Maryland DHR Plans to Re-Tool Ailing Child Welfare System

ANNAPOLIS- The Maryland Department of Human Resources says it plans to re-work the state’s child welfare program over the next several months to correct system flaws pointed out in recent state and federal reports

State Lawmakers Criticize New Juvenile Facility Plan

ANNAPOLIS- State legislators attacked the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services’ new “master plan” for the reorganization of its facilities Friday, saying that the new plan is too vague and underestimates costs

State’s Judges Follow Sentencing Guidelines in 75% of Cases

ANNAPOLIS- Maryland’s judges followed the state’s voluntary sentencing guidelines in over three-quarters of criminal cases over the last fiscal year, according to a report by the State Commission of Criminal Sentencing Policy

Spy in the Sky: Satellites to Help Monitor Sex Offenders

ANNAPOLIS- A technology used to guide smart bombs in Iraq, detect nuclear detonations, and navigate ships and airplanes could be pressed into service to keep tabs on so-called “predatory” sex offenders in Maryland

Sex Offender Bills Draw Fire

ANNAPOLIS – Though Maryland Attorney General J

Expanded Energy Assistance Program Puts Strain on State, Local Agencies

ANNAPOLIS- Despite “fairly disappointing” federal funding, still-high fuel costs and a growing number of applicants, state and local agencies are preparing for an expanded statewide energy assistance program set to start next week

State Judges Seek Larger Jury Pool

ANNAPOLIS- In an effort to ease the pressure on the state’s busiest court systems, Maryland judges asked the General Assembly Thursday to relax restrictions on potential jurors with criminal records and to increase penalties for people who fail to answer a summons to jury duty

Jewitt Expects to Sit Out 5th District Race; No Hoyer Challenger in Sight

COLLEGE PARK – Former Berwyn Heights Mayor Brad Jewitt said he will likely sit out the race for Maryland’s 5th District next year, leaving Republicans for the moment with no one to challenge longtime Democratic Rep