Baltimore joins settlement with Walmart opioid suits

BALTIMORE, MD—The city of Baltimore has signed onto a $7.2 million statewide settlement with Walmart over its role in the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across the country, Mayor Brandon Scott announced Thursday. The settlement is the result of a lawsuit filed by the city in 2018 against several manufacturers and distributors who allegedly downplayed the risk of opioid […]

Attorney General Brown completes opioid settlements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced that the Consumer Protection Division’s Opioids Enforcement Unit has finalized settlements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, and Walgreens, after multi-year investigations of these opioids-makers’ or chain pharmacies’ involvement in fueling the opioid crisis in Maryland. The settlements are expected to provide $238 million to be used in Maryland’s and its subdivisions’ efforts […]

Maryland town named among happiest cities in America

BALTIMORE, MD—With the International Day of Happiness coming up on March 20, the personal-finance website WalletHub this week released its report on 2024’s Happiest Cities in America in an effort to find out which cities provide the best conditions for Americans’ mental and physical well being. Columbia, MD came in at No. 10.  Fremont, CA topped the list with Overland […]

Maryland is 2024’s 6th-best state for women, WalletHub study

BALTIMORE, MD—With Women’s History Month coming up in March, the personal-finance website WalletHub this week released its report on the Best & Worst States for Women in 2024, to highlight the areas that provide an ideal living environment for women and the places that are in need of improvement. Maryland came in at No. 6 on this year’s list.  Massachusetts […]

Fire officials warn of kerosine heater risks after Maryland man dies of carbon monoxide poisoning

CECIL COUNTY, MD—A 59-year-old man is dead, and a woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition after being found in their Earleville home with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning over the weekend. Cecilton Volunteer Fire Department and Cecil County Department of Emergency Services paramedics responded to 12 Florida Avenue in Crystal Beach at around 12:45 p.m. on Saturday […]

Maryland Attorney General joins fight for fairer drug prices

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined 39 of his fellow attorney generals in calling for reform of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry. The coalition of attorneys general released a letter (PDF) to Congress urging them to engage in meaningful debate on reform. The letter highlights three bills as critical pieces of legislation: the DRUG Act, the […]

Bipartisan bill seeks to ban chemical, surgical gender and sex transition procedures on minors without parental consent

ANNAPOLIS, MD—On Wednesday, in the Health and Government Operations Committee, HB 722 will be heard by members of the Maryland House of Delegates. The bill prohibits a healthcare provider from knowingly engaging in or causing certain medical or surgical procedures to be performed on a minor without the consent of the parent, guardian, or custodian of the minor if performed […]

AGs call on FDA to act on lead found in baby food

BALTIMORE, MD—A coalition of attorneys general, including Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, are calling on the the Food & Drug Administration to take action on toxic metals found in baby food. A letter (PDF) sent to the FDA by the coalition brings attention to recent childhood lead poisoning linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches made by WanaBana, Schnucks, and […]