Baltimore Brew
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
Independent reporting and informed commentary about greater Baltimore. News tips editors@baltimorebrew.com
The Baltimore County Council may have violated the law when it held a closed session on the appointment of a new county exec. But neither Kelly Madigan, the county's "watchdog" inspector general, nor the county attorney appears ready to call them out. #passingthebuck tinyurl.com/3dwkcuvr [OP-ED]
A frustrating game of hot potato in Baltimore County | Baltimore Brew
The County Council may have violated the law when it went into closed session to discuss the appointment of a new county executive. But neither the inspector general nor the county attorney appears re...
tinyurl.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The Baltimore County Council may have violated the law when it held a closed session on the appointment of a new county exec. But neither Kelly Madigan, the county's "watchdog" inspector general, nor the county attorney appears ready to call them out. #passingthebuck tinyurl.com/3dwkcuvr [OP-ED]
No progress for Baltimore if it allows neighborhoods to cater only to "the people who own." tinyurl.com/yuwennva So said @electryandorsey.bsky.social at the 10/30/25 Planning Commission mtg. As part of our coverage of the pending zoning bill (0066), we publish a transcript of his remarks.
No progress for Baltimore if it allows neighborhoods to cater only to “the people who own” | Baltimore Brew
The city cannot thrive “if our housing is a one-size-fits-all solution,” the councilman said at a hearing on pending legislation to allow multi-unit housing in single-family-zoned neighborhoods [TRANS...
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:01 PM
No progress for Baltimore if it allows neighborhoods to cater only to "the people who own." tinyurl.com/yuwennva So said @electryandorsey.bsky.social at the 10/30/25 Planning Commission mtg. As part of our coverage of the pending zoning bill (0066), we publish a transcript of his remarks.
Warning from Marble Hill: Zoning bill will reverse our historic Black neighborhood’s progress. tinyurl.com/3chfhjrc By stripping away zoning safeguards, Bill 25-0066 encourages speculative buyers to divide up properties and exploit communities, this West Baltimore resident says [OP-ED]
A warning from Marble Hill: Zoning bill will reverse our historic Black neighborhood’s progress | Baltimore Brew
By stripping away zoning safeguards, Bill 25-0066 encourages speculative buyers to divide up properties and exploit communities, this West Baltimore resident says. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Warning from Marble Hill: Zoning bill will reverse our historic Black neighborhood’s progress. tinyurl.com/3chfhjrc By stripping away zoning safeguards, Bill 25-0066 encourages speculative buyers to divide up properties and exploit communities, this West Baltimore resident says [OP-ED]
Those Confederate monuments - long off their granite pedestals in Baltimore - are now in a Los Angeles museum, paint spatters and all. tinyurl.com/yc52x8wn “They're a crystalline symbol of a white supremacist ideology," the curators say
Baltimore’s Confederate monuments: Now in an LA museum, they’re decidedly off their pedestals | Baltimore Brew
Curators call the four bronze sculptures, still owned by Baltimore City, “a crystalline symbol of a white supremacist ideology.”
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Those Confederate monuments - long off their granite pedestals in Baltimore - are now in a Los Angeles museum, paint spatters and all. tinyurl.com/yc52x8wn “They're a crystalline symbol of a white supremacist ideology," the curators say
Two workplace deaths preceded the big wage increase just ratified by Baltimore Local 44 sanitation workers. Still unsettled - the legal battle at AFSCME Maryland over the election of grassroots activist Stancil McNair.
tinyurl.com/yjnzbnrm
tinyurl.com/yjnzbnrm
Baltimore sanitation and other municipal workers ratify new contract | Baltimore Brew
Offering a generous wage package, the contract is an outgrowth of public pressure regarding hazardous conditions and low wages faced by sanitation workers. Still unresolved: who will become president ...
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Two workplace deaths preceded the big wage increase just ratified by Baltimore Local 44 sanitation workers. Still unsettled - the legal battle at AFSCME Maryland over the election of grassroots activist Stancil McNair.
tinyurl.com/yjnzbnrm
tinyurl.com/yjnzbnrm
Reposted by Baltimore Brew
Have you seen it?! Romare Bearden’s mural “Baltimore Uproar” in the Upton Metro Station.
November 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Have you seen it?! Romare Bearden’s mural “Baltimore Uproar” in the Upton Metro Station.
Baltimore officials came under fire for homeless shelter conditions and adverse impacts on the community at an at-times contentious City Council hearing this week. tinyurl.com/mxjpcmt9
Baltimore officials under fire for homeless shelter conditions and adverse impacts on the community | Baltimore Brew
Homelessness is on the rise but Mayor Scott’s homeless services director isn’t doing enough to protect clients and the community, City Council members and others say.
tinyurl.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Baltimore officials came under fire for homeless shelter conditions and adverse impacts on the community at an at-times contentious City Council hearing this week. tinyurl.com/mxjpcmt9
UPDATE - CAO Faith Leach reached out to The Brew to note that the executive coaching contract we reported on this week describes the payments as “$1,800/month” and that in addition to the 10 monthly one-hour sessions, it covers "unlimited check-ins." tinyurl.com/3ac525wk
CAO Faith Leach arranges for 10 one-hour executive coaching sessions plus check-ins at $1,800 per month | Baltimore Brew
The Board of Estimates approved the spending as part of a larger contract awarded to a small D.C. consulting firm.
tinyurl.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
UPDATE - CAO Faith Leach reached out to The Brew to note that the executive coaching contract we reported on this week describes the payments as “$1,800/month” and that in addition to the 10 monthly one-hour sessions, it covers "unlimited check-ins." tinyurl.com/3ac525wk
Baltimore's Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach arranges for ten $1,800-an-hour executive coaching sessions with her ex-D.C. boss. tinyurl.com/3ac525wk The city's Board of Estimates – including Leach herself, filling in for @mayorbmscott.bsky.social – voted to approve the spending today.
CAO Faith Leach arranges for ten $1,800-an-hour executive coaching sessions with her ex-D.C. boss | Baltimore Brew
The Board of Estimates – including Leach herself, filling in for Mayor Scott – approved the spending as part of a larger contract awarded to a small D.C. consulting firm.
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Baltimore's Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach arranges for ten $1,800-an-hour executive coaching sessions with her ex-D.C. boss. tinyurl.com/3ac525wk The city's Board of Estimates – including Leach herself, filling in for @mayorbmscott.bsky.social – voted to approve the spending today.
A nice alphabetically organized Baltimore neighborhood saddled with a not-so-nice name. tinyurl.com/2sm5m4x3 Folks love living in "The A to K" but why's it also sometimes called “Joseph Lee?” Who was he? A white-hot bigot, it turns out. No wonder they rebranded as "Bayview."
A nice alphabetically organized Baltimore neighborhood oddly saddled with a not-so-nice name | Baltimore Brew
Residents love living in “The A to K,” but why is the neighborhood also sometimes called “Joseph Lee?” Who was this guy? When I tracked down the answer, it became clear why they rebranded it as Bayvie...
tinyurl.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A nice alphabetically organized Baltimore neighborhood saddled with a not-so-nice name. tinyurl.com/2sm5m4x3 Folks love living in "The A to K" but why's it also sometimes called “Joseph Lee?” Who was he? A white-hot bigot, it turns out. No wonder they rebranded as "Bayview."
Werewolves of Hampden . . . and other creatures spotted last night. Ahoo! tinyurl.com/mtefubdr Did photographer Jennifer Bishop snap a shot of you at Hampden Halloweenfest?
Werewolves of Hampden . . . and other creatures spotted last night | Baltimore Brew
Costumed trick-or-treaters flocked to the always-spooktastic Hampden Halloweenfest and came away with candy, trinkets and possibly a few recurring nightmares.
tinyurl.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Werewolves of Hampden . . . and other creatures spotted last night. Ahoo! tinyurl.com/mtefubdr Did photographer Jennifer Bishop snap a shot of you at Hampden Halloweenfest?
Acknowledging it’s a leap into the unknown, Planning Commission signs off on @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's sweeping re-zoning bill. "We need to grow...the solution is to try more stuff, do more things, listen to people from other places and see what happens." www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/31/a...
Acknowledging it’s a leap into the unknown, Planning Commission signs off on Scott’s sweeping re-zoning bill | Baltimore Brew
“We need to grow . . . the solution is to try more stuff, to do more things, to listen to people from other places and see what happens,” Planning chair says.
www.baltimorebrew.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Acknowledging it’s a leap into the unknown, Planning Commission signs off on @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's sweeping re-zoning bill. "We need to grow...the solution is to try more stuff, do more things, listen to people from other places and see what happens." www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/31/a...
Behind the plans for relocating the Sisson Street trash drop-off center: Two politically powerful players. tinyurl.com/5n8pncjc Seawall Development and MCB Real Estate own possible alternative sites, but you’d never know it listening to Baltimore city officials Monday night.
Behind the plans for relocating the Sisson Street trash drop-off center: Two politically powerful players | Baltimore Brew
Seawall Development and MCB own possible alternative drop-off sites, but you’d never know it listening to city officials.
tinyurl.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Behind the plans for relocating the Sisson Street trash drop-off center: Two politically powerful players. tinyurl.com/5n8pncjc Seawall Development and MCB Real Estate own possible alternative sites, but you’d never know it listening to Baltimore city officials Monday night.
City Council seeks crackdown on smoke and vape shops modeled on recent “dollar store” legislation. tinyurl.com/2yhd955b Lately, 13 smoke shops have popped up in a 3-block area of his East Baltimore district, says Councilman Antonio Glover, some selling fentanyl-laced marijuana products.
City Council seeks crackdown on smoke and vape shops modeled on recent “dollar store” legislation | Baltimore Brew
Thirteen smoke shops have popped up in a three-block area of his East Baltimore district, says Councilman Antonio Glover, some selling fentanyl-laced marijuana products, threatening to “create the nex...
tinyurl.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
City Council seeks crackdown on smoke and vape shops modeled on recent “dollar store” legislation. tinyurl.com/2yhd955b Lately, 13 smoke shops have popped up in a 3-block area of his East Baltimore district, says Councilman Antonio Glover, some selling fentanyl-laced marijuana products.
Defending ending parking requirements for new apartments, Councilman Jermaine Jones said residents deserve better kinds of protections. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilwoman Phylicia Porter said they've been "the only lever" for communities oversaturated w/ substance abuse and mental health clinics.
October 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Defending ending parking requirements for new apartments, Councilman Jermaine Jones said residents deserve better kinds of protections. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilwoman Phylicia Porter said they've been "the only lever" for communities oversaturated w/ substance abuse and mental health clinics.
W/ little change from last week, Council approves @mayorbmscott.bsky.social' s
zoning bills tonight. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilman Torrence
said Black citizens were being ignored and ppl waved “Democracy over Developers” signs, but the rule-relaxing, density-promoting bills passed as expected.
zoning bills tonight. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilman Torrence
said Black citizens were being ignored and ppl waved “Democracy over Developers” signs, but the rule-relaxing, density-promoting bills passed as expected.
With little change from last week’s vote, Council gives final approval to two of Scott’s zoning bills | Baltimore Brew
Audience members waved “Democracy over Developers” and “Neighborhoods Matter” signs. But as expected, the mayor’s rule-relaxing, density-promoting legislation passed.
tinyurl.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:29 AM
W/ little change from last week, Council approves @mayorbmscott.bsky.social' s
zoning bills tonight. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilman Torrence
said Black citizens were being ignored and ppl waved “Democracy over Developers” signs, but the rule-relaxing, density-promoting bills passed as expected.
zoning bills tonight. tinyurl.com/5fk2yaxk Councilman Torrence
said Black citizens were being ignored and ppl waved “Democracy over Developers” signs, but the rule-relaxing, density-promoting bills passed as expected.
There’s a better way to craft bills that will change the rules for Baltimore housing. It starts with fairness and honesty – elements missing from the dialogue around zoning and housing legislation now being pushed through the City Council [OP-ED]
www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/27/t...
www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/27/t...
There’s a better way to craft legislation that will change the rules for Baltimore housing | Baltimore Brew
It starts with fairness and honesty – elements missing from the zoning and housing legislation now being pushed through the City Council. [OP-ED]
www.baltimorebrew.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
There’s a better way to craft bills that will change the rules for Baltimore housing. It starts with fairness and honesty – elements missing from the dialogue around zoning and housing legislation now being pushed through the City Council [OP-ED]
www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/27/t...
www.baltimorebrew.com/2025/10/27/t...
A look at the last minute grassroots persuasion campaign mounted ahead of tonight's critical vote on controversial zoning bills backed by @mayorbmscott.bsky.social
and @electryandorsey.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c
and @electryandorsey.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c
Lobbying intensifies ahead of vote on controversial Baltimore zoning bills | Baltimore Brew
Opponents of two key bills in the mayor’s housing package – narrowly approved in a preliminary vote by the City Council – seek to flip votes at tomorrow’s meeting.
tinyurl.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A look at the last minute grassroots persuasion campaign mounted ahead of tonight's critical vote on controversial zoning bills backed by @mayorbmscott.bsky.social
and @electryandorsey.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c
and @electryandorsey.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c
Lobbying intensifies ahead of vote on @mayorbmscott.bsky.social controversial Baltimore zoning legislation. tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c Opponents of two key bills – narrowly approved in a preliminary vote by the City Council – seek to flip votes at tomorrow’s meeting.
Lobbying intensifies ahead of vote on controversial Baltimore zoning bills | Baltimore Brew
Opponents of two key bills in the mayor’s housing package – narrowly approved in a preliminary vote by the City Council – seek to flip votes at tomorrow’s meeting.
tinyurl.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Lobbying intensifies ahead of vote on @mayorbmscott.bsky.social controversial Baltimore zoning legislation. tinyurl.com/4vyj4a9c Opponents of two key bills – narrowly approved in a preliminary vote by the City Council – seek to flip votes at tomorrow’s meeting.
Reposted by Baltimore Brew
NEW: I obtained body camera footage from when Baltimore County Police officers responded to a false gun alert triggered by Baltimore County Public Schools’ AI-powered gun-detection system. The "gun" was a bag of Doritos. Here's the image officers were referencing:
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
NEW: I obtained body camera footage from when Baltimore County Police officers responded to a false gun alert triggered by Baltimore County Public Schools’ AI-powered gun-detection system. The "gun" was a bag of Doritos. Here's the image officers were referencing:
A master class in how to turn Baltimore County’s zoning into a political free-for-all. tinyurl.com/25zekt74 The culture of soft corruption has long existed in Baltimore County - it’s getting worse, not better. [OP-ED]
A master class in how to turn Baltimore County’s zoning into a political free-for-all | Baltimore Brew
The culture of soft corruption has long existed in the county. It’s getting worse, not better. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
A master class in how to turn Baltimore County’s zoning into a political free-for-all. tinyurl.com/25zekt74 The culture of soft corruption has long existed in Baltimore County - it’s getting worse, not better. [OP-ED]
Councilman James Torrence blasts @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's
zoning bills "on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester." tinyurl.com/4b445a3m
... scorching remarks that reflect widespread grassroots Black opposition, as the full council advances two of the measures.
zoning bills "on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester." tinyurl.com/4b445a3m
... scorching remarks that reflect widespread grassroots Black opposition, as the full council advances two of the measures.
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Councilman James Torrence blasts @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's
zoning bills "on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester." tinyurl.com/4b445a3m
... scorching remarks that reflect widespread grassroots Black opposition, as the full council advances two of the measures.
zoning bills "on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester." tinyurl.com/4b445a3m
... scorching remarks that reflect widespread grassroots Black opposition, as the full council advances two of the measures.
Sisson Street trash station task force names @odetteramos.bsky.social as chair. tinyurl.com/2mperxwz Also announced today: Calvin Young, point man for the unpopular Sisson Street relocation plan, will “shift” from mayor’s chief of staff to an interim deputy mayor.
October 21, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Sisson Street trash station task force names @odetteramos.bsky.social as chair. tinyurl.com/2mperxwz Also announced today: Calvin Young, point man for the unpopular Sisson Street relocation plan, will “shift” from mayor’s chief of staff to an interim deputy mayor.
The false promise of the sweeping zoning bill package pitched by @mayorbmscott.bsky.social as a path to affordable housing.
tinyurl.com/y74ary94 Visionary reform? Or just a way to help developers cut costs? There's a reason Black Baltimore residents are leery. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com/y74ary94 Visionary reform? Or just a way to help developers cut costs? There's a reason Black Baltimore residents are leery. [OP-ED]
October 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The false promise of the sweeping zoning bill package pitched by @mayorbmscott.bsky.social as a path to affordable housing.
tinyurl.com/y74ary94 Visionary reform? Or just a way to help developers cut costs? There's a reason Black Baltimore residents are leery. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com/y74ary94 Visionary reform? Or just a way to help developers cut costs? There's a reason Black Baltimore residents are leery. [OP-ED]
At a hearing, residents said @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's zoning deregulation bills will hurt their neighborhoods and some councilmembers pushed back as well. tinyurl.com/mryzfc52 But two of the bills got committee approval . . . and are set to go before the council Monday for a vote.
October 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
At a hearing, residents said @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's zoning deregulation bills will hurt their neighborhoods and some councilmembers pushed back as well. tinyurl.com/mryzfc52 But two of the bills got committee approval . . . and are set to go before the council Monday for a vote.