Kiewit Infrastructure as the project approaches phase two was attributed to disagreements over completion costs. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- The state now faces the challenge of identifying a new builder, which is likely to postpone the completion of the bridge, moving it beyond the previously announced 2030 target. This follows an announcement last fall that the project’s cost is expected to more than double, potentially reaching $5.2 billion. Governor Moore had initially promised a fall 2028 opening, a hopeful timeline that could have coincided with a speculated presidential campaign. If he secures a second term as governor, it is likely he will not see the project completed. Lee O. Sanderlin and Hayes Gardner/The Baltimore Banner.
KANAIYAH’S LAW AMONG LEGISLATION ENACTED TO PROTECT FOSTER CHILDREN: Governor Wes Moore (D) and legislative leaders enacted over 200 bills into law on Tuesday, but only one elicited an emotional embrace from the governor for a grieving mother. Named in memory of Kanaiyah Ward, a 16-year-old who tragically passed away in a Baltimore hotel while under state custody last September from an apparent over-the-counter allergy medication overdose, House Bill 980 is one of several initiatives aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
INITIATIVES UNDERWAY TO REVAMP SCHOOL RATING SYSTEM: Following the passage of House Bill 1582, a new school rating system will be developed immediately to replace the existing one-to-four star method, which officials claim inadequately represents the quality of education and fails to recognize schools with high populations of low-income students. This bill is part of a broader series of education-related legislations passed during the recent General Assembly session. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
PENSION BOARD SEEKS COMMUNITY TRUSTEES: The Board of Trustees for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) is looking for two trustees to represent Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. These Public Trustees will serve a three-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, holding fiduciary oversight of the ERS for the exclusive benefit of its members and beneficiaries. Interested residents should submit a statement of qualifications and a resume by 5:00 p.m. on May 27, 2026, to [email protected]. For further inquiries, contact [email protected] or call (301) 454-1415 or
visit ers.mncppc.org.
McCLAIN DELANEY LEVERAGES EXPERIENCE FOR RE-ELECTION BID: When April McClain Delaney commenced her congressional term in January 2025, she believed her previous experiences had equipped her to navigate the partisan divides of Congress. Having worked on Capitol Hill during the Biden administration at the Commerce Department and as director of Common Sense Media, combined with her husband John Delaney’s congressional tenure from 2013 to 2019, she felt prepared to engage in governance effectively. Ryan Marshall/The Frederick News-Post.
COMMENTARY: THE IMPORTANCE OF SPELLING: Rowena Nelson, a candidate for the Anne Arundel Circuit Court, has recently made a highly embarrassing political error. Her campaign has displayed 4×8 signs promoting her candidacy throughout Anne Arundel County, but the signs feature a misspelling of “Anne Arundel.” Brian Griffiths/The Duckpin.
POLL REVEALS CLOSE 3-WAY DEMOCRATIC RACE FOR ARUNDEL EXECUTIVE: As the June 23 primary election approaches, no clear front-runner has appeared in the contest to succeed County Executive Steuart Pittman, who is term-limited as a Democrat. However, a new poll conducted by the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College provides insights into the dynamics of the race, despite the relatively small sample size. Cody Boteler/The Baltimore Banner.
JUDGE QUESTIONS SECRECY OF $100,000 BALTO CO SETTLEMENT: A judge in Maryland has questioned whether a $100,000 settlement funded by taxpayers in Baltimore County should remain confidential, ordering both parties involved in the current dispute to present arguments regarding the ongoing secrecy of the record, which could ultimately lead to public access to portions of the case. This controversy revolves around a 2024 lawsuit involving Patrick Murray, a former senior aide to ex-County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. The county sued Murray, later settling with him for $100,000, subsequently seeking to seal the case and related documents. Brian Carlton/The Baltimore Sun.
STATE SCHOOL BOARD REJECTS CHALLENGE TO BALTIMORE COUNTY SCHOOL BUDGET: The highest education authority in Maryland has dismissed a challenge against the Baltimore County school board’s $2.5 billion budget, determining that the group that filed the appeal did not possess the legal standing necessary to advance the case. Brian Carlton and Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
MO CO COUNCIL PROHIBITS OFFICERS FROM WEARING MASKS ON DUTY: Under a new legislation unanimously supported by the County Council on Tuesday, law enforcement personnel, including federal immigration agents, will be prohibited from wearing masks while on duty in Montgomery County. Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesda Today.
ADMINISTRATION SECURES MILLIONS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS: Internal documents reveal how Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration worked behind the scenes to secure extensive funding from a taxpayer-supported nonprofit aimed at bolstering grassroots youth initiatives, avoiding the typical grant process, which has drawn criticism from city officials. Patrick Hauf/The Baltimore Sun.
URBAN PLANNER SUES CITY OF BALTIMORE POST-FIRING: A white urban planner has filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, claiming that Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and other city leaders orchestrated his dismissal based on his race and allege violations of his constitutional rights. Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
