Maryland

Senate Passes Legislation Giving Rights to Domestic Partners

ANNAPOLIS – The Senate Tuesday passed a bill granting domestic partners the same medical visitation and decision-making rights as married couples, including riding with a loved one in an ambulance or granting permission to have someone moved to a different health care facility

January Bomb Wounds Finally Claim Md. Soldier

WASHINGTON – An Afghani roadside bomb finally claimed the life of a Maryland National Guard soldier from Nottingham Friday in a Texas military hospital

Student Loans Threatened, UMD Director Tells Congress

WASHINGTON – The nation’s financial woes are already putting a strain on families trying to pay for a child’s college education, and current government contingency plans are untested, said a Maryland financial aid officer

^Foreclosure Crisis Straining Nonprofit Housing Counselors

ANNAPOLIS – Housing counselors can significantly reduce a family’s chance of losing a home to the recent spate of mortgage foreclosures, but a high demand for the service in Maryland is straining some nonprofit agencies

^Dougherty Overcomes Democratic Drama

FREDERICK – Two and a half years after Democratic primary voters ousted Jennifer Dougherty from the mayor’s office in Frederick, she’s come charging back with a congressional bid in Maryland’s 6th District

^Water’s Appeal Keeps Oystermen Coming Back

ROCK HALL – During the summer, Chris Lingerman spends his days cutting grass and pruning tree branches

Compromise On DNA Collection May Not Be Enough For Legislative Black Caucus

ANNAPOLIS – In an effort to alleviate civil liberties concerns, Maryland Gov

Expert Pans Credit Card Terms, Market

WASHINGTON – An expert Thursday criticized a credit card market with high late fees, arbitrary interest rate increases and vicious cycles of revolving debt even though the “free market” should create affordable, easy-to-use products

UMD Professor: U.S. Should Recalibrate Economic Measure

WASHINGTON – The United States’ key economic benchmark isn’t getting enough of the picture and could be shortchanging American productivity, a University of Maryland professor told lawmakers Wednesday

^Wanted Poster Riles Committee Hearing

ANNAPOLIS – Fliers proclaiming House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Vallario, Jr