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Dear Friends,

My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and the communities in Minnesota where political violence took place this past weekend. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of Senator Hortman and her husband, and well wishes to Senator Hoffman and his wife as they recover from this horrific act.

As elected leaders and public servants, we recognize that dissent, policy disagreements, and debate are fundamental to democracy, but violence must never be tolerated. These senseless shootings strike at the very heart of civic life and threaten public service and our democracy. 

As we stand in solidarity with all of the residents of Minnesota, we emphatically reject any justification for political violence and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to civil discourse and democratic process.

I also want to recognize the thousands of residents across Montgomery County who are exercising their freedom of speech and right to organize in opposition to ICE raids across our region, which have shaken members of our own Latino and immigrant communities and continue to stoke the flames of fear and prejudice. 

We must continue to stand together to protect one another from authoritarian actions, as we safeguard our values of civility, inclusion, respect, and understanding while working to achieve racial equity and social justice for all.

Sincerely,

Kate Stewart
Council President

Pride Month

It is more important than ever to celebrate and recognize our LGBTQIA+ community here in Montgomery County, and I’ve been honored to participate in Pride celebrations across the County. I joined Congressman Jamie Raskin, County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmember Evan Glass and colleagues from all levels of government for our annual Pride Flag Raising ceremony in Rockville.

And we celebrated World Pride at Strathmore with the International Pride Orchestra and Gay Men’s Chorus, after they were dropped from the Kennedy Center’s lineup, following Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover. Strathmore’s invitation to host the World Pride Celebration Concert is a reflection of the values we share of celebrating the beautiful diversity of our Montgomery County community.

As we celebrate Pride Month, I want to restate my commitment to protecting our LGBTQ+ neighbors and ensuring Montgomery County offers critical health, mental health and social services for the LGBTQ+ community. I also want to express my gratitude to the local organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community through their work every day. 

If you or someone you know is in need of support or information, I encourage you to visit Montgomery County Pride’s LGBTQ+ resource page.

Juneteenth

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the events of June 19, 1865 and the celebration of the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. It is the day enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, were the last in the nation to be informed that the Civil War had ended and they would be set free. The news was brought to them more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in the Confederate states.

Juneteenth is celebrated across Montgomery County with events commemorating African American culture and achievements, and honoring a monumental shift in American history. Join the numerous events and activities with the annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival happening this week, and join us for the annual BlackRock Center for the Arts Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday, June 21. Dive into history with special Juneteenth openings at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park and Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park.

Join us for the Pike District Partnership Community Clean Up

My office is partnering with the Pike District Partnership for a Community Clean Up on Sunday, June 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tools, including trash pickers and trash bags, will be provided. Please note that all minors interested in participating will require a parent or guardian present. Sign up to join us on June 22!

Round 2 of Purple Line Small Business Grants Now Open

In May 2025, the Maryland Department of Transportation announced grants totaling $1 million awarded to 104 small businesses in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in the first round of funding. Applications for round two are now open and will be accepted through July 11. Eligible businesses may receive grants of up to $50,000 per award and are limited to no more than two awards in a calendar year. Businesses are highly encouraged to apply through the new application portal.

Purple Line Construction Update

Beginning today, June 18, several motorist and Ride On detours go into effect around Silver Spring due to summer Purple Line construction.

The main intersections closed to through traffic are Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue, University Blvd. and Lebanon Street near the Takoma-Langley Transit Center, and eastbound (uphill) Wayne Avenue between Manchester Road and the Manchester Place Station. Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue is expected to be closed to motorists through Aug. 21.

The main Ride On routes with detours or stop relocations are Routes 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 25. Metrobus F4 on Fenton Street will also temporarily detour around the intersection at Wayne Avenue. Specific information about the Flower Avenue and Manchester Road-area detours is in MCDOT’s press release. View a running list of RideOn detours and specific route updates here.

Pedestrian access to businesses, restaurants, and residences will be maintained. Please contact us and outreach@purplelinemd.com with any questions about construction work this summer.

Maryland SUN Bucks

Maryland SUN Bucks helps eligible families with school-aged children who receive free or reduced-price meals buy groceries during the summer break when school meals are unavailable. Families who qualify for the Maryland SUN Bucks program will receive $40 for June, July, and August (a total of $120) for each eligible student. Learn more and enroll today.

Kate in the Community

New 6th District Police Station is Open!

I had the honor to join colleagues in cutting the ribbon to the new 6th District Police Station, serving our Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities. This station is about making investments in public safety, our community, and sustainability for Montgomery County today and into the future.

Watch the video highlight.

Lyttonsville Community Walk

Lyttonsville’s industrial district features local businesses that residents know and love, like Party Warehouse, Urban Winery, El Viejo, Sign-A-Rama, and more! Thank you to Montgomery Housing Partnership for convening an important safety walk with MCDOT so we make sure residents can reach these businesses safely now and when the Lyttonsville Purple Line Station opens. We identified several specific areas of improvement along Brookville Road that MCDOT staff indicated they would address.

National Wear Orange Weekend

I proudly joined the Montgomery County chapter of Moms Demand Action for their annual #WearOrange event to uplift survivors of gun violence and fight for a future free from gun violence. While we gather every June for #WearOrange events, Moms Demand Action and their affiliated organizations work every day to combat gun violence in our community and nationwide.

Mental Health Corner

Parent Encouragement and Family Resiliency Program (PEP-FRP)

PEP-FRP is a free, eight-week virtual program that meets once a week for 90 minutes. It supports parents and caregivers in building trauma-informed, emotionally supportive relationships with their children. The program includes two sessions focused specifically on children's mental health, as well as strategies for managing strong emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and reducing family stress.

Offered in English, Spanish, and Amharic. Participants who attend at least five sessions and the evaluation session will receive a $50 gift card (limit one per household). Register and learn more at pep-frp.org.

For more community resources, check out Council President Kate Stewart's website.