The following is a legislative update from Councilman David Marks. On April 7, the Baltimore County Council approved placing the Farmland Preservation Act on the ballot in the 2026 general election. I was the main sponsor of this legislation, with Councilmen Todd Crandell, Mike Ertel, Wade Kach, and Izzy Patoka cosponsoring and supporting the bill. Should the voters approve this […]
BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $172,105,632 in revenue from slot machines and table games during March 2025. The total was down $6,032,191 (-3.4%) from March 2024 when the casinos registered their fifth-best monthly gaming revenue performance ($178,137,823). Casino gaming contributions to the state during March 2025 totaled $74,555,922, a decrease of $1,917,913 (-2.5%) compared to March 2024. The […]
ANNAPOLIS, MD—No, it’s not April 1st and this is not an April Fools prank. Maryland lawmakers are considering a new tax on mattress sales, dubbed a “sleep tax,” as part of a package of measures to address the state’s budget deficit. The bill, which passed the Maryland House last week, would implement a “Mattress Stewardship Program” and require mattress producers […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission on Monday issued letters to commodity trading businesses KalshiEX, LLC (Kalshi), Robinhood Derivatives, LLC (Robinhood) and North American Derivatives Exchange, Inc. (doing business as Crypto.com), directing them to stop offering sports event contracts in Maryland. Maryland Lottery and Gaming informed the three companies that the sports event prediction markets they offer via […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The national average gas price jumped 10.6 cents this week to $3.21 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. This marks the largest weekly increase of the year so far. However, experts predict that the price hike is unlikely to last long due to plummeting oil prices. The recent surge in gas prices is attributed to concerns about the global economy […]
BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man who ran a Baltimore County-based business has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for bribing the former CEO of a Maryland broadband cooperative, according to federal prosecutors. Wayne I. Kacher, Jr., 52, was found guilty by a federal jury on May 21, 2024 of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and federal program bribery. […]
BOWLEYS QUARTERS, MD—Sunset Cove has permanently closed its doors. The popular Bowleys Quarters waterfront bar & restaurant made the announcement on Facebook on Sunday, April 6, 2025. “Sunset Cove is permanently CLOSED,” the announcement read. “We would like to take this time to thank all of our loyal customers and employees. It has been an amazing run with many fantastic […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Aviation Administration has a new leader. Shannetta R. Griffin, a professional engineer with more than 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, has been appointed as the Executive Director and CEO. She officially assumes her new role on April 7, 2025. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld expressed his confidence in Griffin, stating, “I have full […]