The line of storms contained damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph, along with lightning, blinding rainfall, and hail.

Trees fall during severe weather

Along Bowers Avenue in Baltimore, a tree toppled over on a car and a home.

A downed tree blocked a road on Ellwood Avenue in Baltimore.

On Piedmont Avenue in Baltimore, a tree toppled over onto a vehicle.

Ground stop at BWI Airport

A ground stop was issued for flights at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) due to thunderstorms.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the ground stop was lifted around 9 p.m.

Hail reported in Maryland

Viewer Susan Lee shared a photo of large pieces of hail in her hand in Essex.

Severe weather risk is decreasing across Baltimore.

The record high of 95° was tied at BWI before storms moved in Wednesday afternoon. Hail was also reported in Essex and numerous trees were knocked down across the metro. Earlier storms have cooled temperatures back into the 70s in many communities. Cooler weather brings a much lower risk of severe storms.

However, additional scattered showers and weaker storms are in the forecast through mid-evening. 

Wet and cool Memorial Day Weekend across Maryland

We'll be locked into a cooler and gloomier forecast late this week.

Periods of rain are likely on Thursday and parts of Friday. Scattered rain will be moving through during the Thursday morning commute, especially north of I-70. 

A second batch of light to moderate rain will develop Thursday afternoon across the area. There won't be any more severe weather through late week, just damp, chilly and breezy conditions. Temperatures most of Thursday will be stuck in the low to mid-60s.

Rain will impact some outdoor plans through the holiday. Saturday is shaping up to be quite cool and damp. There is the potential for at least 1 to 3 inches of rain before the wet weather lets up. This would be very beneficial, considering current severe drought conditions.

Rain will become more showery Sunday into Memorial Day. There will be a bit more dry time for plans. Temperatures won't be quite as chilly as well; afternoons rebound into the upper 60s and lower 70s. 

Stay with the WJZ First Alert Weather Team for updated timing for the stronger storms on Wednesday afternoon and the specific windows of rain and dreary weather for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Overall, the county's budget totals $2 billion. It includes more than $871 million for the school system.

The new budget goes into effect on July 1.

The educator's union pushed for a fully-funded budget request

Last month, Howard County's educators' union asked for the full amount of funds requested for the school district. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said during that public meeting that he was pitching to give the Howard County Public School System more than $871 million, which is what the council approved on Wednesday.

The school district says it is left with a $6.2 million gap from its request, which it then said the district could cover.

Ben Schmitt, HCEA's president, argued that the county's budget needed to include the full school board's request.

"Yeah, [the gap] may be only $6.2 [million], but if the school system has to spend $6.2 million out of fund balance, they're borrowing that money against the following year's budget," Schmitt said. "So, why do we automatically wanna go into the following fiscal year at a deficit?"

The Howard County Board of Education had to eliminate 102 positions last year to balance the budget.

"This budget doesn't even restore the staff and programs we've already lost over the last couple of years," said Katie Murdza, a special education elementary teacher with HCPSS. "We're fighting just to maintain and improve basic fundamental educational practices."

The approved distribution for the school system is an increase of $57 from last year.

Concerns over IG's access

Before voting, the council discussed a concern that has come up this budget cycle about document access for Inspector General Kelly Madigan, who has held the role since January.

Madigan said she hasn't had access to databases that could help her in her investigations. An amendment to the budget was filed last week that would withhold some money unless she got that access.

County administration has since started getting Madigan access, which includes new data-sharing agreements made during Wednesday's budget hearing and vote.

That prompted the council to reject the amendment. 

"I have a similar concern about access, but I'm also concerned if this passes, or any version of it, however low the money dollar is compared to the $40 million, that there may be situations arising that may not be necessary," said Howard County Chair Opel Jones.

The companies submitted the request Monday after a criminal indictment accused the operator, Synergy Marine Private Limited, and an employee of failing to comply with maritime safety laws, falsifying inspections, and hiding dangerous conditions on the ship. 

Attorneys for Synergy argued in court Wednesday that delaying the case until after the criminal trial would allow new witnesses to come forward without a threat of prosecution. 

Meanwhile, claimants in the trial argued that criminal proceedings will move slowly, bringing financial hardship for some who lost their family breadwinner in the collapse. 

Six construction workers died when the bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in March 2024. 

The judge said he could not be assured of any harm to the criminal case or that new witnesses would decide to show up. 

The trial is set to begin on June 1. 

Criminal charges in Key Bridge collapse 

The indictment charges Synergy and employee Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair with conspiracy, obstruction and violating the Ports and Waterways Safety Act. 

Federal officials said the ship was being operated in U.S. waters despite known and undisclosed hazards. 

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the container ship Dali lost power at least four times in the hours before the collision. Investigators blamed a loose wire, and further review determined that the ship regained power the first time due to redundancies. 

However, the indictment alleges the ship was using an incorrect fuel pump, which did not have redundancies. If the ship had been using the proper pump, it would have regained power and been able to safely navigate under the bridge, court officials said. 

In the request to delay the trials, the companies said the allegations are "unfounded and strenuously denied." 

Rebuilding the Key Bridge

In November 2025, Maryland transportation officials estimated that the bridge would be rebuilt by 2030 and would cost between between $4.3 and $5.2 billion.

However, the state recently dropped its contractor, and said the search for another could take more than a year. 

Maryland finalized its settlement with the owner and operator of the ship earlier in May, reaching a $2.25 billion agreement with Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. 

The settlement resolves the state's claims against the companies but does not cover claims against shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries. 

The sounds are being created by Taiko instructor and performer Mark H. Rooney, who uses music to bring people together and share his Japanese heritage.

What is Taiko drumming?

Taiko drumming has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. The word "Taiko" is the Japanese word for "drum."

"It's a form of Japanese drumming," said Rooney. "It's been around in Japan for thousands of years, actually, estimated somewhere between 1600 and 2500 years."

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Rooney is performing at Baltimore County Public Library Branches. WJZ caught up with him at the Essex Branch, where he performed both traditional and contemporary songs and rhythms.

"Probably outside of a pipe organ, it might be the loudest instrument in the world," Rooney laughed.

The culture behind Taiko drumming

The folk instrument is used for many purposes in Japanese culture.

"It's used for religious purposes in both the Buddhist and Shinto traditions," said Rooney. "It's used in Japanese theatre mostly for sound effects and ambiance. The Taiko is used as way of giving signals, things like that, but also mostly to celebrate."

Watching Rooney put his passion into his performance emphasized why it's often described as full-body drumming. 

"The movement is just as much a part of expression as the rhythms that we play, but you are also watching like a physical feat because the amount of stamina that we train in," he said.

Rooney identifies as half-Japanese. His mother is a Japanese immigrant, and he wanted to explore those cultural roots.

"It was a very slippery slope from one [Taiko] workshop and next thing you know, this became my life," he laughed.

He enjoys meeting people through teaching and performing, and even made many of his closest friendships and met his wife while playing together. Rooney said those opportunities to connect with people are what keep him going.

Bringing Japanese culture to Baltimore County

Connecting communities is exactly why the library hosts events like this.

"We at the library value what we like to call mirrors and windows. Everybody deserves the right to have a mirror in the community, something that reflects who they are and maybe their culture, their heritage, but we also need to have windows available to us," said Conni Strittmatter with Baltimore County Public Library Youth and Family Engagement. "So, if this is a cultural heritage that is not part of your identity, being able to see into somebody else's experience is really important as well."

Strittmatter hopes people walk away with a sense of wonder and excitement.

"I hope it inspires them to look into what they just learned even more, maybe check out a book about this topic, about this subject and maybe feel like they've learned a little bit more about their neighbor, somebody who identifies with this culture or if they do identify with this culture themselves, that they walk away feeling like they belong here and that this is a space for them," said Strittmatter.

There are two more chances to see Rooney perform this month at the library on Thursday, May 28. He will be at the Catonsville Branch from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., then at the Cockeysville Branch from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, only became legal in the state two years ago.

This facility in Elkridge, in Howard County, will mark Earth Funeral's expansion onto the East Coast. The company gave elected officials and the media a preview of the facility on Wednesday.

Also on that tour were people already interested in this alternative burial.

How it works

On the outside, the vessel bodies are placed to look similar to a vault you'd see at a bank, but inside is organic mulch, wood chips, and wildflowers.

Tom Harries, Earth Funeral CEO, said the process takes 30 days once someone is placed inside. The body is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud before being put inside.

The vessel, according to Harries, only accelerates a completely natural process, resulting in a nutrient-rich soil.

Harris said the process is a more environmentally-friendly option compared to traditional funeral burials and cremation.

"You have something that is much more accessible, in our opinion, than cremated remains. You can keep this soil, you can plant this soil, maybe it's [for] a potted plant, maybe it's [for] a memorial garden," he said.

With the Elkridge facility being the first on the East Coast, Harris said it will help make Earth Funeral's services more accessible.

The company has three other facilities in Washington and Nevada.

"Families who've wished to choose this have had to fly loved ones to the West Coast. That incurs costs, complexity, and we believe if you resonate with this option, you should be able to do it locally," Harries said.

Choosing this option

Stephen Spiese of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is someone who resonates with human composting.

It's something his wife has already chosen to do. Spiese said he transported her body to Washington to undergo the process, and he's used the soil to plant something.

"She's very nature-oriented, and when she found Earth Funeral, she said I think that's the way I wanna go," Spiese said.

Spiese said he's interested because he wants to be part of the planet's natural process, which he feels isn't possible if he's in a coffin.

"You're removed and kept in a little box for the rest of eternity. That's not right," he said. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, let's put the dust in the ground to help other things grow."

While it's not where he lives, Spiese is grateful to have a human composting facility nearby, even while his wife had to be taken out west when she went through the process.

"To be laid in that rich soil, surrounded by wildflowers, I can't think of a thing she would've wanted more than that," Spiese said through tears.

The two-day arts festival returns this Saturday and Sunday. It will be the second year in its new location — around City Hall and under I-83. That change came after storms washed out the festival a couple of years ago.

"Prior to last year, they looked at 25 Artscapes," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "Only five of them were not severely impacted by weather, no matter wherever the event was, when it was in July, when it was in August, whether it was in May or June. It's always impacted. Last year, we just got a blessing."

"We have a lot of activations that are just perfect if there ever is a little bit of inclement weather and you want to go and get a little bit of cover," Create Baltimore CEO Robyn Murphy said.

An art fair will return to the War Memorial Building, and many vendors will be housed under I-83. Murphy said there will be activities at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and Baltimore Center State. 

Preparations and traffic restrictions

On Wednesday, city crews were cleaning up around City Hall. Festival signs are spread across the area, and crews have blocked off parking on certain streets. 

Expect to see road closures on Friday starting at 3 p.m.

Baltimore City DOT said the following roads will be closed to traffic through Monday at midnight:

• Fayette Street will be closed from President Street to Guilford Avenue.
• Gay Street will be closed from E. Baltimore Street to E. Saratoga Street.
• Holliday Street will be closed from E. Baltimore Street to Pleasant Street.
• Pleasant Street will be closed from Fallsway to Guilford Avenue.
• Pleasant Street Ramp will be closed at SB JFX.
• Lexington Street will be closed from Guilford Avenue to N. Frederick Street.
• Frederick Street will be closed from E. Fayette Street to E. Lexington Street.
• Dickey Place will be closed from Guilford Avenue to Holliday Street.
• Saratoga Street will be closed from Holliday Street to N. Gay Street.
• Saratoga Street between Holliday Street and Guilford Avenue will have a temporary two-way traffic pattern implemented for Breco Condominium residents.

"Big week for a lot of restaurant owners"

Ahmad Parwana, the owner of Krazy Street Food, expects to see large crowds roaming around downtown Baltimore just like last year.

"Last year was our first year," he said. "So, you have to understand it was new for us. Once we got a lot of customers and stuff, we're like, 'Oh my God, something is different. Something is big here.'"

Now, he's fully prepared to handle a high volume this weekend for Artscape.

"I got my father and my brother coming from New York City this weekend," Parwana said. "When I mean all hands on deck, I mean all hands on deck."

Parwana said he's already busy with orders ahead of the weekend. He said this week could help make up for a slower winter season.

The Roots, Stephanie Mills to headline Artscape

Artscape, entering its 40th year in Baltimore, is a two-day festival that pays tribute to the city's art, culture and community. 

There will be music, including big-name headliners, art installations, curated experiences, and food vendors.

This headliners this year are The Roots and Stephanie Mills.

Here's a list of musical performers.

For many families, the air show has become a tradition they plan their whole week around.

The annual Blue Angels show over the Severn River is a highlight of Commissioning Week festivities, bringing spectators from across the region to downtown Annapolis.

The Blue Angels are U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators with more than 1,250 tactical jet flight hours who go through a rigorous selection process to earn a spot on the team.

"I think it takes a lot of training and a lot of practice," said Philip, a 14-year-old who is visiting from Pennsylvania.

The Blue Angels performances are part of the Naval Academy's Commissioning Week events leading up to Friday morning's graduation ceremony in Annapolis.  

Crowd amazed by Blue Angels' tricks

For 3-year-old Jason Sivo, it may have been the best day of his life.

His parents, Brian and Nora Sivo, of Ellicott City, said his love of air shows started when they took him to one at just 6 months old.

"We love it because we like to encourage him in whatever he likes," Nora Sivo said.

And for many in the crowd, it's hard not to feel inspired as the F/A-18 Super Hornets roar overhead.

"I'm a huge fan of the Blue Angels and just the level of mastery they display," said Zach McBride, who attended with his goddaughter, Laylani Jones. "These are the world's best pilots."

During a show, the six-jet team can reach speeds of nearly 700 mph, just under the speed of sound. In the Blue Angels' famous Diamond 360 maneuver, the jets can fly as close as 18 inches apart.

"I think that just speaks to the level of trust they have in their team and trust they have in each other to do all the tricks and crazy flights," McBride said. "The level of trust stands out to me."

McBride said the Blue Angels represent a level of excellence people can strive for in their own lives.

"I think we can all be a pro in our lives in some way, shape or form," he said. "For me, it may not look like being a fighter pilot, but it can be what I do in my own career — just showing up better prepared or putting in a lot of time and effort to become the best that I can personally be."

He said that's why he wanted to experience the show with Laylani, to show her that anything is possible.

"I don't know, maybe in 20 years, 30 years, she'll be flying one too," McBride said.

"It's a quiet rural community, you can go on your back deck at night and hear the crickets chirping," neighbor Mark Kamyszek said.

Kamyszek fears his home and community might soon be interrupted by a potential solar farm.

"To see that turned into an industrial facility, that will certainly be tough on the residents who live here, many for generations," Kamyszek said.

Plans for a solar farm in Jarrettsville

According to an application submitted to the Maryland Public Service Commission, Chrome Hill Solar LLC aims to create a five-megawatt solar farm on the land near the intersection of Chrome Hill and Rigdon.

According to the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, which was passed last year, the state now approves solar farms, regardless of local restrictions.

"The state is essentially inviting out-of-state corporations into the state of Maryland to build these solar facilities on agricultural land, and they have no reason for preservation, no reason for reservations other than profiting off of Maryland's most strategic and finite resource, which is our agricultural land," Kamyszek said.

Why are Harford County residents concerned?

Kamyszek worries about glare from the panels and what they will do to the soil on the land in the long run.

"The corporations themselves say they will be returned in the same state it was in before the solar panels are put on the property," Kamyszek said. "I don't know how that will be possible when this will be an industrial facility put on agricultural farm land."

It's a concern echoed by Harford County Executive, Bob Cassilly, who said in a 2025 statement, "The result is that farmland with the best quality soils for food production is being sacrificed to the highest bidder for solar farms."

The land is privately owned, and when we went to the farm to talk with someone about their decision to sell the property, it was vacant.

The owner, Sam Fielder, died in 2021, according to an online obituary. It's not clear who owns the property now.

"The issue is larger than my backyard and me not wanting to see solar panels in my backyard," Kamyszek said. "Yeah, that's not something I want but it's larger than that. I believe Harford County and the rural communities of Maryland are under attack by this legislation and sod it is much bigger than my backyard."

Neighbors told CBS News Baltimore the will continue to fight this plan, not just for their community, but for communities all across the state.

Officers were called to a home on Spectator Lane, where they found a 13-year-old girl unconscious in the home. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released, police said. No adults were home at the time of the incident, police said. 

The girls suspected in the incident range in age from 12 to 14 years old, police said. They were arrested, charged with assault, and later released to their parents, according to the department.

Police said the incident did not happen at the victim's home.

Video shows the alleged attack

A video was shared widely on social media depicting what happened.

The school is asking parents to talk with their children and tell them not to share the video.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call 410-887-1279 or 410-887-4636. 

Pikesville school sends letter to families

Two of the suspects are students at Pikesville Middle School. Principal Nicole Bridges called the incident "unacceptable" in a letter sent to families. 

The victim is not a student at the school. 

"The reports of what occurred are deeply troubling," Bridges said. "The actions of these students do not represent our school community and are completely unacceptable. Please know that in addition to any action by law enforcement, all Pikesville Middle School students involved in this assault will also receive serious school consequences. We hold our students to the highest standards, and dangerous behaviors will not be tolerated." 

School officials are working with police to investigate the incident.

Parents react to the video 

 Neighbors in the Queen Anne Village say they are horrified by the video.

"Why would they do this?" said Leslie, who's lived in the neighborhood since the 1990s. "These children definitely should be held responsible and not let out of detention because you don't know what they're going to do next."

"it's hard to watch, and me and my family talked about it," Isaiah Orr said. "We just are just thinking about precautions and things we need to take and put into place to make sure that you know everyone around us is safe."

Parents in the neighborhood say they hope something like this doesn't happen again. They also say it's important to teach children kindness and respect from a young age.

"To have respect and discipline, respect each other, respect others, and you have to be careful with the company you keep around," Orr added.

A Philadelphia Fire Department spokesperson said there were at least two fires. One at 12th Street and Glenwood Avenue and another at 2nd and Erie streets. 

More than 100 firefighters responded to the scenes, and they are taking turns to rest and hydrate, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the fire at 2nd and Erie was placed under control around 1:53 p.m.

Images from Chopper 3 show flames and smoke at a property in the area of 12th Street and Glenwood Avenue in North Philadelphia.

Chopper 3 captured several cars on fire at the property. There's no word on what caused the fire or if there are any injuries.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it's assisting Philadelphia's fire marshal and fire department with the investigation.

Amtrak placed a temporary hold on trains between Philadelphia and New York as firefighters battled the blazes. Amtrak said train service resumed around 3:30 p.m., but commuters should expect delays.

The fire also impacted at least two train trips to and from Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Riders can check Amtrak's social media pages for updates.

The fire is close to SEPTA's North Philadelphia station. A SEPTA spokesperson said the train tracks belong to Amtrak, but the transit agency operates its Trenton line on the tracks. Service on the line was suspended but resumed around 5:15 p.m.

The Philadelphia Department of Health is warning residents to avoid the area, try to stay inside, avoid excessive activity, close windows and doors and recirculate air with fans.

The health department has dispatched inspectors to the area to collect air samples for air quality testing. At this point, no specific hazardous substances have been identified in the air.

The annual two-day festival is the city's largest celebration of art, culture and community. Now in its 40th year, Artscape continues to bring music, art installations and curated experiences to the city each summer. 

This year, Artscape will take place at War Memorial Plaza on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Music lineup for Artscape

The Roots and Stephanie Mills are set to headline the festival this year, supported by a host of other musicians, actors, DJs and poets. 

This year, festival organizers said they focused on making sure the mainstage is hosted by women and DJs. 

"Baltimore's arts and culture scene is powered by Black women, so who better to host and perform at our largest free arts festival?" said Mayor Brandon Scott. "Artscape gets bigger and better year after year, highlighting our city's unmatched creativity, and I cannot wait for residents and visitors to see this lineup in action."

On Saturday, the Main Stage will feature The Roots as the headliner with the following lineup of artists: 

• DJ P-Chris
• DJ Bmore Loddie
• Chey Parker
• DJ Keebee/Persia Nicole Downtown Tumba,
• Fulton Lee
• Ken & Brad Kolodner
• Frenchie Davis 
• Persia 
• National talent: Brandon Woody, Kindred the Family Soul 

On Sunday, the Main Stage will feature Stephanie Mills as the headliner, with the following lineup of artists: 

• DJ K-Leena/Coach B
• DJ Jess Carp 
• DJ Ty Alexander/April Watts Charles Butler & Trinity,
• Ragdollz 
• Kendall Jay 
• Jxhn Tylxr 
• Black Assets 

On Saturday, Echoes Stage 1 at Guilford Street will feature headliner Navasha Daya along with the following artists: 

• The Muthafunkaholx 
• Morphing Grid Radio 
• Gallaghers Frolic
• Moth Broth 
• Kevin Jackson 
• Emily Davies 
• Soroche
• Birckhead Music Group 

On Saturday, Echoes Stage 2 at Gay Street will feature the following artists: 

• Philip Thomas
• Lady Ro
• L'Von, Kolpeace
• Ari Voxx
• Alena Ciera
• Greeyo
• Jon Tyler Wiley and His Virginia Choir
• Ché Ray 
• DJ Close Out: DJ Sauce God 

On Sunday, Echoes Stage 1 will feature headliner Buddy Red before the following artists: 

• Teddy (Artscape Karaoke Winner, at Hard Rock)
• HUE
• Outside Smoke
• L Stringz
• Kyaira
• Los Fellas
• The Noize
• Full Circle Dance Company
• Liberated Muse
• Rise With a Purpose
• Queen Songbird Coates

On Sunday, Echoes Stage 2 will feature the following artists: 

• Wombwork
• Italian Blood
• Time in the Wilderness
• Kiing
• Jenny Hates Techno
• Kelvin Dukes
• Night Walks
• Maestra Chameleon
• Brooklynn
• Mike Thomas 
• DJ Closeout: AJ Showtime 

Artscape After Dark, from 9 p.m. to midnight at Whistle & Cane Juke Joint, formerly Ida B's, will feature Frenchie Davis on Friday and Buddy Red on Saturday. 

On Saturday, Artscape After Dark, from 9 p.m. to midnight, at Ikonic Live will feature Eze' Jackson's Artscape After Party. 

Food vendors at Artscape 

Artscape will also feature diverse menus from local restaurants, including African, Asian Fusion, Soul Food, Caribbean, Thai cuisines and more. 

The following vendors will be serving food and treats during the festival: 

• Althea's Almost Famous
• Beye Beignets
• Bird Box Express
• Black Baltimore Vegan
• Curly Coily Café, LLC
• Deli-ish
• DMV Empanadas
• Dominiece & Asia Lemonade, LLC
• Ekiben
• Elevated Kitchen 
• Emmanuella's Cuisine
• Ethel's Creole Kitchen
• Frosty Softy 
• Island Quizine 
• Islington Kitchen 
• Jollof Bowl
• Leisure Time Concessions, LLC
• Macho Chicken
• Nina's Cookie Explosion
• Pit & Pendulum BBQ Company
• Posi's Kitchen
• Raspberry Moments, LLC
• Rich Juice Bar 
• Royal Sauce 
• Ruben's Mexican Food 
• Siama Juicebar
• Sistahs'Sweets 
• SoniaD's Grubb Delites, LLC 
• Soul Smoked BBQ 
• SweetFace Café 
• Taco Loco, LLC
• Taharka Brothers Ice Cream 
• Tarin Thai Cusine, LLC
• Tastys Temptations
• The Birria Beat
• The Empanada Lady
• The Lemonade Bar, LLC
• The Tender Rib 
• 3chefs
• Train Stop Smokehouse
• Treat Your Tastebuds by Miya Snowballs
• Tortuga kombucha and deli
• Waiting to Oxtail 

A new forecast from tracking service GasBuddy predicts gas prices across the U.S. will average $4.80 a gallon between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. 

"This is the most volatile summer at the pump in years, Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert at GasBuddy, said in a report.

The national average price for a gallon of gas was $4.56 on Wednesday, according to AAA, up more than $1.40 from last year and more than 50% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. 

Gas prices could test their all-time high of $5.02 a gallon if the Strait of Hormuz, a key Middle East waterway that normally accommodates a fifth of the world's global oil supply, remains closed late into the summer, according to De Haan. Ship traffic through the strait has largely stalled due to the Iran war, now in its 12th week, driving up global oil prices.

 "Americans are going to pay billions more to get where they're going this summer, and even after the strait reopens, it could take a year or more for prices to fully recover," De Haan said.

The Middle East conflict is only one factor driving up pump prices. Fuel costs typically rise during the summer because U.S. environmental regulations require gas stations to switch to a more expensive blend. The higher-grade fuel, designed to guard against evaporation as temperatures rise, can add up to 15 cents per gallon to the cost of a filling up, according to GasBuddy. 

As more Americans hit the road during the summer, stronger demand for gas can also push prices up by 5 to 15 cents a gallon, according to GasBuddy.

More than half of Americans say gas prices represent a financial hardship, while 77% say their income is not keeping up with rising inflation, according to a recent CBS News poll. 

Jonathan Aranda tied the game 3-3 in the eighth inning with a two-run double to centerfield that scored two runners. Palacios followed up with his single to take the lead before stealing second, which allowed Ryan Vilade to steal home and cap the scoring.

Feduccia had the game's first run on a 421-foot shot to centerfield in the second inning. It was his first career homer in 182 plate appearances.

Jesse Scholtens (5-2) pitched four innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out four for the win.

The Orioles tied the game in the third on a Pete Alonso RBI single. Alonso then added his ninth home run of the year in the sixth, and Samuel Basallo followed with a homer of his own to put Baltimore ahead 3-1.

Anthony Nunez (2-1) took his first loss of the year after blowing his second save. He pitched 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on three hits.

Ian Seymour got his second save of the season.

Tampa Bay moved to 9-0 against AL East opponents at home this season. Baltimore has played seven road games against AL East foes this season and is 0-7.

Up next

Baltimore: RHP Chris Bassitt (3-3, 5.44 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Tampa Bay: RHP Nick Martinez (4-1, 1.41) is slotted for the start against the New York Yankees on Friday.

Derrick Stewart, 34, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to federal mail theft by a postal employee, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with actions he took while working as a clerk at a mail processing and distribution center in the city, court officials said. 

Between September 2022 and December 2023, court documents allege that Stewart used his job position to embezzle mail, including checks. He fraudulently endorsed the stolen checks with the names and forged signatures of the theft victims, according to court documents. 

Stewart was captured on surveillance video depositing some of the stolen and fraudulently endorsed checks into his personal bank account, court documents show. 

On December 2, 2023, police arrested Stewart as he was leaving a postal facility. During a search of his person, officers found nearly 200 pieces of mail with more than $700,000.

Stewart faces a maximum sentence of 27 years for his offenses, according to court officials. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the District of Columbia by retired U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges, asks a federal judge to find the creation of the fund illegal and reverse any transfers that the Treasury Department has made to the Justice Department to implement it.

Both Dunn and Hodges defended the U.S. Capitol after a mob of Trump supporters attempted to stop the certification of the Electoral College on Jan. 6. 

The fund was announced Monday by the Justice Department. In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the fund would "provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare." 

Since the announcement, attorneys representing those claiming the government was weaponized against them have begun scrambling to position their clients for payouts.

Jan. 6 rioters — including those convicted of the most violent behavior during the attack but later pardoned by Mr. Trump — could likely apply for payouts. High-profile former Trump administration and campaign officials who sued the Justice Department before reaching their own settlement agreements may also be eligible to receive payments from the fund. 

Neither Blanche nor the White House has said outright that they would oppose payouts from the fund to those convicted — and since pardoned — of assaulting law enforcement officers. The Justice Department has not disclosed any criteria regarding who would be eligible for a settlement or whether there would be a cap on the amount of money they could receive. Blanche said at a Senate hearing this week that the five-member commission that will make up the fund's board would supply that information. 

"By creating the Anti-Weaponization Fund, funding it, and authorizing claim criteria that will allow it to make payments to, among others, Proud Boys and January 6 rioters, Defendants have inflicted concrete and cognizable harms on Plaintiffs Dunn and Hodges," the officers argued in their complaint. "The Fund's mere existence sends a clear and chilling message: those who enact violence in President Trump's name will not just avoid punishment, they will be rewarded with riches."

"This Fund creates enormous physical dangers for Officers Dunn and Hodges, who risked their lives on January 6, 2021, and who continue to do so by refusing to let that day be forgotten," wrote Public Integrity Project founder Brendan Ballou, who represents the officers. "The Fund is stunningly, blindingly illegal, and the defendants must be prohibited from transferring money to this corrupt and illegal monstrosity."

The settlement stemmed from a $10 billion lawsuit filed earlier this year in federal court by Mr. Trump, who accused the agencies of unlawfully allowing a government contractor to leak his tax returns and those of his sons and his company. He alleged the government's mishandling led to the improper disclosure of the tax documents to media outlets in 2020. His sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization were also plaintiffs in the suit.  

Mr. Trump and his legal team also agreed to drop their administrative claims against the Justice Department after he asked the government to pay him about $230 million to settle two federal damage claims over investigations targeting him during his first administration or the Biden administration, the department said. 

The settlement also permanently bars the IRS from pursuing claims against Mr. Trump or his company based on prior tax returns.