Port of Baltimore & Agriculture Exports: Maryland’s Moore-Miller administration opened a new grain transloading facility at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, letting farmers load soybeans, corn, wheat and more directly into containers at Seagirt—cutting truck miles, handling steps, and costs while streamlining exports. Energy & Reliability: FirstEnergy’s Potomac Edison asked Maryland regulators for a $52.8M distribution-rate increase tied to grid modernization and reliability upgrades, including automation and cable work, with an expected 5.3% hit to average residential bills if approved. PFAS & Food Processing Scrutiny: Perdue faces fresh pressure after regulators proposed a permit that would nearly quintuple wastewater releases from its Salisbury plant amid ongoing PFAS “forever chemicals” contamination concerns. Data Centers & Local Politics: Frederick County’s midterm could hinge on data center policy, with residents rallying against a large development zone tied to Quantum Frederick. Banking M&A: Bank of Clarke’s parent is being acquired in a $253M all-stock merger, expanding a community-banking footprint into Montgomery County and D.C. Biopharma Manufacturing: Samsung Biologics secured a $262M contract tied to manufacturing expansion, highlighting its Maryland presence alongside major Songdo capacity. Public Safety & Health: Maryland AG William Tong joined a coalition settlement to block AmeriCorps cuts without warning, protecting FY2026 funding and participants. Housing & Fraud: A Texas lender filed a racketeering lawsuit in Maryland federal court alleging a Baltimore mortgage fraud ring tied to inflated appraisals and defaults.