Maryland will get some severe weather today; the National Weather Service has a map of current watches, warnings, and advisories here. Utilities are preparing for power disruptions; you can alert BGE to an outage by calling 877-778-2222. Plus: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is facing scrutiny for spending Memorial Day weekend at a top city lobbyist's Delaware beach home. The NTSB is releasing more details about last month’s train derailment in Rosedale. WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith remembers civil rights leader Homer Favor. And more…
Severe Weather: Maryland set to get some severe weather today.The National Weather Service has a map of current watches, warnings, and advisories here.
Utilities Prepare For Storms: Local utilities say they’re hoping for the best… but preparing for the worst. A spokesperson for Pepco says she’s hoping it won't be as bad as last June's derecho, where hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity. BGE says it’s upping its staffing levels, and pre-mobilizing line crews so that power restoration can commence as swiftly as possible (assuming the lights do go out). You can report an outage to BGE by calling 877-778-2222.
MEMA Urges Preparedness: The Maryland Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to get ready for power outages. You should keep spare batteries on hand, charge up your cell phone, and have a disaster supply kit with bottled water and nonperishable food. MEMA has more here.
Weather Potential Offers Options For Some Federal Workers: DC Offices of the Federal Government are open today, but federal workers who want to avoid the potential of severe weather have options - the Office of Personnel Management says that DC area federal workers may take unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework today.
Fourth Monday Tornado Confirmed: the National Weather Service has now confirmed that four tornadoes touched down in Maryland on Monday; the most recent confirmation was in Howard County, where the twister damaged trees, a fence, and a two-car garage in Woodbine. No injuries were reported. Monday's severe weather produced three other twisters. Those tornadoes touched in Baltimore County, Baltimore City and St. Mary's County.
Rawlings-Blake Vacationed With Lobbyist: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is facing scrutiny for spending Memorial Day weekend at a top city lobbyist's Delaware beach home. Rawlings-Blake tells the Baltimore Sun that no city business was discussed during her stay at Lisa Harris Jones' Rehoboth vacation home. The Mayor says Harris Jones is a lifelong friend who regularly rents out her properties to her and others.
Rosedale Train Derailment: the National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation into last month’s train derailment in Rosedale. The NTSB released a preliminary report yesterday saying that more chemicals were released during the crash than had originally been reported. Initial reports said that one train car released its chemical products… now, investigators are saying that chemicals were released from five cars. The Baltimore Sun says that the report also indicates that the stop signs at the crossing where the collision occurred were faded… and that the stop signs had been removed from their original mountings. The Baltimore Sun reports that the investigation will likely take a year to complete.
Hopper To Lead MEA: There’s a new Secretary of the Maryland Energy Administration. Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday appointed Abigail Ross Hopper to the post; she’s been the acting director of the agency since last year. Hopper has also served as an energy advisor to the Governor for years; the Baltimore Business Journal says she’ll continue to act in that capacity.
Carroll County Juvenile Treatment Facility To Expand: The state is allowing a Carroll County juvenile treatment facility to double its number of beds from 48 to 96. The Baltimore Sun reports that the decision by the state Board of Public Works to means the private Silver Oak facility can exceed the state's cap of 48 beds at a juvenile facility.
Remembering Civil Rights Leader Homer Favor: Homer Favor, who died last Saturday, was an unrelenting advocate for civil and economic rights. WYPR’s Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith comments in his weekly essay.
Baltimore Baseball: The Orioles lost yesterday afternoon’s game against the L-A Angels; the score was 9 to 5. Tonight, the O’s are scheduled to welcome the Boston Red Sox to Baltimore; the game is set to start at 7:05pm.