Md. lawmakers expect education to dominate 2020 session

Reforming Maryland’s public education system. Building new schools. Addressing gun safety. Funding the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These are some of the issues that Maryland state lawmakers expect to dominate the 2020 General Assembly session.

Colder temperatures projected for Maryland later in winter

While many burrowed indoors the third week of November as extreme record-breaking cold impinged upon life across the Mid-Atlantic, the snow machines at Wisp Ski Resort were busy whirring and churning out a base layer of snow for the upcoming winter. 

How Md. uses surveillance, data to track motorists, traffic

Motorists in Maryland may be aware of the cameras that enforce speed and red-light violations, but the state’s tracking practices include other layers to assist in law enforcement efforts, and for traffic and planning purposes. 

In Maryland, advocates educate immigrants about the census

There won’t be a citizenship question on the 2020 census, but immigrants are still afraid of sharing information with the government. In Maryland, immigrant-advocates are knocking on doors to tell residents why the census matters.

Newsrooms reviewed security after Capital Gazette shooting

The tragedy resulting in the murders of journalists Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, Wendy Winters and John McNamara and advertising assistant Rebecca Smith has left newsrooms across the nation to address the question of how to move forward in an industry where vitriol and physical violence are constant and real possibilities.

Trained to serve: Maryland’s Natural Resources Police K-9 Unit

Maryland Department of Natural Resource Police dogs are specially selected and trained to execute tasks like detecting poached wildlife, tracking violators, searching and locating missing individuals and detecting human remains.

Maryland continues funding for protective crop plantings

About $5 million the state of Maryland has set aside for farmers to plant protective crops has gone wanting in recent years.

Hogan issues first paroles for juvenile lifers in decades

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has paroled three individuals sentenced to life in a correctional facility for crimes they committed before turning 18. This is the first instance of such a release in 24 years.

Maryland bill would ban balloon releases

Letting a balloon float away in Maryland would draw in a fine of $250, under a bill sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Howard and Baltimore counties, legislation that is similar to a Queen Anne’s County law.

Franchot announces largest tobacco bust in agency history

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot on Wednesday announced the agency’s largest tobacco bust ever, resulting in over $450,000 worth of seized contraband tobacco products.