Local government

    Baltimore leaders propose ‘landmark’ $8 billion plan to confront vacant housing
    The money would be put toward at least 35,700 properties across Baltimore, including in neighborhoods that typically don’t see much government investment.
    A vacant property notice sits on the marble steps of a West Baltimore home located in the Penn-North neighborhood and owned by an ABC Capital investor.
    Howard County parts ways with auditor behind controversial report profiling Black sorority members
    Craig Glendenning’s name appears scrubbed from the Howard County Council website this week.
    Howard County Library, Equity Resource Center at Central Branch in Columbia
    Letters: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park neighbors endangered by neglect
    Complaints about the blight and dangers of the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park area have gotten little or no response from Baltimore officials, Wanda Keyes Heard, a former chief judge of the Baltimore Circuit Court, says.
    Wanda Keyes Heard is a former chief judge of the Baltimore Circuit Court.
    ‘This is our gift to our daughter’: Pava LaPere honored at memorial service
    Frank and Caroline LaPere plan to keep Pava's memory alive.
    Pava LaPere of EcoMap Technologies
    Political notes: City Councilman slams housing for lack of inspectors
    Gov. Wes Moore also named several new members to the Commission on Indian Affairs
    Baltimore City Councilman Robert Stokes (left) said an ordinance proposed by Councilwoman Odette Ramos (right) would further burden property owners and city workers without meaningful benefits. (file photo)
    Call for Israel-Palestine ceasefire fails as Middle East conflict roils Baltimore Council
    The resolution calling for a ceasefire comes days after the council rejected a separate, last-minute measure condemning the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
    Hundreds of protestors marched in Baltimore in support of Gaza on November 1, 2023.
    So many people are cutting cable that it’s hurting Baltimore’s finances
    Since July of 2020, the number of city cable subscribers has dropped by more than 40,000 — reducing the revenue the city collects from its 5% franchise fee.
    The exterior of Baltimore City Hall as seen on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
    As Baltimore sends more money to city-owned hotel, mayor is ‘open’ to selling
    Whether selling the city-owned Inner Harbor Hilton hotel is even an option, though, isn’t clear. If Baltimore were able to find a buyer, the sale would likely saddle the city with tremendous debt.
    BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 10: A general view of play as Brady Singer #51 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
    Different races, different lives: Baltimore-area survey pinpoints disparities
    The survey is the first in what Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative researchers say will be an annual survey of life around Baltimore that they hope will inform community members and policy makers about the region’s strengths and challenges.
    An old steeple breaks the skyline with clouds overhead.
    Prohibition ended 90 years ago. Play this Annapolis drinking game.
    Today is the 90th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. If you can’t make one of the parties — it is not a national holiday, and work awaits on Wednesday — here is a little game you can play at home. For each answer you get wrong, take a drink.
    An employee walks from the drug store section of Walgreens in Annapolis to the beer and wine section.
    Baltimore is one step away from more affordable rents for new housing
    The Baltimore City Council on Monday night approved an inclusionary housing bill that would compel all major developments to reserve a portion of the units to be rented at reduced prices.
    Demonstrators hold a sign during a rally outside City Hall during a rally for the inclusionary housing bills in Baltimore on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
    ‘Back room’ tactics delay Baltimore County vote on adding inspector general powers
    The board would review draft IG investigation reports and either “approve a draft report as written” or recommend changes to the draft report “if the advisory board disagrees with the substance of any item contained in a report.”
    Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county’s charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena nongovernment records Nov. 28.
    Baltimore City Council meeting interrupted by pro-Palestine protest; vote to condemn Hamas fails
    The resolution, which did not appear on Monday night’s agenda, failed with four members abstaining from the vote. Just minutes earlier, a large group of pro-Palestine protestors had been escorted out of the building after interrupting the council proceedings.
    Hundreds of protesters marched from City Hall to the Inner Harbor on Oct. 21 in support of Palestine. Protesters briefly interrupted a City Council meeting Monday night with chants supporting Palestine.
    Baltimore City aims to resume weekly recycling in February or March
    Richard Luna, the interim director of the Department of Public Works, said 80% of crews have been hired and new dumpster trucks are on the way.
    man stands at podium talking into a microphone.
    Political notes: Scott endorses Alsobrooks; Trone has more ads; Baltimore permitting delays
    “She understands what our city needs better than any other candidate in this race,” Mayor Brandon Scott said of Alsobrooks on Tuesday at at the Zeta Center in Northwest Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood.
    Maryland, Baltimore City, Baltimore County politics
    A once-confidential memo helps explain BGE’s conduit deal. Here’s what it says.
    Three days after state regulators ruled that a confidential memo shedding light on the deal between Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore’s dominant utility provider should be public, the company released the document. For all the public outcry, though, the document is complex and its implications are not obvious.
    Baltimore Gas and Electric has clashed in recent weeks with a state watchdog, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel.
    Baltimore planning board delays Harborplace vote, citing livestream failure
    The panel was due to vote on three bills that aim to change zoning and street design around the Inner Harbor.
    MCB Real Estate released renderings of a redeveloped Harborplace on Oct. 30, 2023, that show new buildings with residential units and park spaces.
    EPA grants Baltimore extension for Ashburton reservoir project after missed deadline
    The EPA had imposed a Nov. 30 deadline for the city to get massive underground water tanks at Lake Ashburton into operation. The city said it was nearing completion and should have the tanks ready within two weeks.
    A view of Druid Lake, with some sections of the reservoir under construction, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
    Commentary: How Baltimore students feel about poor classroom conditions
    Poor conditions at Baltimore City Public Schools reflect a lack of care and concern for the students who attend those schools, students interviewed by Johns Hopkins University researchers say.
    Dr. Richard Lofton is a sociologist of education, applied researcher, theorist and activist. His funded research has examined academic placement, racially diverse schools, mentoring programs, concentrated poverty and social and emotional development.
    Baltimore Peninsula team unveils city’s next marketplace
    The development team said the marketplace is meant to provide an accelerator space for small businesses, especially those owned by women and people of color. Ideally, vendors will use the space as a launching pad before venturing into bigger spaces.
    A rendering of the the Exchange, which will open in the ground floor of Rye Street Market in Baltimore Peninsula. It's envisioned as a marketplace for small and local businesses to set up shop.
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