Greg Morton
@invisibae.bsky.social
Data editor at the Banner
greg.morton@thebaltimorebanner.com
greg.morton@thebaltimorebanner.com
Pinned
Greg Morton
@invisibae.bsky.social
· Feb 18
Transit nightmare: Thousands of Baltimore kids can’t get to school on time
Unreliable public transportation turns school choice into a false promise.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
NEW INVESTIGATION 🚍:
Baltimore City is the only district in the state that doesn't offer most students a yellow bus ride after elementary school.
When that policy collided with school choice, it turned getting to class on time into a nightmare.
Read ⬇️
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-...
Baltimore City is the only district in the state that doesn't offer most students a yellow bus ride after elementary school.
When that policy collided with school choice, it turned getting to class on time into a nightmare.
Read ⬇️
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Greg Morton
Baltimore City is offering up to $5,000 over two months to help essential federal workers and families on SNAP with child care costs. But there are already hundreds of families in line. Here's how you can join them: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
How Baltimore parents can get two months of child care help
Baltimore federal essential workers and families on SNAP can get up to $2,500 a month. Here’s how.
www.thebanner.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Baltimore City is offering up to $5,000 over two months to help essential federal workers and families on SNAP with child care costs. But there are already hundreds of families in line. Here's how you can join them: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Greg Morton
State school board says Harford County’s book ban shouldn’t have happened
State school board says Harford County’s book ban shouldn’t have happened
Maryland’s school board is reversing Harford County’s decision remove a book from public school libraries — the first time the state has intervened in a local decision about what’s appropriate...
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
State school board says Harford County’s book ban shouldn’t have happened
Reposted by Greg Morton
Fantastic and deep reporting in @thebaltimorebanner.com today from @conarck.bsky.social and @invisibae.bsky.social:
‘Driving while Black’ persists in Baltimore County
Black drivers make up most of the traffic stops in Baltimore County, despite being 30% of the population — disparities police have known about for years but have failed to fix.
www.thebanner.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Fantastic and deep reporting in @thebaltimorebanner.com today from @conarck.bsky.social and @invisibae.bsky.social:
Reposted by Greg Morton
New investigation w/ @invisibae.bsky.social:
Baltimore County has the worst racial disparities in traffic stops throughout Maryland. Officers accused of profiling are quickly exonerated despite issuing 70-89% of their tickets to Black drivers. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore County has the worst racial disparities in traffic stops throughout Maryland. Officers accused of profiling are quickly exonerated despite issuing 70-89% of their tickets to Black drivers. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
‘Driving while Black’ persists in Baltimore County
Black drivers make up most of the traffic stops in Baltimore County, despite being 30% of the population — disparities police have known about for years but have failed to fix.
www.thebanner.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:37 AM
New investigation w/ @invisibae.bsky.social:
Baltimore County has the worst racial disparities in traffic stops throughout Maryland. Officers accused of profiling are quickly exonerated despite issuing 70-89% of their tickets to Black drivers. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore County has the worst racial disparities in traffic stops throughout Maryland. Officers accused of profiling are quickly exonerated despite issuing 70-89% of their tickets to Black drivers. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Greg Morton
Had fun thinking out loud about the Baltimore harbor's huge, maybe historic? pistachio tide with Lindsay Smith Rogers at Johns Hopkins.
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year after our episode on the fight to make Baltimore’s harbor safe for swimming, the harbor is recovering from “the ecological equivalent of a heart attack”.
@thebaltimorebanner.com’s @adampwillis.bsky.social gives an update on the "pistachio tide".
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/967-an-updat...
@thebaltimorebanner.com’s @adampwillis.bsky.social gives an update on the "pistachio tide".
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/967-an-updat...
October 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Had fun thinking out loud about the Baltimore harbor's huge, maybe historic? pistachio tide with Lindsay Smith Rogers at Johns Hopkins.
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
Reposted by Greg Morton
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Preschool without a building could be in Maryland’s future
Maryland is one of just a handful of states piloting licenses for outdoor, nature-based child care programs.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Greg Morton
I had such an incredible time (🥁) visiting the Renaissance Festival and talking with vendors there for this story.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
About time: Maryland native realizes dream with Renaissance Festival shop
The fifth time was the charm for Sharon Lane, a Maryland native who landed a hard-to-get spot at the Maryland Renaissance Festival this year. The sold-out festival in Anne Arundel County concludes thi...
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I had such an incredible time (🥁) visiting the Renaissance Festival and talking with vendors there for this story.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
Reposted by Greg Morton
His Costa Rica era: Brandon Chasen consulting, teaching surf lessons. (w/ @invisibae.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Brandon Chasen consulting, teaching surf lessons in Costa Rica
Chasen, 39, testified for about two hours Thursday in the Edward A. Garmatz U.S. Courthouse in Baltimore during a hearing in his namesake real estate company's bankruptcy case.
www.thebanner.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
His Costa Rica era: Brandon Chasen consulting, teaching surf lessons. (w/ @invisibae.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Greg Morton
“This is very much an all-hands-on-deck sort of battlefield triage,” Earl Stoddard, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, said of cuts to federal grant programs
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Montgomery County leaders say they will stretch the budget — to a point
Montgomery County leaders say they can plug some of the holes the federal government is punching in the local economy — but not all.
www.thebanner.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“This is very much an all-hands-on-deck sort of battlefield triage,” Earl Stoddard, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, said of cuts to federal grant programs
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Reposted by Greg Morton
Can a video game help solve public transit in Baltimore? Danny Zawodny and @invisibae.bsky.social report. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Can a video game help solve public transit in Baltimore?
‘Subway Builder’ lets transit nerds build their dream subway system. Can it fix Baltimore's public transit issues?
www.thebanner.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Can a video game help solve public transit in Baltimore? Danny Zawodny and @invisibae.bsky.social report. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
HAPPY SUBWAY BUILDER DAY
We have spent the week playing with the game that has captured transit nerds' hearts.
We spoke with Colin Miller, the game's creator, about why he built the game and how it can help us dream about better transit in Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com/community/tr...
We have spent the week playing with the game that has captured transit nerds' hearts.
We spoke with Colin Miller, the game's creator, about why he built the game and how it can help us dream about better transit in Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com/community/tr...
October 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
HAPPY SUBWAY BUILDER DAY
We have spent the week playing with the game that has captured transit nerds' hearts.
We spoke with Colin Miller, the game's creator, about why he built the game and how it can help us dream about better transit in Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com/community/tr...
We have spent the week playing with the game that has captured transit nerds' hearts.
We spoke with Colin Miller, the game's creator, about why he built the game and how it can help us dream about better transit in Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com/community/tr...
Reposted by Greg Morton
NEW: A few weeks ago, @muckrock.com
shared the Brady list for Baltimore County. Scanning it, I noticed the police chief was on there. I then spent weeks trying to figure out why. But no one — not the state's attorney, nor the police department — is explaining it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
shared the Brady list for Baltimore County. Scanning it, I noticed the police chief was on there. I then spent weeks trying to figure out why. But no one — not the state's attorney, nor the police department — is explaining it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore County’s police chief is on a list of cops with credibility concerns
Robert McCullough, the Baltimore County Police Department chief, appears on a list of law enforcement officers whose potential credibility concerns require disclosure to defense attorneys if they’re c...
www.thebanner.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:54 AM
NEW: A few weeks ago, @muckrock.com
shared the Brady list for Baltimore County. Scanning it, I noticed the police chief was on there. I then spent weeks trying to figure out why. But no one — not the state's attorney, nor the police department — is explaining it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
shared the Brady list for Baltimore County. Scanning it, I noticed the police chief was on there. I then spent weeks trying to figure out why. But no one — not the state's attorney, nor the police department — is explaining it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Greg Morton
By @juliemore19.bsky.social: There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven
Warren was once a bustling mill town, but it was flooded more than a century ago to enlarge the Loch Raven Reservoir. Now just a few remnants of the town haunt the surrounding woods.
www.thebanner.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
By @juliemore19.bsky.social: There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
NEW INVESTIGATION:
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
October 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
NEW INVESTIGATION:
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Reposted by Greg Morton
The child care scholarship is the main way Maryland families get help with child care. Since many can't afford it otherwise, day cares and preschools rely on vouchers to fill spots. So what happens when the program gets frozen - and doesn't come back when predicted? www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
State extends the child care scholarship freeze indefinitely
The state projected getting back down to 40,000 child care scholarships by September. But the program is still thousands of vouchers over budget.
www.thebanner.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The child care scholarship is the main way Maryland families get help with child care. Since many can't afford it otherwise, day cares and preschools rely on vouchers to fill spots. So what happens when the program gets frozen - and doesn't come back when predicted? www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
New w/ @elliew0lfe.bsky.social: : The Trump administration will begin to charge $100k each for visas that UMD and Hopkins use to hire researchers, scientists and professors.
Among the affected? A Ukrainian researcher who may be forced to go home.
“I am terrified"
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Among the affected? A Ukrainian researcher who may be forced to go home.
“I am terrified"
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Ukrainian researcher’s future in doubt as Trump’s H-1B visa costs hit Hopkins, UMD
Looking at Donald Trump’s new changes to H-1B visas, which now include a hefty $100,000 fee. Will Maryland colleges start hiring less foreign born faculty because of it?
www.thebanner.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
New w/ @elliew0lfe.bsky.social: : The Trump administration will begin to charge $100k each for visas that UMD and Hopkins use to hire researchers, scientists and professors.
Among the affected? A Ukrainian researcher who may be forced to go home.
“I am terrified"
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Among the affected? A Ukrainian researcher who may be forced to go home.
“I am terrified"
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Greg Morton
It's been over five years since the onset of COVID-19, which means the babies born into the pandemic are off to pre-K 4 and kindergarten. How exactly can teachers support these kiddos, who spent their earliest years in isolation? I dug into it: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
The pandemic babies are off to pre-K and kindergarten
In a major pandemic milestone, the babies born during the early days of COVID-19 are finally old enough to start school.
www.thebanner.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It's been over five years since the onset of COVID-19, which means the babies born into the pandemic are off to pre-K 4 and kindergarten. How exactly can teachers support these kiddos, who spent their earliest years in isolation? I dug into it: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Greg Morton
NEW: The Trump administration is proposing cutting all funding for TRIO, a set of programs that helps low-income, first-generation students attend college. More than 12,000 Marylanders relied on the program last year. Here’s the potential impact:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Program for thousands of Maryland's students on the chopping block
The Trump administration in its proposal called TRIO a “relic of the past,” adding “access to college is not the obstacle it was for students of limited means.”
www.thebanner.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:51 PM
NEW: The Trump administration is proposing cutting all funding for TRIO, a set of programs that helps low-income, first-generation students attend college. More than 12,000 Marylanders relied on the program last year. Here’s the potential impact:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
IT'S CENSUS DAY at @thebaltimorebanner.com!
The release of new 1-year ACS data told us a lot about the changing demographics and living experiences of counties across the country.
Here's what we learned about Maryland:
The release of new 1-year ACS data told us a lot about the changing demographics and living experiences of counties across the country.
Here's what we learned about Maryland:
September 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
IT'S CENSUS DAY at @thebaltimorebanner.com!
The release of new 1-year ACS data told us a lot about the changing demographics and living experiences of counties across the country.
Here's what we learned about Maryland:
The release of new 1-year ACS data told us a lot about the changing demographics and living experiences of counties across the country.
Here's what we learned about Maryland:
Locust Point residents have had to live all summer with a constant hum, about the volume of a vacuum cleaner.
How does their neighborhood compare to the loudest places in Baltimore?
We took to the streets (with a mic!) to find out!
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
How does their neighborhood compare to the loudest places in Baltimore?
We took to the streets (with a mic!) to find out!
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
How loud are those Locust Point ships? We went to some noisy spots to find out.
The plight of Locust Point residents who must live with constant noise from two military cargo ships got us wondering: How does the racket there compare to other noisy spots?
www.thebanner.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Locust Point residents have had to live all summer with a constant hum, about the volume of a vacuum cleaner.
How does their neighborhood compare to the loudest places in Baltimore?
We took to the streets (with a mic!) to find out!
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
How does their neighborhood compare to the loudest places in Baltimore?
We took to the streets (with a mic!) to find out!
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
Reposted by Greg Morton
Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen reports owing more than $71M. (w/ @halliemiller.bsky.social and @invisibae.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Brandon Chasen reports that he owes more than $71M
Chasen, 39, of Guilford, agreed on July 30 to voluntarily proceed with Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy.
www.thebanner.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen reports owing more than $71M. (w/ @halliemiller.bsky.social and @invisibae.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Greg Morton
Head Start, the child tax credit, extra English help: These are all things undocumented and kids in mixed-status families stand to lose under the 2nd Trump admin. Anti-immigrant rhetoric & increased deportations are eating away at kids' mental health www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...
Under Trump, an increasingly isolated life for kids in immigrant families
As deportation efforts and anti-immigrant rhetoric ramp up, kids are feeling more isolated, losing benefits and risking long-term detriments.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Head Start, the child tax credit, extra English help: These are all things undocumented and kids in mixed-status families stand to lose under the 2nd Trump admin. Anti-immigrant rhetoric & increased deportations are eating away at kids' mental health www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...
ICYMI
From last night:
Prominent Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed to enter into chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Story 👇🏾
From last night:
Prominent Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed to enter into chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Story 👇🏾
NEW: Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed enter bankruptcy.
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen agrees to enter bankruptcy
In a statement, Adam Freiman, Brandon Chasen's attorney, said his client "remains focused on seeing this process through with dignity and honesty."
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
ICYMI
From last night:
Prominent Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed to enter into chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Story 👇🏾
From last night:
Prominent Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed to enter into chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Story 👇🏾
NEW: Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed enter bankruptcy.
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen agrees to enter bankruptcy
In a statement, Adam Freiman, Brandon Chasen's attorney, said his client "remains focused on seeing this process through with dignity and honesty."
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:43 AM
NEW: Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed enter bankruptcy.
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.
w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...
Reposted by Greg Morton
The largest cuts to SNAP & Medicaid in U.S. history don't explicitly target kids - but they're likely to feel the pain when the adults who care for them lose benefits. Here's what social services experts are most worried about www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...
How cuts to Medicaid and food stamps could end up hurting kids
Spending cuts may be aimed at adults on paper, but kids could still end up without sufficient food and health care under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The largest cuts to SNAP & Medicaid in U.S. history don't explicitly target kids - but they're likely to feel the pain when the adults who care for them lose benefits. Here's what social services experts are most worried about www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...