Maryland releases draft goals on Alzheimer's, dementia plan

Community invited to share comments at public forums on Aug. 30 and Sep. 1

Frank DeFilippo: Will Restaurants, Drugs And Corruption Go Hand-In-Hand With The Fall Of Afghanistan To The Taliban?

A local raconteur once wickedly observed that every time a foreign government collapses, 10 new restaurants open in Bethesda.

University System Of Maryland Anticipates Level Enrollment For School Year Starting Next Week

Enrollment at the 12 University System of Maryland institutions is expected to remain level in the school year, set to begin Aug. 30.

Opinion: Three-Fifths ‘No Compromise' Paralyzes The U.S. Senate; Van Hollen Calls For Transparency

The author, a social justice activist, says "the problem of dark money has gotten worse" with secret contributions to federal elections.

Voting By Proxy Becomes Business As Usual In The U.S. House; Some Md. Members Used It Relatively Often

(The report herein details the use and non-use of proxy voting from eight Maryland lawmakers and officials.)

Anne Arundel, Charles Counties Awarded For Work Tackling Racism And Climate Change

At the Association of Counties summer conference, two were recognized for innovative programs to tackle climate change and systemic racism.

In Closing MACo Remarks, Hogan Reflects On Counties' Role In Combating COVID

In his penultimate gubernatorial speech at the Maryland Association of Counties conference, Hogan (R) touted the state's vaccination rate.

Businesses That Move Into Vacant Spaces Can Apply For State Money

Applications for Project Restore, which will provide rental assistance and business operations grants, open on Sept. 8 at noon.

Watch For Children Getting On And Off School Buses: Officials

Police, school officials are reminding drivers to be alert for school buses and to not ignore red flashing lights when a bus is stopped.

One Year After Dire Fiscal Forecasts, County Leaders, Budget Officials Are Optimistic About Economic Recovery

Those gloomy estimates and predictions from last year have changed. Budget officials painted a more optimistic picture as Maryland recovers.

For Statewide Candidates At MACo, Exposure And Lessons Learned

The final full day of politicking at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference ended Friday with six candidates circling tents.

Policy, Politics And Pandemic At MACo In Ocean City: ‘It Feels Almost Normal'

It rained on-and-off during the crab feast Friday, an eagerly-anticipated ritual that helps cap off the annual MACo summer conference.

Judge Steven Platt: The Necessary Independence And Interdependence Of The Judiciary And The Media

Judge Platt states, "It is the media and the journalist’s job to describe to the public what judges and the judiciary are and do."

Employer Mandates Could Expand Following FDA Approval Of Vaccine, Health Chief Says

The FDA's expected full approval of the Pfizer shot may persuade more people to get vaccinated, Maryland Health Secretary Schrader said.

At MACo, Cardin Seeks Local Governments' Help To Advocate For Red Line

U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) wants to see the Red Line become a reality, he said at a town hall during the MACo summer conference.

OC Politics Watch: Steele Wades In, Rice And Responsibilities, Franchot Confident

"Steele was greeted enthusiastically by seemingly everyone he encountered," the report states, enjoying pre-pandemic levels of camaraderie.

Gathering In Ocean City After Viral Video, Lawmakers Call For More Police Accountability And Reform

It has been two months since viral videos showed police violence against a group of Black teens on the Ocean City boardwalk.

Van Hollen Hopes ‘Human Infrastructure' Budget Plan Will Gain More Bipartisan Support With Time

Van Hollen (D) told officials he agrees the federal funding should be used for "individualized pandemic recovery programs" among counties.

Can Nuclear Energy Save The Planet? What Would They Say In Hollywood?

“The China Syndrome” was on TV again last week, while the debate over nuclear power and storage of nuclear waste trudged on.

Hogan Announces $400M Initiative To Expand Broadband Access

Md., officials are working to close the state's digital divide, with Gov. Hogan Jr. (R) and Democratic leaders announcing a new program.

Opinion: The Time For Disability Employment Reform Is Now

The author, an advocacy consultant, says it is key to "pass meaningful reform" and move away from "segregated settings" for the disabled.

Steele Faces Uncertain Reception In Ocean City This Week

Steele prepares to re-insert himself into state politics this week, with a visit to the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference.

Noting Seven Non-Officeholders To Watch In The Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sweepstakes

Political gossip will be at a full roar this week with the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference under way.

Postcard From Ocean City: Candidates Working The Crowds

Sunset in Ocean City Wednesday saw many bold-faced names of Maryland politics gathered on the rooftop deck of Skye Bar.

Jimmy Tarlau: Let's Level The Playing Field For Lobbyists In Annapolis

A Mount Rainier councilmember, the author says "we really do have a problem with special interests in Annapolis."

After A Record Number Of Fatal Overdoses In 2020, State And County Officials Plan Town Halls In Hardest-Hit Communities

Officials will head to communities to talk with residents about what they think could ease the ache felt by Maryland's opioid epidemic.

Beidle, District 32 Delegates File For Re-Election Together

This arrangement was promised after a Democratic challenger entered the Maryland Senate race in late July, the report states.

Hogan, Biden Target Vaccination Rates At Nursing Homes With New Policies

Hogan indicated he is frustrated by the slow pace of employee vaccinations at some Maryland nursing homes and a small number of hospitals.

County Climate Officers Think Globally, Act Locally

Climate change is an international crisis that demands action at every level of government.

After ‘Torrent' Of Public Abuse, Montgomery Health Officer Travis Gayles Resigns

The move by Gayles, called one of the county's top health officials, caught Montgomery County leaders by surprise, the report states.

Opinion: Maryland's Small Businesses May Not Survive Without A Major Infrastructure Investment

The Surfside tragedy "should serve as a wake up call for the way we think about maintaining and improving (U.S.) infrastructure" -- author

Lawmaker Wants To Bring Recall Elections To Maryland

The Republican proposing the bill stated it will be a “very complicated piece of legislation to get right,” according to the report.

Senators Call On Health Department To Issue Stricter Statewide COVID-19 Mandates, Require Vaccines In Schools

Health Secretary Schrader remained steadfast, the report states, despite cries for stricter statewide COVID-19 protocols from lawmakers.

Prince George's Democrats Tap Del. Ronald L. Watson For Vacant Senate Seat

The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee unanimously chose Del. Watson (D) to fill the District 23 State Senate vacancy.

“Trailblazer” Elizabeth Hewlett To Retire From Prince George's Planning Board

"Betty" Hewlett, retiring, has been a fixture in Prince George's County government for more than two decades, helping to mentor many women.

Maryland ‘Ready And Willing' To Accept Afghan Refugees As Lawmakers Urge Quicker Evacuations

With at least 180 Afghan nationals expected, Maryland is among the top states for receiving refugees, according to the governor.

Opinion: State Parks Study Has A Ready Resource In Maryland's Program Open Space

"The big and sustained increase in visitors" to the state's parks put a strain on the parks, staff, facilities and trails, say the authors.

Maryland Lawmakers Say Department Of Labor Needs To Be More Communicative Over Unemployment Claims

In grilling Secretary of Labor Robinson over continuing unemployment insurance backlogs, Md., lawmakers say they feel "left in the dark."

Democratic Comptroller Candidates Support Cannabis Legalization, Equitable Industry

As efforts emerge to legalize cannabis in Maryland, Democratic comptroller candidates are looking to create an equitable marijuana industry.

Montgomery County Lawmakers Endorse Lierman For Comptroller

Del. Brooke E. Lierman (D-Baltimore City) Tuesday continued to rack up significant endorsements for her comptroller bid.