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Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, responded Somerset County Commissioner President Charles Lairds’ letter which requested three specific …
Growing up in East Baltimore, I could have easily become a statistic. But through the endless support of my family — and the community I’m proud to come from — I was given the opportunity to …
Governor Wes Moore’s veto of SB 459 is a disappointing and misguided decision that overlooks both the capabilities of Maryland’s local news organizations and the urgent need to strengthen the …
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Last month Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a package of legislation finalizing next year’s state operating and capital budget. The  budget package  will support a healthy Chesapeake …
The Office of the State Fire Marshal invites residents to take a short survey to help it better serve Marylanders. The feedback received will guide efforts to better serve Maryland communities, …
Sparky the Fire Dog® , the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), is turning 75! This milestone birthday reflects a legacy that spans the generations. Since his …
The number one issue facing Marylanders is the cost of living. Over the past few years, taxes have gone up, fees have gone up, insurance premiums have increased, the cost of rent has increased, and …
As Valentine’s Day approaches, many veterans will be hospitalized, receiving the medical care they earned through their service. No veteran should feel alone, and the VA Maryland Health Care System …
Deep in one of the coldest winters in recent memory, many Marylanders are already thinking ahead to spring. But thanks to the frozen waters of the Chesapeake Bay, our iconic striped bass could be …
As we step into 2026, we are energized by the opportunities ahead and deeply committed to continuing our work on behalf of crime victims across Maryland. A new year brings renewed purpose — and …
Bryn Beeder is a visiting instructor in kinesiology, nutrition and health at Miami University. This article originally appeared in The Conversation. For many, holidays are synonymous with …
Every week, we hear from food pantries, schools, and local nonprofits struggling to meet a growing need: families who simply don’t have enough to eat. These are not strangers or statistics; …
The revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which guides clean water restoration in our region, has recently been released to the public for input. While this agreement is a critical …
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)Luisel Ricks-Santi, University of Florida(THE CONVERSATION) “Me encontraron càncer …
For much of the 20th century, young Americans were seen as free speech’s fiercest defenders. But now, young Americans are growing more skeptical of free speech.
President Donald Trump’s dramatic changes to the federal government haven’t emerged as an obvious political winner or loser. That's according to a new poll that indicates some Americans may be …
I would like to echo the support expressed by Cindy Dillon of the importance of a bottle bill in Maryland (“Marylanders need to support bottle bill”). I walk and bike throughout Wicomico County and am saddened by all the litter along roads, mostly beverage containers.
I am writing to you to highlight the extensive problem of litter and plastic pollution on the Eastern Shore and to offer a solution. Of the 5.5 billion beverage containers (metal, glass and plastic) sold each year in Maryland, more than 4 billion are left in the environment, along roads, in waterways, on our beaches.
In the midst of living in challenging times, with COVID-19 precautions in place that are causing changes in most areas of our lives, the Christmas season continues to do what it does best. …
The late Paul Harvey Aurandt was an American radio broadcaster for ABC News Radio who was well-known for his broadcasts, which often concluded with a variation on the tag line, “And now you …

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Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

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