Maryland Board of Public Works approves nearly $150 million in cuts to state budget.

The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved $149 million in cuts to the state budget proposed by Gov. Wes Moore.

Chairing the Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed that he’s managed budgets over his entire career. He added that reductions in the budget are necessary after stagnant economic growth over the last decade.

“When we took office 18 months ago our team realized that Maryland’s business model was broken,” Moore said. “That’s not politics. That’s math.”

Moore said the cuts will free up money for Medicare reimbursements and child care for low-income families. The cuts include $1.5 million to the state police forensic lab and a quarter of a million dollars for a drone security system at the Port of Baltimore.

Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready issued the following statement in response to the approved budget cuts:

“It is disingenuous for Governor Moore to call this $150 million a cut. When you look beyond the cleverly orchestrated headlines, you will not find a $150 million decrease in overall state spending. What you will find is a fund transfer and budgeting tricks akin to looking for coins in the couch cushions to make up a significant underfunding of Medicaid created by flawed projections. Also, what didn’t make the news cycle was the Moore Administration’s $190 million request to transfer additional money from the Rainy Day Fund to cover that same shortfall.  So, when Governor Moore was proclaiming $150 million in budget “cuts,” he was actually seeking authorization to spend an additional $190 million over the approved FY25 budget.”

“These hidden budget tricks are disappointing especially when you consider Maryland looming $3.7 BILLION budget deficit. This Medicaid shortfall is not going away, nor is the lack of funding for the Blueprint. Marylanders deserve better. Governor Moore’s Administration and Maryland Democrats must address these massive spending mandates that swamp us for the long term before asking for another dime from taxpayers. How does any of this fuzzy math grow our economy, build new pathways to work, wages and wealth for all?”

There are no layoffs, but several state agencies will keep unfilled positions vacant.

Second judge recuses herself from YSL, Young Thug RICO case citing former court deputy’s involvement

Two days after she was assigned to take over the case against Young Thug and his alleged associates, Fulton County Judge Shukura Ingram recused herself. Ingram said because her courthouse deputy had a romantic relationship with a co-defendant in the case, Christian Eppinger, it could create an “appearance of impropriety.”

She issued an order on Wednesday recusing herself and asking that the case be reassigned.

Ingram was randomly assigned to take the helm of the 19-month-old racketeering and gang case after after Judge Ural Glanville was removed. Eppinger’s case was severed from the rest of the YSL defendants last year after it was alleged the deputy tried to sneak contraband to him in jail with the help of one of his family members. RELATED: Judge recused in Young Thug, YSL trial, documents show Referring to that episode, Judge Ingram wrote the deputy “could be called as a witness in any future proceedings in this case” and so she might “be called upon to assess this deputy’s credibility, or rule on matters related to her criminal prosecution.” “This may undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the proceedings,” Judge Ingram wrote. “While the Court does not regard the aforementioned situation as creating any actual bias for or against any party to this case, the Court does view this as a matter that could cause a reasonable person to question the Court’s impartiality and reasonably give rise to the appearance of impropriety should the Court remain on this case.”

Trump minimizes ear wound in leaked call with RFK Jr.

ONFIRE-TV.com – RFK is a Trojan Horse to help Trump get elected through cheating. Donald Trump described what it felt like to be shot during a leaked phone call with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump, who was shot in his ear during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania told RFK Jr: “It felt like the world’s largest mosquito.”

Before divulging what it felt like to be shot, Trump is heard trying to coax RFK Jr to join his team. He states: “We’re going to win, we’re way ahead of the guy.”

The video clip was first posted by RFK Jr’s son, Robert F. Kennedy III, in a post that has since been deleted. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested to Robert F. Kennedy Jr that the independent presidential candidate could do something to support the Trump campaign, according to a video of a phone call on Sunday posted on social media and confirmed by Kennedy.

“I would love you to do something – and I think it would be so good for you and so big for you,” Trump can be heard saying via speaker phone in the video, apparently referring to the 2024 election race.

“We’re gonna win,” Trump said, after which Kennedy said, “Yeah.”

“We’re way ahead of the guy,” Trump added, referring to Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden.

Kennedy supporters range across the political spectrum, from liberal to conservative to independent, and some polls show he would draw voters from Trump and Biden both. Trump also spoke to Kennedy about Saturday’s assassination attempt, saying that the bullet that hit his ear “felt like a giant – like the world’s largest mosquito.”

Kobe Bryant’s Dad, Joe Bryant, Dies Four Years After His Son Passed Away

Joe Bryant, father to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who also boasted an eight-year NBA career of his own, has died at age 69. His death comes just four-and-a-half years after his son Kobe and granddaughter Gigi were tragically killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash along with seven others. La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday that Bryant died from a massive stroke.

The Philadelphia native, nicknamed “Jellybean” for his love of sweets, began his basketball career at John Bartram High School and then at La Salle University before going on to be selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round and 14th overall pick of the 1975 NBA draft. After having his rights sold just four months later, the six-foot-nine forward spent eight seasons in the NBA, playing first with his hometown team the Philadelphia 76ers for four years, then San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets. Bryant went on to make a name for himself in Europe after departing from the Rockets following the 1982-83 season. For a decade, Bryant played for Italian and French teams before returning to the U.S. to pursue a coaching career. Most notably, he served as head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007.

Sen. Bob Menendez convicted in trial that featured tales of bribes, gold and a car

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has been convicted of accepting bribes of cash, gold and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen.

The jury’s verdict was still being read Tuesday at a federal courthouse in New York City.

Over a nine-week trial, prosecutors said the New Jersey Democrat abused the power of his office to protect allies from criminal investigations and enrich associates, including his wife, through acts that included meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and helping that country access millions of dollars in U.S. military aid.

Menendez did not testify, but insisted publicly he was only doing his job as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said gold bars found in his New Jersey home by the FBI belonged to his wife.

The conviction comes four months before Election Day and potentially dooms any hope Menendez had of campaigning for reelection as an independent candidate.

Person shot by police near Republican National Convention venue

Police have reportedly shot and killed a person near 14th and Vliet streets in Milwaukee, which is about 1.2 miles from Fiserv Forum, the main Republican National Convention venue.

There is a large police presence, including an ambulance at the scene, including the Secret Service.

Witnesses told Milwaukee sister station WISN that two men were fighting in King Park, and one of them pulled a knife out. The witnesses said the men were startled when so many officers responded. Witnesses say the man with the knife was fired on by numerous officers. This has not yet been confirmed by police.

The officers involved in the shooting are not from the Milwaukee Police Department, but are from Columbus, Ohio.

A statement from the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police said no officers were injured.

Police from 63 departments in 24 states and Washington, D.C., along with 44 Wisconsin agencies are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention.

Dallas officer accused of posting ‘aim better’ online after Trump assassination attempt

Following an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump, a Dallas police sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of posting “aim better” on social media over the weekend.

The Dallas Police Department issued a news release stating they received an internal complaint on Saturday, July 13, regarding Sgt. Arturo Martinez’s alleged comment on a social media platform.

The post was believed to have been related to the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which was an incident that wounded Trump and two spectators and resulted in two deaths, including the shooter.

As a result of the allegations, Martinez was placed on leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs administrative investigation.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Martinez has been with the Dallas Police Department since 2010 and is assigned to the robbery unit. He’s listed online as secretary of the Dallas National Latino Law Enforcement Organization, one of the department’s largest officer associations.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia released a statement following Martinez’s leave on Monday.

“When I received the notification regarding the comment posted, disappointed would be an understatement. If, in fact, true, the comment made has no place in our society and certainly no place in law enforcement. I was appalled at what transpired on Saturday in Pennsylvania. The violence was unacceptable and has no place in our country. We are grateful former President Trump was not seriously injured. Our hearts are with those injured on Saturday and with the family and friends of Corey Comperatore, who tragically lost his life. The comments made, if confirmed, certainly do not reflect the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the Dallas Police Department.” – Chief Garcia

Federal officials said Trump was only minutes into his speech at the rally when the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthews Crooks, is believed to have opened fire from an elevated position outside the rally venue. As shots rang out, the presumptive Republican nominee was grazed in his right ear and whisked off the stage by Secret Service agents after they fatally shot Crooks.

Former president Trump announces JD Vance as vice president pick

Donald Trump says Ohio Sen. JD Vance will be his vice presidential pick.

He says on his Truth Social Network that, “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”

Shooter seen by some attendees at least one minute before Trump was shot

New video shows some attendees at the Trump rally noticed the gunman on the roof at least one minute before the shooting. The video shows what appears to be at least one law enforcement officer walking around the building. A spokesman for the United States Secret Service told CNN the agency did not personally sweep the building where an attempted assassin shot former President Donald Trump, but instead leaned on local law enforcement to conduct security at that location.

Maga Judge dismisses classified documents case against Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s federal classified documents case was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday, July 15. Cannon, who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2020, stalled his case for several months before ultimately tossing it.

In a 93-page ruling, District Judge Aileen Cannon said the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution. She did not rule on whether Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents was proper or not.

“In the end, it seems the Executive’s growing comfort in appointing ‘regulatory’ special counsels in the more recent era has followed an ad hoc pattern with little judicial scrutiny,” Cannon wrote.

The ruling by Cannon, a judge Trump appointed in 2020, comes on the first day of the Republican National Convention and as the nation reels from the failed attempt on Trump’s life over the weekend. Even though a trial before the presidential election was considered highly unlikely, many legal experts had viewed the classified documents case as the strongest one of the four cases that were pending against the former president.

Trump on Truth Social said the dismissal “should be just the first step” as he called for the other cases facing him also to be dismissed, claiming that the charges were “political attacks.”