Maryland News & Current Events | Public News Service

A new EPA rule will limit inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometers and smaller. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 27, 2023

EPA Finalizing New Air Quality Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of finalizing a new rule to improve air quality in America. The proposal will lower the amount …

The Williams Institute estimates that 1.3 million U.S. adults identify as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

MD House and Senate Approve Trans Health Equity Act

Both chambers of the Maryland legislature have passed a bill that would require the state's Medicaid program to cover gender affirming care. While …

Estimates indicate 8.6% of children in Maryland will be bereaved by age 18, which is higher than the national average of 7.7%. (Adobe Stock)

Conference in Baltimore to Focus on Childhood Grief

Knowing how to hold space for the grief of children can be complex, but learning how to do it is vital for their well-being. A death in the family …

If enacted, the pilot program would begin on July 1. (Adobe Stock)

MD Legislature Considers Four-Day Workweek Pilot Program

A bill in the Maryland Legislature would create a pilot program to study the impact of a four-day workweek. The pilot program would create a tax …

In addition to helping capture carbon in the soil, no-till farming practices with seasonal cover crops help preserve soil nutrients and prevent erosion. (Margaret Burlingham / Adobe Stock)

U.S. Carbon Farming Takes Root, but Do Economics Add Up?

By Carey L. Biron for Context.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

Maryland's Broadband Expansion Incentive Act has 74 cosponsors, including a dozen House Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

MD Legislature Considers Broadband Expansion

The Maryland Legislature is looking at ways to expand broadband access in the state and advocates are weighing in. Gov. Wes Moore's broadband …

Pollsters found support increased to 74% when people polled were informed 10 other states and Washington, D.C., have legalized the practice. (Adobe Stock)

Record Percentage of MD Voters Support End-of-Life Option Legislation

The Maryland Legislature this session will again take up the issue of medical aid in dying, and prospects for its passage look favorable. New …

People who experience fatigue from long duration screen use can consider blue light reading glasses that filter blue light and reduce glare. (Adobe Stock)

Blue Light From Screens Could Impact Sleep

With the rise in digital device use, more people are expressing concern about exposure to blue light. While blue light is around us daily as part of …

A new report states home repairs and electrification offer enormous local job growth opportunities. (Charles Taylor/Adobe Stock)

Study: MD Needs to Repair Thousands of Homes to Meet Climate Goals

A new report found Maryland will need to repair hundreds of thousands of homes occupied by low and middle-income people in order to meet its climate g…

One in three Black college students is also a parent, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Adobe Stock)

Bowie State University to Boost Support for Student Parents

Students who are also parents face more challenges getting through college, but support for these students is getting an upgrade at Bowie State …

Both drafty and well-sealed homes can have a radon problem. (Adobe Stock)

Marylanders Encouraged to Test for Radon

January is National Radon Action Month and officials are encouraging Marylanders to test their homes. Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the …

Last year saw the certification of LEED projects pass 100,000 globally. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Maryland Improves on Green Building Ranking

Maryland ranks fifth in the nation on a new report on green building in the U.S. The U.S. Green Building Council released its annual rankings of …

Experts say school-based grief groups are a good way for grieving students to learn coping skills. (Adobe Stock)

Supporting Students Through the Grief Process

Knowing how to approach the grief of others can be difficult, although things can get more complicated when addressing the grief of students in …

Maryland's nursing shortage is anticipated to grow to over 13,000 RNs by 2035. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Hospital Capacity Strained: High Demand, Staffing Challenges

Maryland's health officials are appealing to the public to take precautions as the state's hospital bed availability is once again strained. Many …

Oregon was the first state to legalize medical aid in dying. Its

MD Gov.-Elect Expresses Support for Medical Aid in Dying

Advocates of medical aid in dying are cheering recent statements by Gov.-Elect Wes Moore in support of patients having the option. The governor-…

Baltimore City rents have increased 19% since the start of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

The Grassroots Fight for Housing Justice in Baltimore

By Jaisal Noor for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

The Communications Workers of America Union represents hundreds of thousands of workers in tech, media and telecom, as well as other industries. (Adobe Stock)

Quality Assurance Workers at MD-Based ZeniMax Vote to Unionize

Employees at Microsoft's ZeniMax Online Studios have voted to form a union and begin collective bargaining with the tech giant. The ZeniMax quality …

The eye pressure at which glaucoma develops is not consistent, some people with glaucoma have average range eye pressure. (Adobe Stock)

Preventable Vision Loss Highlighted During Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and with no symptoms, experts say it is important for Marylanders to get regular eye exams. Glaucoma is the …

5.2 million older Americans were considered food-insecure in 2020, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. That's about one in 15 people. (Adobe Stock)">

AARP Maryland Sets 2023 Legislative Priorities

AARP Maryland has just released its legislative priority list for the coming year, with health and consumer protection issues topping the list…

60 days notice when the decision is made to terminate or allow the current public health emergency to expire. (Adobe Stock)">

Food Insecurity Looms Amid Inflation, End of COVID Era Supports

The issue of charity around meals is a common theme during the holidays, though this year the prospect of a sudden drop-off in federal benefits has …

The Maryland Family Network says parents should ask providers about their teaching philosophies when researching child care.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Study: Kids in Child Care Not More Likely to Exhibit Problematic Behaviors

New research shows kids in child care aren't more likely to exhibit behavior problems than other children. The study, published in the journal …

The NLRB is responsible for administering and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Increase NLRB Funding During Lame-Duck Congress

With a wave of unionization sweeping across America, the agency that oversees labor relations is struggling to keep up. The National Labor Relations …

Tishman Speyer has been annually donating the milled lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to Habitat for Humanity since 2007.(Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna)

Rockefeller Tree Lumber to be Used in MD Habitat for Humanity Homes

One of the more famous Christmas trees in the world will be coming home to Maryland as milled lumber. In 2021 a family in Cecil County was …

Industrial mine waste contains toxins such as heavy metals, sulfides and, at times, radioactive materials. (Adobe Stock)

Canadian Mining Expansion Threatens Watersheds in the Northwest

Representatives from multiple indigenous tribes in the Northwestern United States are traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to discuss an issue of …

The greatest number of cases eligible for the Juvenile Restoration Act have come from Baltimore. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Juvenile Restoration Act Results Suggest Further Reforms

Maryland's Juvenile Restoration Act has been in effect for more than a year now and its impact has people talking about additional reforms. The act …

Nearly 1,000 Small Business Development Centers operate nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Small Business Saturday Highlights Local Economies

Holiday shoppers this week have no shortage of options with Small Business Saturday being observed on Nov. 26. Sandwiched between Black Friday and …

Current funding for the State Wildlife Grants Program is $65 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

Wild Turkey Restoration in MD a Blueprint for Future Conservation Efforts

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, many may not realize a century ago, wild turkeys were on the brink of extinction. Conservation groups are …

As part of a settlement, Experian will be required to improve its vetting and oversight of third parties that access consumer information. (Anthony Brown/Adobe Stock)

Maryland Reaches Settlements with Experian over Data Breaches

The state of Maryland has entered into multiple settlements with Experian over data breaches. The Maryland Attorney General's Office along with …

The Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative is estimated to have created or retained more than 39,000 jobs since 2015.(Adobe Stock)

Garrett County, MD Wins Grant for Broadband Expansion

The Appalachian Regional Commission has announced its 2022 POWER grant awards, and Garrett County Maryland is on the list. The POWER program focuses …

Maryland to Build Automated Weather Station Network

The state of Maryland is building an automated network of weather stations to help with forecasting and emergency alerts. The state and the …

Maryland's voting system produces a voter-verifiable paper record. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Advocates Call Machine Counting of Ballots Faster, More Accurate

With the likelihood of a long wait for election results nationwide, Maryland's decision to pre-process mail-in ballots may pay dividends in the …

A new report showed fully funding the pollution-reduction efforts needed to restore the bay would add $655 million annually to the regional economy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Could See Economic Benefit from Farm Conservation Practices

A new study out this week reports Maryland could realize economic benefits from agricultural conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region…

Research suggests observing bullying also can lead to adverse mental-health outcomes. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Bullying Prevention Month Brings Awareness to Victims, Perpetrators

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and experts are reminding Marylanders to be aware of the patterns within bullying. The …

The eviction rate in Baltimore is almost 2.5 times the national average. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Baltimore Pilot Program to Provide Tenants Legal Representation

Most tenants facing eviction do not have legal representation, but a pilot program in Baltimore seeks to change that. The cost of eviction to the …

A 2017 Learning Policy Institute survey found teachers' dissatisfaction with standardized testing pressures was the most frequently listed reason for leaving the profession. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland School Districts Navigate Teacher Shortage

Maryland is part of the national trend of school districts struggling to meet student needs with a teacher shortage made worse by COVID. More than 5…

Maryland was the last state in the union to still forbid any kind of mail-in ballot counting before election day. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland to Begin Pre-Processing of Mail-In Ballots

Maryland's back-and-forth over the pre-processing of mail-in ballots is over, as the state's highest court has weighed in. Earlier this year the …

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports one in five adults says the pandemic has had a

MD Focuses on Mental Health for Depression Screening Day

With many people still struggling in the wake of the pandemic, this week's National Depression Screening Day is a reminder to Marylanders to take …

Data from a national survey of adults found that excessive drinking increased 21% during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Sober October Highlights Health Benefits and Raising Money for Charity

Marylanders who want a new health challenge can participate in Sober October, which -- in addition to the sobriety pledge -- offers the chance to …

Falls among adults age 65 and older caused more than 34,000 deaths in 2019, making it the leading cause of injury-related death for the age group, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Across MD, Community Workshops Help Older Residents Prevent Falls

One in four Americans age 65 and older take an unexpected tumble each year, and during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, experts are encouraging them …

This year, more than 70% of attempts to restrict library resources targeted multiple titles. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Libraries Call Attention to Censorship During Banned Books Week

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

AARP Maryland volunteers celebrated after the initial construction of a park and garden space at Baltimore's James McHenry Elementary School was completed in 2018. (Todd Nash)

Volunteers Bring Baltimore Park Back to Life

A Baltimore elementary school is getting a helping hand this week from folks who haven't been elementary students in quite a while. The community …

Organizers behind a new hate-crime alert system in Maryland say it will send text messages and emails to Black leaders around the state. (Adobe Stock)

MD Civil Rights Group: Hate-Crime Alert System Provides Hope

As Maryland's "Emmett Till Alerts" system goes into effect, civil-rights leaders are expressing optimism about getting a handle on hate-crime …

As estimated 143,000 young people in Maryland say they struggle to make it through the day. (Adobe Stock)

Annual Report Issues Calls for Action on Youth Mental-Health Crisis

An annual snapshot of child well-being is highlighting the urgent need to address youth mental-health in Maryland and other states. The 2022 Kids …

Americans received roughly 50 billion automated phone calls in 2021, and about 42% were placed by scammers, according to the National Consumer Law Center. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Joins New Nationwide Battle Against Robocalls

Maryland is joining a nationwide effort to crack down on illegal robocalls. Along with attorneys general from every other state, Maryland's Brian …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 youths reported making a suicide plan between 2018 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Mental-Health Treatment Disparities Persist for Young People of Color

The pandemic has had a significant impact on young kids' mental health and due to long-standing treatment disparities, the mental and emotional …

More than 1,000 young people were incarcerated in a Maryland youth detention center in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report Reveals Claims of Youth Crime Wave Unfounded

New research has found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

Green roofs can help address stormwater runoff concerns such as flooding. In recent years, hurricanes, tropical storms and increased heavy rainfall have hit Marylanders with extensive<br />flooding problems. (Adobe Stock)

MD Communities Win 'Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns' Grant

Communities in Maryland have been awarded portions of a $1 million grant to support infrastructure projects such as improving local waterway health an…

The expanded Child Tax Credit, a form of guaranteed income for families with children, reached an estimated 1.2 million children in Maryland, according to White House estimates.(Adobe Stock)

Income Programs' Differences Show Equity is Key

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

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