Maryland News & Current Events | Public News Service

A new Maryland law would limit tech companies' ability to collect location data. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Assembly strengthens data privacy for Marylanders

Advocates are cheering the General Assembly for legislation protecting Marylanders' data privacy and are calling on Gov. Wes Moore to sign the bill…

More than 700 students from colleges and high schools across the nation will participate in the balloon launches during today's solar eclipse. (Adobe Stock/AI)<br />

Maryland students to study eclipse’s effect on atmosphere

As solar eclipse spectators are gathering in the path of totality, teams of students from Maryland and around the nation are preparing to launch …

Salvage cranes from up and down the eastern seaboard have relocated to Baltimore. (Adobe Stock)

Patapsco River conditions slow progress on Key Bridge salvage

With temporary channels open to shallow draft vessels only a week after the collapse of the Key Bridge, officials see a much slower path to …

The Environmental Working Group said multiple studies indicate pesticide levels in the body drop when people adopt an all-organic diet. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: 75% of conventionally grown produce has pesticide residue

Marylanders shopping for fresh produce may want to consider a new report that finds chemical residues in much of the crop. In its 2024 "Shoppers …

Nationally, it's estimated 38 million family caregivers provide unpaid labor worth approximately $600 billion per year. (Adobe Stock)

Assembly considers grants to assist MD family caregivers

Advocates are calling on Maryland lawmakers to fund a grant program to help family caregivers. A 2021 study indicated about 760,000 family …

Last year, Income Driven Repayment programs resulted in student loan cancellation for more than 800,000 borrowers nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Program could bring student debt cancellation for some MD borrowers

Marylanders with student debt may have an opportunity to have some or all of it forgiven but time is running out. The average student loan debt of …

A draft rule would require Maryland employers to provide at least 32 ounces of water per hour to each employee exposed to heat stress conditions, every workday. (Adobe Stock)

MD Labor Dept. finalizing new heat stress standard for workers

With hotter summers bringing hotter working conditions, the Maryland Department of Labor is implementing a heat stress standard to protect workers …

The bill would offer minors covered by Medicaid access to individual, group and family therapy. (Adobe Stock)

Bill would provide behavioral health services to MD minors without diagnosis

The General Assembly is considering a bill to expand access to behavioral health services to Marylanders younger than 18. This afternoon, the Senate …

Ellicott City flooding in 2016 and 2018 were both described as one-in-1,000-year flood events. (Cheryl Crumm/Adobe Stock)

Bill would require fossil fuel companies to help pay for climate impacts

Advocates are asking Maryland lawmakers to establish a superfund to help hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the costs of climate change…

AARP reports 62% of Maryland voters in 2022 were 50 or older. (Sergey Novikov/Adobe Stock)

Lobby Day brings advocates to Annapolis to focus on Maryland seniors

Advocates will head to Annapolis today as AARP Maryland conducts its annual lobby day. The group's staff and volunteers will meet in person with …

A National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy report illustrated how some wealth was built through discriminatory practices including racially restrictive deed covenants. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Philanthropy must do more to repair past harms

A new report argued many charitable foundations need to examine the origin of their wealth and repair harms done. The National Committee for …

Construction on a six-home development in Fairmount Heights began Oct. 13. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Affordable housing meets cutting-edge energy tech in MD's Fairmount Heights

By Kayla Benjamin for The Washington Informer.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

Insurers would be prohibited from charging for access to the online real-time benefits system. (Adobe Stock)

MD Assembly considers reforms to health-insurance coverage

Committees in both chambers of the General Assembly are hearing testimony on a measure to change how health insurance companies in Maryland make treat…

Data from 2021 estimated only 3.5% of organic waste generated in Baltimore was diverted for composting. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates see composting as alternative to incineration of Baltimore’s food waste

The founder of the Baltimore Compost Collective wants Baltimore to ditch trash incineration, fight climate change and grow healthier food. Marvin …

The last federal government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019 lasted 35 days. (Adobe Stock)

Rally calls on Congress to fund government, raise federal employee wages

Federal employees rallied in Washington D.C. this week calling on Congress to raise their wages and avoid a government shutdown. With more than 120,…

New one- and two-family homes and townhouses would be required to have at least one EV-capable parking space. (Herr Loeffler/Adobe Stock)

'Better Buildings Act' would mandate electrification in new construction

With Maryland's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2045 on the horizon, the General Assembly is taking up the issue of building codes. During this …

Howard County had the highest credential attainment, at more than 72% of working-age adults. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: MD near top in number of adults with post-high school credentials

A new report assessing post-high school educational attainment shows Maryland doing better than most states, but says work remains to be done…

Ground-source heat pumps can operate in temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD grid can manage transition to electric heating

A recent study shows Maryland's electric grid is well positioned to manage the transition to electrification as outlined in the state's climate goals…

Congress is proposing gradually increasing the federal Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child in 2025. (AI/Adobe Stock)

Report: MD children doing well overall, racial gaps persist

A new report looking at child well-being finds Maryland doing better than most, but racial disparities persist in the state. The Baltimore-based …

Active radon mitigation involves a pipe installed under the foundation leading outside the home with a fan to draw radon away from the structure. (Francesco Scatena/Adobe Stock)

Marylanders encouraged to test for radon this winter

January is National Radon Action Month, and officials are asking Marylanders to test their homes for the radioactive gas. After smoking, radon is the …

The most overpaid CEO on the As You Sow list makes 5,400 times more than their average employee. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Firms that overpay CEOs are underperforming S&P 500 average

A recent report looking at executive compensation found companies with the most overpaid CEOs had lower returns to shareholders than the S&P average…

More than 600,000 Marylanders participate in SNAP in an average month. (Adobe Stock)

One-year extension of farm bill buoys food insecure in MD

The November continuing resolution included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, marking a temporary reprieve for Marylanders relying on …

The report found the number of Americans with diabetes was nearly 32 million, an 11% increase over last year. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland ranks 11th in nation in new health report

A new report by the United Health Foundation shows some good news in Maryland along with concerning trends in chronic conditions. The America's …

Washington, D.C., Public Service Commission data from last year showed 1,260 gas leaks in the District, 3% more than in 2017. (Adobe Stock)

DC Public Service Commission puts Project Pipes on hold

Advocates are applauding the Washington, D.C., Public Service Commission's decision to pause a Washington Gas infrastructure rebuild known as Project …

The number of children who were victims of labor trafficking in Maryland and served by state workers grew from 26 in 2019 to 72 in 2021, according to a new survey. (Adobe Stock)

Study calls for changes to address child labor trafficking in MD

A new study recommends state agencies change their methods to address child labor trafficking. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of …

Among the thousands of PFAS chemicals, many are used to make household or industrial products stain-resistant or nonstick. (Oona Tempest/KFF Health News)

'Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish; most states don't warn residents

By Hannah Norman for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Serv…

Global warming is impacted by atmospheric ammonia and nitrogen oxides, both from animal waste and fertilizers. (Adobe Stock)

NASA grant funds study on impact of farming techniques on greenhouse gases

NASA-funded research using satellites to study atmospheric nitrogen will examine how different farming approaches affect greenhouse gas emissions…

Nationally only 26% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when survival rates are much higher. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: MD needs to do more for high-risk lung cancer population

The American Lung Association has released its annual State of Lung Cancer report - showing Maryland needs to do more for high-risk patients…

Students in Howard Community College's IT apprentice program are paid around $21 per hour to start. (Adobe Stock)

HCC apprentice program opens doors for students

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Se…

Federal Trade Commission data for 2023 show Marylanders have been scammed out of $120 million. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge Marylanders to watch out for fraud this holiday season

With the holidays on the horizon, advocates are reminding older Marylanders to watch out for scams during the upcoming season. Federal Trade …

Community members fought to protect a playground after learning about a zoning proposal for a gas station, which would have required its removal. From left: Jeff Cronin, Al Powell and Paul Rowe. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

Prince George’s County playground almost torn down to put up a gas station

By Kayla Benjamin for The Washington Informer.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

A United Health Foundation report found the number of women's health care providers declined by 7% nationally between 2019 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report ranks Maryland 11th in health of women, children

A new report covering women's and children's health shows Maryland is doing well overall, but some concerning trends have emerged. The 2023 Health …

Maryland SNAP participation peaked during the summer of 2021 with more than 860,000 enrolled in the program. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 1 in 9 Marylanders rely on federal programs to avoid food insecurity

A new report looking at hunger in Maryland showed the role federal nutrition programs play in supporting many residents, as well as the state's food …

Baltimore City students can experience hands-on planting at Great Kids Farm. (Adobe Stock)

USDA announces partnership to reform school food procurement

October is National Farm to School Month and the Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort to improve students' access to high-quality food…

Current federal rebates for home heat pump HVAC installation total $8,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD must adopt air quality equipment standards to meet climate goals

A new report documenting the impact of fossil fuel-powered appliances on air quality makes the case that Maryland will need to take additional steps t…

In its poll of 1,200 people, the National Wildlife Federation found 82% of respondents said they are open to leaving fall leaves in place to benefit wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

NWF asks Marylanders to 'Leave the Leaves' this fall

As fall weather arrives, the National Wildlife Federation is making the case for Marylanders to take a new approach to leaf management. Fall lawn …

Researchers will examine how the urban heat island and aerosols contribute to heavy precipitation events. (Adobe Stock)

Yearlong study to examine atmospheric conditions over Baltimore

A climate study focusing on the atmosphere above Baltimore is in the works for next year. A team of 23 investigators from 13 research institutions …

Measurements of electrical conductivity indicating elevated salinity is affecting the soil hundreds of meters from visible salt patches. (Rebecca Epanchin-Niell)

Study: Thousands of acres of MD farmland facing saltwater intrusion

Researchers have found the amount of land affected by saltwater intrusion on the Delmarva Peninsula has dramatically increased in recent years…

Vote 16 USA reported 16- and 17-year-olds turned out at higher rates than older voters. (Adobe Stock)

Some Maryland Communities Lowering Voting Age to 16

Today is National Voter Registration Day and in addition to urging you to check your registration advocates are making the case for lowering the votin…

The Environmental Working Group published a peer-reviewed study in 2020 estimating more than 200 million Americans could have PFAS contamination in their drinking water. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Proposed EPA Cuts Would Slow PFAS Cleanup

Environmental advocates said proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency will slow cleanup of toxic "forever chemicals," per- and poly…

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future will increase education funding by $3.8 billion per year over the next nine years. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Nearly 50% of Maryland Teachers Working Second Job

As students head back to school, a recent poll of teachers in Maryland found many are facing financial hardships. The poll conducted over the summer …

Households with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for the ACP. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of Maryland Households Qualify for Internet Subsidy

Maryland residents struggling to pay for web access can get help from two connected programs. The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable …

The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program was established in 1977. (Xavier Ascanio/Adobe Stock)

Maryland Adds 1400 Acres of Preserved Farmland

The Maryland Board of Public Works recently approved the preservation of several working farms. The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation …

Researchers were able to extract more than 100,000 text messages from purchased phones in a University of Maryland study. (Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

MD Researchers: Many Police-Auctioned Cell Phones Contain Personal Data

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Maryland found personal data remained on many used cellphones purchased through a police auction …

Nationally, more than 16 million workers had union representation in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Unionization Votes Don't Always Translate into Contracts

While unionization votes often make headlines, the path to a contract can be a long one. Since the beginning of last year, seven Starbucks locations …

The Latino population in Maryland is the 17th largest in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Widening College Completion Gap Between Latino, White Students in MD

A new report looking at Latino college completion rates across the country shows Maryland is doing better than most. The report from the non-profit …

The Open Access portal concept was originally developed by the Aspen Institute's Food and Society Program. (Adobe Stock)

Open Access Baltimore Brings Free Support to Food Entrepreneurs

A new web resource supporting food entrepreneurship in Baltimore is open for business. Morgan State University has partnered with the City of …

More than 7 million Americans are receiving Supplemental Security Income. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security Administration Raising Awareness of SSI in Maryland

The Social Security Administration wants to make sure Marylanders know about the Supplemental Security Income program. Supplemental Security Income …

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