Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · 2d

The Ravens Boys & Girls Club at Hilton Recreation Center is open in Southwest Baltimore.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Ravens help bring new life to long-closed Hilton Rec Center

The Hilton Recreation Center is on to its next chapter.

www.thebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · 18d

15 years, 4 kids, a laundry list of full time jobs and hours of makeup classroom time later, 34 year old Antonio Pennix received his high school diploma.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

This Baltimore man earned a high school diploma while juggling work and family.

After 15 years away from the classroom, a Baltimore man on Friday achieved his goal, joining more than 50 graduates from the Excel Center, a free adult high school for Maryland students.

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

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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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · 27d

We never forget.

www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...

9/11 changed the way we fly. I wouldn’t want to go back.

Since 9/11, it's difficult not to consider how much airports have changed, Baltimore Banner reporter Jasmine Vaughn-Hall.

www.thebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Sep 5

Working parents and/or guardians,

Do you use a meal prep service throughout the week? Which one do you swear by? Was it helpful or did you eventually opt out? I want to hear from you.

Let's chat. 443-608-8983, [email protected]

Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Aug 24

Last week, we joined Sister Delphine as she made her final vow to officially serve alongside her fellow sisters at the Oblate Sisters of Providence.

@thebaltimorebanner.com

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

In Baltimore County, Oblate Sisters of Providence welcome a rare addition: A new nun

There were roughly 35,000 nuns in 2024 in the United States, compared to nearly 80,000 in 2000 and 102,000 in 1990.

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · Aug 12

By Tim Prudente: Odyssey of the crab: Inside the 1,100-mile network feeding Maryland’s frenzy. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Odyssey of the crab: Inside the 1,000-mile network feeding Maryland’s frenzy

Within a generation, the Maryland crab business shifted from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the interstate.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · Aug 11

Five years ago, Morgan State University’s president had a big idea: He said the HBCU would earn Carnegie R1 status by 2030. Despite Trump cuts, the Baltimore university has already hit the numbers it needs to qualify, five years earlier than expected:
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/hi...

Morgan State poised to reach elite research status despite Trump cuts

In 2020, Morgan State brought in just $17.2 million in research funding and graduated 71 doctoral students.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Pamela Wood @pwoodreporter.bsky.social · Aug 11

President Trump -- once again -- criticized Baltimore.

And Baltimore and Maryland leaders -- once again -- rose to the city's defense.

@emilyopilo.bsky.social & @brendawintrode.bsky.social break down today's war of words:

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-pow...

Trump, again, calls out city. Baltimore says, ‘You’re wrong, hon.’

President Donald Trump included Baltimore on a short list of Democratic-led cities he cast as crime-ridden, on the same day he deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Aug 11

Where’s the best poke bowl in Baltimore?

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

rickhutzell.bsky.social @rickhutzell.bsky.social · Aug 10

@jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social didn't just debunk the stereotype, she dunked it in the deep end and it wrung dry. Heartfelt writing by my @thebaltimorebanner.com colleague. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/colu...

Teaching my son to swim far, far away from the stereotype

Why a mother encouraging her son's connection to swimming is about more than safety.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Aug 10

Thank you so much 🫶🏾

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · Aug 10

In contrast to #Baltimore Co, which has not one single public pool, Baltimore City has several. They are free; several have just been renovated. Some suburbanites jump in too!

"Everybody is lit up when they come here.”

@jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...

A new era for city pools is reshaping summers in Baltimore

Unlike neighboring suburban counties, Baltimore offers residents public pools for recreation.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Aug 10

As a relatively new mom, I’ve enjoyed combining my craft of writing with this new journey of parenthood.

My latest for @thebaltimorebanner.com talks about why I’m so adamant about teaching my son how to swim.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/colu...

Teaching my son to swim far, far away from the stereotype

Why a mother encouraging her son's connection to swimming is about more than safety.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Julie Scharper @juliemore19.bsky.social · Aug 5

Tubing down the Gunpowder River is the perfect way to spend a summer day— except when E. coli levels are soaring, as they have frequently this year. I spent time with the Gunpowder Riverkeepers to see how they’re working to protect the river. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/gunpowder-ri...

They speak for the Gunpowder River. That includes warning about E. coli.

Volunteers with the Gunpowder Riverkeepers are uncovering dangerously high E. coli levels in parts of Baltimore’s beloved river, raising concerns about water safety, pollution and what’s at stake for ...

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

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 Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Julie Bykowicz @bykowicz.bsky.social · Jul 21

I love this story by @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social -- such a pick-me-up.

Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · Jul 21

Chalkboard sign in West Towson forges a closeness that can’t be wiped away

Towson chalkboard sign forces a closeness that can’t be wiped away

Every single day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Todd Briggs has delighted his West Towson neighbors with an inspirational quote on a chalkboard set up outside his home.

buff.ly

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Jul 20

How chalkboard signs became a staple in this Baltimore County neighborhood.

My latest for @thebaltimorebanner.com

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/baltimore-co...

Towson chalkboard sign forces a closeness that can’t be wiped away

Every single day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Todd Briggs has delighted his West Towson neighbors with an inspirational quote on a chalkboard set up outside his home.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Jul 17

Hey! My colleague and I are working on a story about Black summer traditions. I'm looking to speak with people who have annual family reunions and church revivals.

Interested? Send me a message at [email protected] or 443-608-8983.

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Cody Boteler @codyboteler.bsky.social · Jul 8

At least 9 people have died from heat-related illness this year in Maryland so far — more than the entirety of some recent past summers.

27 died of heat in Maryland in 2024 — but only 4 by this point in the summer.

With at least 9 heat deaths, summer is off to a deadly start in Maryland

At least nine people, including two children, have died from heat-related illness so far in 2025 — more than twice as many as this time last year, according to Maryland data.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · Jul 2

One more way the Trump tariffs do not cause equal pain. Thank you for this story, and the great line "hot girl bummer." @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social

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

Rising costs for fresh look: Trump’s tariffs hit Black hairstyles

Carless Grays loves the way a<b> </b>silky smooth full weave makes her feel.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Lee Sanderlin @leeosanderlin.bsky.social · Jun 12

To the outside world, Brian Matusz appeared to have it all. But inside, a battle raged. This is the story of how the once-promising Baltimore Oriole lost his way.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/brian...

The unraveling of Brian Matusz

Brian Matusz was once the Baltimore Orioles’ next great hope. How did an ‘all-American’ kid lose his way?

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Reposted by Jasmine Vaughn-Hall

Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · Jun 7

Beating the odds: 60 years of friendship bound by sticky buns and Baltimore memories

Decades of friendships bound by sticky buns and Baltimore upbringing

A group of 1965 Forest Park High School graduates is happy to dish on the secret to their remarkable, long-lasting connection.

buff.ly

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · Jun 7

For 60 years, they’ve made the memories and friendships last.

My latest for The Baltimore Banner.

📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/ba...

Decades of friendships bound by sticky buns and Baltimore upbringing

A group of 1965 Forest Park High School graduates is happy to dish on the secret to their remarkable, long-lasting connection.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · May 30

You’re not being mean. You’re just prioritizing yourself for once.

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