Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a multistate coalition of 19 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief opposing a state law in Indiana that severely blocks the ability of transgender youth to access critical, lifesaving gender-affirming care. The plaintiffs in K.C. v. Indiana are suing to block Indiana’s Senate Enacted Act (S.E.A.) 480, which prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. “Access to evidence-based, gender-affirming healthcare is critical to the health and well-being of transgender people,” said Attorney General Brown. “Youth, in particular, have better health outcomes when providers can address and treat gender dysphoria early, without interference…

Concerns were raised throughout the community on Wednesday that employees of AES Warrior Run had been told that the plant would close in May.  Allegany County Commissioner Bill Atkinson tells WCBC News that the commissioners confirmed with AES that this is not the case. The contract to burn coal at AES Warrior Run is set to expire in May of 2024.  Atkinson noted that, while the AES Corporation as a whole is making plans to move away from coal, the plans for the Warrior Run facility have not been finalized. 

Democratic Senators from Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Ohio have introduced a bill to allow all drug manufacturers to revise medication labeling.  Current law mandates that generic drug labels must match those approved by the FDA and this bill will enable companies to update those labels independently, ensuring patients have the latest information about potential side effects and risks related to their prescriptions.  Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said the bill will ensure consumers have the tools they need to make better-informed health care decisions.

With Maryland State School Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury deciding not to pursue a second term, the State Board of Education is scrambling to put together a plan for a replacement search.  State Board President Clarence Crawford spoke at Tuesday’s board meeting to let teachers and citizens know the work of education in the state will not be affected…

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Brit Redden.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on September 19, 2023 at approximately 12:42 PM when officers were dispatched to S. Liberty Street for a male subject trying to get into another person’s vehicle.  Police contacted the complainant who reported that he was sitting inside his vehicle when the suspect approached his vehicle and opened the door.  The suspect then left the area after being confronted by the complainant.  The suspect was identified as Brit Redden.  After further investigation,…

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Jacob Kasecamp.  The warrant was issued as the result of Kasecamp failing to appear in court on September 21, 2023.  He was originally charged with Disturb Peace/Disorderly and Malicious Destruction of Property less than $1000.  Kasecamp was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $1,000 percentage bond. ARRESTED:  Jacob Allen Kasecamp      AGE:  37          Cumberland, MD

It's Homecoming Week at Bishop Walsh and many events are planned.  Principal Jennifer Flinn tells WCBC News that events run all week and into Saturday with the annual Faculty vs. Seniors volleyball game.  Homecoming Queen Brooke Adams will be crowned Saturday afternoon prior to the boys soccer game vs. Southern, Flinn added that October continues with many other events at Bishop Walsh…

Washington Monthly magazine has given Frostburg State University high marks in its 2023 College Guide.  Frostburg came in 38th in the country overall as a Master’s Level college out of 604 institutions listed.  FSU was also ranked 49th in the Northeast in the Best Bang for the Buck category where schools are judged on how well they help non-wealthy students attain degrees at affordable prices.  The College Guide is featured in the September/October issue of Washington Monthly which covers U.S. politics and government issues.  

October 1st will see the enactment of several new laws in Maryland that were voted on in the last General Assembly session.  Spousal Defense is being repealed – a law that had prohibited prosecution of a person for rape or other sexual crimes against their legal spouse.  The law concerning where a person may conceal-carry a firearm is also changing -  those with such permits will be banned from bringing firearms to a number of public places, including schools, health care facilities, polling places, stadiums, museums, and venues that serve alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption.

Maryland’s SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system is in action while construction work is happening near Sideling Hill.  The Maryland Department of Transportation says the system will be used while the construction project to stabilize slopes in both directions at Sideling Hill continues through next summer. A permanent rock fall barrier is being installed as well as new signage and other upgrades.  If a vehicle is recorded traveling above the posted speed limit, a citation and fine may be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.  Local contractor Carl Belt, Incorporated is performing the work.