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Citizen Portal News Maryland
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Maryland is shaking up education with a powerful new recruitment initiative featuring a public dashboard, a partnership with Teach.org, and a whopping $19.4 million in grants to cultivate local teaching talent!

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#MD #MarylandEducation #WorkforceDiversity #TeacherRecruitment
MSDE unveils recruitment package: dashboard, Teach.org contract, $19.4 million Grow Your Own grants and relocation incentive
The Maryland State Department of Education detailed a multi-pronged teacher-recruitment effort: a public educator-workforce dashboard, a Board of Public Works-approved sole-source contract with Teach.org, a $1 million relocation incentive (about $800,000 encumbered) and a $19.4 million Grow Your Own grant program to fund local grow-your-own pipelines.
citizenportal.ai
December 8, 2025 at 10:24 AM
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The County Council has hit pause on two significant land purchases after raising concerns over environmental risks and costs, leaving the future of park expansion and a new bus facility hanging in the balance.

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#AnneArundelCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety
Council pauses proposed land purchases for park expansion and bus facility pending environmental report
Council voted unanimously to hold Resolution 30‑425 — proposed purchases of a 68.27‑acre Edgewater parcel for park expansion and a 7.911‑acre Shipley Avenue site for a school‑bus facility — until Dec. 15 to review a pending phase‑2 environmental site assessment and additional financial details.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 5:18 AM
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Baltimore’s controversial Housing Options and Opportunity Act is stirring fierce debate, with residents divided on its potential impact on local neighborhoods.

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BaltimoreHousing #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDevelopment
Big public turnout as Baltimore committee begins work on housing options bill; no vote taken
Dozens of residents gave two-minute statements for and against council bill 25-0066 (Housing Options and Opportunity Act) at a Dec. 1 Land Use & Transportation Committee session. Committee members and administration officials discussed amendments, a triennial study requirement, and next steps; the committee closed public testimony and did not vote.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:13 AM
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Three dynamic candidates are vying for the at-large seat in Montgomery County, each bringing unique experiences and bold visions for the future.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #MontgomeryCountyCouncil #RacialEquity
Council interviews three finalists for at‑large vacancy; appointment set for Dec. 9
Council held interviews with the three finalists for the at‑large vacancy left by Gabe Albornoz—Shira Evans, Dr. Henry Lee and Roberto Rodriguez—and announced the appointment will be decided at the Dec. 9 meeting.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:26 AM
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Montgomery County Council just greenlit a massive funding package for critical transportation, health services, and education projects—transforming the future of our community!

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #MontgomeryCountyCouncil #TransportationImprovements
Council approves a package of supplemental appropriations and budget items
Following public hearings, the Montgomery County Council approved multiple supplemental appropriations and budget amendments, including funding for transportation projects, permitting services and MCPS; action votes were recorded immediately after the hearings.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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Montgomery County Council has chosen a new leadership team with Natalie Fani Gonzales as president, ready to tackle pressing issues like public safety and early childhood education.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EarlyChildhood #MontgomeryCountyCouncil
Natalie Fani Gonzales elected Montgomery County Council president; Marilyn Balcom chosen vice president
Council unanimously confirmed Council Member Natalie Fani Gonzales as president and Marilyn Balcom as vice president during the Dec. 2 meeting; the new leadership outlined priorities including public safety, budget discipline and early childhood supports.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM
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Montgomery County Council just advanced the University Boulevard corridor plan, adding crucial metrics for racial equity while navigating concerns over potential displacement.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicTransportation #MontgomeryCountyCouncil #RacialEquity
Council moves University Boulevard corridor plan forward after work session and straw vote
After a second work session on the University Boulevard corridor plan, Montgomery County Council approved a straw vote to advance the plan as amended, including added metrics for racial equity and edits to avoid locking in prescriptive BRT lane configurations; the straw vote passed 7–3.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 10:54 PM
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Montgomery County is taking a significant step to combat homelessness by extending eviction notices from 6 to 14 days, giving families a crucial chance to seek assistance before it's too late.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #HomelessnessResources #CommunityOutreach
Committee backs 14‑day eviction-notice rule, keeps DHCA notification to power prevention work
The Planning, Housing and Parks Committee unanimously recommended Expedited Bill 31-25 to extend landlord eviction notice from 6 to 14 days and keep a requirement that landlords provide DHCA with copies of the notice so county staff can triage assistance to households at imminent risk of homelessness.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Montgomery County's Planning Committee just voted to update zoning rules, paving the way for exciting mixed-use developments while clarifying outdoor storage regulations!

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #MontgomeryCountyPlanning #CitizenPortal #MixedUseDevelopment #CommunityPlanning
Montgomery County panel approves technical zoning fixes, narrows outdoor-storage rule
The Planning, Housing and Parks Committee unanimously recommended Zoning Text Amendment 25-13 — an omnibus package of technical zoning clarifications — including changes to regional shopping-center height rules, restoration of a 30% residential cap in employment zones, and narrowed outdoor-storage restrictions that exclude personal vehicles.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 10:13 AM
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The Prince George's County Board of Education has just voted to close a crucial meeting to discuss sensitive administrative and legal matters, raising eyebrows about transparency.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #LegalTransparency #MarylandBoardOfEducation #PublicMeetings
Prince George's County school board votes to close Dec. 1 meeting to discuss personnel, legal and budget matters
The Prince George's County Board of Education voted to close its Dec. 1, 2025 business meeting under the Maryland Open Meetings Act to discuss district administrative updates, superintendent evaluation and tools, legal matters including SPIRE/Excel litigation, and personnel appointments and staffing.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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Montgomery County's Advisory Commission on Policing is pushing for transformative changes to police data reporting and use-of-force policies, aiming for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PoliceAccountability
Montgomery County advisory commission urges clearer police data, revised use-of-force rules and a delayed public feed for encrypted dispatch
At a Dec. 1 Public Safety Committee meeting, the Advisory Commission on Policing recommended moving reporting deadlines, revising departmental mission and use-of-force policies, standardizing demographic reporting, and funding a delayed, redacted public feed of MCPD dispatch to preserve access while protecting privacy and safety.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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The St. Mary's County Police Accountability Board reviewed six complaints, all deemed unfounded, with one case leading to potential criminal charges against the complainants.

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#County #MD #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcementReview #CommunityTransparency #StMarysCountyPolice
Police Accountability Board says ACC found six complaints unfounded; one matter led to false-report charges
At its Nov. 20 meeting, the St. Mary's County Police Accountability Board reviewed six Administrative Charging Committee determinations and reported the ACC found the allegations in each matter unfounded; one case involved criminal false-report charges against complainants that remain pending.
citizenportal.ai
December 1, 2025 at 3:15 AM
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The Anne Arundel County Board of Education's contentious vote on Phase 2 redistricting could reshape the future of local schools and impact hundreds of families.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MarylandEducation #CommunityEngagement #EducationReform
Anne Arundel school board approves Phase 2 redistricting after hours-long debate
After hours of testimony and multiple tied amendment votes, the Anne Arundel County Board of Education approved revised Board Recommendation 3 — the Phase 2 redistricting plan — on a 5-3 roll call. Board members and staff debated capacity projections, transportation safety on Route 3, legacy transfers and the timing of planned school additions.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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St. Mary's County is taking bold steps to safeguard its agriculture and seafood industries from flooding, exploring innovative cost-share incentives and adaptive strategies for a resilient future.

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#County #MD #StMarysCountyAgriculture #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #FloodResilience
Commission discusses farm flood mitigation, saltwater 'hot spots' and living-shoreline pilots in resiliency review
At the Nov. 25 work session, commissioners reviewed natural-hazards and resiliency actions in the St. Mary's 2050 draft, including a proposed farm cost-share for flood mitigation, a saltwater-intrusion 'hot-spot' plan for farms, living-shoreline demonstration pilots, and prioritization of storm-hardening on rural roads.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 5:16 AM
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Baltimore County's Planning Board just hit pause on a controversial proposal to double visitor parking requirements for new residential developments, sparking a heated debate among developers and residents alike.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BaltimoreCountyPlanning
Board defers final vote on CMDP residential update after developers flag new 30% visitor-parking recommendation
At a public hearing on Nov. 20, planning staff presented updates to the Comprehensive Manual of Development Policy; developers and their attorneys objected to a proposed increase in recommended overflow/visitor parking from 15% to 30% and asked for more review. The board voted to defer final action on the residential section for 60 days.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
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St. Mary's County is taking bold steps to address the needs of its aging population and improve behavioral health services, but will they overcome the recruitment challenges and service gaps ahead?

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#County #MD #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal #StMarysCountyPublicHealth
Planning commission reviews public-health chapter of Comprehensive Plan 2050, flags wording and service gaps
At a Nov. 21 work session, St. Mary's County planners and commissioners reviewed the draft Public Health & Community Services element of Comprehensive Plan 2050, discussing aging demographics, behavioral health responsibilities, recruitment barriers for clinicians, and edits to remove prescriptive language such as 'guarantee' in favor of collaborative, implementable actions.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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Hagerstown's city council just greenlit crucial projects including a $20,000 easement purchase and a $100,000 investment in citywide surveillance—find out how these decisions will impact your community!

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#HagerstownWashingtonCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
Hagerstown council approves easement purchase, park grant applications, emergency demolition and $100,000 camera order
On Nov. 25, 2025, the Hagerstown mayor and city council approved an easement purchase for Parcel 973, authorized grant applications for park improvements, withdrew from a stalled state emergency-management grant, approved an emergency demolition, and accepted a $100,000 blanket purchase order for city camera equipment; all motions passed by voice vote.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
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Baltimore County's innovative co-responder model is achieving a remarkable diversion rate of over 64%, revolutionizing how we handle behavioral health crises.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BehavioralHealth #CommunityOutreach #CrisisResponse #BaltimoreCountyMentalHealth
Baltimore County highlights co-responder model, cites high diversion rate and calls for stabilization capacity
County crisis staff described a mobile co-responder model that pairs a clinician with a trained officer, participates in the 988 rollout and reports diversion rates 'higher than a 64 percent' while officers urged better local stabilization capacity and explained police safety responsibilities during emergency petitions.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
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Baltimore County is shaking up its voting game with 38 new ballot-box locations and 11 early-voting centers to ensure every voice is heard in 2026!

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #ElectionAccess #RedistrictingChallenges #VoterParticipation
Baltimore County elections director outlines 11 early-voting centers, moves ballot box back to Victory Villa
The Baltimore County elections director recommended 11 early voting centers for 2026 and a set of alternates, and the board approved a change moving one ballot box back to Victory Villa; the board also directed staff to request a state waiver for final polling-place assignments because redistricting delays.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
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Baltimore County is taking major steps to eliminate lead from drinking water, offering free excavations and replacements for service lines that contain lead—are you ready to check your home's water safety?

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #WaterSafety #CitizenPortal #LeadPipeReplacement
Baltimore County asks residents to complete lead service-line survey; free digs and replacements offered
Baltimore County is asking residents to complete a five‑minute survey to help identify water service‑line materials, offers free meter‑excavation tests for inaccessible lines and says it will replace service lines confirmed to contain lead; survey deadline is March 31, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:54 AM
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State forensic hospitals are facing a crisis with court-ordered patients stuck in limbo due to bed shortages, legal hurdles, and slow benefit processing.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #MentalHealthReform #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #BaltimoreCountyMentalHealth
State forensic hospitals strained as Baltimore County sends high number of court-ordered patients, official says
Laurie Menino, who oversees five state forensic hospitals, told a Baltimore County mental health committee that triage rules, limited secure beds and slow benefit processing create long waits for court-ordered patients; she cited court guidance requiring risk-mitigation plans for community discharge.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:53 AM
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Montgomery County Public Schools is making strides in background checks, having rescreened over half of its staff, but the Inspector General keeps recommendations open as progress continues.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BackgroundChecksUpdates
Audit committee: MCPS makes major progress on background checks but IG keeps recommendations open
At a 90-day follow-up, Montgomery County Public Schools told the council it has cleared the DHHS paper backlog, rescreened more than half of school-based staff and published new background-screening regulations; the Inspector General kept all recommendations 'open — in progress' pending finalized procedures and implementation.
citizenportal.ai
November 28, 2025 at 5:13 AM
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Baltimore's liquor board has granted multiple 180-day extensions for struggling bars while cracking down on violations with hefty fines—find out who made the cut and who faced the music!

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BaltimoreCity
Baltimore liquor board grants multiple hardship extensions, levies fines in series of violation hearings
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City approved numerous 180‑day hardship extensions and reopening requests while imposing fines ranging from nominal amounts to statutory penalties after finding code and board‑rule violations at several establishments.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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Carroll County schools are facing a financial crunch as reserves dwindle and rising costs threaten future budgets.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #MarylandPublicSchools #InfrastructureRenewal #BudgetAccountability #EducationFunding
Low fund balance, exhausted infrastructure account and rising costs leave Carroll schools with limited flexibility
Staff told the board FY25 year‑end fund balance is about $7.2 million (below target), the local infrastructure renewal account has been largely spent, and rising costs for utilities, insurance, devices and charter start‑ups combine with Blueprint reporting to tighten FY27 choices.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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Carroll County has just approved a new operational stability reserve policy aimed at providing financial flexibility during unexpected challenges, but not everyone is on board with the decision!

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#CarrollCounty #MD #CarrollCountyBudget #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency
Carroll County adopts operational stability reserve to hold one-time funds for unexpected needs
After public comment and debate, the Board of Carroll County Commissioners approved a policy to hold a one‑time operational reserve (5% of ongoing operating revenues) in fund balance to provide short‑term flexibility for unanticipated costs; commissioners cited bond‑rating and budget tradeoffs.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM