PROGRESS SEEN BY RENTER ADVOCATES, BUT MORE CAN BE DONE: The 2024 session yielded a mixed bag of outcomes on renter-focused bills, as some measures were approved by both chambers and are in the process of being signed into law, while others were watered down or stalled in committees. But advocates say that even the unsuccessful bills got the conversation going and set up tenants for more success in future sessions and legislation. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters. POLITICAL WORLD FOCUSED ON MARYLAND SENATE RACE: All of a of a sudden, the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maryland — plus the ..read more

At-home STD tests are a convenient and discreet way to check for STIs from the comfort of your own home. These tests are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a more private and accessible alternative to visiting a clinic or doctor’s office. How At-Home STD Tests Work An at-home STD test typically involves collecting a sample of bodily fluid, such as urine or blood, and sending it to a laboratory for analysis or reading the results of the test cassette from home. The test kit usually includes step-by-step instructional inserts on how to collect the sample of the body fluid and how t ..read more

PRIVATE CHILD CARE IN MARYLAND ‘FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN:’ As of mid-March more than 22,000 families were receiving financial assistance to pay for care for nearly 33,000 kids. Enrollment in the state scholarship program is on the rise as care options aimed at low-income families shutter. Even as the state invests record numbers of people in the program, the model of private child care is still fundamentally broken, experts and advocates say. Maya Lora and Annie Jenneman/The Baltimore Sun. FERGUSON CHIDES DUNN ON ATTACK AD: Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson says an attack ad by former U.S. C ..read more

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and plays a crucial role in protecting you from environmental hazards, regulating body temperature, and maintaining overall health. However, like any other part of your body, your skin can develop various issues that may require professional attention. Dermatologists are medical specialists trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions, from acne and eczema to skin cancer and aging concerns. In this blog, we’ll discuss the signs that indicate it’s time to look for san antonio tx dermatologists and the importance of regular skin checku ..read more

KEY BRIDGE REBUILD, TARGETED FOR 2028, ESTIMATED AT $1.7B TO $1.9B: Maryland transportation officials said Thursday that they expect to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge with a new span in just over four years. The project to replace the span of Interstate 695 by fall of 2028 is estimated to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said Thursday. Dan Belson/The Baltimore Sun. The replacement for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which opened in 1977, will be designed to meet modern safety standards and will not be vulnerable to collapse ..read more

STATE SENATORS URGE MOORE TO VETO OFFSHORE WIND BILL: State Sens. Mary Beth Carozza, Johnny Mautz, Stephen Hershey and Jason Gallion are calling on Gov. Wes Moore to veto House Bill 1296 – Electricity – Offshore Wind Projects – Alterations. The House bill has been cross-filed with SB1161. They wrote to Moore: “H.B. 1296 provides three methods to increase the subsidies that benefit the offshore wind energy developer and harm the ratepayers and taxpayers…” Keith Demko/The Salisbury Daily Times. NEW LAW TO ALLOW JURISDICTIONS TAX VACANT BUILDINGS AT HIGHER RATE: Last week, Gov. Wes Moore (D) sign ..read more

Editor’s note: Capital News Service also is publishing a profile on Democratic Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks. By KATHARINE WILSON WASHINGTON – Rep. David Trone views himself as an outsider in Congress. On May 14, Maryland voters will decide if the three-term lawmaker, self-described progressive and wealthy businessman is the right Democrat to try to retain a Senate seat for the party. Trone doesn’t play golf or hold a membership to any country club, he said, but that doesn’t stop his Democratic opponents in the primary from criticizing him for being out of touch with Marylanders, PACs fro ..read more

Editor’s note: Capital News Service also is publishing a profile on Democratic Senate candidate David Trone. By KATHARINE WILSON WASHINGTON – Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks hopes to bring a new perspective to the U.S. Senate. Maryland voters will decide on May 14 if she’s prepared to make the leap. “The people who are closest to the pain are also closest to the solutions,” Alsobrooks said in an April 4 Zoom interview with Capital News Service. The candidate, who has served as a county state’s attorney and currently as county executive, believes that her experience being cl ..read more

As Maryland continues to push towards renewable energy, solar power remains a pivotal part of the state’s energy strategy. With an increasing number of households and businesses making the switch to solar, Maryland is making significant strides towards reducing its carbon footprint. If you’re considering joining this solar revolution, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your solar journey in the Old Line State. Understanding the Benefits of Going Solar in Maryland 1. Financial Savings One of the primary motivations for Marylanders to switch to solar is the cost savings on electri ..read more

UNEVEN IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICE OVERSIGHT SYSTEMS: Three years after state lawmakers celebrated the passage of the Maryland Police Accountability Act, the rollout of the new police oversight systems has proven slow, inconsistent, and rife with disagreements about how to implement the new oversight process — challenges that frustrate critics and administrators alike. Paul Kiefer of Capital News Service/MarylandReporter.com. NEW WATERSHED ACT TO SET UP CONSERVATION MEASURES: Maryland legislators have passed the Whole Watershed Act to establish pilot programs to implement watershed conservation m ..read more