Protecting personal and financial data on public Wi-Fi is essential to avoiding fraud carried out by hackers. Experts stress using VPNs and personal hotspots to secure information, as public networks are often vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott hosts town hall to address budget concerns
At a budget town hall, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) presented the city’s $4.6 billion FY26 budget, addressing an $85 million deficit without cutting services, while warning of looming federal funding cuts. Residents engaged in small-group discussions with city officials, voicing concerns on issues from youth job access to water quality, as the budget advances toward council approval by June 26.
Posted inHealth
Virtual care, real impact: How technology is changing patient-nurse relationships
AI and telemedicine are revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing access, improving decision-making, and expanding the roles of nurses beyond traditional clinical settings. Osanmoh notes that telepsychiatry enables consistent, stigma-free support, especially for marginalized populations.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. gets ‘F’ for air quality in 2025 State of the Air Report
Washington, D.C., received an “F” in the 2025 State of the Air Report, reflecting a recent decline in air quality and an uptick in unhealthy air days. While city officials noted that rare events like the 2023 Canadian wildfires impacted the results, health experts continue to express concern about the long-term effects of air pollution, particularly on vulnerable communities.
Posted inHealth
Beyond the bedside: How nurses stand strong for their patients
Nurses like Malik Shelton and Taneka Walker do far more than administer care—they advocate for patients while also balancing their own personal needs.
Posted inClimate Change
D.C. lawmakers push for youth-led climate change advisory council
The D.C. Council is considering a youth advisory council on climate change to involve young people in policy decisions. Advocates stress the importance of acting on youth recommendations and ensuring representation from impacted communities.
Posted inLIFE & STYLE
From ‘Purple Rain’ to home design: Claudia Steer creates spaces that resonate
Claudia Steer, founder of NW10 Interiors and a 2025 Inc. Female Founders 500 honoree, joined the AFRO’s Chicken Boxx to discuss the power of interior design. Steer emphasized that interior design is a powerful form of self-expression—affirming identity and weaving personal stories through the thoughtful use of color, texture and layout to create spaces that truly feel like home.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott and fellow Democratic mayors address the president’s first 100 days
Democratic mayors criticized the 47th president’s first 100 days in office, highlighting how sudden budget cuts and mass firings have strained local governments.
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland governor signs key criminal justice reform bills during Second Chance Month
At his second bill signing of 2025, Maryland Gov.Wes Moore signed transformative legislation aimed at reforming the state’s expungement process and giving incarcerated individuals a meaningful second chance. The Expungement Reform Act and Second Look Act address long-standing racial disparities in the justice system, offering new hope for thousands of Marylanders seeking redemption and opportunity.
Posted inHBCU
Prince Hall Masons award scholarships to Maryland HBCUs at bicentennial celebration
The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland, founded on Feb. 2, 1825, will celebrate its 200th anniversary on April 26 with a public event honoring the late Elijah Cummings and awarding scholarships. The bicentennial celebration highlights the Lodge’s ongoing commitment to education, service and advocacy in the African-American community.
Posted inFood
Culinary hub opens in West Baltimore
The Mill on North Food Hall officially opened its doors on April 24, marking a major milestone in the revitalization of West Baltimore’s West North Avenue corridor. Designed to be a community-led, locally owned space, the food hall brings together six neighborhood-rooted vendors to serve affordable meals and foster connection in a historically underserved area.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Celebrating Second Chances Month: How one Baltimore org uplifts returning citizens
April marks Second Chances Month, and in Baltimore, the NCIA Vocational Training Center is transforming lives by helping returning citizens build brighter futures.