Pamela Wood - Reporter

01/14/2026

Day 1/90 of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session is in the books. Read about all that transpired in The Baltimore Banner's live blog.

We'll be back at it tomorrow.

Lawmakers have returned to Annapolis for the annual 90-day legislative session facing a big budget shortfall and uncertainty about what a second Trump administration will mean for Maryland.

01/14/2026

As the General Assembly is now officially in session, we have plenty of updates on the action:
- The governor delivering snacks
- A union airing its needs
- Lines for IDs
- Words from the top 3 Dems in Annapolis

Lawmakers have returned to Annapolis for the annual 90-day legislative session facing a big budget shortfall and uncertainty about what a second Trump administration will mean for Maryland.

01/13/2026

Who is lining up to fill U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer's seat in Congress, now that he's retiring?

It's a rare opportunity, and my colleague Brenda Wintrode has a list of folks who are considering running, and one who already launched a campaign:

As U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer prepares to retire from Congress, a number of Maryland Democrats are lining up for his soon-to-be open seat.

01/13/2026

I'll be on WYPR Radio's "Midday with Tom Hall" in the noon hour today, talking all things Maryland General Assembly.

Tune in at 88.1 FM in the Baltimore metro area, or online at http://wypr.org

01/13/2026

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has a lot on his plate this year and this General Assembly session.

Budget gap, disagreement with other Dems, fallout from Trump actions, re-election.

“We were never promised easy,” he says.

Gov. Wes Moore brought in a new budget secretary and a new chief of staff, both veterans of Maryland politics.

01/11/2026

“Do I have all of the answers right now? No, I don’t. But am I willing to do the work? And are my members willing to do the work? Absolutely. Absolutely.”

Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk charts a new course in the Maryland House.

📸: Jessica Gallagher

Maryland’s new speaker of the House of Delegates faces a budget shortfall and thorny debates about immigration enforcement, affordability and redistricting. She says she’s ready for the challenge.

01/08/2026

U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat and dean of Maryland’s federal delegation, announced he won't run for re-election.

“I make this decision with sadness, for I love this House,” he said Thursday.

by Brenda Wintrode:

An emotional Hoyer took the podium on the floor of the U.S. House to make his announcement, saying his long career has more good times than bad.

01/06/2026

HARBAUGH OUT

Join the huddle.

01/05/2026

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the largest union of state employees (AFSCME Maryland) did not reach an agreement on pay for next year. Deadline was Dec. 31.

Six other smaller unions reached deals and will get the equivalent of 2% increase.

UPDATE: Even without an agreement with AFSCME, the Moore administration says they'll include money in the next state budget to give AFSCME-represented workers the equivalent of the same increase that other unions are getting (2%).

My story:

With no agreement by the year-end deadline, the Moore administration will decide what, if any, pay raises or additional perks to include in its budget plan.

12/31/2025

Underground Baltimore keeps catching on fire, and a consultant's report on a particularly bad 2024 fire on Charles Street found the cause was a buildup of gasses in a conduit that was overcrowded with cables and wires.

Perhaps my last byline for 2025:

The report listed a slew of recommendations to prevent future explosions and fires in the city’s underground conduits.

12/30/2025

I'm so fortunate to work with amazingly talented photographers -- staffers, freelancers and interns -- at The Baltimore Banner.

Check out just a sampling of how they captured Maryland (and beyond) in 2025:

From sports to culture, we captured so many moments in photos. Here are The Baltimore Banner’s favorite photos of 2025.

12/23/2025

The largest union for Maryland state government workers (AFSCME Maryland Council 3) filed three Unfair Labor Practices against Gov. Wes Moore's administration, as tensions continue over staffing and pay.

The complaints allege that the Moore administration is not:
- Following its telework policy for employees
- Giving required higher pay to employees who work unfavorable shifts
- Properly implementing leave for employees called up to military duty.

AFSCME Maryland Council 3 alleges that Maryland is not following its telework policy for employees, not giving required higher pay to employees who work unfavorable shifts and more.