Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 1d

A federal judge in Maryland seemed inclined to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention after oral arguments in court Friday, a potentially major development in the high-profile case.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/j...

Judge weighs Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from immigration detention - Maryland Matters

A federal judge in Maryland seemed inclined to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention after oral arguments in court Friday, a potentially major development in the high-p...

marylandmatters.org

3 5

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 1d

The Trump administration's militarization of police leads to local operations that bear little resemblance to traditional law enforcement, writes Karl Bickel, but departments can reverse things, and better serve and protect, by embracing community policing.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/11/p...

Preserving professional policing: How Maryland leaders should respond to federal overreach - Maryland Matters

The Trump administration's militarization of police leads to local operations that bear little resemblance to traditional law enforcement, writes Karl Bickel, but departments can reverse things, and b...

marylandmatters.org

1 1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 1d

Quentin Adams was struggling to find work after being laid off last year from his job as a contract worker developing web sites for USAID. And that was before DOGE cuts flooded the market with IT workers, making the Bowie resident's search even harder.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/s...

‘So much competition’: Federal contractor turns to food delivery as he struggles to find work - Maryland Matters

Quentin Adams was struggling to find work after being laid off last year from his job as a contract worker developing web sites for USAID. And that was before DOGE cuts flooded the market with IT work...

marylandmatters.org

3 1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 1d

The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step that could significantly reshape the size and scope of government. Maryland Democrats vowed to fight the "cruel" and "illegal" RIFs.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/r...

‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown - Maryland Matters

The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape the size and sc...

marylandmatters.org

1 5

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

FIRST IN MARYLAND MATTERS: A former top aide to two state Senate leaders is returning to Annapolis as budget secretary. Yaakov "Jake" Weissmann, currently a vice president at UMBC, succeeds Helene Grady, who is stepping down.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/f...

Former top Senate aide Weissmann to take over as next budget secretary - Maryland Matters

A former top aide to two state Senate leaders is returning to Annapolis as budget secretary. Yaakov "Jake" Weissmann, currently a vice president at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, succee...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

Gov. Wes Moore (D) tapped Sen. Michael A. Jackson (D-Calvert, Charles & Prince George's) as the next superintendent of the Maryland State Police Friday, replacing Col. Roland L. Butler who is set to retire Nov. 1.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/m...

Moore taps state senator, former sheriff, to lead Maryland State Police - Maryland Matters

Gov. Wes Moore (D) tapped Sen. Michael A. Jackson (D-Calvert, Charles & Prince George's) as the next superintendent of the Maryland State Police Friday, replacing Col. Roland L. Butler who is set to r...

marylandmatters.org

2

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

A Prince George's County Council committee advanced the nomination of Samuel Moki to lead the county's Department of the Environment, largely brushing aside concerns that he was terminated from a job at the agency a decade ago.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/09/s...

Prince George's Council committee advances controversial nominee for environmental post - Maryland Matters

A Prince George's County Council committee advanced the nomination of Samuel Moki to lead the county's Department of the Environment, largely brushing aside concerns that he was terminated from a job ...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

More than 200 child care advocates and providers met Thursday for a wide-ranging forum, but one question was top of mind: When would the child care scholarship program reopen? State officials said they still aren't sure.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/09/s...

Still no answers on when enrollment freeze on child care scholarships will be lifted - Maryland Matters

More than 200 child care advocates and providers met Thursday for a wide-ranging forum, but one question was top of mind: When would the child care scholarship program reopen? State officials said the...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

Sports franchises aside, Baltimore won't really be a major league city until it has a major league transit system, write Paul Sturm and Lauren "Bemi" Byrd, but they say the plans are there for one if the will is there for it.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/t...

The Baltimore region needs major league transit - Maryland Matters

Sports franchises aside, Baltimore won't really be a major league city until it has a major league transit system, write Paul Sturm and Lauren "Bemi" Byrd, but they say the plans are there for one if ...

marylandmatters.org

1 3

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) on Thursday announced an upcoming grant program for opioid reduction efforts, an announcement that came on the heels of the city’s third mass overdose event in recent months.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/s...

Scott announces grants to combat overdoses in Baltimore after another mass overdose event - Maryland Matters

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) on Thursday announced an upcoming grant program for opioid reduction efforts, an announcement that came on the heels of the city’s third mass overdose event in recent...

marylandmatters.org

1 1 5

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 2d

Attorney General Anthony Brown and former Maryland Govs. Parris Glendening and Martin O'Malley joined separate legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s use of National Guard troops in Chicago and Portland.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/10/r...

Former governors, state AGs weigh in on Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops - Maryland Matters

President Donald Trump’s use of National Guard troops for law enforcement has reopened a debate over states’ authority to control police powers, as briefs show from current and former state leaders in...

marylandmatters.org

1 1 2

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 3d

The federal government shutdown entered its eighth day Wednesday, which means it was also the eighth day that hundreds of essential federal workers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport had to work without a paycheck.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/s...

State, federal officials at BWI support 'essential' TSA, air traffic controllers working without pay - Maryland Matters

The federal government shutdown entered its eighth day Wednesday, which means it was also the eighth day that hundreds of essential federal workers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marsh...

marylandmatters.org

1 4

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 3d

The Chesapeake Bay watershed is adding enough runoff-inducing pavement and buildings every year to completely cover an area the size of Staunton, Virginia, new data shows.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/p...

Pavement spreads unabated across Chesapeake Bay watershed, threatening streams - Maryland Matters

The Chesapeake Bay watershed is adding enough runoff-inducing pavement and buildings every year to completely cover an area the size of Staunton, Virginia, new data shows.

marylandmatters.org

2 3

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 3d

Chris Peusch hopes it's a sign that early childhood is getting recognition it deserves: As many as eight state lawmakers may attend Maryland State Child Care Association annual symposium Thursday, more than she can remember at the decades-old event.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/e...

Early childhood education starting to draw attention - finally, advocates say - Maryland Matters

Chris Peusch hopes it's a sign that early childhood is getting recognition it deserves: As many as eight state lawmakers may attend Maryland State Child Care Association annual symposium Thursday, mor...

marylandmatters.org

3

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 3d

The Federal Aviation Administration reported no travel delays due to staffing levels at U.S. air traffic control facilities Wednesday, following a day of some delays related to above-average absences at a handful of facilities.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/r...

Air traffic control staffing steady, but stress during shutdown worries DOT - Maryland Matters

The Federal Aviation Administration reported no travel delays due to staffing levels at U.S. air traffic control facilities Wednesday, following a day of some delays related to above-average absences ...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

Deputy Budget Secretary Marc Nicole, a veteran of the Department of Budget and Management, will take over next week as acting secretary in place of departing Secretary Helen Grady. The search for a permanent replacement continues.
marylandmatters.org/briefs/nicol...

Nicole named acting budget secretary as search continues for Grady's replacement - Maryland Matters

Deputy Budget Secretary Marc Nicole, a veteran of the Department of Budget and Management, will take over next week as acting secretary in place of departing Secretary Helen Grady. The search for a pe...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

The Trump administration may try to interpret a law enacted during his first term in office differently than it did following the last government shutdown, potentially denying back pay to hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/r...

Trump floats plan to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers after shutdown - Maryland Matters

The Trump administration may try to interpret a law enacted during his first term in office differently than it did following the last government shutdown, potentially denying back pay to hundreds of ...

marylandmatters.org

3 4

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy has the utmost confidence in her nominee to run the county's environmental agency, even though he was terminated from the department in 2014 for "gross negligence." Advocates aren't so sure.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/s...

Activists oppose once-fired employee's nomination to head Prince George's agency - Maryland Matters

Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy has the utmost confidence in her nominee to run the county's environmental agency, even though he was terminated from the department in 2014 for "gross ...

marylandmatters.org

2

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

The nation’s prison population grew for the second consecutive year in 2023, reversing more than a decade of steady decline. In Maryland, the numbers grew 3.8%, about twice the national average of 2%.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/r...

US prison population rises for second straight year after years of decline - Maryland Matters

The nation’s prison population grew for the second consecutive year in 2023, reversing more than a decade of steady decline. In Maryland, the numbers grew 3.8%, about twice the national average of 2%.

marylandmatters.org

2

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

A lawyer representing five unaffiliated voters is asking an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge to deny a motion to dismiss their suit challenging a state law that limits the participation of unaffiliated voters in Maryland primary elections.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/08/u...

Unaffiliated voters ask judge to let their challenge to partisan primaries proceed - Maryland Matters

A lawyer representing five unaffiliated voters is asking an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge to deny a motion to dismiss their suit challenging a state law that limits the participation of unaf...

marylandmatters.org

1

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 4d

Maryland joined 22 other jurisdictions urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take up, and reverse, a ruling that would prohibit individuals from challenging election laws and redistricting issues under the Voting Right Act.
marylandmatters.org/briefs/maryl...

Maryland joins 22 jurisdictions in support of Voting Rights Act provision - Maryland Matters

Maryland joined 22 other jurisdictions urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take up, and reverse, a ruling that would prohibit individuals from challenging election laws and redistricting issues under the...

marylandmatters.org

3 3

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 5d

Maryland Supreme Court justices had pointed questions Monday for a lawyer arguing that local governments do not exceed their authority by seeking damages from large fossil fuel companies for their role in climate change over the decades.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/06/m...

Maryland justices weigh local lawsuits against oil companies over climate change - Maryland Matters

Maryland Supreme Court justices had pointed questions Monday for a lawyer arguing that local governments do not exceed their authority by seeking damages from large fossil fuel companies for their rol...

marylandmatters.org

1 2

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 5d

A federal judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to produce evidence within 48 hours on its efforts to once again deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, this time to the southern African country of Eswatini.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/06/t...

Trump administration now wants to remove Abrego Garcia to Eswatini - Maryland Matters

A federal judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to produce evidence within 48 hours on its efforts to once again deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, this time to the southern African country of Es...

marylandmatters.org

1 2 5

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 5d

Federal employees deemed essential workers during the ongoing government shutdown can now apply for an interest-free loan from the Maryland Department of Labor, officials announced Monday.
marylandmatters.org/briefs/loan-...

Loan program for federal employees now accepting applications, state officials say - Maryland Matters

Federal employees deemed essential workers during the ongoing government shutdown can now apply for an interest-free loan from the Maryland Department of Labor, officials announced Monday.

marylandmatters.org

1 5

Maryland Matters @marylandmatters.org · 5d

The Environmental Protection Agency has selected Dan Coogan, a career employee with two decades of experience at the agency, as the new head of its Chesapeake Bay Program Office in Annapolis. He was scheduled to start Monday.
marylandmatters.org/2025/10/06/e...

EPA names 20-year agency veteran as new Bay Program director - Maryland Matters

The Environmental Protection Agency has selected Dan Coogan, a career employee with two decades of experience at the agency, as the new head of its Chesapeake Bay Program Office in Annapolis. He was s...

marylandmatters.org

1