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Lawmaker Wants to Test Four-Day Workweek

A Pennsylvania lawmaker is proposing a bill to study a 4-day work week in the state. State Representative Dave Madsen from Dauphin County wants a three-year pilot program involving 70 Pennsylvania businesses.  A similar program in the UK yielded positive results with upticks in productivity and reduced employee turnover.  Opponents to the plan say it is the government interjecting itself where it doesn’t belong.  Madsen told reporters he wants to give it a try and let the data do the talking…

Senator Van Hollen Touts Medicare Wins

At a press conference held by advocacy group Maryland Healthcare for All, Senator Chris Van Hollen celebrated the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.  Among other issues, the Act has addressed the concerning level of medicine costs for aging Americans.  According to Senator Van Hollen, 1.1 million Marylanders are now on Medicare.  One of the major cost savings implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act is standardizing the cost of insulin… Further, Van Hollen said that out-of-pocket costs for Americans on Medicare will now be capped… Van Hollen also shared the Inflation Reduction Act has opened the…

City Police Receive Grants

A number of grants and purchases for the Cumberland City Police were approved recently to help the police department continue to run smoothly.  The FY24 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant of $20,000 was awarded by the Governor’s Office for Crime Control and Prevention – it provides funds to help recruit and retain police officers. An annual grant from the State Aid for Police Protection Fund was received to help provide adequate police protection in the City, and a grant for almost $50,000 from the Maryland Center for School Safety will help provide funding for School Resource Officers.  The City Council…

Maryland State Police are investigating the death of a 34-year-old man in Somerset County.

The deceased is identified as Kevin Lamont Jackson, 34, of Crisfield, Maryland. The cause and manner of death are pending autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Jackson was located by Crisfield Police Department in a vehicle shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2023, in the 100 block of Somers Cove in Crisfield, Maryland. Officers from the Crisfield Police Department found him in a car parked off the road while conducting routine patrol in the area of Charlotte Avenue in Crisfield. Police approached the car and found Jackson in the driver’s seat with apparent gunshot…

“Maryland Serves” Open for Applications

Maryland is launching a first-in-the-nation program for service opportunities for the state’s young people. “Maryland Serves” is a service year option available to high school graduates ages 18-21 and will provide opportunities to serve across the state in organizations that will provide job training and professional development.  Participants will earn at least $15 per hour.  Governor Wes Moore said the program offers an unprecedented chance for Marylanders to explore career pathways and serve their community… There is a September 1st deadline to apply for the first year of the program.  Organizations are also being sought to become host partners with…

Gov. Justice signs bills to increase correctional officer salaries

Gov. Justice held a ceremony at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center in Mount Hope where he signed into law several bills passed in the recent Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature which are all designed to reduce vacancies in the state’s jails and prisons, increase pay scales for correctional officers, and offer retention incentives for non-uniform correctional staff.  "It is incredibly important our hardworking correctional officers get paid what they deserve," Gov. Justice said. "This legislation is just a drop in the bucket, but it will go a long way in filling our vacant positions and upgrading our jails…

Traffic Alert I68 Rocky Gap exit

I-68 WB near Rocky Gap exit, single vehicle accident emergency emergency crews enroute @ 07:20

Scouts from Frostburg travel GAP trail for Canal Place Scout Show

Scout Units from around the region gathered at Canal Place for the annual Scout Show Saturday. Displays on camping, cooking and fun games was the outdoor activity for the day with beautiful Western Maryland weather. Michele Brenneman, Assistant Scout Executive had a fire side chat with WCBC news about the event saying publics interest was great and it’s wonder the scouts can showcase their skills for the community… Scouts in Troop 28 from Frostburg traveled the GAP trail to Cumberland Saturday morning saying the trip toke about hour and half and they stopped for deer and a leader flat tire. Asked if…

Residential fire in Keyser send people to hospitals

Residential fire on Fort Ave in Keyser sent a number of people to hospitals Saturday. Keyes Police Department arrived on scene and advised working structure fire with entrapment. Fire Captain Keyes immediately requested a 2nd alarm assignment due to the entrapment and the column of smoke seen. 5 ambulances from Valley Medical Transport and Maryland State Police Trooper 5 provided transportation to regional hospitals. State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the fire. Foxes Pizza Den and residents provided food and water to responders.

Gov Moore warns Maryland’s economy hasn’t kept pace with his ambition

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore told county and city officials at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference to expect to tighten their fiscal belts. “As the old adage goes, When the state catches a cold, local jurisdictions catch the flu,’” Moore said Saturday at his first counties conference “ So it won’t be a surprise when I tell you that we’re facing budget shortfalls.” Gov Moore received much applause in spite of his message of troubling news, emphasized partnership between the statewide executive branch and local governments. He said the state “doesn’t just welcome partnership, we need it." In urging restraint in spending…