Despite some good news from the first quarter of this year, cocaine-related deaths have skyrocketed annually in Maryland since 2015, with nearly half of those occurring in Baltimore. The vast majority of those deaths — 82%, according to the Maryland Department of Health — involved fentanyl, a powerful and dangerous synthetic opioid.
Md. lawmakers, AG question DeVos on loan forgiveness program
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and a coalition of state lawmakers have asked U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos why so many people are being denied by the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
FDA readying ban on flavored e-cigarettes amidst health scare
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced plans to ban flavored electronic cigarettes, the culmination of a nationwide crackdown on vaping following a spike in respiratory illnesses connected to e-cigarette use. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said banning…
Maryland’s Hoyer contradicts Judiciary’s Nadler, then reverses course
WASHINGTON – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, reflected the Democrats’ muddled message on presidential impeachment in a press conference Wednesday, first saying the House is not currently conducting an inquiry, and later walking that back in a statement released…
House pushes four bills to improve maternal health
WASHINGTON – House Democrats are pushing four bills to improve maternal health in an attempt to counter the country’s rising maternal mortality and morbidity rates. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the maternal mortality rate in the…
Federal funds aimed at boosting Chesapeake Bay oyster population
WASHINGTON – Efforts to increase Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population – a key indicator of the bay’s health – have received $800,000 in federal funding. “This money will allow us and our partners – including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources…
Raskin decries administration as Cummings launches new probe into Pence, emoluments
WASHINGTON – The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees have opened investigations into Vice President Mike Pence’s stay at a Trump golf resort during his trip to Ireland this week, the latest inquiry into the administration as Democrats continue to weigh…
Maryland eyes Dorian for coastal flooding, rip current risks
Maryland lifeguards and emergency managers kept a close eye on possible threats from coastal flooding and rip currents as Hurricane Dorian meandered up the mid-Atlantic coast Friday afternoon and began a projected arc out to sea.
Maryland communities and D.C. receive youth homelessness grants
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Maryland — Baltimore, Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia are among 23 communities receiving a total of $75 million in federal funds to combat youth homelessness. The $75 million was awarded as part of the Department…
Van Hollen blasts McConnell over Senate inaction on gun bill
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, lambasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday for inaction on gun control legislation, saying it would be “grossly irresponsible” for the Kentucky Republican to not bring up legislation for a Senate vote. “It’s…