WYPR News Roundup

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., joins us to discuss his priorities now that Democrats have regained control of the House. We hear from the first Black woman elected to Howard County executive about her historic win. We also break down the election results in Frederick County and the major influence of data centers in the race. Then, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joins us fresh off his win to share his plans for the next four years. And whether he's eyeing a new, office - maybe ovular?

Early voting ended this week and Election Day approaches on Tuesday. We have the latest with Maryland’s State Administrator of Elections, Jared DeMarinis on what you should be aware of as you cast your ballot. And this is being dubbed the first prediction market election. How could one person’s wager affect your vote? Tim Harper, project lead on Elections and Democracy for the Center for Democracy and Technology, joins us. Later, a study Johns Hopkins is carrying out with the Pentagon on women in combat. Ellie Wolfe, a higher education reporter for our news partner The Baltimore Banner, co-authored an investigation into the Pentagon's decision. She joins us to discuss. And, are you headed to Hampden for Halloween? Susannah Siger, a longtime Hampden business owner who's been involved with the event for over 20 years, joins us to preview. Guests: Jared DeMarinis is Maryland’s state administrator of elections. Tim Harper is a project lead on elections and democracy for the Center for Democracy and Technology. Ellie Wolfe is a higher education reporter for our news partner The Baltimore Banner. Susannah Siger is owner of Ma Petite Shoe and has been involved with Hampden Halloween Fest. Related links: Website for Maryland State Board of Elections Center for Democracy and Technology - Betting on the Ballot? How Prediction Markets Can Reshape the Election Environment Banner - Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab conducting Pentagon study on women in combat roles Credit: The Engagement had help from Isaac Moss, Sam Bermas-Dawes, Elizabeth Nonemaker and Malarie Pinkard-Pierre. Gabe Ortis and Shawn Murphy are our studio engineers. Khaleel Rahman is our producer and Amy Walters is WYPR’s executive producer. Join us: Want to have your voice heard on The Engagement? What should we be talking about? There are several ways to reach us: Leave us a voicemail at 410-735-1616. Leave us a voice message or a text on the Baltimore Public Media app. You can also message us on Instagram or Facebook.

Earlier this week, President Trump signed an executive order to give women’s health research more attention. The order establishes a Women’s Health Division at the National Institutes of Health. Host Wambui Kamau shares her personal journey with uterine fibroids interviewing Dr. Anne Peters, the gynecologist and surgeon at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center who helped treat her. Kamau also speaks with U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks about her efforts to pass the UFIGHT Act, aimed at advancing research, screening, and treatment for uterine fibroids, a bill she introduced. Then, a look at one of the fastest-growing segments of Maryland's electorate: Asian American voters. Like many voting blocks, Asian Americans are far from a monolith. Dr. Janelle Wong, the Director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland and Senior Researcher on AAPI Data, discussed how this demographic is being courted by politicians in both parties. Plus, at the beginning of this month a new Maryland law went into effect that could make passing property down a little easier. The law is called the Transfer on Death Deed law. N'neka Nnamdi, director with the Stop Oppressive Seizures Fund, broke it down. And as Halloween approaches, it is time for the Great Baltimore Lantern Parade. Rachel Rush, Education Director at Creative Alliance, along with a Creative Alliance manager, discusses the parade and Dia de los Muertos celebrations. For her safety, we did not use the manager's name during the interview. Maritza Solano provided Spanish interpretation during the segment.

We hear how Maryland’s lone Republican representative called police on a student journalist. WYPR reporter Sarah Petrowich was standing by. The Executive Director of Rock the Vote tells us what young voters are thinking about this election season. The University of Maryland’s suspends its tennis club after they sent out racist imagery. And what it means that Susquehanna River water is now flowing through Baltimore pipes in hopes of fighting a drought. Plus, WYPR’S brand new show, The Engagement, starts Monday.

Polls ahead of the midterms show how voters feel about the economy, the governor’s race and AI. We discuss the concerns of Black and Latino voters in Maryland and how politicians can genuinely engage with them. A former State Department official and a Maryland student activist share their reflections three years after the Oct. 7 attacks and what a U.N. commission calls a genocide in Gaza. Finally, we talk with the director of a new documentary about the Harlem Park Three, who spent 36 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder as teenagers.