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Larry Hogan: How the federal government can fight carjacking rings in Maryland | GUEST COMMENTARY

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Larry Hogan: How the federal government can fight carjacking rings in Maryland | GUEST COMMENTARY


One alarming aspect of the current crime wave is the dramatic increase of both violent and property crime in areas of Maryland that have not seen similar surges in the past. That’s exactly what is happening in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, which are suffering from rapid increases in rates of violent crimes, carjackings and robberies. In just the past few years, crime has exploded in these counties from a secondary concern to now ranking as the top concern for residents. Local and state leaders are unable to address this crisis alone — in the Senate, I will make sure the federal government steps up to be the real partner Maryland needs.

Organized carjacking rings are a major source of the problem. In Prince George’s County alone, carjackings have increased almost 600% since 2019 and are on track to increase even more this year. These rings often operate by recruiting teenagers. Well-intentioned but reckless efforts to keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system have made it virtually impossible to hold them accountable and offer real rehabilitation.

While we must continue to work to address the long-term root causes of crime, provide more and better mental health resources, and help those who have paid their debts successfully re-enter society, we cannot afford to avoid taking immediate action to get violent criminals off the streets.

In 2022, when I was governor, my administration showed that this could be done effectively in Baltimore City by leveraging federal resources. When then-State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was failing to prosecute crimes, we worked with the U.S. Attorney for Maryland, Erek Barron, to deploy strategic federal assets to get the job done, providing millions of state funding to support additional prosecutors and staff, including 10 additional Special Assistant United States Attorneys for the Baltimore Office. These prosecutors pursued the “Al Capone model” of pursuing federal firearms, fraud and other criminal charges against individuals known to be repeat violent offenders.

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That same year, amid cuts to police funding by some local jurisdictions, we advanced our $500 million Re-Fund the Police initiative, which provided a 50% increase in state aid to local police for historic salary increases and bonuses for law enforcement officers, support for victim services, and more funding for training and technology. Starting in August 2022, murders in Baltimore began to decline compared to the prior year. This trend continued for five out of the next six months before I left office and thankfully continued through 2023.

We must adopt this proven approach at the federal level as a critical tool in our crime-fighting toolbox. On day one in the Senate, I will get to work to surge resources to hire federal prosecutors who will focus on breaking up these carjacking gangs and other organized crime. Despite our investments in law enforcement, this funding and support is not always matched by local leaders. Just in the past week, we met with the Prince George’s FOP, Anne Arundel FOP and federal law enforcement to hear about the resources they need to get the job done. We need a federal Re-Fund the Police initiative with greater training for law enforcement, more school resource officers, and funding to solve violent crimes that are terrorizing our communities and eroding the quality of life for too many Marylanders.

This is only the start of what the federal government must and can do to tackle crime across not just Mayland, but all across the country. We need to pass tougher federal penalties for criminals who use illegal guns and encourage states to implement red flag laws to get guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. We need to be proactive about leveraging the federal laws on the books, such as increased penalties for firearms in school zones and other federally-designated locations, to get repeat violent offenders off the street.

Crime is on the top of the minds of Marylanders and Americans, but — like most pressing issues of the day — Washington politicians only offer platitudes and point fingers. That must change. We can no longer allow politics to get in the way of public safety. There are bipartisan common sense solutions the federal government can adopt that will make a real difference. In the Senate, I will make it a top priority to bring people in both parties together to get this done, support our law enforcement, and make our communities safer.

Larry Hogan (info@larryhogan.com) was the 62nd governor of Maryland and is the state’s Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. 

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B-W Parkway to close for bridge replacement

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B-W Parkway to close for bridge replacement


WBAL

Maryland Route 295

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Baltimore-Washington Parkway, exit ramps to close in Jessup for bridge replacement

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Updated: 10:31 AM EDT Apr 6, 2026

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A portion of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway will close for two weekends in Jessup, where a bridge will be demolished.Check our LIVE traffic map and cameras in the WBAL-TV 11 News appThe Maryland State Highway Administration said Maryland Route 295 ramps will close, weather permitting, at Maryland Route 175 for an interchange reconstruction project.Southbound MD 295 will close between Maryland Routes 100 and 32 starting at 10 p.m. on April 10 until 5 a.m. on April 13 with the following lane and ramp closures.Both ramps from MD 100 onto southbound MD 295.Both ramps from Arundel Mills Boulevard onto southbound MD 295.Southbound MD 295 ramp to eastbound and westbound MD 175.Westbound MD 175 ramp to southbound MD 295.Northbound MD 295 will close between Maryland Routes 32 and 100 starting at 10 p.m. on April 17 until 5 a.m. on April 20 with the following ramp closures.Both ramps from MD 32 onto northbound MD 295.Eastbound MD 175 ramp to northbound MD 295.Northbound MD 295 ramp to eastbound and westbound MD 175.The mainline MD 175 lanes on the new bridge will remain open to traffic. The SHA said signs will be posted for detours to include MD 100, Interstate 95 and MD 32. Those going to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are advised to use alternate north-south routes such as I-95, U.S. Route 1 or I-97 to reach I-195.The overall interchange reconstruction project completion is scheduled for Fall 2027, schedule and weather permitting.

A portion of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway will close for two weekends in Jessup, where a bridge will be demolished.

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The Maryland State Highway Administration said Maryland Route 295 ramps will close, weather permitting, at Maryland Route 175 for an interchange reconstruction project.

Southbound MD 295 will close between Maryland Routes 100 and 32 starting at 10 p.m. on April 10 until 5 a.m. on April 13 with the following lane and ramp closures.

  • Both ramps from MD 100 onto southbound MD 295.
  • Both ramps from Arundel Mills Boulevard onto southbound MD 295.
  • Southbound MD 295 ramp to eastbound and westbound MD 175.
  • Westbound MD 175 ramp to southbound MD 295.

Northbound MD 295 will close between Maryland Routes 32 and 100 starting at 10 p.m. on April 17 until 5 a.m. on April 20 with the following ramp closures.

  • Both ramps from MD 32 onto northbound MD 295.
  • Eastbound MD 175 ramp to northbound MD 295.
  • Northbound MD 295 ramp to eastbound and westbound MD 175.

The mainline MD 175 lanes on the new bridge will remain open to traffic.

The SHA said signs will be posted for detours to include MD 100, Interstate 95 and MD 32.

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Those going to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are advised to use alternate north-south routes such as I-95, U.S. Route 1 or I-97 to reach I-195.

The overall interchange reconstruction project completion is scheduled for Fall 2027, schedule and weather permitting.

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Maryland man dead after being struck in Fairfax County – WTOP News

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Maryland man dead after being struck in Fairfax County – WTOP News


A Maryland man is dead after being struck by a pickup truck in Fairfax County, Virginia, late Friday night.

A Maryland man is dead after being struck by a pickup truck in Fairfax County, Virginia, late Friday night.

Police said the crash happened around 10:20 p.m. at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Pohick Road near Woodlawn.

According to investigators, the driver of a Toyota Tacoma was heading northbound on Richmond Highway when the pedestrian, Anthony Williams, 67, was crossing at the intersection. He was hit in the roadway.

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Williams was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.

The driver was not hurt and remained at the scene.

Police said speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors.

Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked by Fairfax County police to call their crash reconstruction unit at 703-280-0543 or can submit an anonymous tip at 1-866-411-8477. Those who submit an anonymous tip are eligible for cash rewards.

Below is a map of the location where the crash took place:

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(Courtesy Google Maps)

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Easter showers move through Maryland

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Easter showers move through Maryland



Happy Sunday, Maryland!

Sunday is a WJZ First Alert Weather Day. Showers and a few storms move through the state with a cold front today. Gusty winds are also expected through the day.

Easter Showers

Outside of western Maryland, the day started quiet and bright. Clouds moved in ahead of showers that started later in the morning. 

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Light, moderate and heavy intensity rain move from west to east from the morning into the afternoon. Activities like late morning services, brunch and early Easter dinners will be impacted. Heaviest of the rain should clear the area during the mid-afternoon but in any given location, the heaviest rain will be short lived with light rain ahead of it and after.

Maryland also experiences gusty winds at times today, as well (outside of rain). A few thunderstorms are also possible, potentially bringing even stronger winds for a few neighborhoods.

By this evening, many areas will have dried out. Clouds will stick around for a little before clearing out. Some sunshine is possible before sunset tonight. 

Breezy winds remain overnight and into Monday and Tuesday.

Cooling before warming

Once we get through showers and any storms and the cold front moves through, we enter a cooling trend for the early part of the work week. Breeziness remains for both Monday and Tuesday. Monday will warm to only 60° and Tuesday afternoon will be closer to 50° in the afternoon.

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Wednesday will still be in the upper 40s to low 50s but possibly a couple of degrees warmer than on Tuesday. The bigger warm-up comes Thursday with temperatures reaching closer to 70°. We warm into the 70s Friday and for the weekend. 



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