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Turnout was low for Tuesday's primary election at polling places in Laurel, as expected. With so few contested races, and what experts say is the usual apathy found in a nonpresidential election cycle, the turnout wasn't a surprise.

Polls opened in Laurel at 7 a.m. today, and the earlier-than-usual June primary is not expected to draw out many voters.

Campaign signs lined the streets surrounding the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, one of three new early voting locations set up by the Prince George's County Board of Elections for the 2014 primaries.

Laurel's state- and county-level elected officials won't face many obstacles on the path to re-election this year, with few – in most cases no – challengers. With the Feb. 25 candidate filing deadline past, 2014's political contenders are set. And there aren't very many options for voters outside of the usual field of incumbents.

Proponents of an elected school board in Anne Arundel County are giving up too easily in the face of opposition.

For Laurel's representatives, 2014 isn't shaping up to be a year of great turnaround.

Gov. Martin O'Malley managed through the tough times, cleaned up the fiscal mess he inherited and launched a wave of reform and investment -- from transportation and health to education and the environment -- to grow Maryland's middle class for decades to come.

Maryland schools will be scrambling to buy $100 million worth of technological and other upgrades to give new state tests aligned with the Common Core standards over the next few years, according to a report to the legislature by the Maryland State Department of Education.

In a public appearance in Baltimore on Thursday, National Security Agency director Keith Alexander forcefully defended surveillance methods that have come under scrutiny this year but acknowledged that some of them may need adjustments.

America needs more tea party 'extremists'

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America's standing in the world is irreparably harmed when extremists can put the global economy at risk — even if we ultimately pull back from the brink.

A transportation investment plan proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley has the support of Laurel's state Sen. Jim Rosapepe.

The fatal murder suicide that left two University of Maryland students dead provided fresh fodder in Annapolis Wednesday for lawmakers debating whether to tighten Maryland's gun laws, with supporters saying the tragic incident gave them new resolve while opponents cautioned against rash responses.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says he will not run for governor and will instead seek a third term in his current post.

Election Day Nov. 6 started with long lines at the polls and ended with local Democrats celebrating state and national wins at a gathering in Laurel.

With a highly charged presidential election and several closely fought questions on the ballot, nearly twice as many Marylanders voted early this year than in 2010. And with long lines and waits at several early voting centers, lawmakers are talking about opening more in 2014.

Potential candidates for governor in 2014 flocked to Ocean City this week to raise cash and line up support for their likely campaigns. On the Democratic side, at least five likely contenders for the State House were making the rounds. Three potential Republican hopefuls also were there.

The Maryland General Assembly — with not a single vote to spare in the House but a heavy cushion in the Senate — gave final approval early Wednesday to a bill that would add table games and a sixth casino in Prince George's County to the state's gambling program.

Environment Maryland finds big downpours and heavy snowstorms occurring more often in mid-Atlantic, urges action to curb, adapt to climate change

Gov. Martin O'Malley and General Assembly leaders reported progress Wednesday toward their goal of bringing legislators back to Annapolis for a special session to avert more than $500 million in budget cuts.