OWINGS – At first glance, Bryan Murtha would seem like the normal energy- guzzling American: He commutes more than 40 miles to work from his rural, air- conditioned suburban home to work in downtown Washington

ANNAPOLIS – It’s official: the calico cat will become Maryland’s state cat

ANNAPOLIS – Johns Hopkins University receives millions of dollars from the state each year, but isn’t giving enough back to the community, said Treasurer Richard Dixon at Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting

ANNAPOLIS – As the General Assembly’s 2001 session neared a close Monday night, one delegate’s fight to retain funding for firefighters across the state nearly cost the state critical money for mentally ill patients

ANNAPOLIS – Lobbyists for the Eastern Shore’s biggest industry, the poultry producers, and the Eastern Shore delegation enjoyed a successful 90-day General Assembly session, not only because of what happened, but for what didn’t by the time it ended Monday

ANNAPOLIS – It’s inevitable: West Nile virus will return to Maryland this summer, but the impact on humans should be minimal, state officials say

GRASONVILLE – A group of students joined Gov

ANNAPOLIS – A bill to allow the state more latitude in restricting development on private property near the Chesapeake Bay is languishing in a House committee over constitutional concerns

LEONARDTOWN – Despite increasing efforts by the state and federal government to rejuvenate the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay, preliminary numbers predict more bad news for bay waterman

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland State Veterinarian Robert Olson has been busy the last several weeks trying to reassure worried dairy and cattle farmers about the foot-and-mouth disease crisis ravaging the European livestock industry