Independent oversight of Maryland’s state and local agencies.
Maryland’s public agencies wield enormous authority over residents’ daily lives—shaping everything from transportation and public safety to child welfare, licensing, healthcare, taxation, and housing. Yet these institutions often operate with limited transparency and even less accountability.
Agency Watch is MDBayNews’ dedicated oversight desk, tracking the performance, failures, and hidden dynamics inside Maryland’s government agencies. Using public records, whistleblower reports, audits, inspector general findings, and on-the-ground investigation, we expose what taxpayers deserve to know but rarely hear.
Our coverage includes:
- Mismanagement, corruption, and internal breakdowns
- Child welfare and CPS/CINA failures
- Public safety and law-enforcement agency oversight
- Health, housing, education, and transportation systems
- Procurement problems and contract waste
- Staffing crises, backlogs, and operational failures
- Administrative decisions affecting due process and civil rights
Whether it’s a statewide scandal, a small county agency causing big harm, or a slow-moving bureaucratic failure that affects thousands, Agency Watch delivers the scrutiny Maryland institutions seldom receive elsewhere.
Open government. Real accountability. No excuses.
Police Review Found No Threatening Behavior by Rhoda in Damascus Encounter
A Montgomery County police officer reviewing video of an October 24 encounter found no criminal acts or physically threatening behavior by Republican candidate Spencer Rhoda, according to an incident record obtained by MDBayNews. The finding raises new questions about Delegate Chao Wu’s public account.
DGA Action Sends Another $460,000 to Question 3 Campaign, Bringing Total to $1.26 Million
The Democratic Governors Association’s committee, DGA Action, has contributed $1.26 million to Maryland’s campaign for Question 3, with $460,000 disbursed recently. Most funding originates from the DGA, which also supports campaigns in other states. Public opinion indicates voters are largely opposed to Question 3, suggesting challenges ahead.
Nonpartisan on the Ballot: Unions, a Party Committee and a Super PAC Weigh In on Montgomery’s At-Large School Board Race
Omar Lazo leads Brenda Diaz in fundraising for their nonpartisan race for an at-large Board of Education seat. Despite Diaz’s campaign being lower in funds, a super PAC has spent $56,125 against her, primarily funded by unions. Both candidates have political endorsements reflecting deeper partisan affiliations. Early voting ends October 29.
FBI Posts Roy McGrath Shooting File With 36 Flash Drives Logged and 14 Pages Withheld
The FBI’s newly released Roy McGrath records document 36 flash drives, witness accounts, gaps in video evidence and 14 pages withheld in full. More than three years after the former Hogan aide’s death, the records leave unanswered what the Bureau’s internal shooting review concluded.
Wes Moore Isn’t Running Against Dan Cox. He’s Running for Something Bigger.
Wes Moore’s campaign highlights substantial fundraising, primarily from out-of-state sources, with $1.45 million raised and significant allocations towards boosting his national profile and supporting other Democratic candidates. In contrast, Dan Cox’s financial contributions are minimal. Moore’s strategy appears focused on consolidating party power rather than direct competition against Cox.
Spencer Rhoda’s Recording of Damascus Exchange Contradicts Chao Wu’s Account. MDBayNews Listened.
MDBayNews reviewed a 5-minute, 23-second recording of an encounter between Delegate Chao Wu and Republican candidate Spencer Rhoda. The audio does not support key allegations Wu made publicly about Rhoda’s behavior.
Maryland Week in Review: Prince George’s Grant Money Comes Back, Baltimore County Council Votes Itself a Big Raise and Early Voting Is Underway
Prince George’s County moves to recover millions in grants, Baltimore County approves a 73.6% council pay raise, Wes Moore faces a campaign ad dispute and a foster-care lawsuit, and Maryland voters head to the polls. Plus, the Ravens collapse and five things to watch this week.
Rutledge Wants a Statewide Bureau of Investigation, and Points to Baltimore’s Inspector General Fight
Jim Rutledge, the Republican attorney general nominee for Maryland, advocates for an independent Maryland Bureau of Investigation (MBI) to tackle public corruption and organized crime. He emphasizes the need for unbiased investigations, citing ongoing access disputes faced by Baltimore’s inspector general. Key details about the MBI’s establishment and operations remain unclear.
Chao Wu Smeared Two Opponents With a Story He Can’t Prove. He Should Retract It Now.
Delegate Chao Wu publicly accused Republican challenger Spencer Rhoda of aggressive conduct at a Damascus campaign event. Rhoda and Fitzgerald Mofor deny the allegations. With competing accounts and no recording released, Wu owes voters evidence or a correction.
OPINION: The Case for the Orange Ballot in Frederick County’s School Board Race
The Frederick County Board of Education election features two candidate groups: the Apple Ballot and the Orange Ballot. Early voting runs until October 29, with four seats contested by eight candidates. The Orange Ballot advocates for parental rights and improved academic standards. Voter engagement is crucial as the Board influences curriculum and budget decisions.
An $800,000 Washington PAC Check Is Now the Biggest Gift Behind Question 3
Fight Back MD raised $1.59 million over two weeks, totaling $1.83 million, primarily from out-of-state donors. Significant contributions included $800,000 from DGA Action PAC and $500,000 from Democracy PAC. The campaign supports Question 3, a redistricting amendment facing low voter approval in polls, with early voting ending October 29.
Betting-Industry Money Has Spent $435,000 Against a Moderate Republican With No Known Gambling Position. Why?
American Future, a political committee funded by the sports betting industry, has spent $434,956.87 against Jessica Haire, a Republican candidate for Maryland’s District 30 Senate seat, despite her unclear stance on gambling. The spending raises questions about the industry’s motives, as both candidates lack a gambling record. The focus seems to be on maintaining majority…
OPINION: Montgomery County Taxpayers Are Funding a Campaign They Cannot Opt Out Of
Montgomery County taxpayers fund Will Jawando’s campaign with over $844,000 despite his refusal to debate his opponent, Esther Wells, who has significantly lower campaign contributions. Critics argue the public financing program should involve voter consent and advocate for changes, including mandatory debates for publicly funded candidates to ensure accountability.
Judge Calls Brown’s ICE Subpoena “Fatally Facially Defective” and Tosses His Lawsuit as Rutledge Hits Office’s Priorities
A federal judge dismissed Attorney General Anthony Brown’s lawsuit against ICE for not complying with a subpoena regarding Baltimore holding rooms, stating state law does not allow the subpoena of federal agencies. Brown’s Republican opponent criticized him for focusing on federal conflicts rather than Maryland issues, while a class action regarding facility conditions continues.
County Taxpayers Have Sent Will Jawando $844,557. His Opponent Raised About $52,000.
Montgomery County’s Public Election Fund has contributed significantly to the campaign of Democratic nominee Will Jawando, who has raised over $1.3 million compared to Republican Esther Wells’ $52,000. The fund matches small donations, exacerbating disparities. Taxpayer concerns arise over funding an opposing candidate, highlighting issues of financial fairness in election campaigns.
Audit Finds Repeat Failures at Attorney General’s Office, From a Stalled Software Deal to Unsupported Leave
A recent audit revealed the Maryland Office of the Attorney General failed to fully implement a $3.6 million case management system, did not publish most large contract awards, and lacked documentation for employee leave hours. This report highlights ongoing issues from a prior audit, coinciding with the upcoming election featuring Attorney General Anthony Brown.
Baltimore County Council Votes Itself a 74% Raise Weeks Before the Election
The Baltimore County Council approved a nearly 74 percent pay increase, raising salaries for members from $69,000 to $119,750 and the chair from $77,000 to $129,750. The county executive’s salary will rise to $240,000. Critics argue the timing and magnitude are excessive, especially as new council members will soon take office.
Maryland Payrolls Fall Again in September, Down 20,100 Jobs in Two Months
Maryland’s employment figures show a decline of 8,800 jobs in September following a revised loss of 11,300 in August, totaling a two-month drop of 20,100 jobs. Despite this, the unemployment rate fell to 3.9%. Discrepancies in job estimates raise questions about data accuracy and labor market trends.
Maryland Week in Review: Baltimore Reviews a Controversial Letter, Blueprint Board Seeks a Longer Pause and Early Voting Opens Thursday
Baltimore faces questions over an unauthorized MONSE letter, Maryland’s Blueprint board seeks to pause school reviews, and early voting begins Thursday. Plus: offshore wind, campus sexual assault policies, the Ravens and deadlines ahead.
Soros-Funded PAC Disclosed $122 Million in a Maryland Filing. Now It Has Sent $500,000 to the Question 3 Campaign.
Democracy PAC disclosed $122 million in contributions, primarily from organizations tied to George Soros, with $500,000 allocated to Fight Back MD for a congressional redistricting amendment. Following software issues, the report lists funds received on June 2, 2026. Notably, questions arise about potential connections to previous spending and transparency in reporting.