The State Health Department’s website has been hit with a cyber attack. Maryland is now among the 17 states with the omicron variant. The State Senate overrides most of Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes in a special session. A new Towson high school is out, but debate over how to spend billions on Baltimore County schools continues. Our City Hall reporter untangles something called “tangled titles,” and how they strip Black families of shelter and generational wealth. Plus a quick guide on applying for Baltimore City rental assistance.

Omicron has been detected in Maryland. Baltimore police have made an arrest in one of the city’s most recent heinous crimes. Maryland’s General Assembly convenes for a special session next week to tackle Congressional redistricting maps and Gov. Hogan’s vetoes. And the four-term State’s Attorney for Baltimore County will face his first Democratic primary challenger since he first ran for office.

It didn’t take long. A case of Omicron has been discovered in the U.S. The Maryland State School Board votes in favor of what’s called, “off-ramps” that could gradually end the statewide schools' mask mandate. Governor Hogan urges adults to get their booster shots. Unvaccinated Baltimore County employees started mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing today. A state delegate gets a big union endorsement in the state comptroller’s race. Baltimore school children could soon get the free Wi-Fi they need. The City’s often embattled Inspector General gets a big nod of approval. Congressional Redistricting plans could boot a longtime Maryland republican out of his district. And in the midst of all of this...today is World AIDS Day. We’ve got a packed show for you!

Health officials are trying to learn more about the new COVID-19 variant known as omicron, which the World Health Organization is calling a “variant of concern.” No cases of the omicron variant are reported in the U.S. yet, but Maryland has also seen a sharp increase of new COVID cases this month. As Lung Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we have tips from a surgeon on prevention and screening. And we’ll hear from a grief counselor on how to cope with loss during the holiday season.

We’ve got lots of news to catch you up on our Thanksgiving eve episode! Governor Hogan once again calls out Baltimore in his tough on crime measure. Our Baltimore City reporter has a round up of coverage on the city state’s attorney’s clap-back to the Governor’s criticism of Baltimore’s violent crime rate...Mayor Scott’s plan for a jobs training program for the City’s squeegee kids... and U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg on his second visit to Charm City. Our Baltimore County reporter got the lowdown on just how much last year’s ransomware attack cost BCPS, and a local councilwoman is under fire for not living in the district she represents. All that along with some tips from experts for keeping us safe and sane through another holiday amidst a pandemic.

In Maryland, addressing the school bus driver shortage is being hampered by a licensing process for even the most experienced drivers. And Friday’s CDC decision cleared the way for all fully vaccinated adults to get a COVID-19 booster shot. We’ll hear from the Chief Medical Officer of Walgreens about the availability of boosters.

CDC advisers approved Moderna and Pfizer boosters for all adults today. Baltimore County volunteer fire companies, which have been hit hard during the pandemic, will not see a dime of ARPA money. And the Baltimore faith community tries to heal in the wake of a year of 300 homicides, including the recent death of church worker Evelyn Player.

The State Board of Education got an earful from parents at a hearing yesterday as they near a decision to lift or keep in place the statewide mask mandate in schools. Baltimore’s mayor announces how $55 million will be allocated in the next round of ARPA funds spending. And we have more from our City Hall reporter on a package of bills that may bring back Baltimore’s dollar housing program.

Johnny Olszewski proposes Baltimore County’s first public campaign financing system to equal the playing field...but some opponents are already crying foul. Baltimore City Council’s president has a bill to bring back the dollar housing program. And as we near the end of another year under the pandemic, the so-called ‘new normal’ has taken a tremendous toll on families of school aged children and teachers. We'll hear from a local teacher about why so many have left the profession and why she’s staying.

The child care industry across the state is suffering financially, and the COVID-19 pandemic is only partly to blame. The debate over how to redraw Baltimore County Council maps to represent racial equity is an unsolved conundrum. And President Biden paid a second visit to Baltimore, this time drumming up enthusiasm for his recently passed trillion dollar infrastructure package.