Maryland Senator Kagan pushes package promoting election integrity in Maryland
During the 2022 general election, more than 540,000 Marylanders voted by mail, with Montgomery County receiving the most absentee ballots.
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Capital News Service is a student-powered news organization run by the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism. With bureaus in Annapolis and Washington run by professional journalists with decades of experience, they deliver news in multiple formats via partner news organizations and a destination Website.
Author: Capital News Service
Gun control bill advances in Maryland Senate
The Maryland Senate passed the controversial Gun Safety Act of 2023, which limits the circumstances where someone can carry a weapon even with a concealed carry permit, on Monday evening following a spirited debate.
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Advocates call for Senate to pass ‘Safe Harbor’ protections for sex trafficking victim
In Maryland, older child victims of sex trafficking can be arrested, handcuffed, detained and incarcerated for prostitution – a charge some would say is blaming them for the sexual abuse they’ve experienced. Shared Hope International, a non-profit Christian organization that is fighting against sex trafficking among women and children, gave Maryland an F in its 2022 annual report cards evaluating state protection laws for trafficked minors, placing it among the 14 worst states.
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Maryland congressional delegation pushes for better high-speed internet access
The recommendation by Maryland lawmakers to update the FCC’s national broadband map data is based on comments made by the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband, which found approximately 3,800 addresses incorrectly identified as serviceable by internet service providers compared to the state’s information on unserved locations, according to the letter.
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Maryland bill targets fentanyl deaths through safe centers for drug users
Opioids are pain-killing drugs, ranging from prescription pain medicines such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine, to the synthesized opiate fentanyl, to illegal cheaper substances such as heroin, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. When abused, these drugs are highly addictive and can cause severe side effects, especially during withdrawal.
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Unpredictable cherry blossom bloom underscores climate change concerns
After a mild winter in the Washington metro region triggered some local cherry blossom trees to bloom in early February, the National Park Service announced Wednesday that this spring’s peak bloom for the iconic trees will occur between March 23-25.
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Biden to veto bill blocking use of ESG in retirement plan investments
President Joe Biden is poised to veto legislation that would roll back an administration rule allowing retirement plan managers to incorporate environmental, social and governance factors into investment decisions.
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Maryland Republicans prioritize violent crime legislation
HB 753 would grant jurisdiction to the juvenile court over minors between ages 10 and 12 who are alleged to commit offenses involving firearms. This could include ordering behavioral therapy or detainment.
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Federal government’s ‘waters’ definition stirs homebuilders, farmers; awaits Supreme Court decision
Last December, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army announced a new rule to clarify what constitutes “waters of the United States,” also known as WOTUS, under the Clean Water Act. The rule, which enforces wider federal protections for navigable waters, seas, interstate waters and upstream waters, like wetlands, takes effect on March 20.
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Supreme Court ruling could impact 800,000 Maryland student loan borrowers
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, echoed Sotomayor’s concerns, telling Capital News Service: “Hundreds of thousands of Marylanders are struggling under the weight of student loan debt. And it’s not just holding them back, it’s also weighing down our economy.”
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