Zuri Berry
banner
zuriberry.com
Zuri Berry
@zuriberry.com
Executive Editor, Montgomery County at The Banner. 👨🏾‍💻

@bannermoco.bsky.social

Check us out at: https://thebanner.com/montgomery
Montgomery County officials say they're prepared for any blowback on restricting ICE.
Montgomery County Council passes restrictions on ICE
Montgomery County Council members say the bills to limit ICE are constitutionally sound, but the group is prepared for federal pushback.
www.thebanner.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Just posted another opportunity: Prince George’s County editor for The Banner.

job-boards.greenhouse.io/thebaltimore...

We’re going to prioritize hiring this role first. So please don’t wait to apply. Let me know if you have questions.
Prince George's County Editor
Prince George's County, MD
job-boards.greenhouse.io
February 10, 2026 at 12:43 AM
I’ve been thinking about this story a lot. One of the biggest challenges for journalists transitioning from an individual contributor role to management is the lack of training. Being a good journalist isn’t enough. That’s not dissimilar from going from employee to owner, whatever the context.
Journalism coops seem utopian. What’s it like working in one?
"If I was less self-directed, I'd probably be freaking out."
www.niemanlab.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Zuri Berry
The Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com announced it will bring award-winning journalism into Prince George’s County this spring, continuing its ambition to serve local, independent, non-profit news to readers across Maryland.

It follows the 2025 expansion to Montgomery County @bannermoco.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Zuri Berry
County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Natali Fani-González are moving forward with proposed zoning law changes that may determine where data centers can be built and what land use regulations they must follow.
February 6, 2026 at 9:59 PM
We're looking for journalists to join our Prince George's County newsroom. Hit me up if you have questions.

#Journalism #JournalismJobs
Opportunities in Prince George's County, MD.
Prince George's County, MD
job-boards.greenhouse.io
February 6, 2026 at 5:56 PM
The Banner has announced it is expanding to Prince George's County.

@bannerpgcounty.bsky.social
The Banner announces expansion to Prince George’s County
The Banner announced it will take its award-winning journalism into Prince George’s County this spring, continuing its ambition to serve readers across Maryland.
www.thebanner.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:22 PM
“Should MCPS have provided a list of uncleared streets earlier? That’s not our job!”

The tension between MCPS and and the county laid bare on snow removal.
Tension between schools, county officials ratchets up after snowstorm
School officials say they want to set the record straight after Montgomery County’s much-maligned response to the recent snowstorm.
www.thebanner.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Zuri Berry
Moore’s latest argument for redistricting? Combating ‘political redlining’
Moore’s latest argument for redistricting? Combating ‘political redlining’
Maryland has to redraw its congressional map to combat efforts by President Donald Trump and Republicans to “silence the voices and trying to eliminate Black leadership” by redistricting red states...
buff.ly
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
To no one’s surprise, data centers are a fault line on the council. But read deeper here to find that a good chunk of the Montgomery County Council are supportive of them, especially if they’re being targeted in land already zoned for industrial use. My colleague Jack Hogan has the story.
Data center debate fuels election-year tensions
Competing plans for regulating data centers in Montgomery County are inflaming election-year tensions among elected officials.
www.thebanner.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:13 AM
CASA, the immigrant advocacy group that’s tussled with the Trump administration, is altering its name. www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
New name sparks new era for immigrant advocacy group
With a fresh rebrand, We Are CASA vows to confront the federal government’s deportation efforts head-on.
www.thebanner.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:16 PM
MCPS parents are lighting up the district in our comments. They are NOT happy that school has been canceled tomorrow.
Montgomery County Public Schools to remain closed Monday
Students missed a week of classes after the winter storm.
www.thebanner.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:35 AM
So many restaurants have been negatively affected by Purple Line construction. In this case, my colleague Hau Chu writes about this Burmese gem in Silver Spring that’s struggling.
Mandalay's Burmese cuisine shines amid Purple Line construction
Mandalay in Silver Spring has been open at 930 Bonifant Street since 2004 but Purple Line construction woes, on top of the pandemic, have cut customer traffic.
www.thebanner.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:26 PM
More cold. Ugh.

Pitchers and catchers report in 11 days.
Marylanders brace for ‘dangerously cold’ wind chills as bomb cyclone hits East Coast
Marylanders should brace for “dangerously cold” wind chills Saturday evening into Sunday as a bomb cyclone hits the East Coast, according to the National Weather Service.
www.thebanner.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:38 PM
It’s really starting to feel like news dump Friday.
January 30, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The Trump administration continues its politicization of the Justice Department and its attack on his perceived enemies.
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
January 30, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Outrageous
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning

I was sent this video of agents at her door:
January 30, 2026 at 3:42 PM
One of the best ways to stay up to date on Montgomery County news is by downloading our app and turning on alerts for the county.

More on our app here: www.thebanner.com/app/
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Zuri Berry
If you’re willing to voluntarily go outside this week, you’re much braver than we are.

Here are things to do in Montgomery County for when it’s way too to be cold outside— curated by our Food, Arts & Culture Reporter @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:28 PM
New census data in: Ethiopian-born population in Montgomery County jumped nearly 150% in 15 years
Ethiopian population in Montgomery County jumps nearly 150%
Montgomery County’s Ethiopian immigrant population — now about 22,000 people — has grown nearly 150%, according to U.S. Census data released Thursday.
www.thebanner.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Great reporting by Jack Hogan here that gets at why business owners and the state have different perspectives on the Purple Line grants program. And yes, there were some wildly disparate grant amounts distributed that the state has worked to fix. But it still isn’t enough for struggling businesses.
After outcry, officials reworked Purple Line grants
The state Department of Transportation’s grant program has promised up to $50,000 for impacted businesses along the Purple Line — a potential windfall as they struggle to stay afloat. But nearly all…
www.thebanner.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Zuri Berry
This Silver Spring comic shop offers refuge by way of Dungeons & Dragons!

In the basement of a Silver Spring corner shop, you could explore a new world. Start a ballroom brawl. Maybe haggle your way into parenting a baby dragon.

Pure Panic Comics & Games welcomes a diverse group of hobbyists.
January 27, 2026 at 4:14 PM
A little bit of joy this morning as we continue to dig out.
January 27, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I’m very thankful for the Minnesota Star Tribune’s live coverage. They’re doing amazing work under trying circumstances. I’ve been checking in on them all week, and I suggest you do too.
Live: Some federal agents will start leaving Tuesday, Frey says after phone call with Trump
The apparent move by the administration comes as White House border czar Tom Homan is dispatched to take over the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis.
www.startribune.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:44 AM