By Brian WitteThe Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Black Maryland lawmakers highlighted a package of measures on Jan. 18 that they are prioritizing to improve health, access to housing, minority business opportunities, education and criminal justice reforms. Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, noted that the caucus includes 66 […]
Category: Maryland News
Posted inDMV News
Monumental Sports Network broadcasts 2nd annual ‘Basketball Day in the DMV’
By Sabreen DawudSpecial to the AFRO Monumental Sports Network will broadcast eight live basketball games for the second annual “Basketball Day in the DMV” event on Jan. 20. The basketball event will be presented by CarMax through a partnership with the Washington Wizards. Teams of varying status will be displayed during five high school games, […]
Posted in!Front Page National News
Johns Hopkins Medicine employees and students speak out on rebuke of Dr. Sherita Golden
University officials take issue with chief diversity officer’s definition of ‘privilege’ in ‘Diversity Digest’ newsletter By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com Employees and students at Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) have sent a letter to President Kevin W. Sowers and Dean Theodore L. DeWeese expressing their disappointment over the institution’s response to its chief diversity officer’s definition […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
Gov. Wes Moore lays out his 2024 juvenile justice and public safety initiatives
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com After much anticipation, Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced his “aggressive” all-of-government approach to public safety, through his legislative priorities for 2024. Moore recently announced three pieces of legislation that he will sponsor and potentially testify on behalf of during the hearings for the bills. “We introduce the Victim Compensation Reform […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Former Maryland state elections board member arrested on Jan. 6 insurrection crimes
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Carlos Ayala, newly resigned member of the Maryland State Board of Elections, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and breach of the U.S. Capitol. The FBI arrested Ayala, 52, on Jan. 9 on civil disorder, a felony according to […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Year in review: A look at Brooke Lierman’s first year as comptroller of Maryland
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com As Brooke Lierman’s first year as comptroller comes to a close, the AFRO reflects on her accomplishments and goals as Maryland’s chief financial officer and general accountant. In 2023, the Comptroller’s Office of Maryland processed more than $2.7 million in tax returns and sent out $1.8 million in refunds valued […]
Posted inCivil Rights
Billy Murphy makes million dollar donation to Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law at University of Maryland
By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFRO William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr. has invested $1 million dollars into the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law, housed within the Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland. The school of law announced the new center in Fall 2023, with a goal of improving […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Gov. Wes Moore wraps up inaugural year as first Black leader of Maryland
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore (D) became the first Black man to lead the state of Maryland on Jan. 18, becoming only the third Black governor to be elected in U.S. history. Moore has spent his first year making good on campaign promises and funding initiatives throughout the state. “In year two, […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
New Maryland laws you should know about in 2024
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Though many new laws from the 2023 session of the Maryland General Assembly took effect in July and October, some will not apply until 2024. Several new laws took effect on Jan. 1. The Stop the Spam Calls Act of 2023 (SB90/HB37), which restricts mobile phone solicitations for non-charities, went […]
Posted inSports
Lamar Jackson’s perfect passer rating helps Ravens rout Dolphins 56-19 to clinch top seed in AFC
By Noah Trister AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — In what may have been his final bid for the MVP award, Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finishing with a perfect passer rating and helping the Baltimore Ravens clinch the top seed in the AFC with a 56-19 rout of the Miami […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
Governor Moore announces ‘UPLIFT’ to accelerate homeownership in historically redlined communities
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com Maryland residents living in historically redlined communities may now get a new chance at homeownership, thanks to a new program announced by Gov. Wes Moore on Dec. 4. Managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Utilizing Progressive Lending Investments to Finance Transformation (UPLIFT) will tackle appraisal […]
Posted inOPINION
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals gets it right on Maryland gun ownership
By Andrellos Mitchell There shall be no abridgment of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Period! On Nov. 21 a federal appeals court struck down Maryland’s licensing requirements for handgun owners, citing a 2022 landmark ruling by the conservative-majority US Supreme Court. Maryland’s Firearm Safety Act of 2013, passed in the wake of the […]