The latest from Emily Opilo
Baltimore mayor must restore inspector general’s records access, judge says
The decision brings to a close the first chapter in a legal dispute between Mayor Brandon Scott and Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming over access to city records. A city appeal is now likely.
New Baltimore agency would divert more 911 calls away from police
Baltimore lawmakers are considering a new Department of Neighborhood Safety that would incorporate the city’s existing crime diversion office and bolster 911 responses that don’t include traditional law enforcement, according to a city official.
Baltimore council shake-up: Conway removed from key public safety post
Conway, who was informed of the decision Thursday, said the changes were retaliation for his outspokenness on the council.
It used to take months to get a trash can in Baltimore. Things are changing.
A Banner analysis shows city residents wait weeks, often months, and sometimes almost a year to get a trash can when they request one.
Baltimore official tried to block IG from accessing their documents, report says
Investigations of the same city employee have taken on growing importance in the fight between the mayor and the inspector general over city records.
Baltimore agency that placed mom and 6 ‘malnourished’ kids in rowhome investigated for fraud
Three workers were fired from the Baltimore housing office that placed a mother and six children in a rowhome later condemned as unsafe.
Mayor Scott pledges ‘full wrath’ over failures that left 6 young kids alone in unsafe home
“It’s unacceptable that those children were living in a condition like that,” Mayor Scott said. “Everybody that had an opportunity to do something that did not will feel the full wrath of me in city government.”
Mayor Scott is using ‘aggressive’ legal tactics in his IG dispute. Here’s why.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is escalating his dispute with Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming by asking a state appellate court to intervene and releasing documents that allege Cumming abusing her access to records.
Head of Baltimore’s embattled Department of Transportation to depart
Baltimore’s transportation chief, Veronica C. Perry, is stepping down after less than two years on the job.
Thiru Vignarajah’s edgy use of public campaign money spurs new legislation
Vignarajah used public money when he ran for mayor in 2024. When he dropped out and endorsed another candidate, it seemed like he’d have to give it all back. Thanks to a quirk in the law, he didn’t have to.
BGE says rent hike could mean $10 monthly bill increases for city customers
Baltimore raises BGE conduit rental fee, prompting concerns of $10 monthly bill hikes for city customers. The utility is weighing legal action.
New Fells Point checkpoints and rules originated with Sail250, city says
In late June, with throngs expected at the Inner Harbor’s Sail250 event, Baltimore added checkpoints and extra rules for people entering Fells Point. Over a month later, the city is sticking with the increased enforcement through Labor Day.
Baltimore to scrap controversial deal that let BGE profit from city utility system
Baltimore plans to end a controversial deal that let BGE profit from upgrades to the city-owned conduit system and resume collecting rental fees.
Baltimore judge says she’s ‘obsessed’ with inspector general’s independence, but delays ruling
A judge overseeing an increasingly bitter legal dispute between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming declined on Tuesday to reach an immediate decision.
City overlord or faithful servant? Baltimore’s IG drama is back in court.
Mayor Brandon Scott and Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming are due in court Tuesday for a hearing to see if Cumming’s investigative powers will be restored.
Mail ballot mishap that irked Trump ‘fixed’ ahead of fall election, company says
Taylor Print & Visual Impressions, the company responsible for a Maryland mail ballot printing error that led to the reissue of about 447,000 ballots, assured state election officials that new safeguards and procedures have been implemented.
Baltimore set to pay $11M to man wrongfully convicted of murder
For 25 years, Anthony Hall sat in prison for a crime he did not commit. Next month, Baltimore will pay for the mistake.
Amid conflict, law school deans quit Baltimore inspector general oversight board
The deans have been part of the inspector general advisory board since it was created in 2018.
Baltimore County, Montgomery County and Baltimore City set to get new sheriffs
All three have aspirations to modernize the office in their jurisdictions by recruiting more deputies, prioritizing domestic violence response and increasing accessibility to the public.
Baltimore to pay $400,000 settlement to man struck by police car as a teen
Baltimore will pay $400,000 to a man who was run over by a police car while being pursued as a suspect in an armed carjacking in 2021.
