Latest news with #MathewSchumer
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado watch issued for Baltimore region
The National Weather Service announced Friday that a tornado watch will be in effect in the Baltimore Region until midnight Saturday. 'Know your safe location,' wrote Baltimore City's Office of Emergency Management in the announcement Friday. 'Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued to you or you suspect a tornado is approaching.' In anticipation of the potential stormy weather, the Baltimore Orioles moved their game against the Chicago White Sox to 4:30 p.m., and the city of Annapolis postponed its Pride Parade and Festival. A tornado touched down in Baltimore earlier this month, leaving damaged property and thousands without power in its wake. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit: Maryland Department of Emergency Management can't account for over $300M in federal funding
A legislative audit released Thursday found that the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) potentially cost the state more than $300 million in federal COVID-19-related funds and failed to account for over $23 million in loans to volunteer fire companies. In MDEM's first audit since being established in 2021, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) determined that in several instances, the department spent more than $1.13 billion between 2022 and 2024 on COVID-related grants, making up most of its funding for public assistance. While the department was able to request federal reimbursements for much of this spending, it failed to do so on a quarterly basis, which lost the state an estimated $19.2 million. MDEM also reported receiving $882 million in federal funds, but upon further analysis, it received only about $560 million. There is a chance that the federal government will still fulfill the full requested amount, but if it does not, Maryland taxpayers might be on the hook to cover the $300 million shortfall. The audit's final reported finding was that MDEM has 62 active loans under its Volunteer Company Assistance Fund (VCAF), with a combined outstanding balance of over $23 million. These loans, intended to help volunteer fire companies purchase and improve equipment, are all overseen by a single MDEM employee, which the audit says leaves the department susceptible to delinquent loan payments. During the audit, OLA identified over $540,000 worth of late VCAF payments. 'MDEM has implemented control processes and made progress in areas described in this report, including filling key vacancies that may have contributed to the findings,' wrote Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management Russell Strickland in his response to the audit. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit: Maryland Department of Emergency Management can't account for over $300M in federal funding
A legislative audit released Thursday found that the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) potentially cost the state more than $300 million in federal COVID-19-related funds and failed to account for over $23 million in loans to volunteer fire companies. In MDEM's first audit since being established in 2021, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) determined that in several instances, the department spent more than $1.13 billion between 2022 and 2024 on COVID-related grants, making up most of its funding for public assistance. While the department was able to request federal reimbursements for much of this spending, it failed to do so on a quarterly basis, which lost the state an estimated $19.2 million. MDEM also reported receiving $882 million in federal funds, but upon further analysis, it received only about $560 million. There is a chance that the federal government will still fulfill the full requested amount, but if it does not, Maryland taxpayers might be on the hook to cover the $300 million shortfall. The audit's final reported finding was that MDEM has 62 active loans under its Volunteer Company Assistance Fund (VCAF), with a combined outstanding balance of over $23 million. These loans, intended to help volunteer fire companies purchase and improve equipment, are all overseen by a single MDEM employee, which the audit says leaves the department susceptible to delinquent loan payments. During the audit, OLA identified over $540,000 worth of late VCAF payments. 'MDEM has implemented control processes and made progress in areas described in this report, including filling key vacancies that may have contributed to the findings,' wrote Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management Russell Strickland in his response to the audit. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Howard County issues advisory after Columbia sewage overflow
The Howard County Health Department released a public notification Friday after a sewage overflow in Columbia. The department's notice stated that the Howard County Bureau of Utilities was able to stop the overflow and placed signage in the area to alert passersby. Woman killed in Howard County crash involving car stolen by juveniles, police say Robert J. Lancelotta Sr., Howard County real estate developer, dies Former Howard County superintendent Martirano to lead Allegany County schools The notice states that the overflow occurred as a result of a broken main behind Watchlight Court in Columbia. Authorities are urging the public to keep themselves and any pets away from the water in that area, including downstream in Lake Elkhorn. Last year, the Howard County Health Department sent a similar notice after an estimated 138,888-gallon sewage overflow at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant in Savage. Those with questions about the overflow and cleanup efforts can reach the Bureau of Utilities at 410-313-4900. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Baltimore sues Zyn manufacturer claiming nicotine pouch targets kids
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Baltimore has sued a major nicotine manufacturer claiming the company is marketing nicotine pouches to children and adolescents. The suit, filed by the city in Baltimore Circuit Court on Wednesday, accuses Phillip Morris International of violating Baltimore's Consumer Protection Ordinance through deceptive marketing practices to 'peddle' Zyn oral nicotine pouches to minors. 'The purpose of creating a flavored tobacco product is clear — it is meant to capture children and adolescents,' the city's complaint says. The complaint cites recent research which found that nearly 2 percent of middle and high school students report using nicotine pouches, and a separate survey where more than two-thirds of underaged respondents reported Zyn as their favorite brand of tobacco pouches. This is not the first time the city has targeted nicotine-related products with a lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing. Baltimore sued Juul Labs Inc. in 2020, accusing the electronic cigarette maker of promoting to minors. In September, the city reached an $8 million settlement with the California-based company. In 2022, the District of Columbia issued a ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products, which the Zyn manufacturer was accused of violating. As part of a settlement, the company was required to pay the District $1.2 million. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
