Bria thee Journalist

Adding to records spat, Montgomery County IG denied request Megan Limarzi, the inspector general for Montgomery County, said her office was denied a record by the county attorney’s office under the Maryland Public Information Act.

As Baltimore officials are embroiled in a legal fight over inspector general access to municipal records for investigations, Montgomery County's inspector general says a routine request for a record was denied. She told me this has never happened to her before.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Aisle be damned: Rating Baltimore grocery stores on vibes and produce Grocery store prices and location matter, but so do the vibes of a store.

If you left a comment on this story, I didn’t read it. Have a good night.

www.thebanner.com/opinion/groc...

Pickleball bounces into Fells Point with Baltimore’s first indoor courts Baltimore residents Jimmy and Heather Edgerton are opening the city’s first indoor pickleball court in Fells Point.

Pickleball bounces into Fells Point with Baltimore’s first indoor courts, @briaovers.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Mount Vernon apartment building in Chasen Cos. portfolio condemned Baltimore authorities have issued an emergency notice to condemn and demolish a Mount Vernon apartment building in real estate developer Brandon Chasen’s portfolio.

Mount Vernon apartment building in Chasen Cos. portfolio condemned, @briaovers.bsky.social and @halliemiller.bsky.social report. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

The penny is dead, but it’s a coin toss as to whether businesses will feel it The U.S. has stopped making pennies. It's causing a coin shortage that will have few short-term consequences for businesses and consumers, but could be hard to manage in the long term.

By @briaovers.bsky.social. The penny is dead, but it’s a coin toss as to whether businesses will feel it. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

‘We keep waiting.’ The long struggle of the Superblock’s dwindling business district Businesses have come and gone, but those that stayed said they feel disillusioned by the politicians — seven mayors and counting — and developers who have made promise after promise about what the are...

By @briaovers.bsky.social and @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social: ‘We keep waiting.’ The long struggle of the Superblock’s dwindling business district. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Maryland officials sound alarm on data centers’ $100B power grid suck The rapid rise of data centers is hitting the region’s power grid. Maryland lawmakers are concerned that utility ratepayers will pay the $100 billion price for them.

It's starting to occur to state lawmakers that utility customers aren't super keen on paying for all these data centers that are straining the grid, via @briaovers.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com
www.thebanner.com/economy/pjm-...

Massive data centers invaded Virginia — and Maryland wants to be next Virginia’s rapid accumulation of nearly 600 data centers now feels like a warning for some Marylanders, as businesses and local governments look to attract the giant facilities.

Maryland is hungry for data centers. @thebaltimorebanner.com took a trip to Virginia's Data Center Alley to see what we'd have in store. via @briaovers.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/economy/data...

Massive data centers invaded Virginia — and Maryland wants to be next Virginia’s rapid accumulation of nearly 600 data centers now feels like a warning for some Marylanders, as businesses and local governments look to attract the giant facilities.

can't say I'm a fan of this potential!
Important, deep reporting by @briaovers.bsky.social

Massive data centers invaded Virginia — and Maryland wants to be next Virginia’s rapid accumulation of nearly 600 data centers now feels like a warning for some Marylanders, as businesses and local governments look to attract the giant facilities.

Massive data centers invaded Virginia — and Maryland wants to be next, @briaovers.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

After a century, the University of Baltimore is struggling Over the last 10 years, the University of Baltimore’s enrollment has dropped, its faculty has halved, leaving its deficit swollen amid state cuts.

EXCLUSIVE: The University of Baltimore turned 100 years old this year. It is also facing a structural deficit, 50% less enrollment in 10 years, and is cutting positions.

“Our ability to generate revenue is under duress," the CFO told me. Read:

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/un...

As BGE bills are about to rise again, utility commission demands a delay The Maryland Public Service Commission is ordering Baltimore Gas and Electric to mitigate the effects of an impending supply-side rate increase by shifting cost recovery to less expensive times of yea...

Your BGE bill is set to go up again June 1. The Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered BGE to flatten those bills ahead of costly summer months, reports @briaovers.bsky.social www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/bge-...

At 11, she’s turned heartbreak into hope on the National Spelling Bee stage This week, Amelia “Bindi” Ray will take the national stage as the youngest Maryland competitor in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

At 11, she’s turned heartbreak into hope on the National Spelling Bee stage

Read the story by @kris10griffith.bsky.social on the @thebaltimorebanner.com ---> tinyurl.com/2rj9mrb5

Her final assignment before graduation? Beating Stage 3 cancer Anne Arundel County teacher Kayla Case earned her second master’s degree after battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Getting a master's degree is hard. Kayla Case managed to study for her second while teaching part-time, pursuing the prestigious teacher's National Board certification and raising two toddlers. Oh: and she was also in chemo for Stage 3 cancer. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/hi...

The Baltimore Banner Pop-Up Newsroom at Lexington Market Cowork with The Banner at Lexington Market. Meet the journalists, explore the space and share what stories matter most to you. Register here for the free event.

More info here. I hope to see you there!

events.humanitix.com/the-baltimor...

Hey #Baltimore! The Baltimore Banner is hosting a pop-up newsroom at Lexington Market on May 28th.

Several reporters and editors will be there, myself included. Stop by to learn more about The Banner's local journalism and tell us about stories you think we should tell.

How to do ‘recession core’ — the Baltimore way Americans are preparing for an economic downturn — a trend that’s evident on “recession core” social media.

Plentiful "recession core" TikTok content suggests Americans are nervous about the economy. @briaovers.bsky.social talked to local businesses and groups about how Baltimoreans can live more frugally without giving up their lifestyle. @thebaltimorebanner.com www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/rece...

UMB will lay off employees, reduce salaries amid budget crisis University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce Jarrell warned of a "clear and present danger" in relation to layoffs.

BREAKING: The University of Maryland, Baltimore will lay off employees and institute salary reductions amid a deficit of over $30 million. Read about what the president has called a “clear and present danger” exclusively in The Baltimore Banner:
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/hi...

The President and Elon Musk’s cuts to AmeriCorps aren’t just disheartening – they’re outrageous. These cuts won’t just harm Marylanders who have raised their hand to serve, they will disrupt the trajectory of our state.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/ripp...

Maryland nonprofits and volunteers ‘devastated’ after AmeriCorps cuts The Trump administration’s dismantling of AmericCorps leaves volunteers without work and Maryland community programs in a lurch.

By @briaovers.bsky.social: Maryland nonprofits and volunteers ‘devastated’ after AmeriCorps abruptly ends service. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Last week @briaovers.bsky.social at @thebaltimorebanner.com reported on what this could mean for the Social Security Administration, based in Woodlawn.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/soci...

It’s WrestleMania week, and this Baltimore wrestling fan is living out his dream It's WrestleMania Week for WWE fans, but Brian H. Waters isn't your typical wrestling fan. He's turned his hobby into his profession, living the dream he prayed for.

And another one from @tramonlucas.bsky.social!

Brian Waters was a wrestling superfan. His passion and resolve made him the perfect producer for @theringer.com.web.brid.gy's wrestling podcasts.

Read about Brian and his family!

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/life...

For WrestleMania weekend, we went where pro wrestling dreams begin.

A wrestling school tucked away in a Harford County strip mall has trained stars like WWE's Lita and Mickie James and AEW's Lio Rush and Action Andretti.

Read it 👇🏾

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/life...

We’re taking him to a vet to see if he’s microchipped. In the meantime, please share so we can find his family.

FOUND DOG ALERT! is this your pet?

Male dog was found on April 13 near St. Mary’s Park in Seton Hill in Baltimore. He’s wearing a green collar with a bow tie, no tags.

For more details about this pet or to contact the finder, click here:
petcolove.org/lost/pet/fou...

Families of Key Bridge victims shut out of $16M relief fund A community foundation raised money for the Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong fund under the explicit premise that Key Bridge victims’ families would see some of it.

New: Named after a turn of phrase from the governor, the Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Relief Fund raised $16 million. None of it went to help the victims’ families despite the Baltimore Community Foundation initially saying it would.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...

Looking to speak with folks who are or were considering purchasing a new or used car in the Baltimore metro area.

Do these new tariffs give you pause or worry? Or are you unconcerned? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Email me: bria.overs@thebaltimorebanner.com
#journorequest

Great read by @briaovers.bsky.social

Let’s connect. @thebaltimorebanner.com

Kids are ready for school, but what time will they get there? A recent investigation by The Baltimore Banner found that thousands of Baltimore City students rely on public transportation to get to school but their transit options are often unreliable.

@lizbowie.bsky.social & I had a wonderful conversation about 'Transit nightmare' today on @middayonwypr.bsky.social.

We have been overwhelmed by how many people have shared their experiences on transit since our story came out.

Hope you'll listen!

www.wypr.org/show/midday/...