The writer of a lengthy cover story in the New York Times Magazine earlier this year on Randi Weingarten, head of the national American Federation of Teachers union, described his months of interviews “about the convulsions in American education. ” The author’s big takeaways: “it’s no longer possible to separate education from politics, and public schools are more vulnerable than they’ve ever been.”

Niara Mollett found out about the shooting that killed her 16-year-old cousin on Instagram. Ray Mason keeps the funeral program for his 19-year-old sister in his car. Da’Quane Gilliam doesn’t like to go outside. All of them are under 21 and each understands the devastating toll gun violence takes on Baltimore’s young people. “You don’t really see how bad it is until it actually hits you,” Mollett, 16, said.

Maryland gained 4,700 jobs in June, and the overall unemployment rate decreased to a record low of 2.0%, according to the Maryland Department of Labor’s June jobs report. The agency’s report is based on preliminary survey results by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mining, logging and construction sectors saw the most growth with an increase of 3,900 jobs.

 

Four years ago, the Baltimore City Council passed a resolution calling for the Maryland General Assembly to change the process by which a Baltimore mayor selects a police commissioner nominee to require the creation of a diverse committee to assist the city’s top elected official. The push followed months of drama surrounding the rollout of a mayoral pick to lead Baltimore Police, during which critics had slammed secrecy around the selection process and called for both greater transparency and community engagement.

President Joe Biden has selected Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be the Navy’s top officer. If confirmed, she would be the first woman in the Navy’s history to hold the job, and the first woman in the joint chiefs of staff. Franchetti, who is currently serving as the vice chief of naval operations, commissioned in 1985 and has served as the commander of US Naval Forces Korea, deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, and director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff, according to her official biography.

Tonya J. Webb wanted to make an impact on the way cancer was being addressed — particularly how it affected people of color. The associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who specializes in microbiology and immunology, gravitated to the field after several members of her family battled the disease. Now, she combats cancer while helping to inspire future cancer fighters.

We recently celebrated the Juneteenth holiday and took a moment to acknowledge our past, honor the many contributions of Black Americans, and find inspiration in perseverance. As we renew our commitment to progress, we should look to expand opportunities for Blacks in industries that have historically lacked diversity, such as tech.

The countdown to a transit fiasco has begun in the Washington metropolitan area. Unless unresponsive regional leaders act soon, with significant additional aid from Congress, subway and bus commuting times will likely triple or quadruple, train and bus service would halt at 9:30 p.m. Three in 5 subway trains would be removed from service, as would nearly 7 of 10 bus lines. That would drive away transit passengers, worsen rush-hour traffic jams and strike a lethal blow to the downtown core’s hopes for post-pandemic revival and the region’s prospects for long-term prosperity.

There is a popular song, a chant really, in Annapolis this summer. Maybe you’ve heard it? It’s like the old football — er, soccer — anthem: “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé.” It’s the one with roots in “Anderlecht Champion,” a Belgian song that twisted the Spanish bullfighting cheer “Olé!” into French, “allez, allez, allez.” Then the Mexicans made it their own with “E Viva Mexico” in 1986, the story goes, chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé” to support the national team in the World Cup. Now everybody uses it.

A couple of Washington, D.C.-area restaurateurs will bring Creole cooking to Baltimore’s Northwood Commons development. Jeffeary “Chef Jeff” Miskiri and his wife, Toya Miskiri, plan to open Miss Toya’s Creole House early next year in the North Baltimore shopping center, which is in the midst of a $50 million redevelopment.