Hey hey College Park! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: College Park Farmer's Market Saturday and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Not much will change about the College Park Shopping Center despite new ownership (dbknews.com) — A university-affiliated developer has bought the College Park Shopping Center on Baltimore Avenue for $53 million but plans only modest upgrades like a refreshed parking lot and better walkways. City officials say the trusted new owners give College Park more influence over any future redevelopment, aiming to improve the experience for students, residents, and visitors while keeping current retailers in place.
2. Federal Regulators Convene a Two-Day Meeting on Listeria After a Decade of Flat Infection Rates (medicaldaily.com) — Federal food safety officials are meeting today and tomorrow at the FDA's College Park campus to confront stubbornly high Listeria infection and death rates. While no new rules are being issued yet, the sessions and open comment docket could shape future guidance affecting how safely ready-to-eat foods are produced, sold, and stored in households, especially for vulnerable residents.
3. Stephen Thomas named as new interim director of Nyumburu Cultural Center (dbknews.com) — University of Maryland professor Stephen Thomas will step in as interim director of College Park's Nyumburu Cultural Center on Aug. 24, while also leading the search for a permanent leader. His tenure comes amid student calls for more transparency and resources, and he'll oversee a renovation of the center's multipurpose room scheduled for early next year.
4. National Symphony Orchestra to utilize Alexandria venue amid Kennedy Center shutdown plans (alxnow.com) — National Symphony Orchestra's reshuffled 2026-27 season will bring two concerts to the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park as the Kennedy Center prepares for a lengthy Trump-driven renovation. Most performances will move to D.C., North Bethesda, Alexandria, and Fairfax, with ticket sales starting August 28 as the orchestra works to win back audiences.
5. National Symphony Orchestra to scatter across six venues as Kennedy Center closes for Trump makeover (washingtontimes.com) — National Symphony Orchestra concerts are coming to the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park as the ensemble relocates while the Kennedy Center closes for a two-year Trump-backed renovation. The orchestra will divide its 2026-27 season among six regional venues, aiming to rebuild audiences with smaller halls and a more neighborhood-based presence.
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Ok College Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
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