Sam Gauntt

Sam Gauntt

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Sam Gauntt is an intern for States Newsroom’s Washington bureau through the Dow Jones News Fund internship program. He is a senior journalism major at the University of Maryland and editor in chief of The Diamondback, the university’s independent student newspaper. He has contributed to several enterprise reporting projects through the Capital News Service, a student-run newswire operated through the university, covering everything from youth mental health to climate change to the impact of federal layoffs on Maryland. He previously interned with Maryland Matters, an affiliate of States Newsroom.

A closeup of a New World screwworm adult fly. (Photo by USDA)
National

USDA Secretary Rollins blames Biden border policies for screwworm threat

4:25pm ET
Sam Gauntt
WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Wednesday blamed the Biden administration’s “open-border policies” for the six confirmed cases of the New World screwworm that have reached the United States, repeating a theme among Republicans. Speaking to members of the...
Moore and Clyburn and quarter-zips, Davis and Wilson and a wig, and the Green Bag, in notes
Maryland

Moore and Clyburn and quarter-zips, Davis and Wilson and a wig, and the Green Bag, in notes

Feb 20, 2026
William J. Ford Josh Kurtz Sam Gauntt
Gov. Wes Moore (D) is a big fan of the quarter-zip sweater — the somewhat sporty, somewhat formal attire that seems on its way to becoming a favorite of some politicians. Moore boasts on Instagram that he’s “governor quarter-zip,” and...
Maryland records most flash flood warnings since 2020. Here’s why.
Maryland

Maryland records most flash flood warnings since 2020. Here’s why.

Aug 01, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Severe thunderstorms across Maryland on Thursday brought torrential rainfall reaching up to 6 inches in some areas, causing thousands to lose power and requiring several water rescues in Harford County after multiple cars were trapped by rising water. Earlier in...
Weeks after his release from prison, Franklin hired back to Prince George’s council job by Hawkins
Maryland

Weeks after his release from prison, Franklin hired back to Prince George’s council job by Hawkins

Jul 30, 2025
Sam Gauntt
At-large Prince George’s County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins II believes in second chances. He’s led a career marked by overcoming past mistakes, and now he hopes to play a role in a “comeback story” for an old colleague: former At-Large Councilmember...
In rush for immigration arrests, a shift by ICE to ‘incredibly aggressive’ tactics, advocates say
Maryland

In rush for immigration arrests, a shift by ICE to ‘incredibly aggressive’ tactics, advocates say

Jul 26, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Throughout his 2024 campaign to return to the White House, President Donald Trump promised to implement the “largest deportation program” in the nation’s history. And since he assumed office on Jan. 20, that promise has not only led to a...
Federal job losses jumped to 12,700 in Maryland, most of any state
Maryland

Federal job losses jumped to 12,700 in Maryland, most of any state

Jul 25, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Maryland has lost 12,700 federal jobs since the beginning of the second Trump administration in January, a top state finance official said Thursday. Ben Seigel, the Maryland deputy comptroller for policy, public works and investment, said the loss is the...
Higher ed commission warned of ‘sea change’ to Pell Grant eligibility, student visas
Maryland

Higher ed commission warned of ‘sea change’ to Pell Grant eligibility, student visas

Jul 24, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Maryland Higher Education Commission members were warned Wednesday of a potential “huge sea change” for the state’s financial aid systems, as Pell Grant eligibility shifts as a result of changes under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” act. Commission members were...
Moore’s office pushes back against lawmakers, as reparations feud continues
Maryland

Moore’s office pushes back against lawmakers, as reparations feud continues

Jul 22, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Gov. Wes Moore (D) and his staff met regularly with lawmakers to discuss a bill creating a reparations study commission, and expressed concerns about the bill that the governor subsequently vetoed, his office insisted Monday. And lawmakers’ claims that the...
As immigration arrests surge, so does number of Maryland sheriffs agreeing to work with ICE
Maryland

As immigration arrests surge, so does number of Maryland sheriffs agreeing to work with ICE

Jul 21, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Every person getting booked in jail in Frederick County is asked two questions: “Where were you born?” and “What country are you a citizen of?” If the answer to either question is anything other than the U.S., said Sheriff Chuck...
Hundreds bring ‘good trouble’ rally to State House steps
Maryland

Hundreds bring ‘good trouble’ rally to State House steps

Jul 18, 2025
Sam Gauntt
Carl Snowden looked out at the crowd of hundreds of peaceful, sign-carrying protesters gathered on Lawyers Mall in the oppressive heat of a late July afternoon and liked what he saw. And he thought John Lewis would have liked it...
Appeals court overturns Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction, upholds perjury charges
Maryland

Appeals court overturns Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction, upholds perjury charges

Jul 12, 2025
Sam Gauntt Danielle J. Brown
A federal appeals court gave former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby a partial win Friday, overturning her 2024 conviction for mortgage fraud but upholding perjury convictions in connection with the purchase of two Florida homes. A three-judge panel of...
State officials, advocates map out a grim future for food benefits under federal cuts to SNAP
Maryland

State officials, advocates map out a grim future for food benefits under federal cuts to SNAP

Jul 11, 2025
Sam Gauntt
It won’t happen immediately, but advocates and state officials are predicting that changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the budget reconciliation bill signed last week will deliver “a devastating blow” to many of the 680,000 Marylanders who get...