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🌱 Patch AM: Why is UMD College Park hiding a $600K plagiarism report?

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Saturday January 10th Patch AM
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Cheers College Park! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why is UMD College Park hiding a $600K plagiarism report?
  • How a UMD experiment could change how College Park avoids the flu
  • How is a UMD College Park astronomer redefining cosmic explosions?

Also on today's calendar: First Time Homebuyer Seminar (FREE!) and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one pirate say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Rain, becoming heavy at times, with a high of 48 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Sunday: Breezy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 47, low: 29.
  • Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 46 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Unreleased Report on Maryland President's Alleged Plagiarism May Have Cost $600K (insidehighered.com) — University of Maryland’s College Park campus is under scrutiny after officials confirmed an outside investigation into President Darryll Pines’s alleged plagiarism cost at least $199,999 and could reach $600,000, yet they refuse to release the full report. System leaders say a committee found no misconduct, but are keeping the law firm’s findings confidential, citing personnel and scholarly-conduct policies. The secrecy and price tag raise transparency questions for College Park residents.
   

2. As Flu Spreads, UMD Study Shows What Can Stop It (umd.edu) — Researchers based in College Park at the University of Maryland helped run a first-of-its-kind flu study that found coughing and poor ventilation are key drivers of transmission. By housing sick students and healthy adults together in a controlled hotel setting, they saw no infections when coughing was minimal and air was well mixed, offering practical guidance for College Park residents this severe flu season.
   

3. The first superkilonova is believed to have occurred through a double cosmic explosion (list23.com) — A University of Maryland astronomer based in College Park is weighing in on what may be the universe’s first observed “superkilonova,” a rare double-explosion event involving neutron stars. While the cosmic blast happened 1.8 billion light-years away, the work highlights how College Park researchers are helping interpret puzzling gravitational-wave signals and unusual stellar remnants that could reshape how scientists understand extreme cosmic events.
   

4. 2026 Maryland state legislature preview (streetcarsuburbs.news) — State lawmakers representing College Park are gearing up for a busy Annapolis session focused on flooding, energy costs, and school funding. Delegate Mary Lehman outlines bills on flood disclosure, emergency preparedness, and protecting vulnerable families, plus efforts to manage utility prices and fully fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Additional priorities from College Park’s other representatives may be added soon.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • College Park’s next Restaurant Week, Taste of College Park, will run from January 16-25, 2026, featuring 20+ local restaurants offering special lunch and dinner deals.
    Check out collegepark.life/restaurantweek before your visit for the most updated list of participating restaurants and specials! ######### La… (Nextdoor )
  • Amrize posted a job opening for Utility Operator in Hyattsville. Apply here.
  • Mathnasium posted a job opening for Math Instructor / Tutor in Hyattsville. 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 sea you!
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