Maryland
Gov. Moore vetoes four bills, lets audiologist bill become law without his signature – WTOP News
Press association beats back public notice bill it missed during the 2024 session.
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.
A bill that would have curbed some public notice advertising revenue for newspapers in Maryland has been vetoed by Gov. Wes Moore (D).
House Bill 1258 was one of four from the 2024 legislative session vetoed by Moore. Two others — identical House and Senate bills expanding the scope of work audiologists can do — were allowed to go into law without the signature of the governor.
All the actions announced Friday were expected.
In vetoing the public notice bill, Moore cited concerns about “ensuring the existence of thriving independent local media.”
HB 1258, sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Embry (D-Baltimore City), would have ended the requirement that public notice on estates be placed in newspapers around the state, allowing them instead to be published on a central website created by the state’s registers of wills.
The bill was overlooked by newspapers and media organizations who have fought off similar bills over the years. Those same groups launched a lobbying effort after the session to secure Moore’s veto.
Rebecca Snyder, executive director of the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, said the veto “underscores Gov. Moore’s acknowledgment of the role of news media and how important our watchdog function is — not only the investigative work that that news media is known for but also the public notice and public records that are a really important way to hold government people in power accountable.
“We understand that this is part of a broader conversation, and we’re willing, certainly, to work with other stakeholders on this. But we are really happy to have seen, kind of, the fruits of our advocacy come to pass,” Snyder said.
The press association, which represents newspapers in the state, said the move would end a practice of independence and transparency. It also would have hit the flagging industry in its pocketbook, a fact noted by Moore.
“The press also plays an important role in public accountability through investigative journalism,” Moore wrote in his veto letter. “Public notice requirements have helped sustain much of the local print media in Maryland as print advertising dollars have dried up and the entire print media industry has consolidated and downsized.
“Many communities in the state now suffer from a lack of press coverage of local news, undermining public accountability. To so rapidly remove such a large source of advertising revenue as estate notices without considering the impact on the future of local media in Maryland could have severe consequences,” he wrote.
Even so, the governor said changes and technology and cost savings for local governments and families should not be ignored. Moore said lawmakers were not given the opportunity to “balance these two significant public interests.”
Supporters said the bill would have saved estates and families money.
Moore agreed. In his veto letter, he said that “existing print public notice requirements do present a financial burden on local and state governments as well as individual citizens.”
“This is the challenge that Delegate Embry was seeking to address,” the letter said.
Moore wrote that the costs to estates are an important concern “and one that should be dealt with.”
Moore vetoes three other bills
Senate Bill 60 would have authorized out-of-state dealers to temporarily display motor homes, recreational vehicles and trailers at shows around the state. The out-of-state dealers could not take orders nor accept deposits under the measure.
The bill also would have required the Department of Commerce to conduct a study on the impact of out-of-state dealers at the Maryland RV show held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Eastern Shore), lead sponsor of the bill, said the goal was to bolster local RV shows while protecting businesses licensed in the state.
Moore said he rejected the “well-intentioned bill” to protect Maryland jobs.
“Maryland’s recreational vehicle industry is made up of small businesses who employ a total of more than 300 employees statewide,” Moore wrote. “As with many of the small businesses that propel our economy and further opportunities for families in the state, a consistent and reliable marketplace is crucial. Senate Bill 60, as passed, creates a significant and temporary shift in the marketplace for RV dealers with unknown impacts.”
Senate Bill 380 would have created a 21-member workgroup to examine efforts to recruit and retain police officers around the state. Moore vetoed the bill saying it duplicated other efforts.
“It is not necessary to create two workgroups designed to address the same problem,” he wrote.
Senate Bill 693 was identical to a House bill Moore signed May 9, authorizing Carroll County government to borrow $28.9 million through bonds for projects within the county. The governor vetoed the Senate version, saying that “enactment of duplicate bond bills would double authorized debt.”
Audiologist bill becomes law, needs more work
Moore, as expected, allowed identical bills — HB 464 and SB 795 — to become law without his signature.
The bills allow licensed audiologists to diagnose and treat auditory conditions; sell, dispense, and fit hearing aids and external portions of cochlear implant devices; perform ear cleaning; and order blood work and tests as it relates to auditory conditions.
MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, opposed the bill that it said “vastly expanded” the work of audiologists.
“I acknowledge and commend the General Assembly, particularly the Finance and Health and Government Operations Committees for their work with advocates to authorize audiologists to practice to the full extent of their training and provide appropriate access to care for Marylanders,” Moore wrote. “However, discussions with proponents and opponents of the bill have made clear that the statute will require further clarification.”
Moore, in his letter, recommended proponents and opponents “collaborate on revisiting these statutes during the interim to ensure that the differences between audiology and otolaryngology are made more clear.”
MedChi CEO Gene Ransom said Friday that his organization “obviously is pleased that Gov. Moore addressed the desire to fix the problem that we identified. We’re looking forward to working with the administration and the General Assembly to make the bill workable.”
See America’s most iconic hot dogs
Welcome to the United States of Hot Dogs! We’ve compiled a few of the best hot dogs eaten across the country.
Although Maryland is often celebrated for its seafood, one over-the-top creation has carved out its own loyal following among locals and visitors alike: The Baltimore-style hot dog.
Sausage is merely its first layer of meat. It’s wrapped in a thick slice of fried beef bologna and piled high with toppings.
It’s proof that while hot dogs are truly an All-American food, their real power lies in how they adapt to local tastes.
Hot dogs were “invented” in the U.S. after German sausages were served in buns. They’re a staple of baseball games — the all-American pastime. And they are truly a democratic food: nearly anyone can afford to enjoy them.
But even more, hot dogs are American because of their adaptability, reflecting the ingenuity and diversity that gives our country such a rich culinary tapestry.
“You can tell the story of America through hot dogs. There are probably other things you could use, other objects or icons, but I think hot dog is a really good one,” said Bruce Kraig, a Ph.D. food historian and author of “Hot Dog: A Global History’ and ‘Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America.”
Regional hot dog toppings, from chili in Cincinnati to celery salt in Chicago to jalapeños in the Southwest, tell distinct stories of place.
Here in Baltimore, Maryland, our contribution to the United States of Hot Dogs is the Baltimore-style hot dog.
What is a Baltimore-style hot dog?
At its core, the Baltimore dog is a meat-on-meat masterpiece. It starts with a kosher all-beef sausage that is split, fried and wrapped alongside thick, charred bologna slices.
It’s traditionally topped with raw onions and yellow mustard, with a pickle spear on top or on the side. Some variations include the addition of sweet relish, ketchup or cheese.
“In this creation, grease from the bologna mixes with the grease from the hot dog, and both find their way into the bread to form an unforgettable aroma, taste and aftertaste — and 200 points on your cholesterol count,” Baltimore historian Gilbert Sandler told The Baltimore Sun in a 2019 story.
Where did the Baltimore-style hot dog come from?
Its origins are often somewhat unclear, but it’s believed to have originated during the Great Depression when, according to TasteAtlas.com, “people added bologna slices to the hot dog in order to make it a fuller, heartier meal.”
Jewish delis along Baltimore’s historic “Corned Beef Row” were looking for ways to offer working-class customers a filling, calorie-dense meal for a small chunk of change, leading to the birth of the Baltimore-style hot dog.
First becoming popular in the early 1940s at Mandell and Ballow deli, the bologna-wrapped hot dog spread throughout Baltimore, The Sun reported.
“Despite being a nutritionally questionable combo of two of the world’s least-healthful meats, the bologna dog continues to be a local favorite, enjoyed without apology,” FoodRepublic.com wrote in 2023.
Four best places to try a Baltimore-style hot dog
Attman’s Delicatessen: A Baltimore institution since 1915, Attman’s version of the Baltimore-style hot dog sits at the top of its menu. Its dog — for $7.99 — comes with your choice of mustard, relish, chopped onions and ketchup. Details: 1019 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-563-2666, attmansdeli.com.
Weiss Deli: Another Baltimore staple, Weiss serves speciality sandwiches and, of course, the Baltimore-style hot dog. You can customize the $7.49 dog with up to eight toppings, but its most popular version comes with just deli mustard and raw onions on top of the bologna-wrapped sausage. Details: 1127 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-276-7910, baltimoreweissdeli.com
The Dog House Carryout: A legendary landmark in Baltimore, The Dog House Carryout has been slinging its classic comfort food for more than 75 years. You can get a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog for $6.95, with bologna added for an extra $1.25. The dog comes with your choice of mustard, relish, onions and ketchup. Details: 617 Fallsway, Baltimore; 410-685-7269, thedoghousebaltimore.com
Killa Dogz: Killa Dogz, one of the more modern hot dog spots in the city, offers a wide variety of options, including what it calls the “Bmore” dog. At $7, its version is deep fried, wrapped in bologna and “served on a squishy bun with mustard.” Chili and cheese are among the top ways to customize its dog. Details: 6106 Belair Rd, Baltimore; 443-438-7822. killadogz.com.
Jennifer Borresen contributed the interactive graphic to this story. She is a graphic journalist at USA TODAY, specializing in explanatory graphics and illustrations in various fields, including politics, science, weather and entertainment.
BALTIMORE, MD. – A Hanover man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release on Wednesday for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, pleaded guilty in January 2026 after unknowingly revealing a plot to travel abroad and fight for the designated foreign terrorist organization to an undercover law enforcement officer, prosecutors said.
What we know:
Court documents reveal that between March and October 2024, Teekaye coordinated travel arrangements with a Somali ISIS fighter. His itinerary detailed a flight departing from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) to Turkey, with subsequent travel through Ethiopia to cross into Somalia.
FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI on October 14, 2024, after he cleared airport security, according to previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
READ MORE: Maryland man arrested for allegedly attempting to join ISIS
Leading up to his arrest, court documents say that Teekaye prepared for his departure by practicing at a Maryland shooting range and attempting to purchase an assault rifle, which was blocked due to an existing state probation status.
Days before his arrest, Teekaye sent the undercover officer a photograph of himself wearing a mask and wielding a large machete, declaring a choice of “victory or martyrdom.”
Following his arrest, prosecutors say Teekaye made multiple unprovoked statements to law enforcement vowing to resume his violent efforts upon his eventual release from custody and threatening the lives of prison guards.
Dig deeper:
Federal authorities noted that Teekaye established a secondary plan to execute domestic terrorist attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions supporting Israel within Maryland if his international travel failed. A digital forensic search of his phone uncovered specific search histories focused on Jewish organizations and community members in Howard County, alongside queries regarding home break-ins and escaping murder charges.
A local rabbi impacted by the surveillance spoke during the sentencing hearing regarding the threat’s toll on the community.
The Source: Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
Maryland
Governor Moore Announces Awardees for $1.23 Million Investment to Help Maryland Workers Thrive in a Changing Economy
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Moore today announced the awardees for the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program, a $1.23M investment that will help Marylanders build skills for careers in high-growth industries increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The awards, which will support nearly 600 individuals, will go to organizations across Maryland that are expanding workforce training opportunities in the state’s critical lighthouse industries, including life sciences, technology, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.
“We are setting up Maryland to lead the nation in this rapidly changing economy, and leaving no one behind in the process,” said Gov. Moore. “By investing in lighthouse industries we are empowering and strengthening our workforce to build the necessary skills for jobs of the future shaped by emerging technologies. This program will ensure that pathways to work, wages, and wealth continue to grow across our state.”
Governor Wes Moore announced the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program earlier this year. Funded through the Talent Innovation Fund, this program is part of a $4 million investment that gives Marylanders experience in rapidly-growing sectors increasingly shaped by emerging technologies. This investment funds hands-on learning for workers, supports the state’s long‑term economic competitiveness, expands the talent pipeline for Maryland employers, and positions the state as a destination for companies looking to grow and innovate.
“Maryland is uniquely poised to lead the AI economy because we have a highly-skilled workforce and innovative companies,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Helping more workers to develop leading-edge technology skills will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow and help shape the future of these industries right here in Maryland.”
Through industry-driven partnerships, this program will help Maryland workers gain in-demand technical and transferable skills and ensure Maryland employers have the talent they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Awardees and focus areas include:
- BioBuzz Networks, Inc.: Life Sciences (Statewide)
- Davis Unlimited Information Technologies, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Capital Region, Central Maryland)
- HUBZone Council, Inc.: Quantum/AI (Capital Region, Central Maryland, Western Maryland)
- Maryland MEP, Inc.: Manufacturing (Statewide)
- Technology Advancement Center, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- Technology Growth Initiative Inc. dba Fearless Institute: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- University of Maryland, College Park: Aerospace and Defense (Southern Maryland)
“Maryland MEP is excited and honored to be a part of the lighthouse upskilling program,” said Mike Kelleher, CEO of Maryland MEP, one of the awardees. “This funding will enable manufacturers and manufacturing workers throughout Maryland to receive training in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and the application of these skills in the manufacturing environment to compete at the global level.”
The Maryland Department of Labor developed this program in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board—the governor’s chief policy-making body for workforce development.
For more information, visit the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program webpage.
The Moore-Miller administration continues to directly invest in workforce development to prepare for and lead in the new AI economy, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to Maryland’s workforce. In February, Governor Moore announced the Lighthouse Industries and AI Internship program to expand training and experiential learning opportunities in life sciences, technology, aerospace and defense, and manufacturing for college seniors and recent graduates.
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