ANNAPOLIS –Dozens of people testifying before Maryland lawmakers on Tuesday called for an end to the state’s battle against marijuana, one part of the decades-long national war on drugs that supporters of legalization and decriminalization say has done more harm than good. In the session’s first real wave of marijuana legislation hearings, members of the […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Fundraising Drive Planned to Fix Shooting Damage to African American Civil War Memorial
In response to the vast outpouring of support and concern about the recent shooting at the African American Civil War Memorial, the non-profit foundation that built the memorial and operates a museum at the site is sponsoring “Rally on the High Ground,” a national fundraising drive to fix the gun damage and other major problems […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
University of Maryland Computer Breach Exposes Personal Information of More Than 300,000
A computer breach at the University of Maryland exposed the personal information of more than 300,000 faculty, staff, students and affiliated personnel from the College Park and Shady Grove campuses, school officials said Feb. 19. University President Wallace Loh said that the database record included names, Social Security numbers, dates of births and university identification […]
Posted inHealth
Study: More than 20 Percent of Middle School Students Engaging in Sexting
More than 20 percent of middle school age children are engaging in sexting, the act of sending racy text messages with or without an explicit photo, according to new research. In a study published in the February edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, doctors found that sexting […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland Lawmakers Consider Measure That Would Mandate Paid Sick Leave
ANNAPOLIS — Committees in both the House and the Senate heard legislation this week that would require many employers in Maryland to grant workers at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The proposal, which has so far received backing from 66 delegates and 19 senators, would make Maryland just […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Md. Sen. Mikulski Calls for Kill Switches on Cell Phones to Protect Consumers’ Data
LANDOVER – Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski wants to give control back to consumers when it comes to protecting personal and financial information stored on mobile devices by requiring manufacturers to install a “kill switch” that would render phones useless if stolen. Mikulski announced legislation to that effect Thursday in the wake of a surge in […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Sweeping Arrests, Seizures Mark Feds Crack Down on Medicare Fraud in D.C.
More than 200 local law enforcement agents made arrests, executed warrants and seized dozens of bank accounts and property on Feb. 20 in the largest health care anti-fraud operation in the history of Washington, D.C. The crackdown came after a multi-year, multi-agency investigation into tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent Medicaid billing conducted by […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Heavier Than Expected Snowfall Strains Baltimore’s Bad-Weather Budget
This winter’s heavy snowfall has strained Baltimore City’s allocated budget for snow and ice control service, city officials said. The city spent $5.3 million for winter weather control as of Feb. 10, approximately $2.6 million more than the $2.75 million that was budgeted for fiscal year 2014, according to Caron Brace, press secretary for Mayor […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Natural Hair Care Business Receives National Distribution Deal with Target
Customers who use the natural body and hair care line Oyin Handmade will see a familiar name on Target shelves next month. After a two-year process, the Baltimore-based company announced that it has been approved for national distribution through Target stores. “This is one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had,” said Airic Jerrod, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Eight-Year-Old Baltimore Boy Killed in Building Collapse
The last time Shanika Brown spoke to her 8-year-old son Troy Douglas was when she dropped him off at William Paca Elementary School in east Baltimore on the morning of Feb. 19. “‘I’ll see you later. Have a good day at school, okay?’” she recalled telling the third grader. “He looked at me and said […]
Posted inHealth
Advocates Call Attention to Chemical Contamination of Minority Communities
As the nation ruminates on the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement this Black History Month, environmental justice activists are calling attention to what they say is the new frontline of the human rights struggle: chemical contamination of communities of color. “When corporations decide where to build chemical plants, landfills, or water treatment plants where […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Highland Park Christian Academy Becomes First D.C. Area School to Receive Technology Grant
Highland Park Christian Academy (HPCA) in Landover, Md. recently became one of only 300 schools worldwide to receive the Youth Touch Technology Integration System. The comprehensive package includes all of the tools necessary to integrate technology into 3rd through 8th grade classrooms. It is designed to provide students with a firmer understanding of ratios, area, […]
