IN 2026, THE DEMAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER: As housing prices and rental costs continue to escalate, advocates, legislators, and the Moore administration emphasize their shared mission to protect Maryland families within an increasingly unstable housing market, all while the state grapples with its own financial challenges. Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters.
AFTER ALLEGATIONS IN MINNESOTA, STATES MUST JUSTIFY CHILDCARE EXPENDITURES: Maryland has received $189.4 million in fiscal 2025 from federal grants, which will now be subject to new “justification” requirements set forth by the Trump administration, as reported by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Care. Shauneen Miranda/Maryland Matters.
NEW LEGISLATION ALTERING HOUSING, LABOR, AND HEALTHCARE: A comprehensive array of new laws is set to transform various sectors, including property tax sales, workforce protections, prescription medications, and health insurance coverage. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
- To enhancehealthcare quality in Maryland, the new regulations will include provisions for free cancer screenings for firefighters, increased access to hearing aids, and expanded health insurance coverage. Marie Miller/WBAL RADIO.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS PUSHED FOR CHARGING ABREGO GARCIA, EMAILS REVEAL: Federal prosecutors in Nashville have maintained over recent months that high-ranking Justice Department officials played no role in their decision to charge Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. However, recent excerpts from emails released by a federal judge reviewing Mr. Abrego Garcia’s criminal case suggest otherwise, appearing to directly contradict these statements. Alan Feuer/New York Times.
IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION SET TO SPARK DISCUSSIONS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY COUNCIL: The ongoing national conversation regarding immigrant treatment is expected to resonate within the Baltimore County Council’s chambers this January, as they will deliberate on legislation aimed at protecting the county’s immigrant population. John Lee/WYPR – FM.
DHS FINDS CONTRACTED WORKER NEGLIGENT IN FOSTER GIRL’S TRAGIC DEATH: An investigation by the Maryland Department of Human Services has concluded that staff members from a behavioral services company were negligent in the death of a 16-year-old foster girl by suicide in a Baltimore hotel room, according to a report obtained by The Baltimore Sun through a public information request. Jean Marbella/The Baltimore Sun.
NASA LIBRARY CLOSURE: A PART OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS: This week, the Trump administration is set to shut down NASA’s largest research library, located at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. Cody Boteler/The Baltimore Banner.
A LOOK BACK AT 2025: SHUTDOWNS, TURBULENCE, BUDGET CONFLICTS, AND CHROMITE: State legislators successfully closed a budget gap exceeding $3 billion through program cuts and tax hikes but were soon confronted with another budget deficit of over $1 billion for 2026, during an election year when tax increases are unlikely. Meanwhile, changes within Governor Wes Moore’s (D) Cabinet increased, and the upcoming races for 2026 began to take form, leaving various positions still unfilled. Maryland Matters Staff.
COLUMBIA DEVELOPER PREVAILS IN THE QUEST FOR 200 RENTAL UNITS AND A RACKET SPORTS FACILITY: After a six-year struggle, plans to construct 200 rental units, office space, and an indoor racket sports facility in Downtown Columbia are now closer to fruition, as a state court has determined that a subsidiary of Howard Hughes Corp. must compensate a local developer nearly $20 million for obstructing the project. Kiersten Hacker/The Baltimore Sun.
ANALYSIS: IS GAZA A SLEEPING ISSUE IN MARYLAND MIDTERMS?: The recent conflict of words between a notable local Jewish leader and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza highlights how sensitive the issue has become within American politics. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
BALTIMORE COUNTY HAS RECEIVED $29M IN OPIOID SETTLEMENTS; WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?: Since February 2023, Baltimore County has garnered over $29 million from various legal settlements, as indicated in a state report detailing funds distributed to each county and municipality. The countyhas allocated around $4.2 million for spending as of June 30, the end of fiscal 2025. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
THE RISE OF HOMESCHOOLING SINCE THE PANDEMIC: Following a noteworthy decline in public school enrollment across Maryland this year,homeschooling remains robust. Currently, over 42,000 children are being homeschooled, a significant increase from roughly 28,000 five years ago. Maya Lora/The Baltimore Banner.
COMMENTARY: MAJORITY OF MARYLANDERS DESIRE ACTION ON DEMOCRACY: A recent poll indicates that most Maryland residents back the state’s initiative to redraw congressional districts for fair representation in Washington. Lisa Brown/Maryland Matters.
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