Author: delmarvatimes.com

Maryland lawmakers are considering a new measure aimed at cracking down on residents who live in the state but keep their vehicles registered elsewhere. Senate Bill 111, introduced by Sen. McCray, lays out a formal process for identifying improperly registered vehicles, notifying owners, and enforcing compliance with Maryland’s registration laws. If the owner fails to properly register the vehicle, a civil fine of $7 per day is assessed for up to 60 days until the vehicle is properly registered. The bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026, if passed. Why This Bill Exists Maryland law already requires residents…

A federal appeals court has lifted restrictions on how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may respond to protests in Minnesota, handing the Trump administration a significant legal win and restoring agents’ full enforcement authority during ongoing immigration operations. On Monday, a three‑judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals put a hold on a district court injunction that had sharply limited ICE’s ability to arrest, detain, pepper‑spray, or otherwise act against protesters and observers unless agents had probable cause. The lower court issued that order earlier this year amid escalating demonstrations surrounding “Operation Metro Surge,” a multi‑agency…

Maryland’s House Bill 116 is a new proposal aimed at giving families more visibility into how their school systems make decisions—especially when it comes to contracts, partnerships, and agreements that affect students. If you’ve ever wondered who your school system is working with or how money is being spent, this bill is designed to make that information easier to find. Here’s what it means for you as a parent. The Big Idea: More Transparency in School System Deals School systems regularly enter into agreements—everything from curriculum purchases to technology contracts to partnerships with outside organizations. Right now, it can be…

The proposal, submitted by the Department of Housing and Community Development, represents one of the most sweeping state interventions in local zoning authority in recent years. What the Bill Targets The bill focuses on local zoning rules that often restrict the size, type, and placement of single‑family homes. It applies to counties, municipalities, and planning bodies—including the Maryland‑National Capital Park and Planning Commission—except in a few specific circumstances. The legislation defines key terms such as “single‑family home,” “town house,” “improved lot,” and “area zoned for single‑family residential use,” ensuring that both detached homes and townhouses fall under its protections. Key…

Editorial By JOHN MYRICK FOR GOVERNORDR. BRENDA J. THIAM FOR LT. GOVERNOR January 23rd, 2026 As Maryland faces yet another huge budget deficit, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) continues to uncover evidence of massive fraud, waste, and abuse of our taxpayer dollars nearly every day. According to reports, the OLA has uncovered $992 million in “questionable Taxpayer-funded transactions” over 3 State agencies in the last 60 days! In 2025, it was reported that the Maryland State Highway Administration “knowingly charged” $360 million in unauthorized expenses to federal projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation, at some point in time,…

Wicomico County, Maryland. — Wicomico County has officially entered into a 287(g) immigration enforcement partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, County Executive Julie Giordano announced Friday. The agreement, unveiled in a joint press release with Sheriff Mike Lewis, establishes a Warrant Service Officer (WSO) model. Under this structure, ICE will train and certify designated county personnel to serve and execute administrative immigration warrants on individuals already detained in the county jail. County officials emphasized that the sheriff’s office itself is not part of the agreement. Giordano said the partnership takes effect immediately, marking the culmination of months of internal…

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland lawmakers have introduced a sweeping new proposal that would sharply restrict when law enforcement officers may cover their faces while on duty, marking one of the most significant police-transparency measures considered in recent years. Senate Bill 1, pre-filed for the 2026 legislative session and backed by more than a dozen Democratic senators, would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create a statewide model policy prohibiting officers from wearing opaque face coverings during the performance of their duties. All law enforcement agencies operating in the state — including federal, out-of-state, and local departments — would…

A group of Maryland state senators has introduced legislation that would bar state and local agencies from participating in federal civil‑immigration enforcement programs, marking a significant shift in how Maryland jurisdictions interact with federal authorities. Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Senators Smith, Ferguson, and Lewis Young, would prohibit the State, counties, municipalities, and sheriffs’ offices from entering into any “immigration enforcement agreement” with the federal government. The bill defines such agreements broadly, covering contracts, intergovernmental service agreements, and memoranda of understanding that authorize local officials to enforce federal civil‑immigration law. This includes arrangements made under federal statutes such as 8…

Wicomico County, Maryland — The Wicomico County Council has decided to remove the Lord’s Prayer from the opening of its meetings, where it was traditionally recited before the Pledge of Allegiance. This decision was made in response to a single complaint filed by an individual from Wisconsin. The Council acted without holding a formal hearing and without seeking input from the citizens it represents. The stated justification was that the inclusion of the Lord’s Prayer violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, the Council received weak legal advice from its attorney who either misunderstands the Constitution or was…

Berlin, Maryland – A Stephen Decatur High School basketball coach, 60‑year‑old Bryon Johnson, has been taken into custody on multiple charges, including a felony third‑degree sex offense involving a child under 14. The arrest followed a report made to Ocean Pines Police on January 6, in which a child disclosed that Johnson had touched her inappropriately the previous night. Investigators later determined the alleged incident occurred on January 5 between 8 and 10 p.m., and the child was evaluated at Atlantic General Hospital and interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center. Police interviewed the child’s siblings on January 7, who confirmed…