A roundup of Maryland laws taking effect Oct. 1

Hundreds of Maryland laws are going into effect Tuesday, spanning subjects from criminal justice reform to election law to medical cannabis. Here is a roundup of some of those, broken down by subject.

Maryland groups condemn federal refugee admissions reduction

Maryland organizations criticized as “cynical” and “astounding” the Thursday decision by the Trump Administration to decrease the national refugee admissions ceiling to its lowest level ever. The cap for fiscal 2020 will be 18,000 refugees, down from the ceiling of 110,000 set by President Obama in 2017, according to a news release from the State Department. The decision also allows cities and states to opt out of accepting refugees.

With the REACH, the Kennedy Center expands its mission

WASHINGTON – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ sprawling new expansion, the REACH, aims to further the institution’s mission of connecting the arts with the diverse community in the nation’s capital.  “The name reflects a quote by…

“Washington Bullpen” podcast: Inside the District’s climate march

WASHINGTON – Thousands took to the streets of the nation’s capital to participate in the climate strike on Sept. 20.  We mingled with the crowd to learn why people of all ages missed school or work to march their way…

Therapy puppies help teens in Maryland juvenile centers

Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services has implemented a pilot puppy therapy program at two of their secure facilities to help resident teens cope with stress and anxiety.

White House Ukraine call summary “damning,” Hoyer, other Democrats, say

WASHINGTON – Democratic lawmakers escalated the partisan furor over the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump Wednesday after the White House released a summary of a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Democrats called “damning.” The president asked…

Senators criticize recent Central American agreements to address border crisis

WASHINGTON – Several Democratic senators sparred with representatives of the Trump administration Wednesday over recent agreements to divert asylum seekers to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.  The senators objected in a foreign relations committee meeting that the administration has not…

Pelosi sets formal impeachment inquiry into Trump; Maryland Democrats concur

WASHINGTON – For the fourth time in history, Congress is opening an impeachment inquiry into the president of the United States, an extraordinarily fast-moving development after months of debate among Democrats over whether to proceed with such a constitutionally serious…

Senators want answers on Trump administration shutdown of women’s health helpline

SILVER SPRING, Maryland – A group of Democratic senators, including Maryland’s Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, is pressing the Trump administration to explain this summer’s abrupt shutdown of a medical information helpline for women. The Department of Health and…

Thousands urge Washington and the world to take action on climate change

By NORA ECKERT, DAN NOVAK, HEATHER KIM, AYANA ARCHIE and HORUS ALAS  Capital News Service WASHINGTON – Thousands took to the streets of the nation’s capital on Friday as part of a global youth strike for climate change, wielding signs…