With the labor force participation rate at 62.6%, one of the lowest rates in decades, WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring, with Maryland coming in at #8 when it comes to “employees struggling the most in hiring.”

In order to see where employers are struggling the most in hiring, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the rate of job openings for both the latest month and the last 12 months. Maryland Hiring Struggle Stats:


Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, received $5.495 million in capital funding for 13 projects from the state of Maryland during the 2023 legislative session. The funding will be used towards park projects in six legislative districts in Montgomery County that include trail and bridge projects, playground and athletic field improvements, sports court and skatepark amenities, community garden and picnic facilities, environmental restoration, and ADA enhancements.   

“Once again, we appreciate the support of the Montgomery County delegation and the entire Maryland General Assembly. These grants will help us deliver needed projects across the county for all our residents to enjoy,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. Capital grant-funded projects for FY 23 include: 


Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller today joined with officials from the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland State Police and members of the transportation construction community to mark National Work Zone Awareness Week. To support worker safety, the governor announced the creation of a Maryland Work Zone Safety Work Group. The group, which will be chaired by Lt. Governor Miller, will study increased protection for highway workers. Governor Moore also proclaimed April 19 as “Go Orange and Highway Worker Appreciation Day.”

“As we build an efficient and equitable transportation network, all Marylanders need to do their part to make sure the men and women doing the work are safe,” said Gov. Moore. “We must prioritize safety over speed, which is why I’m announcing the formation of a highway work zone safety work group to develop tangible solutions to protect workers, drivers and passengers.”


Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating an attempted kidnapping that allegedly occurred early this evening in Frederick County. The victim is a 16-year-old girl. She was uninjured in the incident. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 50 years old with a pale complexion and a possible speech impediment. He is 5’7”- 5’9” with a medium to heavy frame. He is bald with brown eyes, a mustache and a mole on the right side of his face. He was driving a small black vehicle, possibly a minivan, at the time of the alleged incident.

At 5:15 p.m. today, the Maryland State Police Frederick Barrack received a 9-1-1 call from a citizen with the report of an attempted kidnapping.  The citizen was later identified as the victim’s mother.


“Yet again, women’s health care and reproductive rights have come under attack,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “And once again, Maryland has stepped up to continue providing safe and effective reproductive health care.”

Since the FDA approved the drug more than two decades ago, mifepristone has been used safely in more than 60 countries, providing critical care for women. The medication is used for a variety of reproductive health care needs.


Governor Moore released the following statement applauding President Biden’s efforts to protect DACA recipients:

“I want to applaud the Biden Administration for their efforts to protect and expand opportunities for Dreamers in our country. Having come from a family of immigrants, this is a deeply personal issue for me, and time and time again President Biden has shown his commitment to supporting this community,” said Governor Wes Moore. “Because of the actions of the Biden-Harris Administration, healthcare options will now be expanded for the more than 7,000 Marylanders who are current DACA recipients, making them eligible for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage for the first time. This proposal will have a significant impact on the lives of so many Marylanders and Dreamers across the country.”


“These agreements are critical to developing a regional streamlined transportation network that will connect communities across state lines,” said Lt. Governor Miller. “We look forward to working together with Virginia and Delaware to better serve transit users in our three states.”

Creating a seamless continuation of MARC Train service both north and south of Maryland is a critical component to transforming MARC Train from a local, commuter rail to a regional rail provider. Expansion of MARC service is included in the MARC Corners​​tone Plan and the Maryland State Rail Plan. The Maryland Transit Administration is committed to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the expansion of MARC service as part of its mission to increase transit access and options for all of Maryland’s citizens.


The African American Heritage Preservation Program provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. The competitive program is funded through an appropriation from the Maryland General Assembly and is administered as a partnership between the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust.

Grant awards range from $10,000 to $250,000. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local government jurisdictions. Business entities and individuals may also apply for program grants when seeking funds for a preservation or development project that serves a high public purpose. There is no match requirement for program applicants.


The 2023 School Safety Conference hosted by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) will include a “School Safety Art Showcase” for Maryland students in grades 3 – 12.  Conference attendees will select a winning elementary, middle and high school level submission at the conference.

Students enrolled in a Maryland public, nonpublic, and private school, as well as home-school students, are encouraged to submit their artwork answering the question “What does your school safety community look like?”, no later than May 31, 2023 using the link bit.ly/SchoolSafetyShowcase. Additional questions can be directed by email to [email protected] ,or by phone at 443-388-7010Courtesy of MCPS.


“This legislative agenda makes good on the promise our administration made to leave no Marylander behind,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “Beginning with putting Maryland on a path to end child poverty, the results of this historically successful session demonstrate the positive impact of working collaboratively to get things done for Marylanders.”

The Fair Wage Act of 2023, which raises the minimum wage in Maryland effective January 1, 2024. The acceleration brings the minimum wage up to $15 an hour two years ahead of schedule and will increase wages for approximately 163,000 workers, benefitting 120,000 children in Maryland.


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