A German packaging manufacturer is investing $48 million in a plant in West Virginia and expects to create 100 jobs in Moorefield. Papier-Mettler acquired an industrial building in May for the company's first U.S. production plant. The company manufactures packaging from paper and plastic and is one of the leading makers of flexible packaging in Europe.  Governor Jim Justice…

Hundreds of protests have taken place across the state since Friday in support of abortion rights and there are now legitimate concerns about what could be an influx of women living in abortion restricted states coming to Maryland. Maryland’s abortion providers are sounding the alarm. 26 states across the nation including neighboring West Virginia are all likely to ban or restrict abortion. Dr. Kyle Bukowski is the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Maryland and said there is cause for concern…

Just weeks after a fatal shooting in nearby Smithsburg, Maryland Sixth District Congressman David Trone met with the chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to discuss legislative steps Congress can take to prevent the rise in gun violence. The two discussed the need for universal background checks, raising the legal age to purchase a firearm, and key components in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on Saturday. There are other gun safety measures Trone is pushing for, but he said unfortunately many Republican senators are falling back on the straw…

The annual city of Cumberland fireworks display will take place at Constitution Park on July Fourth, with a celebration featuring live music also planned for Washington Street. The Starfire Corp., based in Benedict, Pennsylvania, will put on the display. The Constitution Park Pool will be open July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and patrons can gain access for half the usual price.  A celebration of Independence Day will also take place on Washington Street next to the Allegany County Library from 6 to 10 p.m.  At a time when fireworks programs across the state, including at Rocky Gap…

Four Garrett County Republicans are seeking the House of Delegates 1A seat that is being vacated by the retiring Wendell Beitzel- and two of those participated in Tuesday night’s Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum. Current County Commissioner and former economic development director for the county Jim Hinebaugh talked about the loss of population and what needs to be addressed to overcome that problem… Candidate Tim Thomas is a business owner, in the lumber industry. His business along with many others were tremendously hurt by the close of the Luke Mill more than two years ago. He said watching…

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging “bold action” to protect abortion access after the conservative wing of the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Republicans made this generation of women the first with fewer rights than their mothers.   “We appreciate that in your speech yesterday, you acknowledged the reality that the ‘health and life of women across this nation are now at risk.’ Now is the time for bold action to protect the right to an abortion. You have the power to fight back and lead a national response to this devastating decision,…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan asking the governor to recognize West Virginia concealed weapons permits.   The letter comes on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that found a New York state law placed improper restrictions on issuing concealed carry permits, thereby infringing on the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.   Maryland, as do California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, has laws similar to New York—the so-called “may-issue” states. Maryland has not extended recognition to West Virginians with concealed weapons permits either via reciprocity…

WBAL reports voters in Maryland have just three weeks left to make a choice in primary elections, but for many, it's a tough call. Maryland's primary election is three weeks from Tuesday and a new Goucher poll of more than 500 Democrats gives Peter Franchot 16% to 14% for Wes Moore and Tom Perez. Those percentages are within the poll's margin of error and 35% are undecided. The poll also finds that 63% of voters who picked a candidate say they are willing to change their minds. In the Republican race, Donald Trump endorsed delegate Dan Cox leads Gov. Larry Hogan endorsed former…

Sen. George Edwards will be honored and thanked for his dedication to Allegany County when he attends the 45th annual Frostburg Derby Day. Frostburg Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 470 will celebrate Derby Day on July 2 at 11 a.m. with a rain date of July 4. Member Todd Logsdon, who was an intern in Edwards’ office, will deliver the remarks. Edwards will lead the Derby Day Parade of Drivers down East Main Street to the Frostburg Elks. Ella Holly will sing the national anthem with music provided by Music Express. The 52 cars slated to race down Main…

A group of U.S. senators has agreed to effectively dismantle a commission tasked by the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out closures, downsizing and other significant medical facility changes nationwide, Sen. Joe Manchin said Monday. The West Virginia Democrat, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said there is bipartisan support to avoid filling vacancies on the VA’s Assets and Infrastructure Review Commission and to end the commission in the next National Defense Authorization Act. The commission had recommended the closures or downsizing of several older facilities, a proposal that Manchin worried would significantly alter services provided to rural veterans…