AGP Executive Report

Energy Costs in Focus: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility “double dipping” and data center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules have cut reliable in-state power and left Maryland importing 43% of electricity—raising fears of voltage collapse and possible rolling blackouts by summer 2027. Human Trafficking Push: The Maryland Department of Transportation signed a federal pledge to combat human trafficking, urging residents to report tips via the national hotline. Election Cash Promise Scrutiny: A new report examines President Trump’s proposed $5,000 “dividend” pledge and the legal questions it raises about paying voters. 9/11 Remembrance: Coverage marks 25 years since Sept. 11 with reflections and memorial events, including a WVU gathering honoring faculty experiences. Sports (Local Angle): Maryland women’s soccer opened Big Ten play with a 2-0 loss to No. 12 Washington, while other regional college soccer results included a Loyola Maryland draw.

Election Integrity Fight: A coalition of Latino civil rights groups, a voting rights group, and Denver sued the Trump administration to block armed ICE agents from polling places, citing a Civil War-era law against “troops or armed men” at elections. Maryland Health: Maryland released its first 2026-27 vaccine guidance since the Vax Act split from federal rules, setting statewide recommendations for children and adults ahead of flu season. Education Attendance: State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright announced chronic absenteeism fell to 22.8% in 2025-26, down from 30.9% in 2021-22, with a new “Maryland Shows Up” campaign. Public Safety/Transportation: MDOT and Howard County celebrated safety upgrades along US 1 in Elkridge and North Laurel, targeting pedestrian crashes; SHA also posted overnight US 15 ramp closures for pipe inspections. Courts/Politics: Maryland Supreme Court upheld Prince George’s executive write-in bid rejection for Moisette Sweat after her signatures fell short. Local Incidents: A man died after falling overboard at Bowleys Marina; Talbot County crews responded to a 500-gallon wastewater discharge in St. Michaels.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Maryland AGs are joining a growing coalition suing the Trump administration over rollbacks that weaken habitat protections for threatened and endangered species. Local EMS Changes: Greenbelt is set to lose its 24/7 ALS unit, shifting to daytime career staffing, as response times have reportedly worsened. Open Meetings Fallout in Baltimore: News organizations say secret meetings helped position the Harborplace project for a major tax break, alleging violations of Maryland’s Open Meetings law. Immigration Clash in Frederick: CAIR is calling for an independent investigation after ICE agents allegedly clashed with protesters and residents. Public Health Watch: The CDC reports Cyclospora cases are surging, with 19,595 lab-confirmed infections tied to iceberg lettuce and thousands more under review. Sports & Community: Maryland volleyball is off to a stronger start in 2026, while a Baltimore City Community College audit found “ghost student” aid and missing equipment.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Maryland and other states are suing the Trump administration over rollbacks to Endangered Species Act protections, with attorneys general challenging rules that weaken habitat safeguards and make it easier to degrade protected wildlife areas. Robocall Crackdown: Maryland AG Jeff Jackson is part of a broad push urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” requirements to stop illegal robocalls before they reach consumers. Earthquakes in the Region: A minor 2.1 quake hit Cecil County near Rising Sun overnight, and a separate 2.1 tremor was also reported earlier in the week near Maryland’s state line area. Weather Watch: Warm, humid conditions are building across Maryland, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday. Local Public Safety: The Maryland AG’s office identified a woman and an officer in separate fatal incidents, including a Middle River police-involved shooting and a Howard County pursuit crash. Community & Business: EagleBank added commercial real estate leader Matthew Nader; Towson University announced discounted tuition for some out-of-state students starting in 2027.

Chesapeake Bay Health: Maryland’s underwater grass coverage jumped nearly 13% in 2025, reaching 41,419 acres in the state’s portion—good news for habitat and water quality. Public Health: A CDC-linked investigation traced a Maryland hospital’s drug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus cluster to the building’s water, after 11 patients were identified. Local Economy & Travel: Silver Diner is suing over a reported $8M–$10M rebuild demand tied to its BWI lease, arguing it threatens the restaurant’s future. Transportation & Safety: MDOT announced more than $11M in grants for bike, pedestrian and trail projects statewide, including Safe Routes to School upgrades. Immigration & Community Tensions: Prince George’s County joined a coalition suing USDA over its reorganization plan, while protesters demanded answers after an ICE confrontation in Frederick turned violent. Courts & Rights: A federal judge awarded about $161,000 in attorney fees in a Maryland case involving deportation of a Venezuelan asylum-seeker. Weather: Baltimore braces for near-90-degree heat Wednesday, with storms more likely Thursday.

Redistricting Update: Maryland’s top court kept a Democratic-backed congressional districting amendment on the November ballot, but ordered wording changes—setting up a fresh fight over how voters will understand what they’re approving. Transportation & Safety: MDOT announced $11.3 million in grants for bike, pedestrian and trail projects statewide, including work tied to the C&O Canal towpath and connections in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties. Ocean City Crackdown: Ocean City launched a Bike Week special event zone with 30 mph limits and tougher enforcement through Sept. 13, with higher penalties for violations. Public Safety Tragedy: Maryland State Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Somerset County where a 67-year-old woman’s death was ruled homicide and a 66-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Local Economy/Jobs: Gov. Wes Moore will attend the opening of Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Innovation Center in Elkton, a 57,000-square-foot facility aimed at advanced defense propulsion work. Community & Culture: The Maryland Renaissance Festival announced a zero-tolerance ban on fursuits, citing repeated incidents that made other guests uncomfortable.

Redistricting: Maryland’s top court kept a Democratic-backed congressional redistricting amendment on the November ballot, but ordered wording changes after finding parts of the original language needed revision. Airport pay: Gov. Wes Moore announced a $18 minimum wage for some BWI airport workers, aiming to keep the airport competitive and retain staff. Public safety: Maryland officials and residents are sounding alarms about rising crime, calling for coordinated action as burglaries and armed robberies strain local confidence. Local culture: Temple Theatre kicks off its 2026-27 mainstage season with “1776, the Musical,” timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Sports (Maryland): The Terps opened strong with a 62-0 rout of Hampton, and later topped Georgetown 3-2 in a top-five men’s soccer matchup. Eastern Shore: Watermen say crabbing this summer hasn’t been the catch problem—it’s the market, with high prices and weaker demand hurting sales.

BWI Workers Pay Raise: Gov. Wes Moore announced Labor Day that direct Maryland Aviation Administration contract workers at BWI will get a $1-an-hour bump to a $18 minimum, with emergency legislation planned in 2027 to extend wage increases to indirect workers under the Secure Maryland Wage Act. Transit Update: Metro’s Red Line reopened three stations Monday—Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda—ending a nine-week partial shutdown and restoring rail service after shuttle buses moved more than 1.2 million riders. Airport Perk: Southwest says it’s rolling out passenger lounges at select airports, with the first wave including Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and access tied to a new Chase Rapid Rewards card launching in 2027. ICE Clash in Frederick: Protesters allege ICE tried to run them over with an SUV during a weekend stakeout in Frederick; no arrests were reported. Courts & Voting: Maryland’s Supreme Court cleared a Democratic-backed redistricting amendment for the November ballot, ordering wording changes. Public Safety: Maryland State Police are investigating a Sunday Baltimore County crash on I-695/I-70 that sent 11 people to hospitals. Lottery: Maryland Lottery Pick 3 and Pick 4 results for Sept. 6 were released.

Redistricting Fight in Court: Maryland’s top court cleared a Democratic-backed congressional districting amendment for the November ballot, but ordered wording changes—keeping the political fight alive heading into certification. AI for Local Business: Gov. Wes Moore rolled out an expanded AI tool, Maryland Community Compass, to help communities and entrepreneurs find grants, loans, and zoning info. Labor Day Weather & Travel: Forecasts point to pleasant Labor Day conditions across Maryland, with reminders about crowds and higher gas prices for drivers. Public Safety on Roads: A wrong-way crash on Route 13 in Wicomico County sent multiple people to treatment after a collision with an MSP patrol vehicle; separately, an I-695 crash near I-70 injured 11 after a van hit a tractor-trailer and overturned. Community & Education: UM’s SGA is operating without a fully seated legislature, and College of Southern Maryland released its Summer 2026 dean’s list. Sports (Local): Maryland’s field hockey topped Duke in a 3-2 shootout, while Navy’s Salem opener and other local matchups filled the weekend slate. National Incident With Maryland Link: An American Airlines passenger restrained with duct tape after racist and anti-LGBTQ slurs was identified as an Arizona realtor, Arthur Lundeen, with the flight diverted to Baltimore.

Maryland Politics: Rep. Jamie Raskin says the U.S. Supreme Court is “stacked” and “gerrymandered,” as Maryland’s redistricting fight keeps heating up. Election Law: The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to revive mail-ballot restrictions before the midterms, after a federal judge blocked the plan. Redistricting Ballot: Maryland’s Supreme Court cleared a redistricting amendment for the November ballot, setting up Question 3. Local Safety: A van crash on the Beltway near I-70 in Woodlawn left 11 people injured. Fatal Crash: In Jessup, a hit-and-run involving a parked Howard County police cruiser killed one man; the state’s independent investigators took over. Crime/Police Accountability: Baltimore police allegedly held the wrong person at gunpoint and didn’t read Miranda rights, according to reports. Health & Aging: Johns Hopkins neurologists point to eating changes as possible early dementia warning signs. Sports: Maryland opened football with a 62-0 rout of Hampton, while UConn crushed Lafayette 56-7.

Maryland Football: The Terps opened the season with a 62-0 shutout of Hampton in College Park, piling up 646 total yards and six rushing touchdowns as DeJuan Williams went 94 yards for a score and Malik Washington threw a TD. Public Safety: A multi-vehicle crash on Suitland Parkway near Branch Avenue left two people critically injured and eight others sent to hospitals for evaluation. Health Watch: First responders in Gaithersburg transported 12 residents after carbon monoxide was detected in three apartment buildings; officials say the source was a stove and residents were allowed back. Air Travel Incident: An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark diverted to Baltimore after a disruptive passenger allegedly used racist and homophobic slurs and became violent; witnesses say he was restrained with duct tape and zip ties. Policy & Rights: A national debate over noncitizen voting continues as states and Congress weigh how to handle local ballots and proof of citizenship.

Immigration & Public Safety: Federal immigration agents clashed with protesters in Frederick, with officials saying agents used vehicles to clear sidewalks and dragged people from a porch during a long stakeout. Air Travel Incident: An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark diverted to Baltimore after a passenger was restrained with duct tape and zip ties; witnesses and officials allege racial slurs and assault, and the FBI is involved. Local Fire: A Lexington Park man was held without bond after a Comfort Inn fire that investigators say caused major damage, with arson and other charges filed. Elections: Maryland election officials certified a handful of third-party candidates for the Nov. 3 ballot, including a Green Party contender for Congress. Health: TidalHealth announced free drive-thru flu clinics across Maryland counties in September and October. Weather & Recovery: Pepco reported thousands of customers still without power after severe storms, with restoration focused on smaller outages. Policy & Housing: Maryland updated income rules for free and reduced-price school meals, expanding who qualifies.

Immigration & Courts: DHS widened a pathway for certain US-born children of foreign government employees to register as lawful permanent residents, but the change is limited by a federal court injunction affecting how it can be implemented in Maryland. Public Safety: A wrong-way DUI crash on I-270 in Montgomery County killed a mother and daughter and injured two others; ICE lodged a detainer for the charged suspect. Housing & Homeownership: Gov. Wes Moore announced a new Maryland Mortgage Program product for first responders and teachers, with lower rates and down-payment/closing-cost help. Weather: Severe storms hit the DC region with 70 mph gusts, downed trees, and power outages that also pushed into Maryland. Local Justice: Baltimore’s Fells Point ID checkpoints are set to end after Labor Day weekend. Sports: No. 2 Maryland men’s soccer survived a late scare to beat Delaware 4-3; Adley Rutschman returned to Camden Yards as the Red Sox edged the Orioles 6-5. Business/Community: The Maryland State Fair’s dairy shake-off crowned local TV staff with a Maryland-flavor creation.

Baltimore City Tree: Baltimore has named the tuliptree (liriodendron tulipifera) as its new official City Tree, replacing the Chanticleer pear after 50 years, as part of a TreeBaltimore push for a more climate-resilient, native urban forest. St. Mary’s County Planning: A Chesapeake Bay passenger ferry idea is back in the county’s 2050 comprehensive plan language after being removed earlier, though commissioners still flag major unknowns. Health & Safety: Maryland reported a record 59 heat-related deaths this summer, and a large tree crash in Reisterstown sent five people to hospitals with minor injuries. Courts & Politics: A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump “birth tourism” measures, calling parts “almost certainly unconstitutional,” while Maryland’s Supreme Court fight over redistricting continues to shape the November ballot. State Services: Comptroller Brooke Lierman discussed the new Maryland Tax Connect portal, replacing decades-old systems. Environment: The Maryland AG charged a Wicomico County septic worker accused of illegal sewage dumping in woods near homes.

Maryland Politics: Maryland’s top court cleared a Democratic-backed congressional redistricting amendment for the November ballot, but ordered changes to the wording—another twist in a fast-moving legal fight over how districts are drawn. State Government & Public Safety: Prince George’s County Public Schools leaders faced renewed backlash over bus routing problems, with families reporting delays and missed assignments even after the district said it cleared an early backlog. Courts & Schools: A lawsuit alleges the Montgomery County Board of Education failed to protect a former student from teacher Daniel J. Picca despite years of complaints. Economy & Cost of Living: AAA says Labor Day gas prices are poised to set a record at the pump, driven by crude oil staying near $90 a barrel. Community & Education: Governor Wes Moore highlighted Asian American leadership in his administration at an Indian American fundraiser, praising Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and other senior officials. Local Infrastructure: Maryland’s MARC rail service is expanding with a new run-through train linking Montgomery County and Baltimore.

Transportation & Infrastructure: MDOT released its $21.9B draft six-year transportation plan (FY27-32), highlighting major work tied to the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild and upgrades at Martin State Airport. Public Transit: MARC is adding direct “run-through” weekday service linking Montgomery and Frederick counties to Baltimore, reducing the need to transfer. Local Development: Gov. Wes Moore expanded the Maryland Community Compass, an AI-powered, free platform meant to streamline zoning and funding data for entrepreneurs and community builders. Workplace Policy: Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) employer registration is now open, with payroll deductions starting Jan. 1, 2027. Safety & Crime: A former Prince George’s K-9 handler was arrested in an Anne Arundel explosive-device investigation. Courts: A federal judge in Maryland blocked Trump’s latest birthright citizenship order. Health & Community: Maryland Judiciary’s annual bookmark contest is open, asking K-8 students to design art about peacemaking and conflict resolution. Traffic/Crash: Prince Frederick Road in Hughesville was closed after a serious head-on crash involving three vehicles.