WYPR News Roundup

Sen. Chris Van Hollen is not on the ballot this month, but that's not stopping his political influence. We talk to a reporter in Maryland and another in Washington, D.C., about how he's wielding his power. Then, hours after an ICE detention on school grounds had parents reeling, Bria Overs, with our news partner, the Baltimore Banner, shares her reporting on how ICE has changed the economy and the neighborhood of Highlandtown in Baltimore. We also hear from one of Baltimore's longest-serving principals. Cindy Harcum leaves Baltimore City College this year after 15 years of service. Her former student, Bry Reed, asks what makes "The Castle" so unique. And finally, Pride marches through Baltimore on Saturday, but recent changes to the festival have some members of the LGBTQ+ community asking if the city is on their side.

Differences on how to handle evidence from decades-old sexual assault cases are keeping Baltimore County from accessing more than five million dollars in state funds. That’s happening as Baltimore County’s states’ attorney election hits a fever pitch. Céilí Doyle, with our news partner The Baltimore Banner, tells us about how that’s being handled, and WYPR’s award-winning reporter, John Lee, takes us through the county ballot races from states’ attorney to county council to county executive. We pass the mic to a career counselor who helps women navigate careers that sometimes pivot, and one Baltimore documentarian takes a hard look at The Wire and reclaims Baltimore’s past, present, and future in her new film, Beyond the Wire.

Hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were re-sent to Maryland voters after a vendor error. Has that error been rectified? Matt Bush talks with Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis. WYPR statehouse reporter Sarah Petrowich talks about Senate President Bill Ferguson’s recent movement on redistricting and the challenge to his Senate seat from newcomer Bobby LaPin. Matt also speaks with WYPR’s Nathanael Miller about Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches from Montgomery County to the edge of the state. Incumbent Rep. April McClain Delaney is being challenged by the former incumbent, David Trone, who helped put her in office. Osita Nwanevu, a political reporter for The Guardian, discusses the challenges of reporting during trying times. Finally, we head to Bowie State University to find out more about faculty layoffs there.

The price of GLP-1s may be going down in Maryland, but not in time for this summer season. We check in on the status of 911 caller response in Baltimore County. And festival season is upon us — what to do at Artscape, how to dress for this and every summer fest - then, an escape to the Eastern Shore.

We've got questions for Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani about protecting yourself and your family from hantavirus and ticks. She also tells us about vaccine changes, health insurance, and more! Plus, the backstory of the big fuel leak from Joint Base Andrews, its impact on Piscataway Creek and the Potomac River … a Baltimore food blogger's inside look at the city's restaurant scene … and the first Preakness to be run outside of Charm City in more than a century!

Just over two years ago, Maryland woke up to the shocking news that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed into the Patapsco River after being hit by the cargo ship Dali. The tragedy claimed the lives of six men who were working on the half-century-old bridge, taking with it one of the state’s busiest interstate connectors and a vital beltway link for the East Baltimore community. As crews sifted through the wreckage, conversation soon turned to the murkier questions of how the bridge will be replaced, the cost, and who will pay for it. The economic and human impact of the collapse presents an opportunity to think broadly about other forms of regional transit and how we balance competing interests while still delivering the project efficiently. Ian Coss, host of the acclaimed podcast, The Big Dig, hosted a special live taping on Tuesday, March 31st at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, covering these questions and more.

We hear from a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of Baltimore’s Catholic clergy. Many more may see their day in court after three years. Why has it taken so long? We also talk to the reporter who broke the story of abuse in Maryland’s juvenile justice system. More than 12 thousand are filing legal claims. We pass the mic to Ashley Minner Jones. Jones has made it her artistic mission to make art about the lives of Baltimore Lumbee. And we mark May Day as workers of the world unite, we check on what they’re doing here in Baltimore. Guests • Scott Maucione, WYPR Health Reporter • Madeline O’Neill, Freelance Justice Reporter reporting for the Baltimore Banner • Ashley Minner Jones, archivist of the Lumbee community • Rachel Viqueira, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation Related Links • Maryland Supreme Court orders people accused of complicity in Archdiocese abuse remain unnamed • Baltimore has more than $120 million allocated from opioid restitution fund • Thousands of people say they were sexually abused in Maryland juvenile detention centers. Is anyone investigating? Credits: Matt Bush is the host of WYPR's News Roundup. We had help from Sheilah Kast, Elizabeth Nonemaker, and Rob Timm. Shawn Murphy and Shanya Mapson were our studio engineers. Amy Walters is WYPR's Executive Producer.

Maryland’s primary election is June 23, less than two months away. Excited? Apprehensive? Confused? We’ve got you covered. Early voting starts June 11. If you want to vote by mail, the deadline to request a ballot is June 2, and if you’ve already requested a mail-in ballot, those will start going out in two weeks. To answer your questions and maybe calm your nerves, we hear from Jared DeMarinis, the state administrator at the Maryland State Board of Elections. He helps WYPR news director Matt Bush dispel voting myths. WYPR’s Baltimore County reporter John Lee talks about the county executive race and the multibillion-dollar budget the winner will oversee. Baltimore City Schools new CEO talks about how being unhoused during his childhood informs his perspective on how to help Baltimore’s 6,000+ school children without homes And we end the show at Camden Yards, passing the mic to Brett Hollander, the Orioles broadcaster. Then, taking a bite out of the value dog at Orioles’ park - Is it a real value? Listen and find out. Guests • Jared DeMarinis, state administrator at the Maryland State Board of Elections • John Lee, WYPR reporter Baltimore County • Dr. Jermaine Dawson, incoming CEO of Baltimore City Schools • Brett Hollander, Orioles Broadcaster • Allan James Vestal, senior data visualization reporter, Baltimore Banner Related Links • Baltimore County’s $5B budget holds tax rate steady as property bills keep rising • Republican candidates call for change in the Baltimore County Executive’s race • Baltimore City Public Schools names Philadelphia leader as new CEO • Grading the glizzies: How each hot dog at Camden Yards measures up Credits: Matt Bush is the host of WYPR's News Roundup. We had help from Elizabeth Nonemaker, Sheilah Kast, and Shanya Mapson. Shawn Murphy was our studio engineer. Amy Walters is WYPR's Executive Producer.

This week on the WYPR News Roundup -- energy. Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland legislature took aim at soaring electricity bills. Host Matt Bush and WYPR statehouse reporter Sarah Petrowich dig into Moore’s Utility RELIEF Act. Then, Bria Overs, business and consumer-trends reporter with our news partner, the Baltimore Banner, joins Matt to talk about how consumers are coping – and those who can’t cope – with surging electricity and natural gas charges. This week, we 'pass the mic' to Savannah Wood, whose family founded the AFRO newspaper. She’s keeping her family’s history by preserving the archives. To wrap up, the exodus of Forged. The Charles Street hyper-seasonal eatery has left Baltimore for Northern Virginia.

This Friday, WYPR launches our News Roundup. We hear from WYPR's own reporters, reporting from our news partner, the Baltimore Banner, and others as they drill down on a topic affecting Maryland. This week, we ask which way Baltimore should turn when it comes to housing. Revitalize vacant homes or build something new? WYPR's Wambui Kamau reports on new development along the city’s expanding light rail system, and Giacomo Bologna, a reporter with our partner, the Baltimore Banner, examines the foreclosure “hustle” complicating efforts to revitalize Baltimore's housing stock. And as the weekend begins under the shadow of war, we speak with an artist who has transformed protest into a festival.