John Merzbacher, ex-Catholic schoolteacher who abused dozens of Baltimore children, has died
John Merzbacher, a former teacher at Catholic Community School of Baltimore who was convicted of sexual abuse and the repeated rape of a student in the ’70s, has died.
Photo collage showing cropped photographs of a woman’s eyes, statue of the Virgin Mary, and two elderly hands holding one another, with a red background and the silhouette of a rosary and crucifix layered on top.
‘Mom’: The complicated title that can obscure our other identities
Baltimore-based artist Hayley Thornton-Kennedy illustrates the struggle mothers have with identity.
How do I introduce myself?
*Who am I?*

It used to be so much easier to answer that question.
I’m an artist, living and working in Baltimore. I have cats, I have a dog, I have a partner.
The Culture Report: The Preakness Live lineup is a tale of two Baltimores
Last year, having headliners Megan Thee Stallion and Lauryn Hill made it seem like organizers were trying to build a connection with Black Baltimoreans. Pop juggernaut Bruno Mars and electronic dance music duo Sofi Tukker as next weekend’s stars feels like an intentional shift.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 20: Megan Thee Stallion performs during Preakness LIVE Culinary, Art & Music Festival hosted by 1/ST at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Maryland-bred Coffeewithchris joins Preakness field
The gelding is looking to be the first Maryland-bred winner of the Preakness Stakes since Deputed Testamony in 1983.
Coffeewithchris wins the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park in February 2023.
For sale: 4 homes near Baltimore parks
If you love city living, but still want access to nature and open space, here are four real estate listings ranging from $275,000 to $450,000.
Banner political notes: First couple on TV; no more masks at City Hall; Biden taps Moore; Maryland goes Forward?
The Moores will be featured as a couple who successfully found their match. A two-minute video clip shows the Moores on a couch in the governor’s mansion, holding hands and giving advice about finding a lifetime partner.
Maryland, Baltimore City, Baltimore County politics
Officer shot teen in the back as he was running away, witnesses say
Before the shooting, the officer sat beside 17-year-old Mekhi Franklin on a stoop in Shipley Hill, talking with him and others for several minutes, multiple witnesses said.
Police respond to reports of a shooting at the corner of S Catherine St. & Frederick Ave. on May 11, 2023.
Police made an arrest in Jeffery Brooks Jr.’s death. His dad still questions how it was handled
“We had to keep calling them out to show them all the evidence of something other than my son just leaving leaving the house on his own accord. ... They weren’t doing anything with it and we had to be our own CSI,” Brooks Sr. said.
Jeffery Brooks Sr. stands for a portrait outside of the house where his son, Jeffery Brooks Jr., died in March, 2023. Prosecutors allege that Brooks Jr.’s roommate shot and killed Brooks Jr., and attempted to cover up the death.
How Edgar Allan Poe became a star in Europe’s campiest song contest
“Who the Hell is Edgar?” has helped Austrian duo Teya and Salena reach the grand final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
Edgar Allan Poe, left, was the source of inspiration for Teya, right, and Salena's 2023 Eurovision Song Contest entry for Austria.
Two more alleged Catholic Church abusers revealed: ‘It still haunts me’
Two alleged abusers whose names were redacted in the Maryland Attorney General's report on child sexual abuse have been identified as Michael V. Scriber and the Rev. Joseph G. Fiorentino.
Photo collage of page from Baltimore archdiocese directory of parishes next to page from 1973 newspaper including photo of St. Ann’s in Baltimore, with red border and red redaction marks sprinkled over the image.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20
Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the 148th Preakness following an encouraging workout at Churchill Downs, its co-owner said.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 06: Jockey Javier Castellano celebrates atop of Mage #8 after winning t the 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Wallace Lane: Body of star, body of light
A poem about a father celebrating his son’s imagination and wonder on everyday and cosmic scales.
Wallace Lane: Body of star, Body of light
Why are so many trees falling in this East Baltimore forest?
“We’re hitting peak die out of our ash trees,” Dan Coy, chief of forestry for the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks, said. “Meaning like our large mature ash trees that are untreated, are going to be dying pretty rapidly.”
Atiya Wells, manager of the park and trails at Backyard Basecamp, stands among trees many of which have fallen down, on May 11, 2023.
Calvert Hall ends Gilman’s eight-year reign in MIAA A Conference tennis
Cardinals use home-court advantage to finally break through against the Greyhounds
The Calvert Hall tennis team shows off its MIAA A Conference championship plaque after defeating perennial league power Gilman, 3-2, in Thursday's league championship match.
Teen shot by police in Southwest Baltimore is out of surgery
The officer made multiple commands for the teen to drop the weapon, but the teen did not, police said.
Police respond to reports of a shooting at the corner of S Catherine St. & Frederick Ave. on May 11, 2023.
American Red Cross will assist 22 residents displaced by Hampden fire
Firefighters responded to the 800 block of Union Avenue around 2:44 a.m.
Ten homes were damaged Thursday morning from a fire on Union Avenue in Hampden.
Allora bistro will relocate to former Grand Central in Mount Vernon
In addition, Roggenart Bakery and Cafe will join Allora as a neighboring business within the same building, now known as City House Charles.
Allora Cacio e Pepe

Allora
1005 N. Charles St

Baltimore’s Roman bistro serves pastries and espresso drinks for breakfast and paninis and pasta for lunch
Baltimore mayor’s director of public safety office to step down
The departure of Director Shantay Jackson, who has led an office with tens of millions in federal funds for alternative approaches to violent crime, marks the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the mayor’s administration.
From left, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, Shantay Jackson, and Mayor Brandon Scott discuss a victim services report at Our Daily Bread.
Can the spread of cancer be stopped? These Hopkins scientists just got a boost in their efforts.
Hopkins officials announced Wednesday that scientists received a $35 million grant to accelerate their work to understand why and how cancer spreads, or metastasizes, and to do something about it.
Research assistant Virangika Wimalasena dissects a cancer tumor for a human breast to grow the cultured cell or research.  Dr. Andrew Ewald and fellow scientists at Johns Hopkins received a $35 million grant from researcher, philanthropist and race car driver Theodore Giovanis. Hopkins Medicine will study the biological roots of the most fatal aspect of cancer: how it metastasizes, or spreads, through the body.
Baltimore sues Hyundai, Kia over massive spike in car thefts
Car thefts in the city have nearly doubled this year compared to the same time last year, part of a nationwide trend after videos showing how to easily steal the vehicles racked up millions of views on TikTok. Certain Kia or Hyundai models can be stolen using a screwdriver and a USB charging cord.
Kia Dealership, Owings Mills, MD., March 28, 2023.
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