Hoyer, Maryland State Department of Education Celebrate 25 Years of Judy Center Early Learning Hubs
Photo credit Joe Andrucyk, Maryland Governor’sPress Office
Governor Wes Moore celebrated the Judy Center 25th Anniversary at Rosa L. Parks Elementary School, on Nov. 6, 2025. The celebration honored the visionary leadership and legacy of Congressman Hoyer’s late wife and early childhood advocate Judith P. Hoyer. With Gov. Moore are (L to R) Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Joshua Michael, State Board of Education President.
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UCAP Hosts “Walk in Their Shoes” 5K Walk to Raise Awareness and Support for Homelessness
By PRESS OFFICER
United Communities Against Poverty, Inc.
Event Details
United Communities Against Poverty
Walk in Their Shoes 5K
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 8 a.m.
Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg, MD 20710
Register: www.ucappgc.org/ucapwalks
Bring non-perishable food items
Capitol Heights, Md. (Nov. 3, 2025)—United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), the State of Maryland’s designated Community Action Agency for Prince George’s County, is bringing the community together again for its annual Walk in Their Shoes 5K event. This purposeful event dedicated to raising awareness, driving empathy, and strengthening support for families experiencing homelessness, will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
For more than 60 years, UCAP has provided critical services including housing assistance, food support, and workforce development resources to Prince George’s County residents. With nearly 10,000 individuals currently experiencing homelessness across the DC metro region, UCAP’s mission to reduce poverty and support families on that path to self-sufficiency remains critically important.
This year’s walk takes place during a period of economic instability and uncertainty. Rising costs of living, employment instability, and the widespread effects of the recent federal government shutdown have placed additional strain on families across the region and across the country. As federal workers and contractors face lost wages and lingering uncertainty, UCAP has started to see a rise in emergency assistance requests for rental support, housing support, groceries, and additional resources.
In response, UCAP is expanding its supportive housing fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to Prince George’s County residents at risk of displacement. A portion of the proceeds from Walk in Their Shoes will directly support this fund, helping ensure families can remain stably housed during moments of crisis.
Taking place during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, The Walk in Their Shoes 5K brings together residents, community partners, and civic leaders in a shared community-wide commitment to empathy, action, and hope. Participants will enjoy a scenic walk along the Anacostia River, followed by family-friendly activities, food trucks, community resources, and partnership exhibits.
“Walk in Their Shoes is more than a fundraiser, it’s a call to action,” said Rasheeda Jamison, UCAP President & CEO. “We walk to honor the dignity of every individual, to recognize the challenges facing our neighbors, and to strengthen the community network that lifts families. This movement reflects our ongoing commitment to building solutions that eliminate poverty across Prince George’s County.”
Registration for Walk in Their Shoes is open to all. Students with valid school IDs and seniors 60+ receive discounted registration, while children under eight may participate for free. Furloughed federal workers are also invited to walk at no cost. Groups, faith organizations, schools, and corporate teams are encouraged to register and walk together in support of UCAP’s mission.
Participants are also invited to bring non-perishable food items to help local families enjoy a warm holiday meal.
To register, visit www.ucappgc.org/ucapwalks
United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP) is one of Prince George’s County’s leading nonprofit organizations focused on combating poverty, promoting self-sufficiency, and creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities. Through housing, economic empowerment, education, and advocacy, UCAP provides resources that uplift and transform lives.
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A Driver Convicted of Reckless Driving in Maryland Could Now Face Jail Time
By ALAYSIA EZZARD
Capital News Service
On Oct. 1, the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act went into effect in Maryland.
Senate Bill 590 makes adjustments to what constitutes reckless, aggressive and negligent driving. Drivers convicted of these offenses face increased maximum fines and even possible jail time for reckless driving.
“The purpose of this law change is not to put people in jail or not to take their licenses away, but it’s to hold them accountable… even just with some probation or some driver improvement classes that a judge can enact to keep the roadway safe,” said Lt. Patrick Kepp, for whom the bill is named.
Reckless driving is the most serious of the offenses covered by the bill and is defined as operating a motor vehicle “in wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.” With the passage of the bill, driving 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit can now be considered reckless driving and an accused driver must appear in court and can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 60 days in jail.
A driver convicted of reckless driving will have six points assessed against their license and could have an additional six points assessed if they were driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit. Because of the change, a convicted driver could have their license revoked for six months or more.
“What I want to do as the author of the legislation is give it one year to see what happens,” said Del. Greg Wims (D-Montgomery), a sponsor for the bill. “Hopefully, we’ll see that the speeding has decreased somewhat and that, of course, no life has been lost, hopefully anywhere in the state of Maryland.”
Negligent driving is defined as driving a motor vehicle “in a careless or imprudent manner” that endangers property or life. The penalties now include an increase of the maximum fine to $750 and the MVA will assess two points, three if the offense contributes to an accident.
The definition for aggressive driving has expanded to include 12 additional traffic offenses, including the failure to follow or avoid a traffic control device, passing a school vehicle that’s stopped with its flashing red lights on, failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, passing a car that is stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk and other offenses. The bill increases the maximum fine for aggressive driving to $1,000.
The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act was introduced in January and was approved by Gov. Wes Moore in May.
Kepp is a Montgomery County police officer who was struck by a vehicle that was being operated in a negligent manner in October 2023. The perpetrator, Raphael Mayorga, was a repeat offender and was sentenced to 22 years in prison at the end of August, according to court records.
Due to the accident, Kepp had both of his legs amputated, but this didn’t stop him from getting back to work, something very important to him.
“The support from the law enforcement community…, I got to see that firsthand and to be able to give back to all those people, not just in the Montgomery County Police Department, but across the state, across the country, that have supported me, it was really important,” said Kepp. “I felt obligated to come back, continue to do the job in whatever capacity I could.”
He was promoted to Lieutenant on Oct. 5 and he is the Deputy Commander of District 3.
In Maryland, speeding accidents from 2019 to 2023 have fallen, but fatal accidents have increased from 72 in 2019 to 95 in 2023. There were 101 fatalities from speeding-related accidents in 2020.
In that same year, Brett Richard Badin, was fatally struck by a car while crossing the street in Montgomery County. Three years later, his mom and chair of the Transportation Committee of the Greater Olney Civic Association, Mindy Badin, was a witness for the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act.
Prior to the passing of her son, aggressive driving wasn’t much on her radar, but now she’s more aware. Nearly every time she drives to the cemetery to visit her son, she experiences tailgating or a car following too close to another vehicle.
“It’s very unsettling,” said Badin. “Having had this horrendous loss in my family and then seeing firsthand these very, very reckless drivers and aggressive drivers.”
Accidents involving an aggressive driver also decreased between 2019 and 2023, though the number of fatal accidents increased from 37 in 2019 to 55 in 2023.
Since her son’s death, Badin has been and will continue advocating for safer roads in Maryland.
“We all need to look out for each other on the roads,” said Badin. “I just hope that by me testifying for safer bills, for working for safer roads, that no other families have to go through what ours went through.”
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City of Bowie Announces Grand Opening of Workforce Training Center
By PRESS OFFICER
City of Bowie
Bowie, Md. (Nov. 4, 2025)—The City of Bowie Office of Grant Development and Administration is proud to announce the Grand Opening of the Bowie Workforce Training Center (WTC) on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event [took] place at the Kenhill Center, located at 2614 Kenhill Drive, Bowie, MD.
The Workforce Training Center is a major initiative in partnership with Employ Prince George’s (EPG), the county’s principal workforce development and training entity. The center is part of the American Job Center Community Network (AJCCN), which includes six other locations across Prince George’s County.
The Bowie Workforce Training Center is designed to support local job seekers by providing access to computer terminals, online career resources, resume-building tools, job search assistance, and online learning opportunities. It also serves as a resource hub for residents looking to explore new career pathways or enhance their skills in a supportive environment.
Following the grand opening, the Center will be open to the public:
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 3–7 p.m.
• Thursdays: 12–4 p.m.
(Closed on City holidays)
All services are free and open to any job seekers in Prince George’s County.
“The Workforce Training Center represents Bowie’s commitment to empowering residents with the tools, technology, and training they need to thrive in today’s job market,” said Kay Starr, Program Coordinator for the Office of Grant Development and Administration.
Additional resources:
• www.cityofbowie.org/joblab
• https://labor.maryland.gov/county/pg/
• https://www.employpg.org/
• www.cityofbowie.org/worktraining
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Governor Moore Signs Executive Order Establishing the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan
By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 6, 2025)—Governor Wes Moore today signed an executive order today formally establishing the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan to guide the future of Maryland’s $2.9 billion equine sector. The initiative marks a historic step toward unifying the state’s diverse horse community under a single, coordinated vision for growth, sustainability, and collaboration.
“Maryland’s horse industry is a powerful symbol of the state’s heritage, agriculture, and economic vitality,” said Gov. Moore. “This strategic plan will bring together all facets of the equine community to ensure the industry continues to thrive for generations to come.”
With more horses per square mile than any other state, Maryland’s equine ecosystem supports thousands of jobs, maintains open space, and attracts visitors from across the nation and world through premier events. Maryland’s horse industry also supports more than 28,000 jobs and $1.24 billion in wages statewide.
“From racing to recreational riding, from therapeutic programs to trail systems, Maryland’s equine ecosystem touches every corner of our state,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “This effort ensures that all sectors have a seat at the table to build a unified vision for the future.”
The steering committee leading this work will include state agencies as well as representatives from across Maryland’s horse ecosystem. These representatives reflect the breadth and diversity of the state’s horse community, from thoroughbred and standardbred racing and sport horses to trail riders, jousters, and therapeutic programs.
“This executive order moves Maryland forward, bringing together leaders from Maryland’s horse racing, competition, recreation, and wellness sectors under a shared vision,” said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. “Our Maryland Racing Commission has provided oversight for safety and integrity in Maryland horseracing for more than a century, and we are excited to plan for a vibrant future.”
The committee will lead the development of a comprehensive strategic plan designed to strengthen Maryland’s horse ecosystem across seven key focus areas:
• Strategic Planning and Policy Guidance
• Collaboration and Communication
• Economic Development
• Advocacy, Public Awareness, and Promotion
• Education and Workforce Development
• Sustainability and Land Use
• Health and Welfare
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Horse Industry Board will partner with the Maryland Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Natural Resources; the Office of the Secretary of State; the Maryland Racing Commission and others to coordinate planning and stakeholder engagement. They will produce a report, including recommendations and measurable goals, to present to the governor and the Maryland General Assembly.
Through this executive order, Maryland affirms its leadership in equine excellence, preserving a proud, three-century tradition while shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for the horse ecosystem.
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