Maryland Archives - Page 324 of 419

Maryland Community College System Ranked 3rd in the Country, Per Report

Published August 15, 2023 at 2:18PM

University education is out of reach for many Americans, but thanks to community colleges, higher education is more accessible than ever. Compared with public four-year institutions, where tuition and fees cost almost three times as much on average, community colleges offer many savings for students. With Americans struggling financially due to high inflation and a year of community college nearly three times less expensive than a year at a public four-year college, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on state-by-state ranking of the Best & Worst Community-College Systems, with Maryland ranked as having the third best community college system in the country, ranked behind only New Mexico and Connecticut. A different report also released earlier today had Montgomery College ranked as the 10th best community college in the country.

To determine where students can receive the best education at the cheapest rates, WalletHub compared more than 650 community colleges across 19 key indicators of cost and quality. The data set ranges from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratio to graduation rate. Despite the fact that community colleges can offer significant cost advantages, not every state offers schools of the same quality. Drawing on the findings of WalletHub of the best and worst individual community colleges in the U.S., the website presents a state-by-state ranking of community-college systems below:

Maryland AG Seeks Feedback on Deal That Merges Parent Companies of Harris Teeter and Safeway

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 10:27AM

Last October, Kroger and Albertsons Companies announced that they’ve entered an agreement that will merge the two companies. Kroger operates in Montgomery County as Harris Teeter while Albertsons operates as Safeway. Kroger will be acquiring Albertsons in the merger. The office of the Maryland Attorney General is looking for feedback regarding how Maryland residents feel about the merger; they released the following:

“Two of the biggest national supermarket companies – Kroger, which operates chains like Harris Teeter; and Albertsons, which owns Safeway – are seeking to merge, which could have an enormous impact on Marylanders. Are you concerned about what this may mean for you? Let us know about your concerns by completing this quick survey. Your voices matter.”

Statement from Attorney General Brown after Maryland Supreme Court Declines to Extend Sex Discrimination Job Protections to Sexual Orientation

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 10:17AM

We must not allow any gaps in our laws that could leave Marylanders vulnerable to discriminatory practices in the workplace. Every Marylander, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves respect and protection on the job. It’s a promise we must keep.”

Governor Wes Moore Announces Launch of Department of Service and Civic Innovation Maryland Serves Application Portal

By Patrick Herron

Published August 14, 2023 at 8:14PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore today announced the launch of the Maryland Serves application portal. The portal offers a pathway to new service opportunities, both for eligible adults to earn a living wage and receive professional development and mentoring; and for organizations that are interested in serving as host partners for program participants.

“The Maryland Serves application portal offers an unprecedented opportunity for Marylanders to explore career pathways that allow their talents and purpose to come together to serve their community,” said Gov. Moore. “Service has impacted my life in immeasurable ways, and our Maryland Serves programs will allow us to build a stronger, more compassionate, and competitive state.”

Maryland is Middle of The Pack in 2023 ‘Best States to Live In’ List

By MCS Staff

Published August 14, 2023 at 9:02AM

With around 8.6% of Americans having moved last year, slightly more than the previous year, but still below pre-pandemic levels, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best States to Live in, with Maryland coming in 27th between Connecticut (26) and Washington (28). Maryland’s highest ratings came in the Safety (14th) and Education & Health (18th) categories, with its lowest ranking coming in the Affordability category (38th).

To help Americans settle down in the best and most affordable place possible, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 51 key indicators of livability. They range from housing costs and income growth to the education rate and quality of hospitals:

Severe Storms Possible Today (Monday, August 14th) in DC Region; “Damaging Winds, Large Hail, Isolated Tornado All Possible Threats”

By MCS Staff

Published August 14, 2023 at 7:58AM

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), “Hot and humid air paired with an approaching warm front will result in thunderstorms later today. Some storms may become severe, with damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado all possible threats.”

Temperatures are expected to approach 90° and feel warmer due to humidity. Chance for rain and/or thunderstorms increases in the afternoon and into the evening hours. Per the NWS, all of Maryland and Northern VA are in the ‘Slight Risk’ category for severe weather. Featured photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Montgomery County Resident Catches World Record $6.2 Million Blue Marlin

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2023 at 12:45PM | Updated August 13, 2023 at 8:20AM

Montgomery County resident John Ols (Laytonsville) has caught a 640.5 lb blue marlin, earning him a world record of $6.2 million at this year’s White Marlin Open in Ocean City, MD.

Per the White Marlin Open: On the last day of the 50th Annual White Marlin Open, the Floor Real out of Ocean City, MD weighed a 640.5-pound blue marlin to take $6,200,000 of the $10.5 million dollar total purse. The blue was caught by John Ols from Laytonsville, MD.

Beyond MoCo: Governor Wes Moore Announces Early Charm Expansion to Bring New Jobs to Baltimore City

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2023 at 9:39PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced that Early Charm – a company that creates, owns, and operates ventures that convert science to revenue – has officially opened its new production shop in Baltimore City, where it plans to create 115 new jobs over the next four years. The company has leased more than 26,000 square feet of space at 1300 Bayard Street in Pigtown, where it is growing its custom manufacturing operations for advanced materials and supporting the addition of 30 new ventures.

“We are excited to support Early Charm’s reinvestment in Baltimore City, where more than a hundred jobs will soon be added to the Pigtown community,” said Gov. Moore. “Investing in this new facility will allow Early Charm to continue growing its portfolio, boost manufacturing in local industry and make Maryland even more competitive.”

Maryland Tax Free Week Begins Sunday, August 13: Everything You Need To Know

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2023 at 4:45PM

Tax Free

Maryland tax free week will take place from Sunday, August 13th until Saturday, August 19th this year. Below we have everything you need to know about how Tax-Free Week works in Maryland:

Facts About Tax-Free Week: From 12:01 a.m. on the second Sunday in August through midnight on the following Saturday, qualifying clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax. The first $40 of back/bookbag sales also qualify. A list of exempt and taxable items is available on the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.gov, or by calling the Taxpayer Service Section at 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-MD TAXES from elsewhere.

MoCo Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles Announces Her Run For Congress

By MCS Staff

Published August 10, 2023 at 2:42PM

Today via social media, former Gaithersburg City Councilmember and current Montgomery County Councilmember, Laurie-Anne Sayles, announced her run for Congress. The full announcement and additional information on Sayles can be seen below:

“Today, I’m announcing my run for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District because Washington needs to work for us — for families in Garrett County to Gaithersburg and everywhere in between. We’ve got a lot of work to do as a country, and I get the job done.

Michael Jordan is Back in Maryland for Ocean City’s White Marlin Open

By MCS Staff

Published August 9, 2023 at 4:23PM

Michael Jordan is an avid open sea fisher. During the fishing season, MJ spends time traveling the coast in his 8 million dollar fishing boat to participate in fishing competitions. MJ and his boat Catch 23’ have been registered for The awhile Martin Open for the last few years. Jordan is currently back in town enjoying Ocean City, MD for the tournament (video below).

The White Marlin Open is a 50-year-old deep-sea fishing tournament held annually in Ocean City, Maryland. Long known as the “World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament,” the Open has awarded over $105 million for catches of the gamefish that migrate up the Gulf Stream each summer. The first tournament was held in 1974 and drew 57 boats, 150 anglers, and paid $20,000 in prize money. The 2022 event drew 408 boats, over 3,500 contestants, and awarded over $8.6 million dollars in prize money, including the top individual prize of $4.53 million dollars which established a new world record award for the catch of a fish. Two Montgomery County fisherman claimed a total of $5.7 million in prize money last year.