The Intersection Mag LLC

01/20/2025

From The Guardian (Fact-Checking Trump's Inauguration Speech):

Trump claims on the Panama Canal
The claim: Trump pledged to take back the Panama Canal, while repeating a number of false claims including that 38,000 Americans died during the building of the canal. He also claimed that “China is operating” the canal.

What Trump said:

“A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States, the United States, I mean, think of this spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharge, charged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form. And that includes the United States Navy and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.”

The facts: The official death toll for the American construction effort behind the Panama Canal stands at about 5,600 people. Although the true number may be higher, the majority of deaths would have come from workers from Caribbean islands such as Antigua, Barbados and Jamaica.

The administrator of the Panama Canal has also denied Trump’s claim that China was controlling the canal’s operations. He has said that Chinese companies operating in the ports were part of a Hong Kong consortium that won a bidding process in 1997, and US and Taiwanese companies are operating other ports along the canal as well.

Following up on key claims made by 47th US president during his day one speech

01/13/2025

From Prince George's County Interim County Executive Tara Jackson (Per Email):

Dear Prince Georgians:

As you may have heard, effective immediately, WSSC Water is urging all customers in both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties to use water only for essential purposes. This measure comes in response to a significant increase in water main breaks and leaks caused by the frigid temperatures. Please note that while water is safe to use, there is no need to boil it for essential purposes.

We urge all residents to take the following steps to conserve water until further notice:

Use water only when necessary. Take shorter showers and quickly turning off faucets after use.

Limit flushing toilets. Do not flush after every use.
Avoid using washing machines and dishwashers whenever possible.

01/09/2025

From Southern Maryland News:

Calvert sheriff’s office was found liable to pay for a public information request related to police records that allegedly showed a bias of police searches that “primarily targeted Black community members,” according to the ACLU.

On Wednesday, during its first meeting of the new year, the Maryland Board of Public Works took action and approved a final settlement in a lawsuit filed in March 2022 by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland against the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.

Deborah Jeon, ACLU Maryland’s legal director, who was part of the chapter’s legal team that worked the case, called what appears to be the culmination of the dispute “a boon for the public good in Calvert County and beyond, both by finally providing details about the sheriff’s search practices, and by creating disincentives for improper charging of search and production fees, thus helping to ensure future access across Maryland to information about potentially illegal police practices.”

Calvert sheriff’s office was found liable to pay for a public information request related to police records that allegedly showed a bias of police searches that “primarily targeted Black community

01/08/2025

CALVERT COUNTY – Calvert County Government offices will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, due to inclement weather.

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety urges all citizens to stay off the roads until hazardous weather conditions subside. The following Calvert County services are affected by the closure:
All Calvert County Government offices and the Circuit Courts are closed.

County convenience centers are closed.
The Appeal Landfill is closed.

County transportation service is not available.
All county Parks & Recreation activities, rentals and programs are canceled.

Community centers, parks, the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course and the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center are closed.

The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter is closed.
All Calvert Library locations are closed.

Calvert County Health Department offices are closed.
Calvert County senior centers will be closed and Meals on Wheels will not be delivered.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed in the event of an emergency by visiting www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/BeAwarePrepare and signing up for Calvert County ALERT to receive timely information about various emergency and non-emergency situations in the county.

01/07/2025

Breaking news: PGCPS schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, January 8, due to inclement weather. ❄️

Code Yellow: Only emergency personnel must report to work.

Meals available at select sites. More info: pgcps.org.

https://x.com/pgcps/status/1876753494314537082?s=46

01/07/2025

Maryland Sen Alsobrooks was sworn into office on Jan. 4. She also met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, before heading to the Capitol.

Senator Alsobrooks also met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus -- before heading to the Capitol.

01/07/2025

POSTPONED: Due to inclement weather, Council Member Krystal Oriadha’s Emergency State of Our Schools Townhall, originally scheduled for January 8th, 2025, has been postponed.
Please stay tuned for the new date and time. Thank you for your understanding!

01/07/2025

From Maryland Matters:

A majority of Marylanders oppose tax increases to erase a nearly $3 billion budget deficit projected for the coming fiscal year, a political challenge — and risk — for Gov. Wes Moore (D).

The results of a poll released Tuesday by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Media are unsurprising, but they may not be welcome news for Moore, who has yet to fulfill some of his biggest promises as he eyes re-election and perhaps a run for president.

“What we’re talking about is the deficit, and the reality is that there is very little appetite for any kind of tax increase,” pollster Patrick Gonzales said.

“Voters constantly express a willingness to pay taxes for needed services like transportation and public safety, but not for a problem they believe their elected representatives created,” he said.

A majority of Marylanders oppose tax increases to erase a nearly $3 billion budget deficit projected for the coming fiscal year, a political challenge — and risk — for Gov. Wes Moore (D).

12/20/2024

The Calvert County Police Accountability Board's data shows that between July 1, 2022 and December 11, 2022, there were 41 police complaints. Between January 1, 2023 and December 11, 2023, received 29 complaints. Check out our newsletter: https://contextnewsletter.substack.com/p/prince-georges-county-is-shuffling

12/17/2024

In The Intersections newsletter, we talk about Calvert County and Prince George's County Police Accountability Boards. This week high light some data. The data is from both counties 2023 end of year report. We also invite Prince George's County residents to take a poll about the new county executive's choices.

Counties PAB data is important, and should be known by its residents.

12/13/2024

From The Baltimore Banner:

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday proposed scaling back parts of the state’s ambitious public education improvement plan as the state faces a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit.

Moore, a Democrat, said the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is due for changes but offered few specifics.

“We will pause the elements that need a closer look or require laying a stronger foundation for full implementation,” Moore said, according to remarks prepared for an audience of local government leaders.

One specific proposal from Moore is to pause a Blueprint program that gives school teachers more “collaborative time” out of the classroom to work on curriculum planning, grading and professional development.

“We will pause the elements that need a closer look or require laying a stronger foundation for full implementation,” Moore said of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

12/03/2024

From The Intersection's newsletter:
Leonardtown, Maryland — The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission held another public meeting, on Nov. 16, that commemorated the lives of Charles Whitley and Benjamin Hance, who were victims of extrajudicial killings in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. Whitely was lynched in 1886 in Calvert County, while Hance was lynched in 1887 in St. Mary’s County.

The public hearing was held at the St. Mary’s County Library on Hayden Farm Lane. These public hearings are not criminal court cases, but an opportunity for the local community to assemble, acknowledge, and embrace its history. Additionally, the meetings propose solutions for genuine reconciliation between descendants of the victims and perpetrators.

The event had several phases: acknowledgment, history, public comment, a moment of silence for the victims, and a conclusion.

During their presentations, former Calvert County NAACP President, and local, independent historian Michael Kent and Karen Stone, St. Mary’s Museum division manager, provided important context surrounding the white mob’s crimes of extrajudicial killings.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article mistakenly made the connection between white women's false accusations and conviction rates. We regret that mistake.

12/02/2024

Earlier today, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks resigned from her position to take her position as Congresswoman Angela Alsobrooks.

Tara Jackson, chief administration officer, will temporarily hold the position until it is filled. She has held this position for 4 years. Here are the words from the charter:

"A vacancy in the office of County Executive shall exist upon the death, resignation or removal of the County Executive, or upon forfeiture of office by a County Executive. Immediately upon a vacancy, the Chief Administrative Officer shall become the Acting County Executive until a County Executive is chosen by the methods established in this Section of the Charter. In the event of a vacancy in the office of County Executive occurring during the last two years of the term, the Council shall select from among its members, by majority vote, a successor for the office for the balance of the unexpired term. If this selection by the Council is not made within fourteen (14) calendar days after the vacancy occurs, the Chair of the Council shall succeed to the Office for the balance of the unexpired term. The Council shall provide by law for the conduct of a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of County Executive that occurs during the first two years of a term and for the appointment, powers and duties of an Acting County Executive pending the outcome of such special election."

https://library.municode.com/md/prince_george's_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICHPRGECOMA_CHPRGECOMA_ARTIVEXBR_S407VA

12/02/2024

Breaking: Angela Alsobrooks is set to resign from her County Executive position at 10 am today. More on this later.

11/22/2024

In this week's newsletter, The Intersection put together a reporting timeline around the human-like figure that a resident hung from a tree. There are also government meetings from Prince George's and Calvert County in this newsletter. We want to make this information more accessible to community members. Thanks for your support. Click on the link below.

https://contextnewsletter.substack.com/p/a-reporting-timeline-of-the-human

11/22/2024

We have updated an article. We were notified that Hyattsville, in Prince George’s County, passed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, making it the eighth municipality in the county.

Excerpt: Prince George’s County activists have pushed eight North County municipalities – Cheverly, Colmar Manor, College Park, Brentwood, Riverdale, Mt. Rainier, New Carrollton, and Hyattsville – to pass resolutions that call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

“We’ve been working diligently with local community members and elected officials across the county, who recognize that genocide is wrong – and embrace their power in standing up against it,” said Raaheela Ahmed, activist, and former county school board council member. “Thankfully, that’s led to seven municipalities (thus far) in the county passing resolutions supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine.”

“I believe that local ceasefire resolutions are important as a way regular citizens can make our will and feelings known where we live, where we pay taxes, in our communities, influencing the elected officials who answer most directly to us,” said Juliana Barnet, a Jewish activist that’s participated in several direct action protests.

Chloe Waterman, spokesperson for Prince Georges 4 Palestine, said county “residents care deeply about justice, which includes standing up for the rights and dignity of people of Gaza.”

“We're grateful our municipal elected officials did all within their power to stop this atrocity by passing these resolutions,” said Waterman. “Now we need our federal representatives to show the same courage and moral clarity. Aside from our moral stake in achieving justice for Palestine, Prince George's County taxpayers are funding this genocide. Instead of sending weapons to Israel, we want to see our elected officials, like Rep. Glenn Ivey, invest federal resources here in our community - increasing access to healthcare, supporting public education, and building green infrastructure, among other priorities.”

Prince George’s County activists have managed to get several cities in North County ( Cheverly, Colmar Manor, College Park, Brentwood, Riverdale, Mt. Rainer, and New Carrollton) to pass resolutions that call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 

11/22/2024

From Maryland Matters:

Maryland is among the worst states in the nation when it comes to the number of prison inmates who began their time behind bars for crimes they committed as children, according to a report set to be released Wednesday.

With 6% of its overall prison population incarcerated for crimes they committed as minors, Maryland trailed only Louisiana, Wisconsin and South Carolina, according to the report, “Disposable Children: The Prevalence of Child Abuse and Trauma Among Children Prosecuted and Incarcerated as Adults in Maryland.”

The report, by Human Rights for Kids, said Maryland also fared poorly in terms of the number of children per capita who are charged as adults, trailing only Alabama. Minority inmates make up more than 90% of those who were charged as youth in Maryland and remain incarcerated as adults, according to the report.

“Maryland is faced with a simple choice. On the one hand the state can look the other way, continuing to incarcerate children who act out behaviorally due to abuse, neglect, and community violence, or it can seek to address the root of the problem by showing these children something many of them have never had before – love,” the report said.

Maryland is among the worst states in the nation when it comes to the number of prison inmates who began their time behind bars for crimes they committed as children, according to a report set to be released Wednesday.