Salisbury City Councilmember Michele Gregory launches campaign for Wicomico executive
Salisbury City Councilmember Michele Gregory has officially launched her campaign for Wicomico County executive.
Current Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano has also filed for re-election. The next election for county executive will be in Fall of 2026, when Marylanders will also vote in the next gubernatorial race.
In her release, Gregory cited her role in fighting for families.
'As a full-time caretaker for my disabled son, I understand just how much the system can either support or fail our families,' Gregory said. 'That's why I've spent my time on council listening, leading, and fighting to make sure no one is left behind.'
Among her early endorsements, Gregory listed Mayor of Crisfield Darlene Taylor; Hebron Town Council President Ameilia Handy; Salisbury City Councilmembers Angela Blake and D'Shawn Doughty; Cambridge Commissioner Sputty Cephas.
Reached Friday, Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano issued the following statement.
"While my opponent may have good intentions, leadership at the county level requires more than just talking points — it demands a clear vision for economic development, a commitment to fiscal responsibility, and the experience to turn ideas into action. I bring a proven track record of attracting new business, managing taxpayer dollars wisely, and delivering results that move our county forward.'
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury City Council's Michele Gregory making Wicomico executive run
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‘Pure emotion' frequently drives debates on sports stadium deals
An aerial view shows Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri, home to MLB's Kansas City Royals and the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. Lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri have pursued legislation to make hundreds of millions of dollars available for sports stadiums. (Photo by DutcherAerials via Getty Images) In promoting his bill to fund professional sports stadiums, Missouri Republican state Sen. Kurtis Gregory warned about the potential hit to jobs and tax revenues if the state were to lose a team. But on the floor of the Senate last week, he acknowledged that pride was also a prime motivator in his efforts to make hundreds of millions of dollars available to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and MLB's Kansas City Royals, both of which are being courted to move several miles away into neighboring Kansas. A former University of Missouri football player, Gregory pointed to the Missouri-Kansas rivalry that dates back to the Civil War and characterized Kansas as 'kind of an archrival.' 'We just let the state of Kansas poach, you know, really the pride and joy of the western side of the state, and I would say the entire state of Missouri?' he said in his floor speech. 'And then I would also say, what's next? What's the next thing the state of Kansas is going to try and take from us?' Days after the 2025 legislative session ended in May, Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe called a special session for lawmakers to consider stadium funding and disaster relief bills. Last week, the state Senate approved Gregory's stadium incentives bill in the middle of the night by a 19-13 vote. On Wednesday afternoon, the state House approved the measure by a 90-58 vote, sending it to the governor's desk. The bill would fund up to 50% of construction or renovation costs and is estimated to cost about $1.5 billion over 30 years, the Missouri Independent reported. Stateline was unable to reach Gregory for comment. Economists have panned the ongoing stadium bidding war between Missouri and Kansas — which has offered to pay up to 70% of new stadium costs — as a waste of taxpayer dollars. But Gregory's comments highlight the emotional undercurrents frequently at play in sports stadium funding debates across the country. Experts nearly unanimously agree that public subsidies for stadiums are a poor investment, but that hasn't slowed a wave of local and state spending for billionaire team owners. More taxpayer money benefits pro sports owners amid 'stadium construction wave' Washington, D.C., could spend more than $1 billion to move the Washington Commanders some seven miles from a suburb in Maryland to a new facility planned for the old RFK Stadium site, described by the team's controlling owner as the 'spiritual home' of the NFL franchise. Geoffrey Propheter, an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver who studies stadium deals, said these kinds of arguments ignore the economic reality of stadium subsidies. 'You're not talking economics. You're talking pure emotion,' he said. Despite mounds of evidence showing the public does not fare well on stadium investments, he said lawmakers and mayors still tout the potential for jobs and new tax revenues with stadiums and arenas. Oftentimes, teams and politicians stir fears about the possibility of losing franchises to another market to increase pressure, he said. But three of the most prominent stadium subsidy deals under consideration now — in Chicago, Kansas City and the district — involve teams looking to move within the same metro area. 'I would appreciate it if lawmakers were that transparent, and they're like, 'I don't care how much this costs, there's no price that's too high for us to pay to keep them here,'' Propheter said. But cities and states have more at stake than raw economics, said Irwin Kishner, a New York attorney who has represented pro teams in multiple stadium deals. He likened the stadium debate to those surrounding the Olympics: Research has found that host cities generally spend well in excess of the revenue generated by the games. But cities and nations still fiercely compete for the chance to host the high-profile event. 'It elevates the status of venues,' Kishner said. 'And I think it's very much the same thing with stadiums and arenas.' He said cities also face potential economic consequences of lost jobs and tax revenues if teams leave altogether. Oakland, California, for example, lost both its pro football and baseball teams to Nevada after local stadium talks fell apart. The NFL's Raiders now play in Las Vegas and MLB's A's are playing temporarily in West Sacramento, California, before moving into their under-construction stadium on the Vegas strip. 'What happened in Oakland is a classic example of what happens when a team doesn't get their building in the way they want it,' Kishner said. And those sorts of relocations can leave lasting marks, he said, pointing to the sour feelings that still persist in Brooklyn decades after MLB's Dodgers left for Los Angeles. Other cities have similarly iconic teams, such as the NFL's Chicago Bears. 'When push comes to shove, municipalities would be embarrassed to lose a team. I mean, could you imagine the Bears playing in St. Louis as an argument?' Kishner said. 'I think Chicago would have something to say about that in a very emotional way. And by the way, these things take generations to get past.' Currently, Chicago's stadium discussions are more localized. After first sharing plans to build a new stadium along Lake Michigan's shore in Chicago, the Bears are now pursuing a massive football stadium development in suburban Arlington Heights. Despite introducing various tax measures aimed to benefit megaprojects such as stadiums, Illinois lawmakers ended their session on May 31 with no action on the matter. My brain tells me it's not that big of a deal, but my heart and soul as a Chicagoan doesn't want them to leave. – Illinois Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner, whose district includes parts of Chicago's South Side, said lawmakers have little appetite to invest heavily in stadiums. The MLS' Chicago Fire just announced plans to privately finance a new $650 million professional soccer stadium in the city's South Loop — the same area the MLB's White Sox are also eyeing as they explore a new baseball stadium. 'The days of widespread public money for private stadiums without public benefit — those days are over, and that is not just a sentiment in the state of Illinois. I think this is a sentiment across the country,' Buckner said. Still, he acknowledged the sway emotions can have in the matter. While the Bears leaving the city limits likely would not affect the region's economy, he said, it would still prove a blow to morale. 'My brain tells me it's not that big of a deal,' he said, 'but my heart and soul as a Chicagoan doesn't want them to leave.' Missouri's stadium debate has been simmering for years now: The Royals first announced plans in 2022 to move downtown from their stadium on the outskirts of the city. And the Chiefs — who share the sprawling stadium complex with the Royals — quickly followed with talks of wanting a new or renovated stadium. After voters in a county election last year soundly rejected extending a stadium sales tax to fund those plans, lawmakers across the border in Kansas passed legislation that would fund up to 70% of the costs of new stadiums. That measure expires at the end of June, pushing Missouri legislators to act. Neil deMause, a journalist who has written extensively about stadium subsidies, said such deadlines are arbitrary and meant to exact political pressure. While politicians once had plausible deniability about the pitfalls of stadium subsidies, the research is now overwhelmingly clear and well covered in the media, he said. (It's been nearly a decade since HBO's John Oliver dedicated an episode of his satirical news show to the folly of stadium finance.) Kansas v. Missouri stadium battle shows how states are reigniting border wars But politicians on both sides of the aisle continue to push stadium subsidies — whether they're touting the potential for wider real estate development or intangibles such as team pride and fears of losing franchises. 'It's this prescribed dance, where everybody sort of pretends to be doing due diligence, but at the same time, everybody knows it's going to happen,' deMause said. He said that appears to be the case in the nation's capital. In April, city and team officials for the Washington Commanders announced plans for a 65,000-seat stadium. The proposed deal, which must be approved by the full city council, would cost taxpayers some $1.1 billion over eight years. But deMause's analysis of the plan determined the public will be spending well in excess of that figure because of billions in free rent and hundreds of millions in property tax breaks. He estimates taxpayers will pay or forgo at least $7.5 billion on the deal. 'Everybody in and around the D.C. Council seems to be saying, 'Yeah, it sure is a lot of money, but the mayor really wants it, so it's going to happen. It's just a matter of whether or not we can improve it some,'' he said. 'It's a little bit like saying, 'World War II is going to happen — just try and keep the death toll down.'' Last week, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser's office released a report it commissioned that projected the stadium would create billions in new economic output and local tax revenue in the coming decades — figures that were quickly disputed by skeptical economists and academics. Still, much of the district's stadium conversation has centered on intangibles such as hometown pride and nostalgia. Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell waxed about his childhood memories attending games at the old RFK Stadium at an April event announcing the deal. Sitting in front of a 'WELCOME HOME' banner at that event, the mayor said the RFK site was 'where they belong.' 'I want to start by saying welcome home,' she said. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
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New Missouri law modernizes fireworks regulations for first time in over two decades
By Mitchell Kaminski, ABC 17 News COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) — A new law signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday includes sweeping public safety reforms, including updating the state's outdated firework regulations. Senate Bill 81, which takes effect Aug. 28, modernizes how Missouri regulates fireworks for the first time in more than two decades, updating technical definitions, safety protocols and inspection authority. 'In terms of the fireworks provisions, there's just a lot of things that needed updated and improved,' Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Cooper County, who sponsored the bill, told ABC 17 News. 'In terms of fireworks, I think it's been 25 years and there's been some major advancements in fireworks and definitions needed changed. We had the proper definitions for the proper type of fireworks to make sure we had the right licenses and availabilities out there for everything to be done in a safe manner.' Gregory emphasized that while the state hadn't experienced enforcement issues, outdated definitions led to confusion. For example, some pyrotechnics commonly seen at sporting events were being mislabeled. 'The correct term is articles pyrotechnic, and that is what you see at football games and celebrations where it's like on a timed button that gets pushed,' Gregory said. 'Those are being defined as proximate fireworks. That's not the correct definition at all.' The bill also overhauls the state's fee structures to help provide training for fire departments across Missouri. Gregory pointed to Missouri's unique relationship with fireworks as to why the law was necessary. 'Missourians per capita spend more money on fireworks than anyone, any other state in the country, by like almost double,' Gregory said. 'I think Missourians on average spend about $25 per person on fireworks. The next closest state is just a little over $10.' Industry veteran Bob Geru — who has owned and operated Bob's Fireworks in Columbia since 2005 — has seen Missouri's fireworks landscape change since entering the business in 1965. 'It was a lot looser than it is today,' Geru said. 'But it's basically been the same. They don't want fireworks in the city. And, you know, I can understand that to a degree.' Still, Geru said any state enforcement presence on his business has been minimal. 'I haven't seen an inspector in 10 years,' Geru said. 'If they come in my first thought is 'Tell me what I need to do to correct it.''' Geru also echoed Gregory's point, noting that Missouri consistently ranks among the top states in fireworks sales nationwide. 'Missouri has a reputation amongst all the states as being fireworks-friendly,' Geru said. 'I've been asked the question many times. Just what is your favorite fireworks? I got a standard answer. Anything with a fuse.' While the law will expand the State Fire Marshal's authority to inspect retail locations, including those outside counties with local fire codes, it's not expected to disrupt operations in regulated areas like Boone County. 'I think what it really does is it allows the State Fire Marshal's office a little more access to those areas that don't have a fire code,' said Gale Blomenkamp, who is an assistant chief of the Boone County Fire Protection District. 'The trend has been people are leaning towards more of a brick-and-mortar type facility for these temporary fireworks stands because they're easier to secure. Storms don't blow them away, you know, like they're blowing away their tents and their product is more secure and more safe.' Blomenkamp noted that for many counties without their own codes, the law will help close inspection gaps. 'That will allow the State Fire Marshal's office to gain access into those structures, to do those inspections,' Blomenkamp said. Though SB 81 becomes law in late August, its fireworks provisions won't impact the upcoming Fourth of July season. Full implementation is expected by 2026.
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Activists take to streets to protest ICE in Southeast Baltimore
Over 100 activists from diverse backgrounds filled the streets of Highlandtown, banging drums, carrying signs, and chanting 'ICE out of Baltimore' in protest of deportation efforts targeting residents performing everyday activities like shopping for groceries or buying gasoline. The Wednesday rally, sponsored by the immigrant advocacy organization CASA, featured local families affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, alongside Baltimore City council members Odette Ramos, Mark Parker and Jermaine Jones and state Del. Robbyn Lewis, who each became emotional when talking about the impact of ICE on Baltimore neighborhoods. Several of the residents wore shirts that read 'Jews United for Justice' and others carried placards saying 'Immigrants Are Essential' and 'Families Belong Together, Not in Cages.' The mass of activists marched down blocks of Fayette Street, sometimes tying up traffic but also receiving honks of approval from the waiting motorists. 'As you can imagine, I am angry. All of you should be angry,' said Ramos, who grew teary at times. 'Our neighbors are being treated so inhumanely only because they are not from here. And if they are coming for them, they are coming for us.' Ramos blamed the Trump administration's mass deportation policy. 'It is unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable,' she said. CASA reported 16 undocumented individuals have been taken by ICE in retail areas for the past three weeks in Baltimore. One of these instances was part of the viral video clip posted by the White House showing the arrest of five individuals at Home Depot on Eastern Avenue on May 20. The nonprofit organization also reported ICE agents taking an unknown amount of people at the Hazlo grocery store in Highlandtown Village on three different days. Baltimore communities have reported an escalation in ICE detentions in the past few weeks. 'No human being is illegal here, and I think what ICE is doing currently, especially our current administration, is very inhumane,' said Erika Rios, a protester from Prince George's County. 'Refuge is a human right. A lot of people come here for a better life that their economy or political status from their country isn't providing for them.' ICE officials could not be reached for comment. Lewis, who represents the sixth legislative district, grew teary-eyed as she spoke about how the individuals being targeted by ICE are similar to African Americans who escaped enslavement in this country through the Underground Railroad. The former slaves were helped to freedom by good neighbors, she said. 'The tactics that are being used today to terrorize our neighborhood residents, Marylanders, have been used and perfected in this country against African Americans,' Lewis said. 'And those abolitionists went out of their way because their strong morality helped us. So it was my destiny to live in this moment so I can use my energy to help others. This is the way of thanking the abolitionists who helped my ancestors.' Protests initially erupted in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids. In response, President Donald Trump called in the National Guard troops and Marines to restore order. Demonstrations have now spread to other cities, such as Baltimore, Washington, Seattle and Austin. Many protests have been peaceful but there have been clashes with police that have resulted in arrests. Bishop Angel Nuñez of the Bilingual Christian Fellowship pointed out that the activists in Baltimore were peaceful and not resorting to violence. One resident who identified himself as Dedrick worried the protests and marches would provoke those in power. 'This is going to make them angry,' he said on the street as the activists marched past him. 'I understand, you're angry and this is the only way you know how to do it. March. My people did it and see where it got us: Martin Luther King got killed.' Others noted the protests were needed to stop the aggressive enforcement. 'We are losing families that were doing the work that some of us refuse to do: clean your house, cut your grass, clean fish for you, your restaurants, the good foods,' said Garry Bien-Aime, executive director of the Committee Haiti, a nonprofit in Baltimore advocating for the Haitian community. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@ or on X as @ToddKarpovich or Stella Canino-Quinones at scanino-quinones@
