U.S. bishops inside a Baltimore hotel approved materials on how Catholics should vote in 2024 elections. Soon after, their recently ousted colleague and dozens of his supporters rallied outside the annual fall business meeting. Bishop Joseph Strickland is a conservative cleric who was recently removed by Pope Francis as head of the diocese of Tyler, Texas. His ouster followed his increasingly severe criticisms of the pontiff. Strickland prayed the rosary with dozens of supporters along the waterfront. Inside their conference room, the bishops approved a document about how Catholics should rely on the church’s teaching when making their ballot choices. The document restated many longstanding positions like opposition to abortion.

Catholic leaders called for peace in a war-torn world and unity amid strife within their own ranks as U.S. bishops gather in Baltimore. Their annual fall meeting came soon after two actions by Pope Francis that illustrated the divisive challenges facing the Catholic Church. That included removing one of his harshest conservative critics from his role as bishop of Tyler, Texas. The other was releasing a document conveying a more welcoming stance to transgender people than the official positions of the U.S. bishops. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed empathy for those in conflict zones. The meeting comes on the heels of an unprecedented meeting in Rome on the future of the church.

Republicans are increasingly focused on President Joe Biden's brother, Jim Biden, as they dig for evidence that could be used for impeachment proceedings. They haven't turned up any proof of wrongdoing by the president. However, they recently subpoenaed Jim Biden and others as part of their investigations. Jim Biden's business ventures, some of which have ended with debts and acrimony, have shadowed his brother's political career for decades. Most recently, Jim Biden's work with a failed healthcare startup called Americore has faced fresh scrutiny from Republicans. His lawyer says, "Jim Biden has never involved his brother in his business dealings.”

A former top prosecutor for the city of Baltimore has been convicted on Thursday of charges that she lied about the finances of a side business to improperly access retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the money to buy two Florida homes. Former Baltimore state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby was charged with two counts of perjury. A federal grand jury indicted her on perjury charges before a Democratic primary challenger defeated her last year. Mosby was the prosecutor against Baltimore police officers after Freddie Gray, a Black man, died in police custody in 2015. His death led to riots and protests in the city. None of the officers were convicted.

Democratic governors across the country are sending a joint letter to leaders in Congress calling for additional funds for security at places of worship. The call comes as concerns rise over potential threats against Jewish and Muslim communities motivated by the Israel-Hamas war. Other national leaders, including President Joe Biden, have also asked for funds to be increased to the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The program is set to give $305 million this year to nonprofits to help secure their facilities against potential attacks. The letter was led by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and signed by 10 other governors.

A former top prosecutor for the city of Baltimore has declined to testify at her federal trial on charges that she lied to improperly access retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former state's attorney Marilyn Mosby's attorneys rested their case on Wednesday. Jurors are expected to hear closing arguments after a lunch break. Prosecutors say Mosby lied about the finances of a side business to improperly access retirement funds. Mosby’s attorneys say she legally obtained and spent the money on two Florida homes. Mosby gained a national profile for prosecuting Baltimore police officers after Freddie Gray, a Black man, died in police custody in 2015.

A leading Maryland budget expert says raising revenues would likely be the least disruptive way of addressing projected budget deficits in future years. David Romans is the coordinator of fiscal and policy analysis at the Maryland Department of Legislative Services. He said Tuesday that raising revenues would provide more stability than deep budget cuts or using rainy day funds. Romans says relying on the rainy day fund is the least helpful. That's because it leaves uncertainties about what would be done to handle deficits in the future that are largely driven by rising education costs.

Baltimore police officers shot and killed a man who pointed a gun at them following a foot pursuit Tuesday afternoon, officials said. Police Commissioner Richard Worley said officers were patrolling an area in southwest Baltimore known for frequent gun violence when they encountered a man who they believed to be armed. Officials haven’t determined how many officers pulled the trigger. They also haven’t determined whether the armed man fired his handgun. The man’s identity hasn’t been released. The officers involved are members of a so-called District Action Team. Such specialized units drew scrutiny earlier this year after a police shooting that unfolded under similar circumstances.

The new president of the Boy Scouts of America plans to reverse the trend of declining membership and improve safety programs as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a sexual abuse scandal. Roger Krone, a retired businessman and former Eagle Scout, was named Friday as the new chief executive of the 113-year-old youth organization, replacing the retiring Roger Mosby as the top administrator. A federal judge in March upheld the $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan for the organization, which allowed it to keep operating while compensating more than 80,000 men who filed claims saying they were sexually abused while in scouting.

Jurors in the trial of a suspected serial killer have been shown video surveillance footage of two fatal shootings. Keith Gibson is accused in the deaths of six people in Delaware and Pennsylvania during a 2021 crime spree. Prosecutors on Tuesday also showed jurors video surveillance footage of a third shooting that resulted in attempted murder charges against Gibson. The 41-year-old is charged with murder in the killings of a cellphone store clerk and a drug dealer in Delaware. The Philadelphia district attorney is also pursuing murder charges against Gibson in four other killings, including the death of his mother. Authorities plan to pursue those charges after the Delaware trial.

The city of Philadelphia has picked the winning design for a Harriet Tubman statue outside City Hall after facing criticism over its original choice of an artist who’d been selected without competition. New Jersey-based artist Alvin Pettit beat out four other semifinalists.  His 14-foot bronze statue will portray the famed abolitionist as a military leader. City officials originally offered the commission to a white sculptor from North Carolina. A group of artists and activists protested, saying the city should have held an open competition to give a chance to other artists, including Black artists. City officials then issued an open call that drew dozens of submissions.

Loved ones are grieving the loss of a Maryland judge who was gunned down outside his home last week. They remembered Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson as dedicated, fair and even-keeled on the bench. Police believe 49-year-old Pedro Argote shot and killed Wilkinson hours after the judge granted Argote’s wife a divorce and sole custody of their four children. Argote was found dead Thursday in a heavily wooded area not far from where the shooting unfolded, ending a weeklong search. Judge Brett Wilson says his colleague’s killing has stunned the community Wilkinson served for years as a private lawyer and county attorney before becoming a judge.

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland will not seek reelection in 2024, choosing to depart his seat after 18 years. Sarbanes has represented Maryland’s traditionally blue 3rd congressional district since 2007. He said in a statement Thursday that he wants to return to working in different areas of public service, like nonprofits and volunteer work. Sarbanes said he is committed to seeing out the remainder of his 14 months in office. However, he wanted to make the announcement “specifically for the benefit of candidates interested in running for my seat in next year’s election.”

Authorities say a man suspected of killing a Maryland judge last week has been found dead. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced the development Thursday. Authorities believe 49-year-old Pedro Argote was angry about losing custody of his children when he shot and killed the judge who presided over his divorce case. The attack unfolded outside the home of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson. Law enforcement launched a search for Argote immediately after the shooting. Argote’s body was discovered in a heavily wooded area about a mile from where authorities found his SUV over the weekend.

A second Baltimore firefighter has died from injuries sustained while battling a blaze that engulfed multiple rowhouses in northwest Baltimore last week. Baltimore City Hall spokesperson Bryan Doherty confirmed the death Wednesday morning. Lt. Dillon Rinaldo was hospitalized in critical but stable condition after the fire Thursday afternoon. He later succumbed to his injuries. Rinaldo joined the department in 2017. Another firefighter, Rodney Pitts III, died in the immediate aftermath of the fire. Three other firefighters were also injured. Their updated conditions were not immediately available, but officials said Friday that two had been released from the hospital.

The Maryland judge who was shot to death in his driveway last Thursday heard testimony from the wife and daughter of his suspected killer during a divorce hearing hours earlier. Judge Andrew Wilkinson called the testimony “shocking” before ruling against Pedro Argote, whose wife was granted a divorce and full custody of their four children. Tapes of the proceeding show Wilkinson issued the ruling after hearing Argote's relatives testify that he controlled every aspect of their lives, keeping them isolated and subjecting them to various acts of violence in recent years. Police have pointed to the decision as a motive for the shooting. Argote remains at large.

Dozens of US states, including California, New York, Arizona and Indiana are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people’s mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to the platforms. The lawsuit filed in federal court in California also claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law.

A manhunt for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a Maryland judge continued for a fourth day Sunday as authorities completed a search of an area where the suspect’s car was found. Officials said Pedro Argote is suspected of gunning down Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson in his driveway Thursday, hours after Wilkinson ruled against him in a divorce case. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday that the SUV Argote was believed to be driving was found in Williamsport, Maryland. The sheriff’s office said Sunday that a search of the Williamsport area has been completed and urged anyone with any information on Argote's whereabouts to contact authorities.