In sessions held at the three local high schools this month- Allegany County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Blank and Wendy Main, blueprint coordinator, hosted three  informational sessions on the Maryland Blueprint for the Future Legislation and how it is being developed locally. The legislation, passed in 2021, includes an annual $3.8 billion funding increase over the next 10 years aimed to improve education in public schools. Blank tells WCBC that the final implementation plan is not due to the State Department of Education until March 15- so there is still time for anyone in the community to provide input…

Maryland legislative leaders are making a new priority to fill vacancies across state government. Some state agencies have anywhere from 10% to 30% vacancies. Governor Wes Moore during his first full day in office  earlier this month pressed forward with plans to address the more than 6,500 vacancies. The shortages, he says, are impacting everything from unemployment to parole violations…

With a total of 15 votes and ultimately a number of concessions made to the GOP’s far right faction, many in Washington view Kevin McCarthy as a figure head only as House Speaker with no real authority. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin tells WCBC News that he hopes that is not the case. The Maryland Democrat  says it’s important for Republicans to literally get their house in order; begin to focus on reaching across the aisle and get to work…                                           …

Today is the deadline to apply for a grant from the newly established Senator George Edwards Legacy Fund program. The fund was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022 by allocating $50 million for economic development in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties. Allocations include $20 million for 2023 followed by $10 million per year for three additional years. Officials began accepting applications in mid-December for the funding, which focuses on two categories — infrastructure improvements and business development. The priority of the projects must be job creation or retention. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss emphasized that these funds are to…

Public schools in West Virginia may soon be required to display the phrase “In God We Trust” in every building if a bill passed by the state Senate on Monday becomes law.  The bill was introduced by Republican Sen. Mike Azinger, who said he wants to give kids in schools something to look up to and let them know it’s OK to “say God” in school. “We know there’s a lot of kids that have problems at home, tough times at home that we don’t know anything about,” Azinger said, speaking on the Senate floor. “Maybe they’ll look up one day…

Allegany County Emergency Management reports a single vehicle rollover on Route 51 near Bible Hill Lane. No injuries reported. 

Maryland Governor Wes Moore will deliver his first "State of the State" address Wednesday afternoon at 12 noon. WCBC will broadcast the event live

Tuesday, January 31 at 9:30 AM ET, Maryland Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, will gather for their annual Advocacy Day in Annapolis to meet with lawmakers and advocate for gun safety measures to be passed and implemented during this legislative session. At 9:30 AM, elected officials, and Everytown for Gun Safety Senior Vice President of Movement Building, Angela Ferrell-Zabala, will join Moms Demand Action volunteers and gun violence survivors for a rally on Lawyer’s Mall. This year's Advocacy Day also coincides with the 10 year celebration of Moms Demand…

Today, Governor Wes Moore joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves and Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson to announce a $3.9 million grant award to Coppin State University to expand broadband internet access and technology to students and underserved Marylanders.  “This collaboration among the academic community, government, private, and nonprofit organizations is going to do so much to help meet the needs of communities right here in Baltimore,” said Governor Moore. “It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative that Marylanders deserve.” 

The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the return of CurveFest, presented by Ravine, on Saturday February 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spring celebration of the 25th season of Curve Baseball will give fans their first opportunity to purchase single game tickets and the first 200 fans who purchase in-person at Peoples Natural Gas Field will receive an exclusive long sleeve Curve 25th Season shirt, presented by Ravine. As well, fans that hold season tickets and mini-plans will have their first opportunity to pick up their tickets for the 2023 season. Fans that purchase tickets at CurveFest…