Maryland
Tens of millions pour into Maryland Senate race in past three months alone – Maryland Matters
Millions of dollars continue to pour into Maryland’s Senate election between former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), new campaign finance reports show.
The candidates themselves reported big hauls over the past three months in the tight race to replace departing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D). And those efforts have been supplemented by secondary fundraising committees and robust outside spending — including a pro-Hogan political action committee that has raised an eye-popping $27 million so far and has spent almost $11 million.
The July 1 to Sept. 30 campaign fundraising and spending reports, filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission, confirm that Maryland’s Senate race continues to be one of the most closely watched in the nation this year — a rarity for the state — with Democrats clinging to a two-seat majority that is in danger of changing hands.
Recent public polls have shown a small and durable lead for Alsobrooks — but nothing insurmountable, as Hogan remains better known and still is popular after eight years as governor.
When it comes to their own fundraising committees, Alsobrooks appears to have bested Hogan in money raised over the past quarter, based on a quick read of the campaign finance reports, which were posted to the FEC website late Tuesday. But the campaigns have moved a lot of money in and out of their principal fundraising entities and auxiliary accounts over the past few months, so it is difficult at first glance to calculate what the campaigns’ bottom lines are.
Alsobrooks’ campaign committee reported raising more than $13.4 million and spending $13.6 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, which included a transfer of almost $2.4 million from a separate entity, the Alsobrooks Victory Fund, which reported collecting almost $3.8 million over the last three months.
The victory fund doled out more than $3.5 million during the previous quarter, including the money it sent to Alsobrooks’ campaign committee.
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Overall, Alsobrooks’ campaign fund has raised almost $26 million since she entered the race in May 2023. It has spent $22.5 million for the election, and as of Sept. 30, she had more than $3.6 million in her war chest.
The Alsobrooks Victory Fund has brought in $6.6 million this election cycle and spent $6.2 million. It had about $433,000 in the bank on Sept. 30.
Alsobrooks is also collecting money from a joint fundraising committee that was set up during the summer for herself and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), who is also bidding to become one of the few Black women elected to the Senate (the congresswoman is heavily favored to win her race next month). The Alsobrooks-Blunt Rochester Victory Fund reported raising $75,000 during the three-month period and spending just shy of $70,000. Of that, $26,000 went to Alsobrooks’ campaign, and $30,500 went to Blunt Rochester.
Another joint fundraising committee that has since been closed, established for Alsobrooks and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, transferred $13,000 to the Alsobrooks campaign during the summer.
Alsobrooks also has a leadership PAC, called AlsoPAC, which has raised $180,000 this election cycle, but is mostly sending that money to other candidates.
Hogan’s principal campaign committee reported taking in more than $3.2 million over the past three months and spending $4.3 million during the same period. The money that came in included a $756,000 transfer from a separate entity known as the Hogan Victory Fund, which on its own raised $5.4 million from July 1 to Sept. 30.
Hogan has raised more than $10.2 million for his Senate campaign account since entering the race in February, and just shy of $12 million for the victory fund. The campaign committee has spent $8.7 million on the election, while the victory fund has spent over $10 million.
Hogan’s campaign committee reported over $1.5 million on hand as of Sept. 30, while his victory fund banked $1.8 million.
A separate Hogan PAC called Better Path Forward, reported raising $92,000 over the past three months and spending $51,775 during that period. The PAC has raised $390,000 this election cycle and spent $366,000. According to the PAC’s FEC report, the entity has both collected money from and sent money to the Hogan Victory Fund.
Better Path Forward had $181,000 in its campaign account as of Sept. 30.
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Just as significant, Hogan is reaping the benefits of spending from an independent committee, Maryland’s Future PAC, which raised $27 million through Sept. 30 and spent almost $11 million, mostly on TV and radio ads and mailers that attack Alsobrooks.
The super PAC, which is not bound by federal campaign finance limits that apply to campaign committees, has received huge contributions from national business titans and regular Republican donors. In the most recent quarterly report, Maryland’s Future received a $2 million contribution from the Senate Leadership Fund, which is controlled by allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). It received a $1 million donation from casino mogul Steve Wynn, and another $1 million from James Davis, the chair of New Balance Shoes.
In addition to spending millions on ads attacking Alsobrooks, the PAC reported spending $990,000 over the past three months on canvassing and $172,000 for polling, paid to the well-respected GOP firm Public Opinion Strategies. It has reserved millions more in advertising over the final weeks of the campaign.
At a more modest level, Alsobrooks has been the beneficiary of an independent entity called Unity First PAC that was set up earlier this year by Gov. Wes Moore (D) to oppose Hogan, his predecessor. That PAC reported raising $288,000 over the past three months and $448,000 overall. The PAC spent $203,001 since July 1 and had $215,200.26 in the bank on Sept. 30.
The biggest donation to that PAC this quarter, $100,000, came from the Mid-Atlantic Laborers Political Education Fund.
State of play
Polls have shown a close race between Alsobrooks and Hogan, but the last handful to have been released over the past few weeks have the Democrat with a small advantage. The most recent, according to the Senate Leadership Fund, put Alsobrooks ahead 48% to 41%. The existence of the poll, by Public Opinion Strategies, was first reported Sunday night by Politico.
Alsobrooks has sought to make Maryland’s potential role in determining control of the Senate a major part of her campaign message. But many national strategists and pundits believe the Senate is likely to change hands regardless of what happens in Maryland — even if the new round of Republican state-by-state polls isn’t as encouraging as GOP leaders would like.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
In a virtual appearance Tuesday before the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Hogan tried to blunt Alsobrooks’ argument that Maryland could be pivotal when it comes to Senate control, and said he is uniquely qualified to work with other moderates in the chamber to bring more comity and compromise.
“I’m not going to flip anything, but I think I’m going to be the most important one there,” Hogan said.
Meanwhile, Alsobrooks debuted a positive TV ad Tuesday, suggesting she is ready to work for Marylanders’ top priorities, including fighting “corporate price gouging,” ensuring prescription drugs are more affordable, keeping neighborhoods safe and protecting seniors’ retirement funds.
“In Maryland, we live closer to the halls of the U.S. Senate than anywhere in America,” she said at the top of the 30-second spot. “But often it feels like they’re on another planet.”
See America’s most iconic hot dogs
Welcome to the United States of Hot Dogs! We’ve compiled a few of the best hot dogs eaten across the country.
Although Maryland is often celebrated for its seafood, one over-the-top creation has carved out its own loyal following among locals and visitors alike: The Baltimore-style hot dog.
Sausage is merely its first layer of meat. It’s wrapped in a thick slice of fried beef bologna and piled high with toppings.
It’s proof that while hot dogs are truly an All-American food, their real power lies in how they adapt to local tastes.
Hot dogs were “invented” in the U.S. after German sausages were served in buns. They’re a staple of baseball games — the all-American pastime. And they are truly a democratic food: nearly anyone can afford to enjoy them.
But even more, hot dogs are American because of their adaptability, reflecting the ingenuity and diversity that gives our country such a rich culinary tapestry.
“You can tell the story of America through hot dogs. There are probably other things you could use, other objects or icons, but I think hot dog is a really good one,” said Bruce Kraig, a Ph.D. food historian and author of “Hot Dog: A Global History’ and ‘Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America.”
Regional hot dog toppings, from chili in Cincinnati to celery salt in Chicago to jalapeños in the Southwest, tell distinct stories of place.
Here in Baltimore, Maryland, our contribution to the United States of Hot Dogs is the Baltimore-style hot dog.
What is a Baltimore-style hot dog?
At its core, the Baltimore dog is a meat-on-meat masterpiece. It starts with a kosher all-beef sausage that is split, fried and wrapped alongside thick, charred bologna slices.
It’s traditionally topped with raw onions and yellow mustard, with a pickle spear on top or on the side. Some variations include the addition of sweet relish, ketchup or cheese.
“In this creation, grease from the bologna mixes with the grease from the hot dog, and both find their way into the bread to form an unforgettable aroma, taste and aftertaste — and 200 points on your cholesterol count,” Baltimore historian Gilbert Sandler told The Baltimore Sun in a 2019 story.
Where did the Baltimore-style hot dog come from?
Its origins are often somewhat unclear, but it’s believed to have originated during the Great Depression when, according to TasteAtlas.com, “people added bologna slices to the hot dog in order to make it a fuller, heartier meal.”
Jewish delis along Baltimore’s historic “Corned Beef Row” were looking for ways to offer working-class customers a filling, calorie-dense meal for a small chunk of change, leading to the birth of the Baltimore-style hot dog.
First becoming popular in the early 1940s at Mandell and Ballow deli, the bologna-wrapped hot dog spread throughout Baltimore, The Sun reported.
“Despite being a nutritionally questionable combo of two of the world’s least-healthful meats, the bologna dog continues to be a local favorite, enjoyed without apology,” FoodRepublic.com wrote in 2023.
Four best places to try a Baltimore-style hot dog
Attman’s Delicatessen: A Baltimore institution since 1915, Attman’s version of the Baltimore-style hot dog sits at the top of its menu. Its dog — for $7.99 — comes with your choice of mustard, relish, chopped onions and ketchup. Details: 1019 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-563-2666, attmansdeli.com.
Weiss Deli: Another Baltimore staple, Weiss serves speciality sandwiches and, of course, the Baltimore-style hot dog. You can customize the $7.49 dog with up to eight toppings, but its most popular version comes with just deli mustard and raw onions on top of the bologna-wrapped sausage. Details: 1127 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-276-7910, baltimoreweissdeli.com
The Dog House Carryout: A legendary landmark in Baltimore, The Dog House Carryout has been slinging its classic comfort food for more than 75 years. You can get a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog for $6.95, with bologna added for an extra $1.25. The dog comes with your choice of mustard, relish, onions and ketchup. Details: 617 Fallsway, Baltimore; 410-685-7269, thedoghousebaltimore.com
Killa Dogz: Killa Dogz, one of the more modern hot dog spots in the city, offers a wide variety of options, including what it calls the “Bmore” dog. At $7, its version is deep fried, wrapped in bologna and “served on a squishy bun with mustard.” Chili and cheese are among the top ways to customize its dog. Details: 6106 Belair Rd, Baltimore; 443-438-7822. killadogz.com.
Jennifer Borresen contributed the interactive graphic to this story. She is a graphic journalist at USA TODAY, specializing in explanatory graphics and illustrations in various fields, including politics, science, weather and entertainment.
BALTIMORE, MD. – A Hanover man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release on Wednesday for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, pleaded guilty in January 2026 after unknowingly revealing a plot to travel abroad and fight for the designated foreign terrorist organization to an undercover law enforcement officer, prosecutors said.
What we know:
Court documents reveal that between March and October 2024, Teekaye coordinated travel arrangements with a Somali ISIS fighter. His itinerary detailed a flight departing from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) to Turkey, with subsequent travel through Ethiopia to cross into Somalia.
FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI on October 14, 2024, after he cleared airport security, according to previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
READ MORE: Maryland man arrested for allegedly attempting to join ISIS
Leading up to his arrest, court documents say that Teekaye prepared for his departure by practicing at a Maryland shooting range and attempting to purchase an assault rifle, which was blocked due to an existing state probation status.
Days before his arrest, Teekaye sent the undercover officer a photograph of himself wearing a mask and wielding a large machete, declaring a choice of “victory or martyrdom.”
Following his arrest, prosecutors say Teekaye made multiple unprovoked statements to law enforcement vowing to resume his violent efforts upon his eventual release from custody and threatening the lives of prison guards.
Dig deeper:
Federal authorities noted that Teekaye established a secondary plan to execute domestic terrorist attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions supporting Israel within Maryland if his international travel failed. A digital forensic search of his phone uncovered specific search histories focused on Jewish organizations and community members in Howard County, alongside queries regarding home break-ins and escaping murder charges.
A local rabbi impacted by the surveillance spoke during the sentencing hearing regarding the threat’s toll on the community.
The Source: Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
Maryland
Governor Moore Announces Awardees for $1.23 Million Investment to Help Maryland Workers Thrive in a Changing Economy
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Moore today announced the awardees for the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program, a $1.23M investment that will help Marylanders build skills for careers in high-growth industries increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The awards, which will support nearly 600 individuals, will go to organizations across Maryland that are expanding workforce training opportunities in the state’s critical lighthouse industries, including life sciences, technology, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.
“We are setting up Maryland to lead the nation in this rapidly changing economy, and leaving no one behind in the process,” said Gov. Moore. “By investing in lighthouse industries we are empowering and strengthening our workforce to build the necessary skills for jobs of the future shaped by emerging technologies. This program will ensure that pathways to work, wages, and wealth continue to grow across our state.”
Governor Wes Moore announced the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program earlier this year. Funded through the Talent Innovation Fund, this program is part of a $4 million investment that gives Marylanders experience in rapidly-growing sectors increasingly shaped by emerging technologies. This investment funds hands-on learning for workers, supports the state’s long‑term economic competitiveness, expands the talent pipeline for Maryland employers, and positions the state as a destination for companies looking to grow and innovate.
“Maryland is uniquely poised to lead the AI economy because we have a highly-skilled workforce and innovative companies,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Helping more workers to develop leading-edge technology skills will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow and help shape the future of these industries right here in Maryland.”
Through industry-driven partnerships, this program will help Maryland workers gain in-demand technical and transferable skills and ensure Maryland employers have the talent they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Awardees and focus areas include:
- BioBuzz Networks, Inc.: Life Sciences (Statewide)
- Davis Unlimited Information Technologies, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Capital Region, Central Maryland)
- HUBZone Council, Inc.: Quantum/AI (Capital Region, Central Maryland, Western Maryland)
- Maryland MEP, Inc.: Manufacturing (Statewide)
- Technology Advancement Center, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- Technology Growth Initiative Inc. dba Fearless Institute: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- University of Maryland, College Park: Aerospace and Defense (Southern Maryland)
“Maryland MEP is excited and honored to be a part of the lighthouse upskilling program,” said Mike Kelleher, CEO of Maryland MEP, one of the awardees. “This funding will enable manufacturers and manufacturing workers throughout Maryland to receive training in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and the application of these skills in the manufacturing environment to compete at the global level.”
The Maryland Department of Labor developed this program in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board—the governor’s chief policy-making body for workforce development.
For more information, visit the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program webpage.
The Moore-Miller administration continues to directly invest in workforce development to prepare for and lead in the new AI economy, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to Maryland’s workforce. In February, Governor Moore announced the Lighthouse Industries and AI Internship program to expand training and experiential learning opportunities in life sciences, technology, aerospace and defense, and manufacturing for college seniors and recent graduates.
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