Two years after taking effect, Maryland’s extreme risk gun law has been used far more than similar laws in most states that have implemented them in recent years, according to experts and a Baltimore Sun data analysis. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have enacted such so-called “red flag laws,” a term discouraged by mental health advocates due to the stigma attached to the term. Specifics of the laws vary state by state, but they generally allow law enforcement to temporarily take firearms from or ban the sale of firearms to people deemed to be a risk to themselves or others....…Two years after taking effect, Maryland’s extreme risk gun law has been used far more than similar laws in most states that have implemented them in recent years, according to experts and a Baltimore Sun data analysis. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have enacted such so-called “red flag laws,” a term discouraged by mental health advocates due to the stigma attached to the term. Specifics of the laws vary state by state, but they generally allow law enforcement to temporarily take firearms from or ban the sale of firearms to people deemed to be a risk to themselves or others....WW…

“Our economy is doing better than the rest of the country and most states, but it’s still really bad,” the governor said. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday he’s drawing down the state’s Rainy Day Fund to offer $250 million more in financial relief for businesses struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession. The biggest chunk of the money — $100 million — will be used to create an “emergency rapid response fund” for small businesses, so the state can pivot to help hard-hit areas or industries. Advertisement The Republican governor also announced $50 million more...…“Our economy is doing better than the rest of the country and most states, but it’s still really bad,” the governor said. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday he’s drawing down the state’s Rainy Day Fund to offer $250 million more in financial relief for businesses struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession. The biggest chunk of the money — $100 million — will be used to create an “emergency rapid response fund” for small businesses, so the state can pivot to help hard-hit areas or industries. Advertisement The Republican governor also announced $50 million more...WW…

City Council President Brandon Scott, the Democratic nominee for mayor, announced a transition team Tuesday that he says will help him prepare to take on, and reshape, local government. Scott is the favorite in the Nov. 3 election in which he faces independent candidate Bob Wallace and Republican Shannon Wright. Baltimore has only elected Democrats to lead it for nearly 60 years. Advertisement The nine-member team Scott assembled includes representatives from city nonprofit organizations, a union and the business community. Prominent Baltimore figures — such as former Baltimore Raven and...…City Council President Brandon Scott, the Democratic nominee for mayor, announced a transition team Tuesday that he says will help him prepare to take on, and reshape, local government. Scott is the favorite in the Nov. 3 election in which he faces independent candidate Bob Wallace and Republican Shannon Wright. Baltimore has only elected Democrats to lead it for nearly 60 years. Advertisement The nine-member team Scott assembled includes representatives from city nonprofit organizations, a union and the business community. Prominent Baltimore figures — such as former Baltimore Raven and...WW…

Even though no coronavirus vaccine has been approved by regulators and widespread availability is likely months away, health officials are planning for how to vaccinate Marylanders. In a draft plan submitted to the federal government, Maryland health officials envision a two-phase program that would first vaccinate health care workers and some of the most vulnerable state residents, and eventually turn to the general population once a vaccine is widely available. Advertisement The plan, released publicly Tuesday, sets out two phases for distribution. The first phase, when only limited doses...…Even though no coronavirus vaccine has been approved by regulators and widespread availability is likely months away, health officials are planning for how to vaccinate Marylanders. In a draft plan submitted to the federal government, Maryland health officials envision a two-phase program that would first vaccinate health care workers and some of the most vulnerable state residents, and eventually turn to the general population once a vaccine is widely available. Advertisement The plan, released publicly Tuesday, sets out two phases for distribution. The first phase, when only limited doses...WW…

Late last week, it was disclosed that Gov. Larry Hogan, rather than choose any of the candidates running for president in 2020 (or any other sentient creature), wrote in the name of Ronald Reagan, the nation’s 40th president who died 16 years ago, on his General Election ballot. He seems to believe he deserves some credit for this as it meant the Republican governor did not vote for Donald Trump, his party’s standard-bearer. “I know it’s simply symbolic,” he told The Washington Post. “It’s not going to change the outcome in my state. But I thought it was important to just cast a vote that...…Late last week, it was disclosed that Gov. Larry Hogan, rather than choose any of the candidates running for president in 2020 (or any other sentient creature), wrote in the name of Ronald Reagan, the nation’s 40th president who died 16 years ago, on his General Election ballot. He seems to believe he deserves some credit for this as it meant the Republican governor did not vote for Donald Trump, his party’s standard-bearer. “I know it’s simply symbolic,” he told The Washington Post. “It’s not going to change the outcome in my state. But I thought it was important to just cast a vote that...WW…

Maryland state lawmakers issued subpoenas for Gov. Larry Hogan’s former chief of staff and another man to appear in two weeks before a committee investigating his six-figure payout from his prior job at a state agency. The subpoenas were issued Thursday to Roy McGrath, the former chief of staff, and Matthew Sherring, who worked for McGrath at the Maryland Environmental Service. They require both men to appear before the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Fair Practices and Personnel Oversight on Oct. 29. Advertisement The subpoenas also seek numerous documents from McGrath and Sherring....…Maryland state lawmakers issued subpoenas for Gov. Larry Hogan’s former chief of staff and another man to appear in two weeks before a committee investigating his six-figure payout from his prior job at a state agency. The subpoenas were issued Thursday to Roy McGrath, the former chief of staff, and Matthew Sherring, who worked for McGrath at the Maryland Environmental Service. They require both men to appear before the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Fair Practices and Personnel Oversight on Oct. 29. Advertisement The subpoenas also seek numerous documents from McGrath and Sherring....WW…

On Oct. 5, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas showed how conservative justices could use religion to take away people’s fundamental rights. With Justice Samuel Alito in agreement, Justice Thomas took the unusual step of issuing about a case even though he agreed with the court’s refusal not to take it. And he did so to call for the demise of the court’s marriage equality decision in . The case involved Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, who after the Obergefell decision refused to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples claiming doing so violated Justice Thomas argued that the...…On Oct. 5, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas showed how conservative justices could use religion to take away people’s fundamental rights. With Justice Samuel Alito in agreement, Justice Thomas took the unusual step of issuing about a case even though he agreed with the court’s refusal not to take it. And he did so to call for the demise of the court’s marriage equality decision in . The case involved Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, who after the Obergefell decision refused to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples claiming doing so violated Justice Thomas argued that the...WW…

Maryland’s college and professional football teams will be allowed to welcome more fans into their stands for future games under an order issued Friday by Gov. Larry Hogan. “Outdoor sporting venues” — including the home stadiums of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and Washington Football Team — will be allowed to host spectators up to 10% of their typical capacity. That opens the door for the teams to potentially allow a few thousand fans to watch the remainder of their home games. Advertisement The order represents the latest easing of restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the...…Maryland’s college and professional football teams will be allowed to welcome more fans into their stands for future games under an order issued Friday by Gov. Larry Hogan. “Outdoor sporting venues” — including the home stadiums of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and Washington Football Team — will be allowed to host spectators up to 10% of their typical capacity. That opens the door for the teams to potentially allow a few thousand fans to watch the remainder of their home games. Advertisement The order represents the latest easing of restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the...WW…

The renovation of Baltimore’s Penn Station will transform the historic transportation center into a modern and more functional transit “experience” for passengers that will include shops and eateries, glass windows and outdoor plazas with fine landscaping detail, a team of developers and architects said Thursday. The multi-phase renovation will produce a three-tiered station aimed at maintaining the character of the century-old “Head House” while linking it to a sleek commercial center that backs up onto Lanvale Street. Advertisement The expansion will reduce the “knot of traffic” at the...…The renovation of Baltimore’s Penn Station will transform the historic transportation center into a modern and more functional transit “experience” for passengers that will include shops and eateries, glass windows and outdoor plazas with fine landscaping detail, a team of developers and architects said Thursday. The multi-phase renovation will produce a three-tiered station aimed at maintaining the character of the century-old “Head House” while linking it to a sleek commercial center that backs up onto Lanvale Street. Advertisement The expansion will reduce the “knot of traffic” at the...WW…

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who has demonstrated that he’s no ally of President Donald Trump, cast a write-in vote for the late President Ronald Reagan in this fall’s election. The Republican governor voted last week by sending off his ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, his spokesman, Mike Ricci, said Friday. Advertisement Since Reagan is dead and not recognized as an official write-in candidate in Maryland, Hogan’s vote will be tallied by Anne Arundel County election officials as a vote for “other.” Maryland has two dozen recognized write-in candidates, . Hogan’s vote is not expected...…Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who has demonstrated that he’s no ally of President Donald Trump, cast a write-in vote for the late President Ronald Reagan in this fall’s election. The Republican governor voted last week by sending off his ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, his spokesman, Mike Ricci, said Friday. Advertisement Since Reagan is dead and not recognized as an official write-in candidate in Maryland, Hogan’s vote will be tallied by Anne Arundel County election officials as a vote for “other.” Maryland has two dozen recognized write-in candidates, . Hogan’s vote is not expected...WW…

One woman said she was down to her last $7. Others have been reduced to couch-surfing with friends or moving back home with their parents. Still others have maxed out credit cards, depleted 401(k) funds meant for retirement or reluctantly gone on food stamps and other public assistance. Out of work for months now because of the coronavirus pandemic, yet unable to unlock unemployment benefits from Maryland’s overwhelmed system, they are scraping financial bottom. Advertisement “I met my mom at the Family Dollar, and she bought me diapers for my daughter,” said Lavaenia Campbell, 23, of Gwynn...…One woman said she was down to her last $7. Others have been reduced to couch-surfing with friends or moving back home with their parents. Still others have maxed out credit cards, depleted 401(k) funds meant for retirement or reluctantly gone on food stamps and other public assistance. Out of work for months now because of the coronavirus pandemic, yet unable to unlock unemployment benefits from Maryland’s overwhelmed system, they are scraping financial bottom. Advertisement “I met my mom at the Family Dollar, and she bought me diapers for my daughter,” said Lavaenia Campbell, 23, of Gwynn...WW…

Maryland Bobcats FC president-owner Jide Saba and co-owners Peter Mwanti, Sam Oluleye and Ankur Patel met one another 15 years ago at UMBC. The four UMBC grads are now the owners of Maryland’s only professional men’s outdoor soccer club, which participates in the third tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid in the National Independent Soccer Association. They are the first men’s soccer team to call the state home since Crystal Palace Baltimore dissolved in 2010. Advertisement Saba graduated from UMBC in 2009, and Mwanti, Oluleye and Patel each graduated in 2010. Their idea came to fruition in...…Maryland Bobcats FC president-owner Jide Saba and co-owners Peter Mwanti, Sam Oluleye and Ankur Patel met one another 15 years ago at UMBC. The four UMBC grads are now the owners of Maryland’s only professional men’s outdoor soccer club, which participates in the third tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid in the National Independent Soccer Association. They are the first men’s soccer team to call the state home since Crystal Palace Baltimore dissolved in 2010. Advertisement Saba graduated from UMBC in 2009, and Mwanti, Oluleye and Patel each graduated in 2010. Their idea came to fruition in...WW…

The IRS has placed a $45,000 lien against the property of Nick and Marilyn Mosby — the Democratic nominee for Baltimore City Council president and the city’s top prosecutor, respectively — for three years worth of unpaid federal taxes, records show. Notice of the lien seeking to collect unpaid taxes from 2014, 2015 and 2016 was filed in Baltimore Circuit Court in February. The Internal Revenue Service filing shows the couple owes nearly $23,000 for the 2014 tax year, more than $19,000 for 2015 and about $3,000 for 2016. Advertisement Nick Mosby said he had been in conversations with the IRS...…The IRS has placed a $45,000 lien against the property of Nick and Marilyn Mosby — the Democratic nominee for Baltimore City Council president and the city’s top prosecutor, respectively — for three years worth of unpaid federal taxes, records show. Notice of the lien seeking to collect unpaid taxes from 2014, 2015 and 2016 was filed in Baltimore Circuit Court in February. The Internal Revenue Service filing shows the couple owes nearly $23,000 for the 2014 tax year, more than $19,000 for 2015 and about $3,000 for 2016. Advertisement Nick Mosby said he had been in conversations with the IRS...WW…

A top manager at a Maryland state agency was paid nearly $56,000 for almost five months of leave last year with no explanation before being terminated, according to an audit released Thursday. The “senior management employee” at the was not identified in the audit from the Office of Legislative Audits, which routinely reviews the books and operations of state agencies. Advertisement Under state regulations, employees are only allowed 10 days of the type of leave that the manager was granted, known as “administrative leave.” The State Department of Assessments and Taxation, which uses the...…A top manager at a Maryland state agency was paid nearly $56,000 for almost five months of leave last year with no explanation before being terminated, according to an audit released Thursday. The “senior management employee” at the was not identified in the audit from the Office of Legislative Audits, which routinely reviews the books and operations of state agencies. Advertisement Under state regulations, employees are only allowed 10 days of the type of leave that the manager was granted, known as “administrative leave.” The State Department of Assessments and Taxation, which uses the...WW…

About two years after Maryland instituted its extreme risk protective order law that can take away guns from those deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, Carroll County has used the law among the most per capita in the state, according to a Times data analysis. The law, commonly known as a “red flag” law in a term discouraged by mental health advocates, was passed after 17 people were killed and another 17 were wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018. Advertisement Law enforcement agencies, family members, intimate partners and medical...…About two years after Maryland instituted its extreme risk protective order law that can take away guns from those deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, Carroll County has used the law among the most per capita in the state, according to a Times data analysis. The law, commonly known as a “red flag” law in a term discouraged by mental health advocates, was passed after 17 people were killed and another 17 were wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018. Advertisement Law enforcement agencies, family members, intimate partners and medical...WW…

Maryland health officials are refusing to release a complete list of schools where cases of COVID-19 have emerged, even as public school systems start making plans to bring select groups of students back to classrooms this fall. The debate over the safety of returning children and staff to school buildings during a pandemic has crescendoed in communities throughout the region in recent weeks. Advertisement in September outside a Baltimore City public schools office to fight a potential reopening after the school year began online. In Baltimore County, with a school system plan that would...…Maryland health officials are refusing to release a complete list of schools where cases of COVID-19 have emerged, even as public school systems start making plans to bring select groups of students back to classrooms this fall. The debate over the safety of returning children and staff to school buildings during a pandemic has crescendoed in communities throughout the region in recent weeks. Advertisement in September outside a Baltimore City public schools office to fight a potential reopening after the school year began online. In Baltimore County, with a school system plan that would...WW…

Amid growing national concern about the possibility that poll watching could infringe on people’s right to cast ballots during the November election, the vice chair of the Maryland State Board of Elections reminded state residents Thursday that voter intimidation is illegal. In his closing remarks during the board’s last scheduled meeting before the Nov. 3 election, Patrick “P.J.” Hogan said he’s long been impressed with elections in Maryland, which he said have a tradition of being accurate, secure and executed with “a high degree of civility." Advertisement However, Hogan said he felt...…Amid growing national concern about the possibility that poll watching could infringe on people’s right to cast ballots during the November election, the vice chair of the Maryland State Board of Elections reminded state residents Thursday that voter intimidation is illegal. In his closing remarks during the board’s last scheduled meeting before the Nov. 3 election, Patrick “P.J.” Hogan said he’s long been impressed with elections in Maryland, which he said have a tradition of being accurate, secure and executed with “a high degree of civility." Advertisement However, Hogan said he felt...WW…

State lawmakers expressed surprise and outrage when they learned in August that Roy McGrath, head of the Maryland Environmental Service, left his job with a . But it wasn’t the first time an independent state agency has come under fire for its payments to executives. Advertisement In 2019, legislators discovered that TEDCO, Maryland’s technology-based economic development agency, had paid more than $323,000 in bonuses for senior staff, including more than $100,000 for its CEO. And more than a decade ago, lawmakers were critical when an audit revealed a $15,000 bonus for the director of the...…State lawmakers expressed surprise and outrage when they learned in August that Roy McGrath, head of the Maryland Environmental Service, left his job with a . But it wasn’t the first time an independent state agency has come under fire for its payments to executives. Advertisement In 2019, legislators discovered that TEDCO, Maryland’s technology-based economic development agency, had paid more than $323,000 in bonuses for senior staff, including more than $100,000 for its CEO. And more than a decade ago, lawmakers were critical when an audit revealed a $15,000 bonus for the director of the...WW…

Federal prosecutors in Baltimore indicted well-known medical malpractice lawyer Stephen L. Snyder on attempted extortion charges, saying he threatened to conduct an aggressive campaign to embarrass the University of Maryland Medical System over what he called dangerous organ transplants if it didn’t pay him $25 million. The charges were announced late Monday and follow Snyder, 73, faces as much as 20 years in federal prison if convicted on the federal charges. Advertisement Prosecutors said that Snyder demanded the hospital system pay him millions of dollars or else he would launch an...…Federal prosecutors in Baltimore indicted well-known medical malpractice lawyer Stephen L. Snyder on attempted extortion charges, saying he threatened to conduct an aggressive campaign to embarrass the University of Maryland Medical System over what he called dangerous organ transplants if it didn’t pay him $25 million. The charges were announced late Monday and follow Snyder, 73, faces as much as 20 years in federal prison if convicted on the federal charges. Advertisement Prosecutors said that Snyder demanded the hospital system pay him millions of dollars or else he would launch an...WW…

A man was shot and killed outside a home in Columbia on Sunday afternoon, police said. Howard County Police said officers were called to the 9600 block of Basket Ring Road just before 2:40 p.m. for a shooting. Advertisement When officers arrived at the Oakland Mills neighborhood scene, police said, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene. The man was not identified by police, and the department said the investigation is in the “early stage” and that no suspect information was available. Advertisement Anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP...…A man was shot and killed outside a home in Columbia on Sunday afternoon, police said. Howard County Police said officers were called to the 9600 block of Basket Ring Road just before 2:40 p.m. for a shooting. Advertisement When officers arrived at the Oakland Mills neighborhood scene, police said, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene. The man was not identified by police, and the department said the investigation is in the “early stage” and that no suspect information was available. Advertisement Anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP...WW…

A new documentary film both fascinating and frightening gives and a supporting cast of mental health professionals ample opportunity to make their case that Donald Trump is psychologically unfit to be president of the republic. Its title, suggests a polemic, and there were many moments when I thought Michael Moore had directed the film. (He didn’t; Dan Partland did.) But, generally, the tone is clinical and explanatory, with arguments presented by experts in psychology, sociology, history, national security and cheating at golf. Trump’s own words in video clips serve as corroboration....…A new documentary film both fascinating and frightening gives and a supporting cast of mental health professionals ample opportunity to make their case that Donald Trump is psychologically unfit to be president of the republic. Its title, suggests a polemic, and there were many moments when I thought Michael Moore had directed the film. (He didn’t; Dan Partland did.) But, generally, the tone is clinical and explanatory, with arguments presented by experts in psychology, sociology, history, national security and cheating at golf. Trump’s own words in video clips serve as corroboration....WW…

The return to school is just one of the many difficult choices imposed by the pandemic. Parents, students and teachers alike are concerned for their well-being, while our leaders seek answers to keep low income, nonwhite and special needs families from falling further behind. The Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates last projected a $1.1 billion state budget shortfall in FY2020 and estimates this could reach $2.6 billion in FY2021. With this grim outlook, funding Kirwin Commission recommendations to improve education in the state and a settlement agreement over past discrimination at the...…The return to school is just one of the many difficult choices imposed by the pandemic. Parents, students and teachers alike are concerned for their well-being, while our leaders seek answers to keep low income, nonwhite and special needs families from falling further behind. The Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates last projected a $1.1 billion state budget shortfall in FY2020 and estimates this could reach $2.6 billion in FY2021. With this grim outlook, funding Kirwin Commission recommendations to improve education in the state and a settlement agreement over past discrimination at the...WW…

The two-story Barnes & Noble bookstore stood over Baltimore’s waterfront for more than two decades, a one-of-a-kind spot to browse, gather, work or sip coffee among thousands of book titles and CDs in a former steam-generating plant. The store’s in the Power Plant complex hit hard, followed by the closing of the restaurant Dick’s Last Resort. The blows keep coming for the Inner Harbor, already beset by store and restaurant closures, thinning crowds amid fears of city crime, and the financial woes of the owners of Harborplace. Advertisement The coronavirus pandemic decimated demand for the...…The two-story Barnes & Noble bookstore stood over Baltimore’s waterfront for more than two decades, a one-of-a-kind spot to browse, gather, work or sip coffee among thousands of book titles and CDs in a former steam-generating plant. The store’s in the Power Plant complex hit hard, followed by the closing of the restaurant Dick’s Last Resort. The blows keep coming for the Inner Harbor, already beset by store and restaurant closures, thinning crowds amid fears of city crime, and the financial woes of the owners of Harborplace. Advertisement The coronavirus pandemic decimated demand for the...WW…

After more than a year of delays due to logistical errors and allegations of impropriety, the state has picked 11 companies to expand and diversify Maryland’s medical cannabis industry. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday selected three companies to grow medical cannabis and eight companies to process the plant into products to be sold at retail dispensaries. The companies were awarded “pre-approval” for licenses. Advertisement The growers will be Viola Maryland, Herbiculture Cultivation and MAS Alliance. The companies selected for processing are Herbiculture Manufacturing,...…After more than a year of delays due to logistical errors and allegations of impropriety, the state has picked 11 companies to expand and diversify Maryland’s medical cannabis industry. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday selected three companies to grow medical cannabis and eight companies to process the plant into products to be sold at retail dispensaries. The companies were awarded “pre-approval” for licenses. Advertisement The growers will be Viola Maryland, Herbiculture Cultivation and MAS Alliance. The companies selected for processing are Herbiculture Manufacturing,...WW…

Child care centers can increase the number of children they serve. Providers will now be able to operate at full capacity. As coronavirus infections and deaths continue at a low, steady pace in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan relaxed more pandemic-induced restrictions Thursday — and encouraged residents to prepare for the upcoming flu season. Nursing homes that have limited visitors to outdoor meetings now will be able to offer indoor visits if the facility hasn’t had any new cases in 14 days and isn’t testing for a possible outbreak, Hogan said. If the local jurisdiction’s positivity rate rises...…Child care centers can increase the number of children they serve. Providers will now be able to operate at full capacity. As coronavirus infections and deaths continue at a low, steady pace in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan relaxed more pandemic-induced restrictions Thursday — and encouraged residents to prepare for the upcoming flu season. Nursing homes that have limited visitors to outdoor meetings now will be able to offer indoor visits if the facility hasn’t had any new cases in 14 days and isn’t testing for a possible outbreak, Hogan said. If the local jurisdiction’s positivity rate rises...WW…