UPDATE per the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) Program: “Crash with Injury. US-29 SB/NB at Burnt Mills Ave Mont Co MD All lanes remain blocked in both directions. Follow police direction. No access US-29 from MD-650. Avoid area if possible. Extended closure expected. Delays in immediate area and extend on MD-650 and OL Beltway.” There are also various reports of power outages in the surrounding areas.
Photo sent in by Instagram user @rayson.is.existant
Per the Office of the Attorney General: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 16 Attorneys General in an amicus brief supporting schools’ ability to protect the privacy of transgender students who have shared their identity with school staff.
The brief, filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Foote et al. v. Ludlow School Committee et al., argues in support of the Ludlow, Massachusetts school district’s practice of only sharing information on a student’s transgender or gender-nonconforming identity with the student’s parents if the student consents.
Per WMATA: Metro is open for business and looking to expand its regional opportunities and partnerships. With more than 18,000 purchase orders awarded annually, qualified vendors support a wide range of departments, including information technology, construction, facility maintenance, real estate, and inventory for day-to-day operations. Companies interested in doing business with Metro are invited to register now to attend Metro’s Procurement Fair, Tuesday, August 15.
The event will give business leaders an opportunity to meet with Metro’s procurement team, network with other vendors and government contractors, and attend workshops geared toward business growth and expansion.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today to overturn affirmative action programs in college admissions:
“The Supreme Court today struck down the use of race-conscious admissions programs in higher education, holding that such programs violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While the Court’s majority noted that educational institutions may still consider how race has affected an applicant’s life, the decision upends decades of legal precedent on which colleges and universities have relied in striving to achieve the myriad benefits of a diverse student body.
All are welcome!
Per the City of Rockville.
Montgomery Parks is hosting “Espectáculo de comediá en español” (Spanish Comedy Show), a free Spanish-language comedy show on Thursday, July 6, at Flower Avenue Urban Park. The event is appropriate for ages 13 and older and is part of the Parks Playhouse series. Five nationally recognized Spanish-speaking comedians (Che Guerrero, Carmen Lynch, Pedro Gonzalez, Elena Torres, and Jepherson Guevara) will take the stage and perform their stand-up routines that will touch on relatable topics such as family, relationships, inheritance and how to navigate life.
What: Espectáculo de comediá en español (Spanish Comedy Show)
According to the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) Program, a “crash with injury” has closed Columbia Pike US-29 SB/NB at Burnt Mills Avenue.
All lanes are blocked in both directions due to the incident and emergency response. The closure currently extends between Lockwood Dr and Hillwood Dr. Drivers are asked to follow police direction in the area with delays continuing to build in both directions. A extended closure is expected.
A private fireworks display will take place at Kenwood Country Club, located at 5601 River Rd in Bethesda. According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the club is hosting a ‘private/permitted event’ which will include a fireworks display & aerial explosions starting at approximately 930pm. The display is scheduled to last approximately 30 minutes. While the event is private, the fireworks will be visible in the surrounding area.
Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps
Per WMATA: This July 4, let Metro get you to and from Independence Day festivities stress and fare-free. Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be fare-free on Tuesday, July 4 from 5 p.m. until the system closes, with frequent service to the National Mall and other celebrations across the region.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on July 4, Metrorail faregates will be open, and fare-free signage will be posted throughout the stations and on buses to communicate that customers do not need SmarTrip cards if using Metro after 5 p.m. “The Metro Board of Directors is proud to support our region’s Independence Day celebrations by providing fare-free service for all customers traveling after 5 p.m. on July 4,” said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “The best way to beat traffic and get to barbeques, parades, and fireworks is with Metro, America’s transit system.”
Paint Branch Athletic Director Heather Podosek has retired from MCPS after 31 years. Podosek has been Athletic director since 2010, following two championships and 13 years as the girl’s head basketball coach. Earlier today, Podosek posted the following letter to the Paint Branch Athletics website saying goodbye to the Paint Branch community:
“Today is a emotional day for me as I retire from MCPS after 31 years, but it is also filled with reflection and gratitude! As I look back at my career (and all the stops along the way) which brought me to my “home” at Paint Branch, I will always be thankful for the guidance, patience and encouragement of the administrators, colleagues, coaches, students, and families that help me in my journey. You have been such a big part of shaping my career which is filled with love, laughter and happiness!
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that Montgomery College, Takoma/Silver Spring Campus, has entered into a resolution agreement to resolve a sexual harassment complaint. OCR’s investigation established that a College professor, who was not named, engaged in sexual harassment of female students during a class he taught by requiring the students to remove their shirts and wear only their bras – and then commenting on their bodies – ostensibly to demonstrate a medical assessment despite the fact that the assessment did not require the clothing removal, or the bodily commentary.
Within approximately three months of the initial report of the professor’s harassment, the College’s investigation confirmed that the professor’s conduct created a hostile environment on the basis of sex. The College terminated the professor’s employment and the College provided written notice of the outcome of its investigation to the student in the class who initially reported experiencing sexual harassment, and also offered supportive services to affected students. However, the College did not notify all affected students regarding the conclusion of its investigation, raising a concern that the College may not have taken necessary steps to ensure that a hostile environment did not persist for affected students.