With almost half of the population saying that they’d prefer to live in a suburban area, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best Small Cities in America, with five areas in Maryland (not all technically cities) listed in the top 8% of the
list. Three of them are in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County, along with Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Charles County, and Howard County, voiced support for the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s plan to establish upper payment limits for Jardiance and Farxiga, citing the potential for significant savings on government health costs.
Last week, MCEDC President & CEO Jared Smith and other local Montgomery County business leaders were named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 List, which recognizes influential business leaders across the DMV region. Smith, who joined MCEDC in December 2025, brings over 20 years of economic development and business experience across local and state government to the role. He is widely recognized in the economic development field and chairs the International Economic Development Council’s national Committee on the Future of the Profession, helping shape strategies that influence communities across the U.S.
During his time at MCEDC, Smith has led the development of the new Countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan for Montgomery County. The strategic plan establishes a clear, actionable framework to guide economic growth, competitiveness, and inclusive opportunity across the County. The plan builds on existing County assets like talent and proximity to world-leading research institutions, while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the ecosystem and workforce development.
Smith also oversaw MCEDC’s rebrand, which included a refreshed logo, new website, and the launch of quarterly MCEDC-hosted events where each convened over 100 attendees. Smith has also prioritized building a best-in-class economic development team and has made several key hires, including a new Vice President of Business Development, Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, and Chief Operating Officer.
The Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 list also recognized several other Montgomery County leaders, including Co-founder of Xometry, Randy Altschuler, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Angela Franco, Founder & CEO of United Therapeutics, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, President & CEO of The Donohoe Companies, Christopher Bruch, and President of Montgomery College, Dr. Jermaine F. Williams.
Governor Wes Moore announced that Manny Welsh has been appointed Principal Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Administrative Officer effective October 15, where he will oversee executive branch operations and support the administration’s priorities as part of a leadership reorganization.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined 19 other attorneys general in a joint statement opposing efforts to restrict access to mifepristone, emphasizing its long-standing safety and effectiveness and pledging to protect reproductive healthcare if access is challenged.
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming, and the community that cares for the museum’s ephemeral outdoor sculpture family, to learn about the project’s evolution over the past two decades, and what the future holds.
Learn about the art of clay, traditions of sustainability in Pueblo building techniques, and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly art activities, dance performances by the Zuni Olla Maidens, watch a short film, and multiple opportunities to hear from the artist, her family, and museum experts that have contributed to the care and revitalization of the sculptures.
Get into the holiday spirit at our Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Rockville Senior Center. The holiday bazaar features over 50 handmade crafters, book sale, plants sale, raffles, lunch for purchase, and more! Sponsored by Rockville Seniors, Inc.
Free admission for all ages
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a driver crashing into the Ross store in Federal Plaza, located at 12260 Rockville Pike, on Monday evening.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is investigating a fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred on August 7, 2025, at Randolph Road and Sherwood Forest Drive in Silver Spring. (more…)
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Catalina Rivera Velasco, a missing 13-year-old. (more…)
The Takoma Park Police Department has issued a community advisory following multiple reports of a man driving a black Honda and providing conflicting stories while soliciting money around the city.
A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to participating in a felony theft scheme that defrauded construction workers of wages on University of Maryland projects, collecting over $63,000 through falsified payroll records. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but 90 days suspended to home detention, three years of probation, and has already repaid the stolen wages. (more…)
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland entered a default judgment finalizing the forfeiture of 14 ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a $6 million Old Kingdom limestone funerary statue, that had been illegally smuggled into the United States.
On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council will introduce Expedited Bill 30-25, which seeks to change how the county enforces its ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. (more…)