Justin Fenton
@justinfenton
Investigative reporter at the Baltimore Banner
My seven children and my wife all forgot Father’s Day again, so I trudge out to the driveway to pick up the print newspaper, the only thing that still brings me joy, and it’s the same headline stripped across the top again
I’m sorry, this is hilarious: @baltimoresun.bsky.social today refers to The Banner as a “small local online-only news outlet.” 😂😂😂 The Banner now has FAR more newsroom staff than The Sun, and even its local Baltimore Sun Media Group and Spotlight on Maryland outfit combined
For the fourth Sunday out of the past 5, The Sun has a banner headline stripped across the top of the front page for an “analysis” of Gov. Wes Moore’s military record:
A day after Mayor Scott endorsed Sabrina Tapp Harper for Baltimore sheriff, Gov. Wes Moore endorses incumbent Sam Cogen for a second term. It was among a wave of local endorsements by Moore:
Flipping through and just caught an old NBC program filmed in Baltimore at the Pendry Hotel and Bunny’s
Here’s what they said in regard to this case: Essentially, yes, you are entitled to know who was paid what, but if you know who was the subject of this investigation and ask directly about them. But we will not tell you who they were, bc that’s a “personnel investigation”
So thrilled for our whole @thebaltimorebanner.com team to be recognized by the Pulitzer Prizes for a *second year in a row* but especially @lizbowie.bsky.social who helped create this place and is the heart and soul of the Banner!
Federal judge overseeing Baltimore Police consent decree says it has “largely successfully transitioned to being an efficient and high-functioning law enforcement organization” and says case could be closed with “the next 2 years or so”
Baltimore Police union president urged members to walk out of an event with Sheriff Sam Cogen over his role in the charges against officers in the death of Freddie Gray in 2015:
Click to see why this Sunday read from Tim Prudente is piling up praise in the comments from Banner readers: www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
Baltimore Police consent decree monitoring team asked for and received a 20% raise, leaders now making $570/hr. They said they hadn’t received any increases since 2018 and have been coming in under budget so the funds are available. Neighborhood liaisons: $24/hr
Also: what’s up with the 50 new (apparent) ICE SUVs being stored in a Mid-Town parking garage? www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
The Baltimore Sun’s most read story according to its website is a six paragraph AI-generated analysis of Wes Moore’s State of the State address
I asked Mayor Brandon Scott how he would mark this year’s historic decline in violence; he got choked up and said, “I’ll probably talk to Tony,” referring to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and former deputy police commissioner Tony Barksdale, who died unexpectedly in November
After years of covering 300+ homicides, I tried to take stock of what it means for Baltimore to finally see fewer than 150 victims this year. But people kept getting killed. 2 things are true: we’ve seen historic declines, and still too many ppl are dying www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
“This case deserves attention … it is the Bernie Madoff of real estate fraud in Maryland”
Former federal prosecutor and former Maryland deputy attorney general Thiru Vignarajah discussing the the ABC Capital housing saga in Baltimore and why there haven’t been any criminal charges against Jay Walsh
Both of The Sun’s reporters who covered the governor and General Assembly - and did a good job I might add - have left
The Sagamore Pendry’s striking Fernando Botero horse sculpture is gone - it belonged to Kevin Plank and was among art taken back after he sold his stake in the hotel www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
Inbox: Council President Cohen calls for oversight hearing into behavioral crisis response
For second time in about a week, Attorney General’s Office is on scene for a shooting by Baltimore Police (they investigate such shootings that are fatal or appear headed that way). 2700 block of Mosher St, occurred inside a home
Update: @mayorbmscott.bsky.social weighs in on shooting of Bilal Abdullah for the first time, via @emilyopilo.bsky.social www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
Absolutely incredible, new Camden Yards achievement unlocked by these guys
RIP Hank. A tribute to a true GOAT, by @jasminevaughnhall.bsky.social www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/ha...
When your news org that is less than 3 years old wins a Pulitzer Prize! www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...
Baltimore firefighters union says it has been the victim of a theft and has contacted city police and prosecutors: