While casino gambling revenues in the state seem to be slacking off, the sports wagering market continues to grow at a fast pace. For February, players wagered $442.5 million dollars, an increase of 30.4% over 2023’s wagers. Contributions to the state in tax dollars increased 50% over 2023, with $4.2 million going into the state’s coffers. There are 13 retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks in the state that paid out $399 million dollars in winnings in February.
Wednesday’s Maryland Board of Public Works meeting heard opposition raised about the extension of a contract with YesCare that provides medical services for the state’s prison population. Senator Mike McKay attended the meeting, voicing concern that YesCare has not paid health care providers that it subcontracts to locally, owing them thousands of dollars. McKay opposes the extension… State Comptroller Brooke Lierman also has concerns about YesCare and voiced her opinion during voting, even though the contract extension passed 2-1…
Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says that House Bill 1515 is really a massive tax increase for state residents, rather than the tax cut that it implies. The bill is suggesting a 1% cut to the state sales tax, but vastly expanding what would require sales tax added. Buckel spoke on WBAL radio about the bill that probably won’t make it out of committee this year…
The rate of pregnancy-associated deaths has been on the rise in recent years. In Pennsylvania, there are 82 pregnancy-associated deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women are two times more likely to die during or in the first year after a pregnancy than white women. Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen spoke about the state’s budget plans to address maternal health issues and improve care for pregnant women…
Former State Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele died Wednesday afternoon at his home surrounded by his family. He was 90. Gabriele was first appointed to the position on November 1, 1982, by Secretary Thomas Schmit of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. At the time of his retirement in 2001, only one other State Fire Marshal in the United States had a longer tenure than Gabriele. "With a long legacy, the passing of State Fire Marshal Rocco Gabriele is a loss to the Maryland public safety community. Gabriele had the honor of being the longest-serving Maryland State Fire…
Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D. and Glenn Ivey met in the U.S. Capitol Tuesday with Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. The primary topic of the hourlong discussion was the future of the Maryland Model. A new, voluntary model by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation called the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model is likely to be the vehicle for the next iteration of the Maryland Model. This new, nationwide framework would test…
The City of Cumberland is advising that Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., water service will be interrupted on Patterson Avenue for a valve replacement. The area affected includes the 800 block of Patterson Avenue, Sperry Terrace, and Manns Terrace.
The Fort Hill Scholarship Fund has announced the named Board of Directors’ scholarships to be awarded to two graduating seniors at the 16th Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet held in May. This year, in addition to honoring Fort Hill’s first principal, Victor Heisey, who has a permanent scholarship in his memory, the Board of Directors will posthumously honor the outstanding community contributions of Mark Manges. Since its inception in 2008, the FHSF has provided scholarships to graduating seniors, totaling over $430,000 for college, technical and trade education.
According to preliminary data from the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland's total jobs increased by 6,800 and the unemployment rate rose to 2.3% in January. Maryland's unemployment rate is currently the third best in the nation. Sectors that created jobs include 3,900 jobs in the Public Sector, 2,900 for Leisure and Hospitality and 2,400 in Private Education and Health, Manufacturing, and Financial Activities. Job areas that saw declines included Mining, Logging, and Construction.
Today, March 13, 2024, Mount Savage School was placed in a HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene at approximately 10:57 and provided medical service to a 13 year old complaining of shortness of breath. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.
