National Transportation Safety Board officials are going to talk to the train crew today as they investigate Tuesday's derailment and explosion in Rosedale. The 2014 Governor’s race is heating up, with two Republican candidates planning to launch their campaigns next week, and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown set to announce that he’s teaming up with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to vie for their party’s nomination. Furlough notices are going out this week to more than 500 civilian workers at Fort Meade. Plus: Baltimore’s coming casino, a planned Baltimore Beltway expansion, the prohibition on swimming in Baltimore’s reservoirs, and more.
Rosedale Train Derailment: National Transportation Safety Board officials are continuing their investigation into Tuesday's train derailment and explosion in Rosedale. Authorities tell the Baltimore Sun that they’re are using surveillance video from a business and an onboard video recorder to help figure out what happened. Investigators say they’ll talk to the train crew today. The driver of the truck is still receiving care at Shock Trauma.
2014 Governor’s Race: Republican Harford County Executive David Craig says he’ll launch his campaign to be Maryland’s next governor on Monday of next week, according to the Baltimore Sun; two days later, Republican Anne Arundel County Delegate Ron George says he plans to enter the race. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown has already announced bid for the Democratic nomination, and the Washington Post reports that on Monday of next week, Brown will formally announce that he’s chosen Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to be his running mate. A candidate for state office in Maryland two steps to take: the first is filing a state organization to raise funds, the second is filing a certificate of candidacy with the State Board of Elections; the Board says that two gubernatorial candidates have filed those certificates so far: Brian Vaeth and Duane Roberts, both on the Republican side. For more on the process of becoming a candidate in Maryland, check out this story from 2010.
Furloughs At Fort Meade: Furlough notices are going out this week to more than 500 civilian workers at Fort Meade. Those affected will have to take one furlough day a week from the beginning of July through the end of September. The furloughs were prompted by the federal spending cuts called sequestration. The Baltimore Sun reports that some of Fort Meade’s offices and services may face reduced hours – or closures – while the furloughs are in effect.
Baltimore’s Coming Casino: Construction is officially underway on the $400-million Horseshoe Baltimore casino in downtown Baltimore. The Baltimore Business Journal reports that the Caesars Entertainment-owned casino will be located on Russell Street, not far from Camden Yards and M-and-T Bank Stadium. The Baltimore Sun has more here.
Beltway Expansion: The Baltimore Beltway is getting bigger; yesterday, Governor Martin O’Malley and his newly appointed Transportation Secretary, former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, announced a plan to widen the outer loop between Route 40 and Frederick Road. The project will expand that section of the beltway from three lanes to four; WJZ reports that it’ll cost about 90 million dollars. But motorists shouldn’t expect relief anytime soon; the project won’t start ‘till 2015, and it’ll take up to 4 years to finish.
Maryland’s Business Climate: It can be tough to gauge Maryland’s business climate, according to WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith. There’s a wide array of economic measurements available… and some of them seem to conflict. Fraser has a closer look, in his weekly essay.
Baltimore County Speed Cameras: 13 more automated speed cameras are going up in Baltimore County; police revealed their locations yesterday yesterday; once operational, they’ll send warnings to speeding motorists for their first 30 days of operation, and then will start sending out citations. The Baltimore Sun reports that the cameras aren’t snapping photos yet; when they are running, Baltimore County will have a total of 40 of the devices.
No Swimming In Baltimore’s Reservoirs: With the hot summer weather now here, authorities have issued a warning about swimming in local reservoirs – Baltimore Public Works officials warn that swimming in the Prettyboy, Loch Raven and Liberty reservoirs is not only illegal, it is unsafe as they are full of hidden rocks and branches, and have dangerous drop-offs and currents. Already this year, reservoirs have been the scene of two rescues, including a capsized kayaker.
Code Orange Air Quality Alert: Not only will it be hot today – with highs in the lower 90s expected – but the air quality won’t be so good; the Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert. That means the air quality will be in the unhealthy range for those in sensitive groups, which include children, the elderly, and people suffering from heart or lung diseases. As the Baltimore Sun reports, people in those groups are being urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activity today.
Baltimore Baseball: The Orioles now have one game over the Washington Nationals in their interleague series, after beating the Nats 9 to 6 last night. The series wraps up tonight at Camden Yards, with the game starting at 7:05pm.