The Baltimore Peace Movement, formerly Baltimore Ceasefire, has been organizing Peace Promise Weekends since 2017 to deter gun violence and promote peace in the city, with a 20 percent decrease in homicides in 2023 and a 23 percent decrease in 2024, marking the lowest levels of homicides since 2015.
Category: !Front Page Baltimore News
Beyond reach: Baltimore’s unaffordable rental market
Many Baltimore communities are severely burdened by housing costs, with 79% of extremely low-income renters being severely cost-burdened and 47,800 renter households being extremely low income and burdened by housing costs.
Youth leaders focus on elder safety in Cherry Hill
Youth in Cherry Hill are working with their elders to strengthen community connections and address safety concerns through the Cherry Hill Elder Safety Survey, led by the Youth Resiliency Institute and the Switching Lanes Adult and Youth Institute.
Baltimore County residents want action: End BGE’s multi year rate plans and increased rates
Many Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers are seeing extreme increases in their electric bills this month, prompting calls for the Maryland Public Service Commission to do away with the multiyear rate plans that have led to excessive rate hikes.
Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott address historic progress and 2025 public safety priorities
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a $122 million budget proposal to increase public safety, including an additional $4.2 million for evidence-based community interventions, and highlighted the city’s 20% reduction in homicides in 2023 and 23% in 2024.
Dr. Lance London talks growing his Southern-cooking restaurant Carolina Kitchen
Dr. Lance London, founder of the Southern-cooking restaurant chain Carolina Kitchen, recently opened a new location in Owings Mills, MD, focusing on providing plant-based options, and plans to open a new concept named for his grandmother in Upper Marlboro, MD in 2025.
Walking in a Winter wonderland: Baltimoreans dig out of the snow after first storm of the year
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency on January 5 due to a winter storm that caused snowfall, road closures, and school and office closures, with the National Weather Service recording 6.6 inches of snow in Baltimore.
AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper highlights work of Dr. Carl J. Murphy in new book, ‘Prayer and Pen’
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and CEO of the AFRO-American Newspapers, has released a new book honoring her grandfather, Dr. Carl J. Murphy, and his contributions to the AFRO, including his prayers and legacy as a publisher.
Baltimore rings in New Year with Inner Harbor fireworks
Baltimore celebrated the New Year with fireworks, a concert from The Jonathan Gilmore Experience, and extended hours at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, with Mayor Brandon M. Scott and his wife, Hana, in attendance.
Multiple teens released after alleged carjacking as calls for DJS Secretary Schiraldi to resign grow
Five teenage suspects were arrested for allegedly participating in an armed carjacking in Southeast Baltimore, and Vincent Schiraldi, secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, is responding to public dissatisfaction with the department and demands for his resignation.
East Baltimore communities hopeful as Alicia Wilson returns to Johns Hopkins University
Alicia Wilson, an East Baltimore native, has been appointed as the inaugural Johns Hopkins University vice president of civic engagement and opportunity, returning to the university to build on her prior experience and contribute to the community.
From Christmas to Kwanzaa: The role of traditions in the holiday season
John Jones, Olu Butterfly Woods, Chrissy Thornton, Brianne Mobley and Claudia Thorne all celebrate different traditions during the holiday season, including Kwanzaa, ice cream cakes, Carvel ice cream cakes, disco ball trees and seafood feasts, to foster solidarity and community-building.


