AGP Executive Report

Surveillance & Privacy: Maryland AG Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over demands for CDL driver data, arguing the federal government is building a sensitive database without safeguards or notice. Public Safety & Families: Baltimore Baby Fund supporters cleared signature hurdles for a November ballot measure that would provide $1,000 newborn payments (cash or supplies/subsidies), with funding questions still front and center. Education & Teachers: Charles County Public Schools won additional grant funding for its “Grow Your Own” teacher pipeline, including cost-free tuition support for conditional teachers. Community & Culture: Baltimore’s Charm City Crush women’s hockey team continues to build local momentum, while a new “Legends of Westchester” documentary series spotlights sports icons tied to the region. Health & Everyday Life: A report links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower key nutrients, and Maryland’s “summer of ick” roundup points to rising heat-linked infections and parasites. Tech & Work: A Prince George’s County AI firm, Cloudforce, is expanding at National Harbor, adding 250 jobs over five years.

Prince George’s County Jobs & AI: Gov. Wes Moore announced Cloudforce is expanding at National Harbor, adding 250 new Maryland jobs and doubling its headquarters footprint to support its secure AI platform. Education Policy: Garrett County Public Schools will implement a new cellphone ban in class, aligning with state requirements that phase in by 2027-28. Arts & Community: Chesapeake Arts Center is gearing up for a 25th anniversary gala, “Layers and Light,” Oct. 23 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Southern Maryland Family Fun: Little Flower School’s 11th Annual Patriot Day 5K is set for Sept. 5 in St. Mary’s County, with a 1-mile kids’ run and local-hero awards. Local Civic Life: Kent County’s Democratic Club will host KCPS Superintendent Mary Boswell-McComas Aug. 20 to discuss middle school plans and priorities for academic growth. Health & Daily Life: A new review links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower levels of key nutrients like vitamin A and selenium, while noting the findings show associations, not proof of cause.

Maryland Courts & Tech: Maryland’s tax court struck down the state’s digital advertising tax and ordered refunds to major tech firms including Apple, Google, and Peacock, citing conflicts with federal rules and constitutional protections. Community & Family: Baltimore Baby Fund cleared its signature hurdle for a November ballot measure that would provide $1,000 in cash or supplies to parents of newborns, with supporters touting stability and critics questioning funding sources. Health & Disability Advocacy: A Maryland professor, Berhanu Kibret, remains in ICE custody after being detained at a Texas airport following a “Teacher of the Year” award, prompting calls from Sen. Chris Van Hollen and attorneys for his release. Local Culture & Sports: Patuxent High field hockey is chasing a state title after a Final Four run, while Mark Twain Green is building bigger nightlife experiences in St. Mary’s County. Arts & Community Life: A new elective ultrasound studio, Precious Baby Sono, opens in Prince Frederick Sept. 1 for pregnancy bonding experiences. Public Safety & Crime: Police say a Jonesboro man was arrested after two hit-and-runs injured four pedestrians, including two critically.

Local Grants: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland is sending nearly $20 million in FY27 community grants back to Anne Arundel County, including major boosts for fire, police, parks, and local schools. Education Policy: Maryland’s digital advertising tax has been struck down by the state tax court, with refunds ordered for Apple, Google, and Peacock TV—an issue that’s drawing attention from other states watching similar proposals. Community & Culture: A new Free Blockbuster box in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood is reviving movie nights and community connection by letting people leave and borrow DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS, and even video games. Family Life: Precious Baby Sono is opening in Prince Frederick, offering elective ultrasound “bonding” visits starting Sept. 1. Health & Wellness: A new review links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower levels of key nutrients like vitamin A and E, adding fuel to the ongoing push for healthier eating. Local Voices: A Baltimore teen is building natural hair care education through her own initiative, turning personal experience into community support. Sports & Entertainment: The Eagles kick off preseason tonight vs. the Ravens in Baltimore, with Kalshi promotions circulating around the matchup.

Digital Tax Ruling: Maryland’s tax court struck down the state’s digital advertising tax and ordered refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock TV, saying it violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act and constitutional protections. Chesapeake Bay Update: Gov. Wes Moore says Maryland hit nearly all 2025 Chesapeake Bay restoration goals, but some watermen dispute whether the numbers match what they’re seeing on the water. Immigration & Community Impact: Immigrant advocates report increased ICE activity in the Baltimore area, while a Maryland teacher detained by ICE awaits his next court step. Local Culture & Belonging: Baltimore’s “Free Blockbuster” in Hampden is reviving movie nights and community ties, and a Silver Spring crowd packed Jamaica Fest for music, food and Caribbean entrepreneurship. Health & Family Support: A Bethesda-area counseling practice is spotlighting premarital counseling as a practical way to reduce divorce risk, and an African immigrant-focused Maryland nonprofit is expanding “food as medicine” with culturally familiar produce. Sports & Youth: Under Armour’s Next City Classic brings NBA and top high school talent back to St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.

Digital Tax Ruling: Maryland’s first-in-the-nation digital advertising gross revenues tax was struck down by the state Tax Court, with refunds ordered for Apple, Google and Peacock TV—raising fresh questions about how the state funds education. Immigration & Public Safety: A Maryland professor, Berhanu Kibret, awaits a bond decision after detention by ICE, while immigrant advocates warn that increased ICE activity is fueling fear across the Baltimore area. Education Updates: Charles County schools shift to a new state test this year as MCAP scores remain low, and a Montgomery County judge found a Gaithersburg woman accused of assaulting administrators at an elementary school not competent for trial. Tech, Privacy & Power: A coalition of Democratic attorneys general, including Maryland, sued to block the Trump administration from accessing commercial driver’s license data—arguing it threatens privacy. Culture & Community: Ocean City’s “Artists Paint OC” returns with 50 plein-air artists, and Kent County Master Gardeners announce a fall plant sale. Health & Food: A new review links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower key nutrient levels, adding to the ongoing nutrition debate.

Immigration & Community Safety: We Are CASA says ICE activity is escalating across the Baltimore area, with a hotline seeing heavy calls about detentions and violence, urging residents to report sightings. Local Government Transparency: Maryland agencies have reportedly stopped answering routine questions from several news outlets, sending inquiries for legal review tied to a private defamation lawsuit involving Gov. Wes Moore. Education & Tech Use: Montgomery County Public Schools is auditing student screen time in grades K-8, aiming to cut unnecessary device use and check whether filters block inappropriate content. Higher Ed & Legal Fight: The DOJ is suing New York, Connecticut and Vermont over in-state tuition for immigrants, and Maryland is listed among states facing similar challenges. ICE Detention Impact on Academia: A University of Maryland pharmacy instructor, Berhanu Kibret, is set for a bond hearing after airport detention. Health & Daily Life: A physician explains what happens after gallbladder removal, including temporary digestive changes. Food Safety: Lidl recalled a wok spice mix sold in Maryland after Salmonella was found in testing. Culture & Community: Magoobys Joke House plans a second Baltimore location in Hampden, and Salisbury University planted a genetic clone of Maryland’s Liberty Tree as part of the DAR’s Legacy of Liberty project.

Education & Inclusion: Queen Anne’s County Public Schools reviewed its FY27 special education staffing plan, aiming to keep students with disabilities learning alongside peers while addressing a shortage of special educators. School Tech Policy: Talbot County’s board discussed how AI should support—never replace—human judgment, with AI-assisted decisions subject to oversight. Public Safety in Schools: Baltimore City Public Schools’ new CEO Dr. Jermaine Dawson says school safety and prevention will be central, including restorative approaches to reduce suspensions. Civil Rights & Accountability: A new ACLU report examines 143 Maryland police-custody deaths from 2015–2023, citing institutional failures and highlighting racial disparities. Energy Costs: Baltimore residents and leaders pushed back against a proposed BGE rate hike that could add about $8 a month, with many customers already behind. Community & Culture: Atlantic Union Bank opened a new Baltimore branch and announced local donations, while Kent County Master Gardeners set a fall plant sale and clinic in Chestertown. Lifestyle & Learning: College of Southern Maryland students are building career skills through CSM’s Center for Career Development and Success, including hands-on internships and robotics support. Health & Food: A review links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower levels of key nutrients like vitamin A and E, though it stops short of proving cause. Money & Odds: Powerball’s jackpot is nearing $1 billion after no top winner, with Maryland among states selling Match 5 prizes.

Health & Food: A new review links higher ultra-processed food intake with lower levels of key nutrients like vitamin A and E, though researchers stress it shows associations, not cause. Community & Culture: Baltimore’s Runway Revolution marks four years of mentorship and fashion education for emerging designers. Local Arts & Wellness: After heart surgery, Baltimore artist Ainsley Burrows is back at full speed with a defibrillator now part of his life. Education Policy: Garrett County Public Schools is taking public comment on the Wayfinder K-12 curriculum, aimed at social-emotional skills and readiness. Schools & Tech: Queen Anne’s County approved a phone-free, screen-free school day under Maryland’s Phone-Free Schools Act. Immigration & Faith: Catholic bishops are urging lawmakers to protect Haitian TPS as deportation fears rise. Maryland Economy: Sports wagering in Maryland topped $8.4M in July tax revenue, feeding the Blueprint for Education Fund. Lifestyle Picks: A late-summer flower festival near DC lets visitors pick bouquets at Summers Farm in Frederick County. Sports Betting & Pop Culture: Powerball keeps climbing toward another billion-dollar moment after no jackpot winner.

Space & Jobs: NASA says it’s planning a sustained moon base, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore—especially Wallops—could play a key role in launching robotic missions and cargo. Local Government: Baltimore officials are heading to Ocean City for the annual MACo Summer Conference, a major gathering that also means big travel costs for the city. Education Watch: Baltimore County’s new superintendent, Dr. William Heiser, is laying out four priorities—academics, operations/finances, talent retention, and community engagement—while tackling staffing and budget pressures. Public Safety: Charles County Public Schools is changing online ticket fees for sports events sold through GoFan. Health & Wellness: A new study highlights how diabetes and prediabetes are affecting adults nationwide, with serious long-term risks. Politics: A Maryland Now poll shows Gov. Wes Moore leading Dan Cox with 56% approval. Arts & Community: Eastern Shore musicians Mark Gadson and Steve Lowe released “St Michaels State of Mind,” a blues tribute to the town’s waterfront culture. Business: Gov. Moore announced Cloudforce will expand in Prince George’s County, adding 250 jobs over five years.

Immigration & Schools: A federal judge cleared the way for an ICE facility in Elkridge to move forward, even as Howard County residents vow to fight it—another reminder of how state and local efforts to keep ICE out of schools collide with federal power. Local Education: Anne Arundel County leaders are gearing up for back-to-school with staffing, safety, and a federal funding threat in focus, while Talbot County rolls out a districtwide cell phone ban this year. Early Childhood: Head Start in Maryland could face class-size increases and fewer services under a new Trump administration proposal, putting 7,000 kids and 159 centers at risk. Community & Culture: A new Indian street-food spot, Delhi Belly, is set to open in D.C. from owners of Bethesda’s Virraaj, and Children’s Theatre of Southern Maryland is adding Music Together® and Rhythm Kids® classes this fall. Health & Wellness: A new study highlights falling young spinner dolphin numbers off Kona, and a separate report discusses ovarian cancer risk framing and prevention. Money & Lifestyle: Powerball is nearing $1 billion after no jackpot winner, with Maryland among states that hit Match 5.

ICE Facility Fight in Elkridge: A federal judge cleared the way for construction to resume on a proposed ICE facility after Howard County revoked permits, saying the county likely violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. School Safety & Staffing: Anne Arundel County schools are rolling forward with safety upgrades, including an Open Gate weapons-detection pilot, while leaders warn about funding threats and staffing shortages. Back-to-School Rules: Talbot County Public Schools will implement a districtwide cell phone ban this year, extending a prior middle-school lock-pouch approach. Higher Ed Pressure: The U.S. Education Department asked universities, including the University of Maryland, to post public commitments on issues ranging from admissions transparency to campus disruption policies. Community & Culture: Greater Baltimore’s CLLCTIVGive raised $1.36M for Black-led organizations, and Baltimore’s BTS concerts brought a major cultural moment to M&T Bank Stadium. Local Learning Support: Cecil County reports MCAP gains tied to increased classroom instructional time. Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Training: University of Maryland-Baltimore is offering a $4,000 stipend abortion training fellowship funded through state taxpayer dollars. Powerball Buzz: The jackpot is nearing $1 billion after no one matched all six numbers, with Maryland among states seeing Match 5 winners.

Immigration & Community Safety: Haitian Marylanders are facing fresh fear and loss after Temporary Protected Status expires, with residents warning that deportation risk is rippling through local families and the economy. Mental Health Response: Baltimore’s mobile crisis team is expanding, aiming to get clinicians to people in distress instead of defaulting to police. Workforce & Food Access: Maryland launched a SNAP employment tool to connect recipients with training providers, transportation help, and job-search support. Rural Healthcare Funding: Federal grants totaling $80 million will boost rural health access across Maryland, targeting staffing and travel barriers. Local Politics: Prince George’s County voters will decide whether to keep two at-large council seats, a move critics say could weaken term limits and invite special-interest influence. Culture & Community: Baltimore welcomed BTS Army for sold-out M&T Bank Stadium shows, turning downtown into a full-on fan community. Education & Support: Maryland and Delaware attorneys general sued to block cuts to school-based mental health programs, warning of millions in lost counseling funding. Local Lifestyle: A Baltimore mom is opening an all-outdoor preschool for kids who love nature, built on a 10-acre green space. Sports & Opportunity: Fast Track Recruits says it’s helped more than 100 Southern Maryland athletes earn college looks and scholarships. Money & Odds: Powerball nears $1 billion, with Maryland among the states hitting $1 million Match 5 prizes.

Education & Community Support: Holly Hatcher Education Foundation donated $20,000 to Broadway elementary school teachers and classrooms on the first day back. Health & Innovation: Mercy Medical Center opened its Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction’s Center for Orthopedic Innovation, aiming to speed research, training, and next-gen implants and therapies. Back-to-School Savings: Maryland’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs Aug. 9–15 with sales-tax exemptions on qualifying clothing/footwear and part of backpack/bookbag costs. Public Health & Safety: Drug-checking can flag some contamination, but test strips can’t tell users whether a substance is safe—an important limit as federal rules shift. Immigration & Schools: Baltimore police commissioner praised officers after ICE arrested parents outside a Southeast Baltimore school; community fear and due-process concerns remain in focus. Local Culture: Waterfront’s new Community Stage at Baltimore Peninsula opens as a free outdoor hub for music, comedy, classes, and cultural events. Sports Betting Watch: Maryland casinos reported $157.9M in July gaming revenue, with education and local community contributions included. Tech & Research: Binghamton professor won a $584K NSF CAREER award for smart-city AI research. Local Governance: Trappe council heard opposition to a proposed concrete batch plant near a school.

K-pop & Local Pride: BTS fans packed Baltimore for pre-concert celebrations ahead of the group’s Aug. 10-11 shows at M&T Bank Stadium, with Gov. Wes Moore welcoming the band and fans describing the fandom as a real community. Immigration & Public Safety: New video shows Baltimore police responding as ICE detains parents outside a school, reigniting debate over local cooperation and what happens when federal agents operate near kids. Health & Environment: A national study finds wildfire smoke drove most of the worst prenatal air pollution days by 2019, shifting attention to sudden smoke surges during pregnancy. Community & Education: USMSM is hosting a free Southern Maryland College & Career Open House Sept. 18, connecting families to colleges, employers, and workforce programs. Local Business & Wellness: Old Magnolia CBD launched a new website selling Maryland-grown, farm-to-bottle CBD. Road Safety: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office rolls out school zone speed cameras with a warning phase and $40 fines for violations. Arts & Youth: St. Mary’s Drum Camp returns as an international draw, bringing drummers from the U.K., New Zealand, and Vietnam to the waterfront campus. Sports & Money: Maryland Lottery and regulated gaming generated $1.637B for state programs in FY2026, with education receiving $699.8M.

Gun Buyback & Community Peace: The Archdiocese of Baltimore collected 431 firearms at its fourth annual gun buyback and peace-building fair, paying $100–$300 per surrender and totaling nearly 1,500 guns since 2023. Immigration & Fear on the Ground: A new report highlights how Haitians losing TPS protections are facing sudden uncertainty, with Maryland groups describing fear, confusion, and disrupted daily life. Local Food Access: U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen toured Baltimore County’s AfriThrive and highlighted $800,000 in federal funding to expand refrigeration, improve food distribution, and add nutrition education. Culture & Arts: Baltimore’s Nuestras Raices Casa de la Cultura marks its fourth anniversary, while the Getty Foundation awarded $1.8M to expand access to Black visual arts archives. Maryland Lifestyle Picks: Powerball’s $905M jackpot has Marylanders lining up for tickets, and August brings a packed mix of regional fairs and events.