Maryland

Marylanders report 'drones' flying overhead at night

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Marylanders report 'drones' flying overhead at night

Reports of drones or other aircraft flying around at night have spread from New Jersey to Maryland.

And though federal officials have said the sightings don’t pose a threat — and that they have not even been corroborated — that’s not stopped people from speculating about what’s happening.

Former Gov. Larry Hogan said he saw some flying in the area over his house in Davidsonville around 9:45 p.m. Thursday in a social media post.

“Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security,” Hogan wrote.

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Residents in Bowie said they saw drones as big as “cars,” Fox 5 DC reported Thursday.

A spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore said in an email on Friday the state is “aware of the reports of potential unmanned aerial system sightings and are working closely with federal authorities.”

Maryland State Police are also on alert.

“Public safety is our top priority,” MSP spokesperson Elena Russo said in an email on Friday. “We are aware of the recent reports of drone activity and are working in consultation with our federal partners.”

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said in a White House press briefing that the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with state and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the reports.

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But, he said, none of the reported visual sightings have been corroborated — and that many of the reported sightings of drones have turned out to be legally operated, manned aircraft. There have been no reports of drone activity in restricted airspace and the sightings are not related to a “foreign nexus” Kirby said.

Even though there is no known malicious activity, Kirby said, the reports “highlight a gap” in federal authority to respond to drone or other unmanned aircraft activity.

That’s why, Kirby said, the White House is urging Congress to pass legislation that would expand counter-drone authorities so that officials could better identify and mitigate potential threats.

While the Pentagon has shot down some of the conspiracy theories around the sightings — like claims of an “Iranian mothership” for drones, the Coast Guard did confirm one of its ships was followed by unidentified aircraft off the coast of New Jersey.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, in a letter to President Joe Biden, said reports of drone activity have been incoming since Nov. 18.

Murphy said he was grateful for the Biden administration’s response so far, but that “more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity.”

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Maryland

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

Published

7 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Families of fallen firefighters may be unable to access a national memorial honoring their loved ones due to a federal funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation says the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is currently closed to the public, just weeks before its annual remembrance ceremony.

The closure is tied to restricted access at the National Emergency Training Center campus, which houses the memorial and falls under DHS operations.

In early May, the foundation is set to honor 204 firefighters from 43 states during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, scheduled for May 2-3.

SEE ALSO | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

For many families, this event represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the site where their loved ones are permanently honored.

“These families…should be able to stand where their loved ones are recognized by our nation,” said CEO Victor Stagnaro.

The foundation is calling on federal leaders to restore access to the memorial ahead of the ceremony, emphasizing the memorial’s emotional importance to grieving families.

“Congress established the memorial to ensure America remembers its fire heroes,” Stagnaro said. “We urge federal leaders to act now.”

While the foundation says it remains committed to holding Memorial Weekend services with dignity, public access to the ground remains uncertain unless funding issues are resolved.

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Maryland

Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

Published

19 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

MARYLAND (WBFF) — A trip to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) left some drivers stunned by higher costs that they say are piling up across the state.

Tony Joshua said he walked away when he saw what it would cost to register his vehicle.

“Sticker shock? (laughs),” he said. “I turned right around and got out of the line. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have it.”

ALSO READ | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

The cost of registering, titling and inspecting a vehicle in Maryland doubled last year, but the fee increases don’t stop at the MVA. The Maryland legislature has approved more than 300 new fees in the past two years including a tire tax, a tech tax and a vending machine tax.

“It’s just like greed more than anything,” Baltimore resident Clifton Parrot said.

Baltimore resident Sheila Bowling questioned how the additional funding is being used.

“This is the million dollar question. Nobody knows what those fees are doing. Everything is high in the city,” she said.

If I’m dodging potholes, where is the money going?” Joshua asked.

One of the latest fees will be attached to every gallon of paint sold in Maryland and will go to a nonprofit organization that will manage Maryland’s paint recycling program. But FOX45 News has learned that the nonprofit, PaintCare, isn’t registered as a nonprofit in the state of Maryland, even though it’s set to receive a dollar fee for every gallon of paint sold in the state.

Joshua said the growing costs have him questioning whether he can stay in Maryland.

“It flabbergasts me where the money is going. Sometimes I’m like ‘dude, do I stay here?’” he said.

Bowling said, “This shouldn’t be happening in 2026 this shouldn’t be happening.”

For many Marylanders, the rising fees have strained budgets and morale, with some saying they can no longer afford the increasing price of driving.

“I’m just at my wits end about it. I’m like when do we, the taxpayers get a break?” Joshua asked.

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Maryland

Deadly motorcycle crash closes busy stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Montgomery Co. – WTOP News

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Deadly motorcycle crash closes busy stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Montgomery Co. – WTOP News

A deadly crash involving a motorcycle shut down a stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, early Tuesday.

Montgomery County police said officers responded around 6:15 a.m. to a report of a crash involving a car and a motorcycle at Manor Road and Connecticut Avenue.

A motorcyclist was found in serious condition. Police said the man died at the scene.

A woman driving the car was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Connecticut Avenue is closed in both directions between Jones Bridge Road and Manor Road as police investigate the collision.

The crash is the latest in a series of deadly motorcycle incidents across Maryland, including a deadly hit-and-run in Charles County that left one man dead Saturday.

A map of the area is below.

CLICK MAP FOR THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FROM THE WTOP TRAFFIC CENTER: Map shows closure of Connecticut Avenue in both directions, south of Interstate 495 in Chevy Chase, Md.

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