Calvert County:
From Calvert Classrooms to College Funds: 2026 Carson Scholars Celebrated: Southern Maryland students continue to shine as part of the largest class in the 30 year history of the Carson Scholars Fund. The organization announced 706 new scholars and 994 recognized scholars nationwide for 2026, with strong representation from Calvert County and across the state.
Tribute Bands Headline Summer Concerts in Chesapeake Beach: Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort announced the full 2026 lineup for its popular Rock the Dock summer concert series, featuring more than a dozen tribute band performances at the waterfront Bandshell from May through October.
Legendary ZZ Top Heads to Solomons Waterfront Concert: The Calvert Marine Museum announced Tuesday that rock legends ZZ Top with special guest George Thorogood & the Destroyers will perform Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. as the fourth concert in the museum’s 2026 Waterside Music Series. The show will take place at the Motto Mortgage Preferred and RE/MAX One Waterside Pavilion in Solomons.
Charles County:
Charles County Advances $641.8M Budget and Volunteer Tax Credit Boost: Charles County Commissioners received briefings on the proposed $641.8 million fiscal year 2027 budget and key policy issues during meetings April 21 and 22, 2026, advancing proposals to support volunteer emergency responders, review data center zoning and address landfill capacity while approving several fiscal transfers.
Indian Head Coordinator Wins State Champion Honor for Building Community Ties: Marissa Ackerman, community school coordinator at Indian Head Elementary School, received recognition as a Community School Champion for Maryland’s Southern region during the Maryland Center for Community Schools annual convening at Towson University on March 18.
From La Plata to Annapolis: Local Student Embraces Civic Leadership: Semaj Thomas, a College of Southern Maryland Early College student and La Plata High School senior, completed service as one of four Charles County Public Schools representatives in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program.
St. Mary’s County:
Rising Star Faith Noel Shares Grief, Growth and New EP Plans: Faith Noel, a Nashville recording artist and multi-instrumentalist with Southern Maryland roots, shared insights into her musical journey during a recent interview. The 21-year-old performer, born in Maryland and raised partly in St. Mary’s County before moving to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania at age one, discussed early influences, songwriting, live performances, and upcoming projects.
Bay Hits 61 Degrees: Southern Maryland Fishing Heats Up: Ken Lamb of The Tackle Box in Lexington Park reports improving fishing conditions across Southern Maryland waters as a recent four-day heat wave pushed Chesapeake Bay temperatures to 61 degrees on April 20, 2026, just two degrees below the ten-year record high for this date.
St. Mary’s Commissioners Award Major Contracts, Advance FY27 Budget: The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County opened their April 21 business meeting with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance before approving the consent agenda and issuing four proclamations recognizing Administrative Professionals’ Day, National County Government Month, Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week and Earth Day.
State of Maryland/Regional:
Sudden cannabis reclassification leaves Maryland industry, regulators confused: A surprise reclassification of medical marijuana to a less dangerous drug on Thursday has left many Marylanders with more questions than answers.
Maryland Passes Energy Bill That Delivers Short-Term Relief, Locks Ratepayers into Long-Term Nuclear Subsidy: Maryland lawmakers’ new solution for rising utility bills reduces a surcharge funding an effective energy-efficiency program, offers rebates by raiding the state’s clean energy fund and includes subsidies for nuclear power that advocates say may prove costly over time.
Potomac Hits Near-Record Lows as Drought Deepens: Southern Maryland residents drawing water from the Potomac River system face heightened drought concerns as the river heads into summer at near-record low levels, prompting increased monitoring by regional water officials.
