Baltimore City Council is holding a Budget Briefing, Quarterly Oversight Hearing on American Rescue Plan Funds, Sketching Sessions at the Walters Art Museum, and a virtual master class on Blueprint for Successful Coaching Programs on April 25-25.
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Civil rights leaders call for Key Bridge renaming amid rebuilding efforts
The Caucus of African-American Leaders has called for the renaming of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the Senator Fredrick C. Malkus Jr. Memorial Bridge due to Key’s legacy as an enslaver, and has recommended naming the Key Bridge after Congressman Parren J. Mitchell and the Senator Fredrick C. Malkus Jr. Memorial Bridge after civil rights activist Gloria Richardson.
Maryland General Assembly passes several major bills as session ends
Maryland’s General Assembly passed over a thousand bills in the 2024 session, including the Juvenile Law Reform and the Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade (PORT) Act, which were signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott unveils preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott released his preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget, which covers the gap between the operating and capital plans while also funding school construction, building upgrades, and ADA enhancements.
Baltimore City Council Committee hears bill on strengthening renter safety
Baltimore City Council’s Economic and Community Development Committee held a hearing on the Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act, 23-0357, which aims to add enforcement actions on buildings with repeated code violations and allow renters to anonymously submit their apartments for priority inspections.
Key Bridge waterways deemed uncontaminated
After the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the Patapsco River has been tested for contamination and no danger has been found, but officials are still monitoring the water for any residue.
Ivan Bates announces arrest of 20 juveniles in carjacking group and new parental accountability measures
20 juveniles, ages 12 to 17, have been arrested in connection with numerous carjackings and other crimes throughout Baltimore City in 2023, and the state’s attorney’s office is in the process of charging 113 cases for 53 incidents.
Second channel opens near site of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, legislators seek to support recovery efforts
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, along with other local, state and federal officials, announced the opening of another temporary channel on April 2. The channels have partially reopened the Port of Baltimore’s waterways as clean-up and salvage efforts continue where a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March […]
Maryland U.S. Senate candidates address recent poll at Baltimore forum
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Eight U.S. Senate candidates attended a March 21 forum in Baltimore the day after a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll revealed that Republican frontrunner and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) is leading his Democratic opponents. Before Hogan suddenly entered the race on Feb. 9, Democrats, through Prince […]
Baltimore Mayor Scott touts success with crime and gun reform during State of the City Address
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Many gathered for Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s 2024 State of the City Address at Baltimore Center Stage on March 25. In it, he highlighted his efforts to implement gun reform and lower Baltimore’s homicide rates. “Now is the time to double down, not to pull back or return […]
Upcoming meetings and events in the D.C. area
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The popular saying goes that “April showers bring May flowers,” but in the District, the month will also bring a slew of events geared toward empowerment, education and family fun. Here are are some of them: Family Fun Day Bring your children to Family Fun Day with the […]
Thousands of women veterans receive Veterans Affairs disability benefits
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced that 702,557 women veterans now receive disability benefits, a 26 percent increase from 2019. The Under Secretary for Benefits, Joshua Jacobs, spoke to the press on March 20, saying this accomplishment is due to the VA’s desire to “build a VA […]

