A snow day read: Who is Winnie Harris? She wrote her will in the pages of a Bible. It became a state record, $ now it lives at the Maryland State Archives — where what she wrote & other records give a glimpse into Black life in Baltimore shortly after emancipation. More in @thebaltimorebanner.com

As Baltimore officials are embroiled in a legal fight over inspector general access to municipal records for investigations, Montgomery County's inspector general says a routine request for a record was denied. She told me this has never happened to her before. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

By Danny Zawody: What happens when ICE wants to open a detention facility in your hometown. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.” - 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas. Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children. www.propublica.org/article/ice-...

A child died after crashing while fleeing a traffic stop in Howard County last month; the Attorney General's Office says it will not identify her, citing a juvenile secrecy law no one else applies this way. Im hoping someone out there knows who she was. Please reach out if you have info

Eye-opening story from my colleague @briaovers.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/economy/nonp...

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s State of the State speech revealed the limits of his power — the governor alone cannot redraw congressional boundaries, combat immigration enforcement or boost the economy. From your @thebaltimorebanner.com State House team: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Montgomery County officials say they're prepared for any blowback on restricting ICE.

“We are at the point where, instead of bake sales, PTA members are walking kids to school so that their parents don’t get kidnapped,” Montgomery County Council member Kristin Mink said. “We will not do favors … for people who are terrorizing our community.” www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

My latest story: "Aspiring teachers thought they were getting a full ride. Then the bills came." Students are accusing the state's higher education commission of bungling scholarships for the second time in six months. This time, for teacher education. www.thebanner.com/education/hi...

Sign up for updates on our Prince George's County expansion here: www.thebanner.com/prince-georg...

The Banner has announced it is expanding to Prince George's County. @bannerpgcounty.bsky.social

Bezos isn't destroying the Washington Post because it isn't profitable. He's destroying the Washington Post because he's calculated that a robust free press threatens the ability of his class to warp society around their interests

I personally do not think some rich man should be able to buy an institution like this like a toy and then break it when he doesn’t want to play with it anymore. bsky.app/profile/benm...

If you'd like to support my friends and colleagues who lost their jobs at The Washington Post today -- www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...

The lineage of the Nationals beat at the Washington Post was absurdly strong, and Andrew Golden and Spencer Nusbaum were two more standouts on a star-studded list. This is a loss for Washington, and baseball fans at large. Shame on Bezos

Who’s responsible for the snow mess in Montgomery County? Everyone and no one, it turns out: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Breaking for @thebaltimorebanner.com: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Household items are making their way outdoors in Baltimore. Do you save your parking spot after a snowstorm? www.thebanner.com/community/tr...

Montgomery County's immigrant population is only getting bigger -- particularly its Ethiopian and Salvadoran communities. My colleague @ajv.bsky.social and I dug into the brand new census data, released today: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Ginny wrote such a beautiful story here that you should read! Getting out to a few Girls Who Walk Baltimore meet-ups (not the same group featured here) was one of the highlights of my 2025, and Ginny captured the community that forms around "hot girl walks" so wonderfully.

❄️ Snow Day Read ❄️ Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and state Senate President Bill Ferguson have staked out opposite positions on redistricting. It’s testing their working relationship. And it’s getting personal. w/ @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

“I really feel like I kind of tapped into this need for community. Especially in your 20s, it’s pretty difficult to make friends, no matter where you live.” www.thebanner.com/culture/life...

A Rockville woman was lonely, so she posted a TikTok. More than 40 people showed up to take a walk with her, @ginnybixbywrites.bsky.social reports. (via @bannermoco.bsky.social)

Hey! My beat is changing. I'm still covering LGBTQ+ news, but now I'm focused on how LGBTQ+ people are navigating the American health care system. I'm sure it's going great, right? If you're struggling with insurance, care costs or access, then I want to hear about it. Text me on Signal @orionr.80

A Montgomery County councilmember watched a teenage boy detained by ICE. Wearing pajamas in the cold, the boy showed ICE agents proof of his citizenship, to no avail, she said. County officials want to prevent this, so they're proposing more restrictions on ICE: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

New bike lockers are ready for Metro customers at Minnesota Av, College Park, Rockville, and Downtown Largo! 🚲 Lockers can be reserved on the BikeLink app for 5 cents an hour or $1 a day. Learn more about the lockers and where they're coming next: wmata.com/service/bikes/…

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he's OUT, not running for a return to the State House this year. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

On most Fridays of the legislative session, the Montgomery County Delegation meets to discuss county-specific business. Watch along here: www.youtube.com/live/0vPIjVA...

After a contentious renewal process, Baltimore is shutting down its only all-boys charter school. Two small traditional schools were also up for closure, but the board chose to kick the can down the road - to when they'll have a new CEO in charge of recommendations. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...

This time of year can be especially hard, and support is available. 💙 Montgomery County’s Mobile Health Clinic offers free, walk-in mental health services for County residents, no insurance required. Learn more and find locations: https://ow.ly/fWNI50XSqRe

NEW: Chuck Jenkins, arguably Maryland's most powerful sheriff, said today he wants to keep working with ICE — regardless of national protests and even if Maryland lawmakers outlaw cooperation agreements (called 287g program) in the state. More in @thebaltimorebanner.com:

Yesterday’s packed hearing on the Trust Act, which would restrict ICE in Montgomery County, had some powerful testimony. @ginnybixbywrites.bsky.social has the story.

Mark Antony Briseno, 17, said his life changed forever when his father was detained by ICE last year. “I should be focused on college, car payments and spending time with my friends. But instead, I’ve been forced to grow up overnight,” he said. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

‘Anguish into action’: Dozens in Silver Spring protest ICE agent’s killing of Minnesota woman

From Silver Spring, Maryland.

Orion is the best! Go talk to him 👇🏻

glad to be included in this Columbia Journalism Review feature among many accomplished trans journalists

In Annapolis, an historic Black cemetery faces hard times — some grave markers are buried or overturned, and there are likely many, many unmarked burials. Grass grows tall in the summer and leaves cover the ground in fall. It's a stark contrast to the once-segregated National Cemetery next door.

U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat and dean of Maryland’s federal delegation, announced he won't run for re-election. “I make this decision with sadness, for I love this House,” he said Thursday. by @brendawintrode.bsky.social: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Three children’s hospitals are under federal investigation for providing gender-affirming care to trans youth This stems from RFK Jr. saying that, under his authority as health secretary, he can unilaterally decide that gender-affirming care is not a safe and effective treatment

When the Trump admin was in the midst of DOGEing the federal government and taking a chainsaw to the local economy, there was a clear increase in mental health calls and other indicators. More Montgomery County residents are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.

Over the past year covering the county, I kept seeing data that marked a concerning trend. Montgomery County is typically considered one of the healthiest in the country, but our mental health is in steep decline. I wanted to figure out what’s happening and why. www.thebanner.com/community/pu...

I read 38 books in 2025 (massive shoutout to the MoCo and DC public libraries) and these were a few standouts I recommend: God of the Woods by Liz Moore Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang Heart the Lover by Lily King Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid pt. 1

hey, I'm a reporter looking to talk with other LGBTQ+ folks about their relationship to smoking (cigarettes). are you trying to quit? did you pick it back up again recently? do all your friends smoke? let's talk! DM me or Signal me @orionr.80

Happy New Year, Montgomery County! I'm back from a nice vacation seeing family and friends for the holidays but looking forward to bringing you the news again, particularly during this very special year for MoCo: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Scoop from my incredible colleague @brendawintrode.bsky.social: A Maryland congresswoman regrets voting for the Laken Riley Act, saying she did not foresee it leading to the mass deployment of masked ICE members to carry out deportations www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Plastic bags are OUT for 2026, says Montgomery County — here’s what you need to know: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Gabe Albornoz gave up his seat on the Montgomery County Council -- here's why. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...