Articles by Kristen Wyatt

Driving-Stoned Debate Appears Settled In Colorado

Colorado’s long debates on marijuana regulation and driving high came to an end Tuesday, when the Senate voted on three pot measures they’ve been debating for months. The Senate gave final approval to a stoned-driving bill they’d rejected in the …

Stoned Driving Epidemic In Colorado, Washington Puts Wrinkle In Pot Debate

Angeline Chilton says she can’t drive unless she smokes pot. The suburban Denver woman uses medical marijuana to ease multiple sclerosis symptoms and says she’d never get behind the wheel right after smoking. But her case underscores a problem that …

Maryland Senate Revives Ban on Cell Phones, Texting While Driving

A cell phone driving ban that has been rejected many times by Maryland lawmakers — as recently as last week — is alive again and headed for approval in the Maryland Senate. But it’s still unclear whether this is the …

Maryland Considers Hiring Own Lead Inspector for Toys

Maryland would hire inspectors to monitor toys for lead content under a bill headed for approval in the House of Delegates. The chamber agreed unanimously this week to agree to a preliminary version of a bill to hire two state …

Motorcycle Deaths Renew Calls for Safety Measures in Maryland

Just having them pass you can be scary — groups of high-speed motorcyclists darting through traffic at speeds that make even lead-foot drivers wince. Called “bullet bikes” and “crotch rockets,” with the drivers crouching low over the body of the …

Maryland Mulls Ways to Keep Insurers from Abandoning Coastal Properties

Alarmed that homeowners on Maryland’s coasts may one day be cut off from home insurance, state lawmakers are mulling new rules prohibiting insurers from pulling out of areas they deem risky. But insurers met with lawmakers Tuesday to say there’s …

Previously-Rejected Cell Phone Ban on Redial in Maryland Legislature

A cell phone ban for Maryland drivers has been considered — and rejected — many times by state lawmakers. However, two new plans before lawmakers have some asking if this is the year Maryland will join Washington, D.C. and the …

Wal-Mart Argues Against Maryland Law Ditctating Benefits

Wal-Mart and other retailers challenged Maryland’s new law requiring Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health care, arguing before a Baltimore judge last week that only the federal government may dictate health spending by private companies. Maryland’s law requiring large …