There are 182 public high schools in Maryland with an approximate average of 1,030 students per school. All of the 20 largest schools when it comes to enrollment have at least double the average. Full list below using data following the 2021-2022 school year (Montgomery County high schools in bold):
20. Duval High School (Prince George’s County): 2,206 students
With the Fourth of July approaching but America troubled by issues like high inflation and elevated homicide rates, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most Patriotic States in America, with Maryland coming in as the 12th most patriotic state.
To determine where Americans have the most red, white and blue pride, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 13 key indicators of patriotism. Their data set ranges from the state’s military enlistees and veterans to the share of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election to AmeriCorps volunteers per capita. Below are some additional highlights from the report. Patriotism in Maryland (1=Most Patriotic; 25=Avg.):
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 24 Attorneys General in a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting stronger protections for patients’ reproductive health information. The Biden administration is considering adding amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, the federal law that governs the disclosure of protected health information (PHI). If implemented, the changes would make it illegal to share a patient’s PHI if the PHI is being sought for certain criminal, civil, and administrative investigations, and proceedings against a patient in connection with a legal abortion or other reproductive care.
These changes are critical to protecting patients as the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade spurred many anti-abortion states to enforce draconian restrictions that could lead to criminal or civil penalties for anyone seeking, providing, or assisting with reproductive care. In the letter, the coalition welcomes the federal government’s proposed HIPAA amendments, which aim to protect against such misuse of this data. The coalition asserts that additional guardrails would help safeguard reproductive health data from being wrongfully accessed and exploited to harm pregnant people or healthcare providers.
Lawsuit Filed Holding Two Companies Responsible: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain announced a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment, seeking to hold D.M. Bowman, Inc. and Day and Sons, Inc. responsible for a release of diesel fuel in Frederick, Maryland.
On December 7, 2021, the Oil Control Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) received a report of a release of diesel fuel at the D.M. Bowman facility, located at 6816 English Muffin Way in Frederick, Maryland. The Oil Control Program subsequently determined that the release occurred when horizontal drilling conducted by Day and Sons, Inc. struck the underground diesel lines at the D.M. Bowman facility. Initial estimates indicate that over 7,000 gallons of diesel were released into the subsurface; however, the full scope of the incident is still being investigated. The Department alleges that D.M. Bowman failed to properly maintain inventory records and investigate unusual operating conditions in accordance with Maryland law, resulting in the release going unreported for days. The limestone and other geological features in the area create difficulties in locating the released fuel, but site assessment and remediation activities are ongoing.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced that 16 projects will receive grant funding totaling $650,000 through the new Healthy Soils Competitive Fund. This unique program provides financial assistance to qualifying farms—large and small—and organizations that adopt innovative conservation practices that benefit climate, soil, and water.
“We are delighted with the response to this new grant program that encourages innovative conservation ideas and strategies from local farmers and growers,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “It’s a win-win for healthier food, cleaner air, and improved water quality in our streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.”.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert on Monday, June 19th for the Maryland suburban DC region, which includes all of Montgomery County. Additional information below per the Maryland Department of the Environment:
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) ozone concentrations remain possible Monday, compounded by persistent, though diffuse, wildfire smoke. Winds turn from the south on Monday. This will cause a recirculation of the regional airmass bringing pollution from Sunday back northward. Despite the anticipated lower emissions due to the state holiday Monday, ozone development leading to potential USG conditions for a wider area along and north of I-95 from DC to Baltimore remains possible outside of thunderstorms. As flow turns towards the east on Tuesday into Wednesday and increased chances for rain develop, air quality improves, with generally categorical Good AQI air quality expected. For current air quality conditions please check this website.
Last week we let you know that customers served by WSSC Water’s Potomac Water Filtration Plant (Potomac River) may notice a change in the taste and odor of their tap water because of algal activity in the Potomac River. The customer alert remains active on the WSSC website and the service map can be seen below.
Per WSSC, This temporary change is not harmful and is due to an increase in a naturally occurring substance, Geosmin, caused by warmer weather and low water levels in the Potomac River. The naturally occurring compound, Geosmin, has no health effects at the current concentration. Despite the taste and odor issues, the water remains safe, meeting all EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Sunday for the Maryland suburban DC region, which includes central and SE portions of Montgomery County (Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Silver Spring, etc.).
A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. Additional info below.
The Maryland Italian Festival is coming to Harford County with live national entertainment, carnival rides & midway, wine/beer/liquor piazza, Italian food & retail vendors, cooking & wine demos, a bocce Tournament and much more. The festival has been touted as being the “largest Italian festival in Maryland.”
The inaugural festival, which is being organized by the Society of Italian-American Businessmen, will take place over three days– from September 29-October 1st at The Equestrian Center (608 N Tollgate Rd., Bel Air, MD. The current lineup of artists that Will be providing entertainment includes the Atlantic City Boys, Ray Massa’s Eurorhythm, the Sicilian Tenors, Louis & Joann Uptown Band, DJ Victor Tosti with more to come.
On November 8, 2022, Maryland voted to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21+ beginning July 1, 2023. We recently spoke to Matt Jenner, Regional Marketing Manager at gLeaf (808 Hungerford Dr) in Rockville to help break down the new laws and to answer a few common questions we’ve been receiving:
While anyone over 21 may purchase and consume cannabis products in Maryland, interstate travel with cannabis will remain illegal. gLeaf accepts payment in cash or debit card only. Credit card transactions are generally not allowed in Maryland cannabis sales. Medical patients, veterans, and seniors will be eligible for daily discounts starting on 7/1. All medical patients and adult-use customers will be automatically entered into our awesome loyalty point program!
Per the State of Maryland (6.15.23): Flanked by local, state, federal and community leaders, Governor Wes Moore today announced the historic relaunch of Baltimore’s Red Line, a major investment in transit to significantly enhance east-west connectivity across the Baltimore region. Governor Moore made the announcement at the West Baltimore MARC Station joined by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller; Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and Maryland transportation officials; elected representatives from Maryland’s congressional delegation, the Maryland General Assembly, Baltimore City, Baltimore County; as well as agency partners, community advocates, and transit stakeholders representing a wide range of businesses and organizations.