Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

With LGBTQ rights under attack, R.I. hiking group provides community, sanctuary
Thibeault, who lives in Providence, said she launched the group about four years ago amid the pandemic. “I was feeling pretty isolated,” she said. So she began looking for a way to find community, and getting outside seemed like a safe option. On...

Maryland small businesses face tax concerns amid steady optimism index
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index saw a slight decline in June, dropping by 0.2 points to 98.6, which remains above the long-term average of 98. A notable factor contributing to this decrease was an increase in respondents reporting excess...

Maryland hires Utah State AD Diana Sabau as Jim Smith’s top assistant
New Maryland athletic director Jim Smith’s department is rounding into form. The Terps tabbed Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau as chief deputy athletic director, the school announced Wednesday, becoming Smith’s top assistant as the pair...

Maryland can find compromise on ICE controversy | GUEST COMMENTARY
The acrimonious debate over the efficacy of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program continues at full speed. The 287(g) program permits local law enforcement and corrections facilities to partner...

Filipino Town: What to expect in Las Vegas' second cultural district
The Filipino community in Las Vegas is the fastest-growing Asian American group in the state, with more than 200,000 members. As of April 2025, they had gained their very own cultural district recognized by Clark County. It’s located along a...

Baltimore Museum of Art acquires 150 global artworks including local contributions
The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has announced the acquisition of approximately 150 works by artists from around the world. The new additions to the collection include paintings, sculptures, mixed media works, video installations, textiles,...

Baltimore seeks to join lawsuit over Trump threats to ‘sanctuary’ cities
Key Takeaways: Baltimore aims to join lawsuit challenging Trump’s sanctuary city funding threats. The lawsuit seeks to block federal funding cuts tied to immigration policy. Federal threats could impact $250M in Baltimore’s annual funding. Judge...

Baltimore hearing scheduled in Trump administration’s suit against Maryland federal judges
A federal judge plans to convene a hearing next month in Baltimore on the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Maryland’s entire federal district court. U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen wrote in an order that “the court intends to hold a...

Community speaks to Baltimore city officials on opioid deaths
BALTIMORE — The City of Baltimore is continuing to focus on the opioid overdose epidemic, a continuing issue for neighborhoods. WATCH: Community speaks to Baltimore city officials on opioid deaths Community speaks to Baltimore city officials on...

Displaced federal workers start journey toward new careers in Maryland’s K-12 classrooms
By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor The first cohort of Maryland’s displaced federal workers are on their way to K-12 classrooms. Ethan Taylor and Sonia Arias are two of dozens of former federal workers taking classes this summer in...

Mass overdose: City launches 'neighborhood stabilization response'
Baltimore mass overdose: 'Coordinated neighborhood stabilization response' launched in Penn North 27 people taken to hospitals after mass overdose in Penn-North, 7 critical; No fatalities reported All right, good morning everybody. Uh, thank you...

June: Maryland casinos generate $160.7M in gambling revenue
Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $160,668,545 in revenue from slot machines and table games during June, with the statewide total dropping $2,245,887 (-1.4%) compared to June 2024. Casino gambling contributions to the state during June...

Trump’s immigration agenda is widening fissures in Catholic hierarchy’s consensus
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As the so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill — the Republicans’ mammoth budget proposal designed to fund much of President Donald Trump’s agenda — made its way toward congressional approval last month, U.S. Catholic bishops signed...

WATCH: Visiting Pastor Carjacked in Baltimore, Criticized for Fighting Back
Bridgeport, Maryland, Pastor Kenneth Moales Jr. (53) was visiting Baltimore to perform a funeral on June 29 when he was held at gunpoint later that day by a 16-year-old. Even though Moales fought back, the teen carjacked Moales’ car. A nearby...

Trump administration warns Maryland to drop ‘gender ideology’ from federally funded programs
The Trump administration is threatening to defund grantees that promote different gender identities and certain sexual topics in schools — an effort set to impact two programs in Maryland that cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. The U.S....

More cities, counties join immigrant sanctuary lawsuit seeking to block Trump funding cuts
Thirty-four cities and counties, including Chicago and Los Angeles, have asked to join a California lawsuit seeking to stop the Trump administration from cutting federal funding based on sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with the...

How to deal with a smother mother
Annie Lane Dear Annie: I have a frustrating problem with my mother. I’m 40 years old, but she still treats me like I’m a teenager. She expects me to answer every call immediately and freaks out if I’m unavailable, often roping in my cousin to text...

Briefs for Friday, July 11, 2025
Bake sale planned for Aug. 2 ESCANABA — First United Methodist Church, 302 South 6th St., will be holding a bake sale on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pies, cookies, bread and more will be available. Residents of Harbor Tower receive a...

Trump administration threatens to defund Maryland programs promoting 'gender ideology'
Washington, D.C. (WBFF) — The Trump administration is threatening to defund its grantees that promote different gender identities and certain sexual topics in schools — an effort set to impact two programs in Maryland that cost tens of millions of...

U.S. Supreme Court endorses parental opt-out for LGBTQ+ curriculum
On June 27, in a 6/3 majority decision in Mahmoud v Taylor, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school district violated parents’ constitutional right involving religious freedom by forcing their children to participate in LGBTQ+...