Ja'niah Johnson, 19, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly hiding 19-year-old Camron Harris, of Henrico, Virginia, inside her dorm room closet in the Steward Hall building. 

Harris is accused of shooting five people on VSU's campus early Saturday morning, just days before the school year was set to begin.

He was taken into custody and transported to Chesterfield County Jail, where police obtained eight warrants for malicious wounding and four warrants for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

Harris is being held without bond, and more charges may be sought in the future.  

Maryland resident charged with misdemeanor

On Monday, Chesterfield County Police obtained a warrant for Johnson for accessory after the fact.

Police contacted her Tuesday, and she returned to Virginia and turned herself in to detectives at Chesterfield Police Headquarters.

She was brought before a judge and has been released on her own recognizance.

Johnson is a student at VSU, but Harris is not. It is unclear how the two know one another.  

5 wounded in VSU shooting

The shooting took place around 1:28 a.m. last Saturday outside a university residence hall.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. 

Four male victims and one female victim were transported to a hospital. Four of the five victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while one remains in critical condition. 

The victims' ages range from 17 to 21 years old. A 20-year-old male victim is a student at the university, but the other four are not.

University police, the Hanover County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted several other federal and state agencies with the investigation, which is ongoing. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660. Tips may also be submitted through the P3 app.

The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has tagged Thursday as a First Alert Weather Day because of scattered heavy rain and a risk of severe storms during the afternoon and early evening. 

The weather continues to look awesome this evening as the Orioles take on the Yankees. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s at the 6:35 p.m. first pitch, before cooling back to near 80° by the end of the game. 

The forecast remains dry through midnight as temperatures settle back into the upper 60s and 70s early Thursday morning. 

Stormier weather beginning Thursday across Maryland 

A wetter weather pattern returns to Maryland on Thursday.

Scattered showers are possible as early as Thursday morning. But, the main batch of strong to severe storms will develop during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Thursday is a First Alert Weather Day for the afternoon into the early evening. The greatest risk from storms would be damaging winds and heavy downpours. Not everyone will see severe weather.

The greatest chance of strong storms will be along and east of I-95 between 3 and 8 p.m. 

The chance of showers and storms will drop back a bit on Friday as the risk of heavy rain shifts farther south, temporarily. 

Showers and storms return Friday night and continue off-and-on through the weekend. Of the two weekend days, it appears Saturday will be the wettest-half of the weekend. Sunday features a few leftover storms as a cold front crosses the area. 

Temperatures will-top out in the low to mid-80s with plenty of humidity. It will feel a bit warmer than actual temperatures. 

Last month, the Maryland SPCA had an 8% increase in surrenders, which includes lost animals, strays, and pets given up by their owners. Several shelters in Central Maryland are seeing a similar trend, which is common during the summer months.

The MDSPCA takes in owner surrenders, stray pets found in Baltimore City and transports from other area shelters.

So far this year, MDSPCA has handled 6% more surrenders than in years past. The constant stream of animals in the shelter doors means more demand for staff and more supplies are needed.

"We know that throughout the state of Maryland, we are all seeing an increase in animals coming in," Katie Flory, MDSPCA director of Community Care and Advocacy, said. "When we have an increased number of animals that come in, that means increased spay-neuter, increase with animal care, increase with our event team… It definitely makes it harder."

In a statement, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) tells CBS News Baltimore when the weather is warmer, the shelter handles more stray animals and litters of kittens.

Other shelters are feeling the impact too. The Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center is asking for community donations for food and cat litter.

"We use the generous donations from our community to provide pet food and supplies to those in need. Our shelter, as well as surrounding jurisdictions have had an increase in the number of pets surrendered. Our Pet Food Bank allows us to help families keep and care for their beloved pets," the shelter said on social media.

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter on Davis Road in Columbia or sent online.

Meanwhile, the Harford County Humane Society tells CBS News Baltimore there have been 140 owner surrenders through the county's animal control this summer, which is double last summer's total.

On social media, the shelter asked for laundry detergent and dryer sheets to keep it clean for the pets. Items can be dropped off at the shelter on Connolly Road in Fallston or sent online.

Shelters statewide are also participating in the Maryland 3,000 campaign to find 3,000 pets their forever home. Seventeen shelters waived adoption fees through Aug. 31 to clear their shelters.

Through the first half of the month, more than 1,400 pets have been adopted, so far. While the shelters may clear now, the vacancy won't last for long.

"We will be full again. There's no question about that," Flory said. "It doesn't stop for us… If you are ready to bring in a new friend to your home, please adopt. Don't shop."

Dr. Dyann Mack replaces former Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson, whose contract was not renewed after he was criticized for his conduct during a work conference in 2024.

WJZ went to Bel Air to interview the new superintendent whose appointment represents a series of firsts.

Making history

Leading Harford County Public Schools' more than 37,000 students is something Dr. Dyann Mack never thought she'd do, but the longtime educator is now making history.

"I'm the first of a lot. I'm the first Harford County graduate," Mack said. "I'm the first Joppatowne High School graduate to become superintendent. And then I'm the first Black superintendent for Harford County Public Schools. All of which I'm very proud of."

Before becoming acting superintendent in January and taking on the permanent role in July, Mack spent nearly 30 years as an educator in the school system. She started her career as an HCPS classroom teacher and rose to Deputy Superintendent for Academics.  

Priorities for Harford County schools

WJZ asked Mack about her priorities for the new school year.

"Instructional excellence, of course, is the No. 1 priority, making sure that we have quality, high-quality educators in our classrooms, and then making sure that we have tiers to support, to either elevate our student performance, or to remediate students who maybe have challenges in the classroom," Mack said. "Another area of focus is definitely making sure that we're focusing on culture climate, which goes to safety, which makes sure that we're thinking about that sense of belonging for all of our students.  And then finally, operational efficiencies, looking at our budget, making sure that we're being responsible with the resources that are provided to us."

Mack promised budget transparency and acknowledged the financial challenges facing the school district.

To help balance the fiscal year 2027 budget, middle school sports and school specialists were cut.

"We made cuts of specialists that support our school improvement process," Mack said. "We made cuts to our teacher specialists that support our assessments that are given in our schools and things of that nature. We were not able to hire additional teachers that would support our early childhood pre-K to 3 reading initiatives and behavior supports."

Concerns about student proficiencies

Mack told WJZ she's particularly concerned about students who are not reading by the third grade.

"And so, one of the shifts that will be new for this year is, in every single one of our elementary schools, we will have a wind block," Mack said. "When the wind block means what I need. And so that will be an opportunity where our educators can differentiate the supports that are needed for our students."

Mack continued, "Middle school, I think our biggest focus is definitely going to be on the area of math and making sure that we're increasing the proficiency level of our students by 8th grade.  And then for high schoolers, we talk about being employed, enlisted, and enrolled. Those are the three things. When you leave HCPS, we want you to have one of those three."

The incident happened in the 1100 block of Green Holly Drive in the Cape St. Claire area of Annapolis. Crews arrived at the scene around 12:22 p.m. after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting an explosion.

Anne Arundel County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Larry Schultz said in a news conference that the explosion caused the upper floor of the home to collapse onto the lower level. Initial reports indicated there may have been a fire following the explosion, but fire officials later said there was no fire.

The department is investigating whether propane used inside the home may have contributed to the explosion. Schultz said a vendor had been at the home about an hour before the blast to resupply propane.

He said the priority for crews was to locate and secure the propane tank. Once that is completed, officials will conduct a thorough inspection of the collapsed structure.

"Wherever the tank is, whether it's underground and there's a feed on top or whether the tank is above ground, everything is kind of buried in debris," Schultz said. "So if we can find out who that vendor is and they can point us in the right direction, that would be really helpful."

Schultz said the explosion caused significant damage, with debris extending about a half-block up the street.

Fire officials confirmed that the person who died was a woman who went into cardiac arrest following the explosion. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors had begun performing CPR before firefighters arrived.

A man suffered severe burns and was airlifted to a hospital, according to fire officials.

A search dog was also brought to the scene to help determine whether anyone else may be trapped in the debris.

"The integrity is significantly challenged, but we don't have anybody to confirm that there was not somebody else there, a friend, a neighbor who may have come to help," Schultz said.

Four neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution. Investigators are searching for Ring camera footage that may have captured the explosion.

Closing arguments wrapped Wednesday after Officer Robert Parks returned to the stand for cross-examination.

Parks is charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless driving and misconduct in office.

The charges were filed after a video captured Parks allegedly chasing a man in his police vehicle in October 2025. The video later went viral on social media.

Parks testified that police officers monitoring city cameras alerted him that a man with a warrant was in the area. When Parks confronted the man, he said he believed the man possibly had a gun.

"The gun was at the top of my brain," Parks said in court Tuesday.

Parks takes the stand for cross-examination

During cross-examination Wednesday, Steve Trostle with the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office asked Parks whether he actually saw a gun on the man. Parks said he did not but believed the man had one based on his body posture.

Trostle also asked Parks whether he had ever seen the man with a firearm before, noting that Parks had been arrested him multiple times. Parks said he had not.

Parks and prosecutors went back and forth over whether the man had a firearm that day and how fast Parks was driving during the chase.

Parks testified that he was driving roughly 15 to 20 mph before losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a fence. Trostle challenged that claim after playing audio from Parks' vehicle, arguing that the recording indicated Parks was traveling at a higher speed.

Trostle also questioned why Parks did not wait for another officer to arrive and assist with the arrest.

Parks said he entered a note into the CAD system alerting other officers to the possible arrest. He testified, "It is my duty to act" when he sees suspicious behavior.

Defense attorney Chaz Ball played Parks' body-worn camera footage from after the chase, when Parks is seen speaking with a supervisor. In the video, Parks explained what happened and said he believed the man had a "piece" on him.

Parks could also be heard saying, "That's the first time he's ever ran on me."

Closing arguments

"What he did was patently unreasonable," Trostle said during closing arguments. "This man put everybody in peril."

Trostle argued that Parks could have killed the man he was trying to arrest and said Parks escalated the situation.

"He got ticked off this man had the audacity to walk off on him," Trostle said.

Ball argued that Parks' intent was not to violate police policy but to take a suspect into custody.

"This isn't about a crime taking place," Ball said. "He was trying to corral a criminal."

Ball added that Parks relied on his police training when deciding how to respond.

"He was doing what he believed he was trained to do," Ball said.

An update on the DNR website says the deceased beaver was discovered on Aug. 17 at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. It was then sent to the Maryland Department of Health for testing.

The update says the state has not confirmed whether this was the beaver involved in the Aug. 13 attack, and the search continues for any sick animals in the park. 

Beaver attack at Seneca Creek State Park

According to DNR, the 10-year-old girl was attending a summer camp in the park when she was bitten by a beaver at a popular swimming hole in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road.

The child suffered cuts on her upper leg, and she was treated at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.

DNR said when camp counselors came to help, the beaver escaped into the water. 

Another group that was canoeing in the park also reported a beaver charging at one of their boats. No one was injured in that incident, DNR said. 

The area around where the girl was attacked remains closed this week, as wildlife experts search for any sick beavers or other animals. Other parts of the park, including the Lake Area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, are open.

String of beaver attacks this summer

The latest beaver attack follows two others earlier this summer at Cunningham Falls State Park, which is more than 36 miles away in Frederick County.

A 13-year-old swimmer was attacked inside the park on July 26, and then a 19-year-old fisherman was attacked on Aug. 5.

In both incidents, the beavers were caught, euthanized and later tested positive for rabies. 

The latest bust followed the seizure of more than 400 pounds of the substance at the airport last week. 

"Customs and Border Protection officers have observed substantial quantities of khat being smuggled in commercial shipments, but smuggling loads of this volume inside traveler baggage is a bit unusual, and not any more successful," CBP's Baltimore Area Port Director Adam Rottman said in a statement Wednesday. "Khat is illegal and poses severe health risks to users. CBP will continue to seize khat and other dangerous drugs when we encounter it and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold smugglers accountable."

CBP officials said two men, who are U.S. citizens from New York, arrived from London on Aug. 13 and were referred for a secondary inspection. 

Officers found a significant quantity of what appeared to be tea leaves, and field tests confirmed they were khat, or Catha edulis, CBP said. 

Officials said each man had six suitcases full of the substance, weighing a combined 846 pounds, with the street value of about $100,000.

CBP seized the khat and released the men, pending further investigation. 

What is khat?

Khat can be chewed for its amphetamine-like effect, and some users also boil the dried leaves into a stimulant tea.

It contains two stimulants that affect the central nervous system -- cathinone, which is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, and cathine, a Schedule IV controlled substance, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Once ingested, symptoms include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Also known as Abyssinian tea and African salad, khat is typically grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Recent khat busts at BWI

Wednesday's announcement followed another khat seizure at BWI airport earlier that same week.

CBP said officers discovered 412 pounds of the substance left at baggage claim, including nearly 331 pounds inside five suitcases that arrived from London on Aug. 11 and 81 pounds from a suitcase that arrived on Aug. 12. 

Authorities said that amount had a street value of approximately $50,000.

Michael Brogno Jr., of Ellicott City, and Charles Weisman, of Mount Airy, were charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

According to the criminal complaints released Wednesday, Brogno delivered cocaine to customers for the ring's alleged second-in-command, Thomas Robinson, back in October 2024. Weisman, meanwhile, is accused of packaging the cocaine for Robinson between September and October 2024. 

They are among the eight men charged with misdemeanors in the case, while Robinson and four others are facing felony offenses. 

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said they were all students at or around the time of the alleged crimes, which took place at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities between September 2023 and October 2024. 

A 14th man, Robinson's father, was also arrested and charged with three felony counts for allegedly hindering the investigation.

What to know about the Penn State cocaine ring

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the arrests Monday, calling it a "coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew."

The AG said Robinson and another former student, Agostino Abbatiello, were "senior members of the fraternities" and main suppliers of the drug ring, regularly traveling to Philadelphia and New York for cocaine. 

Pledges at the fraternities' off-campus houses then cut and packaged the drugs, including some who said they did so as "indoctrination," the AG said. The drugs were "mainly" sold to students at the university. 

Frat leaders allegedly behind the ring

Abbatiello was described as being "at the very top of the chain," and Robinson was "a rung below that on the ladder," according to Sunday. 

A confidential informant bought cocaine at Delta Upsilon six times between September 2024 and December 2024, leading to Robinson's arrest, the grand jury findings say. He allegedly told officers Abbatiello was his source for the cocaine. 

Abbatiello turned himself in to law enforcement Tuesday.

Penn State officials say Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension, while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates. It also said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside of its support and oversight.

"We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students," Vice President for Student Affairs Andrea Dowhower said in a statement Monday. 

The Patterson Park Observatory and a pair of churches are among 11 properties in Maryland that will get grants to help with restoration work through the trust's Historic Preservation Grant Program for 2026.

The grant program provides financial support to private citizens and organizations in order to complete construction projects, including architectural, engineering, archaeological and consulting services. 

The Maryland Historical Trust said that it received 58 applications for this year, requesting more than $4.9 million. The grants awarded range from $62,000 to $100,000.

The Patterson Park Observatory and its sponsors, Friends of Patterson Park, will receive $100,000. The 60-foot-high structure was designed in 1861 by Charles Latrobe and built in East Baltimore's Patterson Park. The money the observatory was awarded will go to fixing the structure's roof. 

First and Franklin Presbyterian Church and its sponsors, the Committee of the Presbyterian Church in the City of Baltimore, will also receive $100,000. First and Franklin, located at 201 W. Madison Street, was built in the 1850s and is the home of the city's oldest Presbyterian congregation, founded in 1761. The church is a longtime supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. The $100,000 grant will fund repairs to the church's spires. 

Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, located at 112 W. Conway Street, is sponsored by Old Otterbein United Methodist Church Inc. and will receive a grant of $100,000. The money will be used to restore the church's cupola. Designed and built by local builder Jacob Small, Sr., in 1775 and remodeled in 1839, the church still has much of its original glass and German-cast bells. It is the oldest 18th-century building used in Baltimore.

In all, 11 Maryland properties were awarded grants:

• The Michael Cresap Museum, Oldtown
• Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, Anne Arundel County
• First and Franklin Presbyterian Church, Baltimore
• The Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, Baltimore
• Patterson Park Observatory, Baltimore
• Cowdensville A.M.E. Church, Arbutus
• Elk Landing - Stone House, Elkton
• Custom House, Chestertown
• Kent News Building, Chestertown
• Tudor Hall, Leonardstown
• Girdletree Church Museum, Girdletree 

The chamber, which has opposed the tax, said the move "underscores the need to address Maryland's growing structural budget challenges without turning to new or higher taxes on businesses and residents."    

The tax, approved in 2021, was designed to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools by taxing online ads sold by big tech companies. Last Friday, the Maryland Tax Court ruled in favor of Apple, Google, and Peacock TV and ordered the state to refund taxes already paid by the companies. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Maryland Chamber expressed fears that the court ruling could put increased pressure on businesses and taxpayers to make up a major shortfall left by the lack of digital advertising revenue.

Position centers on state's current financial woes

"While the legal process will likely continue, the decision raises a larger and more urgent question: How will Maryland address its long-term fiscal challenges in a way that strengthens rather than further burdens its economy?" the chamber said in the statement.    

"Maryland is already confronting a projected multibillion-dollar structural budget deficit — approximately $3.1 billion and expected to grow in the years ahead," the organization added. "If the digital advertising tax revenue ultimately disappears, it adds another challenge to a fiscal outlook that is already unsustainable."

The president and CEO of the Maryland Chamber said the ruling "should be a catalyst for a much bigger conversation about Maryland's fiscal future." Cane added, "Maryland is already facing a multibillion-dollar structural deficit that is projected to grow. If one revenue source disappears, the answer cannot simply be to find the next tax."     

How Maryland's digital ad tax worked

Companies making more than $100 million in global annual gross revenues were taxed at a 2.5% rate. The rate increased for companies with larger revenues, topping out at a 10% rate for companies making $15 billion or more in global gross annual revenues.

Supporters of the law contended Maryland needed to overhaul its tax methods in response to significant changes in how businesses advertise. But attorneys representing Big Tech companies, including Amazon and Meta, challenged the law in multiple legal venues, arguing in part that they were unfairly targeted.

Last year, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled part of the law violated the Constitution because it blocked Big Tech companies from telling customers about the tax. That, Judge Julius Richardson said, violated the right to free speech.

Latest court ruling

In Friday's ruling, the Maryland Tax Court said the tax violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, as well as the First Amendment and the commerce and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

The tax court said Congress — not the state legislature — is tasked with regulating interstate commerce, and that the tax law was inappropriately based on global revenue rather than revenue from in-state advertising.

The federal Internet Tax Freedom Act bars the taxation of e-commerce if similar services are not taxed. At least for now, the tax court found, there isn't much of a difference between digital advertising and print or billboard ads, which means the bar on taxation applies.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk, both Democrats, issued a statement saying they "respectfully disagree" with the tax court ruling and expect the legal process to continue.

They said the tax was enacted to keep the state's tax system in pace with a changing economy.

"We remain committed to ensuring that Maryland's tax system is fair, sustainable, and reflects today's economy," they said. "We will continue working with the Attorney General and Comptroller as this matter proceeds through the courts."

What is khat?

Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub that is sometimes used for its stimulant-like effect. The substance has two active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and DEA considers khat a drug of abuse.  

What is its origin?

Khat is typically grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and is chewed for its amphetamine-like effects. In those places, its use is associated with established cultural traditions in many social situations.

What is it known as on the street?

Common street names for the drug include Abyssinian tea, African salad, catha, chat, kat and oat, according to the DEA. 

How is it abused?

Khat is typically chewed like tobacco, with individuals retaining it in the cheek and chewing intermittently to release the active drug, which then produces stimulant-like effects. Dried khat leaves can also be made into tea or a chewable paste, or it can be smoked or consumed on food.

How does it affect the body?

Khat causes a rapid increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It can also cause brown staining of the teeth, insomnia and gastric problems. Chronic abuse of khat can also cause physical exhaustion. 

How does it affect the mind?

Khat can "induce manic behavior" to include grandiose delusions, paranoia, nightmares, hallucinaitons and hyperactivity, the DEA notes. Long-term abuse can result in violent behavior and suicidal depression.

What are the effect of overdose?

The dose needed to be considered an overdose is not known, according to the DEA. However, overdoses have historically been associated with those who are long-term chewers of the leaves. Symptoms of toxicity can include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and increases in blood pressure and heart rate. 

What is its legal status in the U.S.?

The ingredients found in khat are controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. the chemical cathine is a Schedule IV stimulant, while cathinone is a Schedule I stimulant under the Controlled Substances Act. The designations mean that khat has a high potential for abuse, with no currently accepted medical use for treatments in the U.S.

With parents facing higher prices on everyday essentials, we shopped around at three major retailers: Walmart, Target and Staples to see where shoppers could get the most for their money.

Walmart, Target or Staples: Where can you save?

For the school supplies we compared, Walmart was the most consistently affordable of the three stores.

For example, a composition notebook cost 38 cents at Walmart, compared with 39 cents at Target. At Staples, the same type of notebook cost nearly 30% more.

Some items were priced exactly the same across all three retailers. Paper folders, for example, were 25 cents at Walmart, Target and Staples.

While the difference on an individual item may seem small, those extra cents can add up when you're filling an entire shopping cart.

How much does a back-to-school shopping list cost?

We also compared the cost of supplies from Baltimore City school supply lists.

For a first-grade classroom supply list, we used Hamilton Elementary Middle School. We selected the least expensive options available at each retailer. The total came to approximately:

• Walmart: $34
• Target: $36
• Staples: $70 

For a sixth-grade classroom supply list, we used KIPP Ujima Village Academy. The totals for that list varied even more:

• Walmart: $31
• Target: $40
• Staples: Approximately $67

Prices can vary by store, location and availability, but the comparison shows why it can pay to shop around before filling your cart.

Experts on ways to save

Kristin McGrath, senior editor at The Krazy Coupon Lady, says families should start by making a list and comparing prices before heading to the store.

"Give yourself time, look at things online, load up your shopping cart on what you need at a few different retailers, and see which comes out the lowest. That way you're not in a hectic back-to-school aisle," said McGrath.

She also recommends using retailer apps, digital coupons and loyalty rewards, and choosing store-brand products when they make sense.

And don't feel like you have to buy everything at once.

One area where McGrath says families may want to wait is clothing. With the excitement surrounding new school clothes, it's easy to overspend.

Her advice: if you can, wait until Labor Day to shop for clothes. That's when more sales may be available.

"Clothing is one of those things that's really easy to overspend on, because there's a lot of hype leading into the school year. Kids want that first day of school outfit, but the strategy with clothes is to actually, if you can, wait until Labor Day," said McGrath.  

"So maybe you want to get the kids the things that they grew out of, that they absolutely need, that first day of school outfit early. Then circle back for round two for Labor Day. You're going to find that stuff half off or more at clearance, and then I would also suggest take that opportunity to buy a size or two up so that your kid is ready for next year, and you've just paid clearance prices."

Don't overlook trends

Social media is also influencing what students want in their backpacks this year.

Kaila Murray, store manager at the Walmart Supercenter in Pasadena, says students are coming in looking for items they've seen trending on social media.

Squishies, for example, have been popular enough that some are selling out quickly.

"The sooner the better … and if you can't get in here, I'd definitely recommend our .com services to you," Murray said. "In store, we have our personal shoppers that actually shop here on carts for customers. A customer comes up, you schedule your delivery time when you want to be here to get your items and you never step foot in the store."

Students like rising senior Rayna Marshall say shoppers shouldn't automatically grab the cheapest option and should take a closer look at quality before making a purchase.

Sometimes, she says, the cheapest option can end up costing more if it needs to be replaced.

"So even if you have to go and spend a little extra, at least you'll know ... especially for the younger kids, just spend that money getting something that's a little more durable a little more extra so that way it will last for the most part, the whole school year," said Marshall.

More back-to-school shopping tips

The National Retail Federation estimates families plan to spend more than $800 on average on back-to-school shopping this year, making it especially important to find ways to stretch every dollar.

Before you head to the store, experts recommend:

• Make a list and stick to it. Avoid buying items you don't actually need.
• Compare prices. Check multiple retailers before making a purchase.
• Use store apps and digital coupons. Extra savings can often be found through retailer apps.
• Take advantage of loyalty programs. Rewards and member-only discounts can bring down your total.
• Consider store brands. Generic and store-brand supplies can cost less than name brands.
• Watch for sales. If an item isn't needed immediately, consider waiting for a better deal.
• Shop for quality, not just price. A slightly more expensive item may be a better value if it lasts longer.
• Don't buy everything at once. Spreading purchases out can make the expense easier to manage and give you more opportunities to find deals.

Dr. Berhanu Kibret will remain in detention after a judge denied a request to release him on bond, his attorney told CBS News Baltimore. He is being held at the Diamondback detention facility in Oklahoma.

Kibret was arrested at the airport on July 21 after attending a job-related conference, according to the University of Maryland.

UMD officials said Kibret was returning from a meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, where he received a Teacher of the Year award. University officials also said Kibret has valid work authorization.

"It is our hope that any issues surrounding his status will be quickly resolved and that he will be permitted to continue his work at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy," the UMD statement said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security told CBS News Baltimore that Kibret, who is from Ethiopia, is in the United States illegally after he "overstayed his visa and failed to depart."

"On July 21, 2026, ICE arrested Berhanu Geresu Kibret, an illegal alien from Ethiopia," DHS stated. "Geresu Kibret entered the country on June 21, 2021, on a visa set to expire on May 31, 2024. Against our nation's laws, he overstayed his visa and failed to depart. He will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration proceedings."

DHS added, "Being in detention is a choice."

The agency encouraged people who are in the country illegally to use the CBP Home app to arrange their departure. DHS said the United States is offering $2,600 and a free flight to people who choose to self-deport.

Kibret's attorney, Saron Berhe, told the Baltimore Banner that she argued at Friday's hearing that Kibret should be released on bond. However, a judge denied that request.

"I don't believe the evidence was properly weighed and the decision is unfounded in light of the record as a whole," Berhe told the Banner. 

Under the new "Plate Where You Live" campaign, the MVA is cracking down on out-of-state vehicle registration, primarily targeting thousands of vehicles improperly registered in Virginia.

The MVA said in July that it sent approximately 79,000 courtesy letters to Maryland residents suspected of having vehicles registered in Virginia. The letters reminded drivers about the state's registration requirements and the potential civil penalties they could face for not properly registering vehicles before Oct. 1. 

Approximately 700 vehicles identified in those mailings are now registered in Maryland, according to the MVA.  

According to The Baltimore Banner, drivers are not required to live in Virginia to register or title their vehicles there. Until 2024, the Commonwealth also did not require proof of insurance as long as drivers paid an additional fee. Registration costs in Virginia are also lower than in Maryland.

"I can understand how people try to beat the system to take care of their family. However, there's a consequence of beating the system, and so the consequence is they're cracking down on it," one driver told WJZ.

In April, the General Assembly passed new laws to crack down on improperly registered vehicles in the state, creating a system of fines and civil penalties that will take effect Oct. 1.

"When you see a certain car driving recklessly on the street, as soon as they pass, if they have Virginia tags, we are like, 'See, I knew it,'" a driver named Jojo told WJZ. "It's just a running joke because we know it's a big thing."

If drivers are out of compliance on Oct. 1, the MVA will send them a letter outlining the registration requirements and informing them that a case has been opened. Drivers will then be fined $7 per day that the vehicle remains unregistered in Maryland, up to a maximum penalty of $420.

If, after 120 days, the vehicle is still illegally registered, it could be booted, towed or impounded. The vehicle's plates could also be seized.

Maryland law already requires drivers who move to the state to register their vehicles with the MVA within 60 days.

"It's important to all of us. We want to be safe out on the roads, and we want to know the other vehicles are safe," MVA Administrator Christine Nizer said in a social media video.

While registration and related vehicle fees benefit the Transportation Trust Fund, the MVA says the campaign is about more than money. The agency says improperly registered vehicles often do not have insurance, are not properly inspected and have unpaid traffic fines.

MVA fees account for 17% of the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for road projects.

"It's expensive. Insurance is very expensive. If they don't have the money to do that properly, then I don't think anything is going to change by Oct. 1," Jojo added.

Safety concerns and unpaid fines

According to a letter filed by the MVA to the Judicial Proceedings Committee, the agency already issues warnings to vehicle owners and provides a 60-day notice to register vehicles in Maryland.

The agency said it filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to determine how many vehicles were improperly registered there.

The MVA said the data showed that 28,003 vehicles previously registered in Maryland were switched to Virginia. More than 50% of those vehicles would not be eligible to register in Maryland because of indicators on their records, and nearly all were out of compliance with Virginia safety inspections.

Baltimore City officials said drivers with Virginia tags often do not pay traffic citations. About 63% of camera citations issued to vehicles with Virginia tags remain outstanding from 2025. More than 80% of camera citations issued to vehicles with Virginia tags in 2024 also remain unpaid.

Testimony from Baltimore Police obtained by WJZ says the state loses up to $12 million annually in registration revenue. The state also loses money from unpaid violations and tolls.

Between 2023 and 2025, police said there were 14 fatal crashes involving Virginia-registered vehicles, accounting for 10% of all fatal crashes during that period. The testimony also said 47% of non-fatal crashes involved a Virginia-registered vehicle.

Keeping Virginia tags

In March, WJZ spoke with one woman who said she previously had two vehicles registered in Maryland.

After one vehicle was repossessed and the other was returned to the dealer, she said the license plates were not returned. The woman, who asked her name not be used, said the MVA is now charging her for the missing plates, so she registered her vehicle in Virginia.

"They're after the ones that have Virginia tags and don't have no insurance. I got insurance," she explained. "I don't have $7,000 to dish out to people like that … If they don't have insurance, then you need to go after them, but if they comply, and if the insurance is not worried about it, why should y'all?"

The woman said she received a letter from the MVA this year telling her to change her registration, but she does not plan to make the switch.

"I called the person that helped me get my tag," she said. "He said, as long as you got insurance, they really can't do nothing to you. Throw it away, and that's what I did."

Doctors thought Choate might be suffering from preeclampsia and induced labor. Her fiancée rushed to her side. Choate chatted with him and her care team as her labor progressed normally. Suddenly, she was struck with an excruciating pressure in her chest and head.

"It was not painful but it felt like someone was squeezing me as hard as they possibly could. I felt like my head was going to explode," Choate said. She turned to Arianna Bortle, the labor and delivery nurse at her side. "I said, 'Something has gone wrong. I don't feel good.'" 

Bortle had only been a nurse for 18 months but Choate's statements made her hair stand on end. She immediately ran to get her superiors. As they re-entered the room, Choate's heart stopped.  

"She was talking to me, and then she wasn't," Bortle said. "She didn't have a pulse." 

What is an amniotic fluid embolism? 

What Choate had experienced was an amniotic fluid embolism, doctors said. The condition is a "super rare obstetric event" when amniotic fluid enters a person's bloodstream and "sets off a cascade of events" that causes "essentially all major organs of the mom's body to shut down," said Dr. Nicole Scott, an associate professor of clinical obstetrics & gynecology at Indiana University's School of Medicine. 

Doctors don't know what causes the "life-threatening event," Scott said. It occurs in about 1 in 40,000 U.S. births, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They usually happen shortly after a person's water breaks, and have no warning signs, Scott said. Patients quickly decompensate, with the heart failing and other organs shutting down. The body's clotting process malfunctions, causing intense bleeding. People may experience strokes and seizures. 

About half of the women who have an amniotic fluid embolism die, according to Scott. The mortality rate for their babies varies depending on the stage of labor a person is in when the embolism occurs. 

Survivors usually suffer lifelong complications, according to Scott. A lack of blood to the brain may leave a patient with long-lasting neurological issues, and blood clots can cause musculoskeletal issues. Some people are paralyzed. Doctors may need to perform a hysterectomy. Survivors also "have a significant amount of trauma," Scott said.  

A fight to recover 

Choate was resuscitated, and her daughter was successfully delivered via cesarean section. Doctors used blood transfusions, clamps and a uterine tamponade to control Choate's blood loss and stabilize her, said Dr. Pablo Argeles, the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UM BWMC. 

Medical professionals from multiple disciplines collaborated on how to keep Choate alive, Argeles said. She was placed on a ventilator and transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center for advanced intensive care.

When Choate woke up, she had no idea what had happened or where her baby was. She assumed the worst. 

"I was like, 'If I have a tube in my throat, there's no way she survived whatever happened ... there's no way that a baby that is measuring 7 or 8 pounds is alive right now,'" Choate said. 

After an agonizing wait, Choate was told that her baby was alive and well. After a doctor explained what had happened, Choate understood that she was lucky: Both she and her daughter had survived, and she would not have long-term medical complications. 

As Choate recovered, she was haunted by her ordeal. She Googled amniotic fluid embolisms and said she was horrified by the statistics she found. She was able to briefly see her baby but was distraught about missing so much time with her. Being apart hurt more than her recovery, she said. 

"I was like, 'I need to go home. I have to go home right now. I need to be a mom,'" Choate said. "They kept telling me I was a miracle. I was like, 'I don't care about being a miracle. I want to be a mom.'" 

As staff weaned her off medications and machines, Choate began to push herself. She practiced how she would maneuver her way into the bathtub or stand up from a couch. She wheeled her baby's bassinet around the recovery floor to show she was ready to leave. 

"It was hard. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. It was painful, and I was crying. I was in so much pain. But when you have a baby, all of that pain just gets pushed to the side. My pain level was 1000 over 10, and I did not care," Choate said.

The display worked. Choate was discharged after nine days in the hospital. 

"The one most important thing" 

When Choate arrived home, the house was covered in so many cards, posters and baby gifts that she could barely recognize it. Her family offered support. Bortle, the nurse who realized something was wrong, came to visit. Her daughter, now seven months old, is on her best behavior, Choate joked, and practicing skills like rolling and sitting up. 

"She doesn't cry about literally anything. I say 'She knows what I've been through, so she's taking it easy," Choate teased. 

Even as life continues on, Choate said she thinks about her ordeal "every single day." 

"I've never taken my life for granted, but it is scary to think that anything can happen," Choate said. "Sometimes I wonder, like, did this actually happen to me? I almost feel like I'm living in a different universe." 

Love for her daughter washes away those troubled thoughts quickly. 

"I got the one most important thing out of my birth and labor," Choate said. "My child is alive."