Maryland Archives - Page 297 of 400

MD 2023 Black Bear Hunt Lottery Results Announced

Published September 18, 2023 at 11:59PM

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the lottery results for the 2023 black bear hunt. Having been selected by random drawing, the 950 successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the six-day hunting season open from October 23-28 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.

“The black bear hunt provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue one of our greatest natural resources here in the state and contribute to the management of the species,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Acting Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Congratulations to those successful applicants – we wish you all good luck and safe hunting during our 20th annual black bear season.”

Maryland’s Fall Foliage Forecast 2023

By MCS Staff

Published September 18, 2023 at 11:58PM

Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings and autumnal tree canopies. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again has started presenting its weekly Fall Foliage Report. What can we expect from fall foliage this year and when can leaf peepers catch a glimpse of fall’s best colors? Check it out below, courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

What the Science Says: For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, but they can agree that three primary factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, length of night, and weather.

Kaiser Permanente Workers Vote to Strike if Agreement is Not Reached By End of the Month

By MCS Staff

Published September 18, 2023 at 10:31PM

“We Are Ready to Strike– An overwhelming 98% voted YES to an Unfair Labor Practice strike.”

Kaiser Permanente workers in the DMV have authorized a strike that would begin as early as October 1st if a contract agreement between the union and the Kaiser is not reached by the end of September, according to a statement Monday by the local union representing DMV Kaiser employees. The statement can be seen below:

Restaurant Association of Maryland Releases Statement Strongly Opposing Proposed Bill to Increase Wages for Tipped Employees in Montgomery County and Eliminate Tip Credit

By Patrick Herron

Published September 18, 2023 at 7:10PM

A bill that would increase wages for tipped employees will be introduced at the Montgomery County Council meeting on Tuesday, September 19. Bill 35-23, County Minimum Wage – Tipped Employees would adjust the calculation of the minimum wage for tipped workers and phase out the tip credit amount under the Montgomery County’s minimum wage law. Currently, businesses are required to pay servers $4.00 per hour; if a server does not make the current minimum hourly wage ($15-16.70) per hour, employers are required to make up the difference.

A statewide tip credit repeal bill considered in the Maryland General Assembly failed to pass earlier this year because of strong restaurant industry opposition and scores of servers who urged lawmakers to reject it because they make significantly more money under the current tipping system. Like all workers, restaurant tipped employees must earn at least the full applicable minimum wage per hour in base wages plus tips. There is no subminimum wage for restaurant tipped employees. Under federal, state and local minimum wage laws, employers are required to make up any deficiencies if a tipped employee does not earn enough in base wages plus tips to make at least the full minimum wage.

UMD Ranked 19th Among Public Schools in U.S. News’ Rankings of “Best Colleges”

By MCS Staff

Published September 18, 2023 at 5:02PM

The University of Maryland has earned its highest-ever ranking among national universities from U.S. News & World Report, cracking the top 50 for the first time. Per the Maryland Office of Marketing and Communications:

UMD rose nine spots since last year to No. 46 in the national listing and held steady at No. 19 among public schools in the influential 2023-24 “Best Colleges” report released on Monday. The university now has a combined 69 top-25 undergraduate and graduate programs, according to U.S. News, which began its annual rankings 40 years ago.

Governor Wes Moore Spotlights Economic Justice at Climate Week New York City 2023 Opening Ceremony

By Patrick Herron

Published September 18, 2023 at 12:43PM

Governor Moore Speaks at Climate Week

“Hitting our goals will help us defend against the consequences of climate change. But I’m not here to just talk about avoiding tragedy – I’m here to talk about helping people find greater opportunity.”

“Our communities of color – our working parents – our middle-class families: They are the ones who stand to benefit most from our aggressive climate goals. Those are the hands that will install new solar panels at the local rec center. Those are the minds that will invent next-generation wind turbines that power millions of homes. Those are the hearts that will shape a stronger America, where we aren’t just building pathways to sustainability – we’re also building pathways to work, wages, and wealth.”

Maryland Is 2023’s ‘6th Best State for Teachers’, According to Study

By MCS Staff

Published September 18, 2023 at 9:29AM | Updated September 18, 2023 at 9:50AM

With World Teachers’ Day around the corner but teachers making an average of $3,644 less per year than they did 10 years ago when adjusted for inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States for Teachers, with Maryland coming in as the “6th Best State for Teachers.” Maryland came in first in the ‘Existence of a Digital Learning Plan’ category.

In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student. Teacher-Friendliness of Maryland (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

Sugarloaf Mountain Remains Closed to The Public

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 9:35PM

Sugarloaf Mountain, a Stronghold property, has been closed since an attempted break-in at the Strong Mansion on August 19th. Stronghold Inc., the non-profit that owns and operates the property for the public’s “enjoyment and education in an appreciation of natural beauty”, has posted the following message:

The Stronghold property will be closed to the public until further notice. Stronghold Incorporated will be focused on providing for and reassessing the security needs for the entirety of the Stronghold property. On Saturday August 19, 2023 an unidentified individual attempted to make entry into the Strong Mansion between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Physical evidence was collected at the scene, including a DNA sample. Security camera footage is being reviewed. If anyone happened to see anything suspicious or has any information pertaining to this situation please contact Deputy Wheeler with the Frederick County Sheriff’s office at (301) 639-4866, reference case number 2023-090125. We appreciate any information as well as your understanding and patience at this time.

Maryland Man Wins $580K After Store Clerk Gave Him Ticket For Wrong Game

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 5:49PM

A loyal Maryland Lottery player knows his games as well as he knows his favorite Lottery retailers and their employees. So, when a new store clerk gave him a ticket for the wrong game and tried but couldn’t void the ticket, the Upper Marlboro resident accepted the employee’s profuse apologies and continued on his way home with one very lucky Multi-Match ticket in hand. Full story below, per MD Lottery:

Little did he know that the $10 quick-pick ticket in his possession would win a $580,000 jackpot in the Sept. 11 drawing. “This is the biggest prize of my life,” he said, sitting with his wife in the Winner’s Circle at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. The happy husband said he has read a lot of Lottery winner stories and just cannot believe it is his turn to tell the story of a win that his wife described as “divine intervention.”

FDA Expands Warning to Consumers About Product That Has Been Referred to as “Nature’s Ozempic”

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 12:05PM

There are currently three FDA-approved semaglutide products. All three medications, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, are only available with a prescription, and there are no approved generic versions. Since their approval, many weight loss products have used the medications’ name, “Nature’s Ozempic”, etc. to fuel sales of their products.

Per the FDA: The FDA and Maryland Department of Health analyses have determined that certain weight loss products labeled as Nuez de la India, and potentially marketed as “botanical food,” “India Nuts for Weight Loss,” “slimming seeds,” “India seeds for weight loss,” or “diet seeds,” appear to be highly toxic yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse health effects that may be severe, or even fatal. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia, and more.

Current Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Mohammed Choudhury, Will Not Seek Second Term

By MCS Staff

Published September 16, 2023 at 5:34PM

In a joint statement from the Maryland State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Schools, Mohammed Choudhury, it was announced that he will not be seeking a second term. The full statement can be seen below:

”Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury informed the State Board that he is withdrawing his request for a second term to pursue other opportunities.