By Sasha Allen Maryland mental health advocates and providers are relieved coming out of this year’s legislative session, where state lawmakers decided against a drastic cut in funding to the state’s year-old, big-money program aimed at improving the mental health of its young people. The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, created under the state’s ambitious […]
Category: Maryland News
Posted inMaryland News
Fight over return of wrongfully deported Maryland man heats up
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said in an April 14 news conference that he will not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison last month. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the government to facilitate his return, but officials in both countries continue to pass off responsibility on who should initiate Abrego Garcia’s trip back to America.
Posted inMaryland News
House of Ruth Maryland: Supporting financial independence after interpersonal violence
Financial independence is crucial for domestic abuse survivors. Savings, job readiness and legal resources help them achieve stability. This week, Shanna Norwood (left) , director of crisis response at the House of Ruth Maryland, and Lauren Corbin, a criminal defense attorney in Maryland, discuss how to financially prepare to leave an abusive relationship.
Posted inMaryland News
Testimonies at Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final hearing call for reparations, healing and accountability
The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) held its final public hearing to examine the enduring legacy of racial terror lynchings, with testimonies advocating for reparations and police accountability. Experts, advocates, and community members emphasized the need for radical reparations and a shift in how law enforcement engages with Black communities, urging both acknowledgment and concrete action to repair historical harms.
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO High Tea returns to Baltimore
The AFRO’s High Tea returns April 26 at Martin’s West, honoring historic organizations and celebrating community legacy. With nearly 1,000 guests expected, the event features live entertainment, local vendors and support.
Posted inMaryland Government
A step toward justice: Maryland legislators approve reparations commission bill
During the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland successfully led an effort to establish a reparations commission to address the historical harms of slavery in the state. Senate Bill 587, now awaiting the governor’s signature, will create a commission to study and propose recommendations on reparations, with findings expected by 2027.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County breaks ground on Civic Plaza, the first signature project of the Blue Line Corridor Initiative
Prince George’s County broke ground on Civic Plaza at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, marking the first of five major projects in the County’s Blue Line Corridor revitalization strategy. Set to open in December 2025, the plaza will be a vibrant, multi-use public space designed through community input to celebrate culture, connection, and inclusive growth.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Rapid-response teams aid troubled youths in New Jersey – but funding limits Maryland’s similar effort
By Colin McnamaraCapital News Service A New Jersey girl tormented others in her kindergarten class. Alienated from her classmates, she physically attacked other students and colored the bathroom walls with a permanent marker. Access to mental health care was complicated in her rural county, and school officials considered suspending the 6-year-old. That was when the […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Gov. Moore holds first bill signing of 2025 with focuses on workforce growth
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) held his first bill signing of 2025 on April 8, hours after the close of the 90-day general assembly session. Over 800 bills were passed this legislative session.
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland General Assembly legislators work to finalize bills on last day of session
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland legislators worked throughout the day to pass as many bills as they could before session ended at midnight on April 7. The legislative session was an eventful one with drastic federal actions looming over Maryland and balancing the budget remaining the topic of discussion throughout the 2025 session. Around […]
Posted inCommentary
Maryland must stop doing ICE’s dirty work
Cathryn Jackson is the policy director at CASA and the daughter of Guyanese and Trinidadian immigrants. This week she urges passage of the Maryland Values Act (HB 1222), which would end all 287(g) agreements in the state to ensure local police don’t work as immigration agents.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland faces pressure over new bill to limit state liability in child sex abuse cases
A new bill in the Maryland General Assembly would cap the state’s financial liability for child sexual abuse claims, cutting the maximum payout for survivors from $890,000 to $400,000 for suits filed after Oct. 1, 2025. Critics, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, argue the measure would deny justice to thousands of victims, many of whom suffered abuse in state-run facilities.