Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 2d

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Affordable housing, at a price: Will Baltimore County give developer a tax break?

The Baltimore County Council will vote tonight on whether to give a politically connected developer a tax break of $16.5 million over 30 years in exchange for the developer agreeing to make 10% of the...

www.thebanner.com

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 2d

A private firm got a judge to pre-emptively seal this lawsuit #baltimore county IG brought against a former employee. Unusual, even unprecedented. What don't they want us to know? #journalism #FOIA @reason.com @cjciaramella.bsky.social @jasonleopold.bsky.social

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

$100K question: Why was the Baltimore County inspector general case sealed?

The suit stemmed from a disagreement over what Patrick Murray told Kelly Madigan over breakfast at a Towson coffeehouse.

www.thebanner.com

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 2d

National news is busy, but we don't sleep on the local news here at The Banner!

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Baltimore County zoning bill benefits Catonsville developer

Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young introduced legislation that would allow a Catonsville developer to temporarily store construction equipment in an area zoned for office-residential.

www.thebanner.com

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 2d

Catherine’s really good.

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 2d

Some news: Psyched to announce that I'm joining @thebulwark.com as economics editor next month.
I'm currently still on mat leave, but will return to co-hosting @theweekendprime.bsky.social as well soon.

crampell.substack.com/p/nu-news

Nu, News

I'm joining The Bulwark as Economics Editor.

crampell.substack.com

Reposted by Rona Kobell

Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 3d

By @rkobell.bsky.social: Woodlawn sculptor fulfills dream as show opens at American Visionary Art Museum. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Woodlawn sculptor fulfills dream as show opens at American Visionary Art Museum

Junius Wilson, an 82-year-old Woodlawn artist who has battled cancer and other health issues, got a big break Friday when his show debuted at the American Visionary Art Museum.

www.thebanner.com

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 3d

I am glad so many readers are interested in this!

Justin Fenton @justinfenton.bsky.social · 7d

“The disagreement about what happened that morning at The Bun Shop has stretched over 4 years and cost county taxpayers $190,000 — legal fees and a settlement paid to Murray that the county requested remain sealed.” More great @rkobell.bsky.social reporting: www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

How a colleague coffee left Baltimore County taxpayers with a $190,000 tab

The most expensive breakfast in Baltimore County costs $190,000. How taxpayers got stuck footing the bill.

www.thebanner.com

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 4d

Junius Wilson has been to hell and back. Now, he gets to have his art at AVAM and he has never been happier.

www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...

Woodlawn sculptor fulfills dream as show opens at American Visionary Art Museum

Junius Wilson, an 82-year-old Woodlawn artist who has battled cancer and other health issues, got a big break Friday when his show debuted at the American Visionary Art Museum.

www.thebanner.com

Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 7d

They were often the only outlet to report these issues because The Banner wasn’t here.

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 7d

Four years ago, #Baltimore Co Inspector General Kelly Madigan and then-chief of staff Patrick Murray met at the Bun Shop for what could be the most expensive breakfast in #Baltimore County history. Taxpayer tab: $190,000. County got judge to seal case. We explain!

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

How a colleague coffee left Baltimore County taxpayers with a $190,000 tab

The most expensive breakfast in Baltimore County costs $190,000. How taxpayers got stuck footing the bill.

www.thebanner.com

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Reposted by Rona Kobell

Andy Kostka @afkostka.bsky.social · 11d

One of my least favorite pieces of writing advice is the phase, 'show, don't tell.' Heck, just tell it well! Tell it in vibrant ways, with wacky sentences and varying structures. Tell it simply one sentence and verbosely the next, and the show will come naturally. Anyway, back to baseball

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 17d

Standing room only for Erik Larson!

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 17d

I’m such a fan, Gillian. Great to be following you here and glad you’re still on the history beat. Salut, lady!

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Reposted by Rona Kobell

Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 19d

I'm watching the very entertaining season premiere of The Morning Show, and there are several scenes in it that feel like they could have been written this morning. (Which speaks well for the show and quite poorly for this morning.)

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 19d

Sources are confidential. Period. You sign up for this job, and you have to be willing to go to jail to protect them. I almost had to once, in 1997. A benevolent federal judge quashed the subpoena. I remember the fear, but also the pride of being trusted with deep secrets. All we have is our word.

Heidi Kitrosser @heidikitrosser.bsky.social · 20d

I find this extremely chilling:
I spoke w a reporter this morning about Kimmel. (Reporter was / is great) They got back to me a short while ago to say they sought White House comment & WH demands to know first which experts they spoke with. I told reporter I'm happy to be quoted IN THE STORY but 1/x

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 19d

I mean, I’m here for the fox photos and the mushroom photos and the cute dogs and to share some good local stories but otherwise I’m sort of confused? So many arguments, so much shouting.

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 19d

I come on here for 10 minutes and realize I am not online enough to know what everyone is fighting about. Back to my book!

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 20d

There is so much to be upset about these days. And then, there are the people who anonymously complained about a peach and an eggplant in a historic district....jeopardizing their future because...well, honestly, you just have to read the story.

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

Peach and eggplant art stir unexpected drama in Ellicott City

In Ellicott City, the placement of a peach sculpture has sparked controversy, while a nearby eggplant sculpture was accepted by the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission.

www.thebanner.com

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 20d

Ask and you shall receive.

www.thebanner.com/economy/jimm...

Jimmy Kimmel suspension ‘not enough’ for local media giant Sinclair

Baltimore County-based Sinclair Broadcast Group wants suspended ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to donate to Charlie Kirk’s family and conservative group.

www.thebanner.com

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 20d

I’ll pass along. I cover local govt mostly.

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 20d

What if we just keep talking about Robert Redford and sharing our favorite photos of him?

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Rona Kobell @rkobell.bsky.social · 21d

The Y would like to upgrade its facilities, but it can't, because #Baltimore county owns them. The county would like to provide more access to, but it can't, because the Y already heavily subsidizes membership. #swim

baltimorebanner-the-baltimore-banner-staging.web.arc-cdn.net/community/lo...