Medicaid Anniversary Forum Warns of Deep Cuts to Come
Last Wednesday marked the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, on which local and federal leaders gathered in the Greenbelt City Council chambers to celebrate the programs’ legacy and warn of federal changes that could strip health coverage from thousands of Marylanders. U.S. Representative Glenn Ivey and State Delegate Ashanti Martinez headlined the event, along […]
Maglev Stopped in Its Tracks
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that the proposed Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation rail line, known as maglev, is no longer happening. Federal officials cancelled the $26 million in grant funding for the project, as the rail line would have negatively impacted federal agencies and significant infrastructure. “FRA determined the direct effects would have substantial […]
Greenbelters Hold Emergency Meeting about BARC Closure
Greenbelt residents met Saturday in the Greenbelt City Council chambers for an emergency meeting in response to the potential closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) (see story below). The meeting was swiftly coordinated by residents via Facebook and email, resulting in a turnout of nearly 100 people, including several public officials, crowding the […]
Seasonal Ground Bees Emerge In Greenbelt, Not Aggressive
Last week we heard from a resident about how ground bees were being treated in Greenbelt, after seeing workers spray a nest with RAID. “While their sudden appearance may have caused alarm, most ground bees are native, nonaggressive pollinators that pose little to no risk to the public,” said the reader. “Unlike wasps or hive bees, ground bees are solitary […]
BARC Will Be “Vacated” In USDA Reorganization
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on July 24 announced a “complete reorganization” of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will include closing the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). Citing goals of efficiency and more-affordable cost of living, Rollins said USDA will be “moving our key services outside Washington, D.C.” and relocating much of […]
Former Superintendent’s Payout From PGCPS Totals $877,578.70
Former Superintendent Millard House II received a payout from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) of $877,578.70, almost $150,000 more than previously known or estimated by news reports. On July 24, the News Review reported that House must have received at least $733,992, which we calculated based on our projections of 24 months of his […]
USDA to Close BARC as Part of “Complete Reorganization”
United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a “complete reorganization” of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will include closing Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). Citing goals of efficiency and more affordable cost of living, Rollins said USDA will be “moving our key services outside Washington, D.C.” and relocating “much of […]
Fields, Basements Flooded With Intense Runoff to Lake
Extreme weather has continued in Greenbelt over the last week. On Thursday, July 17, an excessive heat warning was issued for our area and the city advised residents of the availability of cooling centers at the Library, Community Center, Municipal Building, Youth Center and Police Station. Then, two days later the city was under a […]
Council Worksession Ponders Ranked Choice Voting Option
The June 18 Greenbelt City Council worksession covered the issue of ranked choice voting (RCV). Greenbelt Election Advisory Board Member Nicole Shyong presented the principles underlying the proposal, what its potential application could look like and its possible benefits and pitfalls. Shyong also addressed any outstanding questions and the topic of a potential referendum on […]
Goddard Director Resigns Amid Space Center’s Uncertain Future
On Monday, July 21, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s (GSFC) Center Director Mackenzie Lystrup announced in a message to colleagues that she will be “stepping aside.” The final day for Lystrup, who joined GSFC in April 2023, will be August 1. The announcement comes as NASA faces the prospect of deep cuts should President Trump’s […]