While Governor Wes Moore has his hands full trying to get the budget for the state of Maryland over the finish line, he has also been dealing with what he calls the chaos of the Trump Administration and affects it is having on the state as well.  From putting thousands of Maryland federal workers off the job to pulling the site of the FBI, Moore said he is trying to focus on delivering well-thought out plans for his state…    “That is the frustrating thing – the performative politics. People are done. And they’re exhausted by it. They just want…

The Choose Cumberland Relocation program has been reopened for application. The City received enough grant money for 10 relocation packages, five of which have been allocated. Other people selected have had to pull out of the program for various reasons, leaving the openings. Historic Preservation Coordinator Ruth Davis-Rogers says the application process is online and easier to complete. Applicants are chosen based on a scoring method…     “Everyone that applies is not automatically accepted. We do go through it and we figure out who scores the highest because we do want people who will be contributing to our community,…

Democratic leaders held a press conference Thursday putting forth a new budget framework as the Maryland General Assembly works to overcome a multi-billion dollar deficit. The Governor said $500 million dollars in additional cuts, the most in 16 years, is being used to close the deficit.  Senate President Bill Ferguson reviewed what taxes are NOT happening…     “We are not increasing the Maryland sales tax rate on goods. We are not adding a fee for deliveries. We are not increasing property taxes. We are not raising money from i-gaming.  We are not increasing the estate tax. We are not…

The Bishop Walsh Mock Trial Team improved its record to 12-0 Thursday with a state semifinal win over Walter Johnson High School in Annapolis.  BW will take on Worcester Prep of Berlin, MD in the title match Friday at the Supreme Court of Maryland.  Bishop Walsh is coached by Tony Orndoff, Nathan Williams, and Jessica Colwell.

From the Associated Press: The leader and two members of a cultlike group that has been connected to six killings in three states face new gun charges in Maryland. Authorities have described Jack LaSota, who is also known as Ziz, as the apparent “leader of an extremist group” called the Zizians who follow her online writings on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group has been linked to killings in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. A cross-country investigation into LaSota and the Zizians broke open in January when one member of the group died and another was arrested after the shooting death of U.S. Border Patrol…

A harness racing driver has died after a reported incident Wednesday involving six horses at The Meadows racetrack in North Strabane, Washington County.  Hunter Myers, 27, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital and died from his injuries, according to Washington radio station WJPA.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Jacob Baker. The warrant was issued due to Baker failing to appear in District Court for a trespassing charge. Baker was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center. Baker received an initial appearance by a District Court Commissioner, where he was released on his personal recognizance. Arrest: Jacob Allen Baker, Age 36, Cumberland, Maryland. Charge: Trespass Posted Property (Failure to Appear)    

Keystone Coal in West Virginia may be allowed to walk away from its obligation to treat acid mine drainage. The company is seeking a bond release from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The company has not cleaned toxic acid mine drainage seeping into freshwater trout streams in the state, according to Chad Cordell with the Kanawha Forest Coaltion…     “This is really a push where we’re telling the DEP not only do you need to not grant this bond release but you really need to start enforcing the water-quality laws and get this company to deal with this…

Manuel Ochoa, Founder of Ochoa Urban Collaborative presented a fair housing assessment of Cumberland for the Community Development Block Grant funding during Tuesday’s Mayor and City Council meeting.  Ochoa tied into the tax credit idea, saying since over 71% of Cumberland’s homes were built before 1960, such funds could be used to make these homes livable for seniors…     “You know, not only are these tax credits but CDBG funds can also be what— what can— how can those funds be used as an investment to fix up some of these homes to perhaps make them more accessible to seniors…

UPMC Western Maryland employees are working with LOCAL 27 of the United Food and Commercial Workers to form a Union.  A press release from Zack Frink of UFCW said that other locations of UPMC have Union representation and the workers at the Cumberland location have reached out expressing their desire to organize and fight for better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions.  The release pointed to staffing issues, mandatory extended shifts, and desire for safer working conditions. The release also says UPMC employees work without a contract, leaving them vulnerable to unfair treatment and job insecurity.