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The latest from Emily Opilo
Most cities have an underground web of electric wires. Baltimore’s is unlike any other.
Baltimore appears to be among the only major U.S. cities to own such a sprawling network of underground conduits.
Why Mayor Brandon Scott wants a do-over on his most controversial deal
Mayor Brandon Scott rushed through a deal with BGE in 2023 that allowed the utility company to profit from Baltimore-owned infrastructure. His administration says it wants to renegotiate.
Baltimore wants to renegotiate controversial underground utilities deal with BGE
Baltimore leaders have decided not to renew the city’s controversial agreement with Baltimore Gas and Electric that allowed the company to make infrastructure investments to the underground utility network.
Is Baltimore’s public works department too big? A ballot measure would split it.
The proposal, backed by Mayor Brandon Scott, City Council President Zeke Cohen and Comptroller Bill Henry, comes after bondholders downgraded Baltimore’s debt rating on its sewer system this year.
Baltimore’s brewing tax fight and other budget hearing takeaways
Baltimore City Council members pushed for property tax relief, drilled down on city collections and asked for additional funding to support the city’s immigrants during the first day of budget hearings.
Baltimore is failing to collect millions owed to the city, audit reveals
The audit found $2 million in outstanding balances owed for fiscal year 2024. The previous year, roughly $2.4 million was outstanding.
Baltimore paid $312,000 to employees who stopped working, IG finds
Baltimore paid departing city employees more than $312,000 in largely unworked leave time before they officially left their jobs, prompting the city inspector general to question whether the practice appeared wasteful or inequitable.
Mayor Scott calls for more oversight for Baltimore IG, launches MONSE probe
Mayor Brandon Scott’s proposal would move the city closer to a mayor-controlled structure for the inspector general — a system residents voted to eliminate in 2018.
Baltimore’s army of snowcrete-removing equipment cost $80M — 10 times the budget
To ensure trash pickup, Baltimore City hired contractors to clear alleys.
How AI could help triple the cost of Baltimore Police’s body camera program
Baltimore Police pitched their new $153 million no-bid contract for Tasers, body cameras and software as a no-brainer. What officials didn’t fully explain, however, is that artificial intelligence is driving much of the contract’s soaring cost.
Is Baltimore’s inspector general too online?
Cumming sits at a crossroads, engaged in a legal fight over the ability of her office to do its job and — possibly — an existential fight over her leadership
Can a referendum protect IG records access? Mayor Scott’s lawyers say no.
The question, which would appear on ballots this fall if approved, would make Inspector General Isabel Cumming a “co-custodian” of Baltimore City records, ensuring that she would have access.
Baltimore to spend $153M on no-bid deal for police Tasers, AI body cameras
Baltimore’s spending board Wednesday approved a no-bid, $153 million contract for AI-enabled body cameras, Tasers and data management software for the police department.
Om vs. arrr! Fells Point wellness studio has had enough of the pirates next door
A vibe clash between the two businesses has been simmering for months, with the owners of the wellness studio asking the city to relocate the pirates.
Ferguson says IG apology ‘not sufficient’ for what Scott administration called racist post
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson called the IG’s apology for an AI-generated image of Mayor Scott insufficient as ethics board reviews complaint over racist post.
Mayor’s office condemns IG’s ‘deeply inappropriate,’ ‘racist’ online post
The post linked to a video that relies heavily on clips from Baltimore-based Fox 45 and shares misinformation about Baltimore’s budget.
Judge flags Baltimore’s limits on watchdog as ‘concerning’
Baltimore’s law department has “cut off, foreclosed, shut down” Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s ability to investigate waste, fraud and abuse, the judge overseeing a dispute over her access to records said Friday.
Baltimore’s mayor and IG have a court date Friday. Here’s what to expect.
Brandon Scott and his advisors have argued the restrictions will not hamper Isabel Cumming’s ability to do her job, but Cumming said the decisions have severely restricted her work and could expose whistleblowers.
Remember Baltimore’s poop processing problem? Well it’ll cost $38.5M to fix.
The increased costs will go to Synagro Technologies, a company that dries sludge from Baltimore City's two wastewater treatment plants and turns it into fertilizer.
Security guards for Harbor East, city facilities to walk off job Thursday
The security guards' union says they are striking to protest efforts by one company, Abacus Corporation, to prevent employees from unionizing.
