Maya Lora
@mayaklora.bsky.social
early childhood education reporter at The Baltimore Banner & weird fiction enthusiast | she/her/hers
Pinned
Maya Lora
@mayaklora.bsky.social
· Jan 2
Happy new year! I'm back in the Banner's office and am so excited to dig into the stories I'll get to tell throughout 2025. Have something in early childhood education you want to make sure I don't miss this year? Tip me: [email protected]
ICYMI, the latest investment in early ed: Baltimore is setting aside $500,000 in grant money to expand preschool access and will start to look at vacant and underutilized city buildings to possibly house child care and pre-K programs www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Baltimore City is using $500,000 to get more kids into pre-K
Vacant Baltimore City properties could soon be repurposed for child care.
www.thebanner.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
ICYMI, the latest investment in early ed: Baltimore is setting aside $500,000 in grant money to expand preschool access and will start to look at vacant and underutilized city buildings to possibly house child care and pre-K programs www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Maya Lora
NEW: Thousands of Baltimore students can’t get to school on time because of unreliable transit.
The city's school choice system complicates creating a yellow bus network for all.
A new plan proves it can be done.
w/ @lizbowie.bsky.social & @ajv.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
The city's school choice system complicates creating a yellow bus network for all.
A new plan proves it can be done.
w/ @lizbowie.bsky.social & @ajv.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
School buses for every Baltimore student seemed impossible — until now
School transportation company HopSkipDrive used AI and a Banner analysis to map how yellow buses, vans and cars could get Baltimore students to school safely and on time for less than 5% of the distri...
www.thebanner.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
NEW: Thousands of Baltimore students can’t get to school on time because of unreliable transit.
The city's school choice system complicates creating a yellow bus network for all.
A new plan proves it can be done.
w/ @lizbowie.bsky.social & @ajv.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
The city's school choice system complicates creating a yellow bus network for all.
A new plan proves it can be done.
w/ @lizbowie.bsky.social & @ajv.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Maya Lora
West Baltimore will lose a beloved school that couldn’t make ends meet for years
West Baltimore will lose a beloved school that couldn’t make ends meet for years
New Song Academy has been called a pillar of its Sandtown-Winchester community.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
West Baltimore will lose a beloved school that couldn’t make ends meet for years
Reposted by Maya Lora
Reposted by Maya Lora
Anne Arundel County is going to take a historic step and apologize for its role in perpetuating slavery.
The local NAACP, under new leadership, says it's no longer interested in participating.
The local NAACP, under new leadership, says it's no longer interested in participating.
NAACP president asks to be taken off Anne Arundel County’s apology for slavery
The local NAACP says it was never consulted about the Anne Arundel County formal apology for slavery, despite its name appearing on communication about it. What happened?
www.thebanner.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Anne Arundel County is going to take a historic step and apologize for its role in perpetuating slavery.
The local NAACP, under new leadership, says it's no longer interested in participating.
The local NAACP, under new leadership, says it's no longer interested in participating.
Though it got a 3-year charter renewal in January, Baltimore City Schools is closing New Song Academy at the end of the school year - after moving all of its students out of a "deteriorating" building next month www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Baltimore’s New Song Academy closing at the end of the school year
Students will be moved out of a deteriorating building in Sandtown-Winchester, according to City Schools.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Though it got a 3-year charter renewal in January, Baltimore City Schools is closing New Song Academy at the end of the school year - after moving all of its students out of a "deteriorating" building next month www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Maya Lora
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...
Your Sunday read: The Maryland School for the Blind was “decrepit” just 10 years ago, its superintendent said. But record investments are making huge differences for kids. And now, athletics are taking center stage with a new gym and 2 pools. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Maryland is investing over $65 million to prove blind kids play sports, too
Once "decrepit," Maryland School for the Blind will cap off its transformation with a new gym and two pools.
www.thebanner.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Your Sunday read: The Maryland School for the Blind was “decrepit” just 10 years ago, its superintendent said. But record investments are making huge differences for kids. And now, athletics are taking center stage with a new gym and 2 pools. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Maya Lora
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 Maya Lora
Johns Hopkins University will no longer charge tuition to undergraduate students from families making under $200,000 a year, the school announced Thursday.
The university will also cover the room and board and other living expenses for students whose families make under $100,000. buff.ly/MRJcyFm
The university will also cover the room and board and other living expenses for students whose families make under $100,000. buff.ly/MRJcyFm
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Johns Hopkins University will no longer charge tuition to undergraduate students from families making under $200,000 a year, the school announced Thursday.
The university will also cover the room and board and other living expenses for students whose families make under $100,000. buff.ly/MRJcyFm
The university will also cover the room and board and other living expenses for students whose families make under $100,000. buff.ly/MRJcyFm
Reposted by Maya Lora
By @sararuberg.bsky.social: ICE took her husband. She’s fighting to keep the lights on and hope alive. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
ICE took her husband. She’s fighting to keep the lights on and hope alive.
Dania Bautista is among Maryland families facing the daunting task of raising kids and covering bills while navigating the immigration system on behalf of their detained loved ones.
www.thebanner.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
By @sararuberg.bsky.social: ICE took her husband. She’s fighting to keep the lights on and hope alive. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Maya Lora
Howard Community College faculty escalate clash with president
Howard Community College faculty escalate clash with president
The faculty forum of Howard Community College voted no confidence in college President Daria Willis’ leadership.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Howard Community College faculty escalate clash with president
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...
Reposted by Maya Lora
Hundreds already in line for Baltimore’s child care shutdown aid
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.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Hundreds already in line for Baltimore’s child care shutdown aid
Reposted by Maya Lora
By @briaovers.bsky.social and @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social: ‘We keep waiting.’ The long struggle of the Superblock’s dwindling business district. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
‘We keep waiting.’ The long struggle of the Superblock’s dwindling business district
Businesses have come and gone, but those that stayed said they feel disillusioned by the politicians — seven mayors and counting — and developers who have made promise after promise about what the are...
www.thebanner.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
By @briaovers.bsky.social and @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social: ‘We keep waiting.’ The long struggle of the Superblock’s dwindling business district. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Controversial opinion from a woman without children: We need more, not less, kid-friendly spaces. And I'm obsessed with Christina Tkacik's latest profile. "Punk is family. Punk is community. Punk is children and upbringing and showing them the world and everything." www.thebanner.com/culture/food...
The Dish: A new punk rock sandwich bar is Baltimore’s most kid-friendly restaurant
Animal Boy, a new punk rock sandwich bar on Harford Road, has something for everyone — even my excavator-obsessed toddler.
www.thebanner.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Controversial opinion from a woman without children: We need more, not less, kid-friendly spaces. And I'm obsessed with Christina Tkacik's latest profile. "Punk is family. Punk is community. Punk is children and upbringing and showing them the world and everything." www.thebanner.com/culture/food...
Reposted by Maya Lora
Blexit, a group that aims to convince Black Americans to leave the Democratic Party and become conservatives, is on its HBCU tour.
It stopped by Bowie State University last week.
It stopped by Bowie State University last week.
Happy homecoming, Bowie State. Blexit is here.
The Turning Point USA-affiliated group stopped at the Maryland campus on its HBCU tour.
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Blexit, a group that aims to convince Black Americans to leave the Democratic Party and become conservatives, is on its HBCU tour.
It stopped by Bowie State University last week.
It stopped by Bowie State University last week.
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...
The child care scholarship program has been frozen since May. One Maryland lawmaker said she's prioritizing doling out new scholarships next legislative session - which doesn't start until January. The program is the #1 way MD families get help with child care www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Maryland lawmaker wants to reopen state child care scholarships in 2026
The waitlist has grown to more than 2,700 Maryland kids since May.
www.thebanner.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The child care scholarship program has been frozen since May. One Maryland lawmaker said she's prioritizing doling out new scholarships next legislative session - which doesn't start until January. The program is the #1 way MD families get help with child care www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Maya Lora
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...
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 Maya Lora
Montgomery County’s only charter school is having trouble. It has had to move temporarily from Germantown to Bethesda, a burden for its parents in Upcounty. Then, its transportation vendors have had compliance issues. And so parents have been pulling out.
The only charter school in Montgomery County is hitting speed bumps
The charter school’s enrollment has dropped by more than 25% since the school opened in August.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Montgomery County’s only charter school is having trouble. It has had to move temporarily from Germantown to Bethesda, a burden for its parents in Upcounty. Then, its transportation vendors have had compliance issues. And so parents have been pulling out.
Reposted by Maya Lora
How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ birthed a terrifying film subgenre in Maryland, Patrick McCaslin reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ birthed a terrifying film subgenre in Maryland
Found-footage horror films exploded in popularity after the release of Maryland-made “The Blair Witch Project,” according to a Banner analysis of over 4,000 horror movies.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ birthed a terrifying film subgenre in Maryland, Patrick McCaslin reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Maya Lora
Preschool without a building could be in Maryland’s future
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.
buff.ly
October 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Preschool without a building could be in Maryland’s future
Reposted by Maya Lora
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.