RNC AND MDGOP FILING LAWSUIT REGARDING VOTER REGISTRATION IN HOWARD AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES: The Republican National Committee along with the Maryland GOP took legal action on Friday against state election officials, claiming that the reported voter registration figures are “impossibly high.” This lawsuit follows closely on the heels of a similar action initiated by the Department of Justice. The complaint asserts that Howard and Montgomery counties have reported more registered voters than the actual number of citizens over the age of 18. Furthermore, ten other counties were reported to have voter registration rates exceeding 95%, which is notably higher than the overall state average, according to the lawsuit. Brendan Nordstrom/The Baltimore Sun.
WHO COULD BE THE NEXT HOUSE SPEAKER? PEÑA-MELNYK RISES AS A CONTENDER: As Maryland delegates and political insiders contemplate potential candidates to replace outgoing House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Del. C.T. Wilson has confirmed his intention to run. Additionally, Democrats Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, and Jheanelle Wilkins are also emerging as prominent candidates. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
- The next House of Delegates Speaker is likely to be a woman and an immigrant. Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) seems to have a strong path within the Democratic Caucus to take on this prestigious role. A decisive vote is scheduled for December 16. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- “I feel honored that my fellow candidates have chosen to withdraw their candidacies and support me,” stated Peña-Melnyk. “I am deeply grateful for their trust.” The other leading candidates included C.T. Wilson, chair of the Economic Matters Committee; Ben Barnes, chair of the Appropriations Committee; and Jheanelle Wilkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. Pamela Wood and Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
JONES’S LEGACY: A LEADING AGENDA AND UNWAVERING INTEGRITY: On Thursday afternoon, House Speaker Pro Tem Dana Stein (D-Baltimore County) stepped into the role of acting speaker as the Democratic Caucus gears up to name a new leader in a little over a week. Stein recognized Adrienne Jones as a “trailblazer,” highlighting her historical significance as Maryland’s first female and first person of color to hold the position, along with her impactful legislative agenda. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
- “In my experience, she has always made decisions based on integrity,” remarked Eric Luedtke, who served as the House majority leader under Jones and now works in Gov. Wes Moore’s administration. “Her unwavering integrity greatly benefited the House.” Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
DEL AMPREY ADVOCATES FOR BEER AND WINE SALES IN GROCERY STORES: Del. Marlon Amprey (D-Baltimore City) is optimistic that 2026 could mark the year Maryland finally legalizes the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores. He previously introduced a bill aiming to enable food retailers, pharmacies, and gas stations to acquire a Class A liquor license, although the legislation was ultimately stalled in committee. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
CALL FOR EARLY REDISTRICTING AMONG MARYLANDERS POST-SUPREME COURT DECISION: During a public session held on Friday by Governor Wes Moore’s redistricting commission, Maryland voters voiced their support for redrawing district lines. They believe the state should reconfigure its only Republican congressional seat following the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Texas to implement a congressional map that favors Republicans. This was the third meeting of the commission. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS TO BE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER DIZZINESS EPISODE: U.S. Rep. Andy Harris was hospitalized on Friday evening but is expected to be released shortly after experiencing dizziness. The 68-year-old Republican represents Maryland’s 1st Congressional District, encompassing the Eastern Shore, Harford County, and parts of Baltimore County. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
RASKIN EXPRESSES CONCERNS TO CBS REGARDING TRUMP INTERVIEW EDITS: In a detailed five-page complaint to the station’s news ombudsman, Rep. Jamie Raskin voiced his worries regarding the suspected interference of President Donald Trump over CBS News, claiming that Trump “coerced” the network’s editorial choices during his November 2 “60 Minutes” interview. Matt Hubbard/The Baltimore Sun.
NEW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HITS CHALLENGES DUE TO TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: Maryland’s newly established department is charged with “advancing social and economic mobility for all Marylanders,” as described by Acting Secretary Walter Simmons. However, just two days after the department’s creation, the federal government complicated matters by ruling that race- and sex-based eligibility for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise status constitutes discrimination. This alteration is expected to impact approximately 7,000 businesses statewide, according to Simmons. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
FREDERICK COUNTY IDENTIFIES LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR 2026 SESSION: Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater is prioritizing four key objectives in the impending state legislative session, including increasing the availability of affordable housing in the area and reassessing how funding for school construction is distributed. Fitzwater and other local leaders shared their legislative aspirations during a meeting with the county’s delegation before the General Assembly’s next session, which commences on January 14, 2026. Ryan Marshall/The Frederick News Post.
COUNTY TEACHERS SUPPORT JAWANDO FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE POSITION: The Montgomery County Education Association made its endorsements known on Friday for its influential Apple Ballot, throwing its support behind County Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At-large) in the 2026 race for county executive. Ashlyn Campbell/Bethesda Today.
HOWARD COUNTY COUNCIL VICE CHAIR ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN: Christiana Rigby, the Vice Chair of the Howard County Council, has launched her campaign for reelection. The Democrat made her intentions known during a campaign kick-off on November 20. She has deep roots in Howard County, having grown up in the Village of Kings Contrivance and currently residing in East Columbia. April Santana/The Baltimore Sun.
McNAIR SECURES LOCAL 44 PRESIDENCY IN REELECTION: Stancil McNair, a sanitation worker from Baltimore, reclaimed his leadership role in Local Union 44 after his previous victory was contested and overturned. He defeated the same opponent, outgoing vice president Trevor Taylor, again on Saturday. “I won by an even larger margin this time,” McNair remarked. Fern Shen/Baltimore Brew.
TOM HALL TO TRANSITION FROM ‘MIDDAY’ TO SENIOR NEWS ANALYST POSITION: Tom Hall is set to depart from his role as the host of WYPR’s flagship public affairs program to embrace a new position, making room for a fresh voice and perspective on the show. Hall, who has been with WYPR for over 20 years and hosted Midday for almost a decade, will switch to a role as a senior news analyst. Darreonna Davis/The Baltimore Banner.
- Hall expressed that this position was previously held by his “dear friend and mentor,” C. Fraser Smith, who passed away in 2021 due to a stroke. “Like Fraser, I aspire to deliver insightful commentaries, report on key issues, and share my perspectives on Midday, as well as in special projects and other future initiatives from WYPR,” Hall stated. Marcus Dieterle/Baltimore Fishbowl.
PENNY COIN’S ELIMINATION MAY AFFECT SMALL BUSINESSES: Signs indicating the decline of America’s one-cent coin are increasingly apparent. The last newly minted pennies were produced on November 12. Although experts suggest that a lack of pennies isn’t anticipated to cause any significant economic repercussions, they do warn it could create minor inconveniences for certain businesses, which could accumulate over time. Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
