Maryland Archives - Page 343 of 395

Governor Hogan Names Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford To Oversee Gubernatorial Transition

Published October 14, 2022 at 9:41AM

“We are fully committed to a smooth, orderly transition in Maryland and look forward to working closely with the incoming administration,” said Governor Hogan. “Whoever is elected will inherit a strong recovery, record fiscal reserves, and a Maryland truly changed for the better.” To prepare for the transition, the lieutenant governor has tasked Cabinet secretaries and state agencies with preparing reports to be handed over to the incoming governor after a winner is declared.

“Ensuring that this transition is the most professional and efficient process in our state’s history, is a top priority for myself and our administration,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “I am honored to oversee this gubernatorial transition, as I will use my federal and state experience with administrative transitions to make sure all essential reports and additional guidance is provided to help Maryland’s incoming leadership succeed.”

Maryland Attorney General Joins Coalition to Protect Access to Gender-Affirming Care

By Patrick Herron

Published October 13, 2022 at 5:38PM

“North Carolina’s exclusion of gender-affirming care under its state insurance plan is unconstitutional,” said Attorney General Frosh. “This denial of care is, plain and simple, just an attempt to disenfranchise transgender individuals.”

The brief argues that the Fourth Circuit should affirm a lower court ruling that determined that the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees’ denial of medically necessary, gender- affirming care based on sex violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The coalition argues that discrimination against transgender people violates the Equal Protection Clause because it constitutes discrimination based on sex.

Consumer Alert: Maryland Attorney General Frosh Warns Consumers about Purchasing Flood-Damaged Cars

By MCS Staff

Published October 13, 2022 at 7:34AM

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today warned consumers to be cautious of purchasing vehicles that may have been impacted by major flood damage. After hurricanes with large-scale floods like Ian, flood-damaged cars often end up at salvage auctions and bought by rebuilders. While these vehicles should be marked “salvage” or “total loss” on the title, dishonest sellers may “wash” the title, hide the damage, and offer these vehicles for sale.

“Consumers purchasing a used car after a hurricane should always be wary that the vehicle may be irreparably damaged and not the good deal it appears to be,” said Attorney General Frosh. Signs of a flooded vehicle may include:

Maryland’s DNA Database Records 10,000th Total Hit

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 10:35AM

Maryland’s DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, has now recorded 10,000 positive comparisons, or “hits,” as they are commonly referred to. A positive comparison occurs when DNA obtained from a crime victim or scene is matched with either DNA from a known offender sample or DNA from another crime scene. Matches occur using CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which enables access to both the Maryland DNA database and the National DNA database.

Last month, scientists at the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division forwarded information to investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the Prince George’s County Police Department that the 10,000th positive DNA comparison through the use of Maryland’s DNA database was connected to an open 2020 drug case they are investigating.

Small Earthquake in Central Maryland Caused A Few Small Rumbles in MoCo Late Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2022 at 8:41AM

A 2.0 magnitude earthquake occurred a couple miles ESE of Sykesville in Carroll County at 11:49pm on Tuesday night. Small rumbles from the earthquake could be felt as far out as Montgomery County, according to a map shared by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Maryland experienced an earthquake at 11:49 pm last night. The magnitude of the earthquake at its epicenter is calculated to be 2.0. The epicenter is calculated to be 2.9 miles East-Southeast of Sykesville, MD and 6.3 miles west of Randallstown, MD. The depth of the earthquake is 4 kilometers. The calculated magnitude of 2.0 is an earthquake that some people can feel; however, little to no damage is expected due to the earthquake. Homes around the epicenter may have experienced light shaking of pictures or dishes hung on the wall. The quake is mostly felt by people in higher floors of buildings and/or people at rest very close to the epicenter.

Maryland Is 2022’s Most Politically Engaged State, According to Report

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2022 at 7:12AM

With Election Day coming up and only 66.8% of the voting age population having voted in the 2020 presidential election and 53.4% in the 2018 midterm, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Most & Least Politically Engaged States, with Maryland ranked as the “most politically engaged state.”

In order to determine where Americans are most involved in politics, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 10 key indicators of political engagement. They range from the percentage of registered voters in the 2020 presidential election to total political contributions per adult population.

MDOT Officials to Meet With MoCo Officials to Discuss FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Transportation Program Draft (October 11)

By MCS Staff

Published October 11, 2022 at 7:34AM

MDOT OG Image

Officials from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will meet with Montgomery County officials to discuss MDOT’s Draft FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which details a record $19.9 billion six-year capital budget investment in the state’s transportation network. The meeting is part of MDOT’s tour of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to update local officials and the public on the CTP. MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. and other MDOT officials will outline the state’s investments and discuss Montgomery County’s transportation priorities.

WHO: MDOT Secretary’s Office: Secretary James F. Ports, Jr.; MDOT State Highway Administration: Administrator Tim Smith; MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration: Administrator Chrissy Nizer; MDOT Maryland Transit Administration: Administrator Holly Arnold; MDOT Maryland Aviation Administration: Division of Planning and Engineering Chief Paul Shank; andMaryland Transportation Authority: Executive Director William Pines.

DC and Baltimore Named Among ‘Worst Cities For Driving’ in New Report

By MCS Staff

Published October 11, 2022 at 7:16AM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 6:02PM

With Americans losing an average of $564 per year in wasted time due to traffic congestion, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in. Washington DC and Baltimore, the two closest major cities included in the list, were both ranked among the worst cities to drive in, ranked in the bottom 7 of the 100 cities listed.

To determine the most driver-friendly places in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 30 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to auto-repair shops per capita.

Maryland Governor Candidate Debate to Take Place on Wednesday, October 12

By MCS Staff

Published October 11, 2022 at 6:10AM | Updated October 12, 2022 at 3:32PM

The first, and likely only, debate between the candidates for Maryland governor will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, October 12th. Republican candidate Dan Cox and Democratic candidate Wes Moore will participate in the debate, which will last an hour and will take place at the Maryland Public Television studio in Owings Mills. It can be watched locally on NBC 4.

Cox released the following statement ahead of the debate, “I am glad Wes Moore has finally accepted an invitation to debate with me… I look forward to letting the voters of Maryland see the candidates live, in person and unfiltered.” Moore released the following statement ahead of the debate, “I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s debate, where I’ll share my vision for Maryland built on unity, hope, and the values we embrace as Marylanders. Together, we can build a state where we leave no one behind.”

Greivis Vasquez, Who Moved to the U.S. to Attend High School in Rockville, is Inducted Into Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame

By MCS Staff

Published October 11, 2022 at 4:31AM

Greivis Vasquez, who attended Montrose Christian in z Rockville, was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame this past weekend, joining seven other former UMD student-athletes in the ceremony.

The 2010 ACC player of the year was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the United States to attend high school and play basketball at Montrose Christian School in Rockville in 2004. During his senior year at Montrose he committed to the University of Maryland to play under head coach Gary Williams. Below you’ll see some of his accomplishments at the University of Maryland and in the NBA after that:

Beyond MoCo: Columbia, MD (Howard County) is ‘Safest City in America’, According to Report

By MCS Staff

Published October 10, 2022 at 3:28PM

Personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Safest Cities in America, and nearby Columbia MD (Howard County) was ranked the safest city in America. It appears that only Baltimore and Columbia, the two areas in MD with a population over 100,000 were the only places in Maryland included in the report.

Per WalletHub, To determine where Americans can feel most protected against life’s hazards, including nonphysical forms of danger, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 42 key metrics. The data set ranges from the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated and assaults per capita to the unemployment rate and road quality.