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COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
Covid-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC New isolation guidelines for those infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infections have just been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said there is no longer a need to isolate for five days before returning to work or school in a statement issued Friday, March 1. The CDC said it's making updates to the recommendations now because the US is seeing "far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." Three "core prevention tips" were also detaile…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion
Community Rallying Around Immigrant Family Whose American Dream Was Dashed By DC Explosion An immigrant couple who came to the nation's capital looking to live the American Dream is reeling after the gas explosion in Anacostia that leveled their convenience store.  On Jan. 18, there was a gas explosion in the 1200 block of Marion Barry Avenue that led to the destruction of Ishaq Hussen's Danakil Convenience Store and left other nearby businesses with severe damage. Video from the dash-cam of the first engine on scene captures the moment when the second of two explosions takes place at a convenience store on Marion Barry Ave SE minutes after the initial daycare explosion #…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Embattled Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight has reached a mutual agreement with the Board of Education to part ways with the district, effective immediately. An announcement was made on Tuesday, Feb. 2 advising the community that McKnight would no longer be at the head of schools, with COO Brian Hull stepping in as the acting superintendent. "The Board is grateful to Dr. McKnight for her many years of service to MCPS and public education," officials wrote in a statement. "We wish her well in her next chapter (and) the Board will work together with staff to ensure a sm…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice
Kindergarten Student In Montgomery County Dies From COVID After Being Sent To Hospital Twice A young girl died at a Maryland hospital after suffering from the effects of COVID-19, her school district announced. On Thursday, an email was sent out to members of the community by Cannon Road Elementary School Principal Kristine Donohue, after a student passed away from the virus. According to Donohue, the student was admitted to the hospital last week for COVID, and was readmitted before dying on Sunday, Jan. 21. "As a staff, we are grieving this horrific loss," she wrote. "I ask that you keep (her) family and our staff in your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time."  …

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by Zak Failla
News
Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC
Surge In Covid-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm, warning that low vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) could strain healthcare systems across the nation in the weeks ahead. Hospitalizations among all age groups in the last month increased by 200 percent for influenza, 51 percent for COVID, and 60 percent for RSV, the CDC said. Meanwhile, coverage for the seasonal 2023-2024 flu shot is low in all age groups compared with the same period of the 2022–2023 season. Just 17 percent of adults had received the updated COVID vac…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Jury Finds Marilyn Mosby Complicit In Illegally Claiming COVID-19 Funds Jury Finds Marilyn Mosby Complicit In Illegally Claiming COVID-19 Funds
Jury Finds Marilyn Mosby Complicit In Illegally Claiming Covid-19 Funds A former top prosecutor in Maryland will face prison time after crying wolf about financial "hardships" during the COVID-19 crisis, authorities announced. On Thursday, a federal jury convicted embattled former Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby on two founds of perjury in connection to her withdrawing of funds from the city's Deferred Compensation Plan, citing a shortfall during the pandemic while she was still in office. Prosecutors said that between May 2020 and December 2020, Mosby submitted claims for both a $40,000 and $50,000 withdrawal from the Compensation Plan, though at the …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Gone Fishin' Forever: Popular Oyster, Seafood Restaurant Shutting Down Two DC Locations Gone Fishin' Forever: Popular Oyster, Seafood Restaurant Shutting Down Two DC Locations
Gone Fishin' Forever: Popular Oyster, Seafood Restaurant Shutting Down Two DC Locations Foodies in the District are running out of time to try a popular seafood spot that is getting ready to permanently close its doors. Owners of the Brine Oyster & Seafood House announced that they will be serving their final meals this weekend at both the H Street NE and Dupont locations with one final dinner service for fans of the restaurants' wide variety of fresh and local fish products. The final dinner service at both locations is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11.  It may come as a surprise to some that Brine's will be closing after the eatery ranked among the best Yelp reviews in …

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by Zak Failla
News
Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG
Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG A former state employee in Maryland who conspired with his brother to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic will have time to ponder his decisions behind bars, the Attorney's General Office announced. James DiPino, 62, and Paul DiPino, Jr., 56, were sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but one year and one day suspended after admitting to bribery charges in connection to their procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said that in the spring of 2020, right as the the pandemic was becoming a national concern, James DiPino …

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by Zak Failla
News
Caretaker Who Left Dementia Patient Bedridden Before Death In Maryland Sentenced: AG Caretaker Who Left Dementia Patient Bedridden Before Death In Maryland Sentenced: AG
Caretaker Who Left Dementia Patient Bedridden Before Death In Maryland Sentenced: AG An employee at a Maryland nursing home will spend years behind bars for her role in the death of a 75-year-old longterm healthcare patient who died after being knocked down, the Maryland AG announced. Obiageriaku Iheanacho, 36, of Batlimore, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with all but seven suspended after she admitted to her role in the assault and death of Ellsworth Johnson-Bey, a dementia patient, last year. According to prosecutors, Iheanacho was a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) assigned to the Autumn Lake Health Care Post Acute Care Center in Baltimore when she was caught…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Republicans Slam Mask Mandate For Kindergarteners Amid Silver Spring Classroom COVID Outbreak Republicans Slam Mask Mandate For Kindergarteners Amid Silver Spring Classroom COVID Outbreak
Republicans Slam Mask Mandate For Kindergarteners Amid Silver Spring Classroom COVID Outbreak Some elected officials are coming after a Maryland school district that is taking precautions after several Kindergarteners tested positive for COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Silver Spring issued an alert about precautions that are being put in place after several people tested positive for the virus in the past 10 days. In response, the district announced that additional KN95 masks were distributed to students and staff in certain classes, which will be required through at least Friday, Sept. 15, except while eating or drinking. Masks will then aga…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Five States COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Five States
Covid-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Five States The most likely symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant with around 30 mutations are expected to be similar to the highly contagious Omicron strain based on reports so far. COVID-related hospitalizations have increased in the US for six straight weeks, with a 19-percent increase reported in the most recent week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, has now been identified in five states: New York, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The strain was first detected in Israel around Sunday, Aug. 20, and cases have also been identif…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: First US Case Of Pirola Variant With 30 Mutations Confirmed COVID-19: First US Case Of Pirola Variant With 30 Mutations Confirmed
Covid-19: First US Case Of Pirola Variant With 30 Mutations Confirmed The first case of the newly identified COVID-19 variant with 30 mutations has been identified in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded BA.2.86 to a “variant under monitoring," citing the "large number of mutations it carries." BA.2.86, which has now been nicknamed "Pirola," was first detected in Israel, and cases have also been identified in the United Kingdom and Denmark. The initial case in the US has been detected in Michigan. The patient, an older person with mild symptoms, is from Washtenaw County, the Michigan Department of Health and Hu…

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by Joe Lombardi
Traffic
Here Are The Best, Worst Times To Get Out Of Town For Memorial Day Weekend In The DMV Here Are The Best, Worst Times To Get Out Of Town For Memorial Day Weekend In The DMV
Here Are The Best, Worst Times To Get Out Of Town For Memorial Day Weekend In The DMV Travelers in the DMV region looking to get out of town for the long Memorial Day Weekend may want to hit the road as AAA anticipates near record-high travelers for the holiday. With the COVID-19 pandemic truly i the rearview mirror, AAA is projecting that 42.3 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles away from home, representing a possible 7 percent increase over 2022, marking the beginning of the busy summer travel season. In the region, those looking to get away for the weekend are being advised to leave before noon on Friday, May 26, if they hope to avoid gridlocks and headaches …

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Do Not Use These COVID-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA Do Not Use These COVID-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA
Do Not Use These Covid-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA Americans have been advised by federal officials to stop using and dispose of specific COVID-19 at-home tests that could have potentially harmful bacteria inside the kits. SD Biosensor, Inc. announced on Friday, May 5, that the company is requesting that consumers stop using “Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests” due to contaminants found in the tube with liquid inside, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The tube with the liquidFDA The affected tests can be identified by the lot number on the outer packaging (see below) and should be discarded in the trash. The liquid should n…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland
Covid-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland A new COVID-19 variant first detected in New York in January has now been identified in 27 states, including Maryland. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of Omicron to date.  Shortly after the World Health Organization began monitoring the variant in late March, cases had been reported in about two dozen countries. The WHO says Arcturus is a "recombinant" of COVID subvariants BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. In addition to New York, XBB.1.16 has also been confirmed in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virgi…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus
Covid-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus A past COVID-19 infection provides "durable" but temporary protection against getting severely sick no matter the variant, according to a brand-new study. Researchers from the University of Washington say it's the most comprehensive data compiled so far showing national immunity protection against the virus. The findings were released Thursday, Feb. 16 in the peer-reviewed journal, The Lancet. The research identified and analyzed 65 studies from 19 different countries.  "Our meta-analyses showed that protection from past infection and any symptomatic disease was high for (COVID-19) an…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Longtime Maryland Politician Diagnosed With Cancer; Plans To Continue Working Longtime Maryland Politician Diagnosed With Cancer; Plans To Continue Working
Longtime Maryland Politician Diagnosed With Cancer; Plans To Continue Working Cancer won't keep a Maryland congressman down as he plans to continue working after being diagnosed with a treatable form of Lymphoma. Congressman Jamie Raskin, who represents the 8th District from the border of northern Washington, DC to the Pennsylvania suburbs in the north, announced on Wednesday, Dec. 28 that after several days of testing, he has been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. The 8th Congressional District includes parts of Montgomery, Carroll, and Frederick counties. The 8th Congressional District in Maryland.Wikimedia Commons The lawmaker called it “a seriou…

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by Zak Failla
News
ABC News Producer Dax Tejera, Of Chevy Chase, Dead At 37 ABC News Producer Dax Tejera, Of Chevy Chase, Dead At 37
ABC News Producer Dax Tejera, Of Chevy Chase, Dead At 37 ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" producer Dax Tejera died suddenly on Friday, Dec. 23. He was 37 years old. The Chevy Chase native is survived by his wife, Veronica, and their daughters, Sofia and Ella. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dax Tejera (@daxtejera) Tejera joined the ABC News team in 2017 and worked as a senior producer in Washington DC. He helmed the Sunday show since just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Tejera was the executive producer of Jorge Ramos' program with ABC-Univision and worked f…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
COVID-19: Here's How You Can Now Order More Free At-Home Tests COVID-19: Here's How You Can Now Order More Free At-Home Tests
Covid-19: Here's How You Can Now Order More Free At-Home Tests Are you running low on COVID-19 tests? American households may now order a fourth round of free at-home COVID test kits courtesy of the federal government just as the winter season arrives. Each kit includes four separate tests. The new round of tests became available on Thursday, Dec. 15, and now may be ordered through covidtests.gov. The last period in which tests were available began six months ago. Related story - COVID-19: Recall Issued For Brand Of Over-Counter Tests That Could Give False Negative Results

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by Joe Lombardi
News
CDC Tracking More Immune-Evasive COVID-19 Variant Growing In Northeast CDC Tracking More Immune-Evasive COVID-19 Variant Growing In Northeast
CDC Tracking More Immune-Evasive Covid-19 Variant Growing In Northeast With more than 300 COVID-19 Omicron sublineages circulating around the globe, a new potentially more contagious variant called XBB is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). XBB is considered more immune-evasive than other Omicron variants, Chief White House medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week. But government officials said they don't think XBB will become a threat at the level of Omicron, which first emerged on the global scene almost exactly a year ago. Though XBB now accounts for just over 3 percent of new cases in t…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Area Attorney Who Won Under Trebek, Jennings, Back For 'Jeopardy!' Tournament Of Champions Area Attorney Who Won Under Trebek, Jennings, Back For 'Jeopardy!' Tournament Of Champions
Area Attorney Who Won Under Trebek, Jennings, Back For 'Jeopardy!' Tournament Of Champions An attorney from Virginia has secured his spot in the latest “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions, where he will match wits with some of the game show's greatest players of recent years. Zach Newkirk, an attorney from Alexandria, will be back on the big blue "Jeopardy!" stage for the Tournament of Champions, which kicks off its first quarterfinal matchup on Monday, Oct. 31. The Virginia native's tournament begins a week later, on Monday, Nov. 7, when he will square off against Jessica Stephens, a statistical research specialist from Nashville, and Sam Buttrey, an associate professor of opera…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tests Positive For COVID-19 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tests Positive For COVID-19
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tests Positive For Covid-19 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is reportedly in good spirits and feeling well after testing positive for COVID-19, his office announced. The Republican governor got a trick not a treat on Halloween, as he issued an alert on Monday, Oct. 31 advising the public that he contracted the virus and will be temporarily working from home. Just wanted to let Marylanders know that after testing positive for COVID-19, I am working from home. Fortunately, I’m up to date on my boosters and my symptoms are minimal. To find a vaccine clinic near you, visit https://t.co/MjHeoZ5E5J. — Governor Larry Hogan (@G…

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by Zak Failla
News
Federal Judge Schedules Hearing After Marilyn Mosby Files To Move Perjury Case Out Of Baltimore Federal Judge Schedules Hearing After Marilyn Mosby Files To Move Perjury Case Out Of Baltimore
Federal Judge Schedules Hearing After Marilyn Mosby Files To Move Perjury Case Out Of Baltimore A federal judge has reportedly scheduled a hearing in December to hear arguments on State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby's motion to move her perjury and mortgage fraud trial out of Baltimore, reports CBS News. The hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15 after Mosby's team filed a motion to move her trial out of Baltimore last week. Mosby is accused of committing perjury to illegally obtain a withdrawal from her retirement account. The government argues that Mosby lied about adversely being impacted by COVID-19 in order to take out money without penalty while she continued to work on a sa…

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by Annie DeVoe
Police & Fire
Maryland Inmate Hospitalized With COVID-19-Related Illnesses Dies At Hospital: Officials Maryland Inmate Hospitalized With COVID-19-Related Illnesses Dies At Hospital: Officials
Maryland Inmate Hospitalized With Covid-19-Related Illnesses Dies At Hospital: Officials An inmate being held at a Maryland detention center died after coming down with COVID-19-related illnesses, authorities announced on Friday, Sept. 23. Tina Marie Billings, 44, of Whiteford, died at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center of natural after being transported from the Harford Detention Center for treatment of an illness. Billings was being treated at the detention center shortly before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, when the medical staff determined she should be transported to the hospital for further care. White in the hospital, police said that Billings…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Here's What New Booster Vaccine's Called, What To Know About It, How To Schedule Shot COVID-19: Here's What New Booster Vaccine's Called, What To Know About It, How To Schedule Shot
Covid-19: Here's What New Booster Vaccine's Called, What To Know About It, How To Schedule Shot Health experts are recommending the use of updated COVID-19 booster vaccines to protect people from the most prevalent subvariants of the virus currently circulating. The newly-approved boosters are officially named "bivalent vaccines" that target the original strain of COVID-19 and what is now the predominant subvariant of Omicron, BA.5., according to a report from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with Dr. David Tweardy, the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases. “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating C…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Jehovah's Witnesses Resume Trademark Door-Knocking For First Time Since Pandemic Jehovah's Witnesses Resume Trademark Door-Knocking For First Time Since Pandemic
Jehovah's Witnesses Resume Trademark Door-Knocking For First Time Since Pandemic Who's there? Jehovah's Witnesses will resume their trademark door-to-door ministry after a two-and-a-half-year suspension due to COVID-19. The Sept. 1 launch kicked off with a global campaign featuring an interactive program for Bible study. The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks the complete restoration of all pre- pandemic in-person activities for the nearly 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 12,000 congregations in the United States.  “We believe that the early decision to shut down all in-person activities for more than two years has saved many lives,” s…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Judge Rules DC Mayor's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For District Employees Unlawful Judge Rules DC Mayor's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For District Employees Unlawful
Judge Rules DC Mayor's Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate For District Employees Unlawful D.C. Superior Court Judge Maurice Ross ruled that Mayor Muriel Bowser's COVID-19 Mandate was unlawful, officials said. The mandate requiring district employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is illegal, according to Ross. Judge Ross said that any loss of benefits, rights, or wages, related to the unethical mandate, should be appropriately expunged, according to the D.C. Police Union.

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by AJ Goldbloom
Schools
COVID-19: This Maryland County School District Reinstated Mask Policy Before Start Of The Year COVID-19: This Maryland County School District Reinstated Mask Policy Before Start Of The Year
Covid-19: This Maryland County School District Reinstated Mask Policy Before Start Of The Year Students and staff members preparing to return to the classroom in Prince George's County will be required to mask up as the district contends with the latest wave of new COVID-19 cases. District officials announced on Friday, Aug. 12 that they are updating the mask requirements in all schools and facilities “until further notice,” beginning as of Monday, Aug. 15 following a recommendation from the Prince George’s County Health Department. Students in Prince George's County are scheduled to return to class beginning on Monday, Aug. 29. 
“When responding to public health threats such as COV…

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by Zak Failla
News
Serena Williams Announces Professional Retirement From Tennis Days After DC Citi Open Visit Serena Williams Announces Professional Retirement From Tennis Days After DC Citi Open Visit
Serena Williams Announces Professional Retirement From Tennis Days After DC Citi Open Visit Tennis legend Serena Williams has announced her retirement after 27 professional years, the week after watching her sister Venus Williams compete in the Citi Open. Serena Williams first made headlines during a stop in Washington DC to watch her talented sister Venus Williams return to tennis singles for the first time in 11 months. Just days later, Serena officially announced her professional retirement from the sport in a penned statement with Vogue. The 23-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist began her professional career in 1995. She has frequently been hailed as …

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Man Who Made Threats Against Fauci, Other Feds Sentenced In Maryland Man Who Made Threats Against Fauci, Other Feds Sentenced In Maryland
Man Who Made Threats Against Fauci, Other Feds Sentenced In Maryland The man who admitted to making threats toward Dr. Anthony Fauci, his family, and other federal officials will spend years behind bars after being sentenced to federal prison time in Maryland. West Virginia resident Thomas Patrick Connally, Jr., 57, was sentenced to 37 months in prison by US District Judge Paula Xinis for making threats against a federal official, specifically for sending emails threatening to harm Fauci. Connally also admitted to threatening Dr. Francis Collins, the former Director of the NIH, Dr. Rachel Levine, the former Secretary of Health for the State of Pennsylva…

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by Zak Failla
News
Maryland Schools Rank Among Best In The Nation, According To Newly Released Report Maryland Schools Rank Among Best In The Nation, According To Newly Released Report
Maryland Schools Rank Among Best In The Nation, According To Newly Released Report A new study focused on the performance of public school systems after the COVID-19 pandemic ranked Maryland's education system as one of the best in the nation, according to WalletHub. Maryland ranked fifth in the nation with a total score of 60.67 according to the report.  Surrounding states also made the cut, with Virginia coming in at number and Delaware landing the sixth spot. The study is more comprehensive than most, considering not only academic outcomes and funding but also performance, safety, class size, and instructor credentials, pollsters noted. To read the full study an…

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by Annie DeVoe