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Top MD News: Best Colleges, West Nile Virus, Favorite Pet, Biden Rally

Top MD news includes the worst NFL stadium, 1st West Nile virus case, a hedgehog vying to be America's best pet, Biden rallies against GOP.

Maple, an African pygmy hedgehog, is a finalist in America's Favorite Pet contest. The 3-year-old hedgehog's recent modeling sessions include her chowing down on a watermelon, driving a car, and camping.
Maple, an African pygmy hedgehog, is a finalist in America's Favorite Pet contest. The 3-year-old hedgehog's recent modeling sessions include her chowing down on a watermelon, driving a car, and camping. (Courtesy of Lauren Easter)

MARYLAND — Top news stories this week in Maryland included a ranking of the best and worst NFL stadiums, one of which is in the state; the first West Nile virus case of the summer was confirmed; 14 police officers were indicted in one county; President Biden compared Republican ideology to “semi-fascism" at a Rockville rally; and Maple, an African pygmy hedgehog, is a finalist in America's Favorite Pet contest.

Plus, the Maryland State Fair opened and Patch has everything you need to know about events and dates; seven colleges in the state made the Princeton Review's best list; more than a month after the primary election a county executive has finally been chosen in one county; a $10,000 hiring bonus is being offered to new police officers; and more in our roundup of top news stories from Maryland's Patch sites this week.

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Find out what's happening in Across Marylandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Here are some of this week's top news headlines:

FedEx Field, Home Of The Priciest Beer, Ranked Worst Stadium In NFL

FedEx Field in Prince George's County, home of the Washington Commanders, was ranked the worst NFL stadium in the league because of deteriorating stadium conditions and a dismal product on the field, according to USA Today.

Find out what's happening in Across Marylandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

First Case Of West Nile Virus In 2022 Confirmed In Maryland

The first human case of the West Nile virus confirmed this year in Maryland was in an adult who lives in the Baltimore area, state health officials reported Thursday, Aug. 25.

MD Police Officer Violated Man's Civil Rights During Traffic Stop: DOJ

A former officer with the Fairmount Heights Police Department was indicted by a federal grand jury this week after authorities said he pepper-sprayed a man during a traffic stop and lied on a report about why he did.

7 Maryland Colleges Make Princeton Review’s 2023 ‘Best’ List

Seven colleges in Maryland are among the nation’s 388 best, according to The Princeton Review’s “Best 388 Colleges: 2023 Edition.”

Biden Calls GOP Policies 'Semi-Fascism' At Rockville Rally

Back from a late-summer vacation, President Joe Biden held a fundraiser and. a kickoff rally for the fall elections Thursday night in Rockville, where he compared Republican ideology to “semi-fascism."

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