Ellie Wolfe
@elliew0lfe.bsky.social
Proud graduate of Bates College covering higher education at the @thebaltimorebanner.com, say hi + send tips: [email protected]
A new federal student loan cap could make Maryland’s doctor shortage even worse. In my latest, I unpack how the Trump administration’s Grad PLUS changes may block low-income students and students of color from graduate programs across the state:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Trump’s new loan policy may end this future doctor’s dreams
A bill signed by President Donald Trump this summer ended the popular Grad PLUS loan program, which allowed graduate students to take out full loans for their studies.
www.thebanner.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A new federal student loan cap could make Maryland’s doctor shortage even worse. In my latest, I unpack how the Trump administration’s Grad PLUS changes may block low-income students and students of color from graduate programs across the state:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Morgan State University is one of the first colleges in the country to create its own sovereign artificial intelligence system. The university will soon run entirely on the AI, called Obsidian, which will advise students and grade assignments.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Morgan State could one day run entirely on AI
The historically Black college may be one of the few universities in the country, perhaps even the world, that has its own sovereign AI.
www.thebanner.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Morgan State University is one of the first colleges in the country to create its own sovereign artificial intelligence system. The university will soon run entirely on the AI, called Obsidian, which will advise students and grade assignments.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Breaking news: The commandant of midshipmen (dean of students) at the U.S. Naval Academy is out after six months due to “a loss of confidence in his ability to effectively lead." This summer, the academy's first female superintendent was also removed.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Another top Naval Academy leader ousted in latest Trump era shake-up
Capt. Gilbert Clark Jr., the commandant of midshipmen at the Naval Academy, was relieved of his duties in the latest Trump-era shake up for the military school.
www.thebanner.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Breaking news: The commandant of midshipmen (dean of students) at the U.S. Naval Academy is out after six months due to “a loss of confidence in his ability to effectively lead." This summer, the academy's first female superintendent was also removed.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Exclusive #RHOP news to @thebaltimorebanner.com : prosecutors are alleging that Wendy and Eddie Osefo used 40 credit cards and went by the aliases "Pam Oliver” + “Eddie Hennessy." The latest twist in their alleged insurance fraud. With @justinfenton.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ stars used aliases and 40 credit cards, prosecutors say
“Real Housewives of Potomac” star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie Osefo, are accused of using aliases and dozens of credit cards in new court documents.
www.thebanner.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Exclusive #RHOP news to @thebaltimorebanner.com : prosecutors are alleging that Wendy and Eddie Osefo used 40 credit cards and went by the aliases "Pam Oliver” + “Eddie Hennessy." The latest twist in their alleged insurance fraud. With @justinfenton.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
🚨Kurt Schmoke resigned from the Baltimore City Community College Board. Schmoke, the city's former mayor, also serves as the president of the University of Baltimore. He made headlines last month when he proposed a "consolidation" between BCCC and UBalt
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Kurt Schmoke resigns from BCCC board amid proposed consolidation
Schmoke pitched a merger with the University of Baltimore last month.
www.thebanner.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
🚨Kurt Schmoke resigned from the Baltimore City Community College Board. Schmoke, the city's former mayor, also serves as the president of the University of Baltimore. He made headlines last month when he proposed a "consolidation" between BCCC and UBalt
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Scoop: Reps for Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have been lobbying Gov. Wes Moore’s office in an effort to persuade Maryland to buy Plank’s horse farm, email show.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Kevin Plank wants Maryland to buy his horse farm
Emails detail a pitch to turn Sagamore Farm into a state-owned horse training facility.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Scoop: Reps for Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have been lobbying Gov. Wes Moore’s office in an effort to persuade Maryland to buy Plank’s horse farm, email show.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Exclusive to the @thebaltimorebanner.com: Johns Hopkins has spent nearly double this year on federal lobbyists. The university has spent $1.3 million so far, with money going directly to an associate of Trump to lobby to the Executive Office of the President:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Johns Hopkins University has spent nearly double on lobbyists since Trump took office
In the first nine months of this year, Johns Hopkins spent $1.3 million on lobbyists, compared to $750,000 during the same period last year, according to federal disclosure forms.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Exclusive to the @thebaltimorebanner.com: Johns Hopkins has spent nearly double this year on federal lobbyists. The university has spent $1.3 million so far, with money going directly to an associate of Trump to lobby to the Executive Office of the President:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
MacKenzie Scott has announced yet another gift to a Maryland HBCU. The billionaire philanthropist gave $50 million to Bowie State University, the largest gift in the school’s history. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
MacKenzie Scott donates $50M to Bowie State University
The billionaire philanthropist has given $50 million to Bowie State University, the HBCU's largest gift in school history.
www.thebanner.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
MacKenzie Scott has announced yet another gift to a Maryland HBCU. The billionaire philanthropist gave $50 million to Bowie State University, the largest gift in the school’s history. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Just two weeks after the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition formally separated from Johns Hopkins, the organization has ceased operations due to financial hardship. The org runs a recovery center, homeless shelter, and more:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
East Baltimore nonprofit closes two weeks after separation with Johns Hopkins
Found in 1994, The Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition offers a plethora of services, including educational programs, emergency shelter and community beautification efforts.
www.thebanner.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Just two weeks after the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition formally separated from Johns Hopkins, the organization has ceased operations due to financial hardship. The org runs a recovery center, homeless shelter, and more:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
BREAKING: Tuition at Johns Hopkins University will be free for students from families making less than $200,000. For families making under $100,000, tuition and living expenses will be covered. The change is taking effect this spring:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Tuition will be free for more students at Johns Hopkins University
The university will also cover the room and board and other living expenses for students whose families make under $100,000.
www.thebanner.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
BREAKING: Tuition at Johns Hopkins University will be free for students from families making less than $200,000. For families making under $100,000, tuition and living expenses will be covered. The change is taking effect this spring:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink @cmkristinmink.bsky.social said an ICE officer “grabbed” her arm and tried to take her phone Monday as she filmed a team of agents in Adelphi who appeared to be detaining a person.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Council member says ICE agent ‘grabbed’ her as she filmed agents detaining a person in Adelphi
Montgomery County Council Member Kristin Mink said a U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officer “grabbed” her arm and tried to take her phone as she filmed a team of agents in Adelphi who appeare...
www.thebanner.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink @cmkristinmink.bsky.social said an ICE officer “grabbed” her arm and tried to take her phone Monday as she filmed a team of agents in Adelphi who appeared to be detaining a person.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Baltimore City is offering up to $5,000 over two months to help essential federal workers and families on SNAP with child care costs. But there are already hundreds of families in line. Here's how you can join them: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
How Baltimore parents can get two months of child care help
Baltimore federal essential workers and families on SNAP can get up to $2,500 a month. Here’s how.
www.thebanner.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Baltimore City is offering up to $5,000 over two months to help essential federal workers and families on SNAP with child care costs. But there are already hundreds of families in line. Here's how you can join them: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
BLEXIT arrived at Bowie State University yesterday with a message: “Happy Homecoming! Please leave the Democratic Party.”
Inside the group’s visit, as well as how students and university officials reacted, in my latest story:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Inside the group’s visit, as well as how students and university officials reacted, in my latest story:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Happy homecoming, Bowie State. Blexit is here.
The Turning Point USA-affiliated group stopped at the Maryland campus on its HBCU tour.
www.thebanner.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
BLEXIT arrived at Bowie State University yesterday with a message: “Happy Homecoming! Please leave the Democratic Party.”
Inside the group’s visit, as well as how students and university officials reacted, in my latest story:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Inside the group’s visit, as well as how students and university officials reacted, in my latest story:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
The University System of Maryland, which includes 11 of the state’s public universities, has achieved its highest enrollment recorded to date. Universities in the system are educating 178,131 students this fall, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Read:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
University System of Maryland sees highest enrollment in history
Enrollment in the Maryland system’s 11 public institutions increased to record numbers.
www.thebanner.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The University System of Maryland, which includes 11 of the state’s public universities, has achieved its highest enrollment recorded to date. Universities in the system are educating 178,131 students this fall, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Read:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Happy Halloween! Since I can trace my horror fascination back as far as I remember, I wanted to find the Maryland kids who love all things scary, strange and creepy. They really didn't disappoint. www.thebanner.com/community/fa...
Meet the kids obsessed with everything that terrifies you
Here are the Maryland children obsessed with all things scary and creepy.
www.thebanner.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Happy Halloween! Since I can trace my horror fascination back as far as I remember, I wanted to find the Maryland kids who love all things scary, strange and creepy. They really didn't disappoint. www.thebanner.com/community/fa...
Morgan State University President David Wilson got a mysterious phone call at the start of October: a confidential high profile donor was interested in giving to the HBCU.
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Inside Morgan State and MacKenzie Scott’s $100 million partnership
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's second gift, $63 million, to Morgan State University came as a surprise.
www.thebanner.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Morgan State University President David Wilson got a mysterious phone call at the start of October: a confidential high profile donor was interested in giving to the HBCU.
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Weeks after Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus in Utah, the student group he co-founded claims the University of Maryland, College Park violated its free-speech rights with a $148.52 security fee:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
The $148 fee at the center of the University of Maryland’s free speech controversy
Turning Point USA claims a security charge targets the group’s free speech at the University of Maryland, College Park.
www.thebanner.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Weeks after Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus in Utah, the student group he co-founded claims the University of Maryland, College Park violated its free-speech rights with a $148.52 security fee:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Had fun thinking out loud about the Baltimore harbor's huge, maybe historic? pistachio tide with Lindsay Smith Rogers at Johns Hopkins.
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year after our episode on the fight to make Baltimore’s harbor safe for swimming, the harbor is recovering from “the ecological equivalent of a heart attack”.
@thebaltimorebanner.com’s @adampwillis.bsky.social gives an update on the "pistachio tide".
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/967-an-updat...
@thebaltimorebanner.com’s @adampwillis.bsky.social gives an update on the "pistachio tide".
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/967-an-updat...
October 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Had fun thinking out loud about the Baltimore harbor's huge, maybe historic? pistachio tide with Lindsay Smith Rogers at Johns Hopkins.
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
A year ago, Lindsay did a deep dive into Baltimore's progress toward a swimmable harbor. Things have felt different the last few weeks...
Seven colleges in Maryland are now using direct admissions programs. That means students are receiving acceptances without actually applying to the schools. One Maryland university sent out 450,000 direct admit offers last year (!!!!!). Read my latest:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
You got into college! The catch: You still have to apply.
More and more colleges in Maryland are offering direct admissions through the Common App, meaning students are receiving acceptances without even applying.
www.thebanner.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Seven colleges in Maryland are now using direct admissions programs. That means students are receiving acceptances without actually applying to the schools. One Maryland university sent out 450,000 direct admit offers last year (!!!!!). Read my latest:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
ICYMI: Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University, will retire this spring after 12 years of leadership. She saw the university through a number of changes, including in 2022 when the historically all-women college began admitting men.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Notre Dame of Maryland University president will retire
Notre Dame of Maryland University Marylou Yam will retire June 30 after leading the school for 12 years.
www.thebanner.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
ICYMI: Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University, will retire this spring after 12 years of leadership. She saw the university through a number of changes, including in 2022 when the historically all-women college began admitting men.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
A 31-year-old man was arrested for attempting to rape someone on the Johns Hopkins University campus, school and law enforcement officials announced today. The man arrested has an extensive criminal history and has served time before. With @sararuberg.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Man arrested for attempted rape on Johns Hopkins campus
A 31-year-old man was arrested for attempting to rape a 19-year-old woman on Johns Hopkins University’s campus on Saturday night, according to officials.
www.thebanner.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
A 31-year-old man was arrested for attempting to rape someone on the Johns Hopkins University campus, school and law enforcement officials announced today. The man arrested has an extensive criminal history and has served time before. With @sararuberg.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
This story is the kind of reporting that brought me to The Banner. When @kris10griffith.bsky.social and I found out we were both interested in the efficacy of inspector general oversight of school systems, it was a dream collaboration. Check it out: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
What does it take to root out fraud in Maryland’s biggest school districts?
Montgomery County’s Inspector General is the only office of its kind in Maryland that acts as a watchdog for its county school system. That could soon change.
www.thebanner.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This story is the kind of reporting that brought me to The Banner. When @kris10griffith.bsky.social and I found out we were both interested in the efficacy of inspector general oversight of school systems, it was a dream collaboration. Check it out: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Preschool without a building could be in Maryland’s future
Maryland is one of just a handful of states piloting licenses for outdoor, nature-based child care programs.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
What will the process look like for the Montgomery County Council to replace Gabe Albornoz, and who is eligible? I break it down here: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
How will the Montgomery County Council fill Albornoz’s seat?
Hours after Gabe Albornoz announced Thursday that he would resign from his at-large seat, the Montgomery County Council announced a plan to fill it.
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
What will the process look like for the Montgomery County Council to replace Gabe Albornoz, and who is eligible? I break it down here: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
I worked with the great @brendawintrode.bsky.social on my latest: Towson University students moved their “No Kings” rally off campus after a school official told them speakers’ names would be run through federal government databases and vetted for security reasons.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Towson U. ‘No Kings’ rally relocates over speaker background checks
Towson University students moved their “No Kings” rally off campus after school officials told them speakers’ names would be run through federal government databases and vetted for security reasons.
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I worked with the great @brendawintrode.bsky.social on my latest: Towson University students moved their “No Kings” rally off campus after a school official told them speakers’ names would be run through federal government databases and vetted for security reasons.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...