No state money for Baltimore soccer stadium in 2026 Plans to bring professional soccer to Baltimore took a hit after legislation to build a soccer stadium stalled out in Annapolis.

D.C. United's hopes to bring pro soccer teams to Baltimore remain without a funding source. A bill that would have funded $217 million in state bonds for a soccer stadium never made it out of session.

w/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Ivan Bates claims Brandon Scott endorsed him. But did he? One Baltimore Democrat endorsing another is usually a nothing burger, but in this case, there’s so much beef.

From @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: Ivan Bates claims Brandon Scott endorsed him. But did he? (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Moore’s latest argument for redistricting? Combating ‘political redlining’ Maryland has to redraw its congressional map to combat efforts by President Donald Trump and Republicans to “silence the voices and trying to eliminate Black leadership” by redistricting red states to...

Gov. Wes Moore has been saying Maryland needs to redraw its congressional districts because of "political redlining" in other states.

What does he mean? And what's Maryland's role in addressing it?

from me, @leeosanderlin.bsky.social & @invisibae.bsky.social:

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

NEW: from the great @leeosanderlin.bsky.social, @pwoodreporter.bsky.social and I

Can Moore, Ferguson keep a working relationship under redistricting pressure Behind the scenes things are becoming tense as the two Democratic leaders continue to disagree whether Maryland should redraw its congressional maps to more heavily favor Democrats.

❄️ Snow Day Read ❄️

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and state Senate President Bill Ferguson have staked out opposite positions on redistricting.

It’s testing their working relationship. And it’s getting personal.

w/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social:

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

How Maryland bought a $4.5M horse farm it’s not going to use The purchase of a horse farm, Shamrock Farm, involves a partner at Venable, the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Florida Republican, Gov. Wes Moore and a state authority that no longer exists.

The story of how Maryland bought a horse farm it won’t use involves a former Florida Congressman, a “prominent veterinarian,” self-dealing, a high-powered attorney, Gov. Wes Moore, a state authority that no longer exists and some trout.

for @thebaltimorebanner.com
www.thebanner.com/sports/maryl...

Maryland plans to purchase Laurel Park in horse training center switcheroo The state previously paid $4.5 million for Shamrock Farm in Carroll County

NEW | Maryland plans to buy Laurel Park from The Stronach Group and convert it into a horse racing training center.

This marks a pivot from building the center at Shamrock Farm, which the state paid $4.5 million for last year.

w/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

How Exelon and Constellation influence Annapolis Exelon and Constellation are among the state’s top campaign donors — the second and third biggest, according to campaign finance records.

New: Exelon and Constellation are in an arms race in Maryland’s capital. With their deep pockets and small army of lobbyists, they’re in a fight to bend energy policy to their liking and to ratepayers are caught in the middle. W/ @adampwillis.bsky.social

www.thebanner.com/community/cl...

Maryland sheriff wants to keep working with ICE, even if state lawmakers ban it Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins plans to keep working with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even in light of the killing of an American citizen by an ICE agent.

NEW: Chuck Jenkins, arguably Maryland's most powerful sheriff, said today he wants to keep working with ICE — regardless of national protests and even if Maryland lawmakers outlaw cooperation agreements (called 287g program) in the state. More in @thebaltimorebanner.com:

Crime is down, so why isn’t Ivan Bates happy? Baltimore City has achieved a stunning turnaround in violent crime despite a rift between State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Mayor Brandon Scott.

By @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: Crime is down, so why isn’t Ivan Bates happy? (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Analysis: Baltimore homicides declined furthest, fastest in the country, could reach a 48-year low Baltimore is on track to end 2025 with its lowest homicide total in 48 years, with fewer than 150 killings expected, marking a significant decline since 2022.

NEW:

Baltimore is on track to finish 2025 with its fewest homicides in about 50 years. Before Two-thirds of city residents were even born.

Baltimore homicides have further and faster than anywhere in the nation since 2018.

www.thebanner.com/community/cr...

After years of covering 300+ homicides, I tried to take stock of what it means for Baltimore to finally see fewer than 150 victims this year. But people kept getting killed.
2 things are true: we’ve seen historic declines, and still too many ppl are dying www.thebanner.com/community/cr...

Bates to cut ties with mayor’s public safety office, citing ‘cloak of secrecy’ Ivan Bates outlined numerous complaints about the office, according to a seven-page letter sent to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday.

SCOOP from @emilyopilo.bsky.social & @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said he is “terminating” his coordination with the mayor’s public safety office, which oversees the city’s flagship anti-violence initiative www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Bates to cut ties with mayor’s public safety office, citing ‘cloak of secrecy’ Ivan Bates outlined numerous complaints about the office, according to a seven-page letter sent to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday.

new from @emilyopilo.bsky.social and @leeosanderlin.bsky.social tonight in @thebaltimorebanner.com ——

Bates to cut ties with mayor’s public safety office, citing ‘cloak of secrecy’ Ivan Bates outlined numerous complaints about the office, according to a seven-page letter sent to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday.

Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates to cut ties with mayor’s public safety office, citing ‘cloak of secrecy', @emilyopilo.bsky.social and @leeosanderlin.bsky.social. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Kevin Plank wants Maryland to buy his horse farm Emails detail a pitch to turn Sagamore Farm into a state-owned horse training facility.

Scoop: Reps for Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have been lobbying Gov. Wes Moore’s office in an effort to persuade Maryland to buy Plank’s horse farm, email show.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

What does the founder of Tov Pizza have to do with Dalya Attar’s case? A member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee for the 41st District, Ronald Rosenbluth, 62, is a fixture in political and Jewish civic circles.

Why is this influential member of the Baltimore Jewish community on prosecutors’ stay-away list for at least one of the defendants in the Dalya Attar extortion case? W/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...

Maryland’s neediest residents ‘stretching food’ as SNAP benefits remain uncertain Maryland families who depend on SNAP benefits are unsure what November will bring as they potentially face a month without food aid.

A mom of three who relies on SNAP to feed her family. A 90-year-old whose SNAP benefits supplement her meager pension. Food lines that stretch around blocks. And a whole lot of worry, across Maryland, about what happens next.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Maryland’s neediest residents ‘stretching food’ as SNAP benefits remain uncertain Maryland families who depend on SNAP benefits are unsure what November will bring as they potentially face a month without food aid.

A mom of three who relies on SNAP to feed her family. A 90-year-old whose SNAP benefits supplement her meager pension. Food lines that stretch around blocks. And a whole lot of worry, across Maryland, about what happens next.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Moore ‘confident’ in human services head despite missteps Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday that he was confident in Maryland Human Services Secretary Rafael López, despite the many challenges the embattled state agency has faced.

A lot of things happened yesterday in Maryland politics. Here’s another: Gov. Moore said he was “confident” in his human services secretary despite a string of missteps

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Maryland already violated its newest foster care directive Last Wednesday, Oct. 22, Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez issued a policy directing social services providers to “immediately stop facilitating stays in unlicensed settings.”

Last week, @mdhumanservices.bsky.social Sec. Rafael López issued a policy prohibiting social services agencies from placing children in state care in unlicensed settings.

Four days later, the agency broke the rule.

@leeosanderlin.bsky.social, Jessica Calefati

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Maryland already violated its newest foster care directive Last Wednesday, Oct. 22, Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez issued a policy directing social services providers to “immediately stop facilitating stays in unlicensed settings.”

New: Four days after the Maryland Dept. of Human Services secretary issued a new policy prohibiting foster children from staying overnight in unlicensed facilities like office buildings, a child spent the night in an office. W/ Jessica Calefati

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Should Joe Biden have helped Marilyn Mosby? Wes Moore seems to think so. Gov. Wes Moore’s comment on Marilyn Mosby came during an appearance on ‘The Breakfast Club’ Tuesday.

👀 Should Joe Biden have helped Marilyn Mosby? Wes Moore seems to think so, @leeosanderlin.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Should Joe Biden have helped Marilyn Mosby? Wes Moore seems to think so. Gov. Wes Moore’s comment on Marilyn Mosby came during an appearance on ‘The Breakfast Club’ Tuesday.

Should Joe Biden have helped Marilyn Mosby? Wes Moore seems to think so.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

The hidden cost of saving the Chesapeake Bay: millions for private waterfronts Virtually all of the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline is privately owned, which means taxpayer-funded waterfront improvements go to properties with limited public access.

Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:

The hidden cost of saving the Chesapeake Bay: millions for private waterfronts Virtually all of the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline is privately owned, which means taxpayer-funded waterfront improvements go to properties with limited public access.

Alex Mann, @leeosanderlin.bsky.social and @adampwillis.bsky.social get at a central environmental tension in Anne Arundel County: A desire to protect the Chesapeake Bay and its shoreline meets the reality that almost all shoreline in the county is privately-owned. Read in @thebaltimorebanner.com —

The hidden cost of saving the Chesapeake Bay: millions for private waterfronts Virtually all of the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline is privately owned, which means taxpayer-funded waterfront improvements go to properties with limited public access.

Just one in 533 miles of Anne Arundel County shoreline is open to the public while taxpayers fund millions for private waterfronts.

Can Maryland balance what’s best for the Chesapeake Bay with the public’s right to enjoy it? w/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social &Alex Mann
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...

Moore outpaces Hogan in Maryland’s favorite hypothetical horse race We have numbers for the governor matchup between Wes Moore and Larry Hogan everyone keeps speculating about.

📊 The Maryland poll numbers everyone wants to see 📊

Maryland Governor 2026
🔵 Wes Moore (D): 45%
🔴 Larry Hogan (R): 37%
🟡 Undecided: 14%

928 registered voters, MOE +/- 3.2

Read more from @leeosanderlin.bsky.social:

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

State knew foster teen living in hotel was 'high risk,' mom says For years advocates had warned the practice of housing vulnerable children in hotels and hospitals could have tragic consequences.

Mom says state agency knew foster teen was ‘high risk’ before placing her in hotel, @leeosanderlin.bsky.social and Jessica Calefati report. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

State knew foster teen living in hotel was 'high risk,' mom says For years advocates had warned the practice of housing vulnerable children in hotels and hospitals could have tragic consequences.

“Why would you take your eyes off her?”: Mom says state agency knew foster teen was ‘high risk’ before placing her in hotel, report @leeosanderlin.bsky.social & Jessica Calefati
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...