By Sandra SmithCapital News Service As of Oct. 1, Maryland’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, has been defunded following President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” SNAP-Ed provides SNAP participants, low-income individuals who receive food assistance benefits and low-income families with nutrition education classes and partners with programs such as food pantries and farmers’ markets. […]
Category: Prince George’s County News
Postscript for Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Just keep that mammogram appointment
After skipping mammograms for four years, healthcare professional Laurene Scott finally got screened—just as her cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer. Doctors say anxiety, busy lives, and fear often delay screenings, especially among Black women, who remain 38 percent more likely to die from the disease.
Bowie State hosts 90th annual homecoming activities
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Bowie State University is currently hosting its 90th annual homecoming. Activities began on Oct. 26 and will take place through Nov. 2 under the theme “It’s Off the Chain!” The celebration brings together students, alumni and community members for a celebration “filled with pride, connection and Bulldog spirit,” according to […]
Marylanders weigh in on their favorite local gems
Maryland ranks second in the U.S. for its share of Black-owned businesses, with 10 percent of companies owned by African Americans, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. To celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit, the AFRO spoke with residents about their favorite Black-owned businesses, highlighting local gems from bookstores to restaurants.
USDA warns states about November SNAP benefits
By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black When Congress couldn’t agree on a budget to fund the government before Oct. 1, officials used some budget trickery to guarantee that the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would continue through the end of the month. But if Congress doesn’t pass a budget by Nov. 1, millions […]
The AFRO Named Among the Nation’s Top Black News Outlets on Two Feedspot Lists
The AFRO-American Newspapers, the nation’s oldest continuously published Black-owned newspaper still owned by its founding family, has been named to Feedspot’s list of the “45 Best Black News Websites of 2025.” The recognition honors The AFRO’s legacy of trusted journalism and its continued innovation in digital media, storytelling, and community engagement.
Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Dozens of journalists turned in their Pentagon access badges on Oct. 15 rather than comply with new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that limit how reporters can gather information. News organizations rejected the rules as a threat to press freedom but vowed to continue covering the military from a greater distance.
Prince George’s County Council passes emergency support legislation for furloughed federal workers
Council Chair Edward P. Burroughs III (D- Prince George’s County- 08) and Councilwoman Wala Blegay (D-Prince George’s County-06) are working hard on behalf of Prince George’s County residents currently experiencing the sting of yet another federal shutdown.
Harbor Bank of Maryland opens new branch in Silver Spring
The Harbor Bank of Maryland has opened a new branch in Silver Spring, marking its seventh location and a strategic expansion into the Montgomery County market. The community-focused bank celebrated the soft opening with a visit from Afrofuturist icon George Clinton, whose artwork is now on permanent display inside the branch.
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System is hosting more than 50 programs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring music, art, dance, literature, and film from Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, Portugal, and the wider Hispanic diaspora.
Meet the Maryland veterans forging new paths from service to small business success
From gourmet burgers to high-tech solutions, Black-owned veteran businesses across Maryland are shaping communities with innovation and resilience. This spotlight highlights five standout ventures—from a father-son carry-out kitchen to a pioneering oyster bar—each proving that military discipline and entrepreneurial passion are a powerful combination.
Rep. Glenn Ivey reintroduces George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland has introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a wide-ranging proposal to overhaul policing practices and expand accountability measures. Five years after Floyd’s death galvanized a national movement, the legislation seeks to strengthen transparency, limit excessive force and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

