Baltimore County legislators are considering a bill to give the Office of the Inspector General authority to oversee public schools. Supporters say it would increase transparency, accountability and trust in the school system.
Tag: Baltimore County Council
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones steps down after six years
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones announces resignation after six years of service. She made history as the first African American and first woman to hold the position.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Baltimore County Public Schools agrees to retrain staff after AI surveillance mistakes student’s chip bag for weapon
By Andrea StevensAFRO Staff Writerastevens@afro.com Baltimore County Public Schools says it will retrain staff, following the Oct. 20 incident involving an artificial intelligence surveillance system that misidentified a Doritos bag as a gun. Though the alert was ultimately called off, the school’s principal alerted a resource officer, who called the Baltimore County Police Department, leading […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Baltimore County Council finalizes redistricting map amidst tension
The Baltimore County Council approved a new redistricting map on Sept. 15, expanding to nine districts for 2026 after heated debate over community representation and majority-minority district concerns.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Baltimore County’s redistricting must reflect all of us
By Senator Charles E. Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County- District 44), Sharonda Dillard-Huffman and Peta N. Richkus On Aug. 17, the Greater Baltimore Urban League hosted an urgent discussion on Baltimore County’s redistricting. The message was clear: fair process, fair maps and fair representation. Bill 55-25—the County Council’s proposed plan—delivers none of these. Instead, Bill 55-25 […]
Posted inBaltimore County Government
Baltimore County Council introduces new redistricting plan featuring two majority-Black districts
The Baltimore County Council introduced a new redistricting plan that includes two majority-Black districts and consolidates eastern waterfront communities into a single district. The proposal, which diverges from the redistricting commission’s “2-2-5” map, has sparked debate over how best to represent the county’s growing diversity while preserving established communities.
Posted inBaltimore County Government
Community advocates push for fairness as Baltimore County redistricting plan heads toward council vote
Baltimore County’s Redistricting Commission has released its recommendations for redrawing council districts following the county’s expansion from seven to nine seats. While the commission proposes two majority-Black and two other minority districts, local leaders and activists—including the NAACP and the Westside Coalition—continue to push for more equitable representation, expressing concern that communities like Woodlawn remain fragmented and underrepresented.
Posted inBaltimore County Government
Baltimore County redistricting plan faces opposition from Woodlawn coalition
The Westside Map Coalition is opposing Baltimore County’s proposed 2-2-5 redistricting plan, arguing it fractures Woodlawn and dilutes Black voting power. They’ve proposed an alternative “Woodlawn Approach” map, which they say better reflects census data and complies with the Voting Rights Act.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Baltimore County residents concerned that the IG Kelly Madigan must reapply
Ryan Colman is the former president of the Randallstown NAACP. Today he speaks that the need for Independent oversight is essential, not optional: As watchdogs within government, Inspectors General expose fraud, recover lost funds and ensure taxpayer dollars serve the public—not politics.
Posted inUncategorized
Community mourns death of Ken Oliver, legendary Baltimore County councilman
Former Baltimore County Councilman Kenneth N. Oliver, a changemaker and community leader, has passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a rich legacy of advocacy for minority and women-owned businesses.
Posted inBaltimore County Government
Baltimore County Councilmen in consideration for interim county executive role
Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones and Councilman Izzy Patoka are being considered as potential successors to County Executive John Olszewski, who is currently running for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District.
Posted inCommentary, Opinion, OPINION
Commentary: Tackling the affordable housing crisis in Baltimore County
By Ryan Coleman, randallstownnaacp@gmail.com Our county is in the midst of a worsening affordable housing crisis. Baltimore County renters are now paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent—the highest cost-burden level in at least 20 years. Over the last three years, single-family home prices have skyrocketed by 40 percent—reaching historic highs and […]