Local government

Maryland’s minimum wage increased to $15 an hour. Some say it’'s not enough, while others are concerned about increased labor costs for small businesses.

Stacy Rodgers, who’s overseen Baltimore County government operations for almost five years, intends to retire from county government in April 2024.

A final NTSB report on a 2021 Washington Metro derailment concluded that the DC-area transit authority had been aware for years of a safety issue that caused the wheels on the new 7000-series Metro cars to expand wider than the tracks. The agency was previously led by Paul Wiedefeld, now Maryland’s transportation secretary.

Baltimore is effectively stuck pumping millions of dollars into the Inner Harbor hotel and praying that its tourism industry takes off.

Homicides dropped 20% last year compared to 2022, bringing Baltimore below 300 total killings for the first time since Freddie Gray’s 2015 death.

Though blockchain is often considered the domain of Bitcoin bros and mega-rich fraudsters in the Bahamas, Baltimore thinks it can use the technology to put a dent in its inventory of thousands of vacant homes.

A package of housing bills that would have eased the mounting cost burden on Howard County residents failed to advance through the County Council, effectively ending the county executive’s campaign for rent control and more affordability in one of Maryland's most expensive areas.

Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka was elected 6-0 to lead the council this year, taking over from former Chair Julian Jones.

More high-tech cameras have been installed to help catch, and prosecute, those who dump in Baltimore.

A 2.3 magnitude earthquake registered in Montgomery County early Tuesday morning.

Here’s the open secret about the plastic bag ban that took effect New Year’s Day in Anne Arundel County. It’s not a ban.

The violence capped off a year that saw fewer deaths and gunshot victims overall but still recorded one of the highest homicide rates in the nation.

Welch was among a group of Black women who followed the path of Victorine Adams, the first Black woman to serve on the council.

The Banner's political reporters and editors weigh in on the year's biggest stories.

Since the 2021 reassessment, residential values increased on average by 25.6% and commercial properties saw an average jump of 17.6%, according to state data released Friday.

“I’m looking forward to the new adventure of being a dad,” said Scott in a post on social media.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott shared the news of his engagement to girlfriend Hana Pugh on Facebook on Dec. 25, 2023. No wedding date has been publicly announced.

Annapolis is trying to build a new sculpture that symbolizes unity. Turns out, everybody’s an art critic.

Next month, campaigns will have to reveal to the public, for the first time in a year, the sturdiness of their fundraising.

Vignarajah emailed a 185-page document detailing his past policy ideas to supporters this week, which includes a pledge to hire 600 more police officers, create a new cold case unit and strengthen enforcement of juvenile offenders.