By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland legislators worked throughout the day to pass as many bills as they could before session ended at midnight on April 7. The legislative session was an eventful one with drastic federal actions looming over Maryland and balancing the budget remaining the topic of discussion throughout the 2025 session. Around […]
Category: Baltimore News
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore man says ATF raided home without cause
By DaQuan LawrenceAFRO International WriterDLawrence@afro.com A Baltimore family is still seeking answers after having their home raided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the early morning hours of Nov. 21, 2024. Months after the incident, Mark “Choppa” Manley, who maintains that the raid was carried out without probable or reasonable […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott unveils $4.6 billion budget plan to tackle $85 million deficit
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott released his $4.6 billion preliminary budget for fiscal year 2026 on April 2 with a plan to eliminate an $85 million deficit. The shortfall has been brought on by the city’s expenditures outpacing its revenue, much like the state of Maryland. Some of the factors […]
Posted inNational Sports
Holliday and Sugano help Orioles snap a 3-game skid with an 8-1 victory over Royals
By Cody FriesenThe Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jackson Holliday highlighted Baltimore’s four-run sixth inning with a two-run single, Tomoyuki Sugano was solid through five-plus innings and the Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-1 on April 5 to snap a three-game skid. Heston Kjerstad and Ramón Urías also had RBI singles in […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland protestors say ‘Hands Off’ social security, education, federal jobs and more
On April 5, hundreds of Marylanders protested outside Baltimore City Hall, denouncing the recent executive orders that threaten social security, education, federal jobs and civil rights. Demonstrators expressed alarm over sweeping federal cuts, rising economic instability and what they see as a rollback of basic rights and protections.
Posted inBaltimore News
$50 million in funding deployed to help redevelop vacant housing in Baltimore City
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has opened the Fiscal Year 2026 application round for the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI), prioritizing efficiency and performance in addressing the city’s vacant housing crisis. With $50 million in funding, the initiative aims to support community development organizations in acquiring, stabilizing, renovating, and demolishing vacant properties to revitalize neighborhoods and create new housing opportunities.
Posted inBaltimore News
STEM City Metaverse opens brick-and-mortar location in Baltimore
The STEM City USA Baltimore Innovation Center has officially opened at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, marking a milestone in technology, workforce development, and community empowerment. With cutting-edge tools, national workforce pipelines, and digital-first learning initiatives, the center aims to transform local opportunities while serving as a scalable model for cities nationwide.
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Unconscious bias doesn’t need a color line
By Frances Murphy DraperAFRO CEO and Publisher My husband and I recently visited First Watch in Towson expecting a relaxing breakfast. Instead, we left feeling disrespected and dismissed. When we arrived we were in line, in front of two White patrons. The Black host asked how many were in our party. “Two,” we replied. He […]
Posted inNational Sports
Orioles top the Red Sox 8-5 in Baltimore’s home opener
Tyler O’Neill had four hits in his home debut for Baltimore, leading the Orioles to an 8-5 victory over the Red Sox with big four-run innings in the first and eighth. Félix Bautista returned from Tommy John surgery to close the game, securing the win despite allowing two runs in the ninth.
Posted inBaltimore News
Transgender Day of Visibility highlights struggles and resilience amid anti-trans legislation
On Transgender Day of Visibility, advocates celebrate the resilience of trans people while confronting a political landscape that increasingly seeks to erase their rights. As executive actions target gender-affirming care, military service and public recognition, activists stress the urgent need for awareness, protection and community support.
Posted inBaltimore Government
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott appoints Calvin Young as chief of staff
By Baltimore City Office of the Mayor Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced Calvin A. Young III as his new chief of staff. Young will assume the position effective April 9, 2025. Young has served as a Senior Advisor to Mayor Scott since September 2024 and served as his re-election campaign treasurer from 2023 to […]
Posted inBaltimore News
JPMorgan Chase expands virtual jobs to military spouses in Maryland
JPMorgan Chase expanded its virtual call center in Baltimore to provide job opportunities for military spouses within a 90-mile radius. Dawn Moore, Maryland’s first lady, praised the effort, emphasizing the value military spouses bring to the workforce.