A bill introduced by Democrat delegates in the Maryland General Assembly is not leaving a sweet taste with many.  The Sugary Beverage Distributor Tax adds two cents per ounce on any beverage or powder sold in the state. Advocates say it would help children cut down on sugary sodas, but House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it isn’t likely to pass in to law, although he says democratic lawmakers are looking everywhere to add taxes rather than cut spending…    “Furiously searching through the couch cushions for any dollar they can find of revenue because they just won’t cut –…

The West Virginia Senate Finance committee is currently looking at a bill that would make those convicted of deliberately killing a police officer or a first responder eligible to be executed. The state did away with the death penalty in the 1960s. Senator Mike Stuart is the sponsor of the bill and said such violence against law enforcement has gone unpunished too long in the state…     “The past few years, we’ve seen a real uptick in violence, of shooting of law enforcement in the line of duty. This has to stop. We need to be sure we put…

The National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg has been told by FEMA to cancel all training classes immediately while an agency review takes place. The NFA is the premiere site for advanced training in fire fighting techniques. WCBC News spoke with Cumberland Fire Chief Shannon Adams who said the NFA is only 90 minutes away but now they may have to look for other resources if it is shut down…    “I’ve gone to the fire academy for my investigation training, courtroom testimony training. Our current fire marshal Chris Ratliffe has done the same. He’s gone to the National Fire Academy…

Hearings are scheduled in the House and Senate in Annapolis today for the Small Business Services Tax.  The tax would add 2.5% to essential services businesses use every day including payroll processing, IT support, and consulting.  The democrat-sponsored bill appeared in a similar form last year, but was shot down according to Senator Mike McKay…     “They had talked about it last year, yes. It didn’t go anywhere. It got, really, a tremendous amount of pushback.  Because they’re just throwing anything and everything up on the wall, it’s back again. I don’t think it’s going to have a shot,…

Quarterback Justin Fields has decided to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers and sign with the New York Jets.  In his only season with Pittsburgh Fields compiled a 4-2 record before being benched for Russell Wilson.

The Bishop Walsh mock trial team compiled a 10-0 record this season to win the Circuit Four title and advance to the state quarterfinals Tuesday.  The opposition Tuesday is Bryn Mawr School of Baltimore.  The match will be held in Howard County Circuit Court in Ellicott City.  The winner Tuesday advances to the state Final Four in Annapolis later this month.  Bishop Walsh is coached by Tony Orndoff with assistance from Nathan Williams and attorney advisor Jessica Colwell.

On Sunday, March 9th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Joshua Michael Reikie, 45, of Flintstone MD. Reikie was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on March 5th, 2025. The warrant alleges Reikie failed to appear in court on that date for a previous charge of driving on a suspended license. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance. Name:    Joshua Michael Reikie                                 Age:   45 Charges:   Bench Warrant – Failure to Appear.  

Clinicians at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh have performed the first bloodless heart and kidney transplant.  The patient involved is a Jehovah’s Witness who for religious reasons does not accept heart products. The medical team worked before, during, and after surgery to minimize blood loss including giving medications beforehand to boost red blood cells. The patient has been discharged and is recovering at home.

Maryland has a state song, a state bird, even a state cat. Now, efforts are underway to add a state cocktail to the list.  Delegate Wayne Hartman of Worcester County has introduced a bill in Annapolis to make the Orange Crush the official state adult beverage.  Hartman says the drink containing orange juice, vodka, triple sec and other ingredients originated at the Harborside Bar and Grill in Ocean City in 1995.  The Maryland Tourism Coalition has voiced support for the designation.

It doesn’t happen often in Annapolis, but Senator Mike McKay has been able to have floor rules suspended in the Senate to introduce a late bill.  Senate Bill 1046 has bipartisan sponsorship authorizing the use of body cameras for certain types of corrections officers inside and outside of prisons.  McKay said the bill stems from the death last May of an agent doing a home visit…     “This really has to do with parole and probation. And unfortunately, we had Parole Agent Martinez, about 8 months ago, who was brutally stabbed in an in-home visit on a sexual predator.”