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Maryland's Digital Ad Tax Struck Down by Tax Court, Faces Uncertain Future

Maryland's Digital Ad Tax Struck Down by Tax Court, Faces Uncertain Future

Maryland's first-in-the-nation digital advertising tax, enacted in 2021, has been ruled unconstitutional by the Maryland Tax Court. The court determined that the tax violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act and several provisions of the U.S. Constitution, including the Commerce Clause, Due Process Clause, and First Amendment. This ruling stems from cases brought by major companies like Apple, Google, and Peacock TV. The tax, which applies to large companies selling digital advertising in Maryland with rates ranging from 2.5% to 10% based on global annual revenue, was intended to fund the state's comprehensive education reform plan, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The decision creates significant financial uncertainty for Maryland, especially as the state is already grappling with projected budget shortfalls and concerns about its economic competitiveness. Economist Anirban Basu highlighted that $535 million has already been collected through this tax, and the state now faces the possibility of ha...

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's FBI Headquarters Relocation to Reagan Building

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's FBI Headquarters Relocation to Reagan Building

A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's plan to relocate the FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington D.C., effectively blocking the move. U.S. District Court Judge Theodore Chuang determined that the administration's decision to scrap previous plans for a Greenbelt, Maryland, location and redirect funds for the Reagan Building move violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling also acknowledged that Maryland and Prince George’s County suffered 'irreparable injury' due to the decision to abandon the Greenbelt site. This legal victory for Maryland officials and lawmakers comes after they criticized the administration for ignoring the site selection process established by Congress and the General Services Administration (GSA). Congress had previously appropriated $1 billion for the Greenbelt project after the GSA selected it over other potential sites in Landover, Maryland, and Springfield, Virginia, in November 2023. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, w...

Aramark Student Nutrition Expands Partnerships to Enhance K-12 Dining Experiences Nationwide

Aramark Student Nutrition Expands Partnerships to Enhance K-12 Dining Experiences Nationwide

Aramark Student Nutrition is expanding its partnerships with over a dozen new K-12 school districts across the United States. These collaborations aim to enhance student dining experiences through a variety of initiatives, including chef-inspired menus, made-to-order dining concepts, local sourcing, and nutrition education programs. The programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each school and community, spanning public, charter, independent, and faith-based educational systems. Brisbane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of Aramark Student Nutrition, emphasized that while each program is customized, the overarching goal is to deliver nutritious meals, improve the student experience, and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with food, wellness, and learning. Examples include Queen Bee Elementary School District 16 in Illinois focusing on interactive dining and student feedback, and Talbot County Public Schools in Maryland expanding local sourcing and nutrition education.

Tuckahoe State Park in Maryland Offers Scenic Wetlands, Trails, and Lake Fishing

Tuckahoe State Park in Maryland Offers Scenic Wetlands, Trails, and Lake Fishing

Tuckahoe State Park, located about an hour east of Baltimore on Maryland's Eastern Shore, provides a natural getaway spanning 3,929 acres. The park features freshwater wetlands, tranquil trails, and opportunities for lake fishing. Its landscape is shaped by the Tuckahoe Creek, which feeds into a 60-acre lake and the surrounding wetlands. Visitors can explore over 20 miles of trails, suitable for hiking and paddling, and observe a diverse range of bird species, as the park is designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Over 180 bird species have been spotted, with spring migration bringing an influx of songbirds like the Louisiana waterthrush and summer tanager. The park also offers amenities such as a disc golf course, picnic areas, and campsites. Additionally, it hosts a free-to-enter 400-acre arboretum, the Adkins Arboretum, which features nature walks, diverse flora, and educational exhibits, along with guided activities throughout the year to educate visitors about the Mid-Atlant...

Takoma Park Activates Stop-Sign Cameras, Issues Warnings Ahead of Fines

Takoma Park Activates Stop-Sign Cameras, Issues Warnings Ahead of Fines

Takoma Park, Maryland, has activated new stop-sign cameras, initiating a 30-day warning period for drivers before fines commence on September 16. This program, authorized by Maryland Senate Bill 600 and approved by the Takoma Park City Council, aims to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly in school zones, aligning with Maryland's Zero Deaths campaign and Montgomery County's Vision Zero initiative. A pilot study revealed thousands of daily violations, with some intersections showing violation rates as high as 87%. The city has installed 18 cameras across six wards, with specific locations including Ethan Allen Avenue, Carroll Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue, and Maple Avenue. During the program's first quarter, camera systems detected over 649,000 potential violations, leading to nearly 60,000 cases forwarded for review and approximately 57,400 approved citations.

Maryland Biologist Discusses Safety After Three Beaver Attacks, No Broader Rabies Trend Identified

Maryland Biologist Discusses Safety After Three Beaver Attacks, No Broader Rabies Trend Identified

Josh Tabora, a furbearer biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife and Heritage Service, addressed recent beaver attacks in Maryland, noting that three incidents have occurred over the past month. The most recent attack involved a 10-year-old child who was bitten while canoeing at Seneca Creek State Park. This followed two previous attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park. Despite these incidents, Tabora stated that discussions with health departments in Frederick and Montgomery counties have not indicated a broader trend or a numerical increase in rabies cases. The beaver involved in the Seneca Creek incident was not captured, but DNR staff are attempting to recover an animal found dead downstream for examination. Officials are also investigating environmental factors such as water quality, algal blooms, water temperature, and flow, but have not found clear similarities between the conditions at the two state parks.

Dump Truck Overturns in Montgomery County, Causing Fuel Spill and Traffic Delays

Dump Truck Overturns in Montgomery County, Causing Fuel Spill and Traffic Delays

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a multi-vehicle crash in Montgomery County, Maryland, involving an overturned dump truck. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the 6900 block of Democracy Boulevard, near the I-270 spur. Three vehicles were involved in the collision, including the dump truck. While no injuries have been reported, the overturned dump truck has resulted in a fuel spill at the crash site. Authorities have blocked off several lanes of traffic to manage the situation and facilitate cleanup efforts. Drivers in the area are advised to exercise caution and anticipate potential delays due to the ongoing response.

NASA Transfers 'Hundred Acre Wood' to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ensuring Conservation in Maryland

NASA Transfers 'Hundred Acre Wood' to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ensuring Conservation in Maryland

A 105-acre forested tract in Greenbelt, Maryland, informally known as the 'Hundred Acre Wood,' has been officially protected from development. NASA transferred the property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during a signing ceremony in July. This land, formerly used for testing rocket fuels near NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will now be managed as part of the adjoining Patuxent Research Reserve, a publicly accessible national wildlife refuge. The site, formally called Area 400, was declared 'underutilized' by the federal Public Buildings Reform Board in 2021, which initially proposed its sale. However, under pressure from conservationists, the Biden administration rejected the sale, citing the need for additional information. The interagency transfer became effective on February 23 of this year, with NASA subsequently demolishing buildings, roads, and utilities on the property. The Patuxent Research Reserve, now encompassing nearly 13,000 acres, is the largest unfragmented woodland between Washin...

Lyft Driver Uses Bear Spray and Knife to Thwart Carjacking Attempt in Prince George's County

Lyft Driver Uses Bear Spray and Knife to Thwart Carjacking Attempt in Prince George's County

A Lyft driver in Prince George's County, Maryland, successfully defended herself against an attempted carjacking by using bear spray and a knife. The incident occurred on Friday, just after 9 p.m., in the 7500 block of Ardwick Ardmore Road. The driver, who remains anonymous, became suspicious when a teen boy hailed her ride. She seated him on the passenger side to keep an eye on him. The assailant then pulled a knife and demanded her car keys. The driver feigned looking for her keys on her phone, instead grabbing bear spray and deploying it against the attacker. She then pulled out her own knife and engaged in a struggle. Although the teen initially fled, he returned to try and take her phone, leading to a further physical altercation before he eventually escaped. A neighbor witnessed the event and called 911.

Maryland MVA Reviews Vehicle Weight Data Amidst Registration Refund Concerns

Maryland MVA Reviews Vehicle Weight Data Amidst Registration Refund Concerns

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is conducting a comprehensive review of its vehicle weight information and existing processes following reports that drivers may have been overcharged for registration fees due to incorrect vehicle weight classifications. This review was prompted by a letter from Senator J.B. Jennings, citing WMAR-2 News investigations into drivers who discovered their vehicles were listed in higher weight classes than their actual manufacturer's shipping weight. One driver, Meghan Parker, noticed an increased registration fee for her Subaru, which was incorrectly classified in a higher weight class. After she questioned it, the MVA corrected her record and issued an $82 refund. Another driver, Alice Hatcher, found her Hyundai Elantra was listed at over 3,700 pounds, despite its manufacturer's shipping weight being 2,976 pounds. The MVA attributed Hatcher's case to a 'data processing anomaly' from VINtelligence, a third-party vehicle data system used by the state.

Construction Company Reports Stolen Truck and Trailer Used in Baltimore Wells Fargo ATM Theft

Construction Company Reports Stolen Truck and Trailer Used in Baltimore Wells Fargo ATM Theft

Baltimore Police are investigating an ATM theft at a Wells Fargo bank branch where an excavator was used to rip the ATM from the building. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, which occurred around 5:38 a.m. on Sunday at 1726 East Northern Parkway in northeast Baltimore. Responding officers found the construction equipment, including a truck and trailer, left at the scene. According to dispatch audio, these vehicles were traced back to a construction company in Prince George’s County, Maryland. An employee from the company informed FOX45 News that the truck and trailer had been reported stolen, but stated that the excavator did not belong to their company. The employee declined to specify when the vehicles were stolen or provide an interview. Baltimore Police have confirmed they possess surveillance footage of the crime but have not released it. The number of suspects involved and the amount of cash stolen remain unknown. Wells Fargo has declined to comment on the ongoing investigatio...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Parts of Maryland Until 11 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Parts of Maryland Until 11 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for several counties in Maryland, including Allegany, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Washington, until 11 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The region has already experienced multiple rounds of rain throughout the day, with a final round of showers and strong thunderstorms expected this evening. The primary risks include damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Additionally, there is a low but notable chance of a brief tornado, particularly in areas west and south of Baltimore. The peak storm activity is anticipated between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. in central Maryland and the Baltimore metro area.