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A new Maryland law would limit tech companies' ability to collect location data. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Assembly strengthens data privacy for Marylanders

Advocates are cheering the General Assembly for legislation protecting Marylanders' data privacy and are calling on Gov. Wes Moore to sign the bill…

The Environmental Working Group said multiple studies indicate pesticide levels in the body drop when people adopt an all-organic diet. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: 75% of conventionally grown produce has pesticide residue

Marylanders shopping for fresh produce may want to consider a new report that finds chemical residues in much of the crop. In its 2024 "Shoppers …

Construction on a six-home development in Fairmount Heights began Oct. 13. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Affordable housing meets cutting-edge energy tech in MD's Fairmount Heights

By Kayla Benjamin for The Washington Informer.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

Insurers would be prohibited from charging for access to the online real-time benefits system. (Adobe Stock)

MD Assembly considers reforms to health-insurance coverage

Committees in both chambers of the General Assembly are hearing testimony on a measure to change how health insurance companies in Maryland make treat…

New one- and two-family homes and townhouses would be required to have at least one EV-capable parking space. (Herr Loeffler/Adobe Stock)

'Better Buildings Act' would mandate electrification in new construction

With Maryland's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2045 on the horizon, the General Assembly is taking up the issue of building codes. During this …

Howard County had the highest credential attainment, at more than 72% of working-age adults. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: MD near top in number of adults with post-high school credentials

A new report assessing post-high school educational attainment shows Maryland doing better than most states, but says work remains to be done…

Ground-source heat pumps can operate in temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD grid can manage transition to electric heating

A recent study shows Maryland's electric grid is well positioned to manage the transition to electrification as outlined in the state's climate goals…

The most overpaid CEO on the As You Sow list makes 5,400 times more than their average employee. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Firms that overpay CEOs are underperforming S&P 500 average

A recent report looking at executive compensation found companies with the most overpaid CEOs had lower returns to shareholders than the S&P average…

More than 600,000 Marylanders participate in SNAP in an average month. (Adobe Stock)

One-year extension of farm bill buoys food insecure in MD

The November continuing resolution included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, marking a temporary reprieve for Marylanders relying on …

The report found the number of Americans with diabetes was nearly 32 million, an 11% increase over last year. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland ranks 11th in nation in new health report

A new report by the United Health Foundation shows some good news in Maryland along with concerning trends in chronic conditions. The America's …

Washington, D.C., Public Service Commission data from last year showed 1,260 gas leaks in the District, 3% more than in 2017. (Adobe Stock)

DC Public Service Commission puts Project Pipes on hold

Advocates are applauding the Washington, D.C., Public Service Commission's decision to pause a Washington Gas infrastructure rebuild known as Project …

Nationally only 26% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when survival rates are much higher. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: MD needs to do more for high-risk lung cancer population

The American Lung Association has released its annual State of Lung Cancer report - showing Maryland needs to do more for high-risk patients…

Federal Trade Commission data for 2023 show Marylanders have been scammed out of $120 million. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge Marylanders to watch out for fraud this holiday season

With the holidays on the horizon, advocates are reminding older Marylanders to watch out for scams during the upcoming season. Federal Trade …

Current federal rebates for home heat pump HVAC installation total $8,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD must adopt air quality equipment standards to meet climate goals

A new report documenting the impact of fossil fuel-powered appliances on air quality makes the case that Maryland will need to take additional steps t…

Households with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for the ACP. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of Maryland Households Qualify for Internet Subsidy

Maryland residents struggling to pay for web access can get help from two connected programs. The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable …

Researchers were able to extract more than 100,000 text messages from purchased phones in a University of Maryland study. (Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

MD Researchers: Many Police-Auctioned Cell Phones Contain Personal Data

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Maryland found personal data remained on many used cellphones purchased through a police auction …

The FBI reported 1,700 people over age 60 in Maryland lost more than $63.6 million to scammers in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

PROTECT Week: Focus on Preventing Elder Financial Abuse

This Thursday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and AARP Maryland observes its annual PROTECT Week with a focus on elder financial abuse. The FBI …

Meta has until Aug. 1 to respond to the Federal Trade Commission's blanket prohibition on monetizing data from children under 18. (Adobe Stock)

Unions Taking on Meta at Annual Shareholder Meeting

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, held its annual meeting last week amid new scrutiny from the federal government and multiple …

The FTC reports scammers will attempt to manipulate a victim's emotions by creating a sense of urgency, and then stressing that only they can help. (Adobe Stock)

AI-Powered Phone Scams Target Seniors

Phone scammers are now using artificial intelligence to steal money from victims with realistic-sounding facsimiles of loved ones. Scammers take …

The Maryland Family Network says parents should ask providers about their teaching philosophies when researching child care.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Study: Kids in Child Care Not More Likely to Exhibit Problematic Behaviors

New research shows kids in child care aren't more likely to exhibit behavior problems than other children. The study, published in the journal …

Nearly 1,000 Small Business Development Centers operate nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Small Business Saturday Highlights Local Economies

Holiday shoppers this week have no shortage of options with Small Business Saturday being observed on Nov. 26. Sandwiched between Black Friday and …

As part of a settlement, Experian will be required to improve its vetting and oversight of third parties that access consumer information. (Anthony Brown/Adobe Stock)

Maryland Reaches Settlements with Experian over Data Breaches

The state of Maryland has entered into multiple settlements with Experian over data breaches. The Maryland Attorney General's Office along with …

Americans received roughly 50 billion automated phone calls in 2021, and about 42% were placed by scammers, according to the National Consumer Law Center. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Joins New Nationwide Battle Against Robocalls

Maryland is joining a nationwide effort to crack down on illegal robocalls. Along with attorneys general from every other state, Maryland's Brian …

The average victim of elder financial abuse loses upwards of $120,000. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Protect Week: How to Spot and Stop Elder Financial Abuse

Through Friday, Maryland is hosting Protect Week, to help protect against elder financial abuse. That's when someone illegally uses an older …

Maryland lawmakers recently passed the Climate Solutions Now Act. It commits the state to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 60% by 2031, expand clean energy use, and invest in underserved communities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Baltimore Lags Behind Cities in Solar-Power Installations

The amount of solar power installed in just nine U.S. cities exceeds the amount installed in the entire country 10 years ago, a new report finds…

All Maryland Health Connection plans cover preventive services without charging a co-payment or requiring coinsurance. (Adobe Stock)

MD Extended Open Enrollment Aims to Reach More Uninsured

People in Maryland have one more week to sign up for health insurance coverage through the state-run insurance marketplace, and advocates are hoping …

Maryland also offers the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which ensures underinsured and uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS in the state are able to pay for medication. (Adobe Stock)

MD Groups Host Health Insurance Events for Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

February 7 marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and Maryland health-care advocates see it as an opportunity to provide health-care options …

If you find your rates for a third-party utility provider is skyrocketing, AARP Maryland recommends canceling it and turning to regulated utility suppliers. (Adobe stock)<br />

New Tool Helps Monitor MD Third-Party Utility Bills

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - About 60 million American households get their energy from third-party suppliers, and a new online toolkit helps these consumers …

A common scam that snares older Americans are email offers for free gift cards, which are a way to capture personal information that could jeopardize finances. (Adobe stock)

MD Spotlights Senior Financial Fraud on Elder Abuse Awareness Day

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and a coalition of groups in Maryland are marking the day with a week-long campaign to …

When Maryland increased the tobacco tax more than a decade ago, retail cigarette sales dropped 30% across the state. (Adobe Stock)

A Push for Maryland Tobacco Tax to Repair Health Inequities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland's General Assembly is reconsidering a bill to tax tobacco, with backers touting public health benefits, and health equity …

Marylanders Urged to Look for Telemedicine Coverage in Open Enrollment

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As the Supreme Court continues deliberations over challenges to the Affordable Care Act, health care advocates are urging …

The number of Marylanders enrolled in the SNAP benefits program soared from 630,000 at the start of the year to almost 845,000 during the pandemic, a new report found. (Adobe stock)

Reports: Maryland Food Insecurity Skyrockets During Pandemic

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland is experiencing a hunger crisis during the pandemic, and schools will need to reach out to more low-income children with …

One estimate suggests almost 300,000 Maryland families can't pay rent as a result of COVID-19-related income loss. (Adobe Stock)

Caution Urged in Applying for Federal Eviction Moratorium

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Some Maryland families hit hard by the novel coronavirus are breathing a sigh of relief since the Centers for Disease Control and …

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh says he doesn't trust Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's claims that he'll end cost-cutting measures in the U.S. Postal Service. (Wikimedia Commons)

Maryland AG: Legal Action Against U.S. Postal Service Will Advance

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies in a Senate hearing today about controversial cost-cutting measures, Maryland's …

Although 98% of Maryland has internet access, about 324,000 families are still lacking, according to a 2019 report. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Tax on MD Internet Providers Could Close Broadband Gaps

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With many people needing internet service more than ever during the pandemic, a Maryland economist is recommending an extra tax on …

Maryland officials stressed the importance of signing up for health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe stock)

Marylanders Urged to Sign Up for Health Coverage by Wednesday

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With COVID-19 cases among younger Marylanders on the rise, state and federal lawmakers are urging residents to sign up for health …

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed a bill that would have funded the nation's first prescription-drug affordability board. (Adobe stock)

MD Lawmakers Urged to Quash Veto of Nation’s First Drug-Pricing Board

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Since Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan refused to sign a measure to fund the state's new Prescription Drug Affordability board last week…

Most Marylanders want reassurance that their credit scores won't suffer if they can't pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

MD Congressman Aims to Safeguard Credit Scores in Pandemic

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., held a tele-town hall this week to give residents a chance to ask questions about consumer …

Older Marylanders need to beware of scammers trying to sell fake vaccines and other bogus cures for the new coronavirus. (Adobe Stock)

MD Seniors Need to Guard Against Wave of COVID-19 Scams

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Con artists like to take advantage of people when a crisis strikes, so it's no surprise that scams are on the rise in the COVID-19 …

No clinical tests have proven chloroquine can treat the novel coronavirus, despite recent claims by President Donald Trump. (Adobe Stock)

Trump Call that Malaria Drugs Treat Coronavirus Spurs Warnings, Shortages

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Health officials are issuing warnings about the use of antimalarial drugs after President Donald Trump touted them as a possible …

Rising temperatures from climate change tend to affect a city's most vulnerable neighborhoods, according to a new report. (Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development)

Report: Climate Change Makes Urban Neighborhoods Hotter

BALTIMORE - This time of year, it's hard to think about summer heat waves, but a new report says Baltimore and other big cities should prepare for …

Critics say Maryland's plan to add toll lanes to busy D.C.-area highways will create overpriced tolls that are hardships for everyday commuters. (Wikipedia)

Groups Protest MD Proposal for New Rush-Hour Toll Lanes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A coalition of environmental and other groups greets the first day of Maryland's 2020 General Assembly today with a protest of the …

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's plan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the state includes a controversial proposal to widen the Capital Beltway and add toll lanes. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD Emissions Plan Will Set Climate Movement Back

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland's climate action plan, which was released in October by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, will not help the state reduce …

Pollution from the Chesapeake Bay watershed reaches Maryland, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. (Pixabay)

Federal Budget Bill Aims to Boost Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Efforts

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- An almost $1.5 trillion spending plan the Senate is set to vote on Thursday includes a dramatic 16% budget increase for Chesapeake …

Children and young people are being bombarded with tobacco industry marketing for flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe stock)

MD Lawmakers Urged to Ban Vaping, Menthol Cigarettes

BALTIMORE – As the number of vaping related illnesses continues to rise, Maryland is looking to join five other states in banning the sale and …

A new report makes a compelling case that the oil industry was aware of the effects of fossil fuel on climate change, but allegedly deceived the public about it for decades. (Adobe stock)

Historic Congressional Hearing Targets Big Oil’s Climate Denial

WASHINGTON – The first ever congressional hearing on Big Oil's history of climate denial is Wednesday. Led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.…

Child advocates warn that growing up in impoverished neighborhoods is a liability for success in adulthood. (Adobe stock)

More MD Children Drawn Deeper into Poverty

BALTIMORE – The number of children in Maryland living in concentrated poverty widened by 9,000 children since 2008, according to a new report …

Maryland's Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is one of 18 national park sites in the state that is in dire need of maintenance. (National Park Service)

Poll: Public Wants Congress to Fund National Parks' Repairs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Among registered voters, 82% say they want Congress to pass laws to fund a backlog of repairs for national parks and monuments…

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