MoCoShow State Playoffs 2nd Round Preview & Predictions (*) = Regional Seed
4A West
Maryland
Maryland voted to legalized recreational marijuana use Tuesday night, according to a projection by The Associated Press. The question was “Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age on or after July 1, 2023, in the State of Maryland?” According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, as of 9:35pm there were 481,436 votes (64.94%) for the constitutional amendment and 259,931 votes (35.06%) against it.
Additional explanation, courtesy of BallotPedia: The measure would amend the Maryland Constitution to add a new article, Article XX, which would authorize individuals 21 years of age or older to use and possess marijuana. The added section also authorizes the Maryland General Assembly to “provide for the use, distribution, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the state.” During the 2022 legislative session, the state legislature also passed the implementing legislation (HB 837) that would take effect once the amendment is adopted. Currently, marijuana is legal for medicinal use in Maryland under a 2013 law. In April 2014, possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana was decriminalized.
Current Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took to social media to inform constituents that he has spoken with Governor Elect Wes Moore and congratulated him on being elected as Maryland’s next Governor, saying “There is no higher calling than public service, and no greater honor than to serve the people of this great state.”
The Associated Press called the race for Maryland Governor earlier on Tuesday night, naming Democrat Wes Moore the next Governor of Maryland. Moore defeated Republican Dan Cox and will be the first Black Governor in Maryland history. Hogan added “Our team is committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition to the next administration, and I look forward to meeting with the governor-elect in the coming days.”
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Wes Moore has won Maryland’s election for governor, according to The Associated Press. He defeated Republican Dan Cox and will become the first Black governor of the state of Maryland.
Moore is a native of Takoma Park, who grew up in the area until he was 6 years old, moving to New York after his father passed away. He returned to Maryland for college and attended Johns Hopkins University where he studied international relations and economics and graduated Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa in 2001. From 2017 to 2021 Moore served as the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation– a charitable organization which attempts to alleviate problems caused by poverty in New York City.
Michael Odell Anderson, age 64, of Crystal Beach, Florida and Dun Lorring, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Monday to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in relation to his participation in an elder fraud scam that totaled over $800,000 and included victims in the state of Maryland.
Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: According to his plea agreement, from April 2020 to December 2020, Anderson conspired with others to persuade elderly victims to give them thousands of dollars under false pretenses. Specifically, members of the conspiracy called elderly victims posing as a police officer, lawyer, or relative and convinced victims to send money for the purported legal expenses of a loved one, generally a grandchild, who had been incarcerated in connection with a car accident or traffic stop involving a crime.
With Americans having donated nearly $485 billion in 2021, up 4% from the previous year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Most Charitable States for 2023. Maryland came in as the 2nd most charitable state in the country, including being ranked 1st in percentage of population who donated money. The report also released its picks for the Best Charities for 2023 and a Charity Calculator to help donors decide where and how to give.
To determine where the most generous Americans are inspiring others to be more selfless, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 19 key indicators of charitable behavior. The data set ranges from the volunteer rate to the share of income donated to the share of sheltered homeless. Maryland highlights available below:
Per the National Weather Service (Baltimore/Washington): “Even with above average temperatures today, autumn is here! As leaves continue to fall, remember that wet leaves on the road make the roads slippery and dangerous. Daylight saving time is here after we all moved our clocks back an hour last night. Sunset will be at 5:04PM today.”
Fall Driving Hazards:
UPDATE: Antares launch scrubbed after fire alarm at control center. Rescheduled for 5:27am Monday morning (11/7)
Per NASA: Rise and shine early to catch the next launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The next Antares launch is scheduled for 5:50 a.m. EST, Sunday, Nov. 6, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad 0A on Wallops Island.
Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are actively investigating an early morning fatal crash on I-95 in Prince George’s County. The identification of the deceased is pending next of kin notification. The individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. The body of the deceased will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.
Shortly before 8:00 a.m. this morning, troopers from the College Park Barrack responded to a crash on southbound I-95 prior to Route 212 in Beltsville. The preliminary investigation indicates a white Toyota Camry struck the rear of a tractor trailer. The tractor trailer was disabled on the left shoulder at the time of the incident.
Per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Hunters harvested 103 black bears during the state’s 19th annual black bear hunt held Oct. 24-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The harvest comprised 41 male and 62 female bears. An additional 10 bears (3 male and 7 female) were harvested from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 by farmers using their agricultural damage permits.
The significant increase in harvest from 54 black bears taken in 2021 was attributed to better hunting conditions, more hunter participation, and an added day to the season. The 2021 hunt was hampered by poor weather and abundant natural food sources, which slowed the harvest. This year, better weather and typical fall food conditions were more favorable for hunting. The harvest was slightly lower than the previous 5-year average of 116 bears.
“This report is another milestone showing that Maryland is experiencing one of the strongest recoveries in the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “The hard work and resilience of our hundreds of tourism professionals, along with aggressive efforts by our Maryland Office of Tourism to promote new ways to enjoy our state and its resources, has brought visitors back to Maryland in a big way.”
“Maryland’s tourism industry is well positioned and open to welcome visitors to our state,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “It is our intention to continue to finish strong with the tourism industry leading the recovery in visitor spending and job creation.”