Montgomery Community Media

Silver Spring Man Fatally Shot During Argument with Relative Montgomery County police charged a Laurel man with first-degree murder after a fatal shooting in Silver Spring involving his relative. The victim, 22-year-old Babacar Mbengue, died at a hospital.

Babacar Mbengue, 22, of Silver Spring, was shot and killed on Nov. 22 in downtown Silver Spring. https://bit.ly/43MVw6F

What's going on with #VisionZero in Montgomery County, MD Government? Our annual report covers 113 projects and initiatives with contributions from 20 local and state departments. To view the complete report at ▶️
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5 Things to Know Today, Nov. 24, In Montgomery County Here are five things to know in Montgomery County.

It’s Monday, Nov. 24, and here are five things to know in Montgomery County. https://bit.ly/4rhiBZl

Food Security Advocates Share Effects of Federal Cuts, Shutdown Washington, D.C. area advocates who work to reduce food insecurity spent time Wednesday reviewing the impacts of the recent federal shutdown.

A group of Washington, D.C. area advocates who work to reduce food insecurity spent time Wednesday reviewing the impacts of the recent federal shutdown. The goal – to better prepare for future federal cuts. https://bit.ly/4o8SHEk

Grace Rivera-Oven Named School Board President; Brenda Wolff Named Vice President On Thursday, school board members elected Grace Rivera-Oven to be board president and Brenda Wolff to be vice president.

“It is a privilege to walk into schools, to talk to these beautiful children, to be able to encourage young people that ‘Sí se puede,’ that yes you can, you can acquire you dreams, you can work hard, and you are able to achieve what you want to achieve." https://bit.ly/488s6kS

MCPS Parent Speaks Out After Student Injuries Raise Bullying Concerns In a new special report for "The Pulse," MCM investigates recent incidents of students experiencing physical harm at the hands of other students in Montgomery County Public Schools.

“It’s pretty much gotten down to where, you have the honor [roll], smart kid, who loves school to the point now where he’s having nightmares. He’s having trouble sleeping. He gets up. He cries. He doesn’t want to go to school." https://bit.ly/4r8Rxvd

Oladotun Staying in State with Terps Highly recruited Baba Oladotun out of Blake High School in Silver Spring, MD has chosen Maryland to play basketball at next year.

Baba Oladotun, the James Hubert Blake High School basketball star, selected the University of Maryland as his next stop on his basketball journey. https://bit.ly/4oXAZ86

Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman to Run for District 3 Council Seat Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman will run for County Council against Rockville City Councilmember Izola Shaw in the June 2026 Democratic Primary.

Longtime Mayor of Gaithersburg Jud Ashman will run for County Council against Rockville City Councilmember Izola Shaw. https://bit.ly/3LOrWrg

Inspector General Flags Inconsistencies in MCPS Procurement Practices A report by the OIG found inconsistencies in how MCPS handled its procurement process in the past. MCPS responded.

“As the new superintendent, I am frustrated to continue to discover operational challenges that originated prior to this administration and should have been corrected long ago." https://bit.ly/4o1xk7W

Gaithersburg Provides Emergency Grants to Local Food Providers The City of Gaithersburg will double its food assistance funding in the coming days to help families affected by the shutdown

The City of Gaithersburg will double its food assistance funding in the coming days. https://bit.ly/3LOBH8M

'The Need is Great': Council Approves Millions to Buffer Shutdown Impacts Councilmembers approved $7.75 million to offset some impacts of the recent shutdown and help with resources like food.

“The need is great, and we need to take action now." https://bit.ly/3K6aEFr

Newcomer Challenges King in District 39 State Senate Race Amar Mukunda, a first-time candidate from Germantown, will run to challenge longtime incumbent State Senator Nancy King in 2026.

Amar Mukunda originally registered to run as a delegate for District 39 in the Maryland State House. Now he has changed his course and has filed for election as the Senator from District 39. https://bit.ly/3X4QRJG

Elrich Kicks Off Campaign for Council Marc Elrich sent out emails to voters on Tuesday to announce the kickoff event for his campaign for County Council.

“Having served on the Council previously, I know the influence it can have on the future of our County, its neighborhoods, schools, ag reserve, environment, businesses, economic development, and its people." https://bit.ly/49r8RVW

AstraZeneca Announces $2 Billion Expansion with New Jobs Coming to Gaithersburg, Frederick AstraZeneca announces expansion in Gaithersburg and Frederick, an investment that will bring 2,600 jobs, including 300 highly skilled positions and 1,850 construction jobs by the year 2029.

AstraZeneca officials announced that the pharmaceutical company is investing $2 billion in a new state-of-the-art clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg. https://bit.ly/44kf3vh

Jawando Decides Not to Take Council President Role County Council Vice President Will Jawando, who is running for County Executive, has decided not to seek the title of council president.

Current county Council Vice President Will Jawando announced he will not seek the title of council president. https://bit.ly/4a5dh4W

Van Hollen Aids Food Pantry in Serving Up Hope Ahead of Thanksgiving Nourishing Bethesda distributes Thanksgiving feast

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen stopped by Nourishing Bethesda to thank volunteers and help hand out food. https://bit.ly/43IsPYx

School Board Approves More Than $2.7 Billion Plan to Upgrade School Facilities The school board approved $2.78 billion to upgrade school facilities under the superintendent's Capital Improvements Program and budget.

The Montgomery County Board of Education voted to approve more than $2.7 billion in school facility upgrades under the superintendent’s Capital Improvements Program and budget. https://bit.ly/4idPP7H

Police Investigate Homicide, Multiple Shootings in Fairland Montgomery County police detectives are investigating a shooting-related homicide that took place in Fairland on Wednesday.

Montgomery County police detectives are investigating a homicide that took place in Fairland on Wednesday. https://bit.ly/4rbEcSK

Ashman Running for Council Mayor Jud Ashman will run for the County Council in 2026. He talked with MCM about his decision. Montgomery Community Media (MCM) is a community media center that is dedicated to connecting people and inspiring people to live their best lives. 💻Stay...

ICYMI: Mayor Jud Ashman will run for the County Council in 2026. He talked with MCM about his decision. https://bit.ly/48ci02r

📺 Did you know you can watch Montgomery Community Media on TV? MCM broadcasts on channels 19, 21 and 995! Learn more about our channels here: https://t.co/PWhDqaHs1l https://t.co/1bS3wZWJ2D

The Pulse: Special Report on Bullying A Montgomery County parent who says his kid has been bullied for years is calling for stronger safety measures after reading the story of Lenny Diaz, an MCPS middle school student who suffered a serious head injury during a gym class incident this fall....

ICYMI: John Bittner of Rockville said his 10-year-old was recently struck in the head by another student this fall. MCM’s "The Pulse" investigates rising concerns about school safety, school responses, and transparency in this special report. https://bit.ly/3LRLsmI

Montgomery County Police Lower Hiring Qualifications for New Officers 21 This Week takes a closer look at Montgomery County Police, which includes a discussion concerning Montgomery County lowering the qualification standards for hiring new police officers. Host Casey Aiken is joined by Cary Lamari and Stacey Souter. Wat...

Montgomery County Police is lowering its hiring qualifications for new officers. Is this the best way to address vacancies? Join the discussion in 21 This Week: https://bit.ly/49wvIQ0

5 Things to Know Today, Nov. 21, In Montgomery County Here are five things to know in Montgomery County.

5 Things to Know Today, Nov. 21, In Montgomery County. https://bit.ly/4inKqLp

Rockville Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison For Killing Ex-Girlfriend Francisco Lara-Garcia, 33, of Rockville, has been sentenced to serve 40 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend.

A Rockville man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend. https://bit.ly/3LJEMHr

Grace Rivera-Oven Named School Board President; Brenda Wolff Named Vice President On Thursday, school board members elected Grace Rivera-Oven to be board president and Brenda Wolff to be vice president.

Montgomery County school board members have elected a new president and vice president. https://bit.ly/488s6kS

Affordable Apartments for Seniors 'Topped Off' in Wheaton A "topping off" event was held for a 90-unit senior housing complex currently under construction on University Boulevard West in Wheaton.

A 90-unit senior housing complex is currently under construction on University Boulevard West in Wheaton. https://bit.ly/4obfhvP

MCPS Redistricting Plan Sparks Tension as Parents Reach a Boiling Point 21 This Week takes a closer look at Montgomery County Public Schools, which includes a discussion on the redistricting of the schools. Host Casey Aiken is joined by Cary Lamari and Stacey Souter. Watch episode 818 here: https://youtu.be/8aIlm7vKDT4 00...

Parents are pushing back against MCPS’s redistricting plans. Are parents overreacting or is MCPS moving too fast? Join the discussion on 21 This Week: https://bit.ly/4i6qKeM

Blake Teacher Chosen as Teacher Member of State Board of Education Nicole Murray-Lewis, a teacher at James H. Blake High School, was elected to serve as the teacher member of the Maryland Board of Education.

Nicole Murray-Lewis , was elected to serve as the teacher member of the Maryland Board of Education. https://bit.ly/4ihqMAU

Ashman, Gaithersburg Councilmembers Sworn In Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who is a member of the Board of Directors at Montgomery Community Media, was sworn-in Monday night along with City Councilmembers Lisa Henderson and Jim McNulty. All three were re-elected this month in the 2025 Gaithersbur...

ICYMI: Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman was sworn-in Monday night along with City Councilmembers Lisa Henderson and Jim McNulty. All three were re-elected this month in the 2025 Gaithersburg City Election. https://bit.ly/48owQEa