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Maryland school chief criticized for ‘toxic’ work style, management

For two years, Mohammed Choudhury has been hard at work as Maryland’s schools superintendent, revamping what he says was “not a functional” department and implementing a historic $3.8 billion program to transform the state’s public education system into a national model of educational excellence and equity. The leaders of the board that hired him say he’s doing a great job — but as they debate extending his contract this summer, they are also defending him against accusations that his fiery management style has jeopardized the state’s agenda for its 900,000 students.

Baltimore politics veteran Anthony McCarthy retires due to health problems, receives outpouring of support

Anthony McCarthy, a regular around Baltimore City Hall and veteran of numerous political campaigns, sat in a circle of reverends in Ellicott City Wednesday evening. They prayed over him as his eyes welled with tears. “Right now, as we say farewell to our brother for the moment … God, we trust you. We believe you,” said the Rev. Jamie Washington. “We trust you and we believe you to cover and to keep him on this journey.”

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Maryland State Police competing for best-looking cruiser in the country

The Maryland State Police has made it to the final round of the prestigious Best Looking State Police Cruiser competition, and they need your help to take home the title. This nationwide competition hosted by the American Association of State Troopers selects the best-looking patrol vehicles for an annual calendar. Maryland’s State Police are counting on support from the public to help them win the crown and bring recognition to their top-notch cruiser.

 

 

Read More: WBALTV
Your guide to an explosive — and pink — Barbenheimer release weekend in the DC area

Although Barbie has never tackled the profession of Atomic Bomb Inventor, moviegoers who might appreciate the crossover can celebrate the shared July 21 release date of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” around the D.C. area with food and drinks, special screenings and of course, parties. Here are some restaurants, bars and clubs around the region that can help to make sure your Barbenheimer release weekend is equal parts fiery and glittering.

Read More: WTOP
School board protest leader says there’s ‘no collaboration’ with Moms for Liberty

As hundreds of protesters rallied outside school board headquarters for the third time this summer to protest the school district’s no-opt-out policy on reading LGBTQ+ inclusive storybooks, organizers made it clear some groups were more welcome than others. An upcoming decision by a federal judge will determine whether the opt-out will be reinstated until the legal dispute is resolved.

Read More: MOCO360
How a three-digit phone number has changed mental health and crisis services in Maryland

A year ago, a new three-digit phone line launched nationwide, making it easier for people facing a mental health crisis and other issues to find resources and support. Since then, national data show that more people are reaching out to what’s called the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Yet call counselors and call center managers in Maryland want more people to be aware of the line and how it can help.

 

A big plan to revitalize West North Avenue just got a jumpstart

Kenny Noel is relatively new to his home off West North Avenue, but with some investment — and teamwork — he thinks his new neighborhood has a lot of promise. It wouldn’t hurt, for instance, to be able to walk to a grocery store. Unbeknownst to Noel, an effort is already taking place in West Baltimore. The West North Avenue Development Authority was created by legislators in 2021 and tasked with the responsibility of redeveloping and revitalizing areas along the road between North Hilton Street and Interstate 83.

man playing soccer game on field
Yewande Balogun gave up on her playing dreams a decade ago. Then, a stint in Baltimore helped propel her to the World Cup.

Yewande Balogun received a call she never expected in June 2021, two months after she relaunched her playing career. She’d been outside the white lines for a decade, getting knee surgery, working in finance, earning her MBA and coaching at multiple NCAA Division I women’s soccer programs. And yet, in the beginning of summer, Nigeria’s national team head coach, Randy Waldrum, was on the other end of the line, extending an invitation to try out for the squad because the team needed a goalkeeper during a U.S. tour that saw some of its players unable to compete due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions.

Baltimore County police to launch ShotSpotter gunshot detection program

Baltimore County police will have a new tool when it comes to responding to shootings. County police on Tuesday announced it has partnered with ShotSpotter to use its gunshot-detection technology in the Wilkens and Essex precincts. County police said the technology uses acoustic sensors that triangulates the sound of gunfire, pinpointing the number of shots fired and location. The technology is currently being used in Baltimore City.

 

University of Baltimore to offer Safe Streets employees professional violence intervention training

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates unanimously approved a contract for the University of Baltimore on Wednesday to create and deliver a violence intervention certificate program for Safe Streets employees. The $134,433 contract is partially funded by a grant from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and the general fund of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, known as MONSE. The contract will cover program development as well as pre-launch promotion.

Read More: Baltimore Sun

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