Marylanders are getting exercised about the wacky thinking tolerated in the Department of Health and Human Services by its equally wacky agency head, RFK Jr. More to come; an announcement from Trump is expected today on Kennedy's odd obsession with autism and its causes. Meanwhile, Marylanders are also getting exercised about data centers, which have the appearance of boosting employment and revenue but (as seen in Virginia, where they are numerous) also overstrain electric power resources and raise rates for residents. How to manage these companions to the AI revolution (maybe by requiring on-site clean-power facilities) is a concern nationwide.

It's fair to ask how much we in Maryland will notice if the federal government has a shutdown. How much of the federal government is left operating, after the depredations of DOGE and Trump's cabinet-level minions? And since Maryland has already taken the biggest hit from federal employees' willing or unwilling exits, how much more hassle can a shutdown bring? It looks like we are going to find out; Dems are so far holding fast on their demand that Affordable Care Act subsidies get extended and Medicaid work requirements be eased (and the Dems actually proposed an alternative bill, rather than just saying "No"!) If spines stay stiffened, we'll see which states throw in the towel first. Red states generally depend on federal funds more than Blue states. It's News You Can Use, where we don't shut up about the shutdown.

Baltimore, MD (September 16, 2025) – Free Speech For People and Progressive Maryland have formally requested that Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson open a criminal investigation into the unlawful kidnapping of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia by federal immigration officers. The request, detailed in a letter sent on July 15, 2025, outlines the egregious actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and senior Trump administration officials to abduct, detain, forcibly transfer, and enable the two-month imprisonment of Mr. Abrego Garcia in a maximum security prison in El Salvador, in direct violation of a federal court order.

ivemaryland.org.

Grassroots digital campaign reached nearly 40,000 residents; voters sent a clear message that housing affordability and fair wages are top priorities

Frederick, Maryland –  Progressive Maryland (PMD) and its chapter, Frederick County Progressives (FCP), are celebrating a victory in Frederick City’s primary elections, where four of FCP’s seven endorsed candidates won their races. The results underscore the growing demand for leaders who will prioritize rent stabilization, affordable housing, and policies that support working families.

In the weeks leading up to the election, Progressive Maryland and Frederick County Progressives supported endorsed candidates with a robust grassroots digital campaign. Through targeted text messaging and email outreach, the campaign connected with nearly 40,000 Frederick City residents, ensuring that voters had the information they needed to make their voices heard.

“This victory is a testament to what happens when community members come together around real solutions to the housing crisis,” said Dr. William Reid, Chair of Frederick County Progressives. “Our poll made clear that residents wanted action on rent stabilization and affordable housing, and now voters have chosen leaders who share those priorities. We’re proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to continuing to fight for housing justice at both the city and county levels.”

Larry Stafford Jr., Executive Director of Progressive Maryland, echoed the sentiment by stating, “Frederick voters chose candidates who share their values. That’s the power of people-driven organizing, and it’s exactly what will carry us forward into November. Progressive Maryland is proud to have partnered with our Frederick chapter on a campaign that reached tens of thousands of residents and helped build the momentum for these transformative wins.”

With the general election ahead in November, Progressive Maryland and Frederick County Progressives will continue working to ensure the newly nominated candidates are elected and can carry out the mandate for a more affordable and equitable Frederick.

“We look forward to these results becoming official in November,” Reid added. “And we are committed to making sure Frederick’s next chapter includes policies that put people, not profits, first.”

###

Gov. Wes Moore, doing his best to focus on the care and feeding of new housing units, no doubt keeps getting distracted by the blowback on the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk (such as bomb threats to legislative leaders). Then, too, the state highway department appears to be in trouble about accounting (or is it accountability), a chronic issue for them over the years. Nor is the state's hospital system exempt from error, with even more deadly consequences. So even while National Guard troops police the District of Columbia (veterans will recall that "police" means "pick up litter" in military parlance), the state scuffles on. We move on to our coverage of other states, where good and bad examples abound for comparison, plus our weekly report from the lair of Congress as they scuffle too, trying to decide how to avoid a government shutdown for lack of a budget and who to blame if it happens. Congress members and Senators want more of the vacation that... they just got back from. It's all News You Can Use.

Gov. Wes Moore has (without the ALL-CAPS social media posts) become the East Coast bookend to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in pushing back against the bellicose Prez. As many news outlets have noted, city leaders like DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (whose city is uniquely in the feds' grasp) have found it expedient to give Trump some room to gloat, BUT grand juries in DC and around the country are declining to indict those spuriously charged by Trump or his minions as a mode of intimidation. As also noted, states are banding together to provide what the Trump regime, as long as it lasts, is refusing to provide as the federal share, prompting edgy thoughts about even more state-level consolidation.

As our People's Action fed specialist Megan E points out below, as much as the chilling sight of uniformed soldiers patrolling the Capital's streets (or picking up trash in the parks, less chilling) troubles us, the long-range plans for health care are even more blood-freezing. This is a sneak attack that might get past most people, at least until the midterm elections are behind us. Don't let that happen.

It's News You Can Use -- meaning, most of the time, news soon enough so you can take action. Snooze, you can't use it as intended.

Community leaders and elected officials highlight Jawando’s record on housing, racial and economic justice, and support for working families

Silver Spring, MD – Progressive Maryland and the Working Families Party announced their endorsement of Councilmember Will Jawando for Montgomery County Executive at a press conference today, joined by tenant leaders, local elected officials, and community advocates. Speakers highlighted Jawando’s long-standing commitment to advancing affordable housing, protecting renters, and championing racial and economic justice across the county.

Will Jawando with Progressive Maryland, Working Families Party, and community leaders at the endorsement announcement Credit: Michael Blain

Councilmember Will Jawando opened his remarks by expressing gratitude for the endorsements and the strength of the coalition behind his campaign.

“This endorsement means a great deal to me,” said Councilmember Will Jawando. “I want to thank Progressive Maryland for their deep work in our communities and the Working Families Party for their tireless efforts across the country and this region. Having their support in this campaign is powerful, and I am grateful to stand with them in the fight for justice, equity, and opportunity in Montgomery County.”

Sharing a state line with the occupied District of Columbia is uncomfortable enough, but (as Governor Wes Moore knows) being in an extra-inning social media duel with the King of Calumny -- who also doubles as US president -- is even tougher.

Plus the state is battling the loss of jobs and income from implementation of Project 25 and resulting paralysis of a great many reforms that Moore campaigned on.

And school has begun, with the battle to reduce absenteeism (aggravated since the Pandemic) and cope with Artificial Intelligence, a tool for both education reform and serious escalations of cheating. It's all News You Can Use, from our state, the Other 49, and the woeful federal government with separation of powers in the authoritarian blender becoming a not-so-smoothie. And our guide to the feds, Megan E from People's Action, is back with a rundown on how an occupied, uniform-riddled Washington DC feels. Read on.