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TEDCO's Entrepreneur Expo to Host "Industry Perspective on an Innovation Ecosystem" Panel
COLUMBIA, Maryland, Oct. 17 -- TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., issued the following news release:
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TEDCO's Entrepreneur Expo to Host "Industry Perspective on an Innovation Ecosystem" Panel
Session will feature leaders from the Maryland Department of Transportation and Whiting-Turner, moderated by Maryland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Mary Kane
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COLUMBIA, Md., (October 16, 2026) -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announces the "Industry Perspective on an Innovation Ecosystem" session at the upcoming 2026 Entrepreneur Expo taking
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COLUMBIA, Maryland, Oct. 17 -- TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., issued the following news release:
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TEDCO's Entrepreneur Expo to Host "Industry Perspective on an Innovation Ecosystem" Panel
Session will feature leaders from the Maryland Department of Transportation and Whiting-Turner, moderated by Maryland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Mary Kane
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COLUMBIA, Md., (October 16, 2026) -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announces the "Industry Perspective on an Innovation Ecosystem" session at the upcoming 2026 Entrepreneur Expo takingplace at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on October 27, 2026.
The session will bring together Ellen Fish, of Atlantic Union Bank; Percy Dangerfield, assistant secretary of administration at the Maryland Department of Transportation, which oversees a workforce of roughly 10,000 across the State's transportation agencies; Jonathan Hess, senior vice president of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the Baltimore-based firm founded in 1909 and among the largest employee-owned general contractors in the country; and Paul Sharkey, CEO of Mid-Atlantic, Employer & Individual UnitedHealth Group where he drives growth and ensures quality service for nearly three million members -- for a conversation moderated by Mary Kane, president and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
"Maryland has tremendous strengths in research, innovation and talent, but we need to do more to translate those advantages into businesses that grow, jobs that are created and investment that stays here," said Kane. "Our larger employers can be important customers, partners and investors for emerging companies, yet their perspectives aren't always part of the conversation about Maryland's innovation ecosystem. This panel is an opportunity to better understand what they need, what stands in the way of stronger connections and how we can work together to turn more of Maryland's innovation into long-term economic growth."
Conversations about innovation ecosystems tend to be held among the people who build them: founders, investors, universities and the organizations that support them. This session takes a different vantage point and asks what large, established organizations need from an ecosystem and what would bring more of them into it. Maryland has substantial research capacity across its universities, federal laboratories and start-ups. This panel will explore what portion of that capacity industry can actually reach and what stands in the way.
Panelists will discuss how their organizations engage with Maryland's innovation ecosystem today, what would enable deeper engagement and where technology and innovation can drive job growth in the State. The discussion will also address what value large organizations want to draw from the research underway at universities, federal laboratories and early-stage companies, how procurement and contracting shape that relationship, and how that value can be made easier to access.
Maryland offers unusual density on the supply side of that equation. The U.S. National Science Foundation reports that federal obligations for research and development to performers in California and Maryland together account for nearly 27% of all such funding across the states, with $17 billion directed to Maryland. The State also hosts more than 78 federal laboratories, including the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, according to the Maryland Department of Commerce's Guide to Tech Transfer in Maryland. Connecting that research base to the organizations positioned to buy, scale and commercialize its output is the practical challenge this panel addresses.
TEDCO's award-winning Entrepreneur Expo shines a spotlight on regional entrepreneurship. Attracting more than 1,170 attendees, the event collects some of the region's top entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, venture capital investors, legislators and resources for a day of celebration. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the region's top experts; secure your spot at this impactful event now at tedcomdexpo.com/event/2026/register.
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About TEDCO
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.
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Original text here: https://www.tedcomd.com/press-release/tedcos-entrepreneur-expo-host-industry-perspective-innovation-ecosystem-panel
Shapiro Administration's $250K Investment Helps Launch New Welding Pre-Apprenticeship Program
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following news:
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Shapiro Administration's $250K Investment Helps Launch New Welding Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Since Governor Shapiro took office, L&I has registered 183 new apprenticeship and 103 new pre-apprenticeship programs.
Thanks to L&I's $250,000 Schools-to-Work investment earlier this year, Pittsburgh nonprofit Industrial Arts Workshop officially launched its welding registered pre-apprenticeship program, which will train at least 15 high school students each year.
Governor Josh
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following news:
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Shapiro Administration's $250K Investment Helps Launch New Welding Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Since Governor Shapiro took office, L&I has registered 183 new apprenticeship and 103 new pre-apprenticeship programs.
Thanks to L&I's $250,000 Schools-to-Work investment earlier this year, Pittsburgh nonprofit Industrial Arts Workshop officially launched its welding registered pre-apprenticeship program, which will train at least 15 high school students each year.
Governor JoshShapiro's bipartisan 2026-27 budget increases funding for career and technical education (CTE) by another $10 million, bringing the total spent on workforce development initiatives, including CTE, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships, to $193 million - a 60 percent increase since the Governor took office.
October 15, 2026
Pittsburgh, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker today helped launch a new welding registered pre-apprenticeship program at Industrial Arts Workshop (IAW) made possible by a $250,000 investment from L&I. The program will prepare at least 15 high school students each year for high-demand, family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades.
The new program is made possible with support from L&I's $250,000 Schools-to-Work investment awarded earlier this year; Iron Workers Local #3 and U.S. Steel are program sponsors.
"Seeing these students take their first steps toward careers in the skilled trades is a powerful reminder of why investments in workforce development matter," said Secretary Walker. "Governor Shapiro knows our greatest asset is our people, and his continued commitment to expanding apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities is opening doors for the next generation of skilled workers. Through programs like this one, we're giving young Pennsylvanians the tools, training, and support they need to build rewarding careers while strengthening the workforce that will keep Pennsylvania on the rise."
Under Governor Josh Shapiro's leadership, Pennsylvania has made historic investments in workforce development to expand opportunities for workers and help employers build the skilled workforce they need. Since January 2023, the Commonwealth has increased funding for workforce development initiatives by 60 percent - from $118 million to $193 million - registered 286 new apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and enrolled more than 32,300 new apprentices and pre-apprentices. Nearly 47,000 Pennsylvanians have participated in registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs during that time, opening doors to stable, family-sustaining careers.
During today's celebration, Secretary Walker met with the program's first cohort of pre-apprentices and saw firsthand the training they will receive over the course of their program. The pre-apprentices will earn industry-recognized welding certifications, gain invaluable exposure to career opportunities, receive career counseling, and have access to supportive services up to one year after graduation.
"We're grateful to be able to offer our students this opportunity. Every day at IAW we see the hard work that young people are putting into developing themselves, their skills, and their futures," said IAW Assistant Director Maura Bainbridge. "The pre-apprenticeship designation, as well as support from our sponsors, helps to validate this work and makes sure that it can be appreciated beyond the walls of our workshop."
L&I's Schools-to-Work (STW) program bridges classroom learning with real-world opportunity, aligning training with in-demand industries and workforce needs across the Commonwealth. Since January 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested more than $15 million in the program, with nearly 2,000 students enrolling in STW programming during that time.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli).
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/newsroom/-250k-investment-helps-launch-new-welding-pre-apprenticeship-pro
Pa. Health Dept. Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,260 in 43 Counties
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued the following news:
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Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,260 in 43 Counties
Getting vaccinated remains the best protection against the measles virus; the vaccine is proven 97 percent effective at preventing measles for life after two doses.
Infants as young as 6 months who live in or travel to counties with community transmission can receive an early MMR vaccine dose.
October 16, 2026
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued the following news:
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Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,260 in 43 Counties
Getting vaccinated remains the best protection against the measles virus; the vaccine is proven 97 percent effective at preventing measles for life after two doses.
Infants as young as 6 months who live in or travel to counties with community transmission can receive an early MMR vaccine dose.
October 16, 2026
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)today announced that 1,260 measles cases have been confirmed across 43 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026.
DOH continues to lead Pennsylvania's robust response to the ongoing measles outbreak and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on our measles dashboard.
While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform DOH's ongoing response.
Key updates include:
* New Positive Cases (since October 14, 2026): 38
* Total Counties: 43
* Total Cumulative Cases: 1,260
* Total Hospitalizations: 238
* Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5
* Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)
Measles-associated deaths
As of October 16, DOH has confirmed five measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania this year.
DOH continues investigating a recently reported death in Franklin County. To be considered measles-associated, DOH's epidemiological definition must meet the following criteria:
* Death must occur within 30 days of symptom onset in an individual with clinical evidence of a measles infection and a positive laboratory test
* Death must not be due to unrelated causes (e.g., motor vehicle accident)
* Additional information, such as whether an individual was exposed to a confirmed measles case prior to death or supporting medical records, are also considered.
In order for a case to be classified as a measles-associated death, all criteria need to be met (e.g., symptoms plus a positive laboratory test). Additionally, a death occurring more than 30 days after symptom onset would not be counted.
DOH remains committed to accurately reporting on the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania.
Outreach and Response
Approximately 300 DOH staff are proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
State health center staff have administered more than 6,100 MMR vaccinations at 210 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. In pop-up clinics and at state health centers combined, DOH nurses have administered more than 9,300 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026.
Statewide, health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In September, more than 56,000 doses were administered. So far in the first two weeks of October, more than 23,000 MMR vaccines have been administered.
DOH also continues to work with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) professional staff to respond to the measles outbreak. The Department's measles response team meets remotely every other week with the CDC measles response team. The teams jointly review cases, outbreak response, and public facing materials, among other areas, and convene additional calls as needed.
Getting Vaccinated
The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person's immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection.
Because measles continues to spread, DOH recommends an additional early zero dose for infants aged 6 through 11 months who live in or travel to counties flagged on the measles dashboard for sustained community transmission; the early dose does not replace the two routine doses. Children 12 months and older who have not received any dose should get one now and a second dose at least 28 days later.
People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.
Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider.
MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
Measles Symptoms and Transmission
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people identified by DOH with measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.
Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. People are typically contagious 4 days before and 4 days after rash onset.
People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH's toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/pennsylvania-department-of-health-provides-statewide-update-on-measles-out11
N.Y. PSC Advances Two Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Projects
ALBANY, New York, Oct. 17 -- The New York State Public Service Commission issued the following news release:
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October 15, 2026
PSC Advances Two Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Projects
National Fuel Gas Distribution (NFG), Orange & Rockland (O&R) Projects to Move Forward with Customer Enrollment and Construction
Projects Will Help Meet Heating and Cooling Needs While Lowering Building Emissions and Creating Good-Paying Jobs
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ALBANY -- The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today authorized the advancement of two Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) pilot projects
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ALBANY, New York, Oct. 17 -- The New York State Public Service Commission issued the following news release:
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October 15, 2026
PSC Advances Two Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Projects
National Fuel Gas Distribution (NFG), Orange & Rockland (O&R) Projects to Move Forward with Customer Enrollment and Construction
Projects Will Help Meet Heating and Cooling Needs While Lowering Building Emissions and Creating Good-Paying Jobs
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ALBANY -- The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today authorized the advancement of two Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) pilot projectsin New York State. These projects - the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. (NFG) project in Buffalo and the Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) West Loop project in the Village of Haverstraw -- will move forward with customer enrollment and construction to utilize thermal energy from wastewater and geothermal borefields and connect multiple buildings through unified networks to bring clean heating and cooling to New Yorkers and stimulate jobs and economic growth.
Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "Department staff have worked tirelessly to review the utilities' proposed pilot projects. Today marks an important milestone with the approval of two innovative projects that will meet New Yorkers' heating and cooling needs while lowering building emissions and creating good paying jobs. The Commission is grateful for Governor Hochul's leadership securing over 80% of the project costs through the Sustainable Future Fund, and all the stakeholders who engaged in this proceeding."
The Commission also recognized O&R and NFG's commitment to engage with a skilled union workforce during the construction and operation of their pilot projects. Skilled trade work related to these large infrastructure projects will be critical to their success. These projects represent a $111.5 million investment in learning how utility thermal energy networks can meet the heating and cooling needs of New Yorkers and will utilize $93 million from the State's Sustainable Futures Program, dramatically lowering the cost to NFG and O&R ratepayers.
NFG Buffalo Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Project, authorized for $61.4 million, will utilize a 4-pipe network configuration to supply heating and cooling within a disadvantaged community in downtown Buffalo to 12 affordable multifamily buildings and a municipal building. This project will integrate thermal energy from wastewater influent and geothermal boreholes to provide heating and cooling to the multi-family buildings and displace hot water boilers used as part of the existing Buffalo District Energy System. This project will reduce natural gas use in favor of a renewable thermal resource with the potential for expansion.
O&R's West Loop Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Project, authorized for $50.1 million, will connect multiple municipal, commercial and residential buildings within a disadvantaged community, through a single pipe ambient temperature loop covering a multiblock area of approximately 10 acres. This project will utilize two geothermal borefields and a wastewater heat exchanger to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water to the participant buildings.
Today's decision also detailed, at length, an analysis to assess whether the utility projects, along with other similar projects proposed, were in the public interest.
The Commission declined to advance the other nine proposed pilot projects totaling over $1 billion in requested ratepayer funds and addressed recovery of costs incurred to date.
Additionally, The Order directed Department of Public Service Staff to engage with utilities and stakeholders to solicit feedback on lessons learned to date to inform guidance on future proposals and inform the development of the Thermal Energy Network Roadmap. This Roadmap is called for in the State Energy Plan and will help further develop a regulatory framework to enable thermal energy networks, including waste heat policy approaches and other mechanisms.
Today's decision and all publicly available documents associated with it may be reviewed by going to the Department's Documents section of the website at www.dps.ny.gov and entering the Case Number 22-M-0429 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number." Many libraries offer free Internet access. Department documents may also be obtained from the Department's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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Original text here: https://dps.ny.gov/news/psc-advances-two-utility-thermal-energy-network-pilot-projects
N.C. Insurance Dept.: Mecklenburg County Man Held on Multiple Fraud Charges in Two Counties
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 17 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:
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October 16, 2026
Mecklenburg County man held on multiple fraud charges in two counties
RALEIGH
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jimel Eddie "Blessing" Tamba, 29, of 1327 Briar Creek Road., Apartment 6, Charlotte. Tamba was charged with two counts of insurance fraud, two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, one count attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of filing a false affidavit, all felonies.
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 17 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:
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October 16, 2026
Mecklenburg County man held on multiple fraud charges in two counties
RALEIGH
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jimel Eddie "Blessing" Tamba, 29, of 1327 Briar Creek Road., Apartment 6, Charlotte. Tamba was charged with two counts of insurance fraud, two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, one count attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of filing a false affidavit, all felonies.He was charged with misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Special agents from the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division accuse Tamba of providing false documentation to both Farm Bureau Insurance of N.C. Inc. and USAA Insurance Agency Inc. of Texas to support fraudulent claims made to both. To Farm Bureau, he is accused of submitting $19,719.71 in fictitious and inflated auto repair invoices on a claim for engine repairs after a minor parking lot accident.
He is also accused of submitting a fake military form to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a military endorsement on his North Carolina driver's license. According to arrest warrants, he claimed to be an active-duty National Guardsman and a U.S. Army captain with the 170th Military Police Criminal Investigation Division and used the false military association to obtain an automobile policy with USAA and receive a $630 rental car payment from that policy.
Special agents discovered that Tamba had again falsely represented himself as a military veteran in Alamance County to receive a canine "Battle Buddy" named Max from a non-profit organization valued between $7,000 and $10,000. That led to a charge of obtaining property by false pretense in Alamance County. The location of the service animal is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
The offenses occurred between Nov. 16, 2025, and April 13, 2026.
Tamba is being held in a Mecklenburg County Jail. He has $25,000 secured bonds in both Mecklenburg and Alamance counties. He is scheduled to appear in Alamance County District Court on Oct. 19.
"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Commissioner Causey said. "I encourage everyone to be aware of insurance scams and report suspected scams or insurance fraud immediately."
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.ncdoi.gov/news/press-releases/2026/10/16/mecklenburg-county-man-held-multiple-fraud-charges-two-counties
Md. Labor Dept.: Governor Moore Announces $4.7 Million in EARN Maryland Grants to Train Over 1,700 Workers for In-Demand Careers
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 17 -- The Maryland Department of Labor issued the following news release:
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Governor Moore Announces $4.7 Million in EARN Maryland Grants to Train Over 1,700 Workers for In-Demand Careers
ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor today announced more than $4.7 million in Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant awards to connect Marylanders with in-demand careers, provide local businesses with skilled talent, and fuel continued economic growth across the state.
The funding will enable more than 1,700 Marylanders to access training
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 17 -- The Maryland Department of Labor issued the following news release:
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Governor Moore Announces $4.7 Million in EARN Maryland Grants to Train Over 1,700 Workers for In-Demand Careers
ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor today announced more than $4.7 million in Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant awards to connect Marylanders with in-demand careers, provide local businesses with skilled talent, and fuel continued economic growth across the state.
The funding will enable more than 1,700 Marylanders to access trainingand attain credentials, and connect nearly 600 workers directly to jobs in key industries such as cybersecurity, emerging technology, skilled trades, and healthcare. Marylanders accessing training will include nearly 1,000 incumbent workers who will receive upskilling opportunities to support career progression.
"Here in Maryland, we are dedicated to building pathways to work, wages, and wealth, and investing in our workforce, so Marylanders can take advantage of a changing economy fueled by industries of the future," said Gov Moore. "Through the EARN grant we connect thousands of people with opportunities in high growth sectors, so that hardworking families can thrive and world-class businesses can ramp up their operations right here. Investing in Maryland workers means a stronger economy, better paying jobs, and communities where no one is left behind."
"EARN Maryland has helped nearly 2,000 employers access the skilled talent they need over the past decade, and, under the Moore-Miller Administration, has helped over 15,000 Marylanders gain skills and family-supporting jobs," said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. "By investing in these industry-led partnerships, we are investing in our communities and our state's economic future."
The Moore-Miller Administration has invested more than $35 million through the EARN program. These funds have provided upskilling opportunities for more than 6,200 Marylanders and provided an additional 4,500 Marylanders with training and job placement in high growth sectors like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, skilled trades, and hospitality. Thousands more Marylanders are currently enrolled in EARN-supported training programs. EARN Maryland delivers a proven return on investment, generating an estimated $19 in economic activity for every $1 invested.
Through industry-led partnerships, EARN Maryland delivers workforce training tailored directly to employer needs. Targeted investments in this round of funding include more than $1 million for training in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, $800,000 to support pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades, and $750,000 for healthcare training.
"Ardmore Enterprises is especially proud to receive EARN dollars during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, to support our training efforts," said Lori Sedlezky, Chief Executive Officer of Ardmore Enterprises. "This investment will allow us to give direct support professionals (DSP) the practical skills, technology training, and support they need to succeed and grow in their careers. By bringing providers together to share training and resources, we are building a stronger, more skilled and sustainable DSP workforce, which strengthens the quality of services and support available to people with disabilities."
Grant recipients in this round of funding include community colleges, local workforce development boards, and nonprofit organizations partnering with hundreds of employers across the state.
Awardees
* Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (Transportation and Logistics | Central Maryland)
* Ardmore Enterprises (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
* Asian American Center of Frederick (Healthcare | Western Maryland)
* Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
* Baltimore Cyber Range LLC dba BCR Cyber (Cyber/IT | Statewide)
* CannaWorkforce, Inc. (Life Sciences | Statewide)
* Cecil College (Transportation and Logistics | Susquehanna Region)
* Civic Works, Inc. (Clean Energy | Central Maryland)
* Community College of Baltimore County (Cyber/IT | Central Maryland)
* Construction Trades Workforce Initiative Company (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
* Finishing Trade Institute of Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C and Vicinities (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
* Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
* I'm Still Standing Community Development Corporation (Cyber/IT | Central Maryland)
* IBEW Local 26 NECA Labor-Management Cooperation Committee Trust Fund (Skilled Trades | Central Maryland)
* It Works Learning Center, Inc. (Healthcare | Central Maryland)
* Maryland MEP (Manufacturing and Cyber | Statewide)
* Maryland New Directions, Inc. (Transportation and Logistics | Central Maryland)
* Maryland Multi-Housing Association (Residential Leasing | Central Maryland)
* Montgomery College (Life Sciences | Central Maryland)
* Story Tapestries, Inc. (Childcare | Central Maryland)
* Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (Manufacturing | Southern Maryland)
* UMBC Training Centers, LLC (Cyber/IT | Statewide)
Visit the program page on the Maryland Department of Labor website for additional information about the EARN awardees, including their regions of impact across Maryland.
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The Maryland Department of Labor strives to create an equitable and inclusive Maryland where all residents have the opportunities and resources to attain financial stability, reach their career potential, and contribute to their communities; where businesses have access to capital and the skilled workforce they need to succeed; where workplaces are safe and well-regulated; and where the economy is resilient and growing. For updates and information, follow MD Labor on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and visit our website.
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Original text here: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/whatsnews/gov-moore-over4mil-in-awards-earn-grants.shtml
Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills Urges Legislature to Act After Court Decision on Firearms
JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 17 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release:
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Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills Urges Legislature to Act After Court Decision on Firearms
October 15, 2026
(Juneau, AK) - Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills is asking the next Legislature to address inconsistences between state and federal firearms laws following a federal court decision concerning the registration requirements for suppressors, Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs) and Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs).
In Silencer Shop Foundation v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
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JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 17 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release:
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Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills Urges Legislature to Act After Court Decision on Firearms
October 15, 2026
(Juneau, AK) - Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills is asking the next Legislature to address inconsistences between state and federal firearms laws following a federal court decision concerning the registration requirements for suppressors, Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs) and Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs).
In Silencer Shop Foundation v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms andExplosives, a federal court ruled that certain federal registration requirements for these firearms and accessories was unconstitutional and could not be enforced against the plaintiffs, including the State of Alaska. The decision was welcomed by supporters of Second Amendment rights. However, it created uncertainty in Alaska because state law links certain criminal-code defenses to federal registration requirements. Legislative clarification is needed. Until then, the Department has asked law enforcement agencies to consult with state prosecutors before filing charges under the affected statute.
"The Second Amendment, and the right to bear arms, must be protected," said Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills. "The court made the right decision, and we appreciate the court recognizing federal overreach into our Second Amendment rights. While a win for the Second Amendment, the court case and the ATF's guidance adds a level of confusion for many Alaskans who want access to these firearms but don't see the legal way forward in ownership under existing law. The proper place for this to be resolved is in the State Legislature and I'm asking the next legislature to look at this issue, and the Department of Law stands ready to assist. In the meantime, our department is asking law enforcement to work closely with state prosecutors before filing any charges as the state of the law is in flux."
On Aug. 5, a United States District Court ruled that certain registration and regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA), could not be enforced against the plaintiffs in that case. The NFA, enacted in 1934, established federal requirements for certain firearms, like SBSs and SBRs, as well as certain accessories, like suppressors. Historically, individuals seeking to purchase or transfer these items were required to pay a $200 federal tax stamp, submit an application for ownership to ATF, and register the item in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Congress subsequently eliminated the $200 making and transfer taxes for these items through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, effective January 1, 2026, while leaving the associated registration and approval requirements in place. Alaska joined 14 other states, six businesses and associations, a non-profit, and one individual gun owner, to sue the federal government, challenging those remaining requirements, arguing that Congress no longer had the authority to enforce the regulatory requirements when it eliminated the tax.
The district court agreed with the plaintiffs, and the United States Department of Justice chose not to appeal the decision. Although the court's ruling applied only to the plaintiffs, ATF subsequently announced that it would no longer enforce the affected approval and registration requirements nationwide. ATF also clarified that it would continue accepting voluntary registrations, recognizing that several states, including Alaska, have laws that reference federal registration requirements.
Under existing state law, possession of certain prohibited weapons remains a criminal offense. However, the statute provides an affirmative defense for individuals who have complied with applicable federal registration requirements. The Federal government's decision to discontinue enforcement of those requirements, while continuing to accept voluntary registrations, creates uncertainty about how Alaska's criminal statute should operate going forward. Although voluntary federal registration remains available, it does not resolve the broader inconsistency between the state prohibition and the changed federal regulatory framework.
The Department believes legislative clarification is necessary to provide Alaskans, law enforcement, and prosecutors with clear guidance regarding the lawful possession of these items. Until the Legislature acts, the Department will carefully evaluate any potential prosecutions under the affected statute, taking into account the federal court decision, ATF's guidance, and applicable constitutional considerations.
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Original text here: https://law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2026/101526-Firearms.html
