Congress made the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent for small business owners by including it in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill is now on its way to the president for his signature. This is one of the most pro-small business pieces of legislation in recent history and creates certainty in the tax code for small business owners. Not only does the bill prevent a tax hike on over 33 million small business owners, but it also provides a tax cut for most small business owners. Other major wins for small businesses in the OBBB Act include: •…

A new law in West Virginia outlines school discipline procedures for violent and threatening behavior in classrooms.  If a student is threatening staff or peers, the law allows teachers to remove the student from the classroom.  Governor Patrick Morrisey says the law gives teachers more control and creates a safer teaching environment…     “It’s simple.  We’re not going to tolerate violence and unruliness in the classroom.  We’re going to empower you to keep your students safe and bring order to your learning environment.”

For the Frostburg Elks Derby Day on July 4th, Main Street will be closed to traffic from Grant Street to Broadway from 8 AM to 7 PM. Additionally, parking will be prohibited on Main Street from Bowery to Grant Street. Mechanic Street will also be closed between Taylor and Center Street. Side street access to Main Street in that area will also be closed. 

High school juniors and seniors can access free college-level courses over their summer break. Sophia Learning is an online platform offering 70 self-paid courses recommended by the American Council of Education. A new program gives high school students access to six college level courses. CEO Shawna Thayer says the courses could lead students to future college majors… “Things like Intro to IT or Intro to Business because we wanted the free offer to include some courses that would allow those juniors and seniors to look at some different majors as well as they are getting started on their college journey.”

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 13 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in Jones v. Bondi in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, urging the court to protect the health and safety of incarcerated transgender people. The attorneys general ask the Court to uphold the lower court’s preliminary injunction blocking the Trump Administration from implementing a policy that would remove all discretion of correctional staff to house transgender women in women’s prisons. In 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), which adopted a zero-tolerance standard for sexual violence…

Downtown Frederick’s Market Street has been named one of the top 20 most beautiful main streets in America by Reader’s Digest.  Main streets in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and Staunton, Va., were also featured on the list.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary leave on Thursday due to a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.  The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the nature of the investigation.  The Athletic was the first to report that Ortiz's suspension was related to gambling.  MLB said Ortiz's paid leave is through the end of the All-Star break, when players return to their teams July 17 and games resume the following day. It can be extended if the investigation remains ongoing.  MLB…

On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on William Morgan Stewart Sr., 42, of Cumberland, MD. The summons was issued in reference to an incident that occurred on June 6th,2025 at a residence in the 400 block of Eastern Avenue. On that date, it is alleged that Stewart Sr. returned to a residence after being told not to be on the property by the homeowner. ARRESTED – William Morgan Stewart Sr., W/M 42yo CHARGES -  Trespass: Private Property **CRIMINAL SUMMONS ARREST** On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons…

Maryland residents and visitors are now able to purchase hunting and fishing licenses online through M-D Outdoors that has replaced the old Compass site. The new system includes auto-renew options, an easier-to-navigate interface, and an app that stores license information. Fees will not be affected by the new system and current license holders will retain their DNR ID number.  The new site is mdoutdoors.md.gov.

Mayor Ray Morriss recently spoke on the Dave Norman program about Police Chief Chuck Ternent’s status with the City of Cumberland Police Force.  Mayor said Chief Ternent is going to retire, and the City is currently working on a retirement agreement -Ternent will not be returning…     “I really want to thank Chuck Ternent for all he’s done to serve our community over the years.  We’re talking 32 years of service in the Cumberland Police Department bath as an officer and then as a chief for the last—it’ll be six years total. He’s done a really great job.”