NATIONWIDE SUICIDE RATES DECLINE, BUT MARYLAND SEES INCREASE: According to the 2026 edition of “Pain in the Nation: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths,” released earlier this week, the national suicide rate dropped by 3% from 2023 to 2024. In stark contrast, Maryland experienced a concerning 4% increase, making it one of over a dozen states to report a rise. The reasons for Maryland’s divergence from national progress remain unclear; however, advocates and public health officials emphasize that these findings can be instrumental in enhancing suicide prevention initiatives statewide and nationally. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
GOV. MOORE ANNOUNCES NEW ENDORSEMENTS, INCLUDING JAWANDO: Governor Wes Moore (D) rolled out another set of endorsements late Friday, backing Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando among other candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for county executive. Additionally, staff at the Maryland Public Service Commission were alarmed this week when they noticed that incorrect data posted by the U.S. Energy Administration suggested a staggering 89% surge in residential energy prices in Maryland between March 2025 and 2026. William Ford and Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
MOORE’S NARRATIVE UNDER SCRUTINY: In a May 18 discussion with Politico, Governor Wes Moore responded to inquiries about challenges to his personal narrative, stating, “I can tell my own story. I don’t need someone else to tell it.” An investigative report has indicated that for over two decades, Moore has frequently recounted versions of his story that are inconsistent with official records. Drew Sullins/The Baltimore Sun.
FORMER ORIOLES GROUNDSKEEPER PURSUES NEW ROLE IN AG DEPARTMENT: Nicole Sherry, formerly one of 30 head groundskeepers at a Major League Baseball stadium, felt she had hit a “grass ceiling” in her career. After dedicating over two decades to that role, she has ventured into a new challenge as assistant secretary in the Maryland Department of Agriculture. “I wanted more challenges. I wanted more exposure to the great people that we work with now,” shared Sherry, 48, who assumed her new responsibilities last month. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
VOTERS IN MONTGOMERY’S 16TH DISTRICT TO FINALLY HAVE THEIR SAY: Observers have labeled Montgomery County’s Legislative District 16 as emblematic of the issues plaguing the current process for filling vacancies in the General Assembly. Over the last year and a half, the district witnessed four openings in its state Senate or House representation. Each vacancy was addressed not through voter decision but by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s selection. This month, Democratic primary voters will finally cast their ballots on June 23. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
SENATE CANDIDATE QUESTIONS RABBI GROUP’S INTERVENTION: A candidate in the competitive state Senate race in West Baltimore is voicing concerns about a local rabbi organization advocating for constituents to choose a political party and vote in the June 23 primary. Delegate Malcolm Ruff believes this initiative aims to mobilize support for his opponent in the Senate District 41 primary, Senator Dalya Attar. John-John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS IN MARYLAND’S ART SCENES: Conversations surrounding political issues are increasingly surfacing at local artistic venues, particularly due to the ongoing controversies regarding the Kennedy Center. A recent ruling mandates the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the building’s exterior and branding. Meanwhile, theaters such as the Olney Theatre Centre and Round House Theatre have produced numerous performances infused with political themes, with their leadership openly discussing the reasons behind these stories. Hannah Yasharoff/The Baltimore Banner.
REP HARRIS RESPONDS TO WIC PROGRAM CUTS: The U.S. House recently passed an appropriations bill that would reduce funding for fruit and vegetable benefits impacting approximately 5.4 million children, as well as pregnant and postpartum women, by $141 million. Congressman Andy Harris of Maryland, who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture, defended the cuts, asserting that the remaining $8 billion is adequate given the reported decline in WIC participation this fiscal year. However, critics contend that the data reflects only the initial quarter of the fiscal year, which suffered from the fall government shutdown that adversely affected program enrollment. Mariana Alfaro/The Washington Post.
- While Harris expressed, “I am proud to lead this legislation, which supports farmers, watermen, ranchers, and rural communities essential to American agriculture — from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to agricultural sectors nationwide,” Senator Chris Van Hollen countered, “Marylanders cannot afford further cuts to vital support” aimed at helping families secure food and sustaining our agricultural communities. He pledged to oversee the bill as the Senate reviews its version of the legislation. Josh Davis/The Baltimore Sun.
COLUMN: VAN HOLLEN HOSTS A FUNDRAISER: Did you miss the event hosted by James Talarico? Or perhaps you attended U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s fundraiser to assist the Texas state lawmaker in one of this year’s prominent Senate races. Entry to the exclusive gathering at the home of prominent donors Lori and Jeffrey Denzer in Potomac started at $500, but those contributing $10,500 enjoyed a particularly memorable evening. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
OPINION: ANALYZING POLLING FIRMS IS ESSENTIAL: The ongoing race for Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District exemplifies the confusion that can arise from internal political polling. David Trone’s campaign presents polls indicating his lead. Meanwhile, April McClain Delaney has three polls suggesting her advantage. Each campaign attempts to convince the public of their respective outcomes. A cautious examination of the actual data is warranted to clarify the situation. Barry O’Connell/The Maryland Wire.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY GRADUATION CONTROVERSY OVER NAME USAGE: Betsy Mendelsohn, a proud mother of a Montgomery high school graduate, voiced her discontent after her child’s graduation ceremony used their legal name instead of their preferred name in the program. Addressing members of the Montgomery County Board of Education who were present, Mendelsohn stated, “you witnessed my child and every trans child being outed during the commencement program.” Kate Ryan/WTOP-FM.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC PLAZA STILL INACCESSIBLE MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION: Touted as a $10 million project, a plaza adjacent to Prince George’s County’s main government building remains closed even months after its completion. This situation has drawn backlash from a senior Maryland fiscal official and sparked inquiries into the project’s planning and execution. The area features a playground, vibrant seating, cornhole boards, and a dog park, yet it remains unwelcoming to visitors. Brad Bell/7News WJLA-TV News.
LAWSUIT OVER $205,000 TAXPAYER MEETING: Former Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan initiated a lawsuit against a former county employee in 2024 for allegedly misusing his authority to undermine her own, as revealed by court documents that have been unsealed this week. Rona Kobell/The Baltimore Banner.
BALTIMORE’S BOND DEBT RANKS THIRD IN MARYLAND: As Baltimore residents gear up to vote on whether to authorize an additional $280 million in city borrowing this fall, recent data reveals that the city holds one of the highest bond debt levels in Maryland. According to Maryland’s 2026 Debt Measures Report, Baltimore City has approximately $4.1 billion in outstanding bond debt, placing it third among Maryland jurisdictions, following Montgomery County’s $8.9 billion and Prince George’s County’s $5.8 billion. Chevall Pryce/The Baltimore Sun.
TRAIN SERVICE HALTED AFTER BRIDGE COLLISION: Amtrak train service between Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York faced significant delays on Saturday following a barge collision with the Susquehanna River Bridge, leading to a temporary suspension of train operations along this heavily trafficked rail route. Brian Carlton/The Baltimore Sun.
KIM COBLE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER THREE DECADES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY: After dedicating three decades to environmental advocacy in Maryland, Kim Coble announced her retirement on Thursday from her position as executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. Over the past seven years, Coble has led the organization through significant developments, including the enactment of Maryland’s landmark Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
DISBARMENT IS A SERIOUS SANCTION FOR ATTORNEYS: Disbarment, considered a career-ending penalty for lawyers, represents the most severe sanction that the Maryland Supreme Court can impose. Although reprimands and suspensions are more frequent, a review of attorney discipline records in Maryland reveals that disbarments typically arise from mismanagement of client funds or neglect of cases; however, a small number have involved criminal acts ranging from armed robbery to forgery. Ruben Castaneda/The Baltimore Sun.
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