Public Health Alert issued for beef jerky sticks due to possible presence of plastic pieces

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with plastic. A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase. The alert applies to beef jerky sticks produced by Top Notch Jerky LLC on May […]

Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products recalled due to possible Listeria contamination

WASHINGTON, DC—Kraft Heinz Foods Company is recalling more than 367,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week. The recall affects fully cooked turkey bacon produced between April 24, 2025, and June 11, 2025, at the company’s Newberry, S.C., establishment. The […]

Cyber Maryland transitions to Maryland Department of Labor, scaling workforce innovation for AI era

BALTIMORE, MD—Cyber Maryland, the state’s initiative for workforce development in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), information technology and related fields, has officially transitioned to the Maryland Department of Labor. The move, effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025, marks a new phase for the program after its incubation at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The transition underscores Maryland’s commitment to cultivating a […]

FDA updates COVID-19 vaccine warnings on heart inflammation risks

SILVER SPRING, MD—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated and approved updated warnings on the labeling of Pfizer’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to include new safety information regarding the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis. The updated Prescribing Information for both vaccines now includes details on the estimated incidence of heart inflammation following the 2023-2024 formula […]

Gas prices expected to be lowest since 2021 for July 4th weekend

BALTIMORE, MD—Americans hitting the road for the Independence Day holiday can expect to see significantly lower gas prices, with the national average projected to fall to $3.15 per gallon. This marks the lowest July 4th gas price since 2021, according to a forecast released Monday by GasBuddy. The anticipated price is nearly 35 cents lower than last year’s July 4th […]

Key Bridge demolition nears as rebuild project advances

BALTIMORE, MD—Demolition of the remaining structures of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is slated to begin around July 7, weather permitting, marking a significant step forward in the massive Key Bridge Rebuild project, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced this week. The demolition work is expected to span several months and will involve heavy machinery to carefully dismantle the bridge. […]

Cold Comfort: Maryland’s freezing winter could mean juicier peaches, crispier kale this summer, expert predicts

BALTIMORE, MD—After a colder than average winter that brought deep freezes to much of Maryland, local gardeners might be in for a surprisingly productive summer. While residents may have dealt with an unusually brisk winter, those frosty days were quietly working behind the scenes, especially for fruit trees, leafy greens, and hardy herbs. Maryland saw temperatures well below average for […]