Justin Fenton
@justinfenton.bsky.social
📤 6829
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Investigative reporter at the Baltimore Banner
So thrilled for our whole
@thebaltimorebanner.com
team to be recognized by the Pulitzer Prizes for a *second year in a row* but especially
@lizbowie.bsky.social
who helped create this place and is the heart and soul of the Banner!
about 18 hours ago
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about 18 hours ago
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I’ve seen Baltimore experience four homicides in a day - even the span of a few hours - countless times. April just saw 4 homicides for the entire month, a single-month, all-time low for the records we have going back to 1970.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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In an era of declining crime, Baltimore notches a new low
The four homicides recorded in April represent the fewest killings in a month in the city since police began keeping crime statistics that way in 1970.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/baltimore-homicide-reaches-new-montly-low-DECFCBFZXJDY3DLJKTXOZEGHYI/
4 days ago
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“The Banner’s attorneys sought to have the records made public, arguing successfully to the judge that the contents were in the public interest.”
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5 days ago
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New: 4 Baltimore Police officers will not face charges after San Francisco sexual assault investigation; “No officer should let something like that happen,” alleged victim told me
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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4 Baltimore Police officers will not face charges after San Francisco investigation
San Francisco prosecutors declined to bring charges against four Baltimore Police officers who have been under investigation in the city after a woman says she reported a sexual assault.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-police-investigation-san-francisco-FABEGYUXLBBPVDFDMCRSLFRLDA/
6 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Hayes Gardner
7 days ago
BREAKING: The Key Bridge is getting a new builder. After disagreeing with contractor Kiewit on cost estimates, Maryland will be switching gears. “We were stunned by how significantly large their proposal was,” the state’s transportation secretary told me.
www.thebanner.com/community/tr...
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State dumps Kiewit as Key Bridge builder, potentially delaying project past 2030
Citing Kiewit’s high cost estimates, Maryland will seek a new builder on the open market.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/transportation/baltimore-key-bridge-rebuild-contractor-kiewit-TWC6UN46RBH7NDHUHDG5T2YMX4/
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Former McDonogh teacher - who went on to create the Living Classrooms Foundation - accused in lawsuit of abuse at the private school, which she says they kept quiet
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Former McDonogh teacher, Living Classrooms founder accused of abuse in lawsuit
A former student at McDonogh School is alleging in a new lawsuit that a faculty member sexually abused her, which she says she reported to the school nearly 40 years ago.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/lawsuit-mcdonogh-teacher-living-classrooms-founder-accused-child-sexual-abuse-NB5GGTYVFNEPFM64EFLQVYYIBE/
7 days ago
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Michael Maurice Johnson — who was cleared in the high-profile 2010 killing of 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes — was convicted Friday of raping and assaulting a woman in Baltimore County.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Michael Maurice Johnson convicted of rape and assault
Michael Maurice Johnson — cleared in the high-profile 2010 killing of 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes — was convicted Friday of raping and assaulting a woman in Baltimore County.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-maurice-johnson-convicted-rape-assault-batimore-county-N5HVPMJ4W5GFBIZYHQYQV2DL7Q/
11 days ago
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Federal judge overseeing Baltimore Police consent decree says it has “largely successfully transitioned to being an efficient and high-functioning law enforcement organization” and says case could be closed with “the next 2 years or so”
12 days ago
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A woman spent months in Maryland jails because of unchecked facial recognition technology,
@conarck.bsky.social
reports
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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A woman spent months in Maryland jails because of unchecked facial recognition technology
The ACLU filed complaints against several Maryland police departments asking for formal apologies and reforms over the use of facial recognition technology they say landed an innocent woman in jail fo...
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/aclu-facial-recognition-maryland-police-YXUU7AXEMNFIHKHJ5FZB2RLJPA/
13 days ago
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“This case is embarrassing,” says defense attorney who says there’s no new evidence despite man being charged with murdering his missing wife 24 years later, reports
@sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Baltimore County man held without bond in wife’s 2002 disappearance
A Baltimore County man accused of killing his wife, who disappeared in 2002, was ordered held without bond Wednesday, as his attorney blasted the case as baseless and lacking any new evidence after mo...
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/dwight-rust-jr-cold-case-arrest-LLYD7VHPJNC2LFVT57QGZL5SWU/
13 days ago
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More info expected to emerge in this case this afternoon when Dwight Rust appears in court.
@sararuberg.bsky.social
will be there
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13 days ago
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She was 18 and living in foster care, waiting on Fulton Ave for a Lyft when a man pulled up. He wasn’t her ride. He was twice her age. But they hit it off. Now the man, once convicted & cleared of killing 16 y/o Phylicia Barnes, is on trial for raping her
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Man convicted, cleared of killing Phylicia Barnes on trial in new attack
Michael Maurice Johnson, 42, is on trial for attempted murder, rape and related charges in Baltimore County Circuit Court for the alleged attack.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-johnson-phylicia-barnes-killing-trial-new-attack-HJDRZQLWGNHH7JZXIAOK2QMSNE/
13 days ago
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NEW: Crew members of the Dali ship which toppled the Key Bridge invoked the fifth amendment during depositions in civil case, as did another employee of the ship operator who doesn’t want anyone to know it due to the prospect that he could be indicted
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Ahead of Key Bridge civil trial, employee of Dali operator worries about looming criminal charges
As a high-stakes civil trial nears in the Key Bridge disaster, at least one employee of the Dali cargo ship’s operating company has raised concerns about potential criminal charges.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse-civil-trial-dali-CLC26AO6JBAFJO3G5TXFYAHVOM/
13 days ago
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Here’s my recap of the opening of the trial:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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14 days ago
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In attempted murder and rape trial of Michael Maurice Johnson - the man once convicted and later cleared of killing 16 yr old Phylicia Barnes - the victim just stormed out of the courtroom in the middle of cross examination
14 days ago
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In court covering latest trial of Michael Maurice Johnson & see ABC Capital’s Jay Walsh in court again,same floor. Popped my head in long enough to hear him rail against “fake news media” & saying “there’s no money” when being questioned if he’s hiding assets from civil judgments
14 days ago
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Breaking: Michelle Rust went missing 24 years ago while preparing for her 3 year old's birthday party. Baltimore County police arrested her husband this morning and charged him with first degree murder. W/
@sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Husband charged with murder of Baltimore County woman missing since 2002
Dwight David Rust Jr., 48, was arrested on Monday and charged with first degree murder of his late wife, charging documents said.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-county-cold-case-arrest-husband-charged-JAGAZK5SKJAGZH26YZI3BFSLXY/
14 days ago
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Mayor’s office condemns Inspector General’s ‘deeply inappropriate,’ ‘racist’ post of YouTube video,
@emilyopilo.bsky.social
reports
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
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Mayor’s office condemns IG’s ‘deeply inappropriate,’ ‘racist’ online post
The post relied heavily on clips from Baltimore-based Fox 45 and shared misinformation about Baltimore’s budget.
https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-mayor-inspector-general-racist-post-ai-TABID6UMSZCN5G4K3QE2B4JNKA/
14 days ago
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Katherine Tang Newberger has been selected as the next federal public defender for Maryland by the Court of Appeals; she’ll take over for Jim Wyda, who’s held the post since 1998, in November
15 days ago
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New: Jermaine Dawson, an experienced educator who’s held high-level positions at major school districts from Houston to Philadelphia, will be the new leader of Baltimore City Public Schools. He spoke with the Banner’s
@mayaklora.bsky.social
&
@lizbowie.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
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Baltimore City Public Schools names Philadelphia leader as new CEO
Jermaine Dawson will replace Sonja Santelises, who has been in the job for over a decade.
https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/jermaine-dawson-baltimore-city-schools-EYVQ36CJBJG4TPDOEZQCALNBPY/
15 days ago
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New: Judge says Baltimore has ‘cut off, foreclosed, shut down’ inspector general’s powers
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
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18 days ago
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Non-update update: The 4 Baltimore Police officers suspended in November amid an investigation in San Francisco by that police department's special victims unit are still suspended, investigation is still open 6 months later
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Baltimore cops under investigation in San Francisco remain suspended with pay
More than 6 months later, a group of Baltimore Police officers, including a district commander, remain suspended with pay as a criminal investigation in San Francisco continues.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-police-suspended-with-pay-san-francisco-VNLUGUPYHFA4BKUNKVL2BIQ74A/
18 days ago
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The Inspector General’s full access to records “is a critical function of the IG’s Office, the independence of which is mandated by the City’s Charter,” city said 6 yrs ago. Today they’re in court with IG after restricting her access. W/
@emilyopilo.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
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Baltimore’s mayor and IG have a court date Friday. Here's what to expect.
Brandon Scott and his advisors have argued the restrictions will not hamper Isabel Cumming’s ability to do her job, but Cumming said the decisions have severely restricted her work and could expose wh...
https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-inspector-general-isabel-cumming-lawsuit-6SHHQEVD2BB6ZIK5O67ANJCPQQ/
18 days ago
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Baltimore Police union president urged members to walk out of an event with Sheriff Sam Cogen over his role in the charges against officers in the death of Freddie Gray in 2015:
20 days ago
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Update: Former Dunbar football coach gets year in federal prison for stealing $215K through school police overtime
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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20 days ago
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As city school system tries to claw back pay from Dunbar's former football coach who stole $215k in police overtime he didn't work, Dunbar's principal writes to court ahead of his federal sentencing: “I wholeheartedly & without reservation offer my support for him.”
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Former Dunbar football coach to be sentenced in $215K police overtime theft case
Lawrence E. Smith, the decorated former Dunbar High football coach, will be sentenced in U.S. District Court for stealing $215,000 in overtime pay as a city schools police officer.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/dunbar-high-school-lawrence-smith-police-overtime-theft-GUU4NO77J5DBFGW2GIFTT7XIGA/
20 days ago
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Sad update: Body pulled from Inner Harbor identified as missing man Branson Oduor
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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21 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Baltimore Banner
21 days ago
BREAKING: Banner parent company to buy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, staving off newspaper’s closure
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Banner parent company to buy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, staving off its closure
The Venetoulis Institute will acquire the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, converting it to a nonprofit to prevent the historic paper’s closure.
https://buff.ly/R097LJV
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A body was pulled from the Inner Harbor by the aquarium this morning
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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Baltimore Fire responds to reports of body in Inner Harbor
Baltimore firefighters and police responded to reports of a body in the Inner Harbor Tuesday morning.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/body-inner-harbor-baltimore-fire-police-EJO677U2NFECND3QKI6W3IHZN4/
21 days ago
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Click to see why this Sunday read from Tim Prudente is piling up praise in the comments from Banner readers:
www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
23 days ago
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A former Anne Arundel County Police officer will serve 120 days in jail after he admitted that he chased a motorcyclist into Howard County and then fled after the man died in a crash - first conviction for AG’s unit that investigated police involved deaths
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Ex-Anne Arundel cop pleads guilty in chase that ended in motorcyclist’s death
Officer Alexander Rodriguez pleaded guilty in Howard County Circuit Court to one count of failing to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death, according to court records.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/anne-arundel-county-police-alexander-rodriguez-deadly-pursuit-NCTI6QQUDJESBEIGRIIAHIT62U/
25 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
NEW: A pair of Baltimore firefighters died more than 2 years ago. The city still hasn’t told the public what happened. But The Banner has obtained the 300-page report. Read it here:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Report on firefighters’ deaths in Baltimore exposes systemic flaws
The Baltimore Fire Department was understaffed while relying on aging equipment and outdated training standards when two firefighters died in a blaze 2 1/2 years ago, according to an investigative rep...
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-firefighters-deaths-report-systemic-flaws-T3CDGLANNVBLHKLCCY3M2LOP6A/
26 days ago
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What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief, who spoke out for the first time in an exclusive interview with the Banner’s
@kris10griffith.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
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What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief
Sean Bulson is speaking out for the first time since speculation about his behavior on a 2024 work trip to New Orleans circulated on social media during the winter and led the school board to fire him in February.
https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/sean-bulson-harford-county-schools-fired-QEYMEAQSHFHXNMHUFR6U3OSV6I/
25 days ago
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NEW: A pair of Baltimore firefighters died more than 2 years ago. The city still hasn’t told the public what happened. But The Banner has obtained the 300-page report. Read it here:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Report on firefighters’ deaths in Baltimore exposes systemic flaws
The Baltimore Fire Department was understaffed while relying on aging equipment and outdated training standards when two firefighters died in a blaze 2 1/2 years ago, according to an investigative rep...
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/baltimore-firefighters-deaths-report-systemic-flaws-T3CDGLANNVBLHKLCCY3M2LOP6A/
26 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Brenda Wintrode
26 days ago
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
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A shooting shattered their family. Annapolis is playing politics with their grief.
Legislative bumps and political infighting in Annapolis shroud passage of a NyKayla Strawder memorial bill, a teen killed by a 9-year-old with access to his grandmother's gun.
https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/nykayla-strawder-act-annapolis-malcolm-ruff-dalya-attar-TZFVYEZMKFHLDEPHKSMPCTPMQE/
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Brenda Wintrode
26 days ago
NyKayla Strawder was fatally shot in 2022 by a 9 year old with access to his grandmother’s gun. Her family has been trying to pass a law in her name to prevent similar deaths. Their efforts have become tangled in Baltimore politics. It’s Local News Day. Local news matters. Link below.
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Leslie Gray Streeter
26 days ago
Saying goodbye to
@cbsnewsbaltimore.bsky.social
legend Marty Bass, whose school closure announcements were a cornerstone of my life.
www.thebanner.com/culture/film...
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Streeter: Where’s Marty Bass? Ending his TV career with a few more stories to tell.
COLUMN | WJZ’s Marty Bass is retiring at the end of May. But he’s still got a few more stories to tell.
https://www.thebanner.com/culture/film-tv/marty-bass-wjz-retirement-baltimore-Z4YMKKB6BRC6VDZMWD2DF3YWTE/
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Today!
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26 days ago
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Tomorrow, April 9, is Local News Day, and The Banner’s journalists are celebrating by hosting pop-up newsrooms across Maryland
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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From the editor-in-chief: Visit us at a pop-up newsroom for Local News Day
You'll find Banner editors, reporters and photographers at coffee shops and other public gathering spots.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/baltimore-banner-local-news-day-7OA2RBOPGNCVTFO5V6K7BNUHOY/
27 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Dylan Segelbaum
29 days ago
By
@mayaklora.bsky.social
: A day care’s 24/7 cameras rebuilt parents’ trust where kids were once abused. (via
@thebaltimorebanner.com
)
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A day care’s 24/7 cameras rebuilt parents’ trust where kids were once abused
The child care center formerly owned by Shanteari Young in Baltimore County has found new life.
https://www.thebanner.com/education/early-childhood/shanteari-young-day-care-legacy-child-development-center-HBFY6IYYOFFXHJCLKU63SZSBHA/
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Really interesting story by
@pwoodreporter.bsky.social
: The Cayman Islands helped Maryland hospitals avoid taxes — until a whistleblower got involved
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
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How the Cayman Islands helped Maryland hospitals avoid taxes
The Maryland Hospital Association asked lawmakers to exclude hospitals from paying a tax on their affiliated for-profit insurance companies. A revised bill moving forward would pause the tax collectio...
https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/maryland-hospitals-cayman-islands-tax-JDUND7G5XJCJZOSTU2MNZI6KOI/
29 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Baltimore Banner
30 days ago
‘A bulletproof God’: Baltimore pastor delivers Easter sermon days after being shot, carjacked
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Baltimore pastor delivers Easter sermon days after being shot, carjacked
The cleric told his congregants and the public to forgive the young man who shot and robbed him.
https://buff.ly/cRkrP7D
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Pastor shot, carjacked outside Baltimore home returns to church for Easter: ‘Reignited a fire.’ By
@sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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Pastor shot, carjacked outside Baltimore home returns to church for Easter
Rashad Singletary, the beloved head pastor at Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station, has worked in violence prevention programs in Baltimore since at least 2013.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/rashad-singletary-shot-baltimore-carjacking-CRKULYQ26BA4ZNYNOIJ2A42BJA/
about 1 month ago
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While details aren’t yet available, this is the sixth shooting by Baltimore Police so far this year, by my count already eclipsing last year’s total as well as the most since 2021
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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Officers respond to police shooting in West Baltimore
Officers are responding to a police shooting in the Western District of Baltimore, police union officials said on social media.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/west-baltimore-police-shooting-DFWXWYDL25FQFJOYY52WEZIS4E/
about 1 month ago
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Advocates for an autistic man who was punched, shot & paralyzed over 2 encounters with Baltimore County police are calling on the Attorney General to investigate whether there is a broader problem in how the county handles mental health crises:
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
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Family of autistic man paralyzed in Baltimore County police shooting calls for investigation
Advocates for an autistic Baltimore County man who was punched, shot and paralyzed over two encounters last year with Baltimore County Police are urging the Maryland Office of the Attorney General to ...
https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/baltimore-county-police-shooting-john-haley-TBQNVBQUDZCNDIVGZ75NSQVEJA/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Justin Fenton
Baltimore Banner
about 1 month ago
Six more die in drug treatment housing linked to PHA Healthcare operators
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Six more die in drug treatment housing linked to PHA Healthcare operators
The number of deaths associated with PHA Healthcare alarmed lawmakers and treatment providers.
https://buff.ly/zMpaHDb
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New: Baltimore Police arrested the relative they said helped 9-year-old Tristan King evade detectives and federal agents for nearly six months after the formerly-missing boy ran from a case worker:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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Baltimore Police arrest Tristan King’s great aunt on abduction charges
Denise Day, Tristan King's great aunt, was charged with abduction of a child under age 16 by a relative and with harboring a child.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/tristan-king-great-aunt-abduction-charges-OPMCZH5CQZD57LMTML7MSM3WCM/
about 1 month ago
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It’s a tiny county with a high crime rate. And when the election deadline came and went, no one had filed to run to be its top prosecutor. Now, a 46-year-old with five years of legal experience is primed for the post. What gives?
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
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It’s a tiny county with a high crime rate. And almost nobody wants to be its top prosecutor.
Being the top prosecutor in Maryland’s smaller jurisdictions means taking on daunting caseloads for less pay than a legal professional could earn in private practice.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/dorchester-county-maryland-states-attorney-candidates-COGWP34U7FDO3DG256Q4PWPNUE/
about 1 month ago
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