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Wrap-up of news stories taken from the day's local headlines.

News Wrap: Hogan Inaugural, Death Row Inmates Pardoned

Arius Bevins

Hogan Inaugurated Governor of Maryland

Today's snowy forecast did not disrupt inauguration events for Larry Hogan, who took the oath of office today to become the 62nd governor of Maryland. Hogan is the second Republican chief executive of the state in the last 12 years, and in his inaugural address promised “a new spirit of bipartisan cooperation in Annapolis.”

“Too often we see wedge politics, and petty rhetoric used to belittle adversaries and to inflame partisan divisions,” Hogan said. “But I believe that Maryland is better than this.” 

Former Democratic State Delegate Keiffer Mitchell Jr., who was appointed special adviser to Hogan, echoed the new governor’s sentiments. “I look forward to working with the new governor,” Mitchell said. “He’s a gentleman who has pledged bipartisanship, and it’s a new day here in Maryland.”

Also taking the oath of office was Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford, a former assistant secretary for administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was sworn in as the third African-American lieutenant governor of the state.

In his three-minute inaugural address, Rutherford pledged to "focus on what is best for those who are paying our salaries.”

MSU Spokesman reporter Shawn Massie and Morgan student reporter Maya Gilmore contributed to this report.

O’Malley Pardons Inmates

In his last full day of office, outgoing Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley officially commuted the sentences of the state’s last four death row inmates. In signing the orders for Vernon Evans, Anthony Grandison, Jody Lee Miles, and Heath Burch, O’Malley wrote that he intends each inmate to "serve the remainder of his natural life in prison."

O'Malley signed a bill repealing Maryland death penalty in 2013.

Bodies Found in Mansion Fire

Canines brought to the site of the four-alarm fire that destroyed an Annapolis mansion uncovered the remains of two bodies, Anne Arundel fire officials announced. Four other people remain unaccounted for. Foul play is not suspected, but the property is being treated as a crime scene until it certain no crime was committed. The home was owned by Don Pyle, chief operating officer of tech company ScienceLogic, and his wife, Sandra.

Ravens Select New Offensive Coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens have hired Marc Trestman as the team’s new offensive coordinator, replacing Gary Kubiak, who left after one season to become head coach of the Denver Broncos. Trestman, 59, was head coach for the Chicago Bears from 2013-2014, where the team’s offense set franchise records in several areas including net yards (6,109), gross passing yards (4,450), and completion percentage (64.4).

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