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'This is a public health emergency': All Md. schools to close for 2 weeks; National Guard activated 03/13/2020 12:01am • Maryland is ramping up its response to the new coronavirus outbreak, including closing all public schools and banning public gatherings of 250 people. And, in Virginia, the governor declared a state of emergency. Here's the latest Thursday: More Coronavirus News Sign up for news a Sen. Tim Kaine calls for paid sick days for everyone to limit coronavirus spread 03/12/2020 01:00pm • All employees in the U.S. would have access to two weeks of paid time off in the event of a health emergency if a plan endorsed by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is passed on Capitol Hill. "The reason for this is pretty obvious," Kaine told WTOP. "You do not want sick employees coming to work and spread Gun legislation: Here's what the Virginia General Assembly passed 03/12/2020 04:55am • With the new majority in the Virginia General Assembly, Democrats swept into office promising action on several pieces of gun legislation. Even before the General Assembly session began in January, Gov. Ralph Northam unveiled a package of legislation containing several proposals to tighten and re Md. senate moves revenue bills to cover education reform costs 03/11/2020 08:38am • Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard), chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Courtesy Danielle E. Gaines Senate budget crunchers moved forward Tuesday afternoon on a revenue package that would expand Maryland’s sales tax to online streaming services, increase the tax rate on nicotine produc Va. redistricting change approved despite opposition from some black lawmakers 03/07/2020 05:30am • Changes for redistricting in Virginia advanced Friday despite opposition from black lawmakers in the House of Delegates. Narrow House approval of a proposed constitutional amendment that will now go to voters this fall was perhaps the biggest vote on a complicated day. To keep certain bills al From collecting baseball cards to being on them: Nationals players reflect 03/06/2020 03:18pm • Spring Training is more than just getting the players ready for the upcoming season. Various vendors from glove to shoe companies show their wares to players. Memorabilia companies are in the clubhouse with baseballs for players to sign. And, there's also the day when Topps drops by. Many gene $2.9B sales tax expansion killed as Md. House revenue package moves forward 03/05/2020 05:52am • This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today. A bill that would have dramatically expanded Maryland’s sales tax to raise more than $2.9 billion for education reform efforts has been vo Coronavirus misinformation goes viral 03/02/2020 03:13pm • If you're scrolling through Facebook or Twitter and see an article promising a cure for coronavirus, don't believe what you see. To date, there is no approved treatment for coronavirus, which has infected more than 89,000 people around the globe and killed more than 3,000. (There have been no con Car Review: When size matters, the supersized VW Tiguan stands out 03/02/2020 08:03am • If you’re searching for a compact crossover, there’s no shortage of choices. While most offer good space, one stands out as bigger than the rest: The Tiguan was recently revamped to better fit American buyers. You can even have an optional third-row seat. The Tiguan also has more tech th Q&A: What's next for the Tokyo Olympics as virus spreads? 03/02/2020 04:11am • TOKYO (AP) — The spreading virus from China has been reported in more than 60 countries and puts the Tokyo Olympics at risk. The Olympics are to open on July 24 — less than five months away. The Paralympics follow on Aug. 25. IOC President Thomas Bach, in an intervie Foam containers banned in Anne Arundel Co. 02/28/2020 06:55am • There’s one less thing that can come home with dinner in Maryland's Anne Arundel County, starting Friday — foam containers. A ban on polystyrene containers, including Styrofoam-branded products, takes effect. Restaurants and other businesses that serve food have had a year to make the swit The refinancing process is still daunting, but a little less so now 02/24/2020 09:30am • It still takes a lot of paperwork to refinance a mortgage, but a lot can be done digitally. (Thinkstock) If you are about to refinance a mortgage, be prepared to invest several hours gathering and preparing a lot of paperwork for the lender — but maybe not quite as many as the job used to requ Car Review: BMW i3 Sport combines funky style with a fun, drive-efficient package 02/24/2020 04:35am • The BMW i3 Sport looks different from other BMWs and operates on electric power most of the time. This i3 also has a small two-cylinder gasoline range extender that allows it to travel more than the 150 miles with just battery power, upping the range to over 200 miles before you need a stop to charg How to get around DC during the 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival 02/21/2020 09:23am • Some transit services in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are making significant changes to their schedules and have stepped up cleaning efforts in response to the new coronavirus. Find out the status if you plan to take public transportation. Metrorail Before the coronavirus outbreak in the D.C. ar Maryland Gov. Hogan blasts lawmakers' failing to act on his crime bill package 02/20/2020 06:15pm • Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan takes questions at a Thursday morning news conference on his crime bill package in Annapolis. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tore into state lawmakers on Thursday, saying they had failed to move on his package of crime bills. Hogan said he is re-designati