Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Greg Morton

Ben Conarck @conarck.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: A few weeks ago, @muckrock.com
shared the Brady list for Baltimore County. Scanning it, I noticed the police chief was on there. I then spent weeks trying to figure out why. But no one — not the state's attorney, nor the police department — is explaining it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...

Baltimore County’s police chief is on a list of cops with credibility concerns

Robert McCullough, the Baltimore County Police Department chief, appears on a list of law enforcement officers whose potential credibility concerns require disclosure to defense attorneys if they’re c...

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 5d

By @juliemore19.bsky.social: There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven

Warren was once a bustling mill town, but it was flooded more than a century ago to enlarge the Loch Raven Reservoir. Now just a few remnants of the town haunt the surrounding woods.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 6d

The players at the center of the crisis are out-of-towners — a group of investors from a small community in New York.

@halliemiller.bsky.social , Sahana Jayaraman and Giacomo Bologna on how Baltimore's problem could be the start of something larger.

www.thebanner.com/community/ho...

The housing hustle igniting a foreclosure crisis in Baltimore

The foreclosures could send neighborhoods spiraling and make Baltimore America’s next great housing crisis.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 6d

NEW INVESTIGATION:

Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.

The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.

Now they're going bad.

(Story below ⬇️)

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 8d

The child care scholarship is the main way Maryland families get help with child care. Since many can't afford it otherwise, day cares and preschools rely on vouchers to fill spots. So what happens when the program gets frozen - and doesn't come back when predicted? www.thebanner.com/education/ea...

State extends the child care scholarship freeze indefinitely

The state projected getting back down to 40,000 child care scholarships by September. But the program is still thousands of vouchers over budget.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 11d

New w/ @elliew0lfe.bsky.social: : The Trump administration will begin to charge $100k each for visas that UMD and Hopkins use to hire researchers, scientists and professors.

Among the affected? A Ukrainian researcher who may be forced to go home.

“I am terrified"

www.thebanner.com/education/hi...

Ukrainian researcher’s future in doubt as Trump’s H-1B visa costs hit Hopkins, UMD

Looking at Donald Trump’s new changes to H-1B visas, which now include a hefty $100,000 fee. Will Maryland colleges start hiring less foreign born faculty because of it?

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 22d

It's been over five years since the onset of COVID-19, which means the babies born into the pandemic are off to pre-K 4 and kindergarten. How exactly can teachers support these kiddos, who spent their earliest years in isolation? I dug into it: www.thebanner.com/education/ea...

The pandemic babies are off to pre-K and kindergarten

In a major pandemic milestone, the babies born during the early days of COVID-19 are finally old enough to start school.

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · 26d

NEW: The Trump administration is proposing cutting all funding for TRIO, a set of programs that helps low-income, first-generation students attend college. More than 12,000 Marylanders relied on the program last year. Here’s the potential impact:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...

Program for thousands of Maryland's students on the chopping block

The Trump administration in its proposal called TRIO a “relic of the past,” adding “access to college is not the obstacle it was for students of limited means.”

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 27d

Howard county SHOULD be the perfect place for young families.

It has great schools, close proximity to DC and Baltimore, plenty of parks...

...so why are only 7% of homeowners under 35?

@jessmnocera.bsky.social & I on how HoCo became a "victim of its own success"
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Can’t afford to buy a home in Howard County? New census data offer clues why

New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau suggests a harsh reality: it’s never been harder for young families to move to Howard County.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 27d

Baltimore's poorest residents are getting crushed under the weight of housing costs.

Nearly 40% of rental properties housed residents making less than $35,000 a year

By @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social & @sahanajayaraman.bsky.social

www.thebanner.com/community/ho...

Rent is guzzling Baltimore paychecks. The poorest feel it the most.

Last year, 4 of 10 households renting in Baltimore spent 35% or more of their income on rent, according to a Baltimore Banner analysis of estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 27d

Inflation-adjusted incomes are falling in Baltimore county. That's bad news for a county that was already one of the most rent-burdened in the state

By Sapna Bansil

www.thebanner.com/economy/balt...

Incomes keep falling in Baltimore County

Baltimore County incomes fell for the fifth time in a row, and that's placing a greater strain on the county's renters, a Banner analysis of new U.S. Census Bureau data found.

www.thebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 27d

IT'S CENSUS DAY at @thebaltimorebanner.com!

The release of new 1-year ACS data told us a lot about the changing demographics and living experiences of counties across the country.

Here's what we learned about Maryland:

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Sep 3

Locust Point residents have had to live all summer with a constant hum, about the volume of a vacuum cleaner.

How does their neighborhood compare to the loudest places in Baltimore?

We took to the streets (with a mic!) to find out!

www.thebanner.com/community/cl...

How loud are those Locust Point ships? We went to some noisy spots to find out.

The plight of Locust Point residents who must live with constant noise from two military cargo ships got us wondering: How does the racket there compare to other noisy spots?

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · Aug 22

Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen reports owing more than $71M. (w/ @halliemiller.bsky.social and @invisibae.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Brandon Chasen reports that he owes more than $71M

Chasen, 39, of Guilford, agreed on July 30 to voluntarily proceed with Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy.

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · Aug 6

Head Start, the child tax credit, extra English help: These are all things undocumented and kids in mixed-status families stand to lose under the 2nd Trump admin. Anti-immigrant rhetoric & increased deportations are eating away at kids' mental health www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...

Under Trump, an increasingly isolated life for kids in immigrant families

As deportation efforts and anti-immigrant rhetoric ramp up, kids are feeling more isolated, losing benefits and risking long-term detriments.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 31

ICYMI

From last night:

Prominent Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed to enter into chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Story 👇🏾

Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 31

NEW: Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed enter bankruptcy.

In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.

w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...

Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen agrees to enter bankruptcy

In a statement, Adam Freiman, Brandon Chasen's attorney, said his client "remains focused on seeing this process through with dignity and honesty."

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 31

NEW: Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has agreed enter bankruptcy.

In a statement to @thebaltimorebanner.com, his lawyer said Chasen would learn from "painful and profound" lessons.

w/ @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social & @halliemiller.bsky.social

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/grow...

Baltimore real estate developer Brandon Chasen agrees to enter bankruptcy

In a statement, Adam Freiman, Brandon Chasen's attorney, said his client "remains focused on seeing this process through with dignity and honesty."

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · Jul 28

The largest cuts to SNAP & Medicaid in U.S. history don't explicitly target kids - but they're likely to feel the pain when the adults who care for them lose benefits. Here's what social services experts are most worried about www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/ea...

How cuts to Medicaid and food stamps could end up hurting kids

Spending cuts may be aimed at adults on paper, but kids could still end up without sufficient food and health care under the One Big Beautiful Bill.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Hayes Gardner @hayesgardner.bsky.social · Jul 25

Every McLaren supercar sold in the U.S. comes through the Port of Baltimore.

Soon, they will be processed at a McLaren-specific facility at Tradepoint Atlantic, as opposed to within a public terminal.

(Also: I test drove one today, maxing out at 25 mph.)
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/mcla...

McLaren revs up in Baltimore with new Tradepoint Atlantic facility

McLaren’s “high-performance luxury supercars” are manufactured in England, but workers in Dundalk will soon apply finishing touches at a McLaren-specific facility at Tradepoint Atlantic.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Julie Bykowicz @bykowicz.bsky.social · Jul 24

Find something old and interesting tucked away in a Baltimore building? Reach out to @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social, who has another fun story about hidden treasurers out now:
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/arts...

Bertha’s Mussels served up a prized parting gift — from its closet

A recent find at the long-closed Bertha's Mussels got The Banner wondering: Have you come across a rare treasure in an old building?

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Kyle Goon @kylegoon.bsky.social · Jul 24

John Harbaugh had an “amazing” experience at the White House. But if he had taken some time to think about what it meant to have a photo op with a president that bullies his home state, he would see why folks are disappointed in that decision: www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...

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Reposted by Greg Morton

Kyle Goon @kylegoon.bsky.social · Jul 24

A fitting companion piece to the column today:

Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 24

NEW: The Trump administrations attempts to dismantle large parts of the federal workforce are starting to show up in the data.

In June, Maryland lost more federal jobs than any state in the country — the most in nearly three decades.‬⁩

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/ripp...

Maryland just lost its most federal workers in a month in nearly 30 years

Maryland’s federal workforce just saw its largest single-month job loss since 1996, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 24

NEW: The Trump administrations attempts to dismantle large parts of the federal workforce are starting to show up in the data.

In June, Maryland lost more federal jobs than any state in the country — the most in nearly three decades.‬⁩

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/ripp...

Maryland just lost its most federal workers in a month in nearly 30 years

Maryland’s federal workforce just saw its largest single-month job loss since 1996, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · Jul 17

NEW: Research proves empirical what @lizbowie.bsky.social and I heard from many Baltimore City students: Long and complicated commutes on public transit limit their options even in Baltimore's universal school choice system.

We spoke with the researchers.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-...

Long bus rides limit students’ school choices, Hopkins study finds

Baltimore high school students are less likely to pick a school — even the city’s best — if they face a long trip on Maryland’s unreliable transit system.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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