Local government

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts tried to book Ja Rule for Artscape 2023, but withdrew a $75,000 offer after a back and forth with rapper’s management.

Councilman Aaron Penman alleges the office of Robert Cassilly spied on him over an investigation into misappropriation of county funds.

Londyn Smith de Richelieu, the director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs in Baltimore, has filed a complaint alleging that she was discriminated against by the office of one of the city’s top gender reassignment surgeons.

Officials will have to balance the financial interests of Security Square Mall’s multiple owners with community needs and wants, weighed against a uncertain real estate market.

Under a county executive administration that bills itself the “most transparent” in Baltimore County’s history, Police Department officials have closed ranks around public information.

Experts say the case exposes deep flaws in a system that places undue burden on those subjected to abuse to stay safe.

Baltimore City Public Schools must counter misconceptions about how school funding is spent and provide schools and the teachers with what they need, says Joseph Mahach, who teaches Algebra I at Patterson High School.

If confirmed by the Senate, O’Malley will oversee around 60,000 administration employees at the Woodlawn headquarters. The agency administers federal retirement, disability and family benefits programs and enrolls people in Medicare health coverage.

Mayor Brandon Scott announced Wednesday morning that he has tapped James Wallace to lead Baltimore City Fire Department, after eight months of a series of rotating interim leaders.

Funded through federal American Rescue Plan dollars, Baltimore County is launching the ShotSpotter pilot in areas of the southwestern Wilkens and eastern Essex police precincts that BCPD and the software developer determined “have seen an increase in reported gun violence as well as met the company’s criteria."

Readers express a range of viewpoints about topics including fatherhood, family, race and social media in response to Leslie Gray Streeter’s column about reaction to Mayor Brandon Scott and his girlfriend expecting a child.

Mosby, who exited the state’s attorney’s office last year, said 25 professional women will be accepted to join her in the “intimate holistic transformational experience.”

Morgan State University’s new Center for Urban Violence and Crime Reduction will engage all segments of Baltimore as it seeks answers for addressing the “carnage” from gun violence in the city, says Anna McPhatter, dean of Morgan’s School of Social Work and director of the center.

Leaders of two law enforcement offices that may have the authority to launch a new investigation are saying it’s within the purview of the other office because of a state law taking effect later this year.

Officials are continuing to ask residents of Baltimore City and Baltimore and Howard counties to restrict their water use.

The Mosbys have been a fixture of Baltimore politics for more than a decade, and often appeared in each other’s campaign literature and at public appearances.

The grand opening of Estiatorio Plaka, Greektown’s newest authentic restaurant and bakery, included several of the city and state’s top officials.

Contractors repaired the pool’s pump, clearing the way for the pool in northeast Baltimore to open.

The hearing, planned for Sept. 13 at 1 p.m., was announced by Councilman Mark Conway, who said he expected the Police Department will have by then completed its “after-action report.”

CSX, T. Rowe Price and Under Armour are demonstrating ways to help turn Baltimore around through investment and engagement, Christopher B. Summers, president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, says.