Maryland
Federal funding uncertainty has The Pride Center of Maryland on edge
The Pride Center of Maryland has been on a funding rollercoaster, after it lost — then got back — a $2 million grant in a matter of days.
The Trump administration last week reversed nearly $2 billion in grant cuts at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grants support programs for mental health and addiction treatment programs.
More than 2,700 grants were impacted.
While it’s keeping the funding, The Pride Center of Maryland is making sure i will keep running if the government decides to change its mind again.
What the funds do
The impact of the center’s $2 million SAMHSA grant can be seen at its clinic, the AmAssi Center.
It’s a one-stop shop for health and wellness, providing services and resources for substance abuse, mental health, and sexual health.
Cheria Johnson, who first found the AmAssi Center while she was in another recovery program, said the center has been a lifeline.
“It gives me a safe space to evaluate my emotions and really get to communicate with other people, the community that’s been through similar experiences as I,” Johnson said.
Lynnae Gantt said she owes the AmAssi Center her life.
“If AmAssi wasn’t here, I would still be on drugs,” Gantt said. “I would still be in a mental spill. I probably would be pretending to be a boy. I just probably wouldn’t be here.”
Keeping things running
Cleo Manago, The Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO, learned the grant was cut late Tuesday night in an email.
He learned the funds were reinstated in another email about two days after that.
“It’s like getting in a car accident and the car accident is over. You’ve lived, but now you have to heal, refocus, and get yourself back in order like you were before that,” Manago said.
Manago said this is the second funding back-and-forth in the second Trump administration. As far as he’s concerned, federal funding’s always at-risk now.
Due to that, Manago is finding ways to diversify how the organization will raise money. He’s planning to try and find new funders and foundations to work with, especially those that aren’t federally-based.
“We are looking at opening up a store to sell merch from The Pride Center of Maryland and other items as a fundraising option,” Manago said.
Manago said it’s about making sure the LGBTQ+ community, and other communities his organization supports, keep getting help.
“I’m glad that I found out about AmAssi through my hard time, because now it’s helping me shape my life into a better time,” Gantt said.
Maryland
Multiple 911 callers report shots fired at Maryland’s Myrtle Point Park
ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — An investigation is underway into a shooting at Myrtle Point Park in St. Mary’s County on Wednesday evening.
The sheriff’s office said multiple 911 calls were received around 6:53 p.m. alerting to shots fired. However, no injuries have been reported.
SEE ALSO | Man found dead after being run over by vehicle in Prince George’s County
Myrtle Point Park is a waterside park located in California, Maryland, with a beach, picnic area and trails. It remains closed Thursday while deputies continue to investigate.
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If you have any information on the shooting, call 301-475-8008.
Maryland
Storms move into Maryland Wednesday evening
Maryland
Md. Department of Education committee begins search for permanent Prince George’s schools chief – WTOP News
Current Superintendent Shawn Joseph was appointed June 2025 by County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) to replace former Superintendent Millard House II after the teachers’ union gave House a vote of no confidence.
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.
The Maryland State Department of Education announced the next steps Monday in the process to find a permanent superintendent for Prince George’s County public schools, the state’s second-largest school system.
Current Superintendent Shawn Joseph was appointed June 2025 by County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) to replace former Superintendent Millard House II after the teachers’ union gave House a vote of no confidence.
Because Joseph’s position is for the current 2025-26 school year, state law requires a three-member search committee be named to help find a permanent leader.
State Superintendent Carey Wright selected state Board of Education member James Bell Jr. to chair the committee. Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed two county residents, Jennifer Avelar and Gordon L. Sampson, to join the panel.
Avelar serves as a C.O.A.S.T. (Creating Opportunities for Academic Success and Transfer) adviser at Prince George’s Community College, managing pre-enrollment advising for recruitment and the dual enrollment program for high school students. Sampson worked in the county’s public schools as a teacher, instructional specialist and principal from 1969 until his retirement in 2000. He became a member of the Bowie State University Foundation’s board of directors in 2017 and served as chair for five years.
PoliHire, a Washington, D.C. based search firm, will partner with Braveboy and the county’s school board in a national recruitment effort to find the next superintendent.
The department said the firm helped solicit feedback from various stakeholders to not only develop a leadership profile, but also garner responses from about 8,600 people in a community survey “on school system perspectives and qualities in the next superintendent.” The survey ended Friday.
Candidates interested in the position must submit applications by April 22. Once received, the committee will work with the firm to screen applications, conduct background checks and interview candidates.
Three finalists will be forwarded to Braveboy by May 8.
Braveboy has until June 1 to forward a candidate to the county school board, which must make a decision by June 30. Once the county executive selects a candidate, which must be done by June 1, that person’s name will be sent to the county school board for its approval by June 30.
Final approval rests with the state superintendent, for a schools chief to serve a four-year term.
“We remain committed to a transparent, inclusive, and thoughtful process.” Bell said in a statement Monday. “Over the coming weeks, committee members will carefully assess each applicant’s qualifications, leadership experience, and vision for advancing student achievement and supporting our educators and school communities.
“The committee will keep the Prince George’s County Public Schools community informed as we move forward. Our goal is to recommend highly qualified candidates who will lead Prince George’s County Public Schools into its next chapter of excellence,” he said.
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