“The Queen took great care over the last seven decades to deepen the meaning of the Special Relationship between the United States and Great Britain. Maryland was proud to welcome Her Majesty during her first state visit to our country in 1957, and again during her last state visit here in 2007.
“The First Lady and I send our condolences to the Royal Family and to the British people.”
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today provided an update on state efforts across multiple state agencies to assist Baltimore City in addressing elevated bacteria levels in a portion of the city’s drinking water system.
“Our agencies are working around the clock to assist city officials and help ensure access to clean water,” said Governor Hogan. “Residents in the affected areas should follow the boil water advisory until it is lifted. We will continue to provide coordination and technical assistance, and make available what resources and personnel are needed as the situation warrants.”
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) on Tuesday, September 6, opened the application process for mobile and Class B facility sports wagering licenses. All businesses and individuals who wish to pursue licenses have 45 days to submit their applications. The applications and additional information are available at swarc.org/applications.
Press release from the office of Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh: Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh today announced a tentative agreement in principle of over $438.5 million between JUUL Labs and 34 states and territories that would resolve an investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer’s marketing and sales practices. In addition to the financial terms, the settlement would force JUUL to comply with a series of injunctive terms restricting their marketing and sales practices.
JUUL was, until recently, the dominant player in the vaping market. The attorneys general contend that JUUL rose to this position by willfully engaging in an advertising campaign that appealed to youth, even though its e-cigarettes are both illegal for them to purchase and are unhealthy for youth to use. The attorneys general allege that JUUL relentlessly marketed to underage users with launch parties, advertisements using young and trendy-looking models, social media posts, and free samples. It sold its product in flavors known to be appealing to underage users. The attorneys general further allege that, to preserve its young customer base, JUUL relied on age verification techniques that it knew were ineffective.
Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: A criminal complaint has been filed charging Justin Kuchta, age 39, of Annapolis, Maryland, with a federal charge for sending messages over the Internet that threatened to injure a United States Member of Congress. The complaint was filed on September 6, 2022 and unsealed today. Kuchta is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore today at 2:30 p.m. before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the United States Capitol Police; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “You have the right to your own opinions, but not the right to threaten a federal official’s life,” said United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron. “We’ll continue prosecuting these threats to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Maryland is recognized as a national leader in workforce development, job training, and registered apprenticeships,” said Governor Hogan. “We have grown and diversified apprenticeships more than any other administration in state history, and we have the tools and the talent to continue building a steady pipeline of well-trained skilled workers for the jobs of the future.”
As of today, there are over 12,000 apprentices registered across Maryland’s 182 active apprenticeship programs partnering with 3,879 employers.
The Maryland Terrapins football team will kick off its season at noon on Saturday against the Buffalo Bulls. The Terps are coming off of a 7-6 season and have high hopes with a tough B1G schedule ahead of them. Maryland was the 31st best in the nation in passing touchdowns, finishing the 2021 season with 27 and will look to continue playing well with plenty of MoCo student-athletes on the roster. Check them out below (Name, class, major, city, high school):
The entire football roster, which contains additional information about all players and coaches can be seen here. Buffalo Bulls redshirt freshman quarterback Brian Plummer graduated from Quince Orchard High School, where he went 25-2 as a starter.
Governor Larry Hogan announced that state health officials have formally authorized new single-dose bivalent boosters for COVID-19 following approval by both the FDA and the CDC. As part of the state’s COVIDReady plan, Marylanders are encouraged to get this new shot for maximum protection against the virus and circulating Omicron variants.
“This new bivalent booster shot is another important tool in our toolbox to help Marylanders stay COVIDReady,” said Governor Hogan. “While federal guidance has made it confusing at times for people to know if and when they’re eligible, everyone 12 and older will be able to get to this new shot. Maryland continues to be one of the most vaccinated and boosted states, and we have always focused on staying ahead of the virus, which is why getting this new shot is so critical.” To date, the state has administered nearly 12.9 million COVID-19 vaccines and boosters; 58.3% of Marylanders 12 and older who are eligible for a booster dose have received at least one.
With an increase in impaired drivers expected throughout the state this holiday weekend, state police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. Enforcement will be bolstered by impaired driving saturation patrol funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.
The initiatives, which will take place on various days through Labor Day on September 5, including saturation patrols in areas known to have a higher number of DUI crashes or arrests. These efforts in many cases will include partnering with allied law enforcement and other state agencies to both enforce the law and offer outreach to the community through social media and electronic billboards.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) now requires students in the class of 2025 and beyond to complete a 1.0 health education graduation requirement. Health education content includes data and resources for various populations across units, including LGBTQ+ community members.
Individual schools have sent information home offering parents and guardians the ability to review the curriculum with a health teacher and to learn when during health education various subjects are covered. Families may only opt-out of the family life and human sexuality unit in compliance with state law.
Per Governor Hogan: Governor Larry Hogan announced that applications for the new Maryland Global Gateway program are now available. At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland earlier this year, the governor announced an inaugural $2 million investment in this innovative program, which helps attract more international businesses and eases their transition into the U.S. market by connecting them with local incubators and accelerators.
“The Maryland Global Gateway program removes many of the risks that international companies face when exploring the U.S. market, and we are very pleased to launch this application process,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland truly is open for business. Our state is worth the attention and investment of even more international companies, and now we look forward to making it easier than ever to forge closer ties with partners across the globe.”