November 2, 2024

COVID Spreads in St. Mary’s Schools

St. Mary’s County’s public middle schools and high schools are reporting some of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic began. Less than 10% of the state’s 1,449 schools have reported outbreaks, and they are of 10 or fewer students. St. Mary’s four public middle schools plus Leonardtown and Great Mills high schools total more than 400 cases.

Pentagon to Create Climate Policy Post

Climate

The Pentagon says it will make some organizational changes as it increases its focus on climate change, including adding a new post to champion climate considerations inside and beyond the Department.

Senate Committee Ups DoD Budget

Lawmakers look to provide the Pentagon with its annual budget — the Department of Defense Appropriation Act — before the current continuing resolution funding the government expires Dec. 3. But it’s not necessarily the budget the Pentagon requested.

Turnover at the Pentagon. What’s Next?

Pentagon

Following the removal of some top Pentagon officials last week, theories abound about why those firings occurred.

Might a Fitness Band Replace Fitness Tests?

fitness

The technology exists to make a fitness band for sailors that could replace the semi-annual fitness test and create a “culture of fitness,” says Juan M. Garcia III, the former assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs and retired Navy Reserve captain.

Esper is Sworn in as DefSec

Esper

Mark Esper is sworn in as US Secretary of Defense during an Oval Office ceremony. Esper supports former DefSec Jim Mattis’ National Defense Strategy to maintain preparedness for conflict with capable adversaries like Russia and China.

Md. Native Nominated to Be USMC Commandant

USMC commandant

Maryland native Lt. Gen. David H. Berger has been nominated to serve as the 38th commandant of the US Marine Corps. The appointment is pending Senate confirmation.

General: Consider Russia, China ‘Very Real’ Threats

Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy told a Senate committee that he sees no military threat coming from the southern border with Mexico, but his focus is on “very real” threats from China and Russia.