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Kristen Griffith

@kris10griffith.bsky.social
1.3K followers 449 following 71 posts

Education Reporter for The Baltimore Banner kristen.griffith@thebaltimorebanner.com www.thebaltimorebanner.com/author/k…

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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Brenda Wintrode @brendawintrode.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A Hagerstown woman ICE deported to Vietnam, a country she hasn't seen since she was a child, is trying to hold the pieces of her life together from 9,000 miles away. By Sapna Bansil, @thebaltimorebanner.com www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
thebanner.com
A Maryland mother’s deportation to Vietnam forces an agonizing choice
Forced 9,000 miles from her family, Melissa Tran confronts what comes next for her U.S.-born children.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
By @kris10griffith.bsky.social: Joe used to cry at school drop-off. Now his teachers call him the Mayor of Bel Air. (📸: Jerry Jackson) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Joe used to cry at school drop-off. Now his teachers call him the Mayor of Bel Air.
Public schools often struggle to fund services for students with disabilities. But at Bel Air Elementary, first grader Joe Hughes has the support he needs to thrive.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Prince Edward is coming to a Baltimore school Read @mayaklora.bsky.social's story to learn more: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Britain’s Prince Edward will visit a Baltimore high school
The ladies of Western High School are about to welcome royalty, all thanks to their principal’s boss.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A little mood boost: At the Maryland State Fair, kids are invited to read farm animals to sleep. Yes, it's just as cute (and at times chaotic) as it sounds. Read all about it and see @jessicagallagher.bsky.social's adorable photos www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
thebanner.com
Counting sheep? At the Maryland State Fair, kids read them bedtime stories.
The final Cow Tales bedtime stories of this year’s fair are Friday and Saturday from 7-8 p.m.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
💰Towson University is the latest Maryland college to offer discounted tuition rates to regional students. The far-reaching deal offers regional rates to students from six states + D.C. in attempts to boost retention. Here’s what you need to know: www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
thebanner.com
Towson University to discount tuition for some out-of-state students
Starting next fall, Towson University will cut tuition and fees by more than $12,000 for students from seven neighboring states and Washington, D.C.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Erica Meltzer @ericameltzer.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Declines in learning in recent years have affected many countries with vastly different education systems. These scores should sound and are sounding alarm bells. But are there aspects of the U.S. education system that prevented things from being even worse? www.chalkbeat.org/2026/09/08/p...
chalkbeat.org
U.S. students score above average in reading. Here’s why that’s not good news.
PISA international test results show concerning global declines in student learning. U.S. students posted some of their lowest scores ever in math and reading, but other countries are doing worse.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Why is the University of Maryland threatening legal action against a small, Colorado-based cannabis product company? It's shaping up to be a "David v. Goliath" fight, the owner of Terps USA, which sells terpenes for marijuana, told me. Read more: www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
thebanner.com
UMD threatens legal action against cannabis product company over name
The University of Maryland, College Park, is threatening legal action against a cannabis product company over its “Terps” name.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Cursive is scrawling its way back into Central Maryland schools, @kris10griffith.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Cursive is scrawling its way back into Central Maryland schools
Educators and researchers who embrace cursive say that the skill can help students’ motor skills, improve their writing’s legibility and even help them better retain what they’re learning.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
By @kris10griffith.bsky.social: Can a former soccer star rebuild trust in Baltimore County schools? (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Can a former soccer star rebuild trust in Baltimore County schools?
Bill Heiser has promised to raise graduation rates and test scores and rebuild trust in Baltimore County schools, where repeated budget cuts have hurt morale.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Pamela Wood @pwoodreporter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
In the 3.5 years that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been in office, he has spent about 1 of every 5 days in other states, as his national profile grows. (This doesn’t count trips to DC or overseas.) The full story from me and @leeosanderlin.bsky.social: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
thebanner.com
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has spent 1 in 5 days of his term in other states
Gov. Wes Moore has spent at least a portion of one in every five days out of state since he took office in 2023 — and that pace of travel has accelerated as his national profile has grown, according t...
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Nationally, less than 5% of teachers & kids in early nature-based programs are Black. Atiya Wells wants to change that. Her fully outdoor preschool prioritizes Baltimore kids, students of color and will offer pay-what-you-can tuition. Read more (and see cute kids!): www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
thebanner.com
Baltimore mom creates fully outdoor preschool for kids who love nature as much as hers do
At one of the first licensed fully outdoor preschools in Maryland, low-income and kids of color won't be shut out of the benefits nature brings.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Parents are pushing back against classroom laptops in Baltimore County schools, @kris10griffith.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Parents are pushing back against classroom laptops in Baltimore County schools
A group of parents want to reduce how much time students spend on laptops.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Harford’s new schools chief has one big job: Bring a divided community together, @kris10griffith.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Harford’s new schools chief determined to bring a divided community together
Dyann Mack, a lifelong Harford resident and 30-year veteran of the school system, is determined to put the focus back on what’s happening in the classroom.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Commodore John Rodgers leaders spent all year telling immigrant families that as ICE cracked down in Southeast Baltimore, they were still safe at school. It took federal agents mere minutes and 2 detainments to unravel that promise. Where does CJR go from here? www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
For this Baltimore school, an ICE arrest turned fear into reality
An arrest on the Commodore John Rodgers campus shattered the sense of safety school staff spent years building.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
After Pikesville bus crash, some wonder: Is Reisterstown Road too dangerous? Sapna Bansil investigates. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
After Pikesville bus crash, some wonder: Is Reisterstown Road too dangerous?
Community leaders say the bus crash that injured more than 30 people exposed years of unresolved traffic and pedestrian safety problems in downtown Pikesville.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Maryland built a unique system to keep hospital services in rural communities. Cecil County births have held steady. The population is growing. Today, the county's only birthing center closes anyway, despite community opposition. www.thebanner.com/economy/scie...
thebanner.com
Cecil County’s only birth center is closing. Why did no one save it?
A rural hospital in Cecil County plans to stop delivering babies. The closure of its Family Birth Center poses a challenge to pregnant residents and shows the limits of the state’s hospital regulatory...
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
For teen moms like Rylee who fell behind in class while trying to raise a baby, one family center in Baltimore has a way to help them beat the odds and get a diploma: They send their babies to free preschool in the same building. Their success rate? 89% www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
On-site daycare helps close the graduation gap for Baltimore’s teen moms
Half of teen moms don’t graduate high school. Excel Academy is different.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The 7-way race for 2 Baltimore school board seats is TIGHT. With all precincts reporting Election Day results, we have 3 basic locks - both incumbents and a challenger. But less than 100 votes separate the candidates for the fourth spot on the November ballot www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
thebanner.com
Esposito leads Baltimore City school board race
Challengers Kevin W. Parson and Jamar Day ended Tuesday night neck-and-neck for the fourth spot on November’s ballot.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
An Anne Arundel County judge on Monday disrupted the school system’s plan to redistrict some Crofton students this fall — at least for now. Coincidentally, an architect of the school redistricting plan at the heart of the court battle was Bill Heiser. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Anne Arundel must delay redistricting Crofton schools, judge rules
Hundreds of Crofton children were set to attend Arundel Middle and Arundel High starting this fall.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Baltimore County Public Schools announced on Monday that William “Bill” Heiser, the chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, will be its new superintendent. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Baltimore County schools’ new superintendent is Anne Arundel’s Bill Heiser
William “Bill” Heiser, the chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, will take Baltimore County’s top schools job on July 1.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Three generations. One AFRAM. How 50 years of the festival has resonated with attendees! www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
thebanner.com
3 generations reflect on AFRAM, 50 years later
These AFRAM attendees remember their experiences, both personal and professional, at the annual Baltimore festival.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Last week, ICE agents detained a mother and father during morning drop-off at a temporary learning space for Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School kids in far East Baltimore. The school is over 40% Hispanic and over a third of kids are learning English. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
ICE agents detain parents dropping off kids outside Baltimore school
ICE agents detained two adults on public school property Thursday in a chaotic scene caught on video.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Ex-Pikesville High assistant principal sues Baltimore County schools over AI deepfake. (w/ @kris10griffith.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Ex-Pikesville High assistant principal sues over AI deepfake
Kathryn Albert alleges that the school system was negligent in hiring Dazhon Darien, whose AI-generated audio recording tarnished her reputation.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Employees recounted their struggles with failed contract negotiations, rising class sizes and budget cuts that force them to do more with less. They want a new leader who works well with unions, collaborates with staff and retains educators. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Baltimore County Schools staff say morale is low. Can the new superintendent fix it?
About 40 employees said they want a new leader who works well with unions, collaborates with staff to save money before making cuts, and who will retain educators.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The former Baltimore teacher of the year charged last month with sexual solicitation of a minor said he was just trying to warn the (fake) teen against dangerous relationships with older men. He also insisted he thought "Aiden" was 16 - the age of consent in MD. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Former Baltimore teacher of the year confronted by Chris Hansen in YouTube sting
Former Baltimore teacher of the year Dennis Jutras told Chris Hansen he was trying to warn a teen in a Harford County sting operation targeting adults seeking sex with minors.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Harford County's student school board member strives to be the adult in the room as politics increasingly takes center stage. www.thebanner.com/education/ja...
thebanner.com
The only student on this embattled school board is determined to be the adult in the room
It’s not easy for James “Trae” McVicker III to be on Harford County’s school board. But he says it’s worth it.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
The Banner Prince George's County @bannerpgcounty.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr said he had suspended his public information officer after learning of an audit into her nonprofit that revealed how it had spent tens of thousands of dollars in county grants.
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Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
How the show went on: Back in February, the Baltimoree School for the Arts shuttered for weeks after a pipe burst flooded parts of the 100-year-old building. The arts community helped get kids back on track, but things aren't quite back to normal just yet www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Baltimore School for the Arts is still picking up the pieces after winter flood
The Mount Vernon arts community rallied around teachers and students who knew the show must go on.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Here's a guide to some of the best hair braiders in Prince George's County: www.thebanner.com/culture/life...
thebanner.com
Box Braids, feed-ins and twists: Some of the best braiders in Prince George’s County
When I look for a braider, I need fair pricing, a wide offering of styles and, most importantly, someone who actually listens.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Erica Meltzer @ericameltzer.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
There's one brand that's become THE villian in the ed tech debate. @lilyalta.bsky.social looks at why i-Ready provokes such strong feelings. www.chalkbeat.org/2026/05/19/i...
chalkbeat.org
One of the biggest fights in education right now revolves around this school software
If you talk to a parent about technology in the classroom, one brand of software comes up again and again — and the feedback is typically critical.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 19/05/2026
Harford County school board selects its first Black superintendent
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Harford County school board selects its first Black superintendent
Dyann Mack, the interim superintendent for Harford County Public Schools, will continue to lead the district for the next four years.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Liz Bowie @lizbowie.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Maryland students made one of the fastest pandemic recoveries www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Maryland students made one of the fastest pandemic recoveries
Maryland ranks 3rd for improvement in reading, and 5th in math.
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Kristen Griffith @kris10griffith.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
In an unusual move, the district’s search firm advertised the job for both interim and permanent candidates, leaving room for yet another leader to quickly come and go. The new leader will be Baltimore County Public Schools’ fourth superintendent in nine years. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Baltimore County has a month to pick a new schools superintendent
Baltimore County Public Schools is racing to hire a new superintendent within two months following Myriam Rogers’ abrupt retirement.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The new head of Baltimore City Public Schools is a math whiz known for using data to turn around struggling schools. But as CEO, he'll need to do a lot more than just academics while answering for controversial decisions. Is this the job that finally sticks? www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
6 cities, 2 decades: Can Baltimore schools’ new CEO make lasting change?
Jermaine Dawson will finally fulfill his goal of leading a school district. Baltimore will be the ultimate test.
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Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
A new standardized test loved by red states and Christian schools was created in Maryland. The Classic Learning Test was started by two Marylanders who felt that mainstream tests forced educators to ignore the classics, like poetry, Greek and Latin: www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
thebanner.com
Conservatives love this new standardized test created in Maryland
Founded in 2015 by a pair of Marylanders, the Classic Learning Test has now logged more than 500,000 test-takers and is popular among Christian schools and homeschooling families.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Maya Lora @mayaklora.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Baltimore City Public Schools has a FY27 budget and I have a breakdown of how the district will receive and spend $1.95 billion www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Baltimore City Public Schools passed a $1.95 billion budget. Here’s how the money shakes out.
A by-the-numbers look at where money is going in Baltimore’s public schools.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Duaa Eldeib @deldeib.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
This was a hard story to report. Newborns who don’t get a vitamin K shot are 81 times more likely to develop a condition where they bleed uncontrollably. But more and more families are declining the shot. And babies are dying. www.propublica.org/article/more...
propublica.org
Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth
A lifesaving injection given at birth to prevent severe bleeding has become collateral damage of the anti-vaccine movement.
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Reposted by Kristen Griffith
Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 04/05/2026
The Banner is a Pulitzer finalist for series on Baltimore’s school bus failures
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Banner a Pulitzer finalist for series on Baltimore’s school bus failures
The Banner is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for local news, meaning the organization has been recognized at the highest levels of journalism two years in a row.
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Ellie Wolfe @elliew0lfe.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
After a 27% decline in first-year enrollment since 2022, Bowie State University is launching a direct admissions pipeline for Prince George's County Public Schools students. It's the latest sign that Maryland colleges are bracing for an enrollment cliff. www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
thebanner.com
Prince George’s students get fast-tracked Bowie State admission
Prince George’s County public high school students with at least a 3.0 grade point average will now be eligible for direct admission to Bowie State University.
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 05/05/2026
Baltimore City schools’ budget could cost kids their favorite staff members
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Baltimore City schools’ budget could cost kids their favorite staff members
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future means some schools will see big gains and others will face cuts for the first time in five years.
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Jasmine Vaughn-Hall @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Lemon sticks, crab cakes, white-gloved ladies and brawls? How scattered dramas almost plucked Flower Mart from Baltimore for good. Bylined with @rkobell.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/culture/thin...
thebanner.com
The Flower Mart fights that almost doomed one of Baltimore’s favorite festivals
Back-to-back fights in the 1970s almost ended Baltimore's beloved Flower Mart. But civic leaders brought it back, and it has become one of the city's favorite festivals.
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Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
By @kris10griffith.bsky.social; Maryland moves to make AI deepfakes a crime after Baltimore County school scandal. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
Maryland moves to make AI deepfakes a crime after Baltimore County school scandal
The 2024 incident at Pikesville High School showed the law hadn’t caught up with technology, one Maryland senator says.
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Pamela Wood @pwoodreporter.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
At 11:30 last night, Md House of Delegates passed the Community Trust Act, setting more parameters for when jails/law enforcement can contact ICE about individuals in custody. It goes back to the Senate for review tomorrow, final day of the session. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
thebanner.com
Maryland House votes to further limit cooperation with ICE
The Community Trust Act would block corrections officials and law enforcement from holding or detaining an individual for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless a judge has issued a warrant.
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Dylan Segelbaum @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
By @kris10griffith.bsky.social: What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
thebanner.com
What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief
Sean Bulson is speaking out for the first time since speculation about his behavior on a 2024 work trip to New Orleans circulated on social media during the winter and led the school board to fire him in February.
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Justin Fenton @justinfenton.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief, who spoke out for the first time in an exclusive interview with the Banner’s @kris10griffith.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
What really happened in New Orleans, according to fired Harford schools chief
Sean Bulson is speaking out for the first time since speculation about his behavior on a 2024 work trip to New Orleans circulated on social media during the winter and led the school board to fire him in February.
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 07/04/2026
Artemis II crew wants to name moon crater after astronaut’s late wife, Carroll
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Artemis II crew wants to name moon crater after astronaut’s late wife, Carroll
Artemis II crew members want to name a moon crater after fellow astronaut Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.
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Greg Morton @invisibae.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
NEW: Newly released data shows Maryland immigration arrests are way up in year one of Trump’s second term — and as arrests have increased, fewer involve people with any criminal history. From @sahanajayaraman.bsky.social & John-John Williams IV www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
thebanner.com
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Ginny Bixby @ginnybixbywrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
It's Trans Day of Visibility. I talked to trans locals about why visibility still matters at a time when it can be dangerous to be visibly trans. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
thebanner.com
Montgomery County celebrates its trans community
As the federal government curtails trans rights, local trans community members say it’s more important than ever to be visible.
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Word In Black @wordinblacknews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
If you spend any time on social media, you have likely heard someone say “clock it” while tapping their fingers together. But did you know that the slang term originated in Black ballroom culture and signifies survival, code-switching, and community? wordinblack.com/2026/03/the-...
wordinblack.com
The Miseducation of 'Clock It'
Inside Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities’ ballroom culture, the slang term is rooted in survival, code-switching, and community.
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Adam Willis @adampwillis.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
After a developer's bid for a Remington dump backfired, he's thinking bigger. Seawall reached a deal this month that looks to some like a step toward a long-held Baltimore dream: to turn the banks of the beleaguered Jones Falls into a park. w @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
thebanner.com
How a screaming stranger got a developer to dream big about the Jones Falls
A Baltimore developer was at the center of a charged conflict over the future of a dump in the Remington neighborhood, a controversy that has gotten him thinking bigger about the future of the beloved...
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