Harford County man sentenced for aggravated identity theft bank fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man has been sentenced to prison for an identity theft and bank fraud scheme that resulted in over $1 million in losses. U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Victor Ojo, 30, of Belcamp, to 72 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Victor Ojo received the sentence for aggravated identity theft […]

Cash App, Block Inc. settle with states over BSA/AML violations

BALTIMORE, MD—Block, Inc., the parent company of popular mobile payment service Cash App, has agreed to pay $80 million to settle with 48 state financial regulatory agencies, including Maryland, for violations of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The settlement, announced by the Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of Financial Regulation, addresses deficiencies in Block’sBSA/AML program that […]

Maryland Freedom Caucus: Fairness in Girls’ Sports bill denied fair hearing

ANNAPOLIS, MD—HB 156, Fairness in Girls’ Sports, introduced by Maryland Freedom Caucus Vice Chair, Delegate Kathy Szeliga, is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, January 29th. However, public support for the legislation will not be heard as the Ways and Means Committee is limiting bills introduced in prior years to “sponsor only” testimony. “I was disappointed to learn that my […]

ICE ERO Baltimore arrests MS-13 gang member in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—An undocumented Salvadoran national and alleged member of MS-13 was arrested in Maryland, on January 25, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Anderson Geovany Romero, 19, was apprehended in Hyattsville by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore after he was released from the Prince George’s Detention Center. Romero had been arrested by the Prince George’s County […]

Health alert issued for Wegmans chicken nuggets after bone fragments found

BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for Wegmans frozen, fully cooked breaded chicken breast nuggets that may be contaminated with bone fragments. The FSIS is urging consumers not to consume the product, though a recall hasn’t been issued as it’s no longer available for purchase. The product in […]

Governor Moore urges regional grid operator to protect Marylanders from hikes in energy prices

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore has joined Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in urging regional grid operator PJM Interconnection LLC to make changes to its capacity market rules in order to safeguard Maryland ratepayers from potential electricity cost spikes. In a letter (PDF) sent to the PJM Board of Managers last week, Moore reiterated concerns about rising energy costs for Maryland […]

Maryland DNR launches inaugural waterfowl photo contest

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is calling on wildlife photographers to participate in its inaugural waterfowl photo contest. The winning photograph will be featured on the new DNR hard card hunting and fishing licenses set to be released later this year. The contest closes on March 31, 2025. The new hard card licenses, resembling credit cards, will be […]

Future in Focus: Disabled Marylanders abandoned by Governor Moore

The following is an editorial piece from Maryland House of Delegates candidate Glen Geelhaar. Governor Moore’s budget priorities are becoming clear—and troubling. His proposed 2025 budget includes a $200 million cut to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and eliminates $5.5 million for Low Intensity Support Services. These cuts strip families of children with autism of access to programs like therapeutic […]