AGP Executive Report

Music & Civic Energy: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello announced the Power to the People fest, with a big lineup set for Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia—an election-season push for “hope and justice.” Local Arts & Community: Arts Annapolis returns June 13 with free, citywide performances, vendors, and hands-on activities as part of Annapolis Arts Week. Education & Tech Policy: Maryland’s new AI Ready Schools Act kicks in, requiring K-12 AI learning guidelines, teacher training, and AI literacy by June 2027. Immigration & Daily Life: Gov. Wes Moore says the Trump administration is holding back Maryland schools, while new Maryland laws set limits on federal immigration enforcement inside jails, hospitals, and public schools. Money & Accountability: Prince George’s County’s $10M civic plaza funding is under fire after it was fenced off, prompting calls for fiscal transparency. Health & Safety: An AI-ECG story weighs how AI reads century-old heart tests—and where trust and guidelines still lag.

Public Safety & Justice: Maryland crime labs are getting more than $1.3 million to cut DNA testing backlogs and speed up forensic processing, a move aimed at helping violent-offender cases move faster. Education & Community: Anne Arundel County Public Library is bringing back Summer @ Your Library with reading challenges, events, and prizes for kids, teens, and adults. Local Culture: Salisbury’s Shore Walls Mural Festival debuted with seven large-scale murals celebrating community creativity on the Eastern Shore. Health & Daily Life: Doctors nationwide are reporting more preventable childhood illnesses as vaccination rates lag, raising fresh concerns for families. Immigration & Work: Gov. Wes Moore hosted a business roundtable on how federal immigration policy is disrupting Maryland’s workforce and economy. Tech & Privacy: A guide warns that smart glasses blur the usual “notice” rules around recording and privacy, pushing employers to update policies. Sports & Fun: Jason’s Deli in Columbia is rolling out a World Cup “Goal Rush” promotion tied to U.S. men’s scoring.

School Nutrition: New York is keeping universal free school meals in its FY2027 budget, continuing free breakfast and lunch for 2.7M students—an approach tied to better school climate. Baltimore Jewish Community: Baltimore County executive candidates faced questions about the Maryland Israel Development Center (MIDC) and Gaza-related human rights concerns, with Jewish community issues like antisemitism and security in focus. Faith & Justice: Pope Leo XIV’s slavery apology is called “proper and just” by Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr., who urges concrete action to heal slavery’s legacy. Health & Aging: A new look at hearing loss highlights links to mental and heart health—and points to emerging treatments. Immigration & Public Life: A poll finds most Americans oppose ICE presence at World Cup stadiums, with strong resistance among Democrats and independents. Maryland Education Policy: Maryland’s new AI guidance for schools takes effect, adding training and rules as districts adapt. Community & Environment: Baltimore residents push back on a proposed Jones Falls trash-and-recycling move, warning it could worsen flooding and pollution. Public Safety: A Lusby firefighter returns to service after a life-threatening medical emergency during a house fire. Arts & Heritage: Chesapeake Homelands Project launches Indigenous storytelling videos and conversations from the Eastern Shore. Local Crime Lab Funding: Maryland lawmakers announce $1.3M+ for DNA testing backlogs to speed up forensic processing.

Maryland Education Tech: A new Maryland law that puts guardrails on AI in K-12 schools took effect Monday, requiring state education officials to publish AI guidance and best practices, plus training and an AI coordinator in each district. Prince George’s County Schools: Dr. Shawn Joseph was named permanent superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools, with a focus on boosting literacy and math and improving outcomes for special education and multilingual learners. Online Safety: Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown released guidance for residents, schools, and nonprofits on responding to online hate, harassment, and cyberbullying, including how to report and assess safety risks. Community & Culture: In Bowie, Prince George’s County groups held a “We the People Block Party” ahead of the July 4, 250th anniversary, spotlighting local history, arts, and residents including Indigenous communities, Black history, and new immigrants. Sports Legacy: Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer Raymond Berry died at 93, remembered for his role in the 1958 championship and later coaching the Patriots. Health Watch: Measles and whooping cough are surging in the U.S. amid low vaccination rates and misinformation.

Maryland Education Leadership: Prince George’s County has named Shawn Joseph as permanent superintendent after a year as interim leader, with County Executive Aisha Braveboy saying community feedback showed he’s ready for the next chapter. Local Government & Jobs: Annapolis Mayor Jared Littmann nominated Charles A. Hall Jr. as the city’s next human resources director, tapping his 15+ years of government and education HR experience. Community & Culture: The Baltimore-Washington Conference gathered in Baltimore for its 242nd session under the theme “Rooted in Christ: Love Boldly,” highlighting new worship symbols and a focus on discipleship and justice. Civil Rights Spotlight: The NAACP Baltimore County branch held a “State of Civil Rights Address,” discussing police use-of-force concerns, redistricting, and traffic stops. Sports & Maryland Legacy: Hall of Fame Colts receiver Raymond Berry died at 93, remembered for his iconic partnership with Johnny Unitas and his Baltimore roots. Lifestyle & Learning: Rehoboth Elementary students visited the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center for leadership and resilience lessons tied to Tubman’s legacy.

Education & Access: Two lawsuits from Democratic state attorneys general and education groups challenge the U.S. Education Department’s plan to limit post-baccalaureate student loans, arguing the rules could shrink access to high-demand health-care pathways. School Policy: Maryland’s pre-K expansion is driving a new requirement in major districts: teachers must help with potty training for kids up to age 5, raising questions about roles, training, and classroom realities. Civil Rights & Schools: A weakened Voting Rights Act could reshape school board elections, with concerns that at-large systems make it harder for communities of color to elect preferred candidates. Black Maternal Health & Culture: A Baltimore screening of “The Ebony Canal” spotlights Black infant health and the emotional fallout when childbirth autonomy is taken away. Community Pride & LGBTQ+ Life: Anne Arundel County Public Library rolls out Pride Month programming, including history-focused events and family-friendly activities. Local Events: Harbor Splash returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in a new pop-up format aimed at making the harbor “swimmable, fishable.” STEM & Service: Alpha Phi Alpha’s Charles E. McGee STEM scholarship and a June 20 PoloxJazz fundraiser support HBCU STEM pipelines. Sports & Summer Fun: Maryland International Raceway hosts the NHRA Potomac Nationals with big crowds and championship eliminations set for Sunday. Food & Family: Research finds food allergy burdens can weigh heavily on parents and kids, especially with avoidance of milk, egg, and wheat. History & Reckoning: Maryland marks the Cheltenham boys’ center death toll disparity, with calls for a special commission to investigate institutional racial violence.

White House Security & Tech: President Trump shared AI-made “DronePort” mockups for a planned White House ballroom security upgrade, as lawmakers weigh a reported $1B push for East Wing protection. Southern Maryland Motorsports: The NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway drew big crowds, with top qualifiers set for Sunday eliminations. Early Childhood Policy: Maryland districts are rolling out “pre-K for all” with a state rule requiring teachers to help potty-train children up to age 5. Baltimore Community & Business: Baltimore entrepreneurs are mixing commerce with community service, spotlighting Black-owned efforts like Sistahs’ Sweets. Infrastructure Court Update: After the Key Bridge collapse, families and BGE reached settlements with the Dali owners, while a broader liability fight looms. Local Culture & Faith: ISKCON’s early Rath Yatra in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor sparked backlash from Jagannath devotees over timing and tradition. Nature & Access: Anne Arundel County opened new overnight cabins at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary to expand education and research. Arts for Youth: The “Shining Stars” Washington Showcase highlighted youth creativity and multicultural exchange.

Protest Music in Maryland: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello are bringing the “Power to the People” festival to Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Oct. 3, with Foo Fighters, Public Enemy, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews, Dropkick Murphys and more—plus VoteRiders and HeadCount on site. Local Youth Safety: Ocean View Police will roll out two new programs at Lord Baltimore Elementary School, including CPR/Stop the Bleed training for 5th graders and a K-9 operations day. Motorsports Spotlight: The inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals kicked off at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, putting St. Mary’s County on the national drag-racing map. Immigration & Public Safety: Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler says Maryland’s Community Trust Act puts sheriffs in a no-win conflict with federal immigration rules, as lawsuits challenge the law. Education & Community: Maryland schools and student life stay in focus—from a new nursing lawsuit over federal loan rules to a Baltimore City Public Schools administrator sentenced in an immigration-related case. Culture & Lifestyle Picks: Annapolis gets a summer travel glow-up, while a new poem collection piece explores fascia through knitting-inspired imagery.

Education & Equity: Maryland schools ranked 3rd nationally for post-pandemic reading recovery, with leaders urging a shift back toward print and textbooks, not just more tech. Caregiving Costs: Maryland is cutting self-directed care funding, with planned caregiver wage and hour limits starting July 1—raising fears for families who rely on the model to stay independent. Justice & Public Safety: Seventeen Maryland sheriffs sued the state over a new sanctuary law for illegal aliens, arguing it blocks cooperation with ICE and endangers public safety. Immigration Fallout: Those caught in Trump immigration raids are seeking damages for alleged harm during dragnet operations. Culture & Community: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello announced a Maryland protest music festival, “Power to the People,” at Merriweather on Oct. 3, as Freedom 250 artists pull out over politics. Local History: The Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage returns to Baltimore with 10 historic stops, including Mount Clare Museum and Edgar Allan Poe’s gravesite. Sports & Local Pride: A Bowie “Zip Trip” spotlight highlights the city’s railroad history, parks, and family-friendly attractions.

Baltimore Bridge Fallout: Families of workers killed in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and BGE have settled with the Dali owners, clearing some claims ahead of a broader court fight over liability. Howard County Immigrant Support: The county launched an Immigrant Affairs Task Force to shape an Office of Immigrant Affairs, aiming to expand access to services and safety strategies. ICE Accountability: A charged ICE officer accused in a Minnesota shooting was arrested in Texas, as prosecutors press for accountability. Education & Community: Maryland honored 2026-2027 Teachers of the Year statewide, while Howard County’s Guaranteed Basic Income program seeks its next cohort. Lifestyle & Culture: The Saxophone Lab debuts in Chestertown for its first season, and Baltimore’s Katie Pumphrey is set to host a sold-out Harbor 1-Mile Swim June 7. Tech & Health: Oura Ring 5 lands with a slimmer design and longer battery life. Sports & Spotlight: The Giants’ John Harbaugh downplayed a locker-room spat after Jaxson Dart’s Trump appearance, saying the team used it for real-life conversations.

Local Media Fight: Gov. Moore vetoed SB 459, a bill meant to steer more state advertising dollars to Maryland’s local news outlets—arguing the move misunderstands how today’s local media sells and delivers audiences. Music & Activism: Tom Morello and Bruce Springsteen announced “Power to the People,” a two-stage Oct. 3 protest festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia with Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez and more, with proceeds supporting VoteRiders and HeadCount. Education Watch: Maryland’s Blueprint goals show progress but still fall short, especially on achievement, teacher retention, and chronic absenteeism. Community & Care: Howard County’s Guaranteed Basic Income program is taking applications for its next cohort (25 families), offering monthly cash plus financial literacy. Culture Spotlight: A Garifuna artist will bring Garifuna language and youth empowerment to the Prince George’s County Caribbean Heritage Festival on June 6. Sports & School Pride: Baltimore cut the ribbon on a new turf field and track at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School, aiming to upgrade safe, high-quality athletics for students. Weekend Picks: DelFest returns as a rain-soaked, multi-generation bluegrass and roots celebration in Cumberland.

Local Schools: Allegany County public schools won a state waiver after Wednesday’s flooding cancellations, so the school year still ends June 10. Shore Identity: A debate over who gets to call themselves “from the Shore” is heating up ahead of a Southern Jersey Democratic primary. Sports & Community: The NHRA Potomac Nationals bring major drag racing to Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville May 29–31, boosting Southern Maryland tourism. Activism in Music: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello’s “Power to the People” protest festival lands Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia with Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez and more. Immigration & Courts: Seventeen Maryland sheriffs sue over the Community Trust Act, arguing it blocks cooperation with ICE and raises public-safety risks. Education Policy: Maryland’s Phone Free Schools Act would require new cellphone rules by the 2027–28 school year. Health & Equity: Dr. Valinda Nwadike launches a medical student scholarship focused on maternal health equity and rural telehealth. Paid Leave Planning: Maryland’s FAMLI paid leave program timelines are moving toward 2028, with employer decisions starting late 2026.

Community Safety Clash: Seventeen Maryland sheriffs, including Allegany’s Craig Robertson, sued the state over the Community Trust Act, arguing it blocks cooperation with ICE and forces them to release people back into Maryland communities. Youth Public Safety: Gov. Wes Moore directed the Department of Juvenile Services to build a summer safety strategy focused on prevention, intervention, and workforce and education supports for high-risk youth. School Tech Rules: Maryland’s new “bell-to-bell” cellphone restriction law earned a “B” grade, with supporters praising reduced distractions and opponents watching how local boards will enforce it. Local Culture & Community: Harbor Splash returns to Baltimore’s harbor with pop-up, registration-only swims in Fells Point. Arts & Faith: The Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Laity Session pushed churches to share “love boldly,” while workshops tackled everything from discipleship to the benefits and risks of AI. Science & Health: A gut-microbiome study links long-term changes after colon polyps to higher colorectal cancer risk, and an explainer asks whether AI text detectors can be trusted.

Immigration & Public Safety: Seventeen of Maryland’s 23 sheriffs sued the state in federal court to block the Community Trust Act, arguing it would obstruct federal immigration enforcement and require a “narrow judicial warrant” before transfers—while also limiting local officers from asking about immigration status. Education & Student Health: A lawsuit alleges a Baltimore County teacher at Maidens Choice School drugged a non-verbal autistic student with melatonin daily for about two months, claiming cognitive and medical setbacks; the district says it didn’t know until a whistleblower report. School Policy: Maryland’s new Phone Free Schools Act restricts student cellphone and device use and bans social media during school hours starting in 2027-28, with limited exceptions and no suspension/expulsion solely for violations. Housing & Growth: Gov. Wes Moore signed housing bills to encourage development near transit hubs and grant “vesting rights” to reduce delays from new local rules. Community & Culture: The Baltimore Farmers’ Market returns every Sunday under the Jones Falls Expressway, continuing its long-running role in the city’s food and arts scene. Online Hate: AG Anthony G. Brown released guidance for handling online hate, harassment, and cyberbullying, including how to report and when to seek legal protections.

School Tech Crackdown: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Phone Free Schools Act, pushing districts to limit student cellphone and other personal device use during school hours starting in 2027-28, with bans on social media too—though schools can allow use for learning, health, and emergencies. Juvenile Justice Overhaul: Moore also signed the Youth Charging Reform Act, cutting the list of offenses that automatically send 16- and 17-year-olds to adult court and setting limits on holding minors in adult facilities after 2029. Local Courts vs. Immigration: Some Maryland sheriffs filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the Community Trust Act, arguing it clashes with federal immigration enforcement. Community & Culture: Washington-area families are dealing with National Spelling Bee logistics after the event moved from suburban Maryland to Constitution Hall in D.C. Preservation Spotlight: Washington County honored restoration work at the John Frye Historic Preservation Awards, including the Hoffman Farm project in Keedysville.

Maryland Voting Fight: A mail-in ballot printing error left some voters receiving the wrong party’s primary ballots, and House GOP leaders are now pressing the Maryland State Board of Elections for answers and safeguards ahead of the June 23 primary. Public Safety Overhaul: Gov. Wes Moore signed the Youth Charging Reform Act into law, shifting more 16- and 17-year-old cases into juvenile court while keeping automatic adult charges for the most serious crimes, and also approved a ban on police face coverings during public interactions. State Watch: Maryland’s AG says a Bowie man used Hispanic-sounding surnames on fake life insurance applications, betting the company wouldn’t verify Social Security numbers. Tech & Life Sciences: The Maryland Tech Council named the 2026 ICON Awards winners, spotlighting leaders across healthcare, government contracting, and innovation. Health & Schools: A new report warns of a “reading recession” as test scores lag since pre-pandemic years, while Baltimore arts advocates argue music investment can help students thrive.