Baltimore City has declared a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert from July 1-4, 2026, and is urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves and vulnerable populations from the dangerous temperatures, including activating cooling centers, suspending certain services, and providing public safety messaging.
Category: Baltimore News
Posted inBaltimore News
City leaders propose charter amendment to modernize Baltimore water system
Baltimore city leaders introduced a charter amendment that would separate the Bureau of Water and Wastewater from the Department of Public Works in an effort to modernize the region’s aging water infrastructure and improve oversight. Advocates say the proposal could increase transparency, strengthen regional collaboration and help address long-standing environmental and public health concerns tied to water systems.
Posted inBaltimore News
UB President Kurt Schmoke announces plans to retire in 2027
University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke announced his plans to step down in June 2027 after more than a decade of leadership. Since taking the helm in 2014, the former Baltimore mayor has guided the university through the pandemic, enrollment challenges and a centennial milestone.
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO Exclusive: Terri Freeman, president of Reginald F. Lewis Museum, speaks on upcoming retirement
Terri Freeman, president and executive director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, gave an exclusive interview to the AFRO regarding her upcoming retirement.
Posted inBaltimore Events
AFRAM’s 50th anniversary celebration brings community, culture and commerce together on Day Two
The second day of AFRAM’s 50th anniversary celebration filled Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park with music, family activities, community resources and Black-owned businesses. Attendees, vendors and organizations praised the festival for fostering cultural pride, economic opportunity and community connection while performances from major artists kept crowds entertained throughout the day.
Posted inBaltimore Events
AFRAM’s 50th Anniversary kicks off in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park
AFRAM’s 50th anniversary celebration opened on Juneteenth in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park with music, food, cultural pride and thousands of attendees honoring five decades of Black history and community. Performances by artists, including Lil’ Mo, Mario and Ultra Naté, along with reflections from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and local leaders, highlighted the festival’s role as a family reunion, a celebration of liberation and a reminder that the fight for true freedom continues.
Posted inArts & Culture
Black leaders in Baltimore share AFRAM memories as festival turns 50
The Afro-American Festival, or AFRAM, has been a celebration of Black culture in Baltimore for 50 years, and is a beloved tradition for many Baltimoreans who have watched it grow and evolve over the decades.
Posted inBaltimore News
Chief engineer charged in deadly 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse investigation
Federal prosecutors have charged the chief engineer of the cargo ship Dali in the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, alleging he failed to report a hazardous fuel pump system to the U.S. Coast Guard. Authorities say the improper equipment contributed to a second power outage that preceded the crash, which killed six construction workers.
Posted inBaltimore News
ICE arrest outside Baltimore elementary school draws rebukes from state and local officials
An ICE arrest outside a Baltimore elementary school during end-of-year celebrations has sparked criticism from Maryland and local officials, who say the operation traumatized children and families and undermined the sense of safety at schools. Federal officials defended the arrest, alleging the suspect resisted officers and endangered an agent, while the incident renewed debate over immigration enforcement near educational settings after the 47th president’s administration ended longstanding protections for schools.
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO News endorses Tapp-Harper for Baltimore City Sheriff
By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer Through more than 35 years of law enforcement experience Sabrina Tapp-Harper has provided excellent service to the community. She has led innovative training to officers around bias and prioritized domestic violence survivors, creating a nationally recognized Domestic Violence Unit. If elected, she is committed to enhancing transparency by building […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Lawsuit against Baltimore mayor emerges amid EEOC call for discrimination cases with white, male plaintiffs
Andrew C. Freeman, former vice president of real estate development at East Baltimore Development Inc., has filed a federal lawsuit and EEOC complaint alleging racial discrimination against Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and city leadership. The lawsuit comes as legal experts and labor advocates debate growing federal scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and the rise of “reverse discrimination” claims.
Posted inArts & Culture
Artscape 2026 turns Baltimore into cultural dreamscape despite rain
Despite rainy weather, the 2026 edition of Artscape transformed Downtown Baltimore into a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and community engagement. The festival featured live performances, visual art, local vendors, youth entrepreneurs, advocacy organizations and interactive experiences that highlighted Baltimore’s artistic spirit and civic consciousness.
