Baltimore Brew
baltimorebrew.bsky.social
Baltimore Brew
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
Independent reporting and informed commentary about greater Baltimore. News tips editors@baltimorebrew.com
Bill Henry kicks off a hearing on the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund by saying it’s been subject to unfair media coverage tinyurl.com/58rnueuc He apologized that he and other architects of BCYF “completely ignored the optics” of a taxpayer-funded entity that wd make it vulnerable to media scrutiny.
Comptroller Henry kicks off hearing on Baltimore Children and Youth Fund by saying it’s been subject to unfair media coverage | Baltimore Brew
Henry said he and other early architects of BCYF “completely ignored the optics” of a taxpayer-funded entity that would make it vulnerable to scrutiny by the media.
tinyurl.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Community takes its case against Johns Hopkins DSAI project to City Hall, and loses. tinyurl.com/4evcxj2
Saying concerns about the Data Science & AI Institute were being ignored, @odetteramos.bsky.social had wanted deferral of the approvals Hopkins sought: “The lack of transparency is astounding.”
Community takes its case against Johns Hopkins’ DSAI project to City Hall, and loses | Baltimore Brew
Saying residents’ concerns about the Data Science and AI Institute were being ignored by the university, Councilwoman Ramos wanted city leaders to defer the approvals it sought: “The lack of transpar...
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Today’s hearing on the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund could lead to much-needed accountability. tinyurl.com/9zvpkpfv Right now, sketchy grantmaking and lack of meaningful outcomes reporting make it hard to say if the funds are going to grassroots groups as intended. [OP-ED]
Today’s hearing on the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund could lead to much-needed accountability | Baltimore Brew
The funds are supposed to go to grassroots groups. Is that happening? It’s hard to say due to BCYF’s sketchy grantmaking and lack of meaningful outcomes reporting. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:13 PM
.@Zeke_Cohen confirms @baltimorebrew.bsky.social reporting, says locksmith contract was inflated by $3 million. tinyurl.com/yse4r2hj “There was an error in the calculation,” resulting in a 340% price increase that somehow city agencies and the mayor’s and comptroller’s offices ... didn't catch.
Council President Zeke Cohen confirms Brew reporting, says locksmith contract was inflated by $3 million | Baltimore Brew
“There was an error in the calculation,” the Department of General Services tells Cohen, that resulted in a 340% price increase that city agencies and the mayor’s and comptroller’s office did not catc...
tinyurl.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:13 PM
BREAKING Despite passionate pleas from residents and @odetteramos.bsky.social, Bd of Estimates ok's MOU allowing Johns Hopkins to make stormwater improvements on Wyman Park Drive to include tree cutting and, during construction, shutting the road down tinyurl.com/mwsb759v [this story to be updated]
City asked to approve stormwater upgrades for Johns Hopkins data institute that will require tree cutting | Baltimore Brew
North Baltimore residents who have been critical of JHU’s Data Science and AI Institute (DSAI) project have targeted the request on today’s Board of Estimates agenda.
tinyurl.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
City asked to approve stormwater upgrades for Johns Hopkins
planned data science and AI buildings that will require tree cutting. tinyurl.com/mwsb759v Neighborhood critics of the DSAI project have targeted two items on today's Board of Estimates agenda.
City asked to approve stormwater upgrades for Johns Hopkins data center that will require tree cutting | Baltimore Brew
North Baltimore residents who have been critical of Johns Hopkins University’s Data Science and AI Institute (DSAI) project have targeted the request on today’s Board of Estimates agenda.
tinyurl.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Outgoing Inspector General Kelly Madigan calls for more transparency and higher standards in Baltimore County, as she heads out the door. tinyurl.com/5enjrkr4 We recap some of her investigations that ruffled feathers ... and the harsh attack from two council members that she survived.
IG Kelly Madigan calls for more transparency and higher standards in Baltimore County | Baltimore Brew
The County Council ignores recommendations by the outgoing inspector general to improve the office’s ability to root out waste and fraud.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:50 PM
BREAKING - The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) cancels plans to sell Sisson Street Drop-Off Center to a private developer. tinyurl.com/muhyptuj "We cancelled the RFP," @OtisRolley told the Task Force last night.
BDC cancels plans to sell Sisson Street Drop-Off Center to a private developer | Baltimore Brew
The Baltimore Development Corporation says it has cancelled the RFP that led to the Scott administration’s effort to relocate the trash facility in the Jones Falls Valley.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:09 PM
There's actually no authority in Baltimore County law for anyone to appoint an “acting” Inspector General. tinyurl.com/4a8jaypc Ironically, Kelly Madigan’s resignation sets up #worstcasescenario for proponents of a strong IG: Kathy Klausmeier will appoint someone for a 4-year term [OP-ED]
Up in the Air: No authority in Baltimore County law to appoint an “acting” Inspector General | Baltimore Brew
Ironically, Kelly Madigan’s resignation sets up the worst case scenario for proponents of a strong IG: Appointment by Klausmeier of an inspector general to a four-year term.
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Now it looks like the @baltimorepolice.bsky.social parking garage - undergoing $11 million (so far) in repairs - won't reopen until 2027. tinyurl.com/53cydcbu (They're going to have to update that sign 👇 that says "Completion: Spring 2025.")
Undergoing $11 million in repairs, Police Department parking garage won’t reopen until 2027 | Baltimore Brew
As the price for fixing the building escalates, the mayor blames his predecessors and the agency in charge hopes for the best.
tinyurl.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In his zeal for the zoning bills going thru his committee, @electryandorsey.bsky.social is skirting the rules and suppressing community voices, say critics. tinyurl.com/rd6deeav Including residents who have filed complaints with the state about his conduct of last week's hearing.
December 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
.@electryandorsey.bsky.social 's handling of controversial zoning bills is sparking protests. tinyurl.com/rd6deeav There's a complaint to the state about him disallowing virtual testimony. Recently a councilman asked @zekecohen.bsky.social to stop zoning bills from going through his committee.
Councilman Ryan Dorsey’s handling of controversial zoning legislation is sparking protests | Baltimore Brew
The assertive architect of Mayor Scott’s bill package, also sitting as committee chair, he’s the lightning rod as residents in many Baltimore neighborhoods say their voices are going unheard.
tinyurl.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The TV tower-painting company that showered TV Hill with lead paint chips in 2022 pleads guilty and is fined $100,000 tinyurl.com/y95zh8wk Still pending, civil suits against tower owner TTI - managed by three Baltimore-area TV stations: @wbaltv11 , @wjz , and @WMAR2News.
Company that sent lead paint chips down on TV Hill pleads guilty, is fined $100,000 | Baltimore Brew
Skyline Tower Painting’s botched repainting of the iconic broadcast tower “exposed children to dangerous lead paint chips, contaminating Baltimore playgrounds, yards and even a daycare center,” Attorn...
tinyurl.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Last-minute no-show by @BDCBaltimore last night angered Sisson Street Task Force chair @odetteramos.bsky.social who noted it was the BDC that initiated legislation to sell the land to a private developer in the first place tinyurl.com/46ca2a73 "They are not transparent.This is a huge problem!"
BDC bows out of Sisson Street Task Force meeting, prompting an outburst by its chair | Baltimore Brew
“They are not transparent,” Councilwoman Odette Ramos said of the Baltimore Development Corporation, noting the quasi-governmental agency initiated the legislation to sell the land in the first place.
tinyurl.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In do-over election, sanitation worker Stancil McNair wins Local 44 presidency – beating Trevor Taylor by an even greater margin than last time. tinyurl.com/kxjpwwhf "We got work to do and now we're finally on our way," he said today outside the @afscmemd.org union hall.
In do-over election, sanitation worker Stancil McNair wins Local 44 presidency – again | Baltimore Brew
After his surprise victory in August was challenged and thrown out, McNair tried unsuccessfully in court to halt the second election. Today he again beat AFSCME officials’ favored candidate, outgoing ...
tinyurl.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Local 44 election to be held tomorrow, after judge rejects sanitation worker’s bid to halt it. tinyurl.com/msdws5u8 Judge Abelson said an @afscme.bsky.social judicial panel’s decision to throw out the August election - that swept an insurgent slate into office - would likely be upheld.
Local 44 election to be held tomorrow after judge rejects sanitation worker’s bid to halt it | Baltimore Brew
An AFSCME judicial panel’s decision to throw out the August election that swept an insurgent slate into office would likely be upheld, he says, denying request for a temporary restraining order.
tinyurl.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM
A locksmith contract, set to rise by millions of dollars, is deferred by @zekecohen.bsky.social. Baltimore's spending board backs away from a 400% increase for locksmith services. tinyurl.com/ya7tky5w Questions remain . . . but documents show who okayed the previous expenditures.
A locksmith contract, set to rise by millions of dollars, deferred by Baltimore Board of Estimates | Baltimore Brew
At the request of Zeke Cohen, the spending board backed away from approving a 400% increase for locksmith services. Questions remain, but documents show who okayed the previous expenditures.
tinyurl.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Baltimore sanitation workers’ emergency motion to halt the rerun of the Local 44 election will be heard in federal court. tinyurl.com/3scef5db Stancil McNair, and other winners of the August leadership vote, are seeking a court injunction to stop a new election on December 6.
Workers’ emergency motion to halt rerun of Local 44 election to be heard in federal court | Baltimore Brew
McNair, other winners of the August leadership vote are seeking a court injunction to stop a new election on December 6.
tinyurl.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Sensing the public mood, a City Council committee pumps the brakes on @mayorbmscott.bsky.social high-priority zoning bill, 25-0066. tinyurl.com/yvx32f9a It was the culmination of community opposition and organizing, simmering for months, but ramping up sharply in recent weeks.
Sensing the public mood, a City Council committee pumps the brakes on Mayor Scott’s zoning bill | Baltimore Brew
Lawmakers who previously supported the centerpiece of the mayor’s legislative package are now expressing doubts. Amendments are in the works, but no new hearing date is scheduled.
tinyurl.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Winners of Local 44 election file injunction to block election do-over tinyurl.com/mrfj3tz7 Stancil McNair and his slate say 2nd election is “unjustified and unlawful.” @afscmemd.org aryland concedes judge could find the union “breached its Constitution by ordering a new election.”
Winners of Local 44 election file an injunction to block election do-over | Baltimore Brew
Stancil McNair and his insurgent slate say a second election is “unjustified and unlawful.” AFSCME concedes that a judge could determine that the union “has breached its Constitution by ordering a new...
tinyurl.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Pondering some Black Friday shopping with one of those quick-cash apps? tinyurl.com/53wm65a9 A look at how Baltimore sued one for being predatory- meanwhile MD lawmakers earlier this year passed an industry bill that made it easier for them to operate. By @maddioneill.bsky.social Neill for The Brew
While Baltimore sues a money-lending app for preying on the poor, Maryland makes it easier for such apps to do so | Baltimore Brew
tinyurl.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
. @mayorbmscott.bsky.social denies trying to influence the hotly-contested Local 44 sanitation workers election. Today one candidate stood next to the mayor at City Hall while his opponent, the current union president, was out on his trash pickup route. tinyurl.com/yfhs57hu
Mayor Scott denies trying to influence the upcoming Local 44 election | Baltimore Brew
The City Hall ceremony took place when Local 44 President Stancil McNair was at work on his trash route.
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Baltimore residents rally to say: bills removing zoning guardrails will worsen racial disparities, not heal them tinyurl.com/yc6vu3ft “We have heard every justification possible, every fallacy used to advance this bill."
Residents rally to say: removing zoning guardrails will worsen racial disparities, not heal them | Baltimore Brew
“We have heard every justification possible, every fallacy used to advance this bill,” protesters against Brandon Scott’s Baltimore upzoning measure said outside City Hall yesterday.
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
IT'S OUT - The Sisson Street Task force takes the Falls Road site for a trash drop-off center - the one beside the Jones Falls - off the table. tinyurl.com/2nkwnudd The chair now says the group’s work won’t be done by @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's December deadline.
Sisson Street Task Force rejects Falls Road as site for trash drop-off center | Baltimore Brew
With a location beside the Jones Falls taken off the table, the chair says the group’s work won’t be done by Mayor Scott’s December deadline.
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
No official announcement yet, but Local 44 re-vote is reportedly happening on December 6. Trevor Taylor, the losing candidate who triggered the election re-run, is out campaigning on social media.
Xx tinyurl.com/6p8f649f
No official announcement yet, but Local 44 re-vote is reportedly happening on December 6 | Baltimore Brew
Trevor Taylor, the losing candidate who triggered the election re-run, is out campaigning on social media.
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM