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CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hazy Skies Continue as Heat and Humidity Build Across Maryland
Canadian wildfire smoke will keep skies hazy overnight across Maryland, with temperatures falling into the 50s and 60s. While the smoke will be visible, most of it will remain at high altitudes and have little impact on air quality at the surface. Wednesday will bring more sunshine and continued haze as the upper-level smoke persists. Temperatures will soar into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees. Some locations may hit the 90-degree mark for the first time this year. The heat continues Thursday, but cloud cover will increase, and humidity will become more noticeable. Highs will again push into the upper 80s, with a muggy feel returning to the atmosphere. Friday will feature a mix of sun and clouds, with a few isolated storms possible across western Maryland late in the day. Baltimore and the I-95 corridor are expected to stay dry. Afternoon highs will reach the mid to upper 80s. The best chance for widespread rain arrives Saturday as a cold front pushes into the region. Expect scattered showers and a few storms, with highs cooling slightly into the upper 70s to low 80s. The front will move out of the area by early Sunday, setting the stage for a beautiful end to the weekend. Sunshine returns Sunday afternoon with lower humidity and highs in the low 80s. Looking ahead, the weather turns unsettled again next week. Showers and thunderstorms are possible Monday and Tuesday, with highs near 80 degrees each day. Forecast confidence drops beyond Sunday, so stay tuned to WJZ for updates as we continue to refine the timing and coverage of next week's rain chances.
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Teens arrested in Baltimore with multiple guns, ammo, device to create fully automatic weapons
While Baltimore is seeing record-low homicides, the city is dealing with persistent juvenile crime concerns. Four teenagers were arrested with multiple guns over the weekend. Police said the teens also had a device that turns a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley spoke to WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren about the department's successes and challenges ahead of a pivotal budget hearing Tuesday night. "If you don't put the guns down, we're going to come in," Worley said. "We're going to do an investigation. We're going to indict people. We're going to turn it over to the state's attorney or U.S. attorney or attorney general, and they're going to prosecute you." Four teens arrested From her front porch, Katherine Davis can see the 800 block of North Curley Street where police say four teenagers — ages 16, 17, 18 and 19— were taken into custody Sunday and found with five weapons and ammunition. Their cache included extended magazines and an auto-sear device that makes weapons fully automatic. Commissioner Worley said it can be made using a 3D printer. While Baltimore is seeing record-low homicides, the city is dealing with persistent juvenile crime concerns—including four teenagers arrested with multiple guns over the weekend. Baltimore Police Juvenile crime concerns "We come up with who is driving the violence, who is doing the shooting. All of the wraparound services are offered to them," Commissioner Richard Worley said. Worley told WJZ Investigates all categories of crime are down except shoplifting and said a small number of juveniles are causing the problems. "We had a 13-year-old over the weekend, we caught with a handgun in Cherry Hill," Worley said. "It's just incredible that these kids aren't learning, so there's got to be some discipline for the ones who continue to commit crimes." Last week, WJZ obtained video of what the business owner believes are young people breaking into a Southeast Baltimore restaurant. The week prior, police say a 15-year-old repeat offender on electronic monitoring robbed a 12-year-old at gunpoint and kidnapped him. Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates mentioned that incident in an op-ed published Tuesday, where he wrote, "…We need a system that first and foremost holds juvenile offenders accountable for their actions. This does not include continuing to release these repeat offenders back into the community… ." Worley told WJZ, "We can't continue to put them out there because what's going to happen, we're going to have a tragic event with one of these young people trying to commit a crime and someone who has an open carry permit or whatever it is, they're going to end up getting shot." Record-low homicides The city is seeing success in bringing down the overall number of shootings, with 56 homicides year to date, down 24% from last year to the lowest number ever recorded. Non-fatal shootings are down 25% from 2024, with 128 year-to-date as of Tuesday morning. "We get judged by the one number, the homicide rate, and 56 is still too many for our city, so we want to continue to keep the foot on the pedal, the foot on the gas, and continue to drive down those numbers," Worley said. Metro Crime Stoppers recently publicized $8,000 rewards for several May homicides. "The mayor's office did a fabulous job with cutting down the number of ghost guns coming into the city," Worley said. "Before the lawsuit and the ban on selling in the city, a lot of ghost guns made their way into the city." Police staffing shortage The commissioner said while BPD is still down roughly 500 officers, they have added almost 50 in the past six months. He said he is confident the department can be at full, budgeted staffing levels within three to four years. Back in Southeast Baltimore, asked if she's feeling safer, Katherine Davis said, "I do because I don't bother anybody, nobody bothers me. …I sit on my porch and mind my business, and as long as they mind theirs, I'm good."
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Why are car insurance rates up in Maryland?
Why are car insurance rates up in Maryland? Why are car insurance rates up in Maryland? Why are car insurance rates up in Maryland? One thing everyone is noticing these days is rising costs, and that includes your car insurance. Viewers have asked WJZ why their auto insurance rates are increasing in Maryland. WJZ Anchor Rick Ritter tracked down the answer for this segment of Question Everything. Why is car insurance so expensive? Rick Ritter sat down with Marie Grant, who is Maryland's insurance commissioner. Marie Grant: "Typically in urban environments, we do see higher rates of auto insurance based on experience on what happens to a car in a city. Grant: "What we're seeing here in Maryland and what consumers are feeling are, unfortunately, national trends that consumers in other states are feeling, as well." Data released this year from Insurify shows car insurance costs surged nationally by 15% in 2024. Maryland drivers pay the most for car insurance, according to the website. On average, Marylanders are paying more than $4,000 a year, which is a 53% increase from 2023. Grant: "Maryland, historically, has been in the top quarter of states for auto insurance rates, and that's due in part to the nature of our state." "We tend to drive a lot, with longer commuting distances and a lot of congestion on roads. With pretty heavy traffic and accident rates higher than other states, it all contributes." While congestion and traffic-related incidents play a role, high repair costs are also to blame. AAA A found that today's advanced technology in cars can cost twice as much to repair, and now the threat of tariffs could complicate things even more. Grant: "During the pandemic, costs went down, folks weren't driving as much, and there weren't as many accidents. As Marylanders got back on the road, as well as inflation, the cost of cars then increased." Rick Ritter: "With so much talk about the escalating trade war and the president's tariffs, will it help contribute to rising car insurance rates?" Grant: "Unfortunately, the answer is yes. We haven't seen evidence of that with current rate filings, but if you asked me a month ago without tariffs on the horizon, I would've said trends are looking positive." Climate and crime can be contributing factors to higher costs of insurance, as well. Maryland has seen stolen vehicle claims surge over the last few years, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. If you live in an area with more frequent severe weather, like flooding or wildfires, it can impact your premiums, too. What can Marylanders do to save? Grant says to shop around for several insurers. Most think two or three, but five to 10 is what's recommended. Search for discounts, like safety features or bundling policies, which can help keep costs down. Consider a telematics program that monitors how safe you're driving. Then can bring down rates for you, as well. When in doubt, the insurance commissioner's office lines are always open. The office receives dozens of calls daily from Marylanders inquiring about their rates. "I love hearing from Marylanders. Consumers should definitely reach out to us," Grant said. "Fresh eyes never hurt, so we do want to make sure we are asking tough questions of our insurers to make sure they are putting their best foot forward, and that's what we do." Car insurance adds to a budget From the escalating trade war to inflation, it feels like the cost of everything is going up these days. "It's horrible, from car insurance to groceries," a Baltimore resident said. "Everything feels so expensive," said Yaniv Ezra, an Uber driver and student in the city. "I'm a DoorDash and Uber Eats driver, and you can see that barely anyone is buying anything." The rising prices for utilities, food, and gas, mixed in with skyrocketing car insurance, make things tough. "It's very high," Ezra said. "I'm paying $200 a month now just because I moved to the city."
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Severe storms and heavy rain risk Friday evening across Maryland
We can catch our breaths today with a quieter weather day ahead. After Wednesday's soaking rainfall, which delivered anywhere between 1 and 3 inches across the state, today looks mostly cloudy and dry. CHIPPING AWAY AT MARYLAND'S DROUGHT: Rain over past 36 hours has been super beneficial. We get new drought update this AM, which I'll post on here. The drought update this AM takes into account last week's beneficial rain. Yesterday's rain will reflect in next week's update. @WJZ — Steven Sosna (@SteveSosnaWX) May 29, 2025 We'll be dealing with high levels of humidity and seasonably warm temperatures throughout this Thursday with highs in the middle to upper 70s. A few isolated to widely scattered showers and thundershowers are possible this evening. This chance of wet weather will continue through the overnight hours. The showers and storms will be of the hit or miss variety, so not every neighborhood will get wet. Patchy areas of fog will develop overnight and linger into the Friday morning commute. Alert Day issued Friday for risk of Severe Storms & Heavy Rain Friday morning looks quiet with patchy morning fog and very muggy conditions. Low clouds and fog will give way to partly sunny skies. The severe storm threat Friday is dependent on how warm we get during the day. The more sunshine we receive earlier in the day, means a greater severe weather threat during the evening. The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has issued an Alert Day Friday afternoon and evening for the risk of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, which may produce areas of flooding. There will be a few rounds of showers and heavy thunderstorms throughout the evening and overnight hours. The greatest threat for damaging winds and hail will take place with the first round of strong storms between 3 pm and 11 pm. In addition to potential strong winds and hail, storms will have torrential downpours, so areas of poor drainage and urban flooding will be possible. Additional clusters of heavy showers and storms will continue through the overnight hours. While most of these storms should not be severe, they will contain more heavy downpours. With the ground already saturated from recent heavy rain, the threshold for flooding is low. Any storm Friday evening or night could cause flooding, so please turn around and don't cross any roadway that's flooded. O's Game Forecast Friday Evening The O's game scheduled for Friday evening against the White Sox needs to be watched closely. A few rounds of strong storms are possible, so rain delay(s) and/or a postponement will be possible if multiple storms cross over Camden Yards. First pitch is at 7:05 pm. Outside of storms, expect a warm, muggy, and cloudy evening. Saturday Showers and Storms Saturday will stay unsettled with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms possible. Thankfully the atmosphere should have less energy than Friday, so the threat for severe weather is lower. We'll see a few rounds of showers and storms possible starting as early as the morning hours. Another few clusters of storms will be possible midday into early evening. Some of the strongest storms will have heavy rain, small hail, gusty winds, and lightning. Most of the storms should exit the area before 9 pm. Superb Stretch Starts Sunday A well deserved period of quiet, comfortable, and beautiful spring weather begins Sunday. Sunday will be the coolest day of the stretch with highs in the middle 70s along with a gusty breeze. Monday will be similar to Sunday, but with less wind. Temperatures continue to warm Tuesday under plenty of sunshine. Afternoon highs should climb into the lower to middle 80s. The peak warmth will arrive midweek where temperatures will soar into the upper 80s with some spots away from Chesapeake Bay getting close to 90° with plenty of sunshine.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Fundraiser set to honor fallen Baltimore City firefighter Lt. Mark Dranbauer on Sunday
The Baltimore community is coming together on Sunday, June 1, for a fundraiser in memory of fallen firefighter Lt. Mark Dranbauer. The event, hosted and put on by Jimmy's Famous Seafood, will raise money for Lt. Dranbauer's family. Lt. Dranbauer died on Friday, May 16, days after he suffered a medical emergency while battling a fire on West Saratoga Street. The 44-year-old was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he fell backward down a ladder. He remained on the aerial ladder, where he was helped off and taken to a hospital. Lt. Dranbauer served the Baltimore City Fire Department for 23 years. He is expected to save 70 lives after donating his organs, according to medical officials. About the Lt. Mark Dranbauer Memorial Fundraiser The Lt. Mark Dranbauer Memorial Fundraiser at Jimmy's Famous Seafood will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. WJZ anchor Rick Ritter will be one of the hosts of the event, along with Jimmy's Famous Seafood co-owners John Minadakis and Tony Minadakis, and T.J. Smith. Tickets are $75, and all of the proceeds will go to Lt. Dranbauer's family. Tickets to the event will include three hours of unlimited drinks and a buffet crafted by the chefs at Jimmy's Famous Seafood. There will be live music, DJ, speeches, games, raffles, celebrity appearances, and more. For information on donating services, such as DJ, photography, music, or other skill sets, contact events@ If your company wishes to become a sponsor of this event, you can contact sales@ For ticket information on the memorial fundraiser, check out this link.
