MARY ANN BARTELS

May 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Turning old tires into smoother, longer-lasting roads

Ann Arbor just paved two residential streets using asphalt mixed with recycled tire rubber—a small but meaningful test of a technology that’s been around for decades. Workers spread the dark, rubber-speckled pavement on Northbrook Place and Oakbrook Drive, turning about 2, 000 scrap tires into road

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May 27 2026POLITICS

District 10’s next senator: who can solve the big issues?

Anne Kepner is running to replace Aisha Wahab in California’s Senate District 10, and her campaign is built around three big problems: housing is too expensive, good jobs are hard to find, and healthcare costs too much for aging residents. She’s not just talking about these issues; she’s worked on t

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May 26 2026WEATHER

Memorial Day weather in Maryland: from foggy mornings to possible storms

Maryland's Memorial Day weekend started with a blanket of morning fog that lingered until late morning. As the day warmed up, temperatures climbed from the comfortable low 60s to near 70 degrees, pushed by a warm front sliding northward. The air grew thick and sticky by afternoon, setting the stage

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May 21 2026POLITICS

Ballot Chaos Shows Maryland Needs Stronger Election Rules

Maryland voters are now asked to trust officials who made a big mistake in sending out the wrong ballots for the upcoming primary. More than 565, 000 mail‑in ballots had to be sent again because the state could not tell who got a correct one. The error is part of a pattern of problems that have plag

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May 14 2026WEATHER

Maryland's weather flip: sunshine in the morning, storms by evening

Maryland started the day with clear skies and temperatures climbing to a comfortable 70°F by noon. The pleasant morning made it ideal for outdoor tasks or quick errands before the weather turned. But after 3 p. m. , a cold front sweeping in from the west brought changing conditions, kicking off a se

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May 12 2026POLITICS

Maryland’s new cash help for moms raises questions about past spending

Maryland is joining a growing list of places testing a simple idea: give low-income moms money with no strings attached. The state will work with the Bridge Project, a program started in 2021 that already sends cash to families in ten other cities and states. Unlike typical welfare programs, this on

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May 07 2026CELEBRITIES

Met Gala’s Unwritten Guest List Rules

Anna Wintour’s annual fashion fundraiser isn’t just about stunning outfits—it’s a carefully guarded circle where loyalty to certain figures comes first. Some big names like Meghan Markle and the Beckham couple learned this the hard way. Romeo Beckham, though, slipped into the 2024 event thanks to Bu

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May 06 2026CRIME

A Wife’s Letter Raises Questions About a Long Prison Term

Anna Duggar, age 37, sent her husband Josh a letter criticizing the length of his sentence for child‑pornography charges. In the note, she expressed disbelief at how long he is imprisoned for what she calls a “victimless” crime. The letter also praised Josh as a productive citizen, pointing out that

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Apr 30 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A New Entertainment Hub Takes Shape in Prince George’s County

Maryland lawmakers recently passed a bill that opens the door for a cutting‑edge entertainment arena in Prince George’s County. The proposed venue, called Sphere Entertainment, would seat about 6, 000 people and could become the state’s second such complex after the one in Las Vegas. The plan cal

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Apr 28 2026HEALTH

Maryland’s Health Experiment: A New Way to Save Money and Lives

Maryland is trying a bold plan that could change how health care works everywhere. The state uses an all‑payer system and a Total Cost of Care model to link money with real health results. It wants to see more people living longer and healthier lives while spending less. Families, companies, and th

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