Freshman County Commissioner Bill Atkinson told the Dave Norman show that his experience so far as a Commissioner has been a positive one. Since taking office, he says not many constituents have approached him with issues and the County has great leadership in all of its departments making things run smoothly.  He says so far it’s been a good experience… Atkinson said he has been surprised at the number of projects and proposals that he has seen and how busy he’s been as a Commissioner since taking office…

In West Virginia, babies of Black mothers are dying at higher rates in childbirth compared to white infants. Experts say the lack of access to healthcare for people of color is likely the cause. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, the state’s white infant mortality rate was 6.8 deaths per 1,000 births while the Black infant mortality rate was more than 13 deaths per 1,000 births. The figures are from 2014 to 2017. Health Policy Analyst with the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy Rhonda Rogombe calls them "alarming." In 2019, the uninsured rate…

A group of US Senators including Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen had introduced legislation to help first-time, first generation home buyers build equity in their homes much more quickly.  The LIFT Act establishes a program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to sponsor low fixed rate 20-year mortgages for first time, first generation homebuyers. The US Treasury Department would subsidize the interest rate and origination fees associated with the 20-year mortgages so that the monthly payment would be in line with a 30-year Federal Housing Administration insured mortgage. By allowing borrowers to build equity through their homes at twice…

Maryland may now have a slight edge over the state of Virginia for the location of the new FBI headquarters.  The General Services Administration has updated its criteria for the site selection.  The proposed Maryland location in Prince Georges County would save taxpayers almost one billion dollars. The new criteria from the GSA gives more weight to cost and social equity concerns than proximity to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. A joint statement from members of Maryland’s federal, state, and local governments said that both Maryland choices – Landover and Greenbelt – meet and exceed the criteria laid out…

The Maryland State Fire Marshal says the cause of a structure fire that sent one firefighter to the hospital was accidental in nature.  The Cumberland Fire Department responded to 227 Springdale Street in South Cumberland on Sunday Morning to fire in a three-story apartment building.  The fire was discovered by tenants at approximately 12:29AM and took firemen 5 minutes to bring under control.  The origin of the fire was determined to be on the first floor of the building and was caused by careless disposal of smoking material. The family was not displaced and the injured firefighter was transported to…

Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended Monday, July 17, 2023 A bench warrant was served on Kash’e Runell Edwards. The warrant was issued in Circuit Court for a Violation of Probation. Her original charges were: CDS: Possess-Not Marijuana. After her initial appearance she was released on her own recognizance. A body attachment was issued for Darrell Soules. Deputies arrested Soules for Failure to Appear in Child Support Court. He was released from the Allegany County Detention Center after…

Canadian wildfire smoke, originating from British Columbia and Alberta, has moved into Maryland, prompting a Code Orange alert, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The smoke and subsequent rise in ozone levels are expected to lead to air quality conditions that could be detrimental for sensitive groups. Residents in western and northern parts of the state, including the I-95 corridor, are advised to expect unhealthy levels of smoke from midday Monday through midday Tuesday. The smoke is anticipated to be visibly noticeable, although less dense than previous incidents earlier this year.

It will be a matter of weeks until the new clinic on Route 220 begins providing abortions.  According to Slate Magazine, clinic operator Katie Quinonez-Alonso described the area as “smack dab in the middle of an abortion desert.”  The new clinic will provide abortions up to the 16th week of pregnancy.

Governor Wes Moore has announced 100 matching grants totaling $5 million to Maryland nonprofits, and heritage tourism organizations through the Maryland heritage Areas Authority.  The Maryland Heritage Areas Program provides $.24 billion in annual economic impact. Organizations receiving grant awards include museums, parks, historic sites, and other entities that steward and celebrate the cultural and natural resources located within Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas. Locally, the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area received $329,500 in grant monies and Garrett County’s Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area received $205,000.

Millions of Americans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage as states review benefit eligibility.  Sharon Carte with West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare says that around 30,000 people on Medicaid in the state have been retained. That’s a 60% renewal rate… West Virginia residents can call 1-800-318-2596 or visit the West Virginia Department for Health and Human Services website to find out about eligibility.