West Virginia has passed a bill establishing a universal licensing reciprocity system.  The legislation enables West Virginia to accept professional and occupational licenses issued by other states for individuals who establish residency.  Governor Patrick Morrisey believes the system will spur growth and economic development in the state…     “When other states passed universal licensing, it helped increase their work force by thousands.  This is going to insure that nurses, doctors, contractors, realtors, skilled workers who are licensed in another state, you can move to West Virginia, and you can get to work right away.”

West Virginians applauded a call by President Trump this week to bolster the coal business in the United States, a boost to the struggling industry that has shown to be a source of reliable energy but is under attack for pollution and climate change concerns. West Virginia Senator Jim Justice said coal is a critical part of energy production for the country…      “I truly believe that if we don’t watch out that a year and a half from today – if we don’t fix our grid now, and we don’t really get at making more and more energy,…

Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined family members and supporters of Kilmar Obrega Garcia for a press conference again demanding his return to the United States. Garcia was living legally in Maryland and was deported last month to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Government officials said the deportation was a mistake and Van Hollen said the fight continues to bring him home…    “This is something that is so reprehensible that we will fight back in the courts, and we’ll fight back in Congress, and we’ll fight back in our communities. But right now of course, this is…

Maryland’s six casinos generated just over $172 million dollars in revenue during March. The total was down 3.4% from the same month in 2024 when casinos registered their fifth-best performance. Tax revenue for the state in March totaled $74.5 million dollars and include over $53 million going to the Education Trust Fund. Locally, Rocky Gap Casino generated $4.5 million but had a year-over-year decrease of just under 10% from 2024.

It’s National Library Week and libraries across Allegany County are holding events to celebrate.  The Allegany County Library system has debuted two new library card designs from a design contest held in September.  Ashley Swinford, director of marketing and outreach, says the cards illustrate what the library means to the artists…     “We did a callout to patrons of all ages to design a library card that illustrates what the library means to them.  We took a public vote, and the staff weighed in, and we came up with two designs by Marissa and Carmen that were selected.  These…

Multiple Maryland universities are seeing student visas revoked.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took away visas from four graduate students at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, as well as from dozens of Johns Hopkins University graduate students — all without prior notification or explanation from the federal government.  The same occurrences regarding student visas are happening nationwide.

Two nearby Pennsylvania counties are going to be using drones to help emergency workers.  Somerset County is the latest county looking to implement a drone program to support local first responders.  Last year, Cambria County announced that it was working to establish a drone deployment and testing facility at the Johnstown Airport to help deliver medical supplies to responders and people who can't get them by foot.

Maryland’s statewide spring wild turkey season opens this month, beginning with the Junior Turkey Hunt on April 12. The regular spring turkey season opens for all hunters on April 18 and runs through May 23. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources anticipates that hunters should have ample opportunity due to recent increases in turkey numbers in many areas. 

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Jacob Baker.  The warrant was issued as the result of Baker failing to appear for court on an original charge of Theft less than $100.  Baker was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Jacob Allen Baker         AGE:  36            Cumberland, MD BENCH WARRANTS SERVED On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Anthony Smith.  The warrants were…