Allegany County experiencing surge in COVID-19 cases

During the height of the pandemic, Allegany County was once experiencing a 7-day rolling average of less than three cases per 100,000 people. But now, Allegany County and adjacent counties are grappling with rates more than triple the statewide average.

Disconnected: Students struggle with e-learning obstacles, lawmakers earmark solutions

Students say hotspots and low-cost internet packages don’t bridge the digital divide in two of Maryland’s least-connected districts. Lawmakers and state officials say it’s time for a statewide approach and to start considering internet access as a basic utility.

Maryland’s suburbs saw a large influx of prescription opioids

Much of the rest of the nation saw suburban areas hit harder than rural or urban areas. However, Maryland saw fewer pills per person on average than across the nation.

Maryland redistricting case to be heard in Supreme Court

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for two cases on congressional district gerrymandering on March 26, including one from Maryland, which could have far-reaching implications on how future electoral maps are drawn. The justices could, for…

Battle for Maryland’s only open House seat puts focus on Trump policies

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland – President Donald Trump wasn’t in attendance during a Tuesday debate in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, but his controversial comments and policies came up several times during the night.   That was not much of a surprise in…

Lawmakers weigh integrating services to break poverty cycle

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — To end multi-generational poverty, state and local agencies should integrate services such as early childhood development, temporary cash assistance and mental health programming, a governor-mandated commission told lawmakers Tuesday.

Opioid abuse may be rural Maryland’s worst problem

DENTON, Maryland — If there is one hopeful thing about Maryland’s opioid crisis, it’s that no one is denying the obvious. “Very honestly nothing is working,” said Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen.” For rural…

In Western Maryland, ‘whales’ are out and a fight over fracking reveals divergent economic visions

CUMBERLAND, Maryland — Allegany and Garrett, the state’s two westernmost counties, tend to be lumped together as “Mountain Maryland,” their problems similar, their prospects equally muddled. But the two counties’ economic issues — and their approaches to solving them —…

Gov. Hogan Says Western Maryland Will be Priority

Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday morning told a coalition from Allegany and Garrett counties that he will put the needs of Western Maryland at the top of his priority list.

In Rural Maryland, Health Disparities Fuel Efforts To Attract More Doctors

A lack of health care providers in rural areas around Maryland is contributing to health disparities that include higher rates of heart disease and obesity and lower life expectancy rates.