Graham Platner, a Senate candidate in Maine, blamed private equity for destroying “our favorite baseball team.” NESN, which is owned by the team, pulled his campaign ad, citing an intellectual property violation.

As Marylanders continue navigating a cold and rainy Memorial Day weekend, visitors hoping to take advantage of warmer summer days ahead at “Maryland’s Secret Beach” will once again need to plan ahead before heading out.

Advance reservations are now required for day-use entry at Greenbrier State Park, the increasingly popular Western Maryland destination known for its freshwater swimming lake and white sandy beach.

Located at 21843 National Pike in Boonsboro, Greenbrier has become a favorite summer getaway for Montgomery County residents looking for a beach-style experience without the drive to Ocean City. Less than an hour from much of Montgomery County, the park features a 42-acre man-made freshwater lake, designated swimming areas, hiking trails, fishing, boating, camping, and access to portions of the Appalachian Trail.

The park has exploded in popularity in recent years, often reaching capacity on warm-weather weekends and resulting in long traffic backups and visitors being turned away at the entrance.

To help prevent those issues, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that visitors planning to attend Greenbrier and several other high-traffic parks must reserve day-use entry online before arriving on weekends and holidays through Labor Day.

The reservation system, available through  Maryland State Parks Day Use Reservations, is designed to reduce sudden capacity closures and lengthy entrance lines.

Under the policy, reservations are required at Greenbrier, along with Sandy Point State Park, Point Lookout State Park, Newtowne Neck State Park, North Point State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Swallow Falls State Park.

Reservations can now be made beginning seven days in advance of a visit and may be edited or canceled until 8am the day before arrival.

Regular day-use fees are paid online at the time of booking using credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payment methods. Visitors with Maryland Annual Park Passes, Golden Age Passes, or who qualify for free entry as veterans or individuals with disabilities are still required to make reservations ahead of time.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, the reservation system proved highly successful during its first full summer in operation last year. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2025, more than 67,000 reservations were processed and parks using the system experienced zero unexpected capacity closures.

State officials are also encouraging visitors to check the  Maryland State Parks Status Dashboard before heading out to confirm park conditions, closures, and availability.

A new pizza restaurant appears to be headed to Cloverly. According to a recent liquor license hearing notice, Doughboys Pizza is planning to take over the former Bear Brick Oven Pizza space at 15410 New Hampshire Ave.

The hearing notice states: “Hearing on the application by Wesley Capps, on behalf of JWTC, LLC, for a New Class B, Beer & Wine License, On/Off Sale, for the premises known as Doughboys Pizza, which premises are located at 15410 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20905.”

At this time, details about the restaurant remain limited. We have reached out to other restaurants operating under similar names to see if there is any connection to the upcoming Cloverly location, but have not yet been able to confirm one.

The space was previously occupied by Bear Brick Oven Pizza, which closed earlier this year after a little more than four years in business. Back in the summer of 2019, we reported that Bear Brick Oven Pizza would be taking over the former Greek Islands Grill location. After pandemic-related construction and permitting delays, the restaurant officially opened in April 2021.

Bear Brick Oven Co. became known locally for its brick oven pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and rotating selection of local craft beers. Popular menu items included “The Spencerville Pizza,” steak & cheese subs, and classic brick oven pies.

At the time of the closure, owner Jarrell Bear said he had hoped current employees might take over operations, though those plans ultimately did not move forward. He also said he plans to reopen Bear Brick Oven Pizza at another location in the future.

 

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost was injured when a masked gang raided his home near Geneva, Swiss media reports.

The first ever Enhanced Games are taking place this weekend in Las Vegas, with big names, big money and much controversy.

Industry figures briefed on the move said the idea has not been taken forward at this point, after EU scepticism.