Officials warn Pentagon cuts could force closing of Bethesda military medical university

WASHINGTON- The military’s medical school in Bethesda, Maryland, has been targeted by the Defense Department for significant budget cuts that could force the closure of the university, officials say. As a part of a Pentagon-wide review of “time, money, and…

Six things riders might like to know from Metro’s update to Congress

WASHINGTON – The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s recent update to Congress contained a half-dozen takeaways for commuters and visitors who ride the Metro rail system in the national capital region. Metro, which first began operations in 1976 and now…

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau holds stance against added payday borrower protections

WASHINGTON – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has not budged on its June decision cutting additional protections.  “There was insufficient evidence and legal support for these requirements,” CFPB Director Kathleen Kraninger wrote in a Sep. 23 letter to Rep. Maxine…

‘Our North Star’: Congress mourns loss of Cummings

WASHINGTON – Rep. Elijah Cummings was fondly remembered in Washington Thursday across the political spectrum as a leader with a strong moral compass and deep commitment to civil rights as a politician in Baltimore for over 36 years. Members of…

One year after Khashoggi’s murder, vigil outside Saudi embassy demands justice

WASHINGTON – One year ago, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and never emerged.  The global impact of his murder was reflected Wednesday night as crowds gathered outside the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi…

Raskin decries administration as Cummings launches new probe into Pence, emoluments

WASHINGTON – The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees have opened investigations into Vice President Mike Pence’s stay at a Trump golf resort during his trip to Ireland this week, the latest inquiry into the administration as Democrats continue to weigh…

Maryland legislators disappointed with Trump’s State of the Union address

WASHINGTON – Maryland’s Democratic lawmakers were cold to President Donald Trump’s call for unity in Tuesday’s State of the Union, saying it failed to break any new ground. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, said he didn’t want to call…

Chesapeake farmers target runoff reduction, lawmakers seek conservation funds

MIDDLETOWN, Maryland — A gaggle of excitable white turkeys gobbled and clucked in their pen at Open Book Farm on a chilly afternoon in late October. Most days, the birds roamed free in one of the farm’s pastures, scratching and…

Once in the majority, House Democrats will work through ‘to do’ list

WASHINGTON – Now that they’ve taken over the House, Democrats will try to follow a party blueprint for action that envisions protecting health care, Medicare and Medicaid, funding improvements to the country’s infrastructure, and creating more jobs. And the likely…

Maryland lawmakers will gain power in new Democratic House

WASHINGTON – Now that the Democrats have taken over the House of Representatives, some Maryland legislators stand to hold significantly greater positions of power and influence in the 116th Congress that convenes in January. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, formally announced…