Local Stories

A recent Columbia homicide has exposed significant flaws in Maryland’s juvenile monitoring system, as investigators reveal the 17-year-old murder suspect was wearing a state-mandated ankle monitor at the time of the shooting. The teen, who is accused of killing a 26-year-old man in a parking lot, was already under Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) supervision […]

A major conflict has erupted over Maryland’s juvenile justice system as state law enforcement leaders unite in an unprecedented push to remove Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Secretary Vincent Schiraldi from office. In an unusual display of bipartisan cooperation, the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association has formally petitioned Governor Wes Moore, expressing grave concerns about what they […]

In a significant shift for the state’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure plans, Maryland officials have halted a program that allowed utilities to install EV charging stations using ratepayer funds. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) ordered the stoppage, citing concerns over low usage and ongoing maintenance issues. The program, which has been in operation for […]

In a troubling display of the outsized influence of money in politics, Maryland’s Democratic congressional candidates are amassing enormous war chests, even in districts where their victories are all but assured. This flood of cash into uncompetitive races raises serious questions about the true intentions behind such aggressive fundraising and the potential for wasteful spending. […]

In a controversial move, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Secretary Vincent Schiraldi has appointed Joel Caston, a convicted murderer, to a senior administrative position within the agency. Caston, who served 26 years for a first-degree murder conviction, now holds the role of special advisor on the newly formed Core Innovation Team at DJS. Caston’s […]

A 21-year-old man from Hanover, Maryland, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a foreign terrorist organization. Michael Sam Teekaye was arrested on October 14 at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport and appeared in court the following day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced the charges […]

A Baltimore City Schools police officer and state champion football coach, Lawrence Smith, is set to face trial on May 12, 2025, for charges of overtime fraud and tax violations. Smith, accused of fraudulently obtaining over $215,000 in taxpayer money through police overtime pay, could face decades in prison if convicted. The case first came […]

A 17-year-old student has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Baltimore man found dead in his car at a Columbia shopping center on October 12. The arrest, which took place at Howard High School, has reignited the debate over juvenile justice policies in Maryland. Police apprehended the suspect, who is being charged […]

An online petition calling for Governor Wes Moore to replace Vincent Schiraldi, the current secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), is gaining significant traction. The petition, initiated by Southeast Baltimore community leader Arch McKown, has already amassed over 2,200 signatures and continues to grow. The call for Schiraldi’s replacement comes amid escalating concerns […]

A prominent Baltimore criminal defense attorney has called for a federal investigation into the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) amid growing concerns over conditions in the state’s juvenile detention and rehabilitation centers. The demand comes in the wake of troubling watchdog reports and public records that have brought to light serious issues within the […]