Energy Affordability: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing reliable in-state power and could raise blackout risk by summer 2027. Public Works & Conservation: The Board of Public Works approved $9.3M for outdoor facilities and land conservation across Baltimore City and multiple counties, including park upgrades and greenspace equity projects. Healthcare & Consumer Safety: The FDA expanded a recall of hand soaps sold in 15 states after potential bacterial contamination, including products distributed in Maryland. Medical Devices: Medtronic won FDA clearance for its LigaSure RAS Maryland instrument to work with the Hugo robotic surgery system, expanding vessel-sealing options in robotic workflows. Defense & Space Tech: The Pentagon created a new space technology portfolio executive role to speed prototyping and connect commercial tech to Space Force acquisition. Local Business: A Cockeysville indie bookstore says social media helped it break through and grow. Food & Agriculture: Maryland’s Holly Poultry expansion adds 140 jobs, while a new ag-economist report looks at how the farm economy downturn is unfolding and how producers can recover. Transportation/Infrastructure: MDOT MTA is set to start construction on the RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project. Housing Planning: St. Mary’s County scheduled a hearing on its draft 2050 comprehensive plan. Aviation/Maritime: USACE began wreckage removal tied to last year’s Potomac River aviation incident near Reagan National Airport.