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State government

    An illustration depicts a woman being burned at the stake for the crime of engaging in witchcraft, circa 1692. (Photo by Kean Collection/Getty Images)
    Why do lawmakers care about 300-year-old witches? Correcting a ‘historical wrong’
    Supporters are hopeful that any living descendants of Maryland’s witches will reach out.
    Gypsy Barrientos, partner of fallen Division of Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez, speaks on behalf of his family at a candlelight vigil in his honor on Monday in Annapolis.
    Bill named for fallen probation agent would add protections for public employees
    The bill would create a new unit in the Maryland Department of Labor responsible for inspecting the safety protections for public workers while they do jobs, including those who perform their jobs outside of an office.
    An apartment complex in West Baltimore that housed PHA Healthcare patients, photographed on Friday, January 10 2025
    PHA Healthcare ordered to ‘cease and desist’ after Banner investigation
    PHA Healthcare, a drug addiction treatment provider that enrolls hundreds of Medicaid patients in Maryland each year, has been ordered by the state health department to stop providing services to patients.
    For the first few weeks of session, lawmakers streamline their floor sessions while bills work through committee.
    Live coverage (week 1): Panel endorses pause on adding teacher collaboration time
    Maryland's annual 90-day legislative session began Wednesday with lawmakers facing a $3 billion budget shortfall.
    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has directed his team to find $50 million in savings by being more efficient in how the state spends money.
    Moore wants to save $50 million by streamlining state government spending
    Moore used a laptop as an example, with different agencies paying different prices for the same piece of equipment.
    JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - JANUARY 07: A military honor cordon transfers the flag-draped casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to a hearse during an arrival ceremony on January 07, 2025 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Carter’s body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until a funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington on January 9. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia.
    No state holiday in Maryland for Jimmy Carter funeral
    Gov. Wes Moore’s administration has decided not to grant state workers the day off, despite President Joe Biden declaring Thursday a federal holiday.
    The Maryland House of Delegates on opening day of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday, January 8, 2024.
    General Assembly: Here’s what lawmakers say are their priorities this year
    Lawmakers come to Annapolis with bills they’d like to pass on behalf of their constituents back home
    The T. Rowe Price sign on the Orioles scoreboard is seen while players warm up before a game last season.
    Oriole Park to receive new video board and sound system in 2026
    A temporary sound system upgrade is coming this season, according to Orioles spokesperson Jennifer Grondahl.
    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, flanked by Senate President Bill Ferguson and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, gives remarks during the first day of the General Assembly session in the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
    Budget dominates conversation on General Assembly’s opening day
    The word of the day was ‘tough’: Tough road, tough conversations, tough decisions
    Gov. Wes Moore during an interview in his office.
    5 things we learned about Gov. Moore’s plans for the state’s $3 billion shortfall
    On a busy first day full of handshakes and ceremonial tasks, Moore spent his time setting a serious tone. Here’s what we learned from the Democratic governor.
    Governor Wes Moore during an interview in his office ahead of opening day of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday, January 8, 2024.
    Gov. Moore won’t push for beer and wine sales at Maryland grocery stores
    Lawmakers are not enthusiastic about a proposal backed by Gov. Wes Moore to move beer and wine sales into Maryland grocery stores.
    The Maryland State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capital building in the nation still in continuous legislative use.
    Here’s the Maryland education legislation we’re keeping an eye on
    So far, lawmakers seem focused on the Blueprint, cellphone bans and students charged with crimes.
    An early 2026 poll finds former Gov. Larry Hogan isn’t much of a challenge for current Gov. Wes Moore.
    Poll: Marylanders favor Moore over Hogan in 2026, oppose new taxes in 2025
    The survey covered multiple topics including what voters thought of Wes Moore’s job performance and whether they’re for or against paying more taxes to help fill the state’s nearly $3 billion budget hole.
    The Maryland State House is encircled by construction scaffolding for an ongoing renovation project, as lawmakers returned to Annapolis for the first day of their 90-day General Assembly session on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
    Lawmakers return to Annapolis facing challenging 2025 session
    A nearly $3 billion state budget deficit darkens the Maryland General Assembly’s opening day, as lawmakers return to Annapolis Wednesday for their 90-day legislative session.
    As Gov. Wes Moore keeps an eye on his long-term political future, he is facing tough realities in Maryland this year, including a budget deficit and fears that Donald Trump's next presidency will harm the state.
    Wes Moore’s big year: Governing realities and political ambitions clash in 2025
    The governor enters 2025 in an unenviable position: He’s staring down a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, has an ambitious public education plan to pay for and does not yet know what a second Donald Trump presidency will mean for the state.
    Del. Shaneka Henson speaks before the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee as members consider who to nominate to fill a vacancy in the state Senate, during a meeting at the Busch Annapolis Library on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.
    Anne Arundel Democrats recommend Del. Shaneka Henson as new senator
    Anne Arundel County's Republican and Democratic committees recommended who should fill two General Assembly vacancies: Democratic Del. Shaneka Henson for the state Senate and Republican LaToya Nkongolo for the House of Delegates.
    The top contenders for State Sen. Sarah Elfreth's vacated seat are state Dels. Shaneka Henson, left, and Dana Jones.
    The fierce campaign to fill an Annapolis-area Senate seat
    In Maryland’s capital city, a competition is brewing over who should represent the community in the state Senate — and the decision could rest on which candidate will best protect reproductive health and LGBTQIA+ rights.
    Property values rose by 20% in the state’s latest round of assessments, likely meaning higher tax bills for owners.
    Maryland property values rose 20% and higher tax bills are likely
    All of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions experienced increased values amid a tight housing market.
    The proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project path would see the controversial power line cut through farms and other preserved land in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties.
    Contested power line seeks permit from Maryland regulators
    Though the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project remains in its early stages, the 70-mile power line has been a lightning rod for months.
    FILE - Former President Jimmy Carter stands behind his birthday cake during his 90th birthday celebration held at Georgia Southwestern University, Oct. 4, 2014, in Americus, Ga.
    Maryland lawmakers mourn the death of Jimmy Carter
    Maryland lawmakers joined a chorus of mourners in remembering the life of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and 2002 Nobel Prize winner, who died on Sunday at 100.
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