Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What new state funding could mean for homes and jobs in College Park

Also, don't miss ASO presents: Holiday Pops with Bowie State University Concert Choir on the College Park Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Morning College Park! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What new state funding could mean for homes and jobs in College Park
  • What investigators found in the plagiarism probe of UMD’s president
  • How new federal fire grants will upgrade training in College Park

Also on today's calendar: ASO presents: Holiday Pops with Bowie State University Concert Choir and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in College Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in College Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Breezy with a few showers, with a high of 59 and low of 25 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and cooler, temps: high: 46, low: 36.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 52 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Governor Moore Announces $69.5 Million in Awards for Statewide Community Revitalization and Economic Development (wgmd.com) — College Park is set to gain from major state revitalization funding, including down payment assistance for local homebuyers and support for building and equipping IonQ’s new headquarters. These projects are part of $69.5 million in statewide awards aimed at boosting housing, economic development, and community facilities in disinvested Maryland communities.
   

2. University of Maryland president cleared of plagiarism allegations (thedailyrecord.com) — The president of the University of Maryland, College Park, Darryll J. Pines has been cleared of plagiarism allegations after three independent reviews found no misconduct. System leaders reaffirmed their confidence in his leadership, an important signal for College Park’s flagship campus community and its future direction.
   

3. Southern Maryland Fire Departments To receive $124K Of $6.9 Million Grant (thebaynet.com) — College Park benefits from a federal grant to the University of Maryland’s Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, which will buy new simulator equipment, turnout gear, and mapping tools for firefighter training. The award is part of nearly $7 million in grants supporting fire departments and rescue services across Maryland, from Baltimore to Southern and Western Maryland.
   

4. Dr. Amanda Whitehurst (nasa.gov) — A NASA Earth Science program manager highlighted in this profile earned her PhD in Geographical Sciences from the University of Maryland in College Park, bringing local academic roots to a global career. She now oversees major NASA Earth observation missions after earlier work with the U.S. Forest Service in the Philippines and extensive experience in remote sensing and forest monitoring.
   

5. Maryland State Education Association (marylandeducators.org) — Educators in and around College Park can register now for MSEA’s “One Big Union: Learning, Advocating, and Empowering” IPD Conference at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center on February 28, 2026. The members-only event offers full-day professional development strands, a keynote from social justice educator Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones, and strategies to better support diverse learners and advance equity in schools.
   

📸 Around College Park

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Cold Stone Creamery posted a job opening for Crew Member in College Park. Apply here.
  • Insomnia Cookies posted a job opening for Shift Lead in College Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near College Park here.

Ok College Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
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