By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown released a report March 13 to address the historical roots and drivers of mass incarceration and the racial disparities within it. The report highlights inequities such as the fact that Black Marylanders make up around 30 percent of the […]
Category: Maryland News
Posted inMaryland News
Efforts to curb over-policing in Maryland’s public schools
Advocates, educators and legislators are seeking to reduce the dependence on school resource officers (SROs) for school safety and discipline and shift funding toward mental health services, arguing that SROs contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. Despite legislative efforts to limit SRO involvement in discipline, most bills have failed, though some counties have seen success in reducing student arrests through alternative approaches.
Posted inMaryland Government
Gov. Wes Moore provides update on budget negotiations as deadline draws near
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) reaffirmed his commitment to tax code reforms and economic competitiveness while ruling out a sugary drink tax and business-to-business taxes in the FY 2026 budget. With a $3 billion deficit looming, Senate leaders anticipate deeper cuts, while Republican lawmakers remain skeptical about potential tax hikes.
Posted inMaryland News
Governor Wes Moore outlines vision for Maryland’s economic growth, federal worker support and FBI relocation
Maryland Governor Wes Moore hosted a highly anticipated telephone town hall with over 5,000 of the state’s constituents on March 18. The town hall meeting, which focused on key topics such as economic growth, support for federal workers, the relocation of the FBI headquarters and veteran benefits, served as an important opportunity for Moore to update Marylanders on his administration’s progress and future plans.
Posted inBaltimore News
Morgan State University unveils new Henrietta Lacks statue for National Blacks in Wax Museum
By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose immortal cells have circled the globe, contributing to medical breakthroughs, research and vaccines, was honored at Morgan State University (MSU) with a wax figure on March 15. Lacks, born in August 1920, is the Black woman responsible for giving the world the first cells capable […]
Posted inNational Sports
What to look out for on Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles
By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFROmabbott@afro.com The Major League Baseball season will begin on March 18 when the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs travel to Japan to play in the “2025 MLB World Tour: Tokyo Series.” The Baltimore Orioles will open up their season on March 27 in Canada as they face off […]
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland first lady Dawn Moore announces inaugural Preakness Festival
The inaugural Preakness Festival, announced by Maryland first lady Dawn Moore and state officials, will take place from May 10-15, celebrating Maryland’s historic Preakness Stakes with a mix of cultural, entertainment and equestrian events. Designed to boost economic impact and community engagement, the festival will feature concerts, farm tours and fundraisers, while renovations at Pimlico Race Course prepare for a revitalized future for the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Marylanders deserve equal voting access before it’s too late
Nehemiah Bester, a communications strategist for the ACLU of Maryland, discusses the Voting Rights Act and how, despite its legacy, voter suppression and racial gerrymandering continue to threaten fair representation, including in Maryland, where recent redistricting efforts diluted Black political power.
Posted inMaryland News
In crowded town hall, Maryland constituents air worries about government cuts
By Colin McNamara Capital News Service COLUMBIA, Md. – Hundreds of Maryland constituents turned out at a town hall the night of March 11 hosted by Maryland congressional Democrats to voice their concerns over the Trump administration’s efforts to break up federal agencies and cut government programs and jobs. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, […]
Posted inMaryland Government
New legislation would create commission to review and assess racial disparities in criminal justice
State Del. Charlotte A. Crutchfield (D-Md.-19) is sponsoring legislation that would establish a commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system.
Posted inMaryland Government
Deadline looms as Maryland caucuses push for key diversity and equity bills
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.com One week before the Maryland General Assembly’s crossover deadline, six legislative caucuses held a historic joint press conference. On March 10 the legislators came together to advocate for policies promoting diversity, equity and economic stability. If the bills they support do not pass by the deadline, they are unlikely to […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Braveboy and White win Prince George’s County special election primary for County Exec
Democrat Aisha Braveboy and Republican Jonathan White won their respective county executive races in Prince George’s County and will face each other in the special general election on June 3.