Explore

Rapid ReadRapid Read
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Faces Republican Criticism Over Fiscal Responsibility Claims on National Television

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Faces Republican Criticism Over Fiscal Responsibility Claims on National Television

Maryland Governor Wes Moore's recent appearance on CNBC, where he discussed fiscal responsibility and criticized federal spending, has drawn sharp criticism from Maryland Republicans and conservative media. During the interview, Governor Moore stated that he balances Maryland's budget annually and highlighted his administration's record of decreasing the general fund size while increasing the top line for four consecutive years, which he presented as a model for federal fiscal management. However, Republican critics, including WCBM radio host Kim Klacik and state Delegates Ryan Nawrocki and Matt Morgan, accused Governor Moore of misrepresenting the state's financial situation. They argue that his claims ignore significant tax and fee increases, totaling $3 million, and that the state still faces its largest deficit in history. Critics also pointed to CNBC's ranking of Maryland's economy as the second worst in the country and Moody's recent downgrade of the state's bond rating, suggesting that Governor Moor...
TrendlineTrendline
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Requests SBA Disaster Loans for Businesses Affected by Empire Towers Closure

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Requests SBA Disaster Loans for Businesses Affected by Empire Towers Closure

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Requests SBA Disaster Loans for Businesses Affected by Empire Towers Closure
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Maryland Comptroller's Office Failed to Collect $600 Million in Unpaid Taxes, Legislative Audit Reveals

Maryland Comptroller's Office Failed to Collect $600 Million in Unpaid Taxes, Legislative Audit Reveals

A recent legislative audit in Maryland has uncovered that the state's comptroller's office failed to collect $600 million in unpaid taxes over the past four years. This revelation comes as Maryland lawmakers are considering potential tax increases for the upcoming year. The audit highlighted specific instances, including one delinquent taxpayer who owed $605,000 in 2018, yet six years later, despite earning an additional $1.7 million, no action was taken by the state to recover the owed taxes. Taxpayer advocate David Williams criticized the oversight, stating that 'someone has been asleep at the switch' and emphasizing the state's need for revenue, especially given its structural deficits. State Del. Ryan Nawrocki also expressed concern over the recurring issues identified in audits, noting that these liabilities exacerbate the existing structural deficit.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Bryan Stevenson's Influence on Legal Careers Highlighted by Jablow Fellowship's Impact on Law Students

Bryan Stevenson's Influence on Legal Careers Highlighted by Jablow Fellowship's Impact on Law Students

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, has significantly influenced law students, inspiring them to pursue careers in criminal defense and social justice. Cate Wilkins, a 2024 graduate, exemplifies this impact, having decided to become a criminal defense attorney after reading Stevenson's book, 'Just Mercy.' Wilkins's career path was further shaped by the Ronna K. Jablow Mediation Fellowship, a partnership between the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and Community Mediation Maryland (CMM). This fellowship provides law students with extensive training in inclusive mediation and practical experience in resolving conflicts. Fellows engage in diverse activities, such as helping formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild relationships, mediating disputes in school settings, and assisting those in addiction recovery to reconnect with family. Wilkins, who immersed herself in CMM's work during her 1L summer, became a mediator and later joined the organization's executive bo...
USA TodayUSA Today
Protesters form human chain outside Kennedy Center over closure

Protesters form human chain outside Kennedy Center over closure

The protesters gathered as the sun set on Sept. 18, three days after the Kennedy Center's Trump-appointed board voted to close it for two years.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Senator Ben Ray Luján Addresses Dynamic Pricing Legislation in the Senate

Senator Ben Ray Luján Addresses Dynamic Pricing Legislation in the Senate

Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) is actively involved in legislative efforts concerning dynamic pricing, a practice where retailers adjust prices based on various factors, including consumer data. This initiative mirrors similar legislation introduced in the House by Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). The focus of these legislative efforts is to prevent price manipulation, particularly when it involves personalized pricing based on an individual's personal data. Maryland recently enacted the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act (HB 895), banning such practices effective October 1, 2026. This law specifically prohibits retailers from setting personalized prices for goods or services based on personal data, though it does not apply to discounts from loyalty programs or price adjustments due to taxes or shipping costs. The Maryland law also addresses broader algorithmic pricing methods, a concern shared by other states like California, Hawaii, and New York, which are also pursuing similar legislation. The i...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Maryland Delegation Condemns Trump Administration's Revocation of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Executive Order

Maryland Delegation Condemns Trump Administration's Revocation of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Executive Order

The full Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski, has issued a joint statement condemning the Trump administration's decision to revoke a 2009 Executive Order concerning the Chesapeake Bay. This Executive Order had declared the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure and established a coordinated federal strategy for its protection and restoration. This strategy included supporting state-led efforts on water quality goals, pollution limits, agricultural preservation, stormwater management, and climate resiliency. The delegation asserts that the revoked order provided vital federal resources for improving the health and productivity of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding area.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Maryland Congressional Delegation Secures Over $33 Million for Airport Infrastructure Upgrades

Maryland Congressional Delegation Secures Over $33 Million for Airport Infrastructure Upgrades

The Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth, and April McClain Delaney, and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.), announced over $33.9 million in federal funding for infrastructure and equipment upgrades at three Maryland airports. The funding, totaling $33,931,039, will be allocated to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Carroll County Regional Airport, and Hagerstown Regional Airport. These investments are designated for crucial safety improvements across all three facilities. Specifically, BWI will receive funds for an evaluation of noise exposure and its impact on surrounding communities, as well as the reconstruction of 110,000 square yards of the North Cargo Apron pavement and the installation of low-emission equipment, including five gate electrification systems and remote ground power units. Carroll County Regional Airport will use its allocation to shift Runway 16/34 by 250 feet to...
AP NewsAP News
Man accused of ties to bin Laden and tortured after 9/11 has 20-year Guantanamo detention reviewed

Man accused of ties to bin Laden and tortured after 9/11 has 20-year Guantanamo detention reviewed

A man initially accused of being a high-profile al-Qaida figure and who was tortured in CIA custody has appeared at a hearing to review his detention
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Rep. Clay Higgins Engages in Heated Confrontation Over Gas Tax Holiday Bill in GOP Leadership Meeting

Rep. Clay Higgins Engages in Heated Confrontation Over Gas Tax Holiday Bill in GOP Leadership Meeting

A late-night meeting of House Republican leaders reportedly devolved into a heated shouting match, with Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) confronting House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO). The confrontation, which occurred in House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) office, stemmed from a discussion about Rep. Andy Harris' (R-MD) proposal to suspend the federal gas tax through the upcoming election. Graves opposed bringing Harris's proposal to the House floor and reportedly presented a 2022 social media post where Harris had criticized then-President Joe Biden for pursuing a similar policy. This action by Graves led to Harris becoming furious, pounding the desk, and exclaiming, “This is f*cking war! This is war!” Higgins then interjected, reportedly berating Graves with, “Why do you have to come at him personally? You disrespectful fool!” Both Higgins and Harris subsequently left the meeting. Multiple sources present or briefed on the meeting described it as exceptionally tense.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Announces $1.36 Million in Grants to Combat Gun Violence

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Announces $1.36 Million in Grants to Combat Gun Violence

Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Health have announced $1.36 million in grant funding distributed across 17 organizations to address gun violence in Maryland. These grants, awarded through the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention, aim to support community groups, local health departments, and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to prevent and reduce gun violence. The initiatives funded include firearm safety education, the distribution of safety devices like gun locks to prevent suicides and accidental shootings, expansion of services for victims, and increased awareness about suicide prevention related to firearms. The Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention, established in 2024, operates with a public health approach to reduce firearm violence and misuse by partnering with various agencies and affected communities. In its first two years, the Center has awarded a total of $1.71 million to expand gun violence intervention programs and improve prote...
AP NewsAP News
Big Ten's top game has Michigan State's Pat Fitzgerald trying to deliver another upset at Notre Dame

Big Ten's top game has Michigan State's Pat Fitzgerald trying to deliver another upset at Notre Dame

Longtime rivals Michigan State and No. 3 Notre Dame face off for the first time since 2017 in this week's most notable game featuring a Big Ten team