ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan, who has been one of former President Donald Trump’s fiercest critics in the GOP, received Trump’s endorsement in his Maryland Senate bid on Thursday in an interview on Fox News.

“I’d like to see him win,” Trump told the network during a trip to Washington, D.C. “I think he has a good chance to win.”

The Maryland race could determine control of the Senate, a point Trump noted in the interview.

“I would like to see him win, and we got to take the majority. We have to straighten out our country, so I’d like to see him win,” Trump said.

Hogan, who was a popular governor, is trying to become the first Republican in more than 40 years to win a Senate seat in Maryland, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-1 ratio statewide.

Late last month, Hogan angered Trump’s campaign when he said that the public should “respect the verdict and the legal process” prior to Trump’s conviction by a Manhattan jury on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments.

“At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders — regardless of party — must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” Hogan posted on X before the verdict was announced. “We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”

Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser, shot back on X: “You just ended your campaign.”

Hogan, who is trying to navigate a difficult path running in a heavily Democratic state, has said he will not be attending the Republican National Convention next month in Milwaukee, July 15-18. Hogan also did not attend the party’s conventions in 2020 and 2016.

In the past two presidential elections, Hogan said he did not vote for Trump, the party nominee. Hogan said he wrote in the name of his father, former U.S. Rep. Larry Hogan Sr., in 2016 and the late President Ronald Reagan in 2020.

Hogan is running against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, the chief executive of Prince George’s County near the nation’s capital. The Senate seat is open due to the retirement of Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat.

NOTTINGHAM, MD — A cannabis dispensary held its grand opening Thursday in East Baltimore County.

The Apothecarium Nottingham sits outside the White Marsh Mall at 8241 Perry Hall Blvd. It’s located in the former Simply Delicious Cajun Kitchen.

The Nottingham dispensary replaced The Apothecarium Parkville.

This is the company’s fourth Maryland location. The others are in Salisbury, Cumberland and Burtonsville. This is the business’s 39th dispensary nationwide.

A press release from parent company TerrAscend Corp. called the Nottingham store a “sophisticated retail venue featuring a convenient drive-thru.”

“Just weeks after celebrating Maryland’s first rec legal 4/20, we are excited to keep the momentum rolling by strengthening our already strong retail presence in this young and flourishing cannabis market,” TerrAscend Executive Chairman Jason Wild said in the release. “While still in the early innings of adult-use in Maryland, we continue to invest in the state with an eye towards further expanding our market share.”

Recreational Marijuana Has Business Booming At MD Dispensaries

Maryland legalized recreational marijuana for residents 21 and up under state law on July 1, 2023. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, however. Medical use is also legal under Maryland law.

TerrAscend plans to capitalize on this new market.

“In addition to our new Nottingham location, we recently operationalized the expansion of our cultivation facility, doubling its capacity,” Wild said in the release. “We can’t wait for our customers to experience our expanded variety and the innovative high quality products we’re set to launch.”

Visit apothecarium.com/dispensaries/nottingham for more information on the company.

To learn more about Maryland’s recreational marijuana laws and market, read Patch’s feature story on dispensaries.

BALTIMORE — Wednesday was the start of Fleet Week, and hundreds of people walked along the inner harbor, getting a first look at the USS Marinette and the US Naval Academy Yard Patrol.

For some Baltimoreans, this is all new.

“Very exciting, very exciting. I’ve never been out here before in my life; it’s my first time,” says Aaron White.

But others were excited for the ships to return to the harbor once more.

“I come from a military family, you know, and I have married a military man right there, so yes, I’m very excited of being among all this,” says Alethia Sherrill.

Renee Spence says she enjoys fleet week and is excited to get a chance to board the ships starting on Thursday.

“I love that they are here; they are here to protect us, save our United States, and it just brings a lot of joy,” says Spence.

Fleet Week isn’t just about the locals.

“It’s also an opportunity for the sailors that are coming to town to enjoy the hospitality of Baltimore and Charm City,” says Chris Rowsom, Fleet Week Director.

Alongside the fleets and the festivals, others are excited to see the airshows, which begin Friday. This year features a unique aircraft as the finale.

“The thing were probably most excited about is the Marine Corps F35-B aircraft, which is going to be the finally of our show each day. It is the top-of-the-line fifth-generation fighter that has the ability to take off and land vertically, so we’re very excited about having that airplane,” says Mike McCabe, Air Support President.

Major Fleet Week events scheduled

Wednesday

4 p.m. — Maryland Fleet Week Welcome Ceremony at the Inner Harbor Harborplace Ampitheater

Thursday

Fleet of ships open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday to Monday.

5-8 p.m. — 5K Fun Run in Fells Point and Rum Punch Tasting Tour: Begins and ends at Charm City Run’s Fells Point Store and goes along a path on the promenade. After the 5K, there will be a Rum Punch Tasting Tour at Fells Point businesses with live music by Soundtown on Broadway Square.

Friday

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—STEM to Stern Education Tent at the Inner Harbor’s Constellation Dock: Challenge and inspire youth to explore career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, with some history and art sprinkled in to add to the fun.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.—Flyover Baltimore (schedule to be posted in the Fleet Week App): Vintage and modern military and civilian aircraft will conduct flyovers and demonstrations, all visible from the Inner Harbor.

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.—Fleet Week Festival Inner Harbor: Enjoy local food and drink, live entertainment with more than 25 bands on two stages, maritime-themed exhibits, family-friendly activities, and more.

Noon–1 p.m.—Crab Soup Cookoff at the Inner Harbor: Check out local chefs as they compete for the ultimate “Fleet Week Souper Bowl” trophy. The event includes local celebrity judges and a “People’s Choice” award.

2–9 p.m.—Fleet Week Festival Fells Point at Broadway Square: Enjoy three days of eclectic live music and entertainment on Broadway Square and throughout the neighborhood businesses. There will be kid-friendly programming each day, including a youth edition battle of the bands and other activities.

3 p.m. — Fells Point’s Best Crab Cake Contest at Broadway Square: Participating Fells Point restaurants will compete to win the title of the best crab cake. The event will include celebrity judges.

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Workout with a Sailor at West Shore Park

Saturday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Open House at Martin State Airport: Military aircraft displays, musical entertainment by Navy bands, souvenirs, and food vendors.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—STEM to Stern Education Tent

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Flyover Baltimore (schedule to be posted in the Fleet Week App)

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Fleet Week Festival Inner Harbor

11-11:30 a.m. — Kids on the Bay Parade at the Inner Harbor Residents, families, and kids alike are invited to participate in this casual, festive parade, complete with mermaids as well as the Oriole Bird, Doc the Tiger, Towson University cheerleaders, Ravens cheerleaders, and even the literary favorite Rainbow Fish. It will kick off the festival and be led by the Naptown Brass Band. All are welcome to join the line of march.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.—Fleet Week Festival Fells Point

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Workout with a Sailor

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youth Edition: Battle of the Bands at Broadway Square: Hear music from local schools, including School of Rock, Stages Music Arts, The Music Space, and Lee Priddy.

Sunday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open House at Martin State Airport

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—STEM to Stern Education Tent

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flyover Baltimore

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.—Fleet Week Festival Inner Harbor

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—Fleet Week Festival Fells Point

Monday

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Star-Spangled Science at Fort McHenry: Join National Park Service rangers and educators from the U.S. Naval Academy STEM Center for Education and Outreach to explore the science and technology that shaped the history of Fort McHenry and the lives and work of the soldiers who served there and the sailors who built and defended Baltimore. Throughout the morning, kids and adults can take part in hands-on experiments to explore the science of sailing, artillery, architecture, and more.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Family Fun Day at Broadway Square: Gutter races on Broadway Square from 1-3 p.m.; kits are available for purchase to build a boat to compete, but using reclaimed and repurposed materials is encouraged (creativity will be rewarded). The day will be free to enjoy family-friendly programming, including an exclusive movie screening at sunset.

Tuesday

8 a.m. to noon: Ships depart