Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson told reporters this is the most uncertain session that he has ever experienced in his 15 years in the legislature. A new batch of budget cuts will be looked at this week, totaling one billion dollars that could cut residents from health programs and food stamps. The cuts come amidst continuing uncertainty with the federal government…    “It is only becoming more and more real that we are more uncertain based on the federal landscape than we’ve ever been.”

The freshman Congressman from West Virginia has introduced a bill that would prohibit the admission of Chinese nationals as nonimmigrant students.  Moore believes that the students are spying on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, including flying drones over military sites…     “There’s a lot of examples of this and it just keeps happening over and over again and we try to pretend these are one-offs. We have to end student visas for Chinese nationals here in this country. It’s the best way to protect our critical research institutions and our military.”

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said that he does not want to locate the new FBI headquarters in Maryland.  Saying that he will build a new facility where the FBI currently sits, rather than three hours away in a “liberal” state.  Governor Wes Moore was surprised by the announcement, telling Face The Nation that he did not receive notice from the White House…     “Here’s the ironic thing about it – I found out about that announcement from the President via the news. That goes to show the level of partnership that this administration have and they would…

Nearly 400 people donate blood daily across the DC region. Blood cannot be manufactured, so donations are critical. Those 400 donors are only a fraction of the number of people eligible to donate blood. Bethany Patterson with the American Red Cross says the country’s blood supply is stable, but there is always a need for universal donors…     “There is an increased need right now for type O blood donation and platelet donations. Type O blood is always in demand. It’s often going out to hospitals faster than it’s coming in through blood donation, because it is the universal…

UPMC has again received recognition by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. Ethisphere is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. UPMC has been recognized seven times in a row for an unwavering commitment to business integrity and is the only organization honored in the integrated healthcare system category. Other companies recognized include AES, CareFirst, and the Hershey Company.

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council will hear from lobbyist Rich Reinhardt of Percy Public Affairs during its work session Monday afternoon.  Twelve orders are part of the consent agenda at the regular public meeting, including authorizing the mayor to sign and execute all agreements in the innovative Choose Cumberland Relocation program.

Governor Patrick Morrisey and Attorney General J.B. McCuskey say they want to get to the bottom of how the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee chooses teams for the NCAA Tournament.  The two held a news conference Monday afternoon after WVU was left out of the tournament. They were team 69. The tournament has 68 teams.  Morrisey said the non-selection doesn’t pass the smell test.

West Virginia is among just ten states whose prison population declined between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from the Prison Policy Initiative.  In the Mountain State, around eleven thousand people are incarcerated and more than nine thousand are on probation or parole.

The Cumberland area could be gaining another fast food franchise.  Jersey Mike’s has listed a Cumberland site as “in development.”  The address is 320 South Centre Street next to Wendy’s.  That is the former site of LabCorp., which is now located on Park Street. 

The water department will be repairing a water leak on George Street on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  George Street will be closed to traffic from Baltimore Street to Dexter Place.