The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosted a town hall on March 18 at Digital Harbor High School to discuss juvenile crime and the impact of local smoke shops in Baltimore. Panelists and community members advocated for a fight against the opening of these businesses, as well as providing local resources to attendees.
Category: Baltimore Government
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore residents speak out as BGE skips oversight hearing
Baltimore residents, especially Black families, are struggling with skyrocketing utility bills, forcing some to take on debt or cut essential expenses. City officials and advocates are pressing BGE for answers during rising cost concerns.
Posted inBaltimore Government
City Council holds hearing on bill to protect immigrant residents
The Baltimore City Council is considering the “Safe Spaces and Communities” bill, which would protect immigrant residents by codifying executive order safeguards and limiting local agency cooperation with federal immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
Posted inBaltimore Government
Baltimore mayor responds to scrutiny over staffers’ use of procurement card
A recent OIG report says that the Baltimore Mayor’s Office failed to follow policies for 336 procurement card transactions totaling $167,455.06, including purchases for food, flowers and sporting events. The questioned spending represents less than 1 percent of the office’s $36 million in P-card use since June 2022.
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland leaders conduct surprise inspection of Baltimore ICE facility
Maryland leaders toured the Baltimore ICE facility, condemning the inhumane conditions identified even in the absence of detainees. Legislators praised Judge Julie R. Rubin’s March 6 order limiting capacity for detainees at the facility to 55 people and city officials have pledged to protect immigrants by fighting private detention centers.
Posted inBaltimore News
Study finds disjointed youth crime data hinders public understanding
A recent Abell Foundation report finds Baltimore’s juvenile crime data is fragmented, making it hard for the public to track trends. Experts say a more cohesive, accessible system is needed for clarity and accountability.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore inspector general challenges city over limited access to records
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Baltimore City Inspector General (IG) Isabel Mercedes Cumming has filed suit against Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Council after the city denied her office access to certain records and provided heavily redacted information in response to subpoenas. The suit seeks a court declaration confirming the Office of […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
Mayor Scott announces property tax relief, tax sale reforms for Baltimore homeowners
Baltimore homeowners could see property taxes drop below $2 under a new city plan announced by Mayor Brandon M. Scott. The initiative includes revising the Homestead Property Tax Credit, increasing the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit, and reforming the city’s annual tax sale to offer payment plans and raise the minimum bid to the property’s assessed value. City leaders say the changes aim to make Baltimore more affordable, keep residents in their homes and encourage new homeownership.
Posted inBaltimore News
Hundreds protest ICE raids, condition of local federal building used to hold immigrants
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writer On Jan. 30 protestors gathered in downtown Baltimore, Minneapolis and cities nationwide to oppose the violent immigration raids and recent deaths at the hands of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol and other federal agencies. In Baltimore, the march and rally came as legislators and […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
State and local lawmakers comment on Mayor Scott’s 2026 legislative priorities
State and local lawmakers weighed in on Mayor Scott’s 2026 legislative agenda, supporting public safety, housing and infrastructure measures while adding their own priorities, including utility relief and youth programs.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott reflects on historic crime drop and looks toward 2026
Baltimore ended 2025 with a record low of 133 homicides, the fewest in nearly 50 years. Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) and city leaders highlighted strategies to sustain reductions and announced a new five-year violence plan, which will be released later this year.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott named 2025 AFRO Person of Year
For Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, 2025 was a year of pressure and progress, from record-breaking reductions in violent crime to major investments in youth, education and neighborhood revitalization. As 2026 begins, Scott says he plans to build on those achievements while continuing his focus on public safety, economic development and changing the national narrative about Baltimore.