Pamela Wood - Reporter

04/05/2022

How endorsements are shaping Maryland’s race for governor

In the 2022 race for Maryland governor, candidates are jockeying for endorsements. Are endorsements helpful to voters or do they just represent insider deal-making?

My first story for The Baltimore Banner:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/md-governor-endorsements?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_9_staff

Campaigns hope “institutional muscle” from unions, advocacy groups and other politicians can be the difference in a crowded field

04/01/2022

Bureaucracy and staffing shortages cause rent relief delays

NEW from The Baltimore Banner's Hallie Miller:

Emergency pandemic housing aid is STILL slow to get out in many cases, leading to evictions.

A bill moving forward in Annapolis would give tenants facing eviction a 35-day reprieve while they wait for assistance to come through.

This story is a preview of the kind of work we'll be doing when the Banner launches later this spring/early summer. Pop in your email address on the website to get these stories delivered straight to your inbox.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/as-eviction-deadlines-approach-bureaucracy-and-staffing-shortages-are-delaying-rent-relief-for-marylanders?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_7_staff

A historic amount of federal pandemic aid is a challenge for local governments to distribute

03/27/2022

He got his start in Baltimore and will now score The Oscars

Planning to watch the Oscars?

Keep your ears tuned: West Baltimore native Dontae Winslow will serve as lead orchestrator, conductor, composer, arranger, and trumpet player.

My Baltimore Banner colleague Lawrence Burney spoke to Winslow about his journey:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/he-got-his-musical-start-in-west-baltimore-and-will-now-score-the-oscars?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_6_staff

West Baltimore native Dontae Winslow will take his musical talent to the 94th Academy Awards Sunday.

03/23/2022

New job finally got me some business cards!

(PS: I know the pic is hard to read. The best way to send me a news tip is via email: [email protected])

03/23/2022

Lawrence Burney on plans for more balanced arts coverage

I'm a news person, of course, but I'm really stoked for The Baltimore Banner's arts coverage being headed up by Lawrence Burney.

In a newsletter for The Banner, Burney writes about what's missing in coverage of Baltimore's arts and culture scene -- and how he hopes to shine a light on the vibrant and talented artists here.

"I’m tired of a media landscape that doesn’t reflect the demographics of this city. I’m tired of the communities that I come from being ignored when they are largely responsible for the edge and grit that attracts outsiders to come here. And I’m tired of seeing artists give up way earlier than they should because they feel like no one is here to listen to them."

https://thebaltimorebanner.com/arts-and-culture-editor-lawrence-burney-on-plans-for-more-balanced-arts-coverage?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_5_staff

Arts and Culture Editor will seek out the “wealth of creativity in every crack and crevice” in Baltimore

03/22/2022

The Well-Funded ‘Baltimore Banner’ Will Rival ‘The Sun.’ Can it Prove Sustainable?

“How can people govern themselves if they don’t know what is going on in their community? There is no industry more critical to democracy.”

That's Stewart Bainum, founder/funder of The Baltimore Banner, talking to Baltimore Magazine's Ron Cassie for an article about The Banner and what we're trying to do in Baltimore.

https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/baltimore-banner-will-rival-the-sun-can-it-prove-sustainable/

New online-only Baltimore newspaper is set to launch in early summer.

03/15/2022

mdcourts.gov

🚨NEW!!! Maryland's primary election is moved to *JULY 19* as redistricting challenges are still making their way through the courts. Candidate filing deadline is now April 15.

(The early voting and mail-in voting deadlines would likewise shift back, I assume.)

Here's the full order:
https://mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/coappeals/highlightedcases/2022districting/20220315orderelectiondates.pdf

03/15/2022

Anti-Trump Republicans lining up for 2024 shadow primary

The Associated Press had an interesting story yesterday that groups Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan along with U.S. Rep. Adam Kinziger (Illinois) and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyoming) as anti-Trump Republicans who are making moves ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Hogan has trips to Iowa and New Hampshire in the works.

https://apnews.com/article/2024-elections-anti-trump-republicans-b62ae9bb1ee38bf3ec18da59352bf3dd

NEW YORK (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is planning trips to Iowa and New Hampshire. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., is considering a rough timeline for a potential presidential announcement. And allies of Rep.

03/15/2022

Leslie Gray Streeter on the perils of post-pandemic dating

Good morning! Meet Leslie Gray Streeter, The Baltimore Banner's smart and funny columnist. In her debut column, she writes about getting back into the dating world, and shares advice from Nev Schulman (who you may know from MTV's show "Catfish").

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/jumping-back-into-the-dating-game-no-catfishing-please?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_4_staff

Leslie Gray Streeter: Part of my story is making good on a pre-pandemic promise to meet somebody, and I’m not alone.

03/11/2022

Happy Friday! Here's something for all you politics watchers: The women who represent Baltimore in the Maryland House of Delegates unveiled a highlight reel:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4824101467627086

03/11/2022

Four takeaways from the new indictment against Marilyn Mosby

✨ NEWS FROM The Baltimore Banner! ✨

My colleagues break down the latest information in the federal case against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. The feds have new details about how she bought vacation homes through allegedly improper means.

This is a preview of the kind of reporting we’ll be doing when we fully launch this spring. Pop in your email in the box at the bottom of the story to get news stories and updates on The Banner’s progress.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/four-takeaways-from-the-new-indictment-against-marilyn-mosby?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_3_staff

While a superseding indictment against her Thursday lists no new charges, prosecutors leveled additional accusations of deceit against Mosby.

03/09/2022

State vote to declare Crownsville Hospital Center surplus property may clear way for Anne Arundel County to acquire site

A story of interest to my Anne Arundel County friends: The state has now officially declared the main part of the old Crownsville Hospital Center property as surplus state property. This could pave the way for Anne Arundel County to acquire the property. (County Exec Pittman has proposed using the land for a nonprofit incubator, with housing for veterans and health and wellness programs.)

The state hospital closed all the way back in 2004, when I was a young Capital reporter and had way fewer wrinkles. I wrote several stories about the closure and fate of the property at that time, so I've watched with interest the various proposals for the land.

Here's the latest from Capital reporter Dana Munro:

https://www.capitalgazette.com/politics/ac-cn-surplus-crownsville-hospital-center-20220309-46c2jyfp5rclviud36cjbegcru-story.html

The Maryland Board of Public Works voted 2-1 on Wednesday in favor of declaring the majority of the Crownsville Hospital Center property surplus, perhaps clearing the way for Anne Arundel County to obtain the property.

03/08/2022

‼️Important news for politics-watchers:

👩🏼‍⚖️The Maryland Court of Appeals will hold a trial starting at 10 a.m. on March 22 on the challenges to the new map of General Assembly districts.

🗳Interestingly, March 22 at 9 p.m. is the deadline for candidates to file to run in the 2022 elections. Some aren't sure which district they'll be in.

03/08/2022

What to expect from The Baltimore Banner

What's going on with The Baltimore Banner? Here's a rundown of what we're up to from editor Kimi Yoshino.

https://mailchi.mp/thebaltimorebanner/what-to-expect-from-the-baltimore-banner-vf

It’s been three months since I started as editor in chief and six weeks since I became an official Baltimorean. Every day I’m meeting someone new and learning more about my city. So far, I’ve been struck by the creative spirit here and the passion and loyalty that Baltimore inspires. Meanwhile...

03/07/2022

Charm City • r/baltimore

Are you on Reddit? If so, you can ask questions directly to The Baltimore Banner's top editor, Kimi Yoshino, tomorrow. She's doing an Ask Me Anything starting at 11 a.m.

Details:
https://www.reddit.com/r/baltimore/

Subreddit for Baltimore, Maryland.

03/04/2022

WBAL Radio 1090 AM | Baltimore News | Baltimore Weather | Baltimore Traffic

Curious what The Baltimore Banner is all about? I’ll be on WBAL Radio with Brent Harris at 12:10 p.m. to talk about this exciting new journalism venture. Tune in at 1090 AM or www.wbal.com 📻

WBAL.com offers News, Weather & Traffic updates in Baltimore, Maryland. Listen to WBAL on 1090 AM for the latest Baltimore news, weather and traffic coverage.

03/04/2022

The Baltimore Banner is officially in business at the State House in Annapolis! Have a political news tip? My email is [email protected]

03/04/2022

Sen. Ed Reilly breached standards of conduct for threatening retaliation against Severna Park woman, ethics panel finds

From The Capital newspaper:

State Sen. Ed Reilly of Anne Arundel County was issued a "letter of education" from the General Assembly's Joint Ethics Committee, which found that he had threatened to withdraw a bill after learning a constituent who had requested the bill donated to a political opponent.

The constituent recalled Reilly saying: “’I was looking through my campaign finance records and noticed that you’re supporting my opponent and so why would I work for you if you’re actively working against me?’ ”

A letter of education is a low level of ethics discipline in the General Assembly. The range is: letter of education, reprimand, censure and finally expulsion.

Full story from reporter Dana Munro:

https://www.capitalgazette.com/politics/ac-cn-reilly-conduct-violation-20220303-njsrfi7j5ra2li3yy3kum6bhzi-story.html

A General Assembly ethics committee found that Sen. Ed Reilly broke with the standards of the body when he told a constituent he was planning to pull a bill on which they both had worked because she donated to his opponent's campaign.

03/03/2022

Creatives in Residence

Some news from The Baltimore Banner:

Meet our first group of "Creatives in Residence." These are writers and artists from Baltimore whose work will be showcased on The Banner's website and platforms. There are some really creative and smart people in this group, and I'm looking forward to seeing their work.

Also, to be clear: These writers and artists are being paid for their work that will appear in The Banner.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/creatives-in-residence?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=creatives_in_residence

Eight local writers and artists selected to participate in the inaugural program.

03/03/2022

Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox calls for impeachment of Maryland Gov. Hogan

Remember how Del. Dan Cox wanted to impeach Gov. Larry Hogan? Well, his effort was defeated this morning. Here's what happened:

Cox appeared before the House of Delegates Rules Committee to present his plan. The committee would have to approve of the resolution in order for it to be considered by the full House.

Cox summarized his opposition to the governor's covid actions, including the early shut down orders and problematic contracts. He also brought up the governor's use of the Wickr messaging app, which automatically deletes messages.

"These malfeasances demonstrate contempt for the Constitution of Maryland," Cox told the committee.

One person was signed up in support of the impeachment resolution, but wasn't in the Zoom room during the hearing. So ultimately no one else spoke in favor or against the resolution.

Del. Jason Buckel, the House Minority Leader, made a motion to vote unfavorable on the impeachment resolution.

"It is a political issue, not a legal issue worthy of impeachment," Buckel said.

Buckel's motion was seconded by Del. Kumar Barve, a top Democrat. On a voice vote, the Rules Committee voted unfavorable on the impeachment resolution. No one spoke up to be recorded the other way. So Cox's impeachment attempt was defeated in the span of about 10 minutes.

Background story from when Cox introduced his impeachment resolution (when I was still with The Sun):

https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-ga-cox-hogan-impeach-20220210-upgc6r2dybghxosu43dualllpa-story.html

A Republican Maryland lawmaker endorsed by Donald Trump for governor took a step Thursday to impeach Gov. Larry Hogan, a fellow Republican.

02/28/2022

Local newsrooms strained by budget-slashing financial firms

Here’s the story that just aired on “60 Minutes” about the struggles of local newspapers, especially at the hands of hedge funds like Alden Global Capital. (boooooo!)

The story highlights my new employer, The Baltimore Banner, as a new model for local journalism. We’re really excited about what we can bring to the Baltimore area with our news coverage. We plan to launch this spring.

Bonus for the Maryland politics crowd: There’s a brief video clip of the late Ted Venetoulis in a meeting with Stewart Bainum.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/local-news-financial-firms-60-minutes-video-2022-02-27/

Newsrooms in US cities were already suffering a declining audience and lost revenue to Facebook and Google, now some face takeover from opportunistic hedge funds. Jon Wertheim reports.

02/26/2022

The Baltimore Banner Will Be On 60 Minutes This Sunday

The Baltimore Banner will be featured on “60 Minutes” Sunday night. Read more about it ⬇️

https://mailchi.mp/thebaltimorebanner/the-baltimore-banner-will-be-on-60-minutes-this-sunday-15923920

02/24/2022

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued a statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, "a barbarous military assault from a deranged autocrat." Full statement below. ⬇️

02/23/2022

The Baltimore Banner

I'm officially part of The Baltimore Banner's team now, working toward a spring launch full of Maryland politics news. (And other news, too!) We are publishing periodic stories ahead of our launch, so please keep sending me news tips!

The best way to reach me is via email: [email protected].

You can sign up for email updates here:
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/

Our local news site is coming soon, but you can get a sneak peek now. Sign up for our free newsletter today.

02/17/2022

Family that owns home where firefighters died speaks out

The Baltimore Banner is out with another story ahead of our full launch in June.

In this piece, reporter Justin Fenton explores the history of the Baltimore house where three firefighters were killed. He traces how it became abandoned and found out what the owner has to say.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/family-that-owns-home-where-firefighters-died-speaks-out-for-first-time-illustrates-citys-challenges-with-vacants

“We did what we could to keep it secured," Robert Shore Jr. said of his family's home on S. Stricker Street, which caught fire in January.

02/16/2022

Some ~personal news~ as they say:

After 8+ years, today is my last day at The Baltimore Sun. Next week, I’ll join the staff of The Baltimore Banner.

I am so sad to leave my hometown newspaper, but I’m excited for the opportunity to help launch The Banner. The Banner will be a non-profit news website (no print edition). I’m joining a really talented team and I get to continue covering Maryland politics.

The Baltimore Banner launches in May, but you can sign up now for updates and previews of our coverage:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com