Security Heightened In Del., Md. As Inauguration Day Nears

mj-powell-promo

Two days until inauguration day in Washington, and security is tight around many government facilities across the nation. That includes Legislative Hall in Dover, where fencing now surrounds the building, which remains closed to the public for the start of the General Assembly Session. There was no unrest reported there Sunday. Also, Sunday was a…

Read More

Hogan Scheduled For Skin Cancer Surgery Friday

bongino-promo

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is scheduled for skin cancer surgery Friday. Hogan will have what he described as minor outpatient surgery to remove some early stage basal and squamous cell carcinoma from his face and shoulder. Hogan said he has beaten this type of cancer before and that he feels great heading into Friday’s procedure.

Read More

Hogan Pushes Reform In Redistricting Process

bill-o

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Wednesday proposed formation of Maryland’s first independent citizens redistricting commission, which would replace what he called the partisan, backdoor manner in which power brokers have drawn legislative and congressional districts. The panel, formed by executive order, would consist of nine people – three Democrats, three independents, three Republicans and six citizens…

Read More

2 Eastern Shore Projects Part Of Md. Preservation Initiative

Academy School, Mill St., Dorchester Co.
mj-powell-promo

Seven Maryland historic preservation projects will share more than $9-million in tax credits and leverage millions of dollars in economic activity and investment. The Maryland Historical Trust, part of the Maryland Department of Planning, announced the awards this week. Projects include residences, businesses and arts-related venues and attractions. Two of the projects are on the…

Read More

Md. Looks To Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccination

the-charlie-kirk-show

Maryland is taking several actions to pick up the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the Maryland National Guard will start to send emergency support teams to help local health departments with their vaccination clinic. Also, Hogan said the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, which sought to recruit…

Read More

Md. Minimum Wage Goes Up With New Year

Jobs-Ahead©ml/shutterstock_107123270
bongino-promo

The minimum wage in Maryland rises with the start of 2021. Employers must now pay $11.75 an hour if they have 15 or more workers, or $11.60 if they have 14 or fewer employees. Under the law, the minimum wage would go up by 75 cents annually until it reaches $15 an hour by 2025.…

Read More

Md. Boosts Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs

bill-o

Maryland is making more than $154-million available to help people who are having trouble paying their utility bills. Governor Larry Hogan said Wednesday that’s a 40-percent increase from the last fiscal year. Money goes toward three relief programs that assist Marylanders in dealing with current and past-due bills for heat, electricity and natural gas. “Too…

Read More

Md. Directs COVID Relief Toward Agriculture, Seafood Industry

build-a-better-community-OCMD

Maryland farmers, producers and watermen that have been impacted by the pandemic could be eligible for COVID relief funding. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the targeted relief of more than $9-million comes from a $600-million economic relief packaged announced by the state during the pandemic. The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Department of…

Read More

Md. Allocates More COVID-19 Vaccine Supplies

mj-powell-promo

Maryland continues to vaccinate its nursing home residents and staff and hospital and healthcare workers for COVID-19 this week. The state has allocated an additional 82,800 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Some supplies are going to local health departments to begin vaccination clinics for their first responders. Maryland’s allotment of COVID-19 vaccine supplies…

Read More

22 Charged In Talbot Co. Drug Investigation

the-charlie-kirk-show

A ten-month drug task force investigation has led to indictments against 22 people on the Eastern Shore on state and federal charges. The Talbot County Drug Task Force has identified an Easton man, 32-year-old Anthony Banks, as the leader of a drug-trafficking organization that imported large quantities of controlled dangerous substances, including powder cocaine and…

Read More

Md. Begins Vaccination Of Nursing Home Residents And Staff

The first Maryland nursing home resident to receive the vaccine was Samuel Cushing. He is accompanied by Donna Jones, Director of Nursing, who was among the first staff members to be vaccinated.
bongino-promo

Maryland has begun vaccinating residents of nursing homes as well as staff who work at long-term care facilities. The Maryland Department of Health has signed up every nursing home in the state to take part in the vaccination program, through the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program, with CVS and Walgreens. Governor Larry…

Read More

Del., Md. Report Improving Labor Markets In Nov.

Jobs-Ahead©ml/shutterstock_107123270
bill-o

Unemployment declined in Delaware and Maryland in November, according to reports released by both states Friday. Delaware’s unemployment rate dipped to 5.1-percent in November, down from 5.6-percent in October. Sussex County had the lowest unemployment rate among the three counties in Delaware, at 4.1 percent last month. The Maryland unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent…

Read More

Preston, Md. Fire Leaves 1 Person Dead

Fatal Fire, Preston Md. Dec. 14 2020 (photo courtesy of Md. State Fire Marshal's Office)
build-a-better-community-OCMD

A fire in Caroline County has claimed one life. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the blaze was reported at about 1:00 a.m. Monday by a neighbor in the 21,000-block of Wood Wharf Road in Preston. Local fire departments sent personnel to the scene, who had the fire under control quickly. The cause…

Read More

Gov. Hogan Announced Tax Relief, Other Initiatives

mike-bradley-promo

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Thursday announced a small business tax relief program, forgiveness of small business loans, support for low-income housing and rental programs and other initiatives to help struggling Marylanders and businesses cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. An executive order issued by Hogan provides small business with a break from major increases in…

Read More

Del., Md. Join Facebook Anti-Trust Lawsuit

mj-powell-promo

The attorneys general of Delaware and Maryland have joined an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook. The social media giant is accused of violating anti-trust acts and has what the prosecutors say amounts to an illegal monopoly. According to Delaware AG Kathy Jennings, Facebook “knowingly, openly and illegally made digital hostages of its users and developers over…

Read More

Unemployment Fraud Scheme Targets Several Md. Government Officials

the-charlie-kirk-show

The State of Maryland has uncovered an unemployment insurance fraud scheme. According to Governor Larry Hogan, he was among high-ranking state government officials who were targeted. Attempts to file fraudulent claims using stolen identities were blocked once detected. Maryland State Police and the U.S. Labor Department Office of Inspector General are investigating. Hogan said the…

Read More

Md. Outlines COVID-19 Vaccination Plans

bongino-promo

Maryland is taking steps to prepare for the arrival of COVID-19 vaccination supplies — hopefully sometime next week. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday the state is lining up people to administer the vaccine safely. The Health Department issued an order that allows any licensed healthcare provider to administer the COVID-19 vaccine with appropriate training and…

Read More

MD Eviction Prevention Partnership Grants Awarded – Keeps Moratorium in Place

bill-o

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that 17 Maryland local jurisdictions were awarded $19.3 million in Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership grants, which will address the needs of more than 3,600 households across the state. “Maryland has continued to be a national leader in our COVID-19 response, which is why we have responded aggressively with targeted rental…

Read More

State of Maryland Surpasses 4 Million Coronavirus Tests

build-a-better-community-OCMD

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that more than 4 million COVID-19 tests have now been completed in Maryland—another milestone in the state’s long-term testing strategy. State health officials continue to expand Maryland’s testing capabilities during the fall surge, and strongly encourage all Marylanders to get tested for COVID-19. “Over the past eight months, our state has built…

Read More

Md. Makes $70-Million In More CARES Act Investments

mj-powell-promo

Maryland plans to invest $70-million into several initiatives designed to address health, safety and economic well-being of Marylanders during the pandemic. Also, $20-million goes to the Maryland Department of Health to continue building up the state’s strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment. Other allocations support relief for renters, developing a mass vaccination plan, and $10-million…

Read More

Md. Gov. Urges Vigilance As COVID Rates Rise

the-charlie-kirk-show

“Wear the damn mask.” Those were the words of Governor Larry Hogan Thursday as he provided an update of the state’s preparations for a surge in coronavirus cases – which could already be underway. Maryland has been experiencing rising rates of new coronavirus cases in recent days, including more than 1,500 Friday, the highest daily…

Read More

Maryland Chooses Biden/Harris, but the Eastern Shore Goes with Trump/Pence; Harris Returns to Congress

bongino-promo

In Maryland – the state overwhelmingly chose the Biden/Harris ticket for President. However, Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset Counties chose Donald Trump for president (Wicomico County – 53%, Worcester County – 65% and Somerset County – 59%) Wicomico County also voted for 1st District Republican Congressman Andy Harris who received 58% to Mia Mason’s 42% in…

Read More

Update: Voters Line Up To Cast Ballots

Cape Henlopen HS at about 7:30 a.m. on election day (photo: Walt Palmer, WGMD)
bill-o

Voters have been encountering long lines at may polling places in Delaware and Maryland so far on this election day. Elections officials say you should be prepared to spend more time than usual if you are voting in person. The heavy volume comes even after more than 160,000 Delawareans voted either by mail or absentee.…

Read More