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Former governor spots mystery drones in Maryland, blasts feds for lack of transparency

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Former governor spots mystery drones in Maryland, blasts feds for lack of transparency


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Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland has said that he personally witnessed “dozens of large drones” flying above his home in Davidsonville, Maryland, on Thursday evening as the mystery surrounding the various unexplained sightings continues. 

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“Last night, beginning at around 9:45 pm, I personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland (25 miles from our nation’s capital),” Hogan wrote on X Friday. “I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes.”

The former governor said he does not know if these drone sightings are evidence of a threat to public safety or national security, but he called out the federal government for a “complete lack of transparency” in the face of Americans’ concerns.

Larry Hogan, right, and some of the apparent drones, left. (Larry Hogan and AP)

DRONE MYSTERY BEFUDDLES NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS, FRUSTRATES RESIDENTS

“The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response. People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but aren’t getting any,” Hogan wrote. 

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“We are being told that neither the White House, the military, the FBI, or Homeland Security have any idea what they are, where they came from, or who has launched or is controlling them–and that they pose no threat.

“That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now.” 

Hogan posted a two-minute-long video of what he saw, although it is hard to make out what the objects were. 

A series of unidentified drone sightings near U.S. military installations and over residences have been spotted in New Jersey since mid-November, which is causing alarm.

Apparent drones have also been spotted in New York City as well as over three US airbases in the UK.

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White House national security communications adviser John Kirby has said many of the purported drone sightings are actually lawfully operated manned aircraft and that there is no evidence of a national security or public safety threat.

Frustrated residents who believe the government’s answers are insufficient have threatened to take matters into their own hands and shoot them down. Both parties have criticized the government’s handling of the situation. 

New Jersey State Assemblyman Paul Kanitra took a photo of what appears to be multiple drones hovering in the New Jersey sky on Thursday, Dec. 13. (Paul Kanitra/”Fox News @ Night”)

WE ARE VULNERABLE TO DRONE ATTACK AND IT’S GOING TO GET WORSE

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said on Capitol Hill on Thursday that he is “frustrated” by the government’s lack of transparency.

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The senator said that he has issued a letter asking for more information because Americans should be aware of what is happening in the skies.

“I’ve been a little frustrated,” he told reporters. “There hasn’t been enough transparency letting people know what’s happening. It’s allowing a lot of potentially misinformation to spread, or at least fear. We should know what’s going on over our skies.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked President Biden to direct more federal resources to get to the bottom of the numerous drone sightings across the Garden State in recent weeks.

Murphy noted the federal law limits the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter drones, but says the federal government has the authority to shoot down the mysterious drones.

In a separate letter to congressional leaders, Murphy asked lawmakers to pass legislation to empower local authorities to use advanced detection and mitigation technology to deal with drone activity.

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“The emerging threat from UAS flights, coupled with the inability of state and local law enforcement to engage meaningfully with them, is a cause for concern,” Murphy wrote.

Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes in New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400 feet height FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)

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The FAA said it is investigating the reported sightings and also issued a temporary flight restriction for the airspace around the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

“We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines up to $75,000. In addition, we can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.”

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Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report. 



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Great nature trails for hiking, beachcombing on Maryland’s Lower Shore

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Great nature trails for hiking, beachcombing on Maryland’s Lower Shore


Calling all outdoorsmen and women — Maryland’s Lower Shore is home to some of the best hiking, walking and running trails on the East Coast.

Here’s a closer look at four picturesque parks and preserves with nature trails in the Berlin, Salisbury and Ocean City area.

Assateague Island

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Assateague Island offers a wide variety of paved and unpaved trails open for hiking and 37 miles of flat beach terrain for wandering and beachcombing. Assateague Island’s Maryland District features a Life of the Dunes trail, Life of the Forest trail, Life of the Marsh trail.

Furnace Town

Furnace Town is nestled between the Pocomoke State Forest and Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Creek Preserve. The popular historical site offers three Nature Conservancy Trails, three Maryland Forest service Trails, and a 26-acre outdoor museum and recreation area.

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Pemberton Historical Park

Pemberton Historical Park, a 262-acre area featuring a trail system, outdoor amphitheater and more, was created in the 1980s. The park offers 4.5 miles of nature trails for walking and hiking only, allowing visitors to explore wetlands, forests and more of the natural world.

Nassawango Creek Preserve

Nassawango Creek Preserve’s primeval forest has an abundance of bald cypress and black gum trees. Visitors are invited to indulge in its four trails, the Nassawango Joe, Prothonotary Warbler, Ron Wilson Memorial Trail and Leifer Trail, as well as self-guided audio tours.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.



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Washington Nationals 1st-round pick from Potomac Md. signs contract – WTOP News

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Washington Nationals 1st-round pick from Potomac Md. signs contract – WTOP News


The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.

Washington Nationals first-round draft selection Chris Hacopian signed his contract with the club on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Nationals Park.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

baseball player holds up jersey in room
Chris Hacopian, a 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, has deep ties to the D.C. region
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

baseball player in street clothes on left shakes hand with business executive in room after signing contract
Chris Hacopian is from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

baseball player looks into glass case of accolades, side view
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

baseball player in street cloths bends head down while putting on ball cap
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

baseball player with back to camera walks down tunnel on way to field
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)

Courtesy Washington Nationals

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Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.

The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.

According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.

With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.

After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.

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“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.

Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.

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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Maryland confirms 5 new measles cases, bringing year’s total to 9 – WTOP News

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Maryland confirms 5 new measles cases, bringing year’s total to 9 – WTOP News


The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”

Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.

“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.

The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.

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Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.

Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.

It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.

The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.

“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.

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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.



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