Around Maryland

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine intended to address severe symptoms of the virus ahead of the cold and flu season. The new booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer follow a summer of increasing COVID-19 cases and are designed to better address the variants that are circulating now. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a written statement that vaccination “continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention.”

Howard County is among the districts beginning school next week, and it will be the first year for the county's new school superintendent. Bill Barnes is overseeing the district following the retirement of Dr. Michael Martirano. 11 News spoke with Barnes about where the district stands heading into the school year, and his big priorities.

The Asian American Center of Frederick was one of several Maryland organizations to get money from the U.S. Department of Labor for new apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented communities. AACF, a nonprofit community organization, was awarded nearly $4 million to establish more registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs for immigrants, according to a news release from Gov. Wes Moore’s office on Tuesday.

Some of the biggest talk surrounding the third night of Democratic National Convention has not been about any of the major political figures who appeared (including Maryland’s very own Gov. Wes Moore). Nor has it been centered around the legendary Stevie Wonder or the performances of John Legend and Sheila E. Instead, it was a Maryland-born guitarist who stole the show.

Don’t bother unpacking your sdweaters yet, and put that pumpkin spice latte order on hold. The Baltimore region is in the middle of a couple of cool days, including temperatures as low as 53 degrees Wednesday morning — but warmer, more summery weather is returning soon. Temperatures as low as the 30s are forecast for parts of Western Maryland Wednesday night, then returning to the 50s Thursday night, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.

Elkridge-based Backpack Healthcare Wednesday announced it has secured a $1.1 million grant funded by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) to provide support to students, families and caregivers within Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS). Funding was made available by the Maryland General Assembly under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Ch. 36 of 2021).

A new bus maintenance apprenticeship program will expand training and career opportunities for skilled mechanics in Maryland. The Maryland Transit Administration is collaborating with the Community College of Baltimore County to launch the three-year, full-time program. Interested individuals have until Aug. 30 to apply. Ten applicants will be selected to participate. Those selected candidates will be notified by Sept. 16. The program will begin in mid-October.

The D.C. law firm that Mayor Brandon Scott hired to investigate safety practices after a sanitation worker died of heat stroke specializes in representing companies involved in mining, oil and gas, chemical manufacturing and other areas as they try to avoid running afoul of workplace safety laws. Conn Maciel Carey LLP touts its “unique relationships with the key regulators” as its team of lawyers – “the deepest bench in the country” – assists companies as they navigate legal issues around employee safety.

School bus drivers are getting ready for the new school year in Prince George’s County, where schedules have been streamlined, bus stop locations have been updated, and families are being supplied with information on apps dedicated to helping them get ready to get to school. There were three community information sessions in August ahead of the first day of school to help parents understand the latest transportation information.