Maryland
Maryland’s $48 million purchase of Laurel Park approved by state’s Board of Public Works
Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved the state’s $48.5 million purchase of Laurel Park Race Track.
The acquisition was part of the $383 million state spending that was approved by the board on Wednesday.
State leaders say the investment in the horse track will be vital for the future of horse racing in Maryland, which also owns historic Pimlico Race Course.
The state’s acquisition of Laurel Park was delayed in May after a legislative committee requested a cost-benefit analysis and a 45-day review period. Laurel had previously been slated for demolition.
Maryland’s Stadium Authority approved the plan to buy Laurel Park and redevelop it into a “best-in-class horse training facility,” the governor’s office said in April.
“These investments reflect our commitment to building a stronger Maryland by supporting the infrastructure, institutions, and community resources that residents rely on every day,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said. “By investing in projects that strengthen our economy, we are making sure Maryland remains a great place to live, work, and do business.”
Horse racing’s future in Maryland
Laurel Park Race Track hosted the 151st Preakness Stakes in May, as Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes renovations.
The state purchased Pimlico in 2024 in a transfer of ownership to renovate and turn the race course into the permanent home of Maryland’s thoroughbred racing.
Pimlico will open back up for the Preakness Stakes in 2027. The goal is to make Pimlico a year-round facility and host more than 100 racing days each year.
The redevelopment includes renovating the track surface and grandstand, adding additional stalls and a new training track, as well as redeveloping the surrounding Park Heights neighborhood.
Two juveniles were arrested in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old in Essex, Maryland, according to Baltimore County police.
Officers responded around 11:50 a.m. on Monday to the unit block of Bladen Road, where 17-year-old Roman Wright was found inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
One of the juveniles was arrested Monday evening. The second was arrested following an hours-long barricade situation in the 100 block of Akin Circle in Middle River.
About 30 minutes earlier and roughly a mile away, police said two 19-year-olds were found shot on Banyan Wood Court in Essex.
Izick Aminartey was pronounced dead at the scene, while 19-year-old Donielle Mack was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Baltimore County police said they do not believe the shootings are connected.
Anyone with information about the shootings in Essex is asked to call the police at 410-887-4636.
Police said there have been 16 homicides in Baltimore County this year, compared with 19 at this point in 2025.
MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland has another Powerball millionaire. A $1 million ticket hit Monday night as the jackpot surged to a staggering $975 million for Wednesday’s drawing.
Maryland Lottery officials said a ticket sold at the Harvest Fare Supermarket at 2315 Belair Road in Fallston matched the first five winning numbers — 6, 37, 54, 55 and 64 — but did not match the Powerball number, 10. That made it a $1 million winner and Maryland’s third $1 million Powerball prize in the past two weeks.
The jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing reached an estimated annuity value of $975 million, with a $422.3 million cash option.
Howard County also saw a big winner Monday night. A ticket sold at the Harris Teeter store at 8620 Guilford Road in Columbia won $150,000 after matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball number. The base prize was $50,000, but the player added the Power Play option, and with a Power Play multiplier of X3 in Monday’s drawing, the prize was tripled to $150,000.
Powerball tickets cost $2, and the Power Play option costs an additional $1. The Maryland Lottery said adding Power Play multiplies any prizes a Powerball ticket wins except for the jackpot.
The other recent $1 million winners in Maryland came in the Aug. 1 Powerball drawing, when a $1 million ticket was sold at the 7-Eleven at 8905 Rhode Island Avenue in College Park, and in the July 29 drawing, when a $1 million ticket was sold at the Royal Farms at 1558 Annapolis Road in Odenton.
That Odenton prize was claimed on Monday by an anonymous Anne Arundel County resident who nicknamed himself “Powerball Bulldog.” Maryland Lottery officials said “Powerball Bulldog” visited the Maryland Lottery office in Baltimore on Aug. 10 to claim the $1 million prize.
Severn School attackman Jake Handy has announced his commitment to continue his academic and lacrosse career at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, becoming the latest MIAA standout to join one of the United East Conference’s most successful Division III programs.
Choosing the Seahawks
Handy, a member of the Class of 2027, chose the Seahawks after a recruiting process that included interest from other colleges, ultimately deciding that St. Mary’s offered the right combination of academics, campus environment and lacrosse culture.
A Program Built for Success
Head coach Jason Childs has led the Seahawks since 2016, helping establish St. Mary’s as one of the premier programs in the United East. Since joining the conference in 2022, the Seahawks have captured four consecutive regular-season and conference tournament championships while reaching the NCAA Division III Tournament three times, advancing to the second round on each occasion. The program also set a school record with 15 victories during the 2023 season.
Strong MIAA Connection
St. Mary’s has also developed a strong connection with the MIAA. The Seahawks’ 2026 roster featured 10 former MIAA players, and Handy will continue that tradition when he arrives in historic St. Mary’s City.
For Handy, the decision extended well beyond lacrosse.
Why St. Mary’s Was the Right Fit
He said the close-knit campus community, small-school atmosphere and waterfront setting reminded him of his experience at Severn. The college’s location in Southern Maryland also allows him to remain close to home, making it easier for his parents and brothers to visit campus and attend home games.
Handy was equally impressed with the Seahawks’ coaching staff.
He said the coaches made him feel welcome throughout the recruiting process and demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting players both on and off the field. Even after receiving invitations to visit other colleges, Handy remained confident that St. Mary’s was the right fit.
Academically, he plans to major in business.
Handy will look to help Severn build on its recent success before beginning the next chapter of his career with a St. Mary’s program that has established itself as one of Division III’s consistent contenders and continues to strengthen its recruiting ties with one of the nation’s premier high school lacrosse leagues.
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