UPDATED: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Issues Permit for Rebuild of Francis Scott Key Bridge

The approach from the northern/Dundalk side of the original Key Bridge structure is seen still standing from the shoreline, June 21, 2024. The Fort McHenry Federal Channel, which had been blocked in some capacity by the bridge collapse since March 26, was restored to its original operational dimensions of 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep on June 10, 2024, for commercial maritime transit through the Port of Baltimore. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Thomas I. Deaton)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, has issued its permit (Section 10/404/408 permit decision) for the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, granting the Maryland Transportation Authority permission to construct the bridge that will reconnect the I-695 Baltimore Beltway and improve community accessibility lost following the collapse of the original structure…

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Legislation Would Add Military Status as a Protected Class in Delaware

A bill introduced Thursday in the the Delaware General Assembly would add military status as a protected class in Delaware. House Bill 55 would include military status as a protected class under the state’s public accommodations, housing, insurance, education and employment laws. The measure recognizes that military members and their families can face discrimination in…

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AG Jennings Sues to Stop Federal Mass Firings and Reinstate Employees

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and 20 other attorneys general have filed suit and moved for a temporary restraining order against numerous federal agencies – asking a federal court to block mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have been fired. Jennings says the ongoing and sudden mass firings threaten to…

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Maryland AG Joins Multistate Amicus Brief Challenging Trump Administration’s Early Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

Attorney General Anthony Brown has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general, including Delaware, in filing an amicus brief in National TPS Alliance v. Noem in support of a challenge to the early termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. In a release, AG Brown says that “TPS is a critical humanitarian…

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No Changes in MD’s 2025 Striped Bass Fishing Rules

Recreational and commercial striped bass or rockfish fishermen will see no changes in the recreational seasons, limits and the commercial quota that were instituted in 2024. State officials say there is still uncertainty around future spawning potential after recent population declines that were documented in juvenile surveys. Regulations going into the 2025 fishing season remain…

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New Hiking Trails Now Available at Former Berlin Golf Course Property

New trails are now available at the former Bay Club property near Berlin. Maryland DNR officials say a number of environmental improvements will also be coming to the property – which is now managed by the Maryland Forest Service. There are about 12 miles of unimproved trails for hiking opportunities throughout the former golf course,…

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Legislation to Remove DE from RGGI Introduced in DE General Assembly

State Senator Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View) and Representative Bryan Shupe (R-Milford) have introduced legislation that would remove Delaware from RGGI – the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Senate Bill 65 aims to provide relief to Delaware households and businesses burdened by rising energy costs. Delaware joined RGGI to reduce carbon dioxide emissions – the target was…

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MDOT Wants Your Comments on New Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

The Maryland Transportation Department is looking for your comments on the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program which was released on Friday. The STIP compiles state, local and regional highway and transit projects that are federally funded and planned for study and construction over the next 4 year. Public comment will be taken through April 4th.…

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Senators Coons, Cramer Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Rental Assistance Program for Affordable Housing

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Republican Kevin Cramer of North Dakota introduced their Choice in Affordable Housing Act today to improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program. The bipartisan bill would make it easier to access Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs)—often referred to as Section 8 vouchers—and attract and retain landlords to participate in the…

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Bill Introduced to Establish Office of Suicide Prevention in Delaware

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49 other  U.S. states have an Office of Suicide Prevention – Delaware is currently the only state in the nation without one. Legislation that has been introduced in Delaware proposes to change that.  Under House Bill 54, sponsored by Representative Eric Morrison and Senator Spiros Mantzavinos, The Office of Suicide Prevention would support the Suicide Prevention Coalition in raising…

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Legislation in Delaware Introduced to Strengthen Utility Shutoff Protections for Delaware Residents

In an effort to continue to address the impact of rising utility costs, lawmakers in Delaware have introduced new legislation that would provide stronger consumer protections for residents at risk of losing heating or cooling services. Sponsored by Representative Melanie Ross Levin, Representative Rae Moore, and Senator Stephanie Hansen, House Bill 62 makes several updates…

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UPDATE: Maryland Appellate Court Rules Against Executive Giordano in Charter Dispute; County Executive’s Office Calls Ruling Misleading

The Appellate Court of Maryland has ruled in favor of the Wicomico County Council in a dispute with County Executive Julie Giordano over the confirmation of an Assistant Director of Administration. The court clarified that under Section 315(A) of the Wicomico County Charter, executive appointments requiring Council confirmation must be formally submitted and acted upon…

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Fairfax, Virginia Man Arrested by Easton Police for Impersonating a Police Officer, Providing Fictitious Documents, and Weapon-Related Charges

A 30-year-old Fairfax, Virginia man has been arrested by Easton, Maryland Police for providing false information including fictitious documents as well as impersonating a police officer. According to Easton Police, On February 4th, Richard R. Browning V applied to the Easton Police Department as a Certified Police Lateral, claiming to be employed by the U.S.…

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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition of Attorneys General in Issuing Multistate Guidance for Schools on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and a coalition of 15 attorneys general have issued guidance to schools on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. The guidance comes in response to recent federal actions, including an executive order and policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, which address diversity policies in schools. The attorneys general…

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Head-On Collision Under Investigation; Five Injured

A head-on collision that occurred yesterday evening, March 4th in the area of Rum Bridge Road and Seashore Highway is under investigation. According to Delaware State Police, a 25-year-old Georgetown man in a Toyota attempted to pass another vehicle on a double-yellow line, crashing into a Mazda driven by a 65-year-old Seaford man. In addition…

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Governor Meyer Announces Comprehensive Plan to Address Rising Energy Costs in Delaware

Today, Governor Matt Meyer announced a comprehensive plan to address rising energy costs in Delaware, strengthen consumer protections, and demand immediate relief for Delmarva Power customers who experienced severe bill increases over the past several months.  The Meyer Administration will work alongside legislators, consumer advocates, and energy regulators to ensure these immediate relief measures and…

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Maryland Awards $12.4 Million in Opioid Restitution Fund Competitive Grants, Announces Strategic Overdose Response Priorities

Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller and the Office of Overdose Response have announced $12.4 million in grants from the state’s Opioid Restitution Fund. The funding, sourced from opioid-related legal settlements, will support 28 programs aimed at addressing overdose and substance use disorders. Lt. Governor Miller emphasized the importance of these programs in combating the…

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Parkville, MD Woman Pleads Guilty to Over $3.6 Million in Medicaid Fraud

A 44-year-old Parkville, Maryland woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of defrauding the Maryland Medicaid program of more than $3.6 million by billing for mental health services for Medicaid recipients that were never provided. According to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, between November 2019 and September 2024, Tasha S. Saunders operated two behavioral health…

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UPDATED: Sussex County Council to Hold Split Meeting Tuesday

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UPDATED – 03/04/25 – The Sussex County Council and members of the Planning & Zoning Commission met Tuesday morning at the Sussex County Public Safety Complex in Georgetown. The Delaware Department of Transportation made a presentation and discussion – giving an overall view of DelDOT as well as some focus on Sussex County Transportation projects, needs…

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