New calls by Biden, Democrats for assault weapons ban face familiar foe: most of GOP
Despite renewed calls for an assault weapons ban after a string of mass shootings, prospects for passage of any new gun safety legislation in a divided Congress are poor.
Defense counsel assails bill requiring alleged violent criminals’ detention
A Republican-backed bill to prevent judges from releasing before trial certain defendants charged with a violent crime drew criticism from defense attorneys.
AG willing to defend ‘lookback window’ for expired childhood sexual abuse claims in court
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said he would be comfortable defending in court a proposal to create a retroactive window for out-of-date childhood sexual abuse lawsuits.
Cannabis interests compete for changes to Md. bill creating legal market
More than 80 scheduled speakers and dozens of others converged on the House Economic Matters Committee for a hearing on the omnibus bill to create a legal market for cannabis in Maryland.
Baltimore gets grant to invest in Black communities ravaged by ‘Highway to Nowhere’
Baltimore will receive a $2 million grant award to create a plan for demolishing the so-called “Highway to Nowhere” that decimated Black neighborhoods decades ago.
US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID
Nearly 30 million Americans who got extra government help with grocery bills during the pandemic will soon see that aid shrink.
States look to remove legal protections for gun industry
Lawmakers in Colorado and at least five other states are proposing bills to roll back legal protections for gun manufacturers and dealers.
Employers may need to change employee policies with new marijuana law
While Maryland will soon allow marijuana, the drug is still illegal federally, which can lead to confusion by employees that are required to take drug tests.
Md. lawmakers aim to promote Black history education, as it comes under attack in some states
Two Maryland lawmakers have proposed legislation aimed at providing more federal support to promote and preserve Black history, culture and education.
How Section 230 helped shape speech on the Internet
Twenty-six words tucked into a 1996 law overhauling telecommunications have allowed companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google to grow into the giants they are today.
Bill to end qualified immunity ignites debate between rights advocates, police
Police officers sued for having allegedly violated someone’s rights would lose “qualified immunity” from being sued, under legislation before a Maryland House committee.
Buttigieg urges safety changes after fiery Ohio derailment
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants freight railroads to immediately act to improve safety while regulators try to strengthen safety rules after a fiery derailment in Ohio.