Statewide disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations expose barriers that underserved populations face in avoiding life-threatening infection. Maryland’s early vaccination rollout shows a pattern of racial disparity mostly among Black and Latino residents. Healthcare disparities hold a firm grip on communities of…
Cicadas will soon invade the state of Maryland
Brood X, a new generation of cicadas, will begin to show up in Maryland in the next few weeks, after a 17-year-long hiatus.
Biden takes actions aimed at curbing gun violence ‘epidemic’
The president’s moves came in the wake of two mass shootings — one on March 16 in Atlanta, where eight people were killed, and the other on March 22 in Colorado, where 10 lives were lost.
Balloon releases to end in Maryland under bill
Releasing balloons in the sky may very soon become illegal in Maryland. House bill 391 hopes to eliminate balloon pollution as well as the threat they pose to wildlife. The bill passed through both chambers and is on the governor’s desk.
COVID-19 forces new ways of administering hospice care
As COVID-19 wreaked havoc in Maryland last spring, area hospice providers were forced to rethink their entire approach to delivering care; many faced exorbitantly higher operating costs.
Maryland governor would lose parole veto powers under bill
A bill that would remove the governor from the parole process is on a bumpy path through the Maryland Legislature, as both chambers have different versions of the bill that must be hammered out in just a few days.
Biden faces pressure to address May 1 Afghanistan withdrawal deadline
President Joe Biden is facing pressure to decide whether to abide by the May 1 deadline negotiated by the Trump administration to fully withdraw remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Despite initially hinting interest in meeting the May deadline, President Biden…
Maryland bill would repeal some jury disqualifications
A Maryland bill would repeal certain disqualifications for serving on a jury, and proponents argue that it is centered around re-enfranchisement.
Legislature votes to bolster unemployment insurance system
Emergency measures to help struggling businesses pay less in unemployment insurance taxes while simultaneously granting more funding to the unemployed were voted out of the Maryland state Legislature and await signatures from Gov. Larry Hogan, R. Raising from $50 to $200 the weekly amount that unemployment insurance claimants can receive is among the measures, which come as the Maryland Department Labor continues to receive thousands of claims each week.
Maryland bills aim to make it easier to vote
Multiple bills concerning voting rights are going through the Maryland Legislature this session that would codify ballot drop boxes, guarantee the right to vote for incarcerated individuals, and expand early voting centers, despite partisan disagreement.