Baltimore businessman Ed Hale has declared his entry into the race for Governor of Maryland.  He originally announced his intention in May to run on the Democratic ticket, but at a press conference on Wednesday, Hale said he is switching to the Republican Party to make the run for office. He is the founder of First Mariner Bank and the owner of the indoor soccer team Baltimore Blast.  He said he wants to focus on economic growth, public safety, and education.

Speakers at the Cumberland City Council meeting on Tuesday spoke against the permit ordinance for events in downtown.  One citizen, Kit Pepper Lesscallette, said that where protests and other impromptu gatherings are concerned, it needs to be spelled out…     “Your assuring us that this doesn’t apply to our first amendment right to politically protest things is not good enough. It needs to be in the ordinance. You may be honest in thinking you don’t think it applies, but you’re not always going to be sitting in those seats.” Mayor Ray Morriss talked to WCBC about the ordinance, saying…

Federal funding will allow Allegany College of Maryland to continue its TRIO Student Support Service. Tara DeVore, Director of the program, says it began in 1968 and supports academic services for first-generation, low-income students as well as students with documented disabilities. DeVore says the program serves around 140 students each year…     “The program here at ACM has proven success rates in helping students be able to achieve their academic goals and achieve their degrees and so we are very grateful that that was recognized and we are able to continue to have funding.”

Let’s Beautify Cumberland presented their annual Blue Ribbon Awards during Tuesday night’s Cumberland City Council meeting.  One of the news awards given out included LBC’s “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” award or the ABCD Award, Ed Mullaney from LBC said they chose Cumberland City Engineer Bobby Smith efforts he has given the City…    “There are so many exceptional people in this city, but this one person stands out, particularly, for all of us at least, for the last couple of years with the building of the Cas Taylor Bridge, the Cumberland Clock, renovation of the downtown.  He…

West Virginia communities are looking to increase nature to reduce flood risks. More than 90% of the state can be considered “Special Flood Hazard Areas,” according to Mark Buchanan with Marshall University’s Brownfields Assistance Center. He says over-urbanized land strips natural buffers impacting how fast water reaches homes…     “When we’re looking at around 75 to 100% impervious cover, a lot of roads, roofs, parking lots – all those types of settings that really alters the hydrology, 55% becomes runoff.”

Workforce West Virginia reports a decline of more than 7,000 civilian jobs and a total employment decrease of more than 4,000 in the state in the last year.  The July jobs report revealed falling numbers in several key industries within the state, such as mining, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail.

The owner of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team, Ed Hale Sr., announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland Wednesday morning, and said he plans to switch parties.  The announcement took place at Canton Waterfront Park.  Hale is 78 years old and originally announced his intentions to run for governor as a Democrat in May.  On Wednesday, Hale said he plans to switch parties and enter the 2026 Governor's race as a Republican.

On Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Samantha Michelle Nelson, 34, of Cumberland, MD. Nelson was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on August 19th, 2025. The warrant alleged Nelson failed to comply with an order of the court or a condition of pre-trial release that had been placed upon her due to previous charges of burglary and trespassing. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance, where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond. ARRESTED - …

Senator Chris Van Hollen says that President Trump “got played” by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Alaska and wants the full Senate to take action.  Van Hollen said the President has apparently set aside his original idea of sanctions against Russia as an avenue to ending the war with Ukraine…      “When it comes to Ukraine under European allies, this was a setback. I do believe that Congress, the Senate in particular, should move forward on bipartisan legislation that would impose sanctions on Russia and Vladimir Putin.”

Significant improvements have taken place the past three years at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney.  The superintendent of the school, Clayton Burch took over three years ago and recently gave an update to the West Virginia Board of Education.  Burch stated that the school has improved its purchasing and spending operations, facilities, academics, and outreach.  The school, which has 21 buildings over 88 acres, opened in 1870.