By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) proposed an emergency resolution on Jan. 2 that would allow the council to sue or join a lawsuit against Mayor Muriel Bowser after her efforts to block the “Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act of 2022.” The legislation was passed by the D.C. Council […]
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inMayor Brandon Scott
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott launches first phase of free public Wi-Fi
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alongside other city officials, recently announced the launch of free public Wi-Fi for Baltimoreans and visitors. “In this digital age, digital equity is one of the defining civil rights issues of our time,” said Scott. “We must work to close the digital divide to help shape […]
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Baltimore sues the ATF for access to gun data
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Acting City Solicitor Ebony Thompson and Alla Lefkowitz, senior director of Affirmative Litigation at Everytown Law, announced Baltimore’s newly filed federal lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The city alleges that the ATF improperly withheld crucial “crime gun” […]
Posted inDistrict of Columbia Government
D.C. Council extends youth crime and opioid public emergencies
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com The D.C. Council recently voted to extend the youth violence and opioid public emergencies until Feb. 15 of 2024. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) declared a public emergency on Nov. 13, providing District residents with more resources to address youth violence and the opioid crisis. “The emergency declaration allows […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Baltimore activist Doc Cheatham calls on Black men to take action against youth crime
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com As youth crime rates rise, Baltimore leaders are bringing the stakeholders together to try and find a community-level solution. Homicides are at 251 in Baltimore City as of Dec. 15, which means the city is on track to break its 300 annual homicide record after nine years, but auto thefts […]
Posted inPOLITICS
Mayoral candidate Bob Wallace unveils his public safety plan for Baltimore
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Mayoral candidate Bob Wallace discussed his public safety plan for Baltimore at his campaign headquarters in Hampden on Nov. 30. “Nothing is more important than public safety. That’s why we felt it was a good idea to get out to the public our framework that we would use to provide […]
Posted inBaltimore News
City Council nears end of stall on inclusionary housing legislation
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The City Council, led by Council President Nick Mosby, passed two formerly stalled inclusionary housing bills to third reader on Nov. 20. All city council legislation has to be read three times and passed by the full council before it can be sent to the mayor’s desk, where […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Council member Ric Gordon dies suddenly at age 41
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The City of Greenbelt, Md., announced that Councilmember Ric Gordon (D-At-Large) suddenly died on Nov. 26 at 41 years old. “The sudden passing of Ric Gordon is a great loss to the Greenbelt community, Prince George’s County, and the State of Maryland,” said Greenbelt Mayor Emmett V. Jordan […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs workforce development executive order
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore recently delivered good news for union workers throughout Maryland. On Nov. 17, Moore and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee joined numerous union workers at the Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA) Eastern Bus Division in East Baltimore to announce and sign a workforce development executive order. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott announces two new programs to support those experiencing homelessness
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) recently announced two new programs to support the homeless population of Baltimore and those on the verge of being unhoused. The House Baltimore Property Owner Engagement Initiative will assist housing partners in ensuring higher quality and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City, County leaders hold joint town hall on public safety
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com In a room full of Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents, community leaders and public officials, many shared what concerns them the most about the state of public safety in Baltimore, and demanded answers. The joint public safety town hall was held in Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City Council holds hearings on facial recognition technology
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Councilman Kristerfer Burnett (D-District 8) is lead sponsor of two bills aimed at regulating facial recognition technology (FRT), currently being used in the city for surveillance. After six years of fighting to pass legislation on this matter, Burnett may soon succeed. “There are two bills that the […]
