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Opinion

Kyle Goon: Zion Elee’s splashy signing raises expectations for Terps football — and Mike Locksley
St. Frances Academy star Zion Elee is the highest-ranked recruit ever to sign with the Terps football program. But embattled coach Mike Locksley is stacking up expectations with his incoming class and has to turn around his 4-8 program quickly.
COLLEGE PARK, MD, SPET. 2 2023--University of Maryland Head Coach Mike Locksley during a 38-6 Victory over Towson University..
Jon Meoli: Analyzing the Orioles’ top prospect list from Baseball America
Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers and Trey Gibson top Baseball America’s list of the Orioles’ best prospects.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo photographed during the 2025 Baltimore Orioles Media Day at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida Wednesday February 19, 2025.
As governors gather in Baltimore, the Chesapeake Bay shows gains worth cheering
Even if you’ve followed this stuff for years, even if you know the difference between a Taylor float and a Secchi disk, it can be hard to have hope about the future of the Chesapeake Bay. I’m here to help.
Annapolis Roads just south of the Chesapeake Bay is where ships headed into the Port of Baltimore  wait for an open pier.
Kyle Goon: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta made tough choices that helped lead to the team’s middling season
The Ravens have many more obvious roster holes than they started the season with. Reconstructing the choices the GM had to make shows how limited his options were to prevent a slide, but he still has to take some blame.
Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta watches his team in the first quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26.
Jon Meoli: How Ryan Helsley’s signing sets the standard for the rest of the Orioles’ winter deals
Even with Helsley having the ability to opt out of the second year of his two-year, $28 million deal after the 2026 season, we’re still talking about a significant investment in a reliever — and a very good one at that.
Ryan Helsley has 105 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 319 2/3 career innings.
Let’s make December the best month of this terrible year
2025 has been terrible. Maybe December will be nicer?
What profit if Maryland Democrats gain a seat, but lose their souls?
Ask Maryland Democrats if they would support a president who breaks all the rules, behaves like a despot and uses America’s divides for personal and political gain — but did it to advance ideas they support — and they would say no. Yet here we are, on the precipice of an unwise change to congressional boundaries.
Gov. Wes Moore is pushing ahead with a commission that will examine redistricting Maryland’s congressional districts in response to Republican gerrymandering in other states.
Jon Meoli: Even with Taylor Ward’s ‘stability,’ the Orioles’ outfield work feels unfinished
At its best, this collection of outfielders is a group you can win with.
Taylor Ward walks in the outfield before a Los Angeles Angels game against the Athletics on June 11.
One final interview: Mayor Gavin Buckley on the day terror came to Annapolis
I’ve talked to Gavin Buckley plenty of times. But, after eight years of interviews with the mayor, I asked for one more hour of his time. I wanted to talk about the day terror arrived in Annapolis.
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley speaks during a dedication ceremony of a highway marker to Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters, who were victims of the largest mass shooting of journalists in U.S. history and the first mass shooting in Annapolis, dubbing them "The Capital Gazette Five" on September 22, 2025.
Kyle Goon: The Ravens’ offense keeps getting worse. Heads might need to roll.
This offense stinks. Isn't anyone else tired of this?
Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker can’t hang on to a pass in tight coverage during the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game.
Giving thanks for plump cats, all-you-can-eat crabs and tricky parking
In a truly befuddling year, these are things I'm most sincerely, unironically thankful for — from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to Baltimore accents.
Baltimore Banner columnist Leslie Gray Streeter with her cat, Cass Streeter-Zervitz.
Not sure what ‘6-7’ means? That’s the point.
If you’ve spent any time around kids in the past year, you've probably heard them shout "6-7!" for no reason. Don't try to figure out why they're doing it.
Kyle Goon: With the Bengals and Steelers ahead, the Ravens don’t look ready to conquer the AFC North
Lamar Jackson hasn't played like himself since coming back from a hamstring injury. The offensive line is struggling. Pass pressure and open-field tackling are issues for the defense. Even in a 5-0 stretch, Baltimore hasn't built confidence.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards against the Jets.
Jon Meoli: What does Taylor Ward have to do with the Orioles’ Mountcastle decision? More than you think.
Some performance and playing time trends suggest the Orioles could be ready to move on from Mountcastle and hand first base to Coby Mayo.
Ryan Mountcastle, who hit a career-high 33 home runs in 2021, had seven in 332 at-bats in 2025.
Kyle Goon: Maryland’s new AD bursts with optimism, but is he ready to tackle the hard decisions?
Since starting in July, athletic director Jim Smith has whipped up enthusiasm and filled seats for Terps sports. But building a more competitive budget will be a significantly tougher challenge.
Athletic director Jim Smith has brought energy and optimism to Maryland. (Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins)
The president calling a female reporter ‘piggy’ is not normal. None of this is.
President Trump called a female reporter “piggy” on camera and told her to be quiet. How did we get here, and what’s even the point anymore?
IN FLIGHT - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of press aboard Air Force One on November 14, 2025 while in flight from Washington, DC to West Palm Beach International Airport. Trump is scheduled to spend the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
Jon Meoli: Orioles risk seeing Grayson Rodriguez join list of pitchers who flourished elsewhere
The Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez. You can legitimately wonder if he’s even going to have a prime, but if he does, he’d be entering it the moment he dons an Angels uniform.
Grayson Rodriguez photographed during the 2025 Baltimore Orioles Media Day at spring training.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles’ farm is in a weird spot. Their possible Rule 5 protections show that.
Teams have until 6 p.m. Tuesday to add players who signed as teenagers in 2021 or earlier, or as college players in 2022 or earlier.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jud Fabian photographed during the 2025 Baltimore Orioles Media Day at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida Wednesday February 19, 2025.
Michelle Obama said what you’re not ready to hear
Michelle Obama sparked controversy last week over comments on female presidential candidates and Black women's hair. I, for one, think she was absolutely right.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 09: Michelle Obama speaks during Higher Ground's "IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson" podcast during 2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival at Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center on August 09, 2025 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Kyle Goon: How Baltimore native Donnell Whittenburg defied age and injury to make history — finally
While many gymnastics careers stall in the early to mid-20s, the Baltimore native achieved his first World Championships gold medal at age 31.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - OCTOBER 25: Donnell Whittenburg of Team United States reacts after competing in the Men's parallel bars apparatus final on day seven of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships  at Indonesia Arena on October 25, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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