Baltimore reaches $8 million settlement with JUUL in youth marketing case

BALTIMORE, MD—The e-cigarette company JUUL Labs has agreed to pay $8 million in a multi-million dollar settlement with the city of Baltimore for marketing to minors and endangering the health of city residents, officials announced this week. According to a press release from the city of Baltimore, the settlement came after a lawsuit filed in 2020 by the city alleged […]

Maryland DOT $18.9 billion transportation investment plan

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation this week released its Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2030. The program outlines $18.9 billion in spending for transportation infrastructure and operations. The $18.9 billion plan represents a 1.3 billion decrease from the final capital program for fiscal year 2024 to 2029 due to reduced economic growth and an […]

Baltimore City employee admits to bribery, PPP fraud

BALTIMORE, MD—A former Baltimore City employee has admitted to taking bribes and defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Joseph Gillespie, 35, of Baltimore, was found to have stolen more than $250,000 in bribes and received more than $138,000 in fraudulent PPP loans. Gillespie pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery. He worked for the […]

Police bust 11 illegal car rallies in and around Baltimore overnight

BALTIMORE, MD—Members of the Maryland Car Rally Task Force working in collaboration with the Maryland State Police Special Operations Division, the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) and allied police agencies disrupted eleven unlawful exhibition driving events throughout Baltimore and in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties overnight, including one in the White Marsh area. Police responded to several […]

Maryland invests $20 million in education programs, online educational tool to be deployed in Baltimore County

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The State of Maryland has announced a $20 million investment in education by funding a partnership between Arnold Ventures and the Maryland State Department of Education to scale and expand successful programs that provide students with support in math. The initiative, Maryland Partnership for Proven Programs, will use matching funds from both parties to support selected programs that are […]

MSDE updates free school meal income guidelines

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) this week announced updates to the Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for free and reduced-price school meals, effective from August 28, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The guidelines, updated annually by the federal government, were adopted by MSDE through June 30, 2025. The eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is determined based on […]

Maryland State Police to boost Labor Day weekend DUI enforcement

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland State Police have announced that they plan to increase enforcement during the Labor Day weekend in an effort to reduce drunk driving. From August 30 to September 2, Maryland State Police plan to conduct saturation patrols across the state. The initiative is part of the Maryland State Police’s Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, which is trained to identify […]