Maryland Herald is an independent digital news publication covering Maryland and Baltimore, state politics, business and the economy, education, health, sports, culture and opinion.https://marylandherald.com/en-UShttps://marylandherald.com/maryland-2026-general-election-key-dates-and-hours/https://marylandherald.com/maryland-2026-general-election-key-dates-and-hours/Early voting runs October 22 through 29, weekend included, and Election Day is November 3. Here are the dates and hours Maryland voters should put on the calendar now.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:35:00 GMTpoliticselectionsearly-votingvotingmaryland-politicsEmily Brookshttps://marylandherald.com/getting-around-baltimore-light-railink-metro-and-marc/https://marylandherald.com/getting-around-baltimore-light-railink-metro-and-marc/The Maryland Transit Administration runs the buses, rail lines and commuter services that link Baltimore to the airport, the stadiums and the suburbs. Here is how the system fits together.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:10:00 GMTbaltimorebaltimoretransitlight-railmtaDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/the-chesapeake-bay-bridge-what-to-know/https://marylandherald.com/the-chesapeake-bay-bridge-what-to-know/The Bay Bridge opened in 1952 as the world's longest continuous steel structure over water. A short guide to its history, its length and the two shores it connects.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 01:30:00 GMTmarylandchesapeake-bay-bridgeannapoliseastern-shoreinfrastructureDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/maryland-state-house-americas-oldest-statehouse-in-use/https://marylandherald.com/maryland-state-house-americas-oldest-statehouse-in-use/The Maryland State House in Annapolis dates to 1779 and is the oldest state capitol still used by a legislature. It also once hosted the Congress that ratified the Treaty of Paris.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:10:00 GMTmarylandstate-houseannapolishistorygeneral-assemblyDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/fort-mchenry-and-the-star-spangled-banner/https://marylandherald.com/fort-mchenry-and-the-star-spangled-banner/Fort McHenry's defense of Baltimore in September 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the national anthem. Here is what happened and what to see.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:20:00 GMTbaltimorefort-mchenrystar-spangled-bannerbaltimore-historynational-parkDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/lexington-market-baltimores-historic-public-market/https://marylandherald.com/lexington-market-baltimores-historic-public-market/Founded in 1782, Lexington Market is billed as America's longest continuously operating public market. A look at how it began and why it still matters to Baltimore.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:05:00 GMTbaltimorelexington-marketbaltimore-historyfoodpublic-marketsOlivia Reedhttps://marylandherald.com/the-port-of-baltimore-by-the-numbers/https://marylandherald.com/the-port-of-baltimore-by-the-numbers/The state says the Port of Baltimore supports 20,000 direct jobs and about $70 billion in economic value. A look at what those figures mean and how the port is organized.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMTbusinessport-of-baltimoreshippingjobsmaryland-economyMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-legislative-districts-and-representation-work/https://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-legislative-districts-and-representation-work/Maryland is divided into 47 legislative districts. Each elects one state senator and three delegates, which is how the General Assembly reaches 188 members.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:40:00 GMTpoliticslegislative-districtsgeneral-assemblyrepresentationelectionsEmily Brookshttps://marylandherald.com/how-to-vote-by-mail-in-maryland/https://marylandherald.com/how-to-vote-by-mail-in-maryland/Any registered Maryland voter can vote by mail without giving a reason. Here is how to request a ballot, how the permanent list works and what overseas and military voters need.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:30:00 GMTpoliticsmail-in-votingelectionsvoter-guidestate-board-of-electionsEmily Brookshttps://marylandherald.com/marylands-federal-footprint-agencies-and-research-centers/https://marylandherald.com/marylands-federal-footprint-agencies-and-research-centers/From the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda to the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, many federal agencies are based in Maryland. A guide to the biggest names.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:20:00 GMTbusinessfederal-governmentnihjobsmaryland-economyMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/marylands-minimum-wage-what-employers-and-workers-should-know/https://marylandherald.com/marylands-minimum-wage-what-employers-and-workers-should-know/The state minimum wage is $15 an hour, but some counties set higher rates from July 1, 2026. Here is how the rules work, including tipped work and overtime.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:05:00 GMTeconomyminimum-wagewagesjobsmaryland-economyMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/how-to-register-a-business-in-maryland/https://marylandherald.com/how-to-register-a-business-in-maryland/Maryland forms businesses through the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, using the online Maryland Business Express portal. Here is how registration works.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:10:00 GMTbusinesssmall-businesssdatbusiness-registrationstartupsMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/marylands-sales-tax-one-statewide-rate/https://marylandherald.com/marylands-sales-tax-one-statewide-rate/Maryland charges a 6 percent sales tax, and no county or city adds its own. A plain guide to how the tax works, who collects it and how to work out the cost of a purchase.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMTeconomysales-taxtaxescomptrollerconsumer-financeMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-income-tax-works-state-and-county/https://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-income-tax-works-state-and-county/Maryland residents pay income tax to the state and to their county or Baltimore City. Here is how the two layers fit together and where to find the current rates.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMTeconomyincome-taxtaxescomptrollercounty-taxesMichael Turnerhttps://marylandherald.com/how-the-maryland-general-assembly-works/https://marylandherald.com/how-the-maryland-general-assembly-works/Ninety days a year, 188 lawmakers in Annapolis pass laws and the state budget. A plain guide to the session, the two chambers and how a veto is overridden.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:20:00 GMTmarylandgeneral-assemblyannapolisstate-governmentlegislatureDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/opinion-make-your-voting-plan-before-early-voting-opens/https://marylandherald.com/opinion-make-your-voting-plan-before-early-voting-opens/Maryland gives voters eight days of early voting and a long Election Day. Opinion: the most useful thing a voter can do now is pick a day, and the reasons are practical.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:45:00 GMTopinionopinionelectionsearly-votingcivic-engagementEmily Brookshttps://marylandherald.com/the-university-system-of-maryland-12-institutions/https://marylandherald.com/the-university-system-of-maryland-12-institutions/The University System of Maryland brings together 12 public institutions, with the University of Maryland, College Park as its flagship. Here is the full list and where each is based.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMTeducationhigher-educationuniversity-system-of-marylandcollegesumdSarah Mitchellhttps://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-public-schools-are-organized-24-school-systems/https://marylandherald.com/how-maryland-public-schools-are-organized-24-school-systems/Maryland's public schools are run by 24 local school systems, one for each county plus Baltimore City, overseen by the Maryland State Department of Education.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMTeducationpublic-schoolsschool-systemsmsdek-12Sarah Mitchellhttps://marylandherald.com/when-to-call-the-maryland-poison-center/https://marylandherald.com/when-to-call-the-maryland-poison-center/The Maryland Poison Center answers calls around the clock, free of charge, from pharmacists and nurses. Here is what it does, who staffs it and when to call 911 instead.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:10:00 GMThealthpoison-controlsafetypublic-healthemergencyDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/988-in-maryland-how-to-reach-the-crisis-lifeline/https://marylandherald.com/988-in-maryland-how-to-reach-the-crisis-lifeline/Anyone in Maryland can call or text 988 to reach the free, confidential Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour. Here is what it offers and when to call 911 instead.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:45:00 GMThealth988mental-healthcrisis-supportpublic-healthDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/oriole-park-at-camden-yards-where-baseball-went-retro/https://marylandherald.com/oriole-park-at-camden-yards-where-baseball-went-retro/When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, it set a template for a generation of ballparks. A short history of the opening game and what made it different.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMTsportsoriolescamden-yardsbaseballbaltimoreDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/flu-season-in-maryland-when-to-get-your-flu-shot/https://marylandherald.com/flu-season-in-maryland-when-to-get-your-flu-shot/The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October. Here is what the guidance says about timing and what to do if you miss the window.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMThealthflu-vaccinepublic-healthcdcseasonal-healthDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/opinion-maryland-should-keep-its-post-labor-day-school-start/https://marylandherald.com/opinion-maryland-should-keep-its-post-labor-day-school-start/Opinion: a single statewide start date is a small piece of predictability for families, and the waiver process already gives districts a release valve.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMTopinionopinionschoolsschool-calendareducation-policySarah Mitchellhttps://marylandherald.com/m-and-t-bank-stadium-and-the-baltimore-ravens-at-a-glance/https://marylandherald.com/m-and-t-bank-stadium-and-the-baltimore-ravens-at-a-glance/The Ravens were founded in 1996, have played at M&T Bank Stadium since 1998 and have won the Super Bowl twice. A quick guide to the team and its home.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:15:00 GMTsportsravensm-and-t-bank-stadiumnflbaltimore-sportsDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/the-preakness-stakes-baltimores-triple-crown-race/https://marylandherald.com/the-preakness-stakes-baltimores-triple-crown-race/The Preakness is the second jewel of the Triple Crown and a Baltimore tradition since 1873. A guide to the race, its distance and the black-eyed Susans.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 20:20:00 GMTsportspreaknesshorse-racingpimlicotriple-crownDaniel Carterhttps://marylandherald.com/why-maryland-public-schools-start-after-labor-day/https://marylandherald.com/why-maryland-public-schools-start-after-labor-day/A 2016 executive order set the school calendar: no classes before the Tuesday after Labor Day and the year ends by June 15. Here is what the rule says and how waivers work.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMTeducationschoolsschool-calendarlabor-dayeducation-policySarah Mitchellhttps://marylandherald.com/maryland-blue-crab-season-and-the-winter-dredge-survey/https://marylandherald.com/maryland-blue-crab-season-and-the-winter-dredge-survey/The recreational crabbing season runs April 1 to December 15, and each winter scientists count the Bay's crabs at about 1,500 sites. How the season and the survey fit together.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 14:10:00 GMTculture-lifestyleblue-crabchesapeake-bayseafoodoutdoorsOlivia Reedhttps://marylandherald.com/opinion-take-the-light-rail-to-the-ballgame/https://marylandherald.com/opinion-take-the-light-rail-to-the-ballgame/Opinion: Baltimore's Light RailLink stops at Camden Station beside Oriole Park, and using it is one of the easiest ways to make a game day less stressful.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMTopinionopinionlight-railcamden-yardstransitOlivia Reedhttps://marylandherald.com/old-bay-the-story-of-marylands-signature-seasoning/https://marylandherald.com/old-bay-the-story-of-marylands-signature-seasoning/Old Bay began in Baltimore in 1939 as a seasoning for steamed crabs and went on to become a Maryland staple. Here is who made it, how it got its name and who owns it now.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:10:00 GMTculture-lifestyleold-baymaryland-foodbaltimoreseafoodOlivia Reedhttps://marylandherald.com/marylands-state-symbols-from-jousting-to-smith-island-cake/https://marylandherald.com/marylands-state-symbols-from-jousting-to-smith-island-cake/Maryland's official symbols include the Baltimore oriole, the black-eyed Susan, the blue crab and even a state sport, jousting. A quick guide to the list.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMTculture-lifestylestate-symbolsmaryland-culturesmith-island-cakejoustingOlivia Reed