Unhealthy Air Ahead For Baltimore-Washington Area: Patch PM

Here are some stories to share from Patch sites across Maryland:

Air Quality Alert Issued For Baltimore-Washington Area
Sensitive groups may want to rethink any outdoor plans on Wednesday, as environmental officials have issued an air quality alert for the Baltimore-Washington region. AccuWeather warns that "a Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for...children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly."

Mystery Cicada Swarms Emerge Across Maryland In 2017
As temperatures continue to rise this week, cicadas will be coming out to play. Cicadas are supposed to stick to a 13- or 17-year cycle, but swarms have emerged this spring. Cicada experts are attempting to map the distribution of the insects.

Preakness 2017: Horses, Odds, TV Time, Tickets
With the 2017 Preakness Stakes days away, the hoofbeats are steadily increasing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Find out how to get tickets to the Preakness Stakes this weekend and what other events are on tap.

Murder-Suicide In Ellicott City Leaves Couple Dead: Police
An Ellicott City man allegedly killed his wife and himself in the backyard while their children were in the house, police said.

Huge Tractor Trailer Fire Causes Massive Delays on I-495 in PG County
Two lanes of the inner loop of the Capital Beltway were shut down Tuesday morning after a tractor trailer caught on fire in Prince George's County. The vehicle was reportedly carrying Amazon packages.

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