ANNAPOLIS – As soon as she started taking down the Halloween decorations from her Annapolis crafts store, Natalie Silitch replaced them with silver-frosted pine cones, grinning reindeer with evergreen antlers, and angel tree-toppers
Maryland
^Teachers, Schools, Counties Worry Over Cuts in State School Aid
ANNAPOLIS – The General Assembly’s decision to reduce expected aid to local school districts by $152 million in the next fiscal year has teachers and county officials worried that they are in for “a difficult time over the next two years
^Special Session Tax on Cheap Cigars is a Near-Miss
ANNAPOLIS – State lawmakers increased taxes on cigarettes during the special session, but the loosie slipped through their fingers
Despite Toy Troubles, Experts Expect Big Holiday Sales in Hot Products
ANNAPOLIS – What kids want, kids get
Forecasts Fluctuate Like, Uh, Weather
WASHINGTON – The Maryland-based “Hagers-Town Town & Country Almanack” sees snow ahead for the state, bucking forecasts from foreign sources calling for a mild winter
^Veto Override Gives Police Agencies a New Weapon in Their Budget Arsenals
ANNAPOLIS – While the just-ended General Assembly special session focused on bills to collect or cut hundreds of millions of dollars, Mike Canning was most focused on a measure that had about a $350 price tag
Experts: Congress Unlikely to Resurrect Fort Monmouth
WASHINGTON – The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure plan was signed into law two years ago this month, launching a sweeping series of changes nationwide that is expected to bring 45,000 to 60,000 new jobs to Maryland
Annapolis Locals Lukewarm to Prospect of Mideast Peace Talks in their City
ANNAPOLIS – Annapolis residents and officials largely shrugged at the news their city could play host next week to a Mideast peace conference
Many Indians Say, `No Thanks’ to Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON – The iconic Thanksgiving image of colonists and Indians sharing a feast has become the symbol of caring and cooperation among peoples, but for many Native Americans it is a reminder of betrayal, bloodshed and continuing discrimination
Slots Supporters, Foes Start Devising Strategy for Referendum Next November
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland General Assembly finally passed a slots bill this week, but the discussion over legalized gambling is far from over