Maryland
Maryland woman joins lawsuit against TikTok ban
Local TikTok creator sues US government over potential ban
A Maryland woman is among eight content creators who have joined a lawsuit suing the U.S. government, arguing that a new law forcing the sale or ban of the app TikTok violates their First Amendment rights. FOX 5’s Lili Zheng has the story.
A Maryland woman is among eight content creators who have joined a lawsuit suing the U.S. government, arguing that a new law forcing the sale or ban of the app TikTok violates their First Amendment rights.
Talia Cadet of Capitol Heights, Maryland joined TikTok in March 2020. It wasn’t until 2021 and 2022 when she began creating and posting content on the platform.
Cadet’s account has amassed nearly 130,000 followers. Her content includes books, Black-owned businesses, and other DMV-related topics.
“On TikTok, there’s just something really different about that platform, where my content took off. Now, I’m a user and content creator on the platform,” Cadet told FOX 5. “I think storytelling is one of the most distinctive features about TikTok. I think another thing people love about TikTok is they have really perfected the algorithm, the ability to curate your own algorithm and see the kind of content you want to see.”
According to the 33-page complaint filed this week, the law is “unconstitutionally overboard” as it “bans an entire medium of communication and all the speech communicated through that medium, even though, at the very least, the vast majority of that speech is protected.”
It was filed about a week after TikTok filed its own lawsuit against the federal government, also citing constitutional concerns over free speech.
“Other than the threats to our livelihood and the communities we built, and we fostered, I think what’s really scary is what is a violation of our First Amendment rights. That’s the concerning part,” Cadet said. “The government is essentially telling us what platform we can use, how and with whom we can communicate.”
The law, formally known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was signed by President Biden in April.
There was bipartisan support behind the move to ban the app from the U.S. market if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, does not divest it.
Those who supported the legislation have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the roughly 170 million Americans who use TikTok – a concern stemming from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.
The eight content creators who are a part of the latest lawsuit filed this week in a U.S. Court of Appeals court in D.C., represent different backgrounds in terms of content and home states.
Michael Carroll, a professor of law at American University, said there is some validity to the plaintiff’s claims.
“When we think about this lawsuit, it’s a bit derivative, right? The law is directed at TikTok’s ownership structure, but it does have the consequences of…if you don’t change that ownership structure, then the app will become unavailable,” Carroll said. “A lot of the claim is, you’re really targeting our speech. It’s only on TikTok we can effectively communicate. We have tried Facebook, and Instagram, our followers are much, much more fewer.”
Carroll said while there is no definitive deadline for the court to respond, the court likely recognizes there is attention on this topic. He told FOX 5, there could be some elements of urgency under consideration.
In a statement Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the legislation addresses national security in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment. The DOJ looks forward to defending the legislation in court, a statement read in part.
“Alongside others in our intelligence community and in Congress, the Justice Department has consistently warned about the threat of autocratic nations who can weaponize technology – such as the apps and software that run on our phones – to use against us. This threat is compounded because those autocratic nations regularly force companies under their control to turn over sensitive data to the government in secret,” a statement to FOX 5 read.
Check out the full lawsuit below:
Maryland
How the Baltimore-style hot dog tells a uniquely Maryland story
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.
Maryland
Maryland man sentenced to 15 years for attempting to join ISIS
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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