Baltimore Brew
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
Independent reporting and informed commentary about greater Baltimore. News tips editors@baltimorebrew.com
Those orange paint chips that fell from the 28th Street Bridge that Baltimore officials said are of no concern? They ARE lead paint, the state confirms. tinyurl.com/3ar25ekc Maryland Dept. of the Environment finds lead levels 36 times the standard limit. Violation issued, clean-up ordered.
Paint flakes falling from the 28th Street Bridge contain lead and are hazardous, MDE says | Baltimore Brew
Maryland orders Baltimore officials, who initially denied the chips were lead or posed a hazard, to remove them from the ground and the Jones Falls and to prevent more paint from falling.
tinyurl.com
February 20, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Those orange paint chips that fell from the 28th Street Bridge that Baltimore officials said are of no concern? They ARE lead paint, the state confirms. tinyurl.com/3ar25ekc Maryland Dept. of the Environment finds lead levels 36 times the standard limit. Violation issued, clean-up ordered.
The stinky smell is worse than ever, the red pollution warning light keeps flashing and insiders say sewage sludge is backing up and clogging the Back River treatment plant once again. tinyurl.com/dpj86xf9 Documents show they stopped processing the bio-solids there months ago.
Amid worsening odor from the Back River plant, reports that sewage sludge has been backing up again | Baltimore Brew
Community members are concerned biosolids are being stored on the ground and washing into the river; documents show the plant stopped processing the material onsite months ago.
tinyurl.com
February 19, 2026 at 7:05 PM
The stinky smell is worse than ever, the red pollution warning light keeps flashing and insiders say sewage sludge is backing up and clogging the Back River treatment plant once again. tinyurl.com/dpj86xf9 Documents show they stopped processing the bio-solids there months ago.
.@mddcpress.bsky.social, joining area inspectors general, supports the Baltimore IG’s records access fight. “Our members rely on clear, consistent access to public information to inform residents about how government operates and how public resources are used." www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/17/m...
MDDC Press Association, joining area inspectors general, supports Baltimore IG’s records access fight | Baltimore Brew
Both groups are pushing back on a Scott administration policy they say would “incapacitate” watchdog inspectors general and cut off an important source of information for reporters and the public,
www.baltimorebrew.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:47 PM
.@mddcpress.bsky.social, joining area inspectors general, supports the Baltimore IG’s records access fight. “Our members rely on clear, consistent access to public information to inform residents about how government operates and how public resources are used." www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/17/m...
Looks like @baltimoresun.bsky.social readers may see more AI-produced news stories like the ones published last week that @baltsunguild.bsky.social quickly denounced as SLOP. tinyurl.com/yaafhvd8 Sun management: "To ignore this powerful tool would be a mistake.”
Union denounces AI-generated news stories, as Baltimore Sun management predicts more of them | Baltimore Brew
Reporters are protesting after the recent publication of two news “analyses” about Gov. Wes Moore and President Donald Trump, produced with artificial intelligence tools: “It’s embarrassing, insulting...
tinyurl.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Looks like @baltimoresun.bsky.social readers may see more AI-produced news stories like the ones published last week that @baltsunguild.bsky.social quickly denounced as SLOP. tinyurl.com/yaafhvd8 Sun management: "To ignore this powerful tool would be a mistake.”
Offered at Council work session: amendments and arguments to allay concerns about Baltimore zoning bill. tinyurl.com/59h9stks “An appeasement effort,” one opponent said. Stop ignoring “Black homeowners in legacy neighborhoods," Council Vice Chair Sharon Green Middleton said, to big applause.
Offered at a Council work session: amendments and arguments to allay concerns about Baltimore zoning bill | Baltimore Brew
“An appeasement effort,” one opponent said, while Sharon Green Middleton drew applause with a plea to stop ignoring “the Black homeowners in legacy neighborhoods.”
tinyurl.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Offered at Council work session: amendments and arguments to allay concerns about Baltimore zoning bill. tinyurl.com/59h9stks “An appeasement effort,” one opponent said. Stop ignoring “Black homeowners in legacy neighborhoods," Council Vice Chair Sharon Green Middleton said, to big applause.
A non-binding "summary, nothing more," that "could have been written by a 2nd year law student." tinyurl.com/5b7yavzu That's what AG Anthony Brown says about the "advice letter" used by the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration to restrict Inspector General Cumming's access to documents.
Maryland AG: “It could have been written by a second-year law student” | Baltimore Brew
The “advice letter” used by the Scott administration to restrict the Inspector General’s access to records was “really just a summary, nothing more,” Attorney General Anthony Brown says.
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
A non-binding "summary, nothing more," that "could have been written by a 2nd year law student." tinyurl.com/5b7yavzu That's what AG Anthony Brown says about the "advice letter" used by the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration to restrict Inspector General Cumming's access to documents.
Maryland Supreme Court to hear anti-SLAPP lawsuit filed by Clipper Mill residents against two developers.
At issue: Can people hit with a lawsuit found to be a malicious attempt to shut them up collect damages?
www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/12/m...
At issue: Can people hit with a lawsuit found to be a malicious attempt to shut them up collect damages?
www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/12/m...
Maryland Supreme Court to hear anti-SLAPP lawsuit filed by Clipper Mill residents against two developers | Baltimore Brew
At issue: Can people hit with a lawsuit found to be a malicious attempt to shut them up collect damages?
www.baltimorebrew.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Maryland Supreme Court to hear anti-SLAPP lawsuit filed by Clipper Mill residents against two developers.
At issue: Can people hit with a lawsuit found to be a malicious attempt to shut them up collect damages?
www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/12/m...
At issue: Can people hit with a lawsuit found to be a malicious attempt to shut them up collect damages?
www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/02/12/m...
Inspector General Isabel Cumming reveals her fight with the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration centers on her investigation of MONSE, the mayor’s violence prevention program tinyurl.com/2vy9djcs She's going to court to fight for records after her Advisory Bd OKs hiring outside legal counsel.
Baltimore Inspector General Cumming says she will go to court to fight for records | Baltimore Brew
The IG Advisory Board approves the hiring of outside legal counsel. Cumming reveals her fight with the Scott administration centers on her investigation of MONSE, the mayor’s violence prevention progr...
tinyurl.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Inspector General Isabel Cumming reveals her fight with the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration centers on her investigation of MONSE, the mayor’s violence prevention program tinyurl.com/2vy9djcs She's going to court to fight for records after her Advisory Bd OKs hiring outside legal counsel.
Baltimore pastor says city’s sweeping zoning bill, which promises progress, may instead “deliver pain.” tinyurl.com/4b5phxn7 He joins residents and councilmen denouncing Bill 25-0066, as opponents plan online town hall tonight and the bill heads to committee on Thursday.
Pastor says city’s sweeping zoning bill, which promises progress, may instead “deliver pain” | Baltimore Brew
Faith leader joins Baltimore residents and councilmen denouncing Bill 25-0066, as opponents plan an online town hall tonight and the bill heads to committee on Thursday.
tinyurl.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Baltimore pastor says city’s sweeping zoning bill, which promises progress, may instead “deliver pain.” tinyurl.com/4b5phxn7 He joins residents and councilmen denouncing Bill 25-0066, as opponents plan online town hall tonight and the bill heads to committee on Thursday.
The @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration’s latest assault on Baltimore's Inspector General - the city’s corruption watchdog - doesn’t hold up to legal scrutiny. tinyurl.com/bdcdawk2 . . . leaving a harsh question: what are they hiding? [OP-ED]
Mayor Scott’s war on Baltimore’s inspector general: Part II | Baltimore Brew
The administration’s latest assault on the city’s corruption watchdog doesn’t hold up to legal scrutiny and raises a harsh question: what are they hiding? [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration’s latest assault on Baltimore's Inspector General - the city’s corruption watchdog - doesn’t hold up to legal scrutiny. tinyurl.com/bdcdawk2 . . . leaving a harsh question: what are they hiding? [OP-ED]
Flaking orange paint from the 28th Street Bridge is littering Falls Road and the Jones Falls tinyurl.com/3ynsbcx9 Chips resemble the lead paint flakes that fell in 2022 from Baltimore’s TV Tower. City officials don't believe they contain lead, but the MD Department of the Environment is testing them
Flaking orange paint from the 28th Street Bridge is littering Falls Road and the Jones Falls | Baltimore Brew
The chips resemble the lead paint flakes that fell in 2022 from Baltimore’s TV Tower. City officials do not believe they contain lead, but MDE is now testing them.
tinyurl.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Flaking orange paint from the 28th Street Bridge is littering Falls Road and the Jones Falls tinyurl.com/3ynsbcx9 Chips resemble the lead paint flakes that fell in 2022 from Baltimore’s TV Tower. City officials don't believe they contain lead, but the MD Department of the Environment is testing them
Amid copious campaign contributions, city officials approve developer’s marina in Canton for a heliport for the Baltimore Police Dept. tinyurl.com/54j28d69 Records we reviewed, for example, show Scott Plank's largess includes $20,000 to the Democratic Senate Caucus Committee.
Amid copious campaign contributions, city officials approve developer’s marina for police heliport | Baltimore Brew
Scott Plank’s generosity to Baltimore electeds – including $20,000 to the Democratic Senate Caucus Committee – came ahead of the Board of Estimates’ approval yesterday of a $17.9 million lease deal.
tinyurl.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Amid copious campaign contributions, city officials approve developer’s marina in Canton for a heliport for the Baltimore Police Dept. tinyurl.com/54j28d69 Records we reviewed, for example, show Scott Plank's largess includes $20,000 to the Democratic Senate Caucus Committee.
BREAKING - Citizen advisory board backs Inspector General Cumming's quest for unredacted records. Says restricting IT system and financial data hurts the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General's mission to identify waste, fraud & corruption in Baltimore city govt. tinyurl.com/y2zsk2w7
Citizen advisory board backs Inspector General Cumming’s quest for unredacted records | Baltimore Brew
Without access to IT system data and financial records, the Office of the Inspector General cannot effectively identify and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in city government, the board says.
tinyurl.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:55 PM
BREAKING - Citizen advisory board backs Inspector General Cumming's quest for unredacted records. Says restricting IT system and financial data hurts the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General's mission to identify waste, fraud & corruption in Baltimore city govt. tinyurl.com/y2zsk2w7
Building renovations, rather than recent public controversies (i.e., those proposed skyrocketing pensions
), are the reasons for shutting down public testimony at tonight's Baltimore County Council meeting, officials say. tinyurl.com/3t62muyr
), are the reasons for shutting down public testimony at tonight's Baltimore County Council meeting, officials say. tinyurl.com/3t62muyr
Your voice won’t be heard at tonight’s Baltimore County Council meeting | Baltimore Brew
Building renovations, not recent public controversies, are the grounds for the cancellation of public testimony, council chair says.
tinyurl.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Building renovations, rather than recent public controversies (i.e., those proposed skyrocketing pensions
), are the reasons for shutting down public testimony at tonight's Baltimore County Council meeting, officials say. tinyurl.com/3t62muyr
), are the reasons for shutting down public testimony at tonight's Baltimore County Council meeting, officials say. tinyurl.com/3t62muyr
THE OPPOSITE OF TRANSPARENCY: @mayorbmscott.bsky.social has launched an attack on the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General. Here's why its legal basis is flawed, and why residents and electeds need to take a stand against City Hall overreach and potential coverups [OP-ED] tinyurl.com/mv6x67xc
An alarming and baseless attack on Baltimore’s inspector general | Baltimore Brew
Mayor Brandon Scott and his law department are making bogus claims to deny Isabel Mercedes Cumming access to records needed for her watchdog role. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:25 PM
THE OPPOSITE OF TRANSPARENCY: @mayorbmscott.bsky.social has launched an attack on the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General. Here's why its legal basis is flawed, and why residents and electeds need to take a stand against City Hall overreach and potential coverups [OP-ED] tinyurl.com/mv6x67xc
Hoisting Bible quotes and hurling F-bombs, wearing Ravens hats and eerie Handmaid's Tale outfits, hundreds turned out in Baltimore yesterday with one message: "ICE out of Baltimore." tinyurl.com/rfcc2xzr
January 31, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Hoisting Bible quotes and hurling F-bombs, wearing Ravens hats and eerie Handmaid's Tale outfits, hundreds turned out in Baltimore yesterday with one message: "ICE out of Baltimore." tinyurl.com/rfcc2xzr
A blunt message from a big Baltimore crowd: Shut down ICE. tinyurl.com/rfcc2xzr
"ICE’s reign of terror on neighborhoods across the country has been more blatant than ever," speakers said, before hundreds took to the streets.
"ICE’s reign of terror on neighborhoods across the country has been more blatant than ever," speakers said, before hundreds took to the streets.
A blunt message from a big Baltimore crowd: Shut down ICE | Baltimore Brew
Between the continuing chaos in Minneapolis and ICE’s apparent plan to turn a warehouse in Hagerstown into an ICE detention facility, they had plenty to protest today.
tinyurl.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:21 AM
A blunt message from a big Baltimore crowd: Shut down ICE. tinyurl.com/rfcc2xzr
"ICE’s reign of terror on neighborhoods across the country has been more blatant than ever," speakers said, before hundreds took to the streets.
"ICE’s reign of terror on neighborhoods across the country has been more blatant than ever," speakers said, before hundreds took to the streets.
In 2017, Zeke Cohen, Brandon Scott and Bill Henry collectively had $47,000 in campaign funds. Last year, as Baltimore's top electeds - they got $709,848. tinyurl.com/382dne9w What went to whom in 2025 ... from Alex Smith's Atlas Restaurant Group to Johns Hopkins University. tinyurl.com/382dne9w
Campaign Dollars: What a difference eight years makes for Baltimore’s three top electeds | Baltimore Brew
Rising from the City Council to a seat on the Board of Estimates yields a flood of campaign cash. What went to whom in 2025, from Alex Smith’s Atlas Restaurant Group to Johns Hopkins University.
tinyurl.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
In 2017, Zeke Cohen, Brandon Scott and Bill Henry collectively had $47,000 in campaign funds. Last year, as Baltimore's top electeds - they got $709,848. tinyurl.com/382dne9w What went to whom in 2025 ... from Alex Smith's Atlas Restaurant Group to Johns Hopkins University. tinyurl.com/382dne9w
Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Cumming says the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration is blocking an investigation and has denied her office access to city records. "We basically cannot do our jobs," she tells @baltimorebrew.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/ywnycze4
.
.
Baltimore IG Cumming says the Scott administration is blocking her investigations | Baltimore Brew
On Saturday, the OIG was denied access to city records. Today the inspector general fired back, saying, “We basically cannot do our job.”
tinyurl.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Cumming says the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration is blocking an investigation and has denied her office access to city records. "We basically cannot do our jobs," she tells @baltimorebrew.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/ywnycze4
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.
Pension Bonanza to Baltimore County Councilmen.
The simple solution is to repeal legislation that has so ANGERED the public, the author writes. But will the 7 lawmakers who benefit do the right thing?
[OP-ED] by David Plymyer. tinyurl.com/fcfjtfhf
The simple solution is to repeal legislation that has so ANGERED the public, the author writes. But will the 7 lawmakers who benefit do the right thing?
[OP-ED] by David Plymyer. tinyurl.com/fcfjtfhf
Getting members of the Baltimore County Council to eliminate their pension windfalls won’t be easy | Baltimore Brew
The simple solution is to repeal Bill 40-24. The question is: will lawmakers do it? [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Pension Bonanza to Baltimore County Councilmen.
The simple solution is to repeal legislation that has so ANGERED the public, the author writes. But will the 7 lawmakers who benefit do the right thing?
[OP-ED] by David Plymyer. tinyurl.com/fcfjtfhf
The simple solution is to repeal legislation that has so ANGERED the public, the author writes. But will the 7 lawmakers who benefit do the right thing?
[OP-ED] by David Plymyer. tinyurl.com/fcfjtfhf
Yesterday’s killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis sparked protests across the country, including in Baltimore where about 150 people gathered to decry ICE
actions. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f Baltimore Brew was there [VIDEO added to last night's story]
actions. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f Baltimore Brew was there [VIDEO added to last night's story]
Protest breaks out in Baltimore after latest killing by federal agents in Minneapolis | Baltimore Brew
After ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot today in Minneapolis, about 150 people demanded an end to President Trump’s ICE immigration crackdown here and across the country.
tinyurl.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Yesterday’s killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis sparked protests across the country, including in Baltimore where about 150 people gathered to decry ICE
actions. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f Baltimore Brew was there [VIDEO added to last night's story]
actions. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f Baltimore Brew was there [VIDEO added to last night's story]
Baltimore turns out to protest after latest killing by federal agents in Minneapolis. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f
About 150 gathered to denounce Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after the fatal shooting today of Alex Pretti. "ABOLISH ICE" and "IT WAS MURDER," signs said.
About 150 gathered to denounce Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after the fatal shooting today of Alex Pretti. "ABOLISH ICE" and "IT WAS MURDER," signs said.
Protest breaks out in Baltimore after latest killing by federal agents in Minneapolis | Baltimore Brew
After ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot today in Minneapolis, about 150 people demanded an end to President Trump’s ICE immigration crackdown here and across the country.
tinyurl.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Baltimore turns out to protest after latest killing by federal agents in Minneapolis. tinyurl.com/5czetd3f
About 150 gathered to denounce Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after the fatal shooting today of Alex Pretti. "ABOLISH ICE" and "IT WAS MURDER," signs said.
About 150 gathered to denounce Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after the fatal shooting today of Alex Pretti. "ABOLISH ICE" and "IT WAS MURDER," signs said.
UPDATE: @patyoung4baltco weighs in on the Baltimore County Council pension boost. tinyurl.com/y854vupb "This moment calls for restoring trust - including revisiting policies that create the appearance or reality of insider benefit."
Candidate Nick Stewart calls for repeal of Baltimore County Council pension measure | Baltimore Brew
Julian Jones, on the other hand, says he will seek a charter amendment, while Izzy Patoka says he will not approve the proposed salary hike.
tinyurl.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:15 PM
UPDATE: @patyoung4baltco weighs in on the Baltimore County Council pension boost. tinyurl.com/y854vupb "This moment calls for restoring trust - including revisiting policies that create the appearance or reality of insider benefit."
Horrifying. Nauseating. This occupation must end.
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
January 24, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Horrifying. Nauseating. This occupation must end.
Meanwhile Councilmen Julian Jones and Izzy Patoka have their own ideas about how to deal with the growing public backlash over proposed big jumps to their salary and pensions. tinyurl.com/y854vupb
January 23, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Meanwhile Councilmen Julian Jones and Izzy Patoka have their own ideas about how to deal with the growing public backlash over proposed big jumps to their salary and pensions. tinyurl.com/y854vupb