Mark Ruffalo endorses Chris Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader

Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo has endorsed Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D) for Majority Leader, as Democrats prepare to take power in the U.S. Senate in January. Van Hollen has "the energy, care, moral centering and strength we need for all the work that lies ahead," Ruffalo wrote on X this morning. "Van Hollen for incoming speaker," he concluded, mistaking the position for the U.S. House of Representatives majority leadership office. The high-profile Hollywood endorsement comes as the progressive and Democratic Socialist wings of the Democratic Party scored record wins in the 2026 elections, and are now leveraging that political capital to oust New York Senator Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader in the Senate.

Maryland "is facing an energy crisis," utility Pepco says

"Maryland is facing an energy crisis," electric utility Pepco warned in a message to customers Thursday. "When demand for electricity is high and supply is limited, it puts pressure on the system and can increase costs," the message said, advising that customers "may see changes in your energy bill" as the region enters the winter months. The utility again has attempted to explain that many of the surging costs are not its responsibility, such as the taxes and fees imposed by Montgomery County and Maryland state governments. It specifically mentioned the EmPOWER Maryland fee that the Maryland legislature recently hiked again. Politicians hope that you will think Pepco is charging you these fees, which is part of the impetus for the utility to inform customers to the contrary.

Moreover, the impact of the state forcing the closure of 8 power plants continues to be massive. Maryland is now forced to import electricity from out-of-state at higher rates, because it can no longer generate enough power from its remaining power plants to meet demand. Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials have tried mightily to scapegoat data centers as the cause of high energy bills, but the fact is that there are currently zero megascale data centers in our state. No, it's our elected officials themselves who have done this to us, and the problem will soon be impossible to ignore any longer, as energy demands lead to blackouts.

Assault at grocery store in Damascus

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store in Damascus Saturday afternoon, November 7, 2026. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 26000 block of Ridge Road at 3:55 PM Saturday. That is the Weis Markets at 26075 Ridge Road at Ridge Plaza.

Sign installed at J.Crew Factory at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

The sign is up at J.Crew Factory, opening soon at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. It's already lit at night, but the windows are still covered, blocking the view into the store. The J.Crew website continues to say "coming soon" for this location. J.Crew Factory is not an outlet clearance store, but a separate line of clothing featuring past J.Crew styles at a lower price point, manufactured especially for Factory stores. The Rio store is located at 10 Grand Corner Avenue.

Signage installed at Gina's Cucina Siciliana in Gaithersburg

Permanent signage is up at Gina's Cucina Siciliana at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Located at 640 Center Point Way, the restaurant is expected to open before the end of the year. The windows are still covered, so we can't yet see the status of the interior fit-out. When it opens, Gina's will feature the cuisines of the Agrigento and Messina regions of Sicily.

Gaithersburg man fatally shot in Rockville

A Gaithersburg man was fatally shot in the Town Center area of Rockville eaarly yesterday morning, November 4, 2026, according to Montgomery County police. Rockville City police and County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were originally dispatched to the 200 block of N. Washington Street at 12:25 AM Wednesday, after a report of a person laying in the street near Trader Joe's was received. When first responders arrived at the scene, however, they discovered the man suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite lifesaving efforts, he tragically passed away at the scene.

Homicide detectives have identified the victim as Richard Ulysses Hernandez, 33, of Gaithersburg. His body was transported to the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause of death was determined to be homicide. Any suspect(s) in the case remain at large. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this homicide to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimesolversmcmd.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous, and information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of $250 to $10,000.

Armed robbery in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Germantown late Saturday night, October 31, 2026. The robbery was reported in the 11800 block of Summer Oak Drive at 11:40 PM. That is in a townhome community across from Roberto Clemente Middle School.