By BRENDA WINTRODE — A University of Maryland student journalist targeted by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris during an informal press briefing Tuesday said she’ll continue to cover the Republican politician who threatened to have police remove her from the room.

Cat Murphy, a graduate student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and a reporter for the student newswire Capital News Service, appeared on CNN Wednesday to recount a post-debate clash that has gone viral on social media and been broadcast on national news.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Murphy, 22, how she had processed the exchange one day later.

“It has been a lot,” she said. “But I was focused on doing my job and asking my questions that I wanted answers to. And I think I did that.”

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

The D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center is hosting its 10th anniversary celebration of the opening of its Center Arts Gallery on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Center’s offices at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W., from 6 – 9 p.m.

“For 10 years, the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Arts Gallery has been more than a place where art is displayed,” a statement released by the center says.

“It has been a space where LGBTQ+ artists are seen, celebrated, and connected to community, and where their work has given expression to the stories of joy, resistance, grief, beauty, survival, courage, and imagination,” the statement adds.

It says those attending the event would have an opportunity to bid on donated artwork in an auction and to meet and interact with “the artists whose creativity has helped bring Center Arts Gallery to life, enjoy wonderful food and music, and celebrate a decade of LGBTQ+ artistic expression.”

But the statement posted on the LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website says free general admission tickets have sold out, with $75 VIP tickets still available. It says the proceeds from ticket sales will be used to help support the LGBTQ+ Community Center’s operations.

Attendees and others were also invited to an event after party at the LGBTQ bar and cafe Spark Social from 9-11 p.m. at 2009 14th St., N.W.

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Congratulations to Richard Garrett on being honored by Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer with the Order of the First State. Garrett is executive director of the Children’s Beach House, in Lewes, Del. Upon accepting the honor he said, “I am deeply honored to be recognized by Governor Meyer with the Order of the First State, but I hope this occasion also shines a light on children who are struggling in some of the same ways I struggled as a child and teenager. Perseverance, connection, patience, and the presence of caring adults made all the difference in my life. For 24 years, my greatest privilege has been helping Children’s Beach House create that same sense of belonging and possibility for children and families across Delaware. They are strong, smart, resilient, and resourceful—and they deserve every opportunity to discover just how much they are capable of becoming.” 

He told the Blade, “In many ways, my own childhood helps explain why this work has been so deeply personal to me. I grew up in a family that struggled financially, and I had a speech impediment so severe that, as a young child, I often could not be understood without one of my siblings acting as an interpreter. Thankfully, I had strong parents and a mother who was an educator. She spent countless hours helping me practice consonant blends and trying to master the “R” and “S” sounds. Just as importantly, she understood that being around other children my own age would teach me things that no adult could. What made a difference in my life were competent, caring adults who built relationships with me and gave me the sense of safety and belonging I needed. People like Sister Kathleen Swan, OSF; Father Gerald M. Dunne, OSFS, Dr. Susan Cassidy and her husband, John Bronson, to name a few!  In many respects, my story mirrors the work we do every day at Children’s Beach House. The children and families we serve are strong, smart, resilient, and resourceful. Sometimes what they need most is for someone to recognize those strengths, stand beside them, and give them the relationships and opportunities they need to flourish.” 

Over the years Garrett has grown the Children’s Beach House’s annual budget from approximately $650,000 in 2003 to $4.5 million while strengthening impact, visibility, and organizational infrastructure. He raised $2.5 million in Delaware foundation capital grants, and established a $7 million endowment for the Margaret H. Rollins Center, a $1 million capital endowment, and increased the general operating endowment to $6 million.  

In addition to all that Garrett is the founder and owner of Midway Motion and Fitness. He is also looking forward to the groundbreaking of Midway Pickleball in 2027. He is treasurer of the Community Foundation Board of Kiwanis Club of Coastal Delaware. He began his career as executive director of the Delaware County Children’s CAMP, Media, Pa.; and was director of Student Affairs for the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, Media, Pa.

Garrett earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Neumann University, Aston, Pa.; and did his graduate studies in vocational education, Temple University.