Midday

This week, the White House announced plans to withhold more than $400-million dollars in promised pandemic-era relief funds.

Dr. Joshua Michael, President of Maryland's Board of Education joins Midday to explain how the unexpected funding loss will impact the state's 24 school districts.

Paula Poundstone has been a regular panelist on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me for many years. She hosts the podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, tours all over the country doing stand-up, and contributes to some big-time movies including the popular animated series "Inside Out."

Poundstone joins Midday in advance of her show tonight at the Senator Theatre.

Jeanne Theoharis is a professor at Brooklyn College and is an author of many award-winning and New York Time Bestselling books. Two of her most famous works are The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks and A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Right History.

In her latest release, King of the North she discusses the lack of guidance and support that Northern activists encountered during King's battles against Northern discrimination and injustice. Theoharis' book is an elaboration of King's work and life that envisions a world free from injustice, and is a reminder that inequality and racism are still a struggle for many today.

Author Jeanne Theoharis Joins Midday to discuss her latest book and dive into the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Recent polling reveals approval ratings for U.S. Congress remains low at 29%. In February of 2021, in the wake of the insurrection at the Capital, the approval number was 6 points higher.

The 118th Congress began in turmoil in 2021 and remained in turmoil for the next two years. In terms of number of bills passed, it was the least productive Congress in more than 40 years. But not only was it unproductive, it was also spectacularly outrageous and dysfunctional.

My two guests today bear witness to that dysfunction in a fascinating and infuriating book that chronicles the disorder and chaos in excruciating detail. New York Times correspondents Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater witnessed the dysfunction as they covered the lawmakers. Thier new book is Madhouse:  How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress.

Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles begins Monday afternoon. The Orioles face the Boston Red Sox in their home opener following a four-game stint in Toronto.

The series got off to a walloping start last Thursday, when the Orioles ruined the Blue Jay’s opening day with an overwhelming win that included 6 home runs, an opening day record.

Baltimore begins the 2025 season full of promise. What are your thoughts on how the Orioles will fare this year?

WYPR host Gabe Ortis and Baltimore Banner sports reporter Danielle Allentuck join Midday to discuss the latest teams news.

And later, we speak to John Miller, a journalist, author, baseball coach and scout who has written a new biography of Earl Weaver, the iconic manager of the Orioles.

The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn the 2025 session on April 7, a week from Monday.

State law requires the legislature to pass a balanced budget before then, but consensus among lawmakers has yet to be reached.

The state House passed its spending plan a couple of days ago, and the Senate is likely to begin debating their version on Monday.

Del. Jason Buckel, the Republican House Minority Leader from Allegany County, joins Midday to discuss his strong opposition to the package of taxes included in the House bill.

But first, WYPR Senior Reporter and Editor Rachel Baye shares her reporting as lawmakers wrangle a budget agreement in Annapolis.

When lawmakers convened in Annapolis in January, they faced a deep budget deficit. What the state's budget should look like, and how best to address the $3.3 billion deficit, is the subject of ongoing debate in the State House, even as the 2025 General Assembly session nears its close.

Gov. Wes Moore joins Midday to discuss his perspective on the budget, the future of tech sector in the Maryland economy and criticism of his tax proposals.

The White House's initiative to reduce the federal workforce could result in thousands of Marylanders finding themselves without a job. This morning, the Department of Health and Human Services announced 10,000 workers were to be laid off. Another 10,000 will take early retirement or buyout offers. Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu joins Midday to discuss mounting unemployment amidst a sluggish economy.

The National Security Cabinet and other senior officials were caught using a Signal group chat to discuss sensitive information regarding a U.S. military aerial attack in Yemen. Yesterday, The Atlantic published most of the lengthy exchange between the officials. Tom Nichols, a staff writer for The Atlantic joins Midday to discuss the news. He is a professor emeritus of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College.