Baltimore

New/Next Film Festival returns to Baltimore Oct. 1–4 with more than 160 films

The fourth annual festival, presented by Baltimore Public Media, brings world premieres, emerging filmmakers, restorations and more to The Charles Theatre.

Exelon to return $160M to ratepayers after Maryland loses court battle with utilities

The Maryland Supreme Court ruled in favor of transmission-owning utilities this summer, agreeing that they qualify for a production sales tax exemption. The state is now returning over $250 million to those utilities, and Exelon says it’s sending its portion back to customers.

The U.S. Department of Justice sues Maryland over law enforcement face mask ban

The Trump administration is suing Maryland over its new law that would require ICE agents to remain unmasked when operating in the state. Maryland officials say the lawsuit was anticipated and they stand behind the new rule.

Baltimore’s Curtis Bay incinerator to close after settlement with state

Curtis Bay Energy will shutter its controversial medical waste incineration plant in Baltimore as part of a settlement between the Maryland Department of Environment and the Attorney General. The company will also have to pay $600,000 in civil penalties for its role in pollution…

New bill would require 988 literature at Baltimore liquor stores, tobacco shops

A 2025 survey of Baltimore residents conducted by Behavioral Health System Baltimore found that only 11% could identify 988 when asked to name the phone number for mental health support. The bill also directs public facing employees to hand out cards with 988 information.

New Maryland laws going into effect on Oct. 1

Thursday marks one of the final implementation dates for bills passed during the Maryland General Assembly 2026 legislative session. A law enforcement face mask ban and the No Kings Act are among the new laws.

Baltimore cracks down on smoke shops selling illegal cannabis and other substances

The council passed another bill this summer that banned smoke shops from operating within 750 feet of schools, rec centers and parks. One other new provision puts limits on how bright smoke shops’ lights can be.

Black Crossword: September 30, 2026

Baltimore offers new round of opioid grants to neighborhood groups

This time Baltimore is doubling the amount it’s offering to local nonprofits, by awarding four million dollars in community grants. Each of the grants will be worth between $250,00 and $500,000. The goal of the program is to fund groups that are local to their communities and…

Monumental hearing in Baltimore Archdiocese bankruptcy case is delayed

The new hearing is set for Nov. 19. At the last report from the church and survivors in July, the parties were still hundreds of millions of dollars apart on an agreement.

Women’s soccer overwhelms Loyola defense in shutout win

Before Saturday’s matchup against the Greyhounds, it had been almost four years since the Boston University women’s soccer team won in Baltimore. So despite their two-game win streak, it looked like this could yet again be a tough one for BU. Entering the match, The Loyola…

Baltimore is spending more to board up vacant houses. Why?

The city was figuring out how to secure vacant houses. In the process, it discovered some of those houses weren't as empty as they appeared.