Amid skyrocketing electric bills, they're now stealing solar panels in Rockville

Maryland electric bills have soared to record heights, thanks to elected officials forcing the closure of 8 power plants statewide, and implementing clean power mandates. Now we're seeing a new sign of growing desperation in Montgomery County. Rockville City police recently responded to a report of a solar panel having been wrenched off of a home in the 1700 block of Henry Road in the Rockcrest neighborhood on July 11, 2026. Police believe the solar panel was spirited away sometime between 11:44 PM the night before, and 1:23 AM on July 11. No description of the suspect(s) has been released.

Maryland has 2nd-worst economy in America, CNBC finds

Maryland has the second-worst economy in the U.S., CNBC found in its 2026 Worst State Economies in America survey, the results of which were released today. "Economic growth and job growth nearly flatlined in Maryland over the past year," the cable TV business channel noted in its analysis. "[H]igh costs, unpredictable taxes, and growing regulatory burdens," are each a drag on the state's economy, as is an over-reliance on government jobs and federal funds. A new IT services tax walloped businesses, sending many firms packing for greener pastures in other states. Especially hard hit by the IT tax were government contractors, a painful irony in a state where little beyond government has been growing this century.

Some factors in CNBC's criteria certainly hit Maryland where it hurts. These included job growth, economic growth, and the number of major companies headquartered in the state. The first two "flatlined" over the last 12 months, in CNBC's own word, and Maryland hasn't attracted a single new major corporate headquarters this century. In fact, the story has been the number of companies leaving the state. "Budget situation" isn't a category any Maryland elected official would want to delve into publicly. Debt? Maryland and Montgomery County are both in deadly serious trouble on that front, as well.

"Small business survival rates?" Ho ho. The ubiquitous "Going Out of Business" and "Everything must go!!!" signs in Montgomery County storefront windows tell a most tragic story indeed.

"Maryland finds itself in a deep hole in 2026, with no easy way out of it," CNBC concluded. But the picture is even bleaker than the one painted by the already-stinging rebuke of a friendly, liberal news outlet. They didn't even mention the budget apocalypse currently forecast for the state in 2030. 

Can we continue to whistle past the graveyard, raising taxes and instituting new ones? Refusing for radical ideological reasons to construct the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area? Continuing to block completion of our master plan highway system? Keep on losing, and often hardly trying, in the corporate HQ relocation sweepstakes?

We could. And we just might end up topping CNBC's worst list in the future. It's one of the few things within easy reach for the buffoonish incompetents currently running Montgomery County and Maryland. After all, "We're number two - we try harder."

Double dog attack injures victim in Rockville

Rockville City police are investigating an animal bite incident that took place on July 8, 2026. The victim was in the 800 block of Nelson Street at 8:33 PM when they were attacked by two dogs. Both canines were described by the victim as possibly having been pit bulls. They attacked without provocation, the victim told police. The alleged owner of the dogs refused to provide identification, and fled the scene with the animals, police say. Following the attack, the victim sought medical treatment for their injuries.

Montgomery County homeowners slammed as property tax bills arrive

Montgomery County homeowners are receiving their property tax bills in the mail, and jaws are crashing to the floor countywide. A super double-whammy budget by the County Council in May not only hiked property taxes yet again, but also eliminated the Income Tax Offset Credit that a vast majority of homeowners were previously eligible for. The end result has been, among homeowners I've spoken to around the county, property tax bills anywhere from 17% to 25% higher than last year. Be sure to thank your representative comrades on the Montgomery Commie Council.

Predictably, the hardest-hit areas are downcounty, in Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring. Many Rockville residents are looking at $12,000 tax bills. "It was about $12,000 last year," lamented a Bethesda homeowner holding a tax bill for more than $15,000. As I have noted for many years now, Montgomery County property taxes have increasingly become a second mortgage for homeowners. It's simply incredible that the Council would slam homeowners with tax increases this high in the middle of an affordability crisis. Most of this money ends up in the pockets of the Montgomery County cartel, the puppeteers behind our Marxist County Council.

Don't forget, in May the Council also added a new wealth tax on the "rich," whom our stuck-in-the-1960s Council defines as (in Dr. Evil "one million dollars" voice) anyone making over $150,000. That's only $18,000 higher than the median income of $132,450 in Montgomery County! $150,000 is just squeaking by and surviving, especially with a County Council of overpaid, underworked oligarchs who draw an annual salary of $167,172 from you, the taxpayer, for a few hours of "work" per week. One of the best kept secrets of the Council is that many members over the years have used the lax Council schedule, and their overinflated salaries, to put themselves through graduate or law school at your expense. If only you were as criminally street smart as the County Council, you might throw the bums out on Election Day!

T-Mobile, Häagen-Dazs temporarily close for renovations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

T-Mobile and Häagen-Dazs have temporarily closed for remodeling at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Neither has announced a timeline for reopening. T-Mobile does have a message posted reassuring customers that the closure is only temporary, while Häagen-Dazs has a generic Westfield "Something exciting is in the works" wall over its entrance that gives the false impression it has permanently closed. Only after going to the mall website do you see a message from Westfield stating the ice cream shop is being remodeled. This is the second time in a decade that this Häagen-Dazs has temporarily closed for renovations, while looking like it has closed for good. Holy fake-out, Batman!

Gold Bunny Donut closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gold Bunny Donut has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their space was dark today during their typical operating hours. The owner says they are seeking a new location and hope to reopen soon. Gold Bunny was a huge success after it opened at the mall, regularly selling out of donuts, so one has to wonder if the anti-business policies of the Montgomery County Council have claimed yet another victim.

Power outage at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forces some businesses to close early

A power outage this evening inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced some tenants to close early. Nordstrom was pitch black and boutiques like Victoria's Secret and White House | Black Market decided to close for the night. Some of the affected businesses regained power by 8:30, but the Apple Store was still turning customers away and directing them to come back tomorrow, despite having its power restored. 

Westfield released a statement within the last hour: "Due to a power outage, some stores at Westfield Montgomery are closing early today. We’re sorry for the interruption and appreciate your patience as we work to get things back to normal." We're seeing the failure of the Maryland electrical grid in real time, folks.