Latest news with #ChesapeakeBay
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Maryland Alert Day this afternoon and evening for severe storms
Today begins with a mix of clouds and sunshine, but the weather will quickly turn active this afternoon. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for widespread thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. Many of the storms will be strong to severe with damaging winds being the primary threat, but storms will also contain other hazards like flash flooding and intense lightning. Alert Day for severe storms after 2 p.m. Severe storms that form this afternoon and evening will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, torrential rainfall, and frequent lightning. There is also the possibility of a few isolated tornadoes, particularly in areas that see sustained sunshine ahead of the front and that are close to Chesapeake Bay. Damaging winds is our greatest concern with the strongest storms packing winds of 65 to 75 mph. Some spots they could even be locally higher, so it's important to seek shelter if storms are approaching your area. The greatest risk for severe storms is from 2 pm until 8 pm. Please have multiple ways to receive warnings as power outages are possible in areas that receive the strongest storms. Behind the front, slightly drier and cooler air will filter into the region. Humidity levels will drop, offering temporary relief, and Thursday night temperatures will fall into the mid to upper 60s under clearing skies. Summer heat and AFRAM weekend That brief break will be short-lived. By the weekend, a surge of intense heat will build into the region, just in time for major outdoor events like the AFRAM festival in Baltimore. Highs on both Saturday and Sunday will rise into the low to mid-90s, and when combined with elevated humidity levels, heat index values could climb to near 100 degrees by Sunday afternoon. Festival-goers are urged to take precautions, including wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, seeking shade when possible, and drinking plenty of water. The combination of heat and humidity may pose a health risk, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. Dangerous heat wave next week The real danger arrives early next week. A powerful upper-level ridge of high pressure will establish itself over the Mid-Atlantic, creating a multi-day stretch of extreme heat. First Alert Weather Days have been issued for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as temperatures soar. Actual high temperatures will flirt with 100 degrees each day, and the heat index could easily exceed that threshold, making it feel even hotter. Tuesday appears to be the peak of the heat wave, with some spots potentially experiencing heat index values above 105 degrees. These conditions could lead to heat-related illnesses if proper precautions aren't taken. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities during peak heating hours, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure pets have access to water and shade. Later in the week, the upper-level ridge will begin to weaken, allowing for slightly cooler - though still hot - temperatures in the 90s. As moisture returns to the region, so will the chance for scattered thunderstorms by late next week, offering a potential pattern change as July gets underway. Stay with WJZ for continuous updates on the severe weather potential Thursday and the intensifying heat wave into next week.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
City Dock streets in Annapolis closed due to flooding
Streets along City Dock in Annapolis are closed because of flooding from abundant heavy downpours, according to the city's Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The city says Compromise and Dock streets were closed after water overflowed onto the roads. Barricades are in place in the area. Dock St. is currently closed due to flooding. Do NOT drive through flooded waters or around barricades. Use alternate routes. Follow any traffic detours in place. — Annapolis OEM (@AnnapolisOEM) June 18, 2025 "Do not drive through flooded waters or around barricades," Annapolis officials said. "Use alternate routes. Follow any traffic detours in place." The Annapolis OEM warns that additional low-lying areas may also flood. The department also urges drivers not to drive through flooded waters or around barricades.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gloucester Arts Festival Announces 2025 Plein Air Invitational Winners, Elevating Coastal Virginia as a National Arts Destination
GLOUCESTER, Va., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Heart of the River Plein Air Invitational concluded with a resounding celebration of artistic excellence, awarding top honors to a curated group of nationally and internationally acclaimed painters. Held annually in historic Gloucester, Virginia, the event continues to distinguish itself as one of the East Coast's most prestigious outdoor painting competitions. Organized by the Cook Foundation and presented as the cornerstone of the Gloucester Arts Festival, the invitational brought together nearly 30 artists from across the U.S. and Europe to create original works over a 10-day residency. Painting on location in tidal marshes, historic townscapes, and along scenic riverbanks and marinas, the artists captured the unique atmospheric light and rural character of Virginia's Chesapeake Bay region and watershed. "We were absolutely thrilled to welcome some of the finest Plein Air artists from across the country—and even across the pond—to compete in the 2025 Heart of the River Plein Air Competition," said Suzanne Scott, Chair of the Plein Air Committee. "The talent this year was truly outstanding, and we're so proud to showcase artwork that beautifully captures the stunning landscapes and scenic charm of our coastal community." David Lussier won both Best in Show for Fish Shack on Perrin Creek and Artists' Choice for King's Fish Campo, underscoring his mastery of plein air technique and storytelling. Other standout winners included Doug Clarke (2nd Place), Andras Bality (3rd Place), and Lyudmila Tomova, who was honored for Best Figurative in a Landscape. With over 20 juried awards, the festival also spotlighted innovation in light, color, and composition across categories such as Best Nocturne, Best Architectural, and Best Use of Light. Notably, the event has increasingly attracted collectors and critics who recognize plein air as a vibrant dialogue between traditional techniques and contemporary expression. Now in its ninth year, the Gloucester Arts Festival and the Cook Foundation are building a legacy of cultural leadership in the American South. The exhibition is at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester through June 28, 2025. The exhibition space in the historic Main Street district supports year-round engagement with contemporary American art. To learn more or inquire about future artist invitations, visit or The Gloucester Arts Festival and the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester are projects of the Cook Foundation, a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1894579. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Cook Foundation Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Chesapeake restoration crashes, greenwashing pervades
Gov. Wes Moore (D) signs the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act on May 13, 2025, with a basket of greens brought by a Montgomery County farmer to celebraate the signing. (Photo by Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters) The Chesapeake Bay is being polluted with huge flows of farm pollutants and environmental greenwashing. Elected and appointed government officials are aided and abetted by supposed conservation leaders. Government officials are driven by hypocritically burnishing their Green credentials with nothing-burgers while avoiding offending polluting interests. Some environmental organization leaders are also driven to claim significant policy successes when there are none. This is done to ensure that they do not lose governmental and private funding by criticizing the lack of meaningful measures to significantly curb Bay pollutants. These opportunists have become environmental mercenaries. Sadly, gone are a formerly robust group of experienced environmental journalists. The few new ones are overburdened with other assignments and succumb to Greenwashing. A prime example is the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act. On May 14, Maryland Matters reported on the bill's signing, dutifully quoting its progenitor, Gov. Wes Moore: 'This is the most comprehensive piece of Chesapeake Bay legislation that Maryland has seen in years.' This is a Trumpian overstatement of epic proportions reminiscent of former Gov. Larry Hogan's discredited claim in 2019 that his efforts resulted in a Chesapeake Bay 'cleaner than it has been in recorded history.' A close examination of Moore's Legacy legislation reveals that it does very little if anything to reduce the Bay's major pollutants of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and toxic chemicals. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. Maryland Matters also gave a mostly favorable boost to Moore's 'complex' legislation on Feb. 11, mostly parroting Moore and his secretary of Agriculture's propaganda. The reporting did note that 'Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced with some fanfare in the fall that he planned to introduce legislation during this year's General Assembly session to expand and modernize Maryland's efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay, telling assembled leaders from every state in the Bay watershed, 'It's up to us to protect it.'' Moore was speaking as chair of the Bay Program's Executive Council. Moore is obviously desperate to burnish his presidential cred, as was Hogan. The legislation changes little in the status quo so as not to upset agribusiness and commercial fishing interests that might impede his presidential ambitions. From my 55 years of environmental advocacy, I can discern greenwashing, and this bill epitomizes such. Let's examine the Legacy Act's details: First, a person who has a tidal fish license or commercial channa license and harvests and processes finfish on a vessel by ikejime for direct sale to restaurants need not have a food establishment license. Secondly, minor changes are made regarding the procedures for adoption of fishery management plans. Nothing is included that would better conserve crashing fish and crab populations. Aquaculture regulations are tweaked but there are no needed changes to better advance oyster aquaculture. The bill allows publicly funded oyster restoration projects to generate water quality trading credits allowing pollution reductions from planting oysters to be traded for increased pollution elsewhere. In a separate bill, oyster poaching penalties are relaxed. The Legacy Act establishes a Water Quality Monitoring Program in the Department of Natural Resources that simply formalizes the existing water quality monitoring system. Big deal. But the major initiative in this grab bag is yet another voluntary agricultural program termed LEEF, Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming. Despite my repeated efforts to dissuade the secretary of Agriculture from such a meaningless approach that would waylay needed regulatory efforts, the legislation was enacted into law. The secretary acknowledged publicly that voluntary farm measures have failed to achieve the necessary pollution reductions. Farmers who choose to may apply for certification to be created akin to LEED building certifications except this is entirely voluntary and there are no details on its implementation or on attaining certification levels except: Credit must be given for preserving farmland, participation in farmers markets, donations to food banks, on-farm research and for farmers lecturing about agriculture. Instead of acting to curb the largest source of Bay-choking pollution by better regulatory measures and enforcement, and despite knowing that voluntary farm measures do not work well, LEEF would perpetuate the desecration of our environmental legacy. LEEF already was used to defeat legislation requiring riparian buffer plantings on 2,665 acres of Critical Area farmland. Remarkably, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's president is quoted supporting this fraud: 'With federal cuts and rollbacks looming heavily on our state, Maryland's environmental leadership is more important than ever. This Act will help maintain forward momentum and ensure that investments in clean air, clean water, habitats, and local economies are secured.' With such gubernatorial and NGO leadership, may God Save The Bay!
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Chesapeake Bay watershed health declined in 2024, report shows
The Chesapeake Bay declined in health in 2024, according to an annual report published by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). During the annual assessment, officials look at the ecological, societal and economic indicators. The report, which uses data from 2024, gave the Bay a C grade, while watershed health was given a C+ grade. The C grade was a five-point decrease compared to 2023. Despite the decline in health in 2024, the Bay has shown long-term improvements over the last couple of decades, the report shows. Chesapeake Bay health declined in 2024 UMCES looked at seven bay indicators and 12 watershed indicators to grade the health of the waterways. According to the report, the bay indicators, like nitrogen levels, oxygen levels and water clarity, are used to assess the health of the aquatic ecosystem, while watershed indicators look at external factors like protected lands in the area, job growth and temperatures. UMCES said the decrease in score is not surprising due to the weather conditions in 2024. According to the report, 2024 was the hottest year on record, with extreme rainfall patterns. Parts of the watershed experienced drought with short, intense bursts of rainfall that caused runoff. "These downpours can cause water to flow over the ground rather than soak into it, increasing the fertilizer, dirt and debris carried into waterways," the report said. Despite the decreased 2025 score, the Bay has shown improvements since the 1980s, according to the report. According to the report, six regions - including Elizabeth, James, Patapsco and Back Rivers, Upper Western Shore, Upper Bay and Lower Bay - have shown long-term improvements. The Upper Eastern Shore was the only region to show declining trends. The Chesapeake Bay declined in health in 2024, according to an annual report published by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Some indicators, like dissolved oxygen and total nitrogen levels, have also shown long-term improvements, while chlorophyll a and water clarity scores have declined, the report shows. UMCES attributed the improvements to management and restoration efforts, including upgraded wastewater treatment plants, reduced nutrient and sediment, seagrass restoration and oyster plantings. "This year's report underscores the importance of continued investment and highlights the progress we've made over the last decade," said Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President of UMCES. Chesapeake Bay freshwater gets saltier With more than 100,000 miles of streams and millions of acres of lakes and reservoirs, the Chesapeake Bay region provides drinking water, resources for farmers and power. In its 2025 report, UMCES determined that the Chesapeake Bay's freshwater is becoming more salty due to an issue called freshwater salinization. The change is caused by rainfall patterns, drought, rises in sea level and human activities. The report shows freshwater salinization is expected to get worse as the population in the area increases and the environment continues to change. The report recommends switching to eco- and pet-friendly salt during the winter and using less de-icing product on roads and sidewalks. Baltimore waterways show declining water quality In May, a similar study from non-profit Blue Water Baltimore found that the water quality at the Inner Harbor and surrounding watershed has declined in the past decade. According to the report, water quality at the Baltimore Harbor, Gwynn Falls and the Patapsco River regions has declined between 2013 and 2024. Water quality in the Jones Falls region slightly improved. The report detailed that chlorophyll levels were poor in most areas, while bacteria levels and dissolved oxygen levels improved.
