Members of the Maryland Senate would face a limit on the number of bills they can introduce under a proposal crafted by the chamber’s presiding officer, Sen. Bill Ferguson, and other senior lawmakers. WTOP reports the move is intended to reduce the workload on legislative bill-drafters, who are deluged with requests from legislators, particularly in December and January. The change would also likely lead to shorter committee hearings. Under the proposal, each senator would be allowed to request that 30 bills or resolutions be drafted in a legislative session. They could then submit 25 of the 30 for formal consideration…

Maryland state highway officials are urging motorists to travel during off-peak hours and focus on safety during Labor Day weekend. “If you are traveling during the holiday weekend, please travel safely and allow for plenty of time to reach your destination,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “MDOT SHA’s website provides reliable, current traffic and road closure information, as well as weather-related traffic events and conditions. When traveling in Maryland, use our website to assist you in reaching your destination in the safest, most efficient manner.” More people are expected to be on the road this holiday weekend to travel…

WCBC's Finckle Forecast is calling for a warm and dry Labor Day weekend with temperatures in the upper 70's and low 80's. On Monday, Labor Day, temperatures are expected to move into the upper 80's.

The Allegany County Health Department reports a community member in their 70s has died from COVID-19.  Since Wednesday, there have been five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 including two females in their 20s, a female in her 30s, a female in her 40s, and a male in his 70s.  None of the new cases have required hospitalization.  This brings the cumulative number of cases in Allegany County to 404.    To date, 16,142 Allegany County residents have been tested for COVID-19 and received their result, with 404 testing positive and 15,738 testing negative.   A free drive-thru COVID-19 testing event…

4:46 Route 51 is now open. Scene cleared 4:10 PM    Route 51 is currently closed due to a vehicle accident in the Millstone area.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has created sign templates for businesses statewide to download and print as part of the “Masks on Maryland” campaign.   Maryland moves today into Stage Three of recovery, allowing the additional safe and gradual reopening of nearly all businesses and activities with occupancy limitations, social distancing and mask regulations in place. The signs, available in both English and Spanish, stipulate that masks are required by order of Governor Larry Hogan, and show how to wear a mask properly. “By wearing a mask in public, you are helping keep Marylanders safe,” said MDH Secretary Robert…

The new numbers show a daily positive test rate of just below 5 percent. There are six additional deaths being reported today-bringing the total number to 243.  West Virginia's COVID-19 transmission is on the rise – again. In July, the Mountain State had the highest Rt in the US at 1.37.  It fell to one of the nation's lowest in recent weeks. However – in Wednesday's COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Jim Justice and state health officials reported that it has spiked again to 1.22 – the fourth highest in the nation.

It was revealed on Twitter that the WVU football team will feature a Black Lives Matter sticker on the back of their helmets.  WVU redshirt sophomore, Bryce Ford- Wheaton, replied on Twitter by saying “One thing I can promise is if you choose to not support the WVU football team for wearing BLM decals, we will not miss you and we will still continue to play our games without you watching. Shout out to the real fans you don’t go unnoticed.”    WVU opens the 2020 season September 12th against Eastern Kentucky  

The Cumberland Times News reports a city man was arrested Thursday for allegedly setting fire to a vacant Maryland Avenue residence following a joint investigation by the Cumberland Fire Department and the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. Yancey Bailey, 39, was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree malicious burning in connection with the Tuesday incident.  Bailey remained jailed Friday at the Allegany County Detention Center in lieu of $55,000 bond set by a district court commissioner. The charges stemmed from the late night fire at the 813 Maryland Ave. property with which Bailey had previous connections, according to investigators. Cumberland…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland is renewing its successful partnership with The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to implement the Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities initiative.  This collaborative effort, overseen jointly by the Maryland Departments of Disabilities (MDOD), Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Health (MDH), will finance the creation of affordable and integrated community living opportunities statewide for extremely low-income people with disabilities. “Our state truly is stronger when all of our citizens are able to contribute to their communities and reap the rewards of those contributions,” said Governor Hogan. “By…