Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has announced that the state is reporting zero new coronavirus deaths for Wednesday, which is the first time since March 28, 187 days ago. The statewide positivity rate (2.88%) is down nearly 90% since its peak on April 17. It has been under 5% for 98 consecutive days and under 4% for 54 consecutive days. No Maryland counties are in the "red zone," as designated by the federal government. All 24 jurisdictions have positivity rates below 5%,. As a result of the encouraging numbers,  Hogan announced that effective immediately indoor visitation may begin in all nursing homes…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice this week again endorsed a map of Coronavirus spread that determines school status, even as it faces multiple legal challenges. The West Virginia Education Association, one of the state’s larger teachers unions, announced that it intends to seek an injunction over changes to the state’s map that determines school status based on the spread of coronavirus. Meanwhile, a senior quarterback at George Washington High School is suing over the map too, saying it affects very little except for schools.  Justice was generally dismissive of the potential legal challenges, emphasizing that his primary concern remains public safety, and he has…

As of Thursday, serving food in foam containers in Maryland is illegal. The new law bans restaurants, schools, and other food service businesses from using polystyrene or Styrofoam containers and cups. This makes Maryland the first state in the United States to issue a state ban. While members of the Western Maryland delegation opposed the measure- there was broad support overall. Delegate Brooke Lierman told WBAL that "Maryland is sending the message that plastic is the pollution."   When it comes to enforcing the law, Lierman said it will be the responsibility of local health inspectors to monitor compliance. At a time when the restaurant industry is suffering from…

The Maryland House Economic Stability Study Group met virtually this week to discuss the status of proposed legislation for the 2021 Legislative Session and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic stability across the state. The commission has been studying ways to prevent the middle class from falling into poverty and to help those trapped in a cycle of perpetual poverty to rise above it. The group hosted several listening sessions across the state last year including one  at Allegany College of Maryland in August, to hear from citizens and front-line service providers about how to strengthen the middle class in Maryland. Commission co-chair Mike McKay…

According to industry leaders, President Donald Trump's promise to save the coal industry has gone unfulfilled with production of the fuel that once powered the U.S. economy set to fall to the lowest level in over half a century.  Despite aggressive rollbacks of pollution regulations, the industry's outlook has only worsened. The Energy Information Administration expects total U.S. coal output to plummet to 511 million tons this year, down 28 percent from a year earlier and the lowest level since 1964 amid weak electricity demand and competition from other sources. Democratic West Virginia Senator  Joe Manchin says he  sees little chance that industry…

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have activated S Jayron Kearse from the Exempt/Commissioner Permission list and released RB Ty Johnson. Johnson was a 6th round pick and saw significant playing time during his rookie year.  He was inactive for last week's game. Johnson was one of the most productive running backs in University of Maryland history, starring for four seasons after an outstanding high school career at Fort Hill High School. Johnson could sign with another team and wind up on an active roster, or may wind up on a practice squad.

A Mineral County woman, a Grantsville man and two Cumberland residents are awaiting trial in separate cases after they were served criminal summonses on Wednesday, according to Cumberland Police.  • Rebecca Reed Zajdel, 30, of Ridgeley, West Virginia, was charged with second-degree assault. • Patience Cree McMillan, 28, Grantsville, was charged with knowingly driving an uninsured vehicle. • Henry Ernest Simms, 50, Cumberland, was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Jherika Ashley Winkler, 23, Cumberland, was charged with fourth-degree burglary.

West Virginia's revenue collections exceeded estimates by more than $10 million in September, according to the Justice administration. The overall $423.6 million collected included nearly $194 million in Personal Income Taxes and $129.3 million in Consumers Sales Tax.  During a media briefing Thursday, State Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy said the three-month, first quarter, total of those taxes was record-breaking. The two taxes make up approximately 75% of the state’s revenues. West Virginia is now $90 million ahead of estimates for the fiscal year, with an excess cash flow of nearly $298 million.  

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland is reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths for the first time since March 28—187 days ago:   “Today, for the first time since March 28, the State of Maryland is reporting zero new coronavirus deaths. This encouraging milestone is a tribute to the incredibly heroic efforts of our doctors, nurses, and health care workers on the front lines, and the courage and perseverance Marylanders have demonstrated in response to this unprecedented challenge. We have lost more than 3,800 of our fellow Marylanders to this virus, and we mourn with their families. As…

Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) recently received the largest prevention and education grant awarded by the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) in 2020. The $298,749.35 grant award funds the college’s Tackling the Opioid Epidemic Phase 2: An Expansion of the Statewide Resilience Approach project. The project is aligned with the agency’s goal of bringing together state and local partners to support prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts combating the heroin and opioid crisis in Maryland.    Building on the skills and foundation developed as part of a prior Tackling the Opioid Epidemic grant funded by OOCC, the year-long grant allows for planned supervision and additional training of individuals…