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U.S. Dept. of Transportation raises concerns about Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild costs, traffic congestion in Maryland

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U.S. Dept. of Transportation raises concerns about Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild costs, traffic congestion in Maryland


The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) raised concerns about the cost of rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and traffic congestion in Maryland. 

On Tuesday, USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy said he plans to meet with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to discuss the increased estimated cost of the rebuild and congestion along the I-495 and I-270 corridor. 

“I look forward to discussing the urgent matter of relieving severe congestion on the American Legion Memorial Bridge and getting the Francis Scott Key Bridge project back on track with Governor Moore,” Duffy said. 

It is currently unclear when the meeting will take place. 

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WJZ has reached out to the governor’s office for comment. 

Estimated cost to rebuild Key Bridge

The Key Bridge rebuild project was initially projected to cost about $2 billion. However, in November, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) shared an updated estimate of $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion. 

According to the MDTA, the cost increase is due to a dramatic rise in “material costs for all aspects of the project.” Officials said the preliminary estimates were prepared less than two weeks after the bridge collapsed in March 2024, and the new estimates came as design and pre-construction phases progressed.  

The MDTA also said the project would be completed by 2030, rather than 2028. 

The new Key Bridge will have two 12-foot lanes in each direction and is expected to have a lifespan of 100 years. 

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In December 2024, state lawmakers confirmed that the federal government would be covering the full cost of the rebuild after securing funding in a federal spending bill. 

Duffy said he sent a letter to Gov. Moore in September, raising concerns about the bridge rebuild and questioning the proposed budget and timeline. 

Maryland traffic concerns 

In the letter Tuesday, Duffy also said the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking public input on accelerating the reconstruction of the American Legion Memorial Bridge in Montgomery County. The move aims to reduce traffic congestion on I-495 and I-270, which commuters use to travel between Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

“Governor Moore’s lack of action on the American Legion Bridge corridor is holding back progress on one of the nation’s most critical transportation routes,” FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster said in a statement.

The concerns come after Washington, D.C., was rated number one in the U.S. for worst traffic congestion, Duffy said, citing a Consumer Affairs report.

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“Maryland’s highways help connect thousands to our nation’s capital, and as part of our effort to revitalize the area and make it safe and beautiful, holding leaders accountable at every level is essential to making sure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently,” Duffy said in a statement. 



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Maryland

Office building in Glen Burnie evacuated after shift in parking garage floor

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Office building in Glen Burnie evacuated after shift in parking garage floor


An office building in Glen Burnie was evacuated on Thursday afternoon after its underground parking garage experienced a shift in one of its floors.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department initially responded to the 7300 block of Ritchie Highway around 2:30 p.m. on July 9 after reports of a partial building collapse.

However, the department later clarified that there has been no collapse of the 10-story building.

Officials said crews are evaluating the building’s structural integrity after work was being performed in the parking garage.

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All occupants were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported, according to Fire Captain Jenny Macallair.

The fire department is asking drivers to avoid the area while crews continue their assessment.

FOX45 News has a crew on the way to the scene, and we will provide updates as they become available.



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How the Baltimore-style hot dog tells a uniquely Maryland story

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How the Baltimore-style hot dog tells a uniquely Maryland story


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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.

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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.”

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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.

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“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.

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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. 

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Maryland man sentenced to 15 years for attempting to join ISIS

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Maryland man sentenced to 15 years for attempting to join ISIS


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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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:

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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.

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The Source: Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting. 

Maryland CrimeNewsCrime and Public SafetyMaryland



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