Economic concerns pushed Donald Trump over the finish line in the race for president. But what did voters mean when they said the economy was their top issue?  And how is political polarization shaping how voters view financial recovery from the pandemic? Prof. Ian Anson, associate director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland, explains.

Economic concerns pushed Donald Trump over the finish line in the race for president. But what did voters mean when they said the economy was their top issue?  And how is political polarization shaping how voters view financial recovery from the pandemic? Prof. Ian Anson, associate director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland, explains.

What does 'the economy' mean to voters?

The General Assembly passed the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” back in 2021, a law mandating more funding for schools, higher salaries for teachers, and a series of reforms aimed at better serving our state’s students.

The first pillar of the Blueprint is Early Childhood Education and the law requires a major expansion of pre-kindergarten programs. How is it going? We ask Maya Lora, an early childhood education reporter with WYPR’s partner the Baltimore Banner.

The General Assembly passed the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” back in 2021, a law mandating more funding for schools, higher salaries for teachers, and a series of reforms aimed at better serving our state’s students.
The first pillar of the Blueprint is Early Childhood Education and the law requires a major expansion of pre-kindergarten programs. How is it going? We ask <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/author/maya-lora/">Maya Lora</a>, an early childhood education reporter with WYPR’s partner the Baltimore Banner.

Are Maryland's pre-kindergarten programs on track?

Racist text messages were sent to Black people across the country In the wake of the presidential election. The messages referenced slavery, and appear to be part of a coordinated harassment campaign. We hear from a local mother of a child who received one of these texts and ask Jonathon Smith, Chief of the Civil Rights Division of the State Attorney General’s office what people can do to protect themselves.

The Maryland Attorney General's Office Hate Crimes Hotline is 1-866-481-8361. You can also report a hate crime online at nohomeforhate.md.gov

Other resources: Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: 1-800-637-6247, Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention: stophate@oag.state.md.us Maryland State Police: 1-800-525-5555, FBI Baltimore field office: (410) 265-8080 or tips.fbi.gov 

Racist text messages were sent to Black people across the country In the wake of the presidential election. The messages referenced slavery, and appear to be part of a coordinated harassment campaign. We hear from a local mother of a child who received one of these texts and ask Jonathon Smith, Chief of the Civil Rights Division of the State Attorney General’s office what people can do to protect themselves.
The Maryland Attorney General's Office Hate Crimes Hotline is 1-866-481-8361. You can also report a hate crime online at <a href="https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/0bfd7e5bdb1d471e9c82d5f62cf09946">nohomeforhate.md.gov</a>
Other resources: Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: 1-800-637-6247, Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention: <a href="https://nohomeforhate.md.gov/">stophate@oag.state.md.us</a> Maryland State Police: 1-800-525-5555, FBI Baltimore field office: (410) 265-8080 or <a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">tips.fbi.gov </a>

Maryland AG investigates racist texts

Here’s a stoop story from Aseloka Smith about discovering the magic of … shopping carts! The next LIVE stoop event is Holiday Hootenanny!  An evening of holiday stories and music from The Honey Dewdrops on December 3rd at 7pm.

Here’s a stoop story from Aseloka Smith about discovering the magic of … shopping carts! The next LIVE stoop event is <a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/event/the-stoop-holiday-hootenanny-an-evening-of-holiday-stories-and-music/">Holiday Hootenanny!  An evening of holiday stories and music from The Honey Dewdrops</a> on December 3rd at 7pm.

Stories from the Stoop: Embracing imagination!

Donald Trump didn’t carry the Free State, but he improved his margins here as in the rest of the country. We ask political commentator and Maryland's Republican National Committee representative Nicolee Ambrose, and Jesse Pippy, House Republican whip representing Frederick county, what they’d like Marylanders who didn’t vote for him to know.

Donald Trump didn’t carry the Free State, but he improved his margins here as in the rest of the country. We ask political commentator and Maryland's Republican National Committee representative <a href="https://nicoleeambrose.com/meet-nicolee/">Nicolee Ambrose</a>, and <a href="https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa18013.html">Jesse Pippy</a>, House Republican whip representing Frederick county, what they’d like Marylanders who didn’t vote for him to know.

Maryland Republicans on what comes next

Annette Gordon-Reed has had enormous impact on how historians formulate their questions and search for answers. She will talk about her books and her work at the Baltimore Speakers Series presented by Stevenson University on Thurs. Nov. 14.

Annette Gordon-Reed has had enormous impact on how historians formulate their questions and search for answers. She will talk about her books and her work at the <a href="https://www.baltimorespeakers.org/speakers/annette-gordon-reed/">Baltimore Speakers Series</a> presented by Stevenson University on Thurs. Nov. 14.

Baltimore Speakers Series: A reexamination of history with Annette Gordon-Reed

More than six million US military veterans are in their 70s, 80s and 90s. A program by the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System allows vets to age in place while receiving the care they need. We drop by a home in Baltimore County to pay a visit with Joanne West, who takes care of military veterans Robert Kundzman and Ralph Stepney, in her home, called the Hawkins House. 

For more information about the VA medical foster home program, visit this link. If you're interested in being a caregiver, visit this link.

More than six million US military veterans are in their 70s, 80s and 90s. A program by the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System allows vets to age in place while receiving the care they need. We drop by a home in Baltimore County to pay a visit with Joanne West, who takes care of military veterans Robert Kundzman and Ralph Stepney, in her home, called the Hawkins House. 
For more information about the VA medical foster home program, <a href="https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Medical_Foster_Homes.asp">visit this link</a>. If you're interested in being a caregiver, <a href="https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/news-releases/va-maryland-health-care-system-expands-medical-foster-home-program-seeks-qualified-caregivers-in-cecil-county/">visit this link</a>.

Maryland veterans find comfort and care in VA medical foster homes

Priscilla Morales shares a heartwarming story about her beloved dog, Kiki.

The next Stoop show is Thursday, November 14th at the American Visionary Art Museum. The theme is “Creating Art, Creating Change: Art as a Tool for Healing Communities.” Tickets are free.

Priscilla Morales shares a heartwarming story about her beloved dog, Kiki.
The next <a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/">Stoop</a> show is Thursday, November 14th at the American Visionary Art Museum. The theme is “<a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/event/creating-art-creating-change-stories-about-art-as-a-tool-for-social-justice/">Creating Art, Creating Change: Art as a Tool for Healing Communities</a>.” Tickets are free.

Stories from the Stoop: Kiki comes home

We live in bubbles. Many of us have few friends whose political beliefs differ from ours-- and that’s true also for social media. The circles you run in, the content you interact with online, probably echo your views. 

According to the Pew Research Center, while most Americans prefer news apps and websites, an increasing number turn to social media for news. 

What does all this mean for how we experienced the campaign …or reacted to the results on election day?

Jen Golbeck is a professor at the University of Maryland where she studies extremism, social media, malicious online behavior, and artificial intelligence. 

Links:
MAGA Report

I've Traveled Across The Country To Attend Trump Rallies. Here's What You Won't See On TV.

I Thought A MAGA Bot Was Trolling Me. Then He Asked Me To Lunch — And I Was Surprised By Who Showed Up.

We live in bubbles. Many of us have few friends whose political beliefs differ from ours-- and that’s true also for social media. The circles you run in, the content you interact with online, probably echo your views. 
According to the Pew Research Center, while most Americans prefer news apps and websites, an increasing number turn to social media for news. 
What does all this mean for how we experienced the campaign …or reacted to the results on election day?
<a href="https://jengolbeck.com/index.html">Jen Golbeck</a> is a professor at the University of Maryland where she studies extremism, social media, malicious online behavior, and artificial intelligence.  Links: <a href="https://magareport.news/">MAGA Report</a>
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-rallies-mainstream-media_n_66e07063e4b0f6ea72e2b59c">I've Traveled Across The Country To Attend Trump Rallies. Here's What You Won't See On TV.</a>
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maga-twitter-x-troll-lunch_n_66fd7573e4b0d70dcaa003d6">I Thought A MAGA Bot Was Trolling Me. Then He Asked Me To Lunch — And I Was Surprised By Who Showed Up.</a>

An expert in extremism attended Trump rallies. What did she see? 

As most of the nation shifted to the right, Maryland stayed predictably blue, and chose Democrats for its job openings in Washington: In addition to Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobooks prevailing over Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan to represent the Free State in the U.S. Senate.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski won a seat in Congress, as did State Senator Sarah Elfreth of Anne Arundel County.

To help us better understand what Maryland voters were saying, we speak with UMBC political scientist Mileah Kromer; Lisa Snowden, editor in chief of Baltimore Beat; and John Lee, who covers Baltimore County for WYPR.

Correction: This interview mistakenly updated the race for Maryland's 6th Congressional District House seat. The race has not been called yet. 

As most of the nation shifted to the right, Maryland stayed predictably blue, and chose Democrats for its job openings in Washington: In addition to Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobooks prevailing over Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan to represent the Free State in the U.S. Senate.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski won a seat in Congress, as did State Senator Sarah Elfreth of Anne Arundel County.
To help us better understand what Maryland voters were saying, we speak with UMBC political scientist <a href="https://umbc.edu/stories/kromer-announced-as-director-of-umbc-institute-of-politics/">Mileah Kromer</a>; Lisa Snowden, editor in chief of <a href="https://baltimorebeat.com/">Baltimore Beat</a>; and <a href="https://www.wypr.org/people/john-lee">John Lee</a>, who covers Baltimore County for WYPR.
Correction: This interview mistakenly updated the race for Maryland's 6th Congressional District House seat. The race has not been called yet.

Election 2024 reaction

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

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