AGP Executive Report

Maryland Primary Day: Maryland voters head to the polls Tuesday in closed primaries, choosing nominees for governor, key state offices, and all eight U.S. House seats; early voting was light, with more than 138,000 ballots cast in the first seven days and nearly 165,000 mail-in ballots received by midweek. Election Watch: The day’s primaries across New York, Maryland, Utah, plus South Carolina runoffs, are being framed as a test of political influence—especially the reach of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Trump’s endorsements. Transportation & Growth: DelDOT is taking public comment on its Route 16 Coastal Corridors study through Milton, focusing on multimodal fixes and future planning rather than widening. Local Infrastructure: Maryland’s SHA and Anne Arundel County will hold a public open house on the I-97 Safety and Mobility Project to ease a major bottleneck by adding lanes and upgrading bridges. Southern Maryland Vision: The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area unveiled its master plan, aiming to boost heritage tourism, local economies, and conservation over the next decade. Community Notes: Rose Valley’s BSA Troop 272 announced two new Eagle Scouts, and Montgomery County’s grants office released its latest newsletter with upcoming FY27 opportunities.

Baltimore Politics & Courts: A federal lawsuit and EEOC complaint accuse Mayor Brandon M. Scott of racial discrimination in the firing of former East Baltimore Development Inc. real estate executive Andrew C. Freeman, with the mayor’s office saying it will respond in court. Violence Prevention: Scott also announced a public engagement process for Baltimore’s second Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, with neighborhood listening sessions starting June 24. Public Safety & Weather: The DC region and parts of Maryland faced severe thunderstorm watches and warnings Monday evening, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and hail possible. National Mall Fallout: As the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation continues to fail—algae returns and sealant peels—Trump blames “vandals,” while officials and reporting raise questions about what’s actually been proven. Health & Policy: Maryland opioid overdose deaths are down 57% since the pandemic peak, tied to tools like naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Business & Local Economy: Abarca Health and LucyRx plan to combine to scale an independent pharmacy benefit manager model, pending approvals. Transportation: Maryland Transit Administration launched “Ride and Seek,” a July scavenger hunt using transit routes and QR clues. Environment: New research warns sea level rise is swallowing Mid-Atlantic farmland faster than forests.

Maryland Primary Day: Maryland voters head to the polls Tuesday, with Gov. Wes Moore seeking a second term and key congressional primaries drawing national attention as districts face possible redistricting fights ahead of 2028. Road Safety Law: A new Maryland measure signed June 3 will require speed-limiting Intelligent Speed Assistance devices for certain high-risk drivers, starting Oct. 1, 2026. Public Safety & Health: The Ravens announced a $1 million push for Baltimore gun-violence prevention, while Maryland also saw reports of a mass shooting with multiple victims and a separate deadly private plane crash near Bowie. Energy Bills: A Maryland energy debate is heating up as electricity costs are projected to rise, with utilities and regulators weighing reliability, grid upgrades, and future generation. Local Business & Community: Lexington Park’s free Community, Culture & Cuisine festival returns June 27, and Baltimore’s Orioles look to keep momentum as they open a series against the Angels.

Maryland Politics: Maryland voters headed to the polls for the governor primary, with live results and updates rolling in from across the state. U.S.-Iran Diplomacy: VP JD Vance said there’s a chance to “turn over a new leaf” with Iran as talks in Switzerland focused on an interim war deal, but President Trump simultaneously threatened renewed strikes if Iran supports Hezbollah or closes the Strait of Hormuz. Local Weather & Safety: Forecasters warned Monday could bring damaging winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes across Maryland, with storms ramping up after midday. Transportation Incident: A vehicle fire on I-83 in Dauphin County cleared up, with all lanes reopened after crews responded. Public Health: An allergist in Rockville stressed that epinephrine must be carried at all times and stored properly, since heat can make EpiPens less effective. Crime & Courts: A former Voice of America employee from Maryland was sentenced to federal prison for making threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Aviation: Three Israelis died after a small plane crash in Maryland woods; investigators are still working to determine the cause. Campaign Watch: Maryland Senate candidate Raaheela Ahmed demanded a retraction of a campaign mailer she says contains false and misleading claims.

U.S.-Iran Diplomacy: Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland for fresh talks aimed at extending a 60-day ceasefire, but the mood is tense after Iran said it reimposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—while U.S. officials dispute that ships were stopped. Maryland Public Safety: Maryland State Police reported a fatal single-engine plane crash in Bowie, with an 8 a.m. briefing planned. Local Crime/Politics: A former U.S. Olympian, David Hearn, was arrested after allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool; he denies vandalism and says he only touched peeling coating. Maryland Environment & Enforcement: Maryland Natural Resources Police issued spring citations tied to illegal hunting, fishing violations, weapons charges, and littering on state lands, plus search-and-rescue operations. Community Calendar: CalvertHealth Foundation announced “Soirée by the Bay” on Aug. 13 in Chesapeake Beach, and Southern Maryland’s Buy Local Challenge returns July 27 at Lyon Family Farms. Sports: The Orioles beat the Dodgers 3-2 as Trevor Rogers struck out six and allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings.

Reflecting Pool Fallout: A Bethesda, Maryland ex-Olympian, David Hearn, was arrested after allegedly touching peeling liner at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during Trump’s $14M-plus renovation—while Trump blamed “vandalism” without details. Public Safety in Maryland: Baltimore saw a deadly stretch of violence and crashes, including a 3-year-old girl killed after a stolen-vehicle crash and a 19-year-old scooter rider also dying, as detectives investigate. Health Alert: Maryland confirmed a measles case tied to travel through Dulles and a D.C. urgent care visit, prompting exposure guidance for anyone who may have been there. Maryland Business & Healthcare: Virginia Medical Imaging sued Mary Washington Healthcare for $2.25M, alleging contract and fiduciary breaches tied to outpatient imaging services. World Stage, Local Angle: US VP JD Vance headed to Switzerland for US-Iran talks as Iran claimed the Strait of Hormuz was shut again—raising uncertainty for global shipping and oil flows. Sports & Culture: Shohei Ohtani announced the birth of his second child, while Maryland-area soccer tourism chatter points to World Cup spillover benefits for local businesses.

Preakness Stakes Power Play: Maryland moved to secure the Preakness brand by matching Churchill Downs’ $85M offer, aiming to keep the race tied to Pimlico and protect the event’s future. Labor & Retail: Apple’s Towson Town Center store is set to permanently close, with union workers and Maryland lawmakers accusing the company of targeting organized labor. Public Health Alert: Clover Hill Dairy expanded a listeria recall to cover all its cheese products after one death and multiple hospitalizations/illnesses were linked to contamination risk. Election Integrity: Maryland joined other Democratic-led states passing laws to limit federal interference in elections, including rules around mail-ballot counting deadlines. Local Politics Clash: A complaint alleges a fight at a Montgomery County early voting site involving a state delegate and a union leader. ICE Detention Update: Salah Sarsour was released from ICE custody and vowed to continue advocacy. Business/Tech: A leaked list exposed participants in Peter Thiel’s secretive Dialog retreats, mixing politicians, tech leaders, and media figures. Safety Incident: Westminster police cleared a suspicious canister found at a gas station after bomb technicians determined it wasn’t explosive.

Preakness Power Move: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the state will exercise its right of first refusal to secure the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan intellectual property, aiming to keep the brand in Maryland rather than under an outside license. Juneteenth in Maryland: Annapolis kicked off its third annual Juneteenth weekend at historic Carr’s Beach, while Gov. Moore joined community leaders in Montgomery County’s Scotland area for the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival. Baltimore Civil Rights Legacy: WBAL highlighted the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in West Baltimore, the renovated school where Marshall attended, as part of America 250 coverage. Election Access Fight: A lawsuit challenges Maryland’s closed primaries that bar more than 1 million unaffiliated voters from participating, with plaintiffs arguing it’s a voting rights issue. Public Safety & Local Alerts: Westminster police cleared a suspicious package after evacuations and road closures. Health & Policy: New findings from SLEEP 2026 in Baltimore discuss how sleep disorders tie to cardiovascular risk and how home sleep testing is being pulled into GLP-1 coverage pathways.

Preakness Power Move: Maryland is matching Churchill Downs’ $85 million offer to secure the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes intellectual property, using tax-exempt revenue bonds rather than the general fund—keeping the iconic brand under state control as Pimlico and Laurel Park plans move forward. Primary Politics & Voting Access: Early voting wrapped with light turnout, and unaffiliated voters are challenging Maryland’s closed primaries, arguing independents shouldn’t have to join a party to vote. Baltimore Public Safety & ICE: Two Baltimore parents were detained outside their child’s school by ICE, reigniting debate over whether federal agents should be entering school grounds and how the incident is being described. Education & Skills: Maryland students brought home nine medals at the National SkillsUSA conference, including gold in multiple career and technical categories. Community & Culture: Towson Town Center added parental guidance after a “teen takeover” flyer circulated online, while Baltimore’s Confederate monuments reportedly returned to storage without public details.

Preakness Stakes Power Move: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the state exercised its right of first refusal to match Churchill Downs’ $85 million bid for the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan IP rights—keeping the branding and long-term control in state hands as the deal with Churchill falls apart. Primary Season Watch: Maryland voters head into the final stretch of early voting amid closed-primary rules facing a court challenge, while Tuesday’s primary is set to decide most county races. Eastern Shore Water Worries: Persistent drought is pushing Eastern Shore groundwater to emergency lows, leaving well users weighing costly deeper drilling as officials urge voluntary conservation. Border Crackdowns: CBP seized 139 pounds of Ethiopian khat at Dulles and intercepted about five tons of marijuana in Baltimore bound for England. Legal Drama in the Mangione Case: Luigi Mangione’s lawyers withdrew a psychiatric defense plan just a day after filing it, raising the stakes for his upcoming state trial. Business & Health: A $40 million settlement resolves allegations that a major grocery pharmacy chain inflated prescription drug billing to federal programs.

Maryland Politics & Elections: A new Maryland law banning deceptive election deepfakes is in the spotlight after GOP gubernatorial candidate Ed Hale posted an AI-altered image of Gov. Wes Moore, escalating a fight over primary meddling. Utility Rates & Consumer Protection: Maryland lawmakers and advocates are again debating how to rein in utility bills, with attention on whether the state can push down profit levels through Public Service Commission rate-setting. Government Service Strain: The Maryland Comptroller’s Office says it lacks enough staff to answer taxpayer calls as hold times hit their worst in more than a decade, ahead of a major tax system overhaul. Housing & Zoning: Rockville’s “missing middle” upzoning plan is getting a boost from a local Realtors’ study, arguing it could add units and expand homeownership without crushing nearby property values. Local Governance & Campaign Costs: County executive primaries across Maryland are drawing heavy spending, with fundraising surging in several races as candidates chase open seats. Business & Jobs: Ocean State Job Lot is holding hiring events in Vermont, a reminder of how retail recruitment is still moving fast in the Mid-Atlantic. Sports: Orioles closer Ryan Helsley returned from injury and helped Baltimore keep its bullpen rolling as the team closes out its series in Seattle.

Key Bridge Fallout in Baltimore: Federal prosecutors charged the Dali’s chief engineer in the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, alleging he failed to alert the Coast Guard about hazardous conditions; the case is set for trial in 2027. GOP Primary Fight: Maryland Republican Ed Hale says Gov. Wes Moore’s campaign ads are “meddling” in the GOP gubernatorial primary, while Moore’s team keeps airing the messages. Anne Arundel Probate Election: Voters head to a probate leadership primary after scandals tied to the register of wills office and misconduct involving orphans’ court judges; incumbent Jasmine Jackson faces challenger Courtney Buiniskis. Harford County Solar/Battery Clash: County Executive Bob Cassilly is preparing possible legal action over SB 931-driven solar and battery storage proposals on prime ag land, citing fire and environmental concerns. Business & Jobs: West Marine will close its Edgewater store as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring, while Farm Credit of the Virginias is accepting nonprofit grant applications through June 30. Sports & Local Life: The Mariners recalled Connor Joe ahead of a home game vs. the Orioles, and a Towson-area Potomac search ended with a student found dead.

Key Bridge case in Baltimore: A federal judge set the criminal trial tied to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse for October 2027, but questions remain about whether key defendant Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair can be brought to court from India. Public safety and accountability: Maryland’s AG says a Baltimore man, Saad Al Qutaibi, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay over $68,000 for a cigarette smuggling tax fraud scheme involving counterfeit Maryland tax stamps. Climate and energy: Gov. Wes Moore is pushing Maryland toward 100% clean electricity by 2035, while state reporting highlights ongoing progress and the policy work needed to get there. Local governance and business: Baltimore City moved to crack down on smoke shops through sweeping new legislation, while Maryland also faces broader economic pressure as foreclosure filings rise nationally and data centers keep fueling local debates. Sports and culture: Cal Raleigh returned for the Orioles in a Mariners win, and the River Concert Series kicks off Friday in St. Mary’s City.

Baltimore Smoke Shop Crackdown: Mayor Brandon Scott signed new zoning rules that ban new smoke shops within 750 feet of schools, parks, recreation centers, and other smoke shops, with existing shops given two years to close—aimed at curbing tobacco and vape sales to minors. Gun Violence Prevention Funding: The Baltimore Ravens announced a $1 million investment tied to the “Baltimore Together” violence prevention summit, backing local groups working on intervention, outreach, and research. ICE Detention Fight in Maryland: A Prince George’s County mother detained by ICE in Baltimore is no longer facing deportation after DHS moved to dismiss her case, with her attorney citing proof of U.S. citizenship. Key Bridge Case Moves Forward: A federal judge set a trial date for the Dali manager’s criminal conspiracy case for Oct. 4, 2027, while prosecutors have already charged the ship’s chief engineer for failing to notify the Coast Guard about hazardous conditions. Maryland Primary Watch: Early voting turnout is lagging sharply behind 2024 levels, with election officials also addressing a mail-in ballot coding error. Eastern Shore Tour: Gov. Wes Moore wrapped up a “Delivering for Maryland” tour on the Eastern Shore, including stops tied to shelter services and workforce recruiting.

Maryland Gambling Stalemate: Maryland’s 2026 session ended with no iGaming bill passed and no sweepstakes-casino path cleared, leaving online casino revenue at zero while residents look to New York’s active proposals. Redistricting Push: Maryland Democrats are lining up a mid-July special session that could put a referendum on removing the Chesapeake Bay district-crossing barrier, potentially reshaping the map around the state’s lone Republican-held seat. Immigration at School: A Montgomery County student press fight escalated as a district memo requires administrative review of student publications, while Baltimore-area coverage continues to swirl around ICE actions tied to school grounds. Water Quality Watch: Community groups are pressing for downstream testing after a jet fuel leak from Joint Base Andrews into Piscataway Creek, arguing agencies didn’t sample where the public actually fishes and boats. Urban Agriculture Grants: The Maryland Department of Agriculture launched a new grant program to expand urban farms and community gardens, targeting storage, sustainable practices, education, and innovative growing solutions. Health & Sleep: New SLEEP 2026 research highlights higher hypertension risk for people with excessive daytime sleepiness plus trouble falling asleep, and points to referral gaps for rural patients at high risk for sleep apnea. Power Line Eminent Domain: A proposed high-voltage transmission line has revived eminent domain concerns for Baltimore County landowners.

ICE at Baltimore schools: Attorneys are seeking release of a couple detained by ICE during morning drop-off at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School, arguing the arrests violated due process; Maryland officials say state limits on ICE access are being tested as ICE cites emergency pursuit. Key Bridge case: Federal prosecutors added a new criminal charge tied to the Dali disaster against the ship’s chief engineer, while noting a deferred prosecution agreement; the case follows earlier charges against other ship personnel. Data center fight in Montgomery: The County Council is holding public hearings on competing proposals to pause data center permitting—one for six months, one for two years—amid concerns about impacts on the county’s energy and infrastructure. PFAS alert: Montgomery County posted fencing and a health advisory after testing found elevated “forever chemicals” in a stormwater pond and nearby stream near Great Seneca Highway and Key West Avenue. Maryland tax modernization: The Comptroller announced Maryland Tax Connect, a new secure online portal for individuals starting Sept. 1, replacing a legacy system after decades. Urban agriculture funding: The Maryland Department of Agriculture launched a grant program to support urban farms and community gardens, including storage, sustainable practices, education, and innovative growing solutions.