The Banner Montgomery
@bannermoco.bsky.social
Local, independent news that you can trust from Montgomery County, #Maryland. Find us live at: https://thebanner.com/montgomery
Lanail was one of many fans who responded to the post, hoping to be chosen but not necessarily expecting it.
But then her phone was suddenly flooded with notifications. Cole was on his way to pick up her and a friend.
But then her phone was suddenly flooded with notifications. Cole was on his way to pick up her and a friend.
February 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Lanail was one of many fans who responded to the post, hoping to be chosen but not necessarily expecting it.
But then her phone was suddenly flooded with notifications. Cole was on his way to pick up her and a friend.
But then her phone was suddenly flooded with notifications. Cole was on his way to pick up her and a friend.
Plenty of artists plan meet and greet-style events to engage with their fans while promoting a new album. But the two-time Grammy-winning rapper and producer, 41, took it one step further.
February 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Plenty of artists plan meet and greet-style events to engage with their fans while promoting a new album. But the two-time Grammy-winning rapper and producer, 41, took it one step further.
Here’s what it’s like to drive around Montgomery County with a 2-time Grammy winner.
Ciera Lanail’s voice is a little hoarse. She’s been screaming in disbelief for 24 hours after meeting one of her favorite artists, rapper J. Cole, in Silver Spring.
Ciera Lanail’s voice is a little hoarse. She’s been screaming in disbelief for 24 hours after meeting one of her favorite artists, rapper J. Cole, in Silver Spring.
February 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Here’s what it’s like to drive around Montgomery County with a 2-time Grammy winner.
Ciera Lanail’s voice is a little hoarse. She’s been screaming in disbelief for 24 hours after meeting one of her favorite artists, rapper J. Cole, in Silver Spring.
Ciera Lanail’s voice is a little hoarse. She’s been screaming in disbelief for 24 hours after meeting one of her favorite artists, rapper J. Cole, in Silver Spring.
Police are investigating vandalism discovered outside an Olney synagogue.
A swastika and the acronym “AZAB” (All Zionists Are Bastards) were spray-painted on the building marker for the synagogue and across two printed banners, one of which read, “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”
A swastika and the acronym “AZAB” (All Zionists Are Bastards) were spray-painted on the building marker for the synagogue and across two printed banners, one of which read, “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”
February 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Police are investigating vandalism discovered outside an Olney synagogue.
A swastika and the acronym “AZAB” (All Zionists Are Bastards) were spray-painted on the building marker for the synagogue and across two printed banners, one of which read, “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”
A swastika and the acronym “AZAB” (All Zionists Are Bastards) were spray-painted on the building marker for the synagogue and across two printed banners, one of which read, “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”
The pilot is scheduled to begin in March. District officials said they won’t decide on broader implementation without careful review and community feedback.
So, how does VOLT-AI work? Get the full story by Talia Richman with a direct link below.
So, how does VOLT-AI work? Get the full story by Talia Richman with a direct link below.
February 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The pilot is scheduled to begin in March. District officials said they won’t decide on broader implementation without careful review and community feedback.
So, how does VOLT-AI work? Get the full story by Talia Richman with a direct link below.
So, how does VOLT-AI work? Get the full story by Talia Richman with a direct link below.
Superintendent Thomas Taylor, asked about the lack of metal detectors in schools at a news conference, pointed to the district partnership with VOLT AI, based in Bethesda.
“There’s still a lot for us to learn about weapons detection and how it can best serve our community."
“There’s still a lot for us to learn about weapons detection and how it can best serve our community."
February 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Superintendent Thomas Taylor, asked about the lack of metal detectors in schools at a news conference, pointed to the district partnership with VOLT AI, based in Bethesda.
“There’s still a lot for us to learn about weapons detection and how it can best serve our community."
“There’s still a lot for us to learn about weapons detection and how it can best serve our community."
Chief Safety Officer Marcus Jones wrote to families in three high school communities — Seneca Valley, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Magruder — to tell them that their campuses were poised to test VOLT AI.
“This pilot is a careful, short-term opportunity to test a potential tool.”
“This pilot is a careful, short-term opportunity to test a potential tool.”
February 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Chief Safety Officer Marcus Jones wrote to families in three high school communities — Seneca Valley, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Magruder — to tell them that their campuses were poised to test VOLT AI.
“This pilot is a careful, short-term opportunity to test a potential tool.”
“This pilot is a careful, short-term opportunity to test a potential tool.”
The day before gunfire pierced a Montgomery County high school, the district quietly began rolling out a pilot program for an AI-powered weapons detection system.
February 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The day before gunfire pierced a Montgomery County high school, the district quietly began rolling out a pilot program for an AI-powered weapons detection system.
As deportation raids escalate across the country, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed legislation Tuesday to limit how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates within the county’s borders.
February 11, 2026 at 2:01 AM
As deportation raids escalate across the country, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed legislation Tuesday to limit how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates within the county’s borders.
The 16-year-old suspect who allegedly shot another student at Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School on Monday will be tried as an adult, Montgomery County Police said in a statement.
February 11, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The 16-year-old suspect who allegedly shot another student at Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School on Monday will be tried as an adult, Montgomery County Police said in a statement.
This Salvadoran chef cooked in Michelin-starred kitchens and now hand-forms corn tortillas in his Rockville food truck.
February 9, 2026 at 10:57 PM
This Salvadoran chef cooked in Michelin-starred kitchens and now hand-forms corn tortillas in his Rockville food truck.
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
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.
“While I’m excited to bring the result of this work, I know that change is hard,” he said. “Critical family decisions are made about where people live, what they do and how they go about their lives, often tied to the schools their children attend.”
February 6, 2026 at 9:56 PM
“While I’m excited to bring the result of this work, I know that change is hard,” he said. “Critical family decisions are made about where people live, what they do and how they go about their lives, often tied to the schools their children attend.”
The idea, recommended by Taylor at a school board meeting, has faced vocal community opposition over the past several weeks. The superintendent said it was the best option to emerge from a contentious redistricting process that has set many MCPS families on edge for months.
February 6, 2026 at 9:56 PM
The idea, recommended by Taylor at a school board meeting, has faced vocal community opposition over the past several weeks. The superintendent said it was the best option to emerge from a contentious redistricting process that has set many MCPS families on edge for months.
Students who expected to attend Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School will instead go to a newly constructed campus in Gaithersburg if the school board approves Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s boundary plan.
February 6, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Students who expected to attend Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School will instead go to a newly constructed campus in Gaithersburg if the school board approves Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s boundary plan.
We Are CASA Executive Director George Escobar, who took the job on Jan. 1, told The Banner that the name change emphasizes the group’s inclusivity and resolve.
“We are putting every effort and every resource that we have to meet the moment,” George Escobar said.
“We are putting every effort and every resource that we have to meet the moment,” George Escobar said.
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
We Are CASA Executive Director George Escobar, who took the job on Jan. 1, told The Banner that the name change emphasizes the group’s inclusivity and resolve.
“We are putting every effort and every resource that we have to meet the moment,” George Escobar said.
“We are putting every effort and every resource that we have to meet the moment,” George Escobar said.
CASA, Maryland’s most visible immigrant advocacy group, rebranded on Monday. Now it’s called “We Are CASA.”
Founded in a Takoma Park church basement in 1985, the group now represents more than 189,000 members in 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Founded in a Takoma Park church basement in 1985, the group now represents more than 189,000 members in 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
CASA, Maryland’s most visible immigrant advocacy group, rebranded on Monday. Now it’s called “We Are CASA.”
Founded in a Takoma Park church basement in 1985, the group now represents more than 189,000 members in 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Founded in a Takoma Park church basement in 1985, the group now represents more than 189,000 members in 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The Trump administration is expected to unilaterally cease congressionally-approved federal funding to states, including Maryland, with “sanctuary cities” in February.
January 30, 2026 at 11:25 PM
The Trump administration is expected to unilaterally cease congressionally-approved federal funding to states, including Maryland, with “sanctuary cities” in February.
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
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
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
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
Amid the snowstorm, José Andrés’ nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, which provides food to communities in crisis all over the world, partnered with local restaurants to provide meals to shelters in Montgomery County and the greater D.C. area.
January 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Amid the snowstorm, José Andrés’ nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, which provides food to communities in crisis all over the world, partnered with local restaurants to provide meals to shelters in Montgomery County and the greater D.C. area.
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.
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
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.
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.
A broken sewer pipeline is dumping gallons of sewage water into the Potomac River from Montgomery County right now.
January 24, 2026 at 1:12 AM
A broken sewer pipeline is dumping gallons of sewage water into the Potomac River from Montgomery County right now.
This is your weekly report on things to do in Montgomery County!
Story by @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social
Video by @rondez.bsky.social
Story by @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social
Video by @rondez.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM
This is your weekly report on things to do in Montgomery County!
Story by @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social
Video by @rondez.bsky.social
Story by @hannahyasharoff.bsky.social
Video by @rondez.bsky.social
From Silver Spring, Maryland.
January 9, 2026 at 5:12 AM
From Silver Spring, Maryland.