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Army Col. Yolanda Gore Advocates for More Female Leaders in Military at Fort Meade Ceremony

Army Col. Yolanda Gore Advocates for More Female Leaders in Military at Fort Meade Ceremony

Army Col. Yolanda Gore, the first Black woman to lead Fort George G. Meade, called for increased female leadership in the military during a ceremony marking the end of her tenure. Gore emphasized the need for women to lead at all levels, highlighting her two-year service as garrison commander. The ceremony was initially set to transfer command to Col. Sunny Keuhl, but plans changed without explanation. Gore's tenure included navigating federal policy changes and strengthening community partnerships. Her call for more female leaders comes amid shifting policies under President Trump, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial stance on women in combat roles.
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Maryland Senate Approves Redistricting Amendment Amid Legal Challenge Concerns

Maryland Senate Approves Redistricting Amendment Amid Legal Challenge Concerns

The Maryland Senate has given final approval to House Bill 2100, a constitutional amendment aimed at overriding a 2022 court ruling that restricted efforts to redraw the state's congressional districts. This amendment, if approved by voters, would allow Maryland to engage in mid-decade redistricting, a move supported by Governor Wes Moore. The bill has sparked controversy, with Republicans arguing it could lead to the loss of their only congressional seat in the state. Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. and Senate Minority Whip Sen. Justin Ready have expressed intentions to challenge the amendment in court, citing concerns over the timing and potential legal implications. The amendment must be submitted to state election officials by August 5 to appear on the November ballot.
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Democrats Face Backlash Over Support for Laken Riley Act Amid Primary Challenges

Democrats Face Backlash Over Support for Laken Riley Act Amid Primary Challenges

The Laken Riley Act, passed in early 2025, mandates federal law enforcement to detain and deport immigrants charged with nonviolent crimes, even if not convicted. This legislation, named after a murdered Georgia college student, has become a contentious issue for Democrats who supported it. Forty-six Democrats joined Republicans in passing the act, which critics argue aligns with President Trump's mass deportation agenda. The act has become a liability for some Democrats in primary elections, with opponents using it to challenge their immigration stance. In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has criticized Rep. Angie Craig's support for the act, calling it disqualifying. Similar challenges are occurring in Maryland and Arizona, where Democrats face attacks over their votes. Some lawmakers have expressed regret, while others stand by their decision, highlighting the evolving political landscape around immigration enforcement.
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The year in review: Influential people who have died in 2026

The year in review: Influential people who have died in 2026

Known for his Southern drawl, political flexibility and hawkish foreign policy, Lindsey Graham was an influential Republican in the U.S. Senate with an ability to befriend colleagues of different political persuasions
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Maryland Voters to Decide on Redistricting Amendment Impacting Rep. Andy Harris

Maryland Voters to Decide on Redistricting Amendment Impacting Rep. Andy Harris

Maryland voters will soon decide on a constitutional amendment that could significantly alter the state's congressional redistricting process. The amendment, if approved, would allow state legislators to redraw congressional districts before the 2028 elections, potentially affecting the seat of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, Maryland's only Republican member of Congress. The bill, signed by Democratic Governor Wes Moore, passed with a three-fifths majority in both chambers of the state legislature. The proposed amendment aims to shift the redistricting standards from state-level requirements to looser federal guidelines, which could lead to changes in district boundaries. Harris has criticized the amendment, arguing it would lead to gerrymandering that diminishes the influence of rural voters on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The amendment will be on the ballot for the November elections, and if passed, it could face legal challenges.
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Tariff Refunds Issued to Big Companies, Consumers Unlikely to Benefit

Tariff Refunds Issued to Big Companies, Consumers Unlikely to Benefit

Tariff Refunds Issued to Big Companies, Consumers Unlikely to Benefit
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President Trump Initiates $5.1 Million Gilding Project for D.C. Statues

President Trump Initiates $5.1 Million Gilding Project for D.C. Statues

President Donald Trump has launched a $5.1 million project to gild four historic statues near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The statues, gifts from Italy post-World War II, are being covered in 23K gold leaf by The Gilders' Studio, a Maryland-based firm. The statues, part of The Arts of War and The Arts of Peace, were installed in 1951 and are undergoing restoration to enhance their visual appeal. The project, which began in April, is part of Trump's broader initiative to revamp D.C.'s landmarks, with the first pair of statues, Valor and Sacrifice, already unveiled.
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Empty pews and fear of ICE on Maryland’s Eastern Shore after TPS ends for Haitians

Empty pews and fear of ICE on Maryland’s Eastern Shore after TPS ends for Haitians

These are harrowing days for the Word of Life Center, a church that has long been a vibrant hub of the Haitian community in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region
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Maryland's HB 2100: Potential Redistricting Changes and Political Implications

Maryland's HB 2100: Potential Redistricting Changes and Political Implications

The Maryland General Assembly has passed House Bill 2100, a constitutional amendment aimed at changing the rules for congressional redistricting. The bill, passed along party lines, seeks to clarify that state-level compactness and boundary rules apply only to state legislative districts, not federal congressional seats. This move comes after a 2022 court ruling that applied these standards to congressional districts. The bill will be put to a public vote in November 2026. If approved, it would allow Maryland to redraw its congressional map mid-decade, potentially altering the political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections.
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Trump Administration Refunds $100 Billion in Tariffs Following Supreme Court Ruling

Trump Administration Refunds $100 Billion in Tariffs Following Supreme Court Ruling

The Trump administration has refunded approximately $100 billion, which is about 60% of the $166 billion collected from tariffs imposed in 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that IEEPA did not authorize such tariffs. Following the ruling, a federal judge ordered that the collected tariffs be refunded to importers. Despite the setback, President Trump remains committed to tariffs as a key component of his economic and foreign policy agendas. The administration is exploring alternative legal avenues to re-establish similar tariff regimes, although these efforts are already facing legal challenges.
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Trump Administration's Political Influence on Maryland Energy Funding

Trump Administration's Political Influence on Maryland Energy Funding

The Trump administration has admitted to blocking millions in energy funding for Maryland due to political reasons. The funds were intended for projects to enhance the power grid and explore renewable energy technologies. The decision was influenced by Maryland's Democratic representation and its support for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. This revelation has sparked criticism and highlights the political dynamics affecting federal funding decisions.
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Maryland lawmakers get closer to asking voters to clear the way for redistricting helping Democrats

Maryland lawmakers get closer to asking voters to clear the way for redistricting helping Democrats

Maryland voters could be asked to decide in November whether to clear the way for a new congressional map that would favor Democrats in all eight of the state’s U.S. House districts