Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh did not make the list of the 143 people granted clemency by President Donald Trump in the final hours of his presidency. Trump, who leaves office at noon Wednesday when President-elected Joe Biden is inaugurated, also , who is charged in connection with the misuse of funds raised to build a wall. In total, Trump issued 73 pardons and 70 commutations. Advertisement Also failing to make the list, released shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, former Baltimore police commissioner and current sports talk radio host Edward T. Norris for his 2004 conviction....…Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh did not make the list of the 143 people granted clemency by President Donald Trump in the final hours of his presidency. Trump, who leaves office at noon Wednesday when President-elected Joe Biden is inaugurated, also , who is charged in connection with the misuse of funds raised to build a wall. In total, Trump issued 73 pardons and 70 commutations. Advertisement Also failing to make the list, released shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, former Baltimore police commissioner and current sports talk radio host Edward T. Norris for his 2004 conviction....WW…

Convicted former Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh is among those seeking clemency from President Donald Trump as he reportedly prepares to issue 100 pardons and sentence commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday. Pugh, 70, is seeking to have her three-year fraud sentence commuted, according to a database of clemency appeals on the U.S. Department of Justice website. Her case’s status is listed as “pending.” Advertisement Her attorney, Steve Silverman, declined to comment Monday. CNN reported that the White House held a meeting Sunday to finalize a list of pardons and...…Convicted former Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh is among those seeking clemency from President Donald Trump as he reportedly prepares to issue 100 pardons and sentence commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday. Pugh, 70, is seeking to have her three-year fraud sentence commuted, according to a database of clemency appeals on the U.S. Department of Justice website. Her case’s status is listed as “pending.” Advertisement Her attorney, Steve Silverman, declined to comment Monday. CNN reported that the White House held a meeting Sunday to finalize a list of pardons and...WW…

A decade after pledging to voters that he would serve no more than six terms if elected to Congress, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris said Saturday he plans to seek a seventh term. “Look, the situation is very different from then. No one would have anticipated that we have the pushback from liberals and socialists that we had then,” said Harris, a Republican, in an Advertisement Harris was a conservative state senator and congressional candidate in 2010 when he first promised to serve no more than six terms, or 12 years, if elected. He made the pledge during a period of voter anger against...…A decade after pledging to voters that he would serve no more than six terms if elected to Congress, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris said Saturday he plans to seek a seventh term. “Look, the situation is very different from then. No one would have anticipated that we have the pushback from liberals and socialists that we had then,” said Harris, a Republican, in an Advertisement Harris was a conservative state senator and congressional candidate in 2010 when he first promised to serve no more than six terms, or 12 years, if elected. He made the pledge during a period of voter anger against...WW…

Retired Maryland state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a pragmatic, tough-minded leader who presided over a progressive agenda in the chamber for a record 33 years, died Friday, his family announced in a statement. He was 78. Miller’s death from cancer marked the end of an era for the General Assembly. The imposing, white-haired Democrat, who represented parts of Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties, was a member of the legislature from 1971 until his retirement last month. He was the longest-serving state Senate leader in Maryland history when he stepped down from that...…Retired Maryland state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a pragmatic, tough-minded leader who presided over a progressive agenda in the chamber for a record 33 years, died Friday, his family announced in a statement. He was 78. Miller’s death from cancer marked the end of an era for the General Assembly. The imposing, white-haired Democrat, who represented parts of Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties, was a member of the legislature from 1971 until his retirement last month. He was the longest-serving state Senate leader in Maryland history when he stepped down from that...WW…

A back-and-forth legal battle continued into the final hours before Dustin Higgs, 48, convicted in a triple murder in Prince George’s County in 1996, is scheduled to be executed Friday, which would make him the last federal inmate to be put to death under President Donald Trump as he leaves office. Higgs’ fate now lies with the U.S. Supreme Court, which Thursday night rejected one of two pending appeals to spare his life. The high court lifted a delay granted by a federal judge in Washington earlier in the week to Higgs and another federal inmate, Cory Johnson, 52, due to their diagnoses of...…A back-and-forth legal battle continued into the final hours before Dustin Higgs, 48, convicted in a triple murder in Prince George’s County in 1996, is scheduled to be executed Friday, which would make him the last federal inmate to be put to death under President Donald Trump as he leaves office. Higgs’ fate now lies with the U.S. Supreme Court, which Thursday night rejected one of two pending appeals to spare his life. The high court lifted a delay granted by a federal judge in Washington earlier in the week to Higgs and another federal inmate, Cory Johnson, 52, due to their diagnoses of...WW…

Gov. Larry Hogan confirms the first two cases of the UK Variant coronavirus in the state of Maryland. The first two cases of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus have been detected in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday. The governor received the information just before appearing at a in Annapolis and shared it with reporters before beginning his prepared remarks. Advertisement “The state public health laboratory has confirmed the first two cases of the U.K. variant in the state of Maryland,” Hogan said. The cases are a couple who live in Anne Arundel County. One...…Gov. Larry Hogan confirms the first two cases of the UK Variant coronavirus in the state of Maryland. The first two cases of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus have been detected in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday. The governor received the information just before appearing at a in Annapolis and shared it with reporters before beginning his prepared remarks. Advertisement “The state public health laboratory has confirmed the first two cases of the U.K. variant in the state of Maryland,” Hogan said. The cases are a couple who live in Anne Arundel County. One...WW…

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is no longer testing all incarcerated defendants for the coronavirus before bringing them to in-person court hearings, raising alarm among correctional officers, attorneys and others who interact with them in court. More than two dozen inmates have been brought to court hearings from the Baltimore Pretrial Complex without receiving COVID-19 rapid tests beforehand, DPSCS acknowledged in response to questions from The Sun. The change occurred in December, as . Advertisement “The vast majority of these untested people either...…The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is no longer testing all incarcerated defendants for the coronavirus before bringing them to in-person court hearings, raising alarm among correctional officers, attorneys and others who interact with them in court. More than two dozen inmates have been brought to court hearings from the Baltimore Pretrial Complex without receiving COVID-19 rapid tests beforehand, DPSCS acknowledged in response to questions from The Sun. The change occurred in December, as . Advertisement “The vast majority of these untested people either...WW…

Dustin John Higgs, who was convicted of murdering three women in Prince George’s County in 1996, was executed early Saturday morning, the 13th federal inmate put to death in six months by the outgoing Trump administration. After a U.S. Supreme Court order Friday night lifted a stay on his execution, Higgs, 48, became the final inmate put to death under Trump since his administration resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Advertisement “The government completed its unprecedented slaughter of 13 human beings tonight,” said Shawn Nolan, the public defender who represented...…Dustin John Higgs, who was convicted of murdering three women in Prince George’s County in 1996, was executed early Saturday morning, the 13th federal inmate put to death in six months by the outgoing Trump administration. After a U.S. Supreme Court order Friday night lifted a stay on his execution, Higgs, 48, became the final inmate put to death under Trump since his administration resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Advertisement “The government completed its unprecedented slaughter of 13 human beings tonight,” said Shawn Nolan, the public defender who represented...WW…

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Friday, in advance of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Amid concerns about violence in the nation’s capitol and state capitols, the governor’s declaration is a procedural step that allows the state to tap its emergency resources, including the Maryland National Guard, within Maryland from Saturday through Thursday. Advertisement Guard members already are on duty in Maryland to help with the coronavirus pandemic, including administering vaccinations, as well as in Washington, D.C., to help provide security...…Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Friday, in advance of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Amid concerns about violence in the nation’s capitol and state capitols, the governor’s declaration is a procedural step that allows the state to tap its emergency resources, including the Maryland National Guard, within Maryland from Saturday through Thursday. Advertisement Guard members already are on duty in Maryland to help with the coronavirus pandemic, including administering vaccinations, as well as in Washington, D.C., to help provide security...WW…

As small business owners, we welcomed the COVID emergency relief bill Congress approved in the waning days of 2020, a disastrous year for many of us working to keep our operations afloat and our employees on the payroll. Unfortunately, the rescue package falls far short of what’s essential to sustaining small businesses, the backbones of our communities, as we approach the darkest days of the pandemic and with a COVID-19 vaccine still many months away for most Americans. Advertisement That’s why this week we joined more than 1,600 other small business owners from 48 states across the U.S. —...…As small business owners, we welcomed the COVID emergency relief bill Congress approved in the waning days of 2020, a disastrous year for many of us working to keep our operations afloat and our employees on the payroll. Unfortunately, the rescue package falls far short of what’s essential to sustaining small businesses, the backbones of our communities, as we approach the darkest days of the pandemic and with a COVID-19 vaccine still many months away for most Americans. Advertisement That’s why this week we joined more than 1,600 other small business owners from 48 states across the U.S. —...WW…

Responses to and analyses of the Jan. 6 seditious attack on the nation’s capital by a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters have been wide ranging. Of particular significance has been the outcry over the disparity between the police response to the pro-Trump rioters and their response to the largely peaceful Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests this past summer. One can’t escape the racial overtones laid bare by this juxtaposition. There is, however, an additional difference between BLM and Mr. Trump’s insurrectionists to be noted: It is the former, not the latter, who are patriots committed to...…Responses to and analyses of the Jan. 6 seditious attack on the nation’s capital by a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters have been wide ranging. Of particular significance has been the outcry over the disparity between the police response to the pro-Trump rioters and their response to the largely peaceful Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests this past summer. One can’t escape the racial overtones laid bare by this juxtaposition. There is, however, an additional difference between BLM and Mr. Trump’s insurrectionists to be noted: It is the former, not the latter, who are patriots committed to...WW…

Like many of you, I am still trying to make sense of what happened Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol and what it means for our country from here. But as an author of books for children on U.S. government and civics, a question that concerns me, as I am sure it does parents and teachers, is: How do we explain what happened to our children? Advertisement This is not an unimportant question, because what the next generation of voters, parents, civic leaders, and politicians does in the next five, 10, 15, and 20 years could very well determine how long our republic survives. In my first book, “How the...…Like many of you, I am still trying to make sense of what happened Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol and what it means for our country from here. But as an author of books for children on U.S. government and civics, a question that concerns me, as I am sure it does parents and teachers, is: How do we explain what happened to our children? Advertisement This is not an unimportant question, because what the next generation of voters, parents, civic leaders, and politicians does in the next five, 10, 15, and 20 years could very well determine how long our republic survives. In my first book, “How the...WW…

In one Facebook photo, the adult son of a Maryland police chief stands in the crowd outside the overrun U.S. Capitol. “Yeah, I stormed the Capitol,” wrote Christian Trabert, the son of Aberdeen’s chief. “Yeah, I took my country back. And no, I don’t feel bad. I feel great!” Advertisement Four days later, however, . In Maryland and beyond, those who once bragged about overrunning the Capitol are now deleting their photos and falling silent. On Twitter, a man called attention to a Facebook post by a former chairwoman of the Howard County Republican Central Committee. Her photos show the crowd...…In one Facebook photo, the adult son of a Maryland police chief stands in the crowd outside the overrun U.S. Capitol. “Yeah, I stormed the Capitol,” wrote Christian Trabert, the son of Aberdeen’s chief. “Yeah, I took my country back. And no, I don’t feel bad. I feel great!” Advertisement Four days later, however, . In Maryland and beyond, those who once bragged about overrunning the Capitol are now deleting their photos and falling silent. On Twitter, a man called attention to a Facebook post by a former chairwoman of the Howard County Republican Central Committee. Her photos show the crowd...WW…

Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order creating a 9-member citizen's commission to help map Maryland's congressional and legislative districts. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday he will launch “a sustained effort” to push for a less-partisan process of redrawing political districts, an effort he has failed to get through the General Assembly for the past six years. The Republican governor has made redistricting an issue since his first campaign as governor in 2014, and repeatedly introduced legislation that would set up a bipartisan process to draw boundaries for state legislators...…Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order creating a 9-member citizen's commission to help map Maryland's congressional and legislative districts. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday he will launch “a sustained effort” to push for a less-partisan process of redrawing political districts, an effort he has failed to get through the General Assembly for the past six years. The Republican governor has made redistricting an issue since his first campaign as governor in 2014, and repeatedly introduced legislation that would set up a bipartisan process to draw boundaries for state legislators...WW…

Gov. Larry Hogan said the RELIEF Act will be submitted as an emergency bill, and he's asking lawmakers to pass it immediately. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced plans Monday to ask lawmakers to approve a state coronavirus relief package of individual payments for lower-income Marylanders, help for small businesses and a slew of tax cuts that would cost about $1 billion. The Republican governor billed his plan the “RELIEF Act” and said he plans to introduce the legislation Wednesday when legislators convene . Advertisement Hogan said at a news conference that he had not discussed or...…Gov. Larry Hogan said the RELIEF Act will be submitted as an emergency bill, and he's asking lawmakers to pass it immediately. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced plans Monday to ask lawmakers to approve a state coronavirus relief package of individual payments for lower-income Marylanders, help for small businesses and a slew of tax cuts that would cost about $1 billion. The Republican governor billed his plan the “RELIEF Act” and said he plans to introduce the legislation Wednesday when legislators convene . Advertisement Hogan said at a news conference that he had not discussed or...WW…

Michael Cogan, a Republican who chaired Maryland’s State Board of Elections during one of the most contentious elections in the nation’s history, announced he’ll resign from the board in February. A five-year member of the board, Cogan and his fellow board members oversaw the state’s in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and coordinated a hybrid election in the fall that saw a record number of voters across the state participate. Advertisement “The word ‘unprecedented’ is thrown around a lot, and it’s useful. But I think it understates ,” Cogan said. “What we were faced with was doing...…Michael Cogan, a Republican who chaired Maryland’s State Board of Elections during one of the most contentious elections in the nation’s history, announced he’ll resign from the board in February. A five-year member of the board, Cogan and his fellow board members oversaw the state’s in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and coordinated a hybrid election in the fall that saw a record number of voters across the state participate. Advertisement “The word ‘unprecedented’ is thrown around a lot, and it’s useful. But I think it understates ,” Cogan said. “What we were faced with was doing...WW…

The county’s first community solar project is scheduled to come online this July in Tracys Landing. Three more are being considered within a few miles of the intersection of Bayard and Sands roads in southern Anne Arundel. The state launched a community solar pilot program in 2017. The program gives electric customers without space for their own solar arrays access to solar energy through subscriptions to use community farms capable of generating 2 megawatts of energy or less. Advertisement The project in Tracys Landing will be called Checkerspot Community Solar Farm, a name inspired by the...…The county’s first community solar project is scheduled to come online this July in Tracys Landing. Three more are being considered within a few miles of the intersection of Bayard and Sands roads in southern Anne Arundel. The state launched a community solar pilot program in 2017. The program gives electric customers without space for their own solar arrays access to solar energy through subscriptions to use community farms capable of generating 2 megawatts of energy or less. Advertisement The project in Tracys Landing will be called Checkerspot Community Solar Farm, a name inspired by the...WW…

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan discusses additional security measures at the Maryland State House. The Maryland State Police is preparing for the possibility of violence at the State House in Annapolis next week, after officials received an FBI bulletin that warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Annapolis is among the state capitals across the country stepping up security in response to threats of armed demonstrations, at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump who sought...…Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan discusses additional security measures at the Maryland State House. The Maryland State Police is preparing for the possibility of violence at the State House in Annapolis next week, after officials received an FBI bulletin that warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Annapolis is among the state capitals across the country stepping up security in response to threats of armed demonstrations, at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump who sought...WW…

Protesters gathered outside the Bel Air district office of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris verbally tore into the Maryland congressman Thursday afternoon, taking him to task for objecting to Congress’ certification of Electoral College votes and accusing him of helping to lay the groundwork for the previous day’s storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. People stood on the sidewalk along both sides of the busy Churchville Road near the Terlyn Square shopping center, where Harris’ office is located. They waved American flags, chanted and hurled epithets about...…Protesters gathered outside the Bel Air district office of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris verbally tore into the Maryland congressman Thursday afternoon, taking him to task for objecting to Congress’ certification of Electoral College votes and accusing him of helping to lay the groundwork for the previous day’s storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. People stood on the sidewalk along both sides of the busy Churchville Road near the Terlyn Square shopping center, where Harris’ office is located. They waved American flags, chanted and hurled epithets about...WW…

U.S. House Democrats are considering swiftly approving Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin’s legislation to activate a never-used section of the 25th Amendment under which President Donald Trump — or any unfit chief executive — could be removed from office. Raskin’s legislation would create a congressionally appointed panel under the amendment to determine the fitness of the president to continue to hold power. The bill would not change the amendment, but rather establish a permanent, nonpartisan body that the amendment included more than 50 years ago but Congress never acted on. Advertisement...…U.S. House Democrats are considering swiftly approving Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin’s legislation to activate a never-used section of the 25th Amendment under which President Donald Trump — or any unfit chief executive — could be removed from office. Raskin’s legislation would create a congressionally appointed panel under the amendment to determine the fitness of the president to continue to hold power. The bill would not change the amendment, but rather establish a permanent, nonpartisan body that the amendment included more than 50 years ago but Congress never acted on. Advertisement...WW…

Two years have passed but Lauren Wither-Hannsen can hardly forget the frank and opinionated neighbor who lived next door to her in Annapolis. Their townhouses just outside the Cape Saint Claire neighborhood shared a back deck and the women would lean over the railings in the evening to chat. Advertisement “Not afraid to say exactly what she thought,” Wither-Hannsen remembers of her neighbor. Still, she was shocked to hear the name of the woman identified as the person shot and killed by police while storming the U.S. Capitol with a mob of supporters for President Donald Trump. Advertisement...…Two years have passed but Lauren Wither-Hannsen can hardly forget the frank and opinionated neighbor who lived next door to her in Annapolis. Their townhouses just outside the Cape Saint Claire neighborhood shared a back deck and the women would lean over the railings in the evening to chat. Advertisement “Not afraid to say exactly what she thought,” Wither-Hannsen remembers of her neighbor. Still, she was shocked to hear the name of the woman identified as the person shot and killed by police while storming the U.S. Capitol with a mob of supporters for President Donald Trump. Advertisement...WW…

The Maryland Democratic Party on Thursday called on U.S. Rep. Andy Harris to immediately resign, saying that he is a “disgrace” to the state and that he and other Republican members of Congress were complicit in the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol that left four people dead. “Make no mistake, the Republican members of Congress who instigated this violence — including Representative Harris — are complicit in this attempted insurrection,” said a statement by state Democratic chair Yvette Lewis. “They have blood on their hands.” Advertisement Police say one woman was shot by U.S....…The Maryland Democratic Party on Thursday called on U.S. Rep. Andy Harris to immediately resign, saying that he is a “disgrace” to the state and that he and other Republican members of Congress were complicit in the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol that left four people dead. “Make no mistake, the Republican members of Congress who instigated this violence — including Representative Harris — are complicit in this attempted insurrection,” said a statement by state Democratic chair Yvette Lewis. “They have blood on their hands.” Advertisement Police say one woman was shot by U.S....WW…

At least nine Marylanders were arrested in the riots at the U.S. Capitol, including a 33-year-old man facing charges for allegedly carrying a pistol and high-capacity magazine onto Capitol grounds. D.C. police announced the arrests of about 70 people in allThose arrested had traveled from Arizona, Oregon, Florida and other states, police said. Advertisement One Maryland man, 33-year-old Christopher Alberts, was arrested after he was seen carrying the pistol without a license and the high-capacity magazine, according to D.C. police. It’s illegal to carry guns onto the Capitol grounds....…At least nine Marylanders were arrested in the riots at the U.S. Capitol, including a 33-year-old man facing charges for allegedly carrying a pistol and high-capacity magazine onto Capitol grounds. D.C. police announced the arrests of about 70 people in allThose arrested had traveled from Arizona, Oregon, Florida and other states, police said. Advertisement One Maryland man, 33-year-old Christopher Alberts, was arrested after he was seen carrying the pistol without a license and the high-capacity magazine, according to D.C. police. It’s illegal to carry guns onto the Capitol grounds....WW…

Maryland has the distinction of being one of four states that gave Joe Biden at least a million more votes than it gave Donald Trump in November’s election. Ours is , and it’s getting even bluer, with more than twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. Maryland’s deep hue of blue is reflected in Congress. Our two senators are Democrats. Of eight House members, only one is a Republican. His name is Andy Harris and, while he’s always been extremely conservative and kind of strange, this week Harris earned a new descriptor — accessory to sedition. Advertisement Harris is deep in the...…Maryland has the distinction of being one of four states that gave Joe Biden at least a million more votes than it gave Donald Trump in November’s election. Ours is , and it’s getting even bluer, with more than twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. Maryland’s deep hue of blue is reflected in Congress. Our two senators are Democrats. Of eight House members, only one is a Republican. His name is Andy Harris and, while he’s always been extremely conservative and kind of strange, this week Harris earned a new descriptor — accessory to sedition. Advertisement Harris is deep in the...WW…

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pauses his press conference during an exchange of words with local activist Duane “Shorty” Davis about pulling up his mask. By now, it’s the subject of a TMZ story, a city health department advertisement and even a musical remix. “Shorty, pull ya mask up,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference Tuesday about COVID-19 regulations, during an exchange that has since caught the attention of thousands on Twitter and beyond. Advertisement Despite what some from out of town thought, he wasn’t using shorty as a general nickname — he was talking to...…Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pauses his press conference during an exchange of words with local activist Duane “Shorty” Davis about pulling up his mask. By now, it’s the subject of a TMZ story, a city health department advertisement and even a musical remix. “Shorty, pull ya mask up,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference Tuesday about COVID-19 regulations, during an exchange that has since caught the attention of thousands on Twitter and beyond. Advertisement Despite what some from out of town thought, he wasn’t using shorty as a general nickname — he was talking to...WW…