Julie Scharper
@juliemore19.bsky.social
Baltimore Banner reporter. Mom about town. Happiest among trees.
Reposted by Julie Scharper
New for @thebaltimorebanner.com -- Baltimore won a unique carveout in Purdue Pharma's massive bankruptcy restructuring plan: the city can keep suing the Sackler family for their role in the opioid crisis.
Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal allows Baltimore to sue Sackler family
The agreement, which the city negotiated with Purdue Pharma, representatives of the Sackler family and other key players in the bankruptcy, means that Baltimore could try to take the Sacklers to trial...
www.thebanner.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM
New for @thebaltimorebanner.com -- Baltimore won a unique carveout in Purdue Pharma's massive bankruptcy restructuring plan: the city can keep suing the Sackler family for their role in the opioid crisis.
Reposted by Julie Scharper
15 years ago, it looked like the effort to save the Chesapeake Bay had turned a corner. "There was a collective sense," said one longtime federal scientist, “that we had broken through."
Today, he and others worry that, four decades in, the movement is losing steam:
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
Today, he and others worry that, four decades in, the movement is losing steam:
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
As the Chesapeake Bay cleanup enters a new era, it’s fighting for relevance
As the Chesapeake restoration enters a new era — governors from across the watershed are expected in Baltimore this week to extend cleanup to 2040 — the movement appears uncertain about its future.
www.thebanner.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
15 years ago, it looked like the effort to save the Chesapeake Bay had turned a corner. "There was a collective sense," said one longtime federal scientist, “that we had broken through."
Today, he and others worry that, four decades in, the movement is losing steam:
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
Today, he and others worry that, four decades in, the movement is losing steam:
www.thebanner.com/community/cl...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
High schoolers in pre-K classrooms? Whether as unpaid interns or paid aides, it's happening in Maryland. And those running preschool programs say it's a way to recruit (and then hopefully retain) a dwindling workforce as the state races to expand public pre-K www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Can high schoolers solve the child care shortage?
Attracting kids to the field early could help boost the state’s workforce.
www.thebanner.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
High schoolers in pre-K classrooms? Whether as unpaid interns or paid aides, it's happening in Maryland. And those running preschool programs say it's a way to recruit (and then hopefully retain) a dwindling workforce as the state races to expand public pre-K www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Follow-up article about the stop I was involved in. Our country is supposed to be better than this.
#Baltimore
#Baltimore
Woman reunited with child after ICE apprehends Honduran husband in Highlandtown
Woman reunited with child after ICE apprehends Honduran husband in Highlandtown
Ronal Ramos-Delcid placed into custody in downtown Baltimore after arrest captured on video.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Follow-up article about the stop I was involved in. Our country is supposed to be better than this.
#Baltimore
#Baltimore
Reposted by Julie Scharper
New story for @thebaltimorebanner.com: How a transgender symbol spray-painted near an Easton school led to hate crimes charges www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
A transgender symbol painted near an Easton school led to hate crime charges
Sian Radaskiewicz-King pleaded guilty to two property-related misdemeanors and was released after spending more than two months in jail.
www.thebanner.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
New story for @thebaltimorebanner.com: How a transgender symbol spray-painted near an Easton school led to hate crimes charges www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
New details from a text shared with @thebaltimorebanner.com: “The trip back home was extremely tiring,” Tran told Nash in a text message shared with The Banner. “We were in shackles the entire trip. ... I felt like we were less than animals.”
Hagerstown nail salon owner Melissa Tran arrives in Vietnam after deportation
Hagerstown nail salon owner Melissa Tran arrives in Vietnam after deportation
Melissa Tran, a 44-year-old immigrant who built a family and a small business in Western Maryland, has been deported to Vietnam, a country she left as a child.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
New details from a text shared with @thebaltimorebanner.com: “The trip back home was extremely tiring,” Tran told Nash in a text message shared with The Banner. “We were in shackles the entire trip. ... I felt like we were less than animals.”
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC
Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC
Reposted by Julie Scharper
By @lizbowie.bsky.social, @invisibae.bsky.social and @ajv.bsky.social: School buses for every Baltimore student seemed impossible — until now. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
School buses for every Baltimore student seemed impossible — until now
School transportation company HopSkipDrive used AI and a Banner analysis to map how yellow buses, vans and cars could get Baltimore students to school safely and on time for less than 5% of the distri...
www.thebanner.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
By @lizbowie.bsky.social, @invisibae.bsky.social and @ajv.bsky.social: School buses for every Baltimore student seemed impossible — until now. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Julie Scharper
The original reporting on this should be credited to bsky.app/profile/juli...
bsky.app
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The original reporting on this should be credited to bsky.app/profile/juli...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Dali crew members are STILL in Baltimore. Here's why:
NEW | An apparent deal between the Dali’s owner and the U.S. government has kept the ship’s crew “marooned” in Baltimore since the Key Bridge collapse 19 months ago.
As part of the agreement, though, the ship has sailed free, earning millions in revenue.
www.thebanner.com/economy/dali...
As part of the agreement, though, the ship has sailed free, earning millions in revenue.
www.thebanner.com/economy/dali...
Deal between Dali and U.S. has left crew ‘marooned’ for 19 months
The NTSB will discuss probable cause of the Key Bridge collapse during a meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, nine crew members of the Dali ship that struck the bridge are stuck in Baltimore...
www.thebanner.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Dali crew members are STILL in Baltimore. Here's why:
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Exclusive to the @thebaltimorebanner.com: Johns Hopkins has spent nearly double this year on federal lobbyists. The university has spent $1.3 million so far, with money going directly to an associate of Trump to lobby to the Executive Office of the President:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Johns Hopkins University has spent nearly double on lobbyists since Trump took office
In the first nine months of this year, Johns Hopkins spent $1.3 million on lobbyists, compared to $750,000 during the same period last year, according to federal disclosure forms.
www.thebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Exclusive to the @thebaltimorebanner.com: Johns Hopkins has spent nearly double this year on federal lobbyists. The university has spent $1.3 million so far, with money going directly to an associate of Trump to lobby to the Executive Office of the President:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Morgan State University President David Wilson got a mysterious phone call at the start of October: a confidential high profile donor was interested in giving to the HBCU.
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Inside Morgan State and MacKenzie Scott’s $100 million partnership
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's second gift, $63 million, to Morgan State University came as a surprise.
www.thebanner.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Morgan State University President David Wilson got a mysterious phone call at the start of October: a confidential high profile donor was interested in giving to the HBCU.
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Two weeks later, $63 million was in the university’s bank account.
Here’s what happened:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
“My plan is to go out and make ICE as uncomfortable as possible but not break any laws.” @juliemore19.bsky.social with the tale of a modern-day Paul Revere.
ICE is coming! Baltimore’s scooter-riding ‘Paul Revere’ warns immigrants.
ICE is coming! Baltimore's 'Paul Revere' rides to warn immigrants
Grambo’s neighborhood rides come as some communities across the nation scramble to confront stepped-up immigration enforcement.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
“My plan is to go out and make ICE as uncomfortable as possible but not break any laws.” @juliemore19.bsky.social with the tale of a modern-day Paul Revere.
Reposted by Julie Scharper
ICE is coming! Baltimore’s scooter-riding ‘Paul Revere’ warns immigrants.
ICE is coming! Baltimore's 'Paul Revere' rides to warn immigrants
Grambo’s neighborhood rides come as some communities across the nation scramble to confront stepped-up immigration enforcement.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
ICE is coming! Baltimore’s scooter-riding ‘Paul Revere’ warns immigrants.
Reposted by Julie Scharper
By @juliemore19.bsky.social. ICE is coming! Baltimore’s scooter-riding ‘Paul Revere’ warns immigrants. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
ICE is coming! Baltimore's 'Paul Revere' rides to warn immigrants
Grambo’s neighborhood rides come as some communities across the nation scramble to confront stepped-up immigration enforcement.
www.thebanner.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
By @juliemore19.bsky.social. ICE is coming! Baltimore’s scooter-riding ‘Paul Revere’ warns immigrants. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Julie Scharper
This story is the kind of reporting that brought me to The Banner. When @kris10griffith.bsky.social and I found out we were both interested in the efficacy of inspector general oversight of school systems, it was a dream collaboration. Check it out: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
What does it take to root out fraud in Maryland’s biggest school districts?
Montgomery County’s Inspector General is the only office of its kind in Maryland that acts as a watchdog for its county school system. That could soon change.
www.thebanner.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This story is the kind of reporting that brought me to The Banner. When @kris10griffith.bsky.social and I found out we were both interested in the efficacy of inspector general oversight of school systems, it was a dream collaboration. Check it out: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
New: Correctional staff at a Western Maryland prison shut off the water to a mentally ill man’s cell, then allowed him to suffer for eight days before he finally died of dehydration, according to a recent court filing.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
How a Maryland prisoner died an ‘excruciating’ death from dehydration
Lamont Mealy died of dehydration in an isolation cell at Western Correctional Institution in 2023. A lawsuit claims state officials covered it up.
www.thebanner.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:29 AM
New: Correctional staff at a Western Maryland prison shut off the water to a mentally ill man’s cell, then allowed him to suffer for eight days before he finally died of dehydration, according to a recent court filing.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
By @mercohn.bsky.social: Why Maryland is drawing thousands from other states seeking abortions: tinyurl.com/4ansjxyd (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Thousands travel to Maryland for abortions, but support is stretched thin
The number of people from around the country who seek help getting an abortion in Maryland continues to rise, but donations are not keeping pace to cover costs for everyone.
tinyurl.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
By @mercohn.bsky.social: Why Maryland is drawing thousands from other states seeking abortions: tinyurl.com/4ansjxyd (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Julie Scharper
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Preschool without a building could be in Maryland’s future
Maryland is one of just a handful of states piloting licenses for outdoor, nature-based child care programs.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Do you ever get so overwhelmed at work you need to take a walk to clear your head? It happens to kids, too, which is why they should go outside, play and learn naturally from the world around them. Click for the cute pictures, keep reading for the brain science www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
Reposted by Julie Scharper
I had such an incredible time (🥁) visiting the Renaissance Festival and talking with vendors there for this story.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
About time: Maryland native realizes dream with Renaissance Festival shop
The fifth time was the charm for Sharon Lane, a Maryland native who landed a hard-to-get spot at the Maryland Renaissance Festival this year. The sold-out festival in Anne Arundel County concludes thi...
www.thebanner.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I had such an incredible time (🥁) visiting the Renaissance Festival and talking with vendors there for this story.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
The Maryland Renn Fest is a true institution, and one of the most popular festivals like it in the country. It's also, as I found out, one of the most desirable for vendors.
Reposted by Julie Scharper
There's a university in Baltimore with a huge archive of ghostly things. Who knew! 👻
Take a peek inside UMBC's Garrett collection, one of the world’s largest archives devoted to the study of hauntings, poltergeists, out-of-body experiences and seances. Happy spooooooky season, Maryland:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
School spirit(s): Inside the ghost archives at UMBC
UMBC has one of the world’s largest parapsychology collections, including ghostly items such as seance photos and notes supposedly scrawled by spirits.
www.thebanner.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
There's a university in Baltimore with a huge archive of ghostly things. Who knew! 👻
Reposted by Julie Scharper
By @juliemore19.bsky.social: There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven
Warren was once a bustling mill town, but it was flooded more than a century ago to enlarge the Loch Raven Reservoir. Now just a few remnants of the town haunt the surrounding woods.
www.thebanner.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
By @juliemore19.bsky.social: There’s a ghost town buried under Loch Raven. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Julie Scharper
NEW INVESTIGATION:
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
October 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
NEW INVESTIGATION:
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Investors have spent years falling in love with the 'debt service coverage ratio' loan.
The loans have allowed access to vast sums with few conditions, and now make up 40% of mortgage dollars in Baltimore.
Now they're going bad.
(Story below ⬇️)
Reposted by Julie Scharper
The child care scholarship is the main way Maryland families get help with child care. Since many can't afford it otherwise, day cares and preschools rely on vouchers to fill spots. So what happens when the program gets frozen - and doesn't come back when predicted? www.thebanner.com/education/ea...
State extends the child care scholarship freeze indefinitely
The state projected getting back down to 40,000 child care scholarships by September. But the program is still thousands of vouchers over budget.
www.thebanner.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The child care scholarship is the main way Maryland families get help with child care. Since many can't afford it otherwise, day cares and preschools rely on vouchers to fill spots. So what happens when the program gets frozen - and doesn't come back when predicted? www.thebanner.com/education/ea...