Per Montgomery County: Governor Wes Moore today announced a record investment in Maryland arts organizations through the state’s Arts Relief initiative. Through $40 million in supplemental funding added to the Maryland State Arts Council’s annual appropriation of $28.9 million in FY23, this record investment is helping arts organizations cope with the lasting financial impacts of the pandemic, spurring arts projects and employment in all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, and has elevated Maryland to second in the nation in per capita spending on the arts in FY23.

“Even as the world continues to reopen, we know that many arts organizations are finding it difficult to return to pre-pandemic audience levels. The same is true for artists, who are still getting back on their feet after recent challenges,” said Gov. Moore. “Thanks to this historic investment, which illustrates how much we value a strong creative economy, our arts ecosystem is poised to thrive in the coming years.”


Per the Office of the U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland –Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo, age 29, a Nigerian national residing in South Africa, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering (with co-conspirators in Maryland), related to a business email compromise (“BEC”) scheme with intended losses of the conspiracy of more than $6 million.  Simon-Ebo arrived in the United States on April 12, 2023, after being extradited from Canada.

According to his plea agreement, from February 2017 until at least July 2017, Simon-Ebo conspired with others to perpetrate a BEC scheme.  Specifically, Simon-Ebo and his co-conspirators, including co-conspirators residing in Maryland, gained unauthorized access to email accounts associated with individuals and businesses targeted by the conspirators and sent false wiring instructions to the victims’ email accounts from “spoofed” emails, which are emails with forged sender addresses, to deceive the victims into sending money to bank accounts controlled by perpetrators of the scheme, called “drop accounts.”


Per the National Weather Service: Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen will move northward toward the Mid-Atlantic Coast through Friday before moving northward near the Mid-Atlantic Coast Saturday through Sunday. The main threat will be a storm surge with inundation around 2 to 3 feet most likely for locations along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay as well as the shore of the Tidal Potomac River.

The highest water levels will be around times of high tide Saturdaythrough Saturday night. Rainfall will most likely average between 1 to 3 inches with localized amounts around 3 to 5 inches possible. The best chance for the highest rainfall amounts will be near and east of Interstate 95.


Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore this morning joined U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona for a conversation about the power of education at the 2023 National Association of College Admission Counseling conference in Baltimore. The governor and secretary shared perspectives on leadership in a conversation moderated by National Association of College Admission Counseling Chief Executive Officer Angel B. Pérez.

“My two-year college was my foundation, and I believe that we need to give students the opportunity to take the path that best suits them, including through a community college,” said Gov. Moore. “We need to provide world-class education in Maryland and we also need to think about offering programs that train students in industries of the future. I believe in experiential learning, and by giving our students opportunity and choice, I know we will unlock enormous potential.”


Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore yesterday visited the new Marriott Global headquarters in Montgomery County, marking the first anniversary of the headquarters opening in Bethesda. Marriott International President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Capuano and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International David Marriott hosted the governor for a tour of the facility, which provides cutting-edge workforce development for the hospitality industry worldwide.

“Marriott’s innovative facility represents a lasting investment in Maryland that reinforces our commitment to strengthening our workforce for generations to come,” said Gov. Moore. “The state-of-the-art headquarters creates jobs for Marylanders, strengthens our economy, and puts Maryland on the map as a hub for global hospitality.”


“At this moment, at a time when people’s response to the political toxicity is to lean out, I’m asking you to lean in. At this moment, when the instinct is to retreat, I want you to step forward,” said Gov. Moore. “Engage in civic life. Engage in service. Because service will save us.”

In its first year, the Department of Service and Civic Innovation will place a minimum of 200 members in the Service Year Option or Maryland Corps. Each program offers a unique opportunity to explore a year of professional growth and career opportunities while earning a living wage, gaining new skills, and serving fellow Marylanders.


Marylanders are encouraged to contribute their insights through the survey, which is available on the front page of our website: www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov. The results of the survey will play a critical role in shaping the OAG’s efforts to ensure that the proposed merger aligns with the best interests of the state and its residents.

This merger, if approved, could potentially have significant implications for consumers, employees, farmers, and small independent grocers across the state. Currently, Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, while Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states. Together, the companies employ approximately 710,000 people nationwide, with 10,167 across more than 165 stores in the DMV area. If combined, these two companies would form a corporate entity with a vast presence across the nation.


With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing and women holding more than 10% of Fortune 500 CEO positions for the first time, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most & Least Diverse States in America, with Maryland coming in as the 9th most diverse state.

To determine where the most idea and identity exchanges have occurred at the highest level in the U.S – and where the population is relatively more homogeneous – WalletHub compared the 50 states across six key categories: socio-economic, cultural, economic, household, religious and political diversity. Diversity in Maryland (1=Most Diverse, 25=Avg.):


This year represents the 40th anniversary of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Congratulations to the more than 9,000 awardees recognized since 1983. Six schools in Maryland (one in Montgomery County) have been recognized in 2023– they are listed below.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s longest-running recognition programs. NBRS recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.  Since its inception, the goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country.


The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the lottery results for the 2023 black bear hunt. Having been selected by random drawing, the 950 successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the six-day hunting season open from October 23-28 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.

“The black bear hunt provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue one of our greatest natural resources here in the state and contribute to the management of the species,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Acting Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Congratulations to those successful applicants – we wish you all good luck and safe hunting during our 20th annual black bear season.”


Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings and autumnal tree canopies. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again has started presenting its weekly Fall Foliage Report. What can we expect from fall foliage this year and when can leaf peepers catch a glimpse of fall’s best colors? Check it out below, courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

What the Science Says: For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, but they can agree that three primary factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, length of night, and weather.


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