Politics

Community leaders scheduled Monday night’s town hall meeting in Brooklyn weeks before the mass shooting, but that became a primary topic. “It’s on the minds of folks because the incident is really reflective of a number of concerns the city has been facing for a while,” said Pastor Todd Yeary. The mass shooting in Brooklyn Homes that left two dead and 28 injured was on the minds of those at the ACT Baltimore meeting.

Federal agencies have approved a five-year extension on a waiver that helps keep rates lower for Marylanders purchasing health insurance from the state insurance marketplace known as the Maryland Health Connection. According to a news release this week from the health connection, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury have approved extending the waiver on the State Reinsurance Program, which works to keep costs down for those who purchase their own health insurance.

For years, Charlene Redrick worked double shifts to make sure she made rent each month. The 64-year-old nursing home aide always paid on time — even at the height of the pandemic. But in 2022, Redrick’s landlord moved to evict her from the three-bedroom apartment she shared with her granddaughter and infant great-grandson. The landlord wanted to sell the building, Redrick said, and thought it would show better if it were vacant.

At the first of six “Summer of Peace” events in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday night, state’s attorney John McCarthy called for community collaboration to help prevent violence. The goal of the events is to promote a community-based approach to reduce crime and violence. Friday’s event was held at White Oak Skate Park.

In the aftermath of an early morning shooting that injured more than two dozen people and left two young people dead, Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration has flooded the southernmost tip of the city. Scott and his team have made trips to Brooklyn nearly every day since Sunday, fielding questions from residents at meetings, canvassing block-by-block and setting up a resource hub in the community center.

While U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-2nd) ponders his political future, another Democrat prepares. Ruppersberger has yet to formally announce his plans to seek a 12th term. Meanwhile, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D) has hired noted Baltimore fundraiser Sophia Silbergeld and is raising money. Just in case. “He would never challenge him or do anything to make the congressman uncomfortable,” Silbergeld said of Olszewski’s fundraising activities and relationship with Ruppersberger.

We have learned more details about a Baltimore City Council hearing that is scheduled for next week to figure out what happened at Brooklyn Homes. Two people were fatally shot and 28 people were injured in the mass shooting early Sunday. Investigators are still searching for suspects. Councilman Mark Conway, who chairs the public safety committee, said he will hear from the police, housing authority, transportation about permitting, and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin says there is already a federal response to Sunday’s mass shooting in the city. Cardin spoke with C4 and Jayne Miller on Thursday and talked about the Brooklyn Homes shooting in Baltimore. “The federal FBI is involved, ATF is involved in the investigation,” Cardin said. “We have increased federal resources to deal with public safety in Baltimore.”