Maryland's Assault Weapons Ban Upheld | Patch PM

Stories to share this evening:

Maryland Assault Weapons Ban Upheld, Court Rules

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 10-4 to uphold Maryland's ban on assault weapons, overturning the ruling of a three-judge panel that had ruled against it a year ago. Legislators in Maryland passed the ban on semiautomatic, military-style guns after the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. >>>Read more.

Donald Trump is Coming to Prince George's County This Week

President Donald Trump will be paying a visit to Prince George's County later this week, as he has been confirmed to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference being held at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel. >>>Read more.

2017 Maryland Flu Season Reaches 'High Level'

The flu has infected all of Maryland, and at least one hospital says it is limiting visitors to help stop the spread of the disease. The most recent update from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, compiled on Feb. 11, says that influenza-like illness intensity was high and flu cases were widespread across the state. >>>Read more.

Name That Giraffe: Maryland Zoo Sticks Neck Out for Baby-Naming Contest

The Maryland Zoo is hosting an online poll to determine the name of its new baby giraffe. Six names are in the running for the calf, who was born on Feb. 6. Online voting is open until 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. >>> Read more.

When Will DC Cherry Blossoms Bloom in 2017?

• The National Cherry Blossom Festival is March 20-April 16 in Washington, D.C. Will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom during the festival? No one is quite sure yet when the famous blossoms will bloom around the Tidal Basin.

BWI Opens First-Of-Its Kind Airport Gym

• Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport now offers a gym for travelers. ROAM Fitness opened the first-of-its-kind facility — an airport gym behind security that includes cardio machines, free weights and yoga mats with stretching space — this month.

$1M Powerball Ticket Sold in Maryland: Check the Winning Numbers

• Check your tickets, Marylanders. There was no jackpot winner in Saturday's Powerball drawing, but one ticket sold at a Sykesville convenience store matched the five regular numbers — just shy of the six needed for the $349 million prize — and won one million dollars.

2017 Oscar Nominees: Bethesda Native's Film Touches Denzel Washington

• The poignant documentary of a Holocaust survivor who donated the violin he played in memory of his mother and brother, who were killed in the Nazi concentration camps, could bring an Academy Award to a Bethesda native. “Joe’s Violin,” directed by Walt Whitman High School grad Kahane Cooperman, is nominated for an Oscar in the documentary short film category.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Maryland network. The Patch community platform covers communities across the state.