‘Unsafe’ and ‘neglected’: City tenants stuck in limbo with nonprofit housing provider that mishandled federal funds
Tenants at a HUD-backed property are stuck in limbo as federal and city officials deal with the fallout of a consequential housing provider.
‘I had to protect myself’: What Maryland is doing to stop kids from seeking guns
Since taking charge of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Vincent Schiraldi has focused on severing children with previous gun charges — who are most at risk to become victims themselves — from an unrelenting cycle of violence that caused them to pick up guns in the first place.
In 2 weekends of curfew enforcement in Baltimore, only 2 kids have come to late-night centers
While Mayor Brandon Scott has faced criticism from advocates and researchers about the effectiveness of the controversial youth curfew, he has pushed ahead with an approach that emphasizes social services while aiming to minimize teen interactions with police.
‘Ridiculously inept’: Just how hard is it to get a permit in Baltimore?
The Banner reviewed nearly 1,000 responses to a city housing department survey that sought feedback about Baltimore’s online permitting system.
Commentary: Affordable, flexible loans can transform lives, Baltimore’s economy
Providing affordable and flexible consumer loans to people who don’t have access to traditional banking services can transform lives and help boost the economies of places like Baltimore, says Kasra Movahedi, executive director of the International Rescue Committee’s Center for Economic Opportunity.
People of Pride: A look at Maryland’s LGBTQ community
The Banner asked LGBTQ Marylanders what Pride Month means to them and what are the biggest challenges facing the community? Here are some of their answers.
Banner political notes: Burnett to step down; Baltimore County public funding; state entertainment council
Outside City Hall on Thursday, Burnett said he’s hanging up his lawmaking hat next cycle. “I definitely don’t want to be an elected official anymore,” the progressive Democrat said with a laugh.
Mayor, Mosby call to ‘assess’ alternative arts partners after BOPA budget hearing
The city’s arts council, fresh off a budget hearing, finds itself in the center of unwanted attention again.
Commentary: Nonprofit hospitals can fill gaps in care of undocumented immigrants
Nonprofit hospitals can put into place a stopgap measure to help cover care for people ineligible for health insurance, such as those without documentation, say people familiar with a Johns Hopkins program that serves uninsured East Baltimore residents.
Cohen seeks to move $1 million from arts group to libraries, in test of council’s new budget power
Asking the council to flex its power by moving $1 million is big — but so are many council members’ frustrations with BOPA after a year of negative headlines.
Several new laws go into effect Thursday in Maryland
Several new laws go into effect Thursday in Maryland. See which ones in this roundup from our media partners at WYPR.
Commentary: 6% of Marylanders are uninsured. Here’s how we can get them covered.
Maryland can build on the progress begun under the Affordable Care Act to provide health care coverage and lower prescription drug costs for more state residents, says Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition.
Erie Insurance discriminated against Black-owned brokerage in Baltimore, state finds
Pennsylvania-based Erie Insurance discriminated against a Black-owned insurance brokerage firm and ultimately against Black Baltimoreans, according to a recent opinion by the Maryland Insurance Administration.
Weekly recycling will return in 2024, DPW says, if new trucks and crews are ready
Public works officials said the city is on track to meet Mayor Brandon Scott’s pledge to reinstate weekly recycling pick-up by early 2024.
City blocked arts organization from trademarking Artscape
BOPA unsuccessfully tried to trademark the annual Artscape festival, much to the chagrin of city lawmakers. “The fact that BOPA made this move is just unconscionable, considering that they work for us,” Councilwoman Odette Ramos said.
Commentary: Abortion access remains a priority in Maryland even with more restrictions across the country
Three University of Maryland Medical Center clinicians say they are committed to ensuring access to abortion as health care in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.
Salaries, services focus of Baltimore City administrator’s budget hearing
The council spent most of the three-hour hearing asking City Administrator Faith Leach high-level administration questions reflective of her office’s oversight, from the mayor’s plans for shelters for unhoused Baltimoreans to delays in a planned network of cycling and pedestrian trails.
Baltimore’s pandemic aid director defends city’s spending plan as federal deadlines inch closer
The status update on spending of Baltimore’s $641 million in COVID-19 recovery aid comes as the city’s spending has chugged along gradually but as looming federal deadlines could prompt the city to reassess parts of its spending plan.
Disability rights group sues Maryland for housing foster kids in hospitals
Attorneys say state officials have “illegally and unconstitutionally” housed foster children in hospitals and restrictive institutions beyond medical necessity.
Hey, all you Bud Light bigots. How about an Annapolis Pride beer?
So, a washed-up rock star makes a video shooting up Bud Light because a trans person lifted a can of the beer on TikTok. Here’s a drink to take that bad taste out of your mouth, America. Forward Brewing, the nanobrewery in Annapolis, will release the second edition of its Pride beer on Tuesday. It's a kick-off to the city’s Pride week, a refreshing lager and a pint-sized political statement all in one.
