Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced that he has directed the Maryland State Police to suspend the "good and substantial reason" standard when reviewing applications for wear and carry gun permits in the state. WBAL reports the action comes after the Supreme Court's decision on gun control, ruling New York's law, that requires a good reason before someone can carry a gun outside their home, is unconstitutional. Hogan said the action is in accordance to the Supreme Court's ruling. “Over the course of my administration, I have consistently supported the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms,…

The Friends of Flight 93 organization has named longtime ambassador and board member Donna Gibson as its next executive director. In doing so, Gibson will lead the Friends of Flight 93's ongoing partnership and fundraising efforts and oversee day-to-day operations, the group wrote in a release to media. The Friends of Flight 93 serves as a support arm of the Flight 93 National Memorial – helping share the stories of the 40 fallen passengers and crew members remembered as heroes and raising funds to support the site that honors them.

A federal judge on Monday ruled in favor of three major U.S. drug distributors in a landmark lawsuit that accused them of causing a health crisis by distributing 81 million pills over eight years in one West Virginia county ravaged by opioid addiction. The verdict came nearly a year after closing arguments in a bench trial in the lawsuit filed by Cabell County and the city of Huntington against AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp. Cabell County attorney Paul Farrell had argued the distributors should be held responsible for sending a “tsunami” of prescription pain pills into…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports the I-68 East exit 44 ramp is currently closed due to a vehicle accident. Fire and EMS are on the scene. 

On Monday, July 4, 2022 at approximately 11:58 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 900 block of Gay Street for a disturbance.  Police contacted the complainant, who reported that Randy Serafin entered her apartment without her permission.  She explained that she told Serafin to leave, but he refused and began causing a disturbance.  After further investigation, it was learned that Serafin had attempted to steal a bicycle from the complainant’s son by using physical force.  Serafin was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing.  He was later taken to Central Booking.  Serafin was seen by…

The United State Supreme Court last week ruled to limit the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that Congress did not authorize the EPA to create regulations geared toward regulating climate change. West Virginia, a heavy coal-producing state, brought the challenge against the EPA. The state’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey applauded the ruling and he says he will now be closely focusing on how the EPA responds…

Voters in Maryland have just two weeks left to make a choice in primary elections- however for obvious reasons there is already a great deal of focus on the 2024 election. Although maintaining that he will make no announcements until he has completed his current term as governor, Larry Hogan is viewed by most as a probably presidential candidate in two years. Maryland’s Republican governor has consistently scored among the highest approval ratings in the nation even though the state is 2-1 Democrat. A new poll released shows that Republicans in the state are largely undecided about the future leadership…

A Republican candidate for Maryland governor believes Democrats are meddling in the GOP primary by pumping money into it.  A TV campaign ad began airing this past weekend called, "Meet Dan." It is paid for by the Democratic Governors Association, costing the group more than $1 million. The ad describes Republican candidate Dan Cox's ties to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, as well as Cox's positions on abortion and gun control. Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Schulz said Democrats are interfering, saying they think a Democratic candidate has a better chance against Cox than her in the general election…

A Maryland law that took effect Friday enables nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants who receive special training to perform abortions, as some states seek to expand access to the procedure after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Medical professionals other than physicians with the training  can now provide abortions , though it's unclear how many will immediately be eligible. The Maryland law was passed partly in anticipation that the Supreme Court would strike down Roe and to increase access in rural parts of the state that don't have providers.  House Speaker Adrienne Jones explained her support of…

Inflation is taking a toll on infrastructure and economic development projects across the U.S., driving up costs so much that state and local officials are postponing projects, scaling back others and reprioritizing their needs. The price hikes already are diminishing the value of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan President Joe Biden signed into law just seven months ago. Locally, there are any number of projects in various stages of development including the Rolling Mill effort; a joint city/county venture in the Messick Road area;; and a FedEx distribution center at Mexico Farms. Those projects are still moving forward, but Mayor…