As part of its annual tour of the state’s counties, Maryland Association of Counties 2026 President MC Keegan-Ayer and Executive Director Michael Sanderson presented legislative updates to the Queen Anne’s County commissioners on August 25th.  Affordability and housing are hot-button topics raised by constituents across the state, Sanderson said, adding that there is not much that delegates, commissioners and council members can do on their own to address them.   Also discussed were the current financial picture for the state, the high cost of living in the state, and the looming costs of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future which are on a trajectory to exceed revenue from the program.   More information about the Maryland Association of Counties is available at mdcounties.org. 

Caroline County sheriffs are now saying county schools were threatened with violence in a social media trend referred to as “The Cat in the Hat.”  This past weekend, Talbot County sheriffs reported a similar threat, targeted at Easton Middle, but found the threat “not credible.”  Sheriffs say they investigated multiple videos referencing or depicting Caroline County public schools, but there is no credible threat.  They say they are continuing to investigate and are working with Caroline County Public Schools, and added that any threatening or concerning content posted on social media should be reported immediately to school officials or law enforcement.