The Daily Dose: Maryland Confronts COVID-19

As election day nears, Baltimore County elections officials say they’ll add an additional day to count mail-in ballots, ahead of November 8.  

While statewide Democrats enjoy commanding leads in their races, the race for the top job in Anne Arundel County is neck-and-neck.  

Governor Hogan has announced 15-million dollars in federal aid will go toward hiring for infrastructure work and  a new study finds aircraft noise from BWI Airport may be doing more health damage than previously thought.

We’ll have those stories and more plus: we’ll  hear from our executive editor of The Daily Dose and our general manager and CEO as they reflect on some of the highlights and bid a warm farewell to the podcast.  No…It’s not going away forever…just taking a hiatus.  I’ll have more details coming up.

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Adnan Syed is now a free man. The Maryland Department of Health is changing course on a multimillion dollar request. The Baltimore County Board of Elections is also doing a U-turn on early mail-in ballot counting. Immigrants and refugees in Baltimore will get some crucial help under a new initiative funded with ARPA funds and residents who live near  the blighted Security Square Mall will get a say in the 10-million dollar makeover plans.

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Maryland’s highest court has ruled that state election officials can begin counting mail-in ballots early.  President Biden was in our state today where he made a stop at a Hagerstown auto plant. A recently released report finds victims of violent crime in Baltimore need better support services. Drug affordability, especially for the city’s seniors was the topic of a community forum with Mayor Scott and other lawmakers today.

We’ll have those stories and more from our news team, coming up in headlines. Plus… in the race for Baltimore County’s top job, the candidates show just how opposite their approach to governing will be! and we’ll take you to an inclusive arts exhibit for those with often unrecognized special gifts opening in Hampden.

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Baltimore’s violence prevention programs will be getting some new funding. Maryland health officials say they are getting a handle on monkeypox. The state’s  Republican and Democratic candidates for governor share vastly different views at a Marylanders With Disabilities forum. Governor Larry Hogan has been asked to testify in the trial of his former chief of staff. Baltimore has a new map for its police districts and October brings dozens of free arts events to Baltimore. 

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Some of the most important laws that went into effect Saturday aim to improve the health of Marylanders. Transportation for some kids to get to school will be improved this fall. Is Covid over? Dr. Leana Wen weighs in on President Biden’s declaration of victory over the pandemic. Ballots are on their way to Marylanders who prefer to vote by mail and new public TV documentaries present surprising portraits of two Maryland heroes. 

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Maryland’s highest court will hear Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox’s appeal to block early vote counting. The Baltimore City Council received some preliminary answers about the recent E. Coli contamination. The City is making it easier to pay your water bill. The proposed Hopkins police force continues to attract controversy and Maryland lawmakers grill local elections officials about a shortage of polling places.

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Maryland is planning for an increased demand for abortion, as other states in the region make the procedure difficult or impossible to get. Baltimore County and its teachers finally have a deal for raises. Dan Cox and Wes Moore will debate October 12th, but some gubernatorial candidates will be missing. A Johns Hopkins professor wins a quarter million dollars for a simple idea that caught on big. Morgan State University may be losing track of some of its money, according to a new report. The city’s juvenile justice center is facing some tough challenges and Maryland is running out of area codes so some counties will be getting a new one. 

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Baltimore City Schools staff came to work on Sunday, trying to find students who aren’t showing up to class. The EPA is making more than $140 million available to help solve the city’s water woes. A meeting scheduled for this week on the new Johns Hopkins police force has been canceled. Morgan State is taking the lead in helping prepare traditionally under-represented students to study the environment. And with so many jobs to fill, one nonprofit is encouraging businesses to think outside the box.

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A judge has ruled that Maryland officials can start counting mail-in ballots ahead of election day. A Baltimore county employee has been busted for using  the county’s computer system to run a private business. A town hall meeting to discuss a private police force for Johns Hopkins University  was brought to an abrupt end by protestors last night. I’ll have more headlines plus, the Republican running for Baltimore County Executive is promising a revolutionary change in government if he’s elected. 

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A medical panel at the U.S Department of Health is recommending that everyone under age 65 get screened for anxiety. Our health reporter talked with the Director of  the Mental Health Association of Maryland about how  this pandemic has affected us all, and what help there is for Marylanders. The sanitation issues of the city’s homeless encampments got a public hearing today. Most Marylanders condone recreational marijuana use according to a Goucher Poll with WYPR and the Baltimore Banner. We’ll have more results from the poll, plus tomorrow is the 29th annual “Dining Out for Life,” I’ll have a conversation with their director about this year’s goal for supporting Maryland’s chronically ill and food insecure.

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