Zuri Berry
@zuriberry.com
Executive Editor, Montgomery County at The Banner. 👨🏾💻
@bannermoco.bsky.social
Check us out at: https://thebanner.com/montgomery
@bannermoco.bsky.social
Check us out at: https://thebanner.com/montgomery
Reposted by Zuri Berry
The world has come a long way since the days of “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight,” movies that favorably portrayed journalists knocking on doors and trying to reach sources to tell important stories. Now Trump officials vilify such efforts. My column on the moment we’re in.
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The world has come a long way since the days of “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight,” movies that favorably portrayed journalists knocking on doors and trying to reach sources to tell important stories. Now Trump officials vilify such efforts. My column on the moment we’re in.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
We taste-tested 9 bagels across Montgomery County and found the best one
We taste-tested 9 bagels across Montgomery County and found the best one
Seven staff members of The Banner Montgomery participated in a blind taste test of bagels to crown the best in MoCo. The competition included Call Your Mother, Bethesda Bagels and the newest entrant,...
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We taste-tested 9 bagels across Montgomery County and found the best one
Reposted by Zuri Berry
The largest union for Maryland state government workers (AFSCME Maryland Council 3) filed three Unfair Labor Practices against Gov. Wes Moore's administration, as tensions continue over staffing and pay.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
State employee union files labor complaints against Moore administration
AFSCME Maryland Council 3 alleges that Maryland is not following its telework policy for employees, not giving required higher pay to employees who work unfavorable shifts and more.
www.thebanner.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The largest union for Maryland state government workers (AFSCME Maryland Council 3) filed three Unfair Labor Practices against Gov. Wes Moore's administration, as tensions continue over staffing and pay.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
This is delightful. Our reporters @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social and Hau Chu, doing serious and very important work, taste test all the spice levels at Dave's Hot Chicken.
From Hannah, after eating the "hot" level spice: I’m officially chickening out.
From Hannah, after eating the "hot" level spice: I’m officially chickening out.
Do we need more hot chicken? A meditation on poultry and pain
If Thursday’s opening of Dave’s Hot Chicken in Rockville is any indicator, another hot chicken place doing it well doesn’t hurt.
www.thebanner.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This is delightful. Our reporters @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social and Hau Chu, doing serious and very important work, taste test all the spice levels at Dave's Hot Chicken.
From Hannah, after eating the "hot" level spice: I’m officially chickening out.
From Hannah, after eating the "hot" level spice: I’m officially chickening out.
MCPS requested a 5% increase to its budget, which would bring it to $3.8 billion. The increase would mostly address salary bumps. But some cuts are expected too. Of course, this comes as enrollment is declining and fewer people have jobs in the county. Lots of economic pressure bubbling up here.
5 things to know the proposed Montgomery County schools budget
Superintendent Thomas Taylor said tough economic conditions and declining enrollment will keep spending tight.
www.thebanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
MCPS requested a 5% increase to its budget, which would bring it to $3.8 billion. The increase would mostly address salary bumps. But some cuts are expected too. Of course, this comes as enrollment is declining and fewer people have jobs in the county. Lots of economic pressure bubbling up here.
With personalization like this, how do you review for accuracy when you’re scaling (hopefully) to tens of thousands of users?
The technical difficulty is high, and getting it right is impressive, but having a check on these systems is critical to building and maintaining trust.
The technical difficulty is high, and getting it right is impressive, but having a check on these systems is critical to building and maintaining trust.
December 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
With personalization like this, how do you review for accuracy when you’re scaling (hopefully) to tens of thousands of users?
The technical difficulty is high, and getting it right is impressive, but having a check on these systems is critical to building and maintaining trust.
The technical difficulty is high, and getting it right is impressive, but having a check on these systems is critical to building and maintaining trust.
CASA’s incoming executive director is ready to pivot from being a reactive immigrant advocacy organization to one that is on the offensive, including holding the government accountable for its immigration policies. This is a revealing back and forth with my colleague Antonio Planas.
George Escobar, new CASA leader, vows to hold government accountable
George Escobar takes the helm of CASA as the federal government detains and deports undocumented immigrants nationwide.
www.thebanner.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
CASA’s incoming executive director is ready to pivot from being a reactive immigrant advocacy organization to one that is on the offensive, including holding the government accountable for its immigration policies. This is a revealing back and forth with my colleague Antonio Planas.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
NEW: Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence That UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence that UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
www.propublica.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
NEW: Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence That UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
ProPublica spoke to about 150 people who had lived in homeless encampments when cities cleared them out in “sweeps.”
We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.
➡️ This is what they wrote: https://propub.li/3MTlm33
We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.
➡️ This is what they wrote: https://propub.li/3MTlm33
December 12, 2025 at 3:15 AM
ProPublica spoke to about 150 people who had lived in homeless encampments when cities cleared them out in “sweeps.”
We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.
➡️ This is what they wrote: https://propub.li/3MTlm33
We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.
➡️ This is what they wrote: https://propub.li/3MTlm33
Reposted by Zuri Berry
NEW: Entrepreneur David Trone wants his seat back – in the U.S. House of Representatives that is – and plans to challenge U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney in the 2026 Democratic primary, according to his campaign.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
David Trone will challenge Rep. McClain Delaney for U.S. House seat
Trone represented Maryland’s 6th District starting in 2019 but stepped down in 2024 to run for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2024.
www.thebanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NEW: Entrepreneur David Trone wants his seat back – in the U.S. House of Representatives that is – and plans to challenge U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney in the 2026 Democratic primary, according to his campaign.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Coming up on Tuesday, we'll be holding a community listening session in Rockville. We're interested in hearing from Montgomery County residents about what they think is important and where we should be putting our attention. You can register for free here.
Montgomery County community listening session with The Banner - Rockville
The Banner Montgomery County wants to hear from you! Join us in Rockville to meet the team and share what stories matter most to you.
events.humanitix.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Coming up on Tuesday, we'll be holding a community listening session in Rockville. We're interested in hearing from Montgomery County residents about what they think is important and where we should be putting our attention. You can register for free here.
Concerning.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Says U.S. May Be Drastically Overstating Jobs Numbers
Powell said that Fed staffers believe federal data could be overstating job creation by up to 60,000 jobs a month—which suggests the jobs market might be shrinking.
www.wsj.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Concerning.
Next week, the @bannermoco.bsky.social team will be in Rockville for a community listening session. This will be your opportunity to connect with our reporters and editors and help us focus on the issues of most importance. Register for free here.
Montgomery County community listening session with The Banner - Rockville
The Banner Montgomery County wants to hear from you! Join us in Rockville to meet the team and share what stories matter most to you.
events.humanitix.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Next week, the @bannermoco.bsky.social team will be in Rockville for a community listening session. This will be your opportunity to connect with our reporters and editors and help us focus on the issues of most importance. Register for free here.
My font nerds will appreciate this article. Or abhor it. (Gift link)
Rubio Deletes Calibri as the State Department’s Official Typeface
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
My font nerds will appreciate this article. Or abhor it. (Gift link)
My colleague Talia Richman has been all over the struggles of Montgomery County's only charter school. Now, the superintendent is pushing for its closure.
Superintendent pushes for closure of county’s only charter school
The move comes after months of trouble for the beleaguered charter school.
www.thebanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
My colleague Talia Richman has been all over the struggles of Montgomery County's only charter school. Now, the superintendent is pushing for its closure.
Just in: Former school board president Shebra Evans to replace Gabe Albornoz on the Montgomery County Council.
Shebra Evans to replace Gabe Albornoz on County Council
Former school board president Shebra Evans will fill the at-large Montgomery County Council seat vacated this month by Gabe Albornoz.
www.thebanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Just in: Former school board president Shebra Evans to replace Gabe Albornoz on the Montgomery County Council.
The Diddy doc was some great journalism. It brought together the evidence that he was involved in the death of Tupac AND how is actions contributed to Biggie’s death. It also laid out explicitly his violence toward women, his drug abuse, and his habit of screwing people over. Worth the watch.
December 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The Diddy doc was some great journalism. It brought together the evidence that he was involved in the death of Tupac AND how is actions contributed to Biggie’s death. It also laid out explicitly his violence toward women, his drug abuse, and his habit of screwing people over. Worth the watch.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
NEW: The Republican National Committee and the Maryland GOP are suing Maryland election officials, claiming the state has failed to properly maintain its voter rolls. tinyurl.com/mucyrjw8
A separate lawsuit filed by the Justice Department Monday wants Maryland to hand over unredacted voter rolls.
A separate lawsuit filed by the Justice Department Monday wants Maryland to hand over unredacted voter rolls.
Republican lawsuit challenges Maryland voter roll maintenance
The suit argues the state has failed to remove the names of deceased voters or people who have moved and are no longer eligible to vote in Maryland.
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM
NEW: The Republican National Committee and the Maryland GOP are suing Maryland election officials, claiming the state has failed to properly maintain its voter rolls. tinyurl.com/mucyrjw8
A separate lawsuit filed by the Justice Department Monday wants Maryland to hand over unredacted voter rolls.
A separate lawsuit filed by the Justice Department Monday wants Maryland to hand over unredacted voter rolls.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
Update: Maryland Office of the Public Defender says incarcerated children are still “trapped in freezing rooms” at the Youth Detention Center, which is without heat but “operating at 105% capacity.”
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Update: Maryland Office of the Public Defender says incarcerated children are still “trapped in freezing rooms” at the Youth Detention Center, which is without heat but “operating at 105% capacity.”
I try and keep up with the governor’s media appearances. Here he is on Higher Learning, which dropped this morning.
Talking Reparations and “Black Boy Tragic” With Governor Wes Moore! Plus, the Diddy Documentary and BD Wong’s Apology Rating. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I try and keep up with the governor’s media appearances. Here he is on Higher Learning, which dropped this morning.
A 17-year-old with a gun.
Northwood High School student charged with gun possession
A student at Northwood High School in Rockville was arrested and charged with gun possession. An altercation between students prompted a school lockdown.
www.thebanner.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A 17-year-old with a gun.
With Adrienne Jones stepping down as Maryland's House speaker, it's anybody's guess who gets elevated next. But we have a pretty good idea of who, thanks to @pwoodreporter.bsky.social's reporting, could be in the running. And four hail from Montgomery County.
Who could be Maryland’s next House speaker?
With Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones resigning from her leadership post, delegates will need to elect a new leader to preside over the chamber as they face challenging issues fro...
www.thebanner.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
With Adrienne Jones stepping down as Maryland's House speaker, it's anybody's guess who gets elevated next. But we have a pretty good idea of who, thanks to @pwoodreporter.bsky.social's reporting, could be in the running. And four hail from Montgomery County.
The shine of food TV is wearing off. My colleague @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social talks to Montgomery County area chefs who've appeared on major shows and competitions (and won!), but didn't see a boom in business.
These local chefs competed on Food Network. Do customers care?
A national television appearance once nearly guaranteed publicity and a sales boost. That’s not necessarily the case anymore.
www.thebanner.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The shine of food TV is wearing off. My colleague @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social talks to Montgomery County area chefs who've appeared on major shows and competitions (and won!), but didn't see a boom in business.
Reposted by Zuri Berry
Officials introduce bill they hope will stifle ICE in Montgomery County
Officials introduce bill they hope will stifle ICE in Montgomery County
The "Trust Act" will codify a 2019 executive order from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich that will restrict immigration enforcement officers’ access to county facilities without a judicial warrant.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Officials introduce bill they hope will stifle ICE in Montgomery County
My colleague Talia Richman has been monitoring the struggles of Montgomery County's only charter school. She obtained a letter from Superintendent Thomas Taylor, who wrote that he can no longer “support or continue to endorse the mismanagement” of the school.
Superintendent threatens closure of Montgomery County’s only charter school
MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor threatened to revoke Mecca Business Learning Institute’s charter if leaders don’t fix problems.
www.thebanner.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My colleague Talia Richman has been monitoring the struggles of Montgomery County's only charter school. She obtained a letter from Superintendent Thomas Taylor, who wrote that he can no longer “support or continue to endorse the mismanagement” of the school.