During an interview with WBAL Tuesday Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury discussed COVID-19 protocols and vaccine mandates. Choudhury, who came to Maryland from Texas last summer, said that he understands why schools across the state were closed initially- but doesn’t believe it should have taken so long for them to re-open.. When it comes to the debate of whether vaccines for students, teachers and staff should be mandated- Choudhury said while it is something he would like to see explored- that decision would have to come from state health officials and Annapolis…

Delivering his State of the University address this week, West Virginia University President Gordon Gee told faculty and community members that the system has weathered a difficult year and must continue to meet the changing needs of citizens to maintain growth. Gee said the student body and staff has shown remarkable resilience battling the virus, divisive politics and unprecedented financial challenges. Gee said that one of the many highlights from the past year was partnering with building trades and organizations to foster apprenticeship programs at WVU Potomac State College…

The nation and the world are mourning the passing of 4-star General Colin Powell, the first Black secretary of state, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and national security adviser. Despite being vaccinated, Powell died of COVID-19 complications earlier this week. The general, as he liked to be called, was no stranger to Maryland making several  visits to the state throughout his career. He came for the Grand Prix and to the Preakness. He also attended the Star Spangled Spectacular in 2014 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the national anthem. Democratic Maryland Senator Ben Cardin called Powell an incredible…

Nancy Kopp, a pioneering figure in Maryland politics whose fiscal expertise has undergirded the operations of state government for the past half-century, announced this week that she will resign as state treasurer later this year. Kopp was elected to the House of Delegates in 1974, and rose to the position of speaker pro tem. She quickly became recognized as one of the legislature’s leading figures on fiscal matters, and was tapped by her colleagues to become state treasurer following the resignation of Richard Dixon. Kopp said it was Cumberland’s Casper Taylor who actually helped pave the way for her to…

With a centerpiece of President Joe Biden's climate change strategy all but dashed, Democratic lawmakers headed to the White House Tuesday searching for new ways to narrow and reshape what had been his sweeping $3.5 trillion budget plan. An invite list of nearly 20 centrist and progressive lawmakers were to meet separately with Biden as Democrats review a “menu” of alternative emission reducing strategies — one of the most crucial issues for voters who support the president and his party. Among the climate-change-fighting proposals being considered are a carbon tax, a methane emissions fee, tax breaks for energy providers who hit certain…

Allegany College of Maryland invites new and current students to register for courses for the spring 2022 semester. Registration opens Nov. 1. Full-term courses begin on Jan. 12. Students may preview available courses online at www.selfservice.allegany.edu/Student/Courses.      New students are asked to meet with an advising specialist prior to registration. Current ACM students may also meet with an advising specialist or their program advisor regarding questions about their degree or certificate program. In-person and virtual advising appointments are available by calling 301-784-5654. Navigate, a free mobile app to empower current ACM students to explore majors, manage their path to graduation and stay on top…

A clean city only happens through a collective commitment. Join Mayor Raymond Morriss, City Council Members, Let’s Beautify Cumberland volunteers and City Staff this Saturday, October 23 for a Fall Neighborhood Cleanup! The Neighborhood Cleanup will begin with the distribution of trash bags and gloves on Saturday morning between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. at six locations throughout the City:  Southern States  Dollar General on Greene St.  K-Bar  First United Bank in White Oaks  Cornerstone Baptist Church  City Hall Plaza Participants may clean any area/street/neighborhood they would like over the course of the weekend. If you have more than six trash bags…

A joint investigation by the Garrett County Sheriff's Office and the Preston County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of a Detroit man; a Morgantown man; and and man and a woman from Oakland on kidnapping and murder chrages. 41 year-old Jimmy Lee Barkley of Oakland was taken by force from his residence to a cabin located in Eglon, West Virginia. He was shot and killed in the early morning hours of October 13. The investigation has led to the arrest of four individuals. 

Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp announced Monday that she would be stepping down from the position by the end of the year. Kopp has been elected to five four year terms as treasurer, having first been elected in 2002.  She is a member of the Board of Public Works, which approves state contracts, along with the governor and the comptroller.  The General Assembly’s Senate president and House speaker will appoint a committee to review candidates for the opening when Kopp steps down.