The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Wrongly-imprisoned Baltimore man James Langhorne speaks to the difficulties of returning to society after 27 years in prison even as he is awarded $2.9 million. Maryland’s new 3 percent tech services tax started July 1 Montgomery county, Maryland, gas leaf blower ban went into effect July 1, but Gabe Albornoz, wants a 3-year fall season exemption for commercial landscapers. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke explains her “house party” bill. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!

Three stories about introspection, learning, change, and hope from the destruction of federal worker layoffs and budget cuts. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Kevin Gash of Rockville who went from a 14-year career as a USAID contractor to starting a food truck called PLAN B Sausages. Liza Achilles, also of Rockville, was a technical writing contractor for USDA hoping for a new career in creative writing. And Robbyn Lewis, a Maryland state delegate from Baltimore, who for most of her professional life worked on USAID global health contracts and is struggling with finding the right new direction. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.

The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Breaking down two of the most consequential Supreme Court rulings that came down last week: the ban on universal injunction and the expansion of religious rights of parents in public schools. The Trump Administration’s case against all 16 judges in the federal District of Maryland. The second Trump Administration has built a sophisticated legal team that seemed impossible in the first term. How? Lessons for Ranked Choice Voting from Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York Democratic primary. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Cato legal scholar and RCV advocate Walter Olson. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!