Baltimore Brew

tinyurl.comGiving away the store with an ill-conceived tax deal for “Collegetown” | Baltimore BrewThe mayor and Board of Estimates hand out an $80 million property tax break for a downtown student dorm without a care for Baltimore’s long-term financial health. [OP-ED]

Why was yesterday's Board of Estimates mtg delayed? It was so members could go behind closed doors to discuss the 95% tax break deal they were giving to a public/private @umaryland.edu project . . . that this OP-ED writer argues is way too weak. tinyurl.com/y5hr2nwc

tinyurl.comBaltimore’s indicted Fleet Management chief is quietly allowed to travel to Texas conference | Baltimore BrewKara DiPietro was authorized by the mayor and Board of Estimates to travel next week to San Antonio, making it clear she’s still on the city payroll.

Baltimore’s indicted Fleet Management chief is quietly allowed to travel to a South Texas conference. tinyurl.com/ctyr8ay6 Looks like it’s off to San Antonio, on the taxpayers’ dime, for Kara A. DiPietro, who is apparently still employed by Baltimore city.

tinyurl.comJudge who resigned amid unwanted touching allegations was quickly hired by Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates | Baltimore BrewOther attorneys witnessed Kevin Wilson’s behavior at the 2023 event – leg stroking and more, the Commission on Judicial Disabilities charged. “We have had no issues with his employment or work product...

Judge who resigned amid unwanted touching allegations was quickly hired by Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates. tinyurl.com/2ujkatxu Other attorneys witnessed Kevin Wilson’s behavior at the 2023 event – leg stroking and more, the Commission on Judicial Disabilities charged.

tinyurl.comBaltimore has spent $20,000 to partially remove toxic lead paint that fell from its bridges | Baltimore BrewThe worst is gone. But there still are toxic flakes to be found on the ground – and three city-owned bridges remain covered with peeling paint.

Baltimore has spent $20,000 to partially remove toxic lead paint that fell from its bridges tinyurl.com/3u2ab5re The worst is gone. But there still are toxic flakes to be found on the ground, and three city-owned bridges remain covered with peeling paint.

tinyurl.comIndicted Baltimore city official continues to work at high-level government job | Baltimore BrewKara DiPietro became operating chief of fleet management, a $96 million division of Baltimore government, despite a history of not paying business loans and bankruptcy. Earlier this month, she was ind...

BREAKING: Federally indicted Baltimore city official continues to work at high-level gov't job. tinyurl.com/49f4637a Kara DiPietro became chief of fleet management despite a history of not paying business loans and bankruptcy. She was recently indicted for fraudulently obtaining $2.8M in PPP loans.

tinyurl.comCity Council’s approval of the Harford Road Overlay bill was no surprise, but the Conway-Dorsey blowup was | Baltimore Brew“Disgusting!” Mark Conway scolds, after Ryan Dorsey cancels a hearing on one of Conway’s bills in retaliation for his Overlay vote abstention.

The City Council’s approval of the Harford Road Overlay bill was no surprise . . . but the Conway-Dorsey blow-up was. tinyurl.com/53x5p22v “Disgusting!” Conway scolds, after @electryandorsey.bsky.social cancels a hearing on one of Conway's bills in retaliation for his Overlay vote abstention.

tinyurl.comHarford Road Overlay bill, which has drawn vocal opposition, up for final vote tonight | Baltimore BrewResidents urge council members to disregard the tradition of “councilmanic courtesy” and vote no, or abstain, on colleague Ryan Dorsey’s measure.

Harford Road Overlay bill, which has drawn vocal opposition, up for final vote council tonight. tinyurl.com/mr3ezpam A group of critics urges members to dispense with "councilmanic courtesy" and vote @electryandorsey.bsky.social's bill down.

Baltimore Brew reposted

Ron Cassie

@humanpoweredcity.bsky.social

Two centuries before the Trail of Tears, English colonists drove Maryland's Indigenous tribes from their land. The Piscataway Nation wants people to know their story. "We're still here," says tribe member Gabrielle Tayac. #IndigenousPeoplesDay www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/hist...

baltimoremagazine.comWe’re Still Here: The Still-Evolving Story of the Piscataway NationTwo centuries before the Trail of Tears, English colonists drove Maryland’s Indigenous tribes from their land. Piscataway descendants want people to know their history.

tinyurl.comBrew Exclusive: Draft lease confirms MCB would get a 95% tax break on its Harborplace project | Baltimore BrewThe lease – not yet publicly released – would result in a minimum $200 million tax savings for developer P. David Bramble.

BREW EXCLUSIVE: Draft lease confirms MCB Real Estate would get a 95% tax break on its Harborplace project. tinyurl.com/4kt637un The lease – not yet publicly released – would result in a minimum $200 million tax savings for developer P. David Bramble.

UPDATE: Asked why they abruptly dropped a 2025 BRESCO incinerator ash sampling plan, the Maryland Department of the Environment spox says the agency realized they “do not have the legal authority to gather samples for purposes of providing them to a third party for testing.” tinyurl.com/y63h24aj

tinyurl.comPart 2: MDE abruptly cancelled plan to allow independent testing of BRESCO’s incinerator ash | Baltimore BrewSouth Baltimore community members had lined up university experts to oversee testing and assess health impacts. Then, the state backed out.

In 2025, @MDEnvironment agreed to facilitate independent testing of BRESCO incinerator ash. JHU & UMBC experts were to oversee the plan. But the day it was to happen - with an epidemiologist in MDE's parking lot - the state backed out. WHY? tinyurl.com/y63h24aj 1/2

Here's the email they received from an @MDEnvironment official letting them know something had changed and the BRESCO ash sampling plan was not happening. tinyurl.com/y63h24aj 2/2

tinyurl.comWhat we’ve learned from the battle between the mayor and the inspector general | Baltimore BrewStepping back from the procedural wrangling between the two, here’s a look at the bigger picture and the constitutional issues. [OP-ED]

Yes, the battle between the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social and the Inspector General has gotten complicated. This OP-ED breaks down the key points about the larger issues and notes the "deafening silence" of Baltimore city & state elected officials. tinyurl.com/4v2bdy9e

tinyurl.comADU bill fails on tie vote after City Council advances bill creating the Harford Road Overlay | Baltimore BrewThe brainchild of Councilman Ryan Dorsey moves on to third reader for final passage, while the Accessory Dwelling Unit bill, sent back to committee, lives on.

UPDATE: The Accessory Dwelling Unit bill hearing has been pushed to the Oct. 22 meeting of the Land Use & Transportation Committee, starting at 9 a.m., @zekecohen.bsky.social 's office announces today. tinyurl.com/nharcvjs (This is Bill 26-0195, sponsored by Councilman Ryan Dorsey.)

tinyurl.comMarilyn Mosby faces possible disbarment in wake of today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision | Baltimore BrewA bar counsel proceeding to suspend the law license of Baltimore’s former top prosecutor was blocked until her federal appeals were exhausted. Now they are.

Marilyn Mosby faces possible disbarment in the wake of today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision not to take up her appeal. tinyurl.com/3urvbe69 Once Baltimore's top prosecutor - now listing herself as Mahogany Elite Consulting's managing partner - she says she's "not backing down."

tinyurl.comPart 1: Citing toxic ash, residents again call for the BRESCO incinerator to be shut down | Baltimore BrewAs MDE announces closure of one aging medical waste incinerator, communities blast the state for allowing Baltimore City’s even older and bigger incinerator to live on.

Citing toxic ash that is trucked daily to the city landfill, residents again call for Baltimore's BRESCO incinerator to be shut down. tinyurl.com/y3xwy8kc . . . at an @MDEnvironment hearing where the crowd of about 200 people spilled out into the hallway. [ PART 1 ]

LATEST BREAKING: The MD Appellate Court has DENIED @mayorbmscott.bsky.social's motion for a protective order against Inspector General Cumming's access to online records. This makes a 0-3 record for mayoral appeals/filings in his continuing fight against Cumming's lawsuit. tinyurl.com/2f648tb6

tinyurl.comBREAKING: Curtis Bay medical waste company is closing incinerator operations following years of community opposition | Baltimore BrewPushed by persistent pollution reporting by local residents, Maryland officials will announce tomorrow a settlement agreement by the company to stop functioning as an incinerator.

South Baltimore residents are celebrating the news we broke last night: TODAY the MD Dept of the Environment will announce that the Curtis Bay medical waste incinerator - whose pollution releases they've been doggedly reporting - will no longer function as an incinerator. tinyurl.com/mtxruysc

BREAKING: Maryland officials tomorrow will announce a settlement with Curtis Bay Energy to end its medical waste incineration operation in So. Baltimore tinyurl.com/mtxruysc Declaring victory, residents say they had to push MDE to do it, using cellphones and trail cams, to document pollution.

tinyurl.com“Billy” Murphy charges onstage to aid Mayor Scott in his inspector general dispute | Baltimore BrewInsiders say the move suggests City Hall is worried about the political and potential criminal repercussions of the fight.

High profile local attorney "Billy" Murphy charges onstage to aid @mayorbmscott.bsky.social in his fight with the inspector general. Insiders say the move suggests City Hall is worried about the political and potential criminal repercussions of the dispute. tinyurl.com/5bf2ftb5

.@electryandorsey.bsky.social's ADU bill fails on a tie vote, after the City Council advances his bill creating the Harford Road Overlay District. tinyurl.com/nharcvjs [We have the vote counts from last night on each. The ADU measure was sent back to committee, so it's still alive.]

tinyurl.comThe Baltimore County Auditor did her job. Now it’s time for the State Prosecutor to do his | Baltimore BrewDid the budgetary chicanery that resulted in the taxpayer funding of a county golf course clubhouse cross the line into misconduct? [OP-ED]

The Baltimore County Auditor did her job - now it’s time for the State Prosecutor to do his. tinyurl.com/5n8zm7fc Did the budgetary chicanery that resulted in the taxpayer funding of a county golf course clubhouse cross the line into misconduct? [OP-ED]

tinyurl.comBREAKING: Baltimore Inspector General asks judge to hold Scott administration in contempt | Baltimore BrewIG says the city did not restore records access by 1 p.m. today in defiance of Judge Pamela White’s earlier order.

Strong words in IG Isabel Cumming's request that the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration be held in contempt. "This is not a case of negligence, inadvertence, or good faith incapacity; the City has deliberately withheld access that lies entirely within its control." tinyurl.com/7xv3aws8

BREAKING: Baltimore Inspector General asks judge to hold the @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration in civil contempt. tinyurl.com/7xv3aws8 IG says the city did not restore records access by 1 p.m. today in defiance of Judge Pamela White’s earlier order.

tinyurl.comEx-police oversight official says suspended deputy commissioner pressured her to reduce discipline against high-ranking officers | Baltimore BrewAeiramique Glass says she faced retaliation and was eventually fired for refusing to follow Brian Nadeau’s request and for other disagreements with Scott administration leaders.

Ex-police oversight official says suspended Baltimore Police deputy commissioner Nadeau pressured her to reduce discipline against high-ranking officers in her first weeks on the job. tinyurl.com/yasnzm3t

tinyurl.comCity Council to vote tonight on ADU bill one member calls a “backdoor” attempt to allow more multi-family conversions | Baltimore BrewCritics say Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) mandated by state law are supposed to be separate structures. Not carve-outs from the inside of a residence.

City Council to vote tonight on Ryan Dorsey's ADU bill, which one member calls a “backdoor” attempt to allow more multi-family conversions. tinyurl.com/mvu7mak2

tinyurl.comDespite residents turning out in force to oppose it, Dorsey’s committee advances Harford Road overlay bill | Baltimore BrewDon’t try to fix the struggling business corridor at our expense, say people who live in this Northeast Baltimore neighborhood, describing it as pleasant, shady and plenty diverse.

Despite residents turning out in force to oppose it, @electryandorsey.bsky.social committee advances his Harford Road overlay bill tinyurl.com/43yxkvru Before the vote, speakers denounced a zoning change they said would "pack people like sardines" and "hand enormous one-sided power to developers."

tinyurl.comDenying city’s motion, judge will not delay Baltimore IG’s access to records | Baltimore BrewOrder decries “continued interference with the Charter responsibilities of the OIG by rejecting lawful subpoenas or refusing to restore the access to City records.”

Judge will not delay Baltimore IG’s access to records, denies City's motion. tinyurl.com/5n89hdpc Her order decries “continued interference with the Charter responsibilities of the OIG by rejecting lawful subpoenas or refusing to restore the access to City records.”

tinyurl.comBaltimore County approves 10 more years of BRESCO trash burning. Will Baltimore City do the same? | Baltimore BrewMayor Brandon Scott once promised that Baltimore’s ten-year contract with the polluting facility would be its last. But that will mean working aggressively to find other ways to deal with city garbage...

As Baltimore County approves 10 more years of burning its trash in Baltimore City, a question: will @MayorBMScott keep his promise that the city's BRESCO contract (expiring in 2031) will be its last? tinyurl.com/2vt3eb25 Advocates say it's looking very iffy.

tinyurl.comCost to review IG records requests? Up to $3.6 million, says law department. Nothing if we do it, says IG Cumming | Baltimore BrewThe Scott administration says releasing court-ordered records will lead to “a massive expenditure of funds.” Cumming says there’s a simple solution to this self-created problem.

The @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration complains in a court filing of "massive" costs to review IG records requests - up to $3.6 million. tinyurl.com/ydhrs4ue The cost would be nothing if we did it, says IG Isabel Cumming, who offers a simple solution to the City's self-created problem.

tinyurl.comHarford Road Overlay bill is back and before its sponsor’s committee tomorrow | Baltimore BrewCouncilman Ryan Dorsey is too conflicted to chair the hearing, a critic says, pressing City Council President Zeke Cohen to appoint another lawmaker.

23 Sept

The controversial Harford Road Overlay upzoning bill is back - and before its sponsor’s committee tomorrow. tinyurl.com/44xsvwfa A critic - saying Councilman Ryan Dorsey is too conflicted to chair the hearing - says Council President Zeke Cohen should appoint another lawmaker to preside.

tinyurl.comJudge orders Scott administration to restore database access to the Inspector General and respond to her subpoenas | Baltimore BrewThe record details “a pattern by the city to delay, diffuse and deny” OIG efforts to investigate fraud and waste in city government, the judge concludes. UPDATED.

22 Sept

Nope, @mayorbmscott.bsky.social does not want to follow the law - not the law as Judge White sees it. He's asking the court to stay her order requiring the City to restore the Inspector General's access to records and once again is appealing decision to the Md. Appellate Court. tinyurl.com/5efv4p3v

tinyurl.comIs the Baltimore City Council about to eliminate single-family zoning? | Baltimore BrewA bill backed by Councilman Ryan Dorsey – scheduled for a committee vote on Thursday – is little known, but would have a big impact on city neighborhoods. [OP-ED]

22 Sept

Is the Baltimore City Council about to eliminate single-family zoning? tinyurl.com/325wkudv A bill backed by Councilman @electryandorsey.bsky.social – scheduled for a committee vote on Thursday – is little known, but would have a big impact on city neighborhoods [OP-ED]

tinyurl.comJudge orders Scott administration to restore database access to the Inspector General and respond to her subpoenas | Baltimore BrewThe record of this case details “a pattern by the city to delay, diffuse and deny” OIG efforts to investigate fraud and waste in city government, the judge concludes.

21 Sept

Judge orders @mayorbmscott.bsky.social administration to restore database access to the IG in 2 business days and start responding to subpoenas in 5 days AND dressed down the city solicitor, denouncing “a pattern by the city to delay, diffuse and deny” the watchdog IG's work. tinyurl.com/5efv4p3v

tinyurl.comCommunity and labor groups protest Harborplace developer’s secret tax break deal | Baltimore Brew“We are wary that millions of dollars in tax discounts over several decades have eroded the city’s revenue and made service delivery more challenging,” the With Us For Us coalition says.

21 Sept

Community and labor groups protest Harborplace developer’s secret tax break deal. tinyurl.com/3nnw4w5r “Tax discounts over decades have eroded the city’s revenue" while leaving everyday citizens' needs unaddressed, they say in a letter to @mayorbmscott.bsky.social and the Baltimore Bd. of Estimates

tinyurl.comAnother high-level departure from the Scott administration | Baltimore BrewFormer Baltimore Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy leaves after briefly serving in the mayor’s community affairs office.

10 Sept

Another high-level departure from the @MayorBMScott administration. tinyurl.com/4ejmrrbs Former Baltimore Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy leaves after briefly serving in the mayor’s community affairs office.

tinyurl.comSecret meetings that positioned Harborplace project for a tax break broke Maryland’s Open Meetings law, news organizations say | Baltimore BrewBaltimore Business Journal and Baltimore Brew have filed a complaint with the state about closed-door meetings leading to approval of a hefty PILOT tax break for developer David Bramble’s MCB Real Est...

The Baltimore Business Journal and @baltimorebrew.bsky.social have filed a formal complaint against the BDC saying it violated Maryland's Open Meetings law with closed-door meetings that set the Harborplace developer up for a hefty tax break. tinyurl.com/mpdcvwr8

tinyurl.comBaltimore inspector general responds to criticism and taunts by mayor’s office | Baltimore BrewIsabel Mercedes Cumming says her office does not live-monitor employee emails or “snoop” on other communications, as the mayor has accused her of doing.

Senior Scott admin employee: “Isabel reads all my shit.” City leader: “You really need to talk to Ebony. That is ILLEGAL!” Employee: “I have...I said I was going to sue [Cumming] ... because I’m not scare of her ass. AT ALL.” tinyurl.com/mrhdbkka From the latest report by Baltimore IG Isabel Cumming

baltimorebrew.comLiving near the World Trade Center on 9/11, an artist wrote down what she saw, what she felt | Baltimore Brew“The unspeakable has happened.” Francine Halvorsen, now a Baltimore resident, was in her home 700 feet from the South Tower when terrorists attacked.

Baltimore woman who lived 700 ft from the South Tower on 9/11 describes the horrors and heroism she witnessed - also the craven behavior. GUY BEHIND THE COUNTER AT THE DELI ON THE PHONE: “I want to make a margin call,” he was saying. “Oh, it’s going up!” www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/09/08/l...

tinyurl.comPreviously censored audit of Rocky Point Clubhouse points to charter and code violations by Olszewski-Klausmeier administrations | Baltimore BrewEXCLUSIVE: The Brew is publishing the full report by county auditor Elizabeth Irwin, along with this article about its significance.

EXCLUSIVE: We obtained the full uncensored audit of Baltimore County government's $6.6M golf course clubhouse project - and the redactions point to multiple charter and code violations. tinyurl.com/2m569wpa

tinyurl.comLiving near the World Trade Center on 9/11, an artist wrote down what she saw, what she felt | Baltimore Brew“The unspeakable has happened.” Francine Halvorsen, now a Baltimore resident, was in her home 700 feet from the South Tower when terrorists attacked.

8 Sept

“The unspeakable has happened.” Now a Baltimore resident, Francine Halvorsen was in her home 700 feet from the South Tower when terrorists attacked on 9/11. tinyurl.com/fnfj5pcf In the days that followed, she wrote down all that she saw, all that she felt.

tinyurl.comMove over Bradford pear, the Tuliptree is Baltimore’s new official city tree | Baltimore BrewSix strong candidates vied for the honor, but online voters chose the towering, flowering Liriodendron tulipifera to replace the now frowned-upon Bradford pear.

5 Sept

Voters have spoken: The towering, flowering Tuliptree bumps the Bradford pear off its 52-year-old perch as "The Official Tree of Baltimore." tinyurl.com/4dycnapc

tinyurl.comUPDATE: ICE confirms use of Owings Mills gun range for training | Baltimore BrewContracts show the Department of Homeland Security plans to send agents to GUNTRY for years to come, as U.S. immigration arrests reach record-setting high.

4 Sept

UPDATE: Dept of Homeland Security confirms use of Owings Mills gun range for ICE agent training. tinyurl.com/4v58mw97

tinyurl.comBaltimore County’s eviction law, like Baltimore’s, is unconstitutional, advocates say | Baltimore BrewLandlords currently take possession of a tenant’s belongings immediately upon eviction – they’re fighting proposals for a seven or 14-day reclamation period so tenants can retrieve things they want or...

3 Sept

Baltimore County’s eviction law, like Baltimore city’s, is unconstitutional, tenant advocates say tinyurl.com/mrb955z8 Landlords contend that the proposed fix is a hardship: "We're the victims here!"

tinyurl.comBOE applauds steering of $3.9 million in unused ARPA funds to private trash hauler | Baltimore BrewThere are many ways to spend ARPA money. Here’s one – a no-bid contract that has ballooned over time to nearly $12 million.

3 Sept

Baltimore's Board of Estimates applauds $3.9 million in unused ARPA funds steered to a private trash hauler. tinyurl.com/2vc8ftu6 There are many ways to spend ARPA Covid relief money. Here’s one – a no-bid contract that has ballooned over time to nearly $12 million.

tinyurl.comSix former Baltimore County Council members seek release of full audit report on Rocky Point clubhouse | Baltimore Brew“As former electeds, this issue really jumped out at us,” says Tom Quirk, a three-term Baltimore County councilman, after reading Brew articles about the clubhouse renovation.

1 Sept

Six frmr Baltimore County Council members seek release of the full audit report on Rocky Point clubhouse... tinyurl.com/mtar9csp ... saying they're alarmed by the revelation the @repjohnnyo.bsky.social administration went ahead with the $6.6M renovation even after the Council had eliminated funding.

tinyurl.comSome members leave high-end Owings Mills gun range after learning it’s being used by ICE | Baltimore BrewTouting “the amenities of a country club,” GUNTRY has also quietly made its facility north of Baltimore available for the training of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.

1 Sept

Some members leave high-end Owings Mills gun range after learning it's being used by ICE for training tinyurl.com/36f7d5ch Touting “the amenities of a country club,” GUNTRY has also quietly made itself available for the agency carrying out the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

tinyurl.comBaltimore Harborplace redevelopment is slated for massive tax break | Baltimore BrewBREAKING: BDC approves a property tax reduction of up to 95% for David Bramble’s Inner Harbor project.

31 Aug

BREAKING: Baltimore Harborplace redevelopment is slated for a massive tax break. tinyurl.com/4h3h2yma The BDC approves a property tax reduction of up to 95% for David Bramble’s Inner Harbor project.