By Reginald WilliamsSpecial to the AFRO In front of an enthusiastic Cahill Recreation Center audience, Baltimore’s Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced his decision to run for re-election on Nov. 18. Scott was supported on stage by citizens like Kamrin Brown, a former squeegee kid; Gwen Levi, a returned citizen, failed by the judicial system; Rian […]
Category: Baltimore Government
Posted inBaltimore News
Numbers and narratives: Baltimore’s Complete Streets Ordinance under debate
By Reuben Greene, Special to the AFRO In an intense City Council meeting held at Baltimore City Hall on Oct. 26, the contentious Complete Streets Ordinance took center stage. Baltimore officials revised how the city plans its streets in 2018, changes reflected in new legislation called the Complete Streets Ordinance. Although the city’s plan was […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Trone leads juvenile justice and re-entry discussion in Baltimore
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Community members and activists gathered at Baltimore Unity Hall on Oct. 27 to participate in discussions on juvenile justice and the re-entry formerly incarcerated into American society and specifically in Baltimore. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.-06), who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2024, led the conversation. “If […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former top prosecutor for Baltimore convicted in perjury case tied to purchase of Florida homes
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A former top prosecutor for the city of Baltimore was convicted on Thursday of charges that she lied about the finances of a side business to improperly access retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the money to buy two Florida homes. A federal jury convicted […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City Council passes revised redistricting map
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com In a prolonged day of Baltimore City Council meetings on Oct. 19, the lawmakers passed an amended version of Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s redistricting plan in an 8-6 vote. Councilman Kristerfer Burnett (D-District 8) was not in attendance, so he had no vote. “We took a map that […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Gov. Moore highlights importance of transportation investments in Baltimore
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott addressed the importance of transportation investments in Baltimore and what the state has done thus far on Oct. 16. “In the first 10 months of our administration, we’ve shown that in partnership progress is possible,” said Moore at the Greater […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Richard Worley and James Wallace officially sworn in as new Baltimore police commissioner and fire chief
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Despite opposition, Richard Worley and James Wallace were sworn in as Baltimore’s new police commissioner and fire chief, respectively, by Mayor Brandon M. Scott on Oct. 5. “Together, they understand that public safety is a collective effort that requires collaboration directly with residents, community organizations, and amongst agencies […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former mayor Sheila Dixon holds town hall meeting regarding public safety in Baltimore
By Mekhi Abbott, Special to the AFRO Community engagement and public safety were the main topics covered at a town hall hosted by Baltimore mayoral candidate Sheila Dixon on Oct. 4 at New Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dixon, a former Charm City mayor, was joined on the panel by Melvin Russell, retired Baltimore Police Department chief […]
Posted inBaltimore News
City council committee approves Baltimore City Mayor Scott’s nominations for Police Commissioner and Fire Chief, community members speak out
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com In back-to-back confirmation hearings on Sept. 21, the Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee approved Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley and Acting Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. “I have dedicated my life to serving Baltimore City Police Departments,” said Worley during the hearing. “I’m committed to working every […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon announces 2024 mayoral bid
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon has announced her bid for mayor. “I love my private life, but I also love the citizens of this city and I know we can do better,” said Dixon at the Gold Street Community Park on Sept. 7. Dixon said that, if […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Councilman introduces legislation to create Baltimore’s first Re-entry Action Council
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City Councilman James Torrence (D-District 7) recently introduced new legislation, Bill 23-0416, that would create the Baltimore City Office of Returning Citizens. The office would establish and oversee Baltimore’s first Re-entry Action Council (RAC), which would guide and cooperate with the returning citizen’s office. RAC would build […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore city council addresses numerous pool closures in public hearing
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com And Khira Moore, AFRO Intern Summer 2023 has been a scorcher for residents affected by pool closures in Baltimore City. At an Aug. 23 Public Safety and Government Operations Committee hearing, led by Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1), city officials called into question the Baltimore City Recreation and […]
