Citizens on both ends of Maryland share concerns about wind energy.  Four offshore wind projects are underway that would install almost 150 turbines off the coast of Ocean City. The operators, US Wind and Orsted, hope to have the turbines operational by 2026.  However, environmentalists on the coast are becoming more concerned with habitat concerns around these turbines. Craig Rucker of the Committee for A Constructive Tomorrow told Fox News they want a moratorium on construction because of an increase in the beaching of whales and dolphins in construction areas…

West Virginia University has made the bold business decision to discontinue 32 majors at the college, cutting 169 faculty personnel.  Facing a $45 million dollar budget shortfall, the cuts come as the university seeks to make changes for its future.  President Gordon Gee spoke this past week on West Virginia Talkline about the cuts… One of the hardest hit departments was World Language Studies – all 7 majors in the department have been completely eliminated. President Gee said the numbers are not there to support those majors…

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…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

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

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…