$500K NBA Gift, Hollywood Star, Grade 'A' Hospitals: MD Good News 2023

MARYLAND, MD — While some may complain that the media only reports bad news, Patch reporters make an effort to highlight the many good deeds and positive actions that occur in the communities they cover.

Each week, Patch collects the latest upbeat stories and publishes them in "MD Good News." Below are some of the good news stories Patch highlighted in 2020, demonstrating that there was a lot to celebrate in 2023.

94 Percent Of MD County Schools Receive High Marks On Report Card

Ninety-four percent of Howard County schools earned three-, four- or five-star ratings on the Maryland Report Card.

MD County Officially Opens New Train-Themed Playground

A new train-themed playground has opened in Forest Hill at the northern end of the Ma and Pa Trail. It pays homage to the former railroad.

A Month After A Pig Heart Transplant, Man Works To Regain Strength

Hospital video released Friday shows a Maryland man working hard to recover after becoming the second person to receive a pig's heart.

10-Year-Old From HoCo A Finalist On 'MasterChef Junior' Show

A 10-year-old from Howard County competed on Master Chef Gordon Ramsay's new holiday cooking show and made it to the final round.

10-Year-Old From Prince George's A 'MasterChef Junior' Show Finalist

A 10-year-old from Prince George's County with her own cookie business competed on Master Chef Gordon Ramsay's new holiday cooking show.

Scratch-Off Millionaire Has 3 Winning Tickets In 1 Night

A Maryland man won prizes on three instant tickets on his way home from work, including one that made him a millionaire, Maryland Lottery said.

Cancer Survivor Supports Patients With Care Kits, Named Women Of Worth

Cancer survivor Sonia Su of HoCo, who creates care kits for patients, has been named a 2023 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree.

Baltimore's John Waters Receives Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame

The honor for Baltimore native John Waters comes as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures debuted an exhibit on his unconventional work.

3 MD Hospitals Named Among ‘Best’ For Maternity Care In New Report

Maryland has some of the best maternity care hospitals in the nation, according to U.S. News. Find the top-ranked hospital near you.

Kevin Durant Gift To Bowie State Brings NBA-Style Basketball Court

A $500K donation from the Durant Family Foundation allowed BSU to renovate its gym including creating an NBA-quality basketball court.

MD Town Earns Perfect Score On Human Rights Campaign’s Scorecard

One Howard County town has received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's 2023 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard.

13 MD Hospitals Earn 'A' Grades, 18 Get 'C' In Latest Leapfrog Ratings

A new report from Leapfrog Group shows Maryland hospitals have reduced infections after a spike in infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 MD Communities Ranked As Best Places To Retire In 2024: U.S. News

A new list from U.S. News & World Report shows two Maryland communities rank among the top 150 best places to retire in 2024.

3 Hikers Rescued By MD State Police Helicopter Crew

Three hikers were rescued by a Maryland State Police helicopter crew from the woods of West Virginia in two separate cases, officials said.

Students Donate 2,500 Pounds Of Food To Homeless Shelter

St. John's College students and staff donated 2,500 pounds of food to the Light House homeless shelter in Annapolis by trimming waste.

BWI Airport's Restrooms Among Nation’s Best After $55M Remodel

BWI Airport's remodeled bathrooms hope to claim the porcelain throne. The $55 million restrooms are in the running for the nation's best.

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Celebrates 50 Years

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center recently celebrated 50 years and received a national award.

Delivers Baby In Parking Garage Of Anne Arundel Medical Center

A mother gave birth in an Annapolis parking garage thanks to a doctor passing by.

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