Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s $63 billion budget is currently in the hands of the General Assembly- and lawmakers now have new powers and more say on the matter. With that new power, Senator Mike McKay wants to see a fiscally conservative path moving forward. Previously, Maryland's governor had unusually strong budget authority in the state Constitution, because the legislature was only allowed to cut from the governor's plan. Lawmakers now can increase, decrease or add items to the budget, as long as the changes don't exceed the total proposed by the governor. While the state’s fiscal picture is currently in…

The Biden administration began 2023 with a renewed push to get a sweeping immigration bill through Congress that it introduced two years ago when it first entered office. However, to date, there are no signs that the bill will pick up the necessary Republican support needed to move forward. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, says hollow political bumper sticker approaches with pledges to “build the wall” are great for political rallies- but do little to address the problem in any meaningful way. Van Hollen says he isn’t optimistic that many of his Republican colleagues will be willing to support the…

Maryland and Virginia continue to pitch the pros of their respective jurisdictions while they try to win the competition to become the next home of the FBI. A week after the General Services Administration contacted delegations from Virginia and Maryland to say that its decision on where to locate the FBI would come after additional “consultations”- representatives from both states continue to weigh in- including Maryland Senator Ben Cardin. Speaking at a rally, Cardin said that Maryland’s two proposed sites, in Greenbelt and Landover, check all the all the boxes for the requirements set out by federal officials. In his…

West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell was unanimously elected vice chair of the Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee for The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South) by members of the committee. The CSG South Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee is comprised of state legislators and legislative staff from the 15 CSG South member states. Recent policy and program issues addressed by the committee include the current state of infrastructure, maritime shipping and ports as economic development, craft brewing and distilling to promote downtown revitalization and tourism, and how to invest federal infrastructure funding for generational…

Although temperatures are expected to hit the 70's on Thursday, a winter weather advisory is in effect through Wednesday morning. Freezing rain is expected overnight into Wednesday morning.

Treasurer Dereck E. Davis was today sworn in as Treasurer of the State of Maryland for a four-year term. Treasurer Davis initially took office in December 2021, completing the term of former Treasurer Nancy Kopp.  “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Maryland these past 14 months,” said Treasurer Davis. “I thank the members of the General Assembly for their vote of confidence and remain committed to acting as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and ensuring that the state receives full value for our investments.”     On February 14, Treasurer Davis had an…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports that Valley Street near Valley Road was closed for a short period this morning as the result of a motor vehicle accident. There are reports a vehicle had overturned A multi vehicle accident reported this morning in the Frederick Street area involving a school bus. No details are available from either Emergency Services or the Board of Education.

Allegany County Emergency Services dispatched crews just after 2:00am to a commercial fire on East Main Street in Frostburg. Fire crews arriving on the scene quickly sounded a second alarm. The blaze was reported at the site of the new Frostburg restaurant El Maya which opened just last week at 295 Main Street. The scene was cleared at approximately 5:30 and there were no injuries reported. The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating. Photo credits Co17, Co33 Luke M and Mike P

On Monday, February 20th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police served two criminal summonses on Erica June Rea Martin, 24, of Oldtown Md. The summonses were in reference to two separate theft complaints that occurred at local businesses. On January 26th, Martin entered a business in the 1300 block of Industrial Blvd and concealed a cordless drill under her shirt. When confronted by store employees, she refused to pay for the item and fled the scene. On February 9th, Martin entered a restaurant in the 13000 block of Ali Ghan Rd. While placing her order with an employee, Martin grabbed the…

Hunter Douglas has announced that its workforce in Cumberland will be reduced by 60 employees by March 1st.  According to a release from the company’s human resources manager, the decision was made “in order to operate at the appropriate capacity required to fulfill customer needs”.  Allegany County Commissioners President David Caporale tells WCBC News that the action was not completely unexpected… He said that talks about the situation have already begun… Hunter Douglas opened it’s Cumberland facility in 2001 and at it’s peak employed around 900 and at one point was listed as Allegany County’s third largest employer.    …