Independent reporting on Maryland’s courts, judges, and the systems meant to deliver justice.
Maryland’s judiciary shapes everything from public safety to family stability, yet its decisions often unfold far from public view. MDBayNews’ Courts & Justice desk brings transparency to a system that affects every resident—tracking major rulings, judicial appointments, courtroom practices, case backlogs, accountability failures, and the real-world consequences of decisions made behind the bench.
We follow the stories most outlets overlook:
- How judges interpret and apply Maryland law
- Protective orders, custody disputes, and due process rights
- Court administration, delays, and system failures
- Criminal justice trends and sentencing decisions
- High-stakes civil cases and constitutional questions
- Public corruption, misconduct, and oversight issues
Whether it’s a landmark Maryland Supreme Court ruling or a quiet county-level decision with sweeping impact, this is where you find clear reporting, independent analysis, and investigations you can’t get anywhere else.
Where the courts meet accountability — and the public gets the full story.
GOP Delegate Nominee: Maryland’s Watchdogs Keep Getting Blocked by the Governments They’re Supposed to Police
Republican candidate Fitzgerald Mofor argues that Maryland inspectors general are hindered by local officials obstructing access to records. Evidence includes Howard County’s inspector still denied access after nine months and a successful court ruling for Baltimore’s inspector. Mofor proposes legislation to ensure local IGs can access necessary records to enhance accountability.
Rutledge Says Back River Plant Is ‘An Epic Failure,’ Presses Brown on Enforcement
Republican AG nominee Jim Rutledge criticized Baltimore’s wastewater management, linking odor issues to the Back River plant and a Potomac sewage spill. He accuses Democratic officials of failing to enforce environmental regulations effectively. Rutledge proposes stringent monitoring and prioritizing aging infrastructure while emphasizing the need for proactive enforcement in state water issues.
Why Maryland Counties Can’t Create New Taxes on Their Own
County leaders in Maryland are seeking increased local taxing authority from the General Assembly, which is currently restricted by state law. The Maryland Municipal League highlights that local revenue structures haven’t significantly changed since 1967. The task force’s upcoming report will explore options, including sales taxes and land value taxation, for local governments.
The Council Eliminated a Broad $692 Homeowner Credit. Now It Wants Three Targeted Ones.
The Montgomery County Council introduced three tax relief proposals aimed at supporting specific groups after eliminating a broad property tax credit. The bills focus on low-income families, school employees, and homeowners, yet the council faces criticism for not addressing deeper fiscal deficits. Public hearings are scheduled for October 13.
Behind the Records Fight: What Baltimore City Says About Its Own Watchdog
Baltimore’s Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming faces criticism from the city administration over alleged overreach and improper access to sensitive records. An appellate ruling favored Cumming procedurally but did not resolve the fundamental dispute. Tensions escalated after a controversial social media post led to ethics complaints, stirring ongoing legal battles and proposed reforms from Mayor…
Baltimore’s New Public Safety Agency Arrives Amid Fraud Fallout, a Records Fight and a Council Shake-Up
Baltimore officials announced the creation of a new Department of Neighborhood Safety, merging the troubled Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE). The change aims to improve civilian responses to non-violent 911 calls, amidst ongoing scrutiny over MONSE’s financial issues and a fraud finding. Funding and accountability concerns remain unaddressed.
EDITORIAL: Maryland Didn’t Need a Reparations Commission. It Especially Doesn’t Need This One.
Maryland’s Reparations Commission is forming five years after its inception, but its expansion raises questions about priorities amid a looming $1.56 billion budget shortfall. Critics argue that the commission lacks clarity on eligibility and compensation, diverting attention from pressing immediate needs. The fiscal situation complicates the pursuit of reparations, suggesting potential missteps.
Maryland’s Reparations Commission Is Taking Shape. It’s Also a Different Commission Than Lawmakers Passed.
The Maryland Reparations Commission, authorized 17 months ago, is finally convening with five of six appointments made by Governor Wes Moore. While the commission has expanded to 28 members, including various appointees, it faces delays in filling key seats. The commission will examine the impact of slavery and discrimination in Maryland.
Moore Administration Orders Two Dozen Agencies to Model 10% Budget Cuts as Deficit Deepens
Maryland faces a projected $3 billion budget gap for fiscal 2028, prompting state agencies to prepare for up to 10% budget cuts. Governor Wes Moore’s administration emphasizes fiscal discipline while evaluating both cuts and potential new taxes. Lawmakers are concerned about the growing deficit, which complicates the state’s financial outlook.
Moore Says Marylanders Are Right to Worry About AI. He Won’t Say What He’d Do About It.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland acknowledges public anxiety about AI’s potential job impact but has not provided specific plans to address these concerns. With nearly 40% of the workforce at high automation risk, Moore highlights the need for community involvement and “guardrails” yet remains vague on job protection strategies or funding commitments.
Maryland’s 5th District Heads to November With a Field Winnowed to Three
Adrian Boafo and Chris Chaffee advance to the general election in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, following a crowded primary. Boafo, the Democratic nominee, leads with significant outside spending support, while Chaffee is the Republican nominee. Mildred Marie Hall remains a write-in candidate, and two independent contenders failed to qualify.
Delaney’s Family Account Kept Buying Stock. She Also Voted No on a Trading Crackdown.
Rep. April McClain Delaney co-sponsored a bill banning Congress members from trading individual stocks, despite her frequent trading in a dependent child’s account. She voted against a related stock bill, citing complications. Delaney faces challengers in the upcoming election, amid scrutiny over her trading practices and district residency.
Suspended for Showing Up: The Dundalk Firefighters Punished for Helping After 9/11
Twenty-five years after 9/11, a story resurfaced about five Baltimore County volunteer firefighters who were suspended for traveling to New York to help with rescue efforts. Their actions, taken during a national crisis, sparked debate on duty versus command adherence. Public sentiment remains critical of the county’s disciplinary action.
The CDC Paid Baltimore Teens to Sell Vaccines to Their Peers. It Wasn’t Just Baltimore, and Its Own Researchers Couldn’t Show It Worked.
In Baltimore, a initiative named Voices on Vax engaged teenagers to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, funded by a CDC grant. Despite innovative outreach tactics, including paying teens for content creation, the program struggled to engage its target audience and show a significant impact on vaccination rates, raising concerns and scrutiny over its effectiveness and funding.
Germantown Service Dog Hit by Car, Now Recovering After Three Days in the ICU
A Germantown service dog named Saint is recovering at home after being struck by a car and spending three days in intensive care. His owner says veterinary expenses have reached nearly $9,000 as police responsibility for the crash remains unclear.
Maryland Crews Answered the Call: The First Responders Who Deployed After 9/11
In response to the September 11 attacks, Maryland’s emergency responders rapidly mobilized to the Pentagon, with Maryland Task Force 1 being among the first teams on site. Various local units supported search operations and fire control, while some responders faced long-term health issues linked to their service. The federal health program covering responders has expanded…
Three Bills to Require 9/11 Education in Maryland Schools Have Died. None Has Been Reintroduced.
As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, Maryland lacks a law mandating public schools to teach about it. Past attempts to establish a curriculum requirement have failed. Currently, the state has only a symbolic resolution, leaving instruction on the attacks inconsistent and largely dependent on local decisions.
Green Party’s Ellis Releases MPT Records, Presses for a Seat at the Oct. 6 Debate
Green Party nominee Andy Ellis has released Maryland Public Television records, urging the network to include all four candidates in the upcoming October debate. He claims MPT’s own rules support this inclusion, citing previous discrepancies in candidate invitations. The ongoing debate centers on transparency and access for all electoral choices in Maryland.
Eight Days, Ten Announcements: What Moore’s Late-Summer Sprint Actually Delivers
During a busy week from Sept. 1 to 8, Governor Wes Moore’s office issued 10 press releases concerning economic initiatives, including a minimum wage order and job announcements. A review revealed mixed effectiveness in claims, with some genuine accomplishments but many announcements repackaging older initiatives, raising questions amid a looming election and ongoing budget concerns.
From Tragedy to Statute: How 9/11 Reshaped Maryland’s Security Apparatus
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Maryland’s homeland security framework, established post-attacks, remains integral to its emergency response. Key institutions include the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, and an elevated Department of Emergency Management. This all-hazards structure now oversees terrorism, public health, and traditional disaster responses.