Maryland Now

Blended Public Affairs
  • 5.0 (16)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Maryland Now is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping Maryland’s politics, policy, and public life. Hosted by Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin — three veteran journalists and public‑affairs leaders with more than 60 years of combined experience — the show brings depth, context, and historical perspective to the issues facing Maryland today. Each episode blends reporting, interviews, and insider knowledge. You’ll hear directly from the people driving decisions in Annapolis and across the state: agency heads, lawmakers, advocates, strategists, and longtime policy experts. The hosts draw on their decades covering and working in Maryland government to connect past decisions to current debates — revealing how we got here, what’s been tried before, and what’s at stake now. Season One follows the 2026 General Assembly session and election cycle, with deep dives into housing, energy, the state budget, public health, and more. The conversations are smart, candid, and grounded in real reporting — not hot takes. If you want to understand Maryland — its politics, its communities, and its future — Maryland Now is for YOU

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Stay Off the Poller Coasters: Tom Perez on the Midterms

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs This episode, Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin sit down with Tom Perez — former U.S. Labor Secretary, former DNC Chair, former Maryland Labor Secretary, former Montgomery County Councilmember, and now a partner at Mayer Brown — for a wide-ranging conversation on the 2026 midterms, the state of American democracy, and what comes next for the Democratic Party. In this episode: Why Perez believes Democrats are favored to retake the House and are newly competitive in states like Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas — and the historical data point he says predicts midterm outcomes better than anything elseHis warning about what he hopes Democrats don't do if they retake Congress, and what he thinks the real priorities should be insteadA candid conversation about the risk to free and fair elections in NovemberPerez's reflections on his time in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division — from working under Reagan-era officials who respected institutional norms, to what he calls the "obliteration" of those same norms todayHis firm's role representing Harvard in its funding dispute with the administration, and why he says the case matters far beyond one universityA sobering look at what a return to normalcy might cost the U.S. with its allies abroad, and why he thinks trust, once broken twice, is much harder to rebuildGot a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Creative.

    Stay Off the Poller Coasters: Tom Perez on the Midterms

  2. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Today’s Maryland Media: What We’ve Lost And What We’ve Gained

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs This episode, Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin turn the mic on their own industry, sitting down with TJ Smith — until days ago the host of a talk radio show on WBAL, and before that spokesperson for Baltimore City Police and then-County Executive Johnny Olszewski — and Miranda Spivak, a former Washington Post editor, former top editor at the Gazette newspapers, and author of Backroom Deals in Our Backyards. Together they take stock of Maryland's media landscape today: what's been lost as newsrooms shrink and outlets close, but also what's emerging to try to fill the gap, from nonprofit journalism to a generation that may be starting to crave something deeper than a headline. In this episode: How Pew Research shows the share of Americans following local news closely has dropped from 37% in 2016 to 21% in 2025 — and what that decline actually looks like on the ground, from WBAL cutting local programming to the Washington Post scaling back Maryland coverageTJ Smith on the erosion of local news bureaus, the blurred line between "journalist" and "influencer," and how he tried to bridge the gap by recording his own press conference footage for outlets that could no longer send anyoneMiranda Spivak on the economics of local news, why subscription and philanthropic models are gaining ground, and what it was like watching ownership change at the Washington PostThe bright spots: the Baltimore Banner's Pulitzer Prize and its expansion into Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and TJ's case for cautious optimism that younger generations may be circling back toward wanting real depth over quick hitsA candid look at what's still missing even where new outlets are succeeding — the group's take on the loss of the editing function, and where the Baltimore Sun's shift under new ownership fits into the bigger pictureNew models worth watching: bundling news subscriptions like streaming services, cross-promotion between outlets, and the case for local journalists becoming trusted community voices in their own rightA frank conversation about media distrust, "flooding the zone," and what it takes to rebuild credibility in an information environment that's radically different from the one this group started their careers inGot a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Creative.

    Today’s Maryland Media: What We’ve Lost And What We’ve Gained

  3. Sep 3 ·  Video

    The Third Rail: Inside Maryland's Healthcare Model

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs This episode, host David Nitkin takes on healthcare — an industry so big and so personal that he almost didn't tackle it, given his own history working inside the Johns Hopkins system. Drawing on interviews with seven leaders across Maryland's hospitals, physicians, regulators, and insurers, David traces the 50-year history of the "Maryland Model" — the state's unique all-payer healthcare system — from its 1970s origins through today's uncertain future, as a new federal agreement threatens to unwind the very thing that's made Maryland's healthcare financing unlike anywhere else in the country. In this episode: How a 1977 deal with the federal government created Maryland's all-payer waiver — and why it's been called "a third rail" that no one in Annapolis wants to touchThe 2014 shift to global hospital budgets under Governor O'Malley, and how it changed hospitals' incentives from volume to valueThe real numbers: reduced hospital readmissions, fewer hospital-acquired infections, and why Maryland hasn't lost a single rural hospital while nearly 200 have closed nationwideThe new AHEAD model, and why it may mean the end of the "all-payer" system as Medicare and commercial insurers start paying different rates for the first time in 50 yearsA stark warning from a CareFirst executive describing a "game of chicken" between hospitals, insurers, and the state Got a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Creative. (00:00) - Cold Open (04:32) - Healthcare By The Numbers (06:49) - David's Story: A Personal Stake (08:08) - Origins: Hospitals On The Brink, 1960s (09:14) - The Waiver And The All-Payer System (10:40) - "A Third Rail": Why No One Touches It (12:29) - Cracks Begin To Show, 2011 (14:47) - 2014: The Shift To Global Budgets (16:45) - How Hospitals Adapted (19:53) - The Old System's Weaknesses (21:32) - 2019: Total Cost Of Care (22:22) - Where Doctors Fit In (24:49) - The Numbers: What Actually Improved (28:49) - Why Rural Hospitals Haven't Closed (29:23) - The CareFirst Monopoly Problem (32:38) - 2024: Enter The AHEAD Model (35:05) - The End Of All-Payer? (36:17) - Who Pays For The Gap (38:39) - Hospitals: Running Out Of Easy Fixes (40:22) - Beyond Hospitals: Drugs, Behavioral Health, Aging (42:18) - Nursing Homes And The Capacity Crunch (43:05) - "A Game Of Chicken" (45:07) - The Maryland Model Goes National (45:56) - Closing Thoughts (48:41) - Team Roundtable: History And What's Next

    The Third Rail: Inside Maryland's Healthcare Model

  4. Aug 27 ·  Video

    Swimming Halfway: Maryland's Blueprint for Education Reform

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs This episode, Josh Kurtz takes a deep dive into the Blueprint for Maryland's Future — the state's roughly $4 billion, 10-year education reform plan — now about halfway through its run, with a formal progress report due out by the end of the year. Drawing on interviews with eight educators and political leaders, Josh traces the Blueprint's roots back to a 1990s ACLU lawsuit over underfunded Baltimore City schools, through the Thornton and Kirwan Commissions, Governor Hogan's 2020 veto and the legislature's override, and into where the plan stands today — including a look at what's working, what isn't, and the funding fight that's about to define its next chapter. In this episode: How Maryland's decline in national education ratings alarmed policymakers and educators and prompted bold but complicated actionThe five "pillars" of the Blueprint, and why the law also created an unusual new oversight agency, the Accountability and Implementation BoardAll 24 Maryland school districts have now hit $60,000 starting teacher salaries — but neighboring states are catching up fast, and some districts had to sacrifice other priorities to get thereWhy a court ruling striking down Maryland's digital advertising tax has frozen over $535 million earmarked for the BlueprintThe push from advocacy groups and the teachers' union for progressive revenue measures — and the pushback from counties already stretched thinA candid, skeptical take from a former Baltimore City school board member on whether the Blueprint tried to do too much, too fastA powerful official's case for staying the course, told through two sports metaphors — a college athletic program still waiting to win games, and a swimmer who covers 26 miles without ever completing the crossingGot a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Creative. (00:00) - Welcome and Setup (00:44) - Why the Blueprint Matters (04:15) - New School Year Stakes (07:18) - Blueprint Goals and Players (08:31) - Early Results and Patience (10:01) - Origins Thornton to Kirwan (14:08) - Passing the Blueprint (16:17) - Accountability Board Explained (23:30) - Teacher Pay and Tradeoffs (30:43) - Other Pillars PreK Careers (33:33) - Funding Fights State and Local (39:42) - Worcester County Case Study (41:18) - Inflation and Bigger Questions (42:45) - Will Leaders Stay Committed (45:49) - Wrap Up and Credits

    Swimming Halfway: Maryland's Blueprint for Education Reform

  5. Aug 20

    Downy Ocean: Inside MACo Week with Maryland's Power Players

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs This episode, Maryland Now hits the road. Hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin traveled to Ocean City for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) conference — the annual gathering where most of Maryland's state and local government establishment spends a few days mixing official business with a packed circuit of evening receptions. Rather than one long-form interview, this episode features brief interviews with elected officials, agency heads, and the private-sector players navigating Maryland's biggest policy fights, all tied together with Dori, Josh, and David's own reporting and reactions from the ground.   We cover everything from Maryland's energy challenges with PSC Chair Kumar Barve and State Sen. J.B. Jennings, to the state's fiscal picture with Budget Secretary Jake Weissman and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and the major reduction in violent crime in Baltimore City with Mayor Brandon Scott…and more.   In this episode: PSC Chair Kumar Barve on Maryland's role in a 13-state regional power grid, and why data centers need to "bring their own new generation"State Sen. J.B. Jennings on what's really driving Maryland's high electric bills, and why he's skeptical the legislature will fix it this sessionBudget Secretary Jake Weissman on formulating next year's budget amid a structural deficitComptroller Brooke Lierman on why she calls Maryland's housing regulations "the Smith Island Cake effect"Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on six years of falling homicide rates, the group violence reduction strategy behind it, and $7 billion in new downtown investmentCFG Bank Arena GM Frank Remesch on turning Baltimore into a top touring market – including the story of the night SZA and Queen swapped 57 trucks in and out in under an hourConversations with Howard County executive nominee Vanessa Atterbeary, Baltimore County CAO D'Andrea Walker, and Reps. Johnny Olszewski and April Delaney on affordability, redistricting, and what's ahead in our counties and in CongressState Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis on rebuilding public trust in the vote count ahead of NovemberGot a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Cre8tive. (00:00) - Welcome to Maryland Now (00:18) - Inside the MACO Scene (01:08) - Conference vs Receptions (04:45) - Why Host a Reception (07:40) - Budget and Policy Outlook (09:04) - Energy Bills and Regulation (13:51) - Data Centers and New Power (16:44) - Senator Jennings on Energy (22:26) - Structural Deficit Explained (23:44) - Budget Secretary at MACO (30:07) - Comptroller Role and Priorities (33:38) - Housing Affordability Push (36:25) - Workforce Housing Challenges (39:35) - Mayor Scott on Crime Drop (45:26) - 2026 Focus And 2028 (46:34) - Maryland Redistricting Lines (48:11) - Arena Glow Up Explained (49:31) - Booking And Logistics Wins (53:39) - Downtown Revival And Gaps (54:54) - WinWaste Energy And Emissions (57:20) - Atterbeary Transition Priorities (01:03:45) - Baltimore County Transition Playbook (01:08:36) - Olszewski Costs Housing And Pardons (01:19:04) - Delaney Tech Rural And Maps (01:25:41) - Election Trust And Misinformation (01:31:09) - MACO Takeaways And Wrap

    Downy Ocean: Inside MACo Week with Maryland's Power Players

  6. Aug 13 ·  Video

    Reading the Room: Pollster Adam Carlson on What Marylanders Really Want

    Maryland Now — brought to you by Blended Public Affairs Season 2 opens with a deep dive into the results of the newest Maryland Now poll, conducted by Blended Public Affairs and Perry Jacobson in partnership with Zenith Research. Hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin sit down with Adam Carlson, Founding Partner of Zenith Research, to break down what 800 likely Maryland voters are saying about the state of their finances, their government, and their governor — and the numbers paint a clear picture: affordability, not politics as usual, is driving the conversation heading into the midterms. In this episode: Why 51% of Marylanders say they're just getting by or struggling — and why utility bills, not jobs or the economy, are the #1 policy priorityHow Marylanders want the state to raise revenueData centers: why 75% of Marylanders are concerned, and why it's one of the fastest opinion shifts Adam has seen in his careerGovernor Moore's approval numbersBipartisan appetite for nuclear power and keeping gas plants online longerA candid look at the state of polling itselfGot a question or topic you want covered this season? Reach us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com, and find us now on Facebook too. Technical support by Nate Carper, Carper Creative. (00:00) - Welcome and Guest Intro (00:55) - Marylanders Feeling the Squeeze (02:12) - Utility Bills Top Priority (03:46) - Poll Methodology Breakdown (04:27) - Why Solutions Feel Hard (06:58) - Nuclear and Gas Options (08:47) - Budget Gap and Revenue Ideas (11:05) - Tax the Wealthy Debate (16:52) - Utility Bills as Political Issue (19:15) - Data Centers Spark Backlash (22:55) - What Data Centers Really Mean (25:27) - Business Climate and Climate Change (28:06) - Climate vs Pocketbook Priorities (28:54) - Housing Supply Messaging (29:23) - Utility Bills Dominate Issues (30:34) - Do We Get What We Pay (32:21) - Staying Put in Maryland (34:55) - Moore vs Cox Snapshot (35:49) - Governor Moore Approval Map (38:06) - Party Brands vs Moore (40:01) - Rise of Democratic Socialists (42:07) - How Polling Works Now (44:47) - Response Rates and Methods (46:46) - Polling as Art and Science (49:12) - Wrap Up and Thanks

    Reading the Room: Pollster Adam Carlson on What Marylanders Really Want

  7. Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 Announcement

    Maryland Now is back! In this quick Season 2 teaser, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin drop big news about the upcoming season. Returning mid-August, the team previews a packed slate of hard-hitting topics, deep-dive reporting, and candid roundtable discussions on the biggest policy and political shifts facing the state. From exclusive statewide polling ahead of the election to crucial updates on healthcare, Baltimore’s redevelopment, and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, Season 2 is built to keep you informed on what matters most in Maryland politics and public affairs. Key Takeaways & Season 2 Highlights Season 2 Launch Date: The new season officially kicks off on Thursday, August 13th, with new episodes dropping every subsequent Thursday through the fall.Exclusive Statewide Polling: Episode 1 kicks off with an exclusive poll measuring Marylanders’ perspectives on the economy and key election issues—mapping out what voters are excited, concerned, and thinking about heading into the election.The Blueprint for Maryland's Future: Deep-dive reporting on the implementation, funding, and real-world impact of Maryland's landmark education policy reform.Healthcare Transformation: A critical look at upcoming changes and policy shifts affecting healthcare access and costs across the state.Redeveloping Downtown Baltimore: In-depth coverage of major urban redevelopment projects, economic strategies, and the future of Baltimore’s downtown core. Notable Quotes "We're gonna start up again in mid-August, and we will kick off with a poll that is gonna measure Marylanders' views on the economy and some other issues as we head into an election..."— Josh Kurtz"We love the conversations with special guests around the table, and we also love the deep reporting. Those are great topics, and we hope our listeners enjoy it as much as we enjoy making it."— David Nitkin Sponsored by Blended Public Affairs Have thoughts on an episode, a guest suggestion, or a story tip for the team? 📧 Contact: marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com

    Season 2 Announcement

  8. Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    Primary Election Special Episode – Maryland is Wakanda?

    In this special post-primary election episode, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin sit down with political strategists Alex Hughes and Marvin James. Recorded midday on Wednesday, June 24, the team dissects the results of Maryland's June 2026 primary election, breaking down big-money congressional races, key state legislative upsets, and a historic demographic shift in local leadership. Key Takeaways & Discussion Points Establishment Power & Big Money: Adrian Boafo secured a decisive 5th District victory backed by $12.5 million in outside spending, while self-funding dominated in April Delaney’s win over David Trone in the 6th, and incumbent Kweisi Mfume handily turned back a generational challenge in the 7th.Social Media vs. Ground Game: Senate President Bill Ferguson outworked high-profile influencer hype to win the 46th District by at least a dozen points, proving that what appears like online momentum doesn't always translate to actual votes at the ballot box.Incumbent Casualties: Some high-profile upsets in Maryland General Assembly races include progressive challenger Amar Mukunda unseating long-time Senator Nancy King, and Delegate Malcolm Ruff defeating indicted Senator Dalya Attar.The "Middle Temperament": The panel notes that despite national perceptions of Maryland as a deeply progressive monolith, local primary voters consistently favor candidates of a pragmatic, middle-of-the-road temperament.In This Episode "Maryland is Wakanda": A look at a historic demographic shift as nearly every large jurisdiction in Central Maryland tracks toward being led by an executive of color.The Governor's Coattails: Analyzing Governor Wes Moore’s massive flex of political capital, achieving an incredible 94% success rate across more than 200 statewide endorsements.At the Local Level: Dissecting Julian Jones's apparent win for Baltimore County Executive and Sarah David’s major victory over a 20-year incumbent State's Attorney, along with a look at other local races.Connect With the Show Feedback & Story Ideas: Email the team at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com.Production Credits: Technical support by Nate Carper (Carper Cre8tive Studio).Presented By: Maryland Now is brought to you by Blended Public Affairs.Thank you for listening to Season 1 of Maryland Now! Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and stay tuned for the launch of Season 2! (00:00) - MD Now 6/24/26 Special Election Episode (00:05) - Primary Night Kickoff (00:47) - Hoyer Successor Race (02:20) - Outside Money Debate (06:53) - District 6 Self-Funders (11:52) - Mfume vs Conway Clash (16:47) - Ferguson vs LaPin Showdown (31:48) - Julian Jones Breakthrough (32:50) - Fighter Campaign Tactics (39:51) - Shellenberger Upset (41:46) - Montgomery County Shakeup (47:13) - Howard County Landslide (53:48) - Anne Arundel Kingmakers (56:12) - Final Wrap And 2028

    Primary Election Special Episode – Maryland is Wakanda?
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out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Maryland Now is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping Maryland’s politics, policy, and public life. Hosted by Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin — three veteran journalists and public‑affairs leaders with more than 60 years of combined experience — the show brings depth, context, and historical perspective to the issues facing Maryland today. Each episode blends reporting, interviews, and insider knowledge. You’ll hear directly from the people driving decisions in Annapolis and across the state: agency heads, lawmakers, advocates, strategists, and longtime policy experts. The hosts draw on their decades covering and working in Maryland government to connect past decisions to current debates — revealing how we got here, what’s been tried before, and what’s at stake now. Season One follows the 2026 General Assembly session and election cycle, with deep dives into housing, energy, the state budget, public health, and more. The conversations are smart, candid, and grounded in real reporting — not hot takes. If you want to understand Maryland — its politics, its communities, and its future — Maryland Now is for YOU

Information

  • Creator
    Blended Public Affairs
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Blended Public Affairs
  • Show Website
    Maryland Now