MERVO Class of 2024! I have never been more proud of a group of young people in my life. Through all the tragedy, loss, and heartbreak you pushed through. Thank you for picking me up when I was down and reminding me about the power of the 〽️. I love y'all! Congratulations!

A group of union workers, progressive activists & some electeds are protesting against Renew Baltimore, a proposed ballot measure to reduce property taxes.

Outside a firehouse, Courtney Jenkins says workplaces like this one will close if property tax revenue shrinks

How does Baltimore’s drop in gun violence compare to other U.S. cities?

Through the first half of May this year the decline is second greatest ranks among the 50 largest U.S. cities when compared to the same period in 2023.

From Greg Morton and me

thebaltimorebanner.com/community/crim…

Curtis Bay residents hoped an explosion at the CSX coal piers could spell an end to coal in their neighborhood. Maryland is charting an ambitious path on climate that promises to deliver for front-line communities.

But Baltimore's coal exports are booming
thebaltimorebanner.com/community/clim…

850p: The tornadic storm is still going — warning for northern Anne Arundel and southern Baltimore counties til 930p. Possible tornado just northeast of Eldridge moving east at 20 mph. Could pass very close to Baltimore next 20 mins. Seek shelter.

Carlton R. Smith: LGBTQ advocate, ‘mayor’ of Mount Vernon, passes away bit.ly/3RfMetH

How significant is Baltimore’s drop in homicides, shootings? The White House’s deputy director of gun violence came to town last week and called it the “greatest success story” in the country. Homicides thru first 5 months are second lowest in 54 years thebaltimorebanner.com/community/crim…

More than 700 claims submitted in Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy before key deadline bit.ly/4e60O0C

Baltimore City terminates NYC developer’s deal to rebuild Poppleton bit.ly/3x11vHP

For almost seven years, Willie Billinger insisted that he did not kill Earline 'Smiley' Thomas and Howard 'Mike' Martin at their apartment on St. Paul Street in Baltimore in 2017.

Here's the story of how he won his freedom: tinyurl.com/em4btr62 (via The Baltimore Banner)

A lost generation of Black men in Baltimore is dying of overdoses at 20x national rates. In 2023, Baltimore senior homes saw double the # of overdose deaths to 2019. The tenant council at one West Baltimore home says he feels like he works 'at the morgue'
thebaltimorebanner.com/community/publ…

Looks like May in Baltimore ended with 13 homicides recorded. From 2015 to 2022, the city averaged more than 32 victims each May. 13 is one of the lowest number of victims for the month of May in the city’s modern history (since 1970). Homicides are down more than 48% since 2022

New: Earlier this year I reported that David Smith, the Sinclair Broadcast Group exec, was paying attorneys fees in a lawsuit accusing the city school system of taxpayer fraud. Well the school system deposed him last month and it didn’t go as they hoped.

thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power…

Once again, I'm continue to hire for roles at The Baltimore Banner. We have an opening for a talented, experienced photojournalist: boards.greenhouse.io/thebaltimoreba… #journalismjobs

Kimberly Manzan flew from Texas for an abortion in New Mexico at 18 weeks after scans showed her fetus was missing limbs, organs & genitalia

Her pastor assumed she would qualify as a medical exception to Texas’ ban. She did not nytimes.com/2024/05/27/us/…

RELLLLLIIIIIISSSSSHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!