Maryland

Preakness will become a festival throughout Maryland in 2025

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Preakness will become a festival throughout Maryland in 2025

Maryland leaders announced plans to transform the Preakness Stakes into a full-scale festival starting in 2025. The festival will span months and include family-friendly events, the traditional horse races and a headline concert, spreading across the city and the state.

First Lady Dawn Moore, who will co-chair the new Preakness Festival, said attending the Kentucky Derby two years ago sparked the idea for a Maryland version of the event.

“It was my first time at the Derby, and I was absolutely amazed by the level of engagement,” she said. “You could feel the Kentucky pride, and I thought, ‘The state of Maryland could do something of our own, and honestly, we could do it better.’”

During the announcement at Camden Yards on Wednesday, Gov. Wes Moore said the festival will generate excitement and be a financial boon to the state as well.

“Maryland’s horse industry alone generates around $3 billion every year and supports over 25,000 jobs,” Gov. Moore said. “About a quarter of Maryland’s agricultural sector, which is the largest sector in Maryland’s economy, comes from the equine industry. ”

Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director of the Maryland Sports Commission and President of Sports & Entertainment, explained that Preakness brings in about $41 million, while the Kentucky Derby brings in about $396 million, adding that taking from the Derby’s playbook works.

Mayor Brandon Scott sees Preakness 150 as an opportunity to highlight Baltimore’s ongoing revitalization.

“As a son of Park Heights, Preakness hasn’t always been a place where we felt welcome. It was held in Northwest Baltimore, but it was very clear that it wasn’t for Northwest Baltimore. Over the past few years, we’ve begun to change that narrative by bringing the surrounding communities into the fold.”

FUTURE OF PIMLICO

In 2026, the Preakness will be temporarily held at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes redevelopment. The event is expected to return to Baltimore in 2027.

Earlier this year, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation for the state of Maryland to take ownership of Pimlico Race Course. The Board of Public Works also approved $400 million in bonds, to upgrade the dilapidated track.

Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, who represents northwest Baltimore, told WYPR in May that the redevelopment will benefit surrounding communities. “10% of those profits will go toward redevelopment in the neighboring communities around the track,” said Rosenberg.

Those redevelopment efforts include local hiring opportunities at the track, a grocery store, a hotel and event space.

In 2027, residents will see more activity at Pimlico, as all horse racing in Maryland is scheduled to relocate there.

That will result in 140 days of horse racing annually.

You can learn more about the Preakness Festival here.

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Maryland

Arrest made after $40K worth of HVAC units stolen in Maryland, over 10 businesses impacted

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Arrest made after K worth of HVAC units stolen in Maryland, over 10 businesses impacted

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A Maryland man has been arrested in connection with a string of thefts targeting heating and air conditioning units that impacted more than 10 businesses across the region, authorities said.

On Dec. 31, 2025, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside investigators from the Prince George’s County Police Department, took Thomas Guinyard, 30, of Hyattsville, into custody.

Charles County deputies said Guinyard has several active arrest warrants tied to the theft of heat pumps and air conditioning units valued at more than $40,000.

Authorities said the thefts caused widespread disruption to local businesses, with investigators confirming that more than 10 were affected.

SEE ALSO | Man accused of stealing circuit breakers from nearly 50 Maryland homes

When deputies tried to approach him, Guinyard allegedly ran away but was apprehended without further incident, according to the sheriff’s office. During the arrest, deputies said they learned the vehicle Guinyard was driving had been reported stolen.

Guinyard faces a charge of theft and destruction of property. He is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.

Investigators continue to review the case to figure out whether more charges or related thefts may be connected to Guinyard, the sheriff’s office said.

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Maryland

Md. Gov. Moore touts public safety funding increase, even with crime continuing to drop – WTOP News

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Md. Gov. Moore touts public safety funding increase, even with crime continuing to drop – WTOP News

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore noted the continuing decrease in crime across the state and shared a proposal to spend $124.1 million on public safety in the next fiscal year budget.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks alongside Prince George’s County
Executive Aisha Braveboy and Police Chief George Nader(WTOP/John Domen)

Maryland lawmakers return to Annapolis next week, and plugging a roughly $1 billion budget hole will be one of many items on their agenda as the 2026 session gets underway.

This week, Gov. Wes Moore has been touting parts of the budget he’ll be unveiling, to go with legislation he intends to champion in Annapolis.

On Thursday, he stood in front of a huge gathering of police, federal law enforcement and prosecutors at the Maryland State Police Barracks in College Park to talk about the continuing decrease in crime and share a proposal to spend $124.1 million on public safety in the next budget.

“That is the highest level of funding in our state’s history, and a $2.3 million increase over last year’s budget,” Moore said. “These are real resources for local police departments all throughout the state of Maryland.”

He said the funding will support overtime patrolling and new equipment that “officers need to make sure they are doing their job safely and that they can get home to their families.”

Moore also took issue with the premise, often posed to Democrats, that you have to choose between siding with law enforcement or siding with “the community,” arguing that he does both “unapologetically.” He also promised that his plan for public safety is both urgent and strategic.

“This is backed by data and built on three core pillars,” Moore said. “Provide the resources and the support that law enforcement needs; build stronger, more vibrant communities that leave no one behind; and coordinate all aspects of government and community to make sure that our streets are safer.”

As he enters the final year of his term, Moore highlighted a 25% reduction in homicides around the state, to a number he said is the lowest in 40 years. He also touted a 50% violent crime reduction and a sharp drop in non-fatal shootings.

“This is not trends or vibes. It happens because we made smart investments, and it happened because we chose to do something really unique — work together,” Moore said. “We are standing here coordinated, bipartisan, nonpartisan, knowing that community safety does not have a partisan bend and protecting our neighbors does not have a political affiliation.”

At the same time, Moore said he wasn’t taking a victory lap about the heartening trends in crime just yet.

“We are making progress, yes, but we will not rest until everybody and all of our communities feel safe,” he said. “Too often, false choices will dominate the public safety debate. Do we want to hold criminals accountable, or do we want to focus on rehabilitation? We’re told to pick a side without understanding that’s not how people live.”

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