Maryland News - 7/2/2016

[TexasTowelie]

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New pain drug being developed at University of Maryland could offer relief without addiction

Lightning strikes historic State House in Annapolis

Maryland dairy farmer fought the Justice Department — and (finally) won

Maryland's second-highest court orders juveniles unshackled

EPA rules that air is unhealthy near Anne Arundel power plant, rejecting protests by state

State audit targets lack of background checks in child care facilities

New Maryland law aims to spur retirement savings through state plan

Maryland has severe shortage of correctional officers, union says

House Democrats take push for gun control to home districts

FBI proposals submitted as state pledges funding

[elleng]

1. !!!

Lightning struck Maryland’s historic State House in Annapolis Friday evening, and Gov. Larry Hogan said he was grateful that there was no fire.

The strike occurred at 6:18 p.m. amid thunderstorms. No fire broke out and it was unclear what part of the building was hit. Also unclear was the extent of damage, if any.

However, as July 4 approaches, it should be noted that according to state archives, a slender 28-foot tall lightning rod has been atop the cupola for at least 208 years.It was built according to the specifications of the Founding Father most identified with lightning, Benjamin Franklin.

The spire is made of wrought-iron and is 2.5 inches square at its widest point, according to the archives.

Read more: www.washingtonpost.com/local/lightning-strikes-historic-state-house-in-annapolis/2016/07/01/beaf6958-3fe9-11e6-84e8-1580c7db5275_story.html