For some veterans, rehab means a kayak on a raging river

WASHINGTON – Lonnie Bedwell had just 14 days of whitewater kayaking experience before he paddled the entire length of the Colorado River in 2013 — a 226-mile stretch through the Grand Canyon, home to some of the most dangerous rapids…

Opioid and heroin overdoses have reached ‘crisis level’ in Maryland

WASHINGTON – When Carin Miller’s son was about 19 years old, he began to abuse heroin by snorting pills, eventually moving on to shooting up. This went on for six years before he got help. Lucas Miller’s history of drug…

Trump budget plan draws mostly negative reviews among Maryland lawmakers

WASHINGTON — Maryland Democrats on Thursday voiced their displeasure with the Trump administration’s budget proposals, citing federal cuts to Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Institutes of Health. “The Trump budget is great if you…

Justice Department nominee from Maryland won’t commit on special prosecutor

WASHINGTON – Maryland federal prosecutor Rod Rosenstein, President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy attorney general, would not commit on Tuesday to appointing a special prosecutor to probe possible links between Russia and the Trump campaign. Despite pressure from Democrats on…

Most Maryland Democrats think Sessions should resign

WASHINGTON – Most Maryland Democrats are calling for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign after failing to disclose to Congress conversations he had last year with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Sessions met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak…

Olympic gold medalist Phelps: International sports plagued with doping

WASHINGTON – As retired Olympic shot putter Adam Nelson told his story, fellow Olympian and retired swimmer Michael Phelps’ eyes filled with tears. “So unfair. So, so unfair,” Phelps said Tuesday in front of a House subcommittee. Nelson won the…

Marylander a leading contender for Democratic Party leader

WASHINGTON — As the race for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee comes to a close, a former Maryland politician has positioned himself as one of the front-runners. Thomas Perez, former labor secretary under President Barack Obama and a…

Maryland Democrats press for Flynn-Russia probe

WASHINGTON – Maryland Democratic lawmakers whose committees have jurisdiction over foreign policy and investigations on Tuesday urged a probe into the resignation of national security adviser Gen. Michael Flynn and the full scope of the Trump administration’s dealings with Russia.…

National Zoo soon will wave bye-bye to Bao Bao

WASHINGTON — Bao Bao, born pink, blind and hairless and who has become a beloved animal of the National Zoo, will be leaving for China this winter. The zoo has an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association under which…

Maryland lawmaker revives drive for equal rights for women in Constitution

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s presidency has inspired Democratic lawmakers to re-introduce legislation that would ensure equal rights for women in the U.S. Constitution. Days before participating in the Women’s March on Washington with several female family members, Sen. Ben Cardin,…