Brenna Smith
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brennasmith.bsky.social
Brenna Smith
@brennasmith.bsky.social
16K followers 160 following 35 posts
WSJ visual investigative reporter.

Past: Baltimore Banner, New York Times, & Bellingcat.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Brenna Smith
clancyny.bsky.social
WSJ: Far-Right Groups Buzz With Violent Talk on How to Respond to ‘No Kings’ Protest
By @brennasmith.bsky.social and @cammcw.bsky.social
Gift link!
Far-Right Groups Buzz With Violent Talk on How to Respond to ‘No Kings’ Protest
The Proud Boys and other extremists are capitalizing on Saturday’s planned demonstrations against Trump policies.
www.wsj.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykowicz.bsky.social
Happy spring! You can have a smaller bouquet of pre-tariff flowers...or you can have a pricier, post-tariff bouquet.

Read @briaovers.bsky.social in @thebaltimorebanner.com on the 💰🌷 situation.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/article/flow...
Maryland florists face tough choices as tariffs hit imports
Local sellers and growers are grappling with rising costs and uncertainty.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
brennasmith.bsky.social
Today is my first day as a visual investigations reporter for
@wsj.com! Super excited for this next adventure.

Send all tips, OSINT tools, and general nerdiness to brenna.smith[at]wsj[dot]com.
April 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykowicz.bsky.social
Mike Singer (of Key Bridge collapse footage infamy) on why people track the Dali: “A lot of people don’t want it to come back. I don’t want it to come back.”
@brennasmith.bsky.social with the capstone of our anniversary coverage @thebaltimorebanner.com
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
They watched the Key Bridge fall. Now they follow the Dali.
Mike Singer’s livestream riveted the world last year. He and thousands of others are dedicated ship watchers — specifically keeping tabs on the Dali.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
March 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykowicz.bsky.social
This Homeland Security quote about the need for the National Fire Academy is 👀

“We are only authorizing travel for mission critical programs. This isn’t one.”

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/western-mary...
Western Maryland town alarmed by National Fire Academy shutdown
Emmitsburg, a tiny Western Maryland town, fears the Trump administration’s suspension of the National Fire Academy classes will harm the economy. And emergency workers say the public will be less safe...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
kaitlinobscura.bsky.social
Had a ton of fun working on this with @brennasmith.bsky.social 🐝
conarck.bsky.social Ben Conarck @conarck.bsky.social · Mar 6
"A sudden shuttering would put at risk nearly 300,000 bees in the collection that hadn’t yet been properly preserved. Their little bodies left to rot in an empty lab building. Gnawed by mice, scattered by insects. Decades of research, gone."
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/cl...
The race to save the bee collection at a lab stung by Trump cuts
The Eastern Ecological Science Center’s Bee Lab in Prince George’s County is funded by the U.S. Geological Survey. Volunteers helped preserve bees as they worry about the lab’s fate amid Trump’s feder...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:03 AM
brennasmith.bsky.social
As the federal funding cuts rip through our country, in Maryland, it could take out our tiniest, most indispensable workers: bees.

Read my & Kaitlin Newman's latest: www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/cl...
The race to save the bee collection at a lab stung by Trump cuts
The Eastern Ecological Science Center’s Bee Lab in Prince George’s County is funded by the U.S. Geological Survey. Volunteers helped preserve bees as they worry about the lab’s fate amid Trump’s feder...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
conarck.bsky.social
"A sudden shuttering would put at risk nearly 300,000 bees in the collection that hadn’t yet been properly preserved. Their little bodies left to rot in an empty lab building. Gnawed by mice, scattered by insects. Decades of research, gone."
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/cl...
The race to save the bee collection at a lab stung by Trump cuts
The Eastern Ecological Science Center’s Bee Lab in Prince George’s County is funded by the U.S. Geological Survey. Volunteers helped preserve bees as they worry about the lab’s fate amid Trump’s feder...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
giana-jade.bsky.social
The NFL has begun its investigation into allegations that Justin Tucker engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior.

With @brennasmith.bsky.social, Julie Scharper and Jonas Shaffer:

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...
The NFL is in Baltimore investigating Justin Tucker accusations
NFL investigators were in Baltimore this week interviewing massage therapists who have accused Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
February 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
mikebaker.bsky.social
Six massage therapists say that Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker engaged in inappropriate behavior at four high-end spas and wellness centers. He was banned from two spas.

via the Baltimore Banner

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
thebaltimorebanner.com
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's behavior was so egregious, two massage therapists say they ended his sessions early. Two spas say they banned him. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
codyboteler.bsky.social
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
rkobell.bsky.social
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker engaged in inappropriate behavior at 4 high-end spas and wellness centers in the Bmore area, according to 6 massage [email protected] @juliemore19.bsky.social @brennasmith.bsky.social @justinfenton.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
dylansegelbaum.bsky.social
By @justinfenton.bsky.social, @brennasmith.bsky.social and @juliemore19.bsky.social: Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by six massage therapists. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
jessmnocera.bsky.social
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/hi...

Howard County's three state senators are urging Gov. Wes Moore to appoint immigration attorney Alicia Altamirano, public policy expert Michele Douglas and state labor official Daniel Newberger to fill the open seats on the Howard Community College board.
Senators move to fill vacancies on depleted Howard Community College board
Howard County senators are recommending three individuals to Howard Community College’s Board of Trustees, which will likely have to confront questions about the tenure of its controversial president,...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
codyboteler.bsky.social
I am always here for the careful reporting that @brennasmith.bsky.social brings to Baltimore:
One woman’s crusade for the sex workers Baltimore ignores
Kristina Page runs an outreach service for sex workers who often are shut out from help in Baltimore.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
pamelacolloff.bsky.social
ICYMI: "Up to 30% of the state’s wildfire-fighting force earns as little as $26.90 for a 24-hour shift. That’s because they’re prisoners in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation."

By the great @keribla.bsky.social:
www.latimes.com/california/s...
How you can help the incarcerated firefighters battling L.A. wildfires
The Los Angeles-based Anti-Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to ending mass incarceration, started a fundraiser on Friday to support the fire crews of California’s prisons.
www.latimes.com
January 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
hermanywong.bsky.social
Ira Glass on his Baltimore and magician roots: “If you’re from Baltimore, you just don’t get too big for your britches. That’s built into you.”

Lovely story by @brennasmith.bsky.social

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
From boy magician to ‘This American Life’: Ira Glass’s Baltimore
“This American Life” host Ira Glass was once a boy magician in Baltimore. This is his story.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykowicz.bsky.social
For policy and practical reasons, Baltimore's myriad services often fail to reach sex workers. Here is the story of one woman who is trying on her own to help them.
@brennasmith.bsky.social + @jessicagallagher.bsky.social for @thebaltimorebanner.com
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
One woman’s crusade for the sex workers Baltimore ignores
Kristina Page runs an outreach service for sex workers who often are shut out from help in Baltimore.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 13, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
conarck.bsky.social
Enlightening and depressing reporting in @thebaltimorebanner.com this morning, by @brennasmith.bsky.social on the underworld of sex work in Baltimore, where a local advocate named Kristina Page is taking it upon herself to connect women with services. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
One woman’s crusade for the sex workers Baltimore ignores
Kristina Page runs an outreach service for sex workers who often are shut out from help in Baltimore.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykowicz.bsky.social
'This American Life' host Ira Glass cut his teeth as a boy magician in Baltimore.

Great piece by @brennasmith.bsky.social, and these Glass family photos are A+
From boy magician to ‘This American Life’: Ira Glass’s Baltimore
“This American Life” host Ira Glass was once a boy magician in Baltimore. This is his story.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
January 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
bykenarmstrong.bsky.social
A trait that investigative reporter Gary Cohn was known for?

Relentless optimism.

“You would think after decades looking into death and despair, and people doing things for the wrong reasons, you would start to believe that’s how things work. He was not like that.”
www.inquirer.com/obituaries/g...
Gary Cohn, a Pulitzer Prize winner and former Inquirer reporter, has died at 72
Mr. Cohn won a Pulitzer in 1998 for an investigative series on the dangers posed to workers and the environment when old ships are dismantled. He also worked for the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.
www.inquirer.com
December 28, 2024 at 6:13 AM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
npr.org
A shy rescue dog named Scrim has been on the run after jumping from a second floor window. It was his second escape and the jump was caught on surveillance camera. People have been posting sightings of the dog running around various neighborhoods of New Orleans ever since.
‘We all see ourselves in him’: How Scrim went from shy stray to New Orleans’ favorite outlaw
“Scrim, it turns out, had a whole life before New Orleans,” said Doug McCash, arts and culture writer for The Times-Picayune.
www.wwno.org
December 26, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
awkword.bsky.social
One chopped off part of a newborn’s finger, and choked two nurses in a rage. Another drained the wrong side of a patient’s chest, and lied about it on the chart.

These are the unemployed doctors who get jobs in state prisons.

A look at NY, with @reuvenblau.bsky.social for @thecity.bsky.social
Doctors Sanctioned for Glaring Medical Mistakes Find a Place to Practice in NY State Prisons
They’ve been judged guilty of medical misconduct, negligence, incompetence and even felonies. An investigation by THE CITY reveals that 10 such doctors found work treating incarcerated patients.
www.thecity.nyc
December 26, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Brenna Smith
justinfenton.bsky.social
I am proud to have helped with this important story, published in conjunction with the New York Times. Please spend some time with it and support this kind of local journalism you only get from the Banner: www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/pu...
They entered treatment. Drugs, overdoses and deaths followed.
Baltimore addiction programs draw patients with free housing while collecting millions. Some say one company offered little help.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
December 20, 2024 at 2:48 PM