WYPR News

President Obama will address the impact of the federal government shutdown on businesses in an appearance in Rockville. More on the impact of the shutdown on MD, plus: online health exchanges struggle amid high volume, gun sales surge, and more.

The partial shutdown of the federal government enters a second day – affecting tens of thousands of Maryland workers. Plus: an attempt to block the implementation of MD’s new gun law is denied, police enforce a new ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving, and more.

Maryland’s economy will feel the impact of the partial federal government shutdown; some 10 percent of MD’s civilian workforce is employed by the government. More on the shutdown, plus: a look at the health insurance exchanges opening enrollment today, and the new MD laws taking effect.

With a partial shutdown of the federal government looming, the 300-thousand federal workers who live in MD wait to see if they’ll be furloughed. MD’s new gun law kicks in tomorrow, so does a law making use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a primary offense. Plus: Vacants to Value, casino funds, and more.

President Obama visited Maryland yesterday to talk about the Affordable Care Act. If Congress fails to pass a budget bill because of GOP efforts to defund that law, Maryland could lose $5-million a day in income and sales taxes. Plus: a challenge to MD’s new gun law, and more.

Maryland will likely float $1.16-billion in bonds next year. The state’s highest court says public defenders must be available to poor people at bail hearings. The ACLU criticizes Baltimore Police’s decision to call “Stop and Frisk” “Investigative Stops.” Mikulski on Obamacare. And more.

Senator Barbara Mikulski says a government shutdown would be “terrible for our economy.” Doug Gansler launches his gubernatorial bid. Marylanders applying for gun purchase background checks before October 1st will not have to get handgun licenses. And more.

Gansler enters the governor’s race; Brown picks up Sarbanes’ endorsement; a new poll of likely Democratic voters puts Brown ahead. The GOP gets new leadership in the State Senate. Leopold looks for a political comeback. A look at the new gun law that takes effect next week. And more.

Senator Barbara Mikulski has endorsed Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown’s gubernatorial bid. Attorney General Anthony Brown prepares to formally enter the race tomorrow. President Obama plans to talk about the Affordable Care Act in Maryland on Thursday. And more.

A judge has denied a temporary restraining order to stop Maryland State Police from using outside agencies to help process a backlog of gun applications. More candidates file for the 2014 elections. Plus: lobbying Annapolis, casino news, Express Toll Lane rates, voter fraud, and more.

Republican Steve Hershey is moving from the House of Delegates from the State Senate. Senator Ben Cardin calls on Congress to “restart” discussions on gun laws. Former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele says he won’t run for governor. O’Malley plans NH speech. And more.

Incumbent Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen (D) will face off against Mike Pantelides (R) in the November general election. Harford County Executive David Craig calls for a repeal of environmental laws. Plus: the Howard County Executive race, Perry’s trip to MD, and more.

Machines that pay cash in exchange for cell phones are now illegal in Baltimore City. Daryl Jones is returned to the Anne Arundel County Council. Controversial efforts to reduce background check backlog called legal, ads about MD’s new gun law unveiled, and more.

What the diplomatic breakthrough on Syria means for Maryland's Congressional delegation… and at budget negotiations in Congress. Plus: the Grand Prix of Baltimore will not be held in 2014 of 2015, Brown becomes the first official 2014 gubernatorial candidate, and more.

20 law enforcement officers from around the state are tasked with clearing a backlog of gun purchase background checks. Commissioners are appointed for MD’s medical marijuana program. Plus: a go-date for Gansler’s gubernatorial bid, the push to raise the minimum wage, and more.

Governor Martin O'Malley is pledging to end the huge backlog of background checks for Maryland gun buyers. O’Malley will soon fill two vacant State Senate seats. A proposal to impose earlier curfews on Baltimore teens draws criticism. Plus: Harbor Point, West Nile Virus, and more.

President Obama asks Congress to postpone a vote on strikes in Syria; Rep. Andy Harris says he’d vote no; Rep. Chris Van Hollen proposes resolution to keep the pressure on. Plus: McClement, Young win Frederick mayoral primary, flags at half-staff to remember 9-11, and more.

Senator Barbara Mikulski says she’s supporting President Obama’s plan to launch military strikes in Syria. The Baltimore City Council has approved a plan to grand $107-million in tax increment financing to the Harbor Point development. Today is Frederick’s primary election day. And more.

The Baltimore City Council will likely give final approval today on a plan to grant the Harbor Point development $107-million in tax increment financing. Plus: Vice President Biden visits the Port of Baltimore, MD Police get help on gun purchase background checks, and MD lawmakers on Syria.

Senator Barbara Mikulski says there is a compelling case that nerve gas was used by the regime of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, but remains undecided on whether a US military strike is the best response. Plus: calls for a higher MD minimum wage, August casino revenues, and more.

Senator Ben Cardin was one of the lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who voted yesterday to approve a resolution authorizing limited US military action in Syria. Plus: funding for Baltimore’s Red Line, weekend MARC service, sequestration mitigation, and more.

Maryland lawmakers consider US force in Syria. Governor O’Malley is set to unveil $1.5-billion in state funds Baltimore-area transportation projects. An update on the Annapolis mayoral race. An ad campaign to educate Marylanders about their new insurance options. And more.

As Congressional debate over military strikes in Syria nears, Rep. John Sarbanes says he understands people are “weary and wary” of foreign military intervention. Plus: Lollar enters race for GOP gubernatorial nomination, a report on Frederick’s mayoral race, and more.

A roundup of some of the schedule changes in effect on this Labor Day. Maryland lawmakers welcome a debate over whether to authorize military strikes in Syria. Plus: a port of Baltimore expansion, OC parking meters, development in Anne Arundel County, and more.

The Grand Prix of Baltimore is underway; we’ve got info about the race and related road closures and public transit schedule changes. Plus: tax revenues in FY13 were below state projections, a look at calls for a higher minimum wage and a lower corporate income tax rate, and more.

Lots of road closures are in effect in Downtown Baltimore, as preparations for the Grand Prix continue. Plus: Governor O’Malley speaks at March On Washington commemorations, BGE is set to test PeakRewards, dealing with vacants, Smith on Dwyer’s troubles, and more.