(LARGO, MD – December 17, 2024) – Acting County Executive Tara H. Jackson announced today that she appointed Mr. Barry L. Stanton as the County’s Acting Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO). Mr. Stanton has served in the Office of the County Executive for two administrations, including in his current role as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Public Safety and Homeland Security. He begins his role as ACAO effective immediately. “We are excited to appoint Mr. Stanton to the role of Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer,” said Acting County Executive Jackson. “With more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Stanton brings…

(ANNAPOLIS, MD – December 16, 2025) – Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of The Honorable Jill P. Carter to the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals; Alverne (Chet) Chesterfield to the Maryland State Board of Education; and Lafe Solomon as chair of the Public Employee Relations Board. “Our state boards and commissions have a fundamental role in moving Maryland forward. I thank Senator Carter, Mr. Chesterfield, and Mr. Solomon for raising their hands to serve,” said Gov. Moore. “These three public servants have built distinguished careers advancing the interests and values of our state. I thank them for continuing to give back…

(PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – December 10, 2024) – Prince George’s County Council Member-at-large Calvin S. Hawkins, II will formally announce his candidacy for Prince George’s County Executive on December 11 at Homewood Suites, 9103 Basil Court, Largo, Md., at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. This event will be open to the public, and entry will be subject to occupancy limits. Media are encouraged to arrive in advance. Council Member Hawkins will be available for media interviews immediately following the event. Council Member Hawkins’ announcement will mark a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Prince George’s County, as he outlines his…

BPALiveWire recognizes the robust bench in the conservative movement. (WASHINGTON, DC – December 9, 2024) – In a recent Politico article, an unnamed source expressed skepticism about the pool of Black Republicans available for potential appointments in a future Trump administration, claiming, “There’s no bench.” This statement not only reflects a lack of awareness but also perpetuates a misconception about the depth and breadth of Black voices within the conservative movement. Contrary to such uninformed opinions, the conservative movement boasts a robust and dynamic array of Black leaders, thinkers, and practitioners who contribute significantly across policy, business, and grassroots activism.…

(BALTIMORE – December 7, 2024) – A U.S. appeals court upheld a law requiring TikTok to either divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a potential U.S. ban starting January 19, 2025. The court rejected TikTok’s claims that the law violated the First and Fifth Amendments, emphasizing national security concerns over potential data sharing and manipulation by the Chinese government. TikTok plans to appeal, citing free speech protections, but ByteDance has previously refused to sell the platform. President Biden signed the law amid bipartisan concerns about ByteDance’s influence. If enforced, app stores and internet providers could face fines for…

By Richard DeShay Elliott (PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – December 5, 2024) – Following a series of deadlocked votes from the Prince Georges’ County Council during their final legislative meeting of the year on Dec. 3, Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D- District 5) will remain chair of the governing body, while Councilmember Edward Burroughs (D-District 8), was elected to serve as vice chair. Although no member received majority votes, the council is free to elect a new chair during the new legislative session, a point noted by Councilmembers Tom Dernoga (D- District 1) and Krystal Oriadha (D- District 7). Ivey emphasized she is…

(WASHINGTON, DC – November 21, 2024) – David J. Byrd, distinguished public servant and contributor to BPALiveWire, will join Understanding the Landscape Post U.S. Elections, a members-only virtual gathering hosted by Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA). This off-the-record breakout session will take place on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET via Zoom. As the former National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Byrd brings decades of expertise in government, economic development, and international affairs to the panel. His insights will help participants navigate the evolving political and economic landscape following the U.S. elections. BPIA was…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – November 20, 2024) – I was recently asked if I gamble. I said no. Then again, I do engage in politics. I was admittedly biased in terms of the recent election. I was ten toes down in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. Although there were indeed issues during the campaign – as noted by political pundits on our daily broadcast (The Emmy-nominated “Doni Glover Show” streaming on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook weekdays at 9 am EST) and via a lot of text messages from less public sources, I believed and still believe that…

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By Deana Bass WIlliams and Dee Dee Bass Wilbon (WASHINGTON, DC – November 15, 2024) – The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election revealed a pivotal shift among African American, Hispanic, and female voters, signaling a reevaluation of long-standing party loyalties. President-elect Donald Trump’s increased support within these groups reflects economic discontent, evolving social priorities, and a clear desire for change. As these voter groups express frustration over the current financial landscape and align with culturally conservative values, both parties have a compelling challenge: understanding and effectively engaging with these emerging priorities. One of the starkest indicators of this shift is the…