CONGRESS MEMBERS PUSH FOR HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE AS FIRST COLD-RELATED FATALITY REPORTED IN MD: Lawmakers in Maryland have teamed up with over 100 congressional representatives to advocate for the swift release of federal home heating assistance funds, coinciding with the announcement of the season’s first cold-related fatality. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man was discovered deceased outdoors in Frederick County due to weather-related causes, marking the initial cold-related death of the winter season for 2025-2026. Last winter, Maryland recorded a total of 75 deaths attributed to cold weather, which was the highest number in five years. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
FERGUSON RESPONDS TO ‘MOST HATED DEMOCRAT IN AMERICA’ LABEL: After Lauren Egan published her newsletter Meet the Most Hated Democrat in America, shedding light on how Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson has become an unexpected target for criticism among progressives, Ferguson reached out to Egan to share his side of the story. He elaborates on his perspective in this 20-minute video. Lauren Egan/The Bulwark.
ONE STEP CLOSER: DEL. HARRIS RECEIVES CHARLES COUNTY ENDORSEMENT FOR SENATE SEAT: On Saturday, the Charles County Democratic Central Committee voted decisively to nominate Del. Kevin Harris for the Senate seat that became vacant this month following Michael Jackson’s appointment as the State Police Superintendent. Despite the central committee supporting Harris with a 9-1 vote and having Jackson’s backing, Harris still faces challenges ahead; Jackson’s 27th District spans parts of three counties, meaning various central committees will also weigh in. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
PASTOR ANNOUNCES BID TO CHALLENGE SEN. BEIDLE IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY: Rev. Stephen Tillett, a long-serving pastor at Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church in Anne Arundel County, is aiming to extend his impact into Maryland state politics. He has officially filed to run as a Democrat for the Maryland state Senate seat currently held by Pamela Beidle, who is campaigning for re-election. Tillett aspires to serve as the “voice in the room” for the community in which he has been active for over two decades. Katharine Wilson/The Baltimore Sun.
NEW CHALLENGERS EMERGE FOR BA CO STATE’S ATTORNEY SHELLENBERGER: The race for Baltimore County State’s Attorney is heating up, as two prominent prosecutors have declared their candidacies against incumbent Scott Shellenberger. This upcoming Democratic primary appears to be the most competitive in years. In January, Deputy State Prosecutor Sarah David managed to significantly outpace Shellenberger in campaign fundraising, while Lauren Lipscomb, head of the Conviction Integrity Unit at the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, entered the contest in September. Dan Belson/The Baltimore Sun.
BLUEPRINT BOARD APPROVES 2026 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: The Accountability and Implementation Board for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future met on Thursday to sanction a series of legislative recommendations for the next session. These includes aiming to streamline reporting from local school districts, modifying and enhancing teacher program options, and providing ongoing funding for fine arts programs such as music and dance in schools that receive concentration of poverty grants. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
TALK OF WESTERN MARYLAND SECESSION: NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN: Once again, the idea of Western Maryland’s Republican-leaning counties seceding to join West Virginia has resurfaced. West Virmaryland? Spoiler alert: It’s not in the cards. This topic re-emerges periodically, largely driven by political motivations and as a means to garner attention. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
THRIFTY THANKSGIVING FEAST EXPECTATIONS: Marylanders can anticipate spending approximately $88 for a budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner for ten people this year. Capital News Service evaluated grocery prices across the state for essential holiday items, such as turkey, green beans, and mashed potatoes, using average store brand prices or the cheapest available options. National forecasts indicate that Thanksgiving meal costs range between $73 and $80 this year, making Maryland’s averages slightly higher. Isabella Carrero-Baptista/Capital News Service.
BWI UNION ALLEGES SPIRIT AIRLINES ILLEGALLY LAID OFF 40 WORKERS: A union representing employees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has alleged that the ground crew contractor working for Spirit Airlines has unlawfully laid off around 40 workers. Cody Boteler/The Baltimore Banner.
BCPS SUPERINTENDENT NAMED FINALIST FOR NATIONAL WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD: The superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools has been recognized as a finalist for The School Superintendents Association’s Women in School Leadership Awards for 2026. According to an announcement made on Thursday, Myriam Rogers is among two finalists in the superintendent category, competing alongside Crystal Turner from the Saddleback Valley Unified School District in California. Rogers, who began her role as superintendent in 2023, has quickly made a significant impact. Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
PITBULL BAN IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY UNDER REVIEW: Following a councilman’s confusion about dog breed definitions fueled by his affection for a new dog, he is now advocating to reverse the county’s long-standing ban on pitbulls. Council Chairman Edward P. Burroughs III had previously stated he wouldn’t adopt another dog after his German shepherd and chow mix, Sheba, passed away. However, he later welcomed Scooby into his home. Lateshia Beachum/The Washington Post.
MARION SWORN IN AS RISING SUN’S LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR: Mayor Travis Marion took the oath of office again last Tuesday night, earning him the title of Rising Sun’s longest-serving mayor. “I was just a 24-year-old college kid when I started,” Marion reflected, noting that he was the youngest mayor in Maryland at the time. Jane Bellmyer/Cecil Whig.
FORT McHENRY SHUTTERED FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF UNEXPLODED CANNONBALL: A potentially dangerous piece of military ordnance was discovered on Friday at Fort McHenry in Baltimore—historically known for enduring British bombardments that inspired the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814. Martin Weil and Juan Benn Jr./The Washington Post.
- The gates of Fort McHenry National Monument reopened Saturday morning after bomb disposal teams safely extracted the cannonball that had been unearthed during renovation efforts the previous afternoon, officials confirmed. Sara Ruberg/The Baltimore Banner.
COSTA RICA WILL ACCEPT ABREGO GARCIA: A senior Costa Rican official stated late Friday that the country remains open to accepting the deportation of Kilmar Abrego García, countering claims from the Trump administration that the only feasible destination for the Salvadoran immigrant is the West African nation of Liberia. Maria Sacchetti/The Washington Post.
MANGIONE DEFENSE SEEKS TO OUST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OVER BONDI COMMENTS: Prosecutors asserted on Friday that the case against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, should proceed as planned. They urged a judge to dismiss a defense motion aimed at eliminating capital punishment from consideration, emphasizing concerns over Attorney General Pam Bondi’s public comments suggesting Mangione should face execution. Michael R. Sisak/Associated Press.
The article first appeared in State Roundup: Maryland congressional lawmakers seek home heating funds as first cold-related death confirmed; Ferguson answers critics of his anti-early redistricting stance on MarylandReporter.com.
