Teacher Beheaded | Luigi Mangione Shooting | Mega-Yacht Sinks: MD Top News Of 2025

The Maryland news cycle was a whirlwind this year.

Federal worker layoffs and state government buyouts. School redistricting and a teacher's retirement flash mob. News personalities gone too soon and a spotlight on a new congressman.

High-profile crimes included a couple accused of kidnapping and killing a small business owner; a man accused of killing and dismembering a beloved teacher; and Maryland native Luigi Mangione was charged with gunning down a healthcare CEO in New York City. There was also a paramedic accused of masturbating on coworkers' possessions, a drug ring at a restaurant and a pharmacist accused of fatally overdosing a dog.

We also made time for feel-good stories. We profiled a local marching band that made a cameo at a popular band's concert, a firefighter who saved a dog from a blaze and a high schooler advocating for a greener future.

Without further ado, here are Patch's top stories of 2025.

Talkers

• Second Teen Dies In Shooting Outside Columbia Mall, Suspect In Custody
• Suspect Violated Home Monitoring Day Before Deadly Shooting Outside Mall: Report
• Bay Bridge Safe To Cross, Officials Say After Concerning Photo
  
• First Human Case Of Flesh-Eating Parasite Has MD Link
• Alligator With Mouth Taped Shut Rescued By Deputies
• Cause Of Mega-Yacht's Partial Sinking Revealed
• 200 Rescued From MD School As Floodwaters Climb

• Flash Mob Surprises Teacher Retiring After 34 Years: See Video
• Popular Band Pulls MD High Schoolers On Stage For Surprise Encore: Watch
• Annapolis High Schooler Is 'Tenacious' Leader On Field, In State House
• Firefighter Saves Dog From Burning House: 'I'm Eternally Grateful'
• Former Raven Justin Tucker Suspended After Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Report
• Tornado Ripped Roof Off Home, MD Rallying After Twister
• Pet Crematorium Accused Of Giving Fake Ashes: Reports

News Personalities

• WBAL's Tim Tooten Dies After 35 Years Covering MD Schools
• Bob Rivers, Former 98 Rock Radio Host In Baltimore, Dies At 68
• Beloved News Anchor Leon Harris To Leave DC's NBC4
• Longtime DC Radio Host John Lyon Dead At 85

Police, Fire

• Man Sentenced In Slaying, Dismemberment Of Beloved Teacher
• Ex-Midshipman Arrested, Charged In Naval Academy Active Shooter Hoax
• Woman Charged After Pulling 'AI Homeless Man Prank' On Husband
• 'Call The Cops': Man Reports Finding Body In MD To DC Radio Show Host
• Dog Found In House Fire Given Oxygen With Special Pet Mask
• Students With Autism Tied To Chairs, Moms Sue School System: Report
• Driver In Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie, Friends Enters Plea
• Man Who Messaged 'So I Raped You' To Victim Sentenced To Prison
• Woman Killed, 13 Hurt After Car Crashes Into Child's Birthday Party: Police
• 'I Miss Her': Rachel Morin's Son Says At Killer's Sentencing
• Luigi Mangione Of MD Charged With Murder In Health Care CEO's Killing
• Cop Loses Both Legs, Driver Sentenced
• 'I Just Want Justice': Dacara Thompson's Mom Speaks Out
• Paramedic Accused Of Masturbating, Urinating On Belongings At Baltimore County Fire Station: Reports
• Drug Ring Operated At HdG Restaurant, Employees Arrested: Sheriff
• Toddler Falls 6 Floors, Suffers Serious Injuries
• Man Accused Of Killing Business Owner With Girlfriend Found Competent To Stand Trial
• Pharmacist Fatally Overdosed Dog With Drugs From Hospital
• Judge Rules On Catherine Hoggle's Competence To Stand Trial For Murder: Report

Politics

• MD Gov. Moore Reveals Buyout Plan For State Employees: Report
• 12 New Maryland Laws That Will Change Your Life In 2025
• 300 New MD Laws Take Effect July 1, 2025
• Here Are 10 New MD Laws Going Into Effect On Oct. 1, 2025
• House Votes To End Shutdown: See How MD Delegation Voted
• No Kings Day Protest In Essex Brings Out Best, Worst Of MD Politics

Trump’s 1st Year Back In DC

• Argument At No Kings Day Protest Ends On Common Ground: Watch
• 'I Need To Pay My Bills': Laid-Off Federal Workers Recruited By State, County
• 13K MD Layoffs Amid Trump Cuts: 'I Thought We Were Safe'
• Immigrant Fears His 'Life Will Be In Danger' If Forced To Leave MD
• Judge Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia Immediately Released From Immigration Detention
• Schools, Parks Face Uncertainty In Anne Arundel County Amid DOGE Cuts
• Stop DOGE's Federal Cuts, Voters Tell Olszewski At Towson Town Hall
• Sanctuary Label Dropped As Baltimore County Works With ICE
• SNAP Benefits Halted In MD Due To Government Shutdown
• These MD Federal Buildings Could Be 'Designated For Disposal'

Reagan Airport Crash

• 'We're Grieving': Ashburn Mourns Figure Skaters Lost In DC Plane Crash
• Firefighter Guarded Soldier's Body For Hours After DC Plane Crash
• Helicopters Permanently Restricted Near Reagan Airport After Crash
• Helicopter Pilot Ignored Instruction Before Deadly DC Plane Crash
• Family Of DC Plane Crash Victim Sues FAA, Army, American Airlines

Key Bridge Rebuild

• Key Bridge Rebuild Will Cost More Than Twice Original Estimate, State Says
• Key Bridge Demolition Set To Begin Ahead Of Rebuild
• Moments Before Key Bridge Collapse Revealed In New Transcripts
• Traffic 'Hellscape' Remains Year After Key Bridge Collapse
• Truckers Face 'Roller Coaster Ride' Year After Key Bridge Collapse

Rankings

• 13 MD Hospitals Earn 'A' Grade In New Safety Ranking
• This MD Water Park Is Among The Best In America For 2025
• These Are The Safest Towns In Maryland: New Report
• 7 MD Towns Ranked Among Best Places To Live By U.S. News
• This Is The Wealthiest Small Town In Maryland
• Most Expensive ZIP Code In MD Is Island Home To VIPs
• 2 MD Suburbs Among 50 Wealthiest In America

Education

• The Top 25 High Schools In Maryland For 2025-26: U.S. News & World Report
• MD's Best Middle Schools Ranked In New Analysis
• These Are The Top Elementary Schools In MD, U.S. News Says In New Ranking
• These 5 MD Colleges Are The Hardest To Get Into
• Crofton Families Fighting School Redistricting With Help Of Law Firm

Thank you for reading Patch this year. We look forward to keeping you informed in 2026.