Olivia Bensimon
Baltimore County reporter, Report for America corps member
Olivia Bensimon is a regional reporter covering Baltimore County as a Report for America corps member. She focuses on people-centered reporting, with an interest in communities and issues across the county that have been undercovered by local media. Before joining The Banner, Olivia freelanced for The New York Times, Hell Gate and other local outlets, covering immigration, protests, courts and neighborhood news in New York City. She is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish. She graduated from New York University and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.
The latest from Olivia
After outages and fires, Parkville neighbors want answers from BGE
Several residents in Cromwood Coventry reported hearing popping noises and explosions on the night of Sept. 3.
‘Really scary’: Latest Towson shooting puts community on edge
Baltimore County Police charged 17 people after a non-fatal shooting in Towson led officers to an apartment where they found a cache of guns.
Baltimore County fuel spill ‘significantly less’ than original estimate, officials say
There were no impacts on wildlife, residents or local drinking water, said Jay Apperson, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Behind the notebook: A panel discussion with The Banner’s Baltimore County team
On Sept. 29, four Banner reporters who cover Baltimore County will be at Manor Mill in Monkton for a panel discussion on how their stories come together.
An AI-altered photo of a ram won a Maryland State Fair contest, sparking outcry
A Maryland State Fair photography contest is facing backlash after an AI-altered image won first place in the “Neon Lights” category, prompting new rules on generative AI.
Taste of home: AfriThrive connects immigrants to culturally significant foods
The nonprofit AfriThrive distribute foods commonly eaten in African, Latin American and Asian households that are hard to find or too expensive for immigrant families.
State lease amendment threatens Jerusalem Mill preservation, volunteers say
Members of the Friends of Jerusalem Mill say the Maryland Department of Natural Resources wants to amend its 20-year lease to formalize procurement processes and create a centralized approval system for who occupies public lands and buildings.
A judge said no concerts. Why was there live music at CAA Park in Catonsville?
Residents living near the CAA Park in Catonsville thought they had finally found peace.
A variation of soccer is coming to Sparrows Point
Find Your Finesse, an indoor futsal training program for kids, is set to reopen in a new facility on Sparrows Point Road next month.
Woman found dead, man fatally shot in separate Baltimore incidents
Baltimore Police are investigating a suspicious death and a fatal shooting, officials said Monday.
How to catch Thursday’s partial lunar eclipse
Thursday’s eclipse will be partial but notable: 96.3% of the moon’s surface will be covered and visible to billions of people across all of North and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa.
‘It’s always been about the people’: Catonsville Hair Company closes after 38 years
Longtime Catonsville salon Catonsville Hair Company is shutting down as owner Glenn Boller considers retirement.
A father put up a cross where his son was killed. Neighbors complained.
With no burial site to visit, Gavin Hopkins’ family and friends instead go to the place where he died.
Man charged with murder in shooting death of Towson woman
Michael Burnett, 37, was charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the death of India Johnson, 32.
Ever wanted to own a parade train car? This might be your chance.
The parade train was listed on Facebook Marketplace in Essex a few weeks ago for $35,000.
3 dead in separate shootings a mile apart in Essex, Baltimore County Police say
Baltimore County Police are investigating two shootings that left three people dead in Essex on Monday, officials said.
17-year-old driver killed, 2 critically injured after high-speed chase ends in Randallstown crash
A 17-year-old driver died after driving his car off the roadway and hitting a tree in Randallstown on Wednesday night, police said.
Visitors say safety improvements at Monkton trail crossing fall short
Despite new measures the intersection of the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail and Route 138, visitors report continued dangers from limited parking and speeding traffic.
Baltimore County steps in to keep Randallstown, Dundalk pools open
After decades without free public pools, Baltimore County will take over the Randallstown and Dundalk pools as it works to expand community swimming access.
Cockeysville mom wants to build a wind phone in Oregon Ridge to help families grieve
The first wind phone was installed in Japan by garden designer Itaru Sasaki, who put one in his backyard to speak to his late cousin.
