“Baltimore names a new, better smelling, official city tree” — Baltimore unveiled its new official city tree, the Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) selected from six nominees through public voting. It replaces the Chanticleer pear tree, an odorous, invasive species that has been the city’s official tree for more than 50 years.

“Baltimore restaurants reduce food waste by selling discounted leftovers that are ‘Too Good To Go’” — Through the Too Good To Go app, Baltimore restaurants are selling their leftovers at a discount and customers are getting low-cost meals.

“Punk rock sandwich shop and bar Animal Boy opens in Lauraville” — Just down the street from my house, a punk rock sandwich bar opened in October 2025 and quickly became a regular stop for me and my husband.

“Taking root: How community gardens are feeding and teaching Marylanders during the pandemic” — Community garden plots have been in high demand throughout the Baltimore region, ready to fill a pressing need in some of the city’s food deserts, where hunger is common. The gardens also serve as valuable open spaces and learning environments.

“Baltimore’s Little Donna’s named on New York Times’ list of 50 best restaurants in the nation” — The New York Times named Baltimore’s Little Donna’s on its 2023 list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States. The Upper Fells Point restaurant is named after chef-owner Robbie Tutlewski’s 4 1/2 foot tall Yugoslavian grandmother “Little Donna,” whom he regularly cooked with growing up in Gary, Indiana.

“Great Eggspectations: Baltimore Deviled Egg Pageant celebrates 10 years” — In 2012, Martine Richards started the Baltimore Deviled Egg Pageant in her Remington home with one goal in mind: be allowed to eat as many deviled eggs as she desired. The pageant, which has since outgrown Richards’ living room, celebrated its 10th annual event in 2023 with a showcase of culinary cre-egg-tivity.

“‘It’s like opening a restaurant all over again.’ Baltimore eateries push on despite reduced business amid coronavirus pandemic” — With Baltimore restaurants and bars having to shift to carryout- and delivery-only models to limit the spread of the coronavirus, sales have sunk and owners have had to lay off employees, cut back hours for remaining staff, and get creative with ways to encourage customers to continue supporting their businesses.

“Dumpster divers salvage food, furniture and more as pandemic fuels fondness for free stuff” — During the coronavirus pandemic, Marylanders took the plunge into dumpster diving. Some were driven by a desire to get out of their homes and try a no-cost hobby; others were fueled by necessity amid high rates of unemployment and food insecurity.

“Baltimore County native to lead Artemis II mission, NASA’s first flight around Moon in over 50 years” — Cockeysville native and mission commander Reid Wiseman is leading NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is expected to travel farther from Earth than humans have ever gone before. The mission launched April 1, 2026.

“Postpartum and seasonal depression can converge at wintertime for some new parents. Baltimore providers are working to support their mental health.” — Baltimore mothers and mental health professionals shared some of the challenges that new parents may face with postpartum depression and seasonal depression around wintertime, as well as the resources that are available to those individuals.

“LGBTQ+ Marylanders are building lives together. Many fear the second Trump presidency could threaten it all.” — LGBTQ+ Marylanders readied legal documents in anticipation of potential restrictions under President Donald Trump.

“‘Build from strength’: ReBUILD Metro, community partners work to restore vacant homes in East Baltimore“: Church communities and partners like ReBUILD Metro have worked to restore vacant homes in East Baltimore.

“Family of José López, one of the fallen Key Bridge workers, await closure” — José López was one of the construction workers who were sent falling to their death when the Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. While waiting for his body to be recovered from the wreckage, López’s family recalled the man he was. (His body has since been recovered.) The article is also available in Spanish.

“Solar-powered oyster barge seeks to improve Chesapeake Bay restoration, aquaculture” — A solar-powered oyster barge could improve the way oysters are grown in the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.

“Ingenuity is bliss: How a Northeast Baltimore community built BLISS Meadows into a sacred place for enjoying nature” — In a 10-acre space in northeast Baltimore, community members are building BLISS Meadows to provide a place where neighbors can enjoy and learn about nature, from tending crops to caring for the goats and chickens who call the urban farm home.

“‘Fight for the living’: A Maryland mother’s mission to end fentanyl poisoning” — April Babcock’s son Austen died from fentanyl poisoning in 2019. Since then, she has built her national nonprofit Lost Voices of Fentanyl in an effort to raise awareness and action against fentanyl poisoning.

“Respiratory illness affects dogs in Maryland, several other states” — An outbreak of an unknown respiratory illness affected dogs in at least 14 states, including Maryland. Experts advised pet owners “not to panic,” but to be aware of symptoms and maintain preventive care appointments with their regular veterinarian.

“Parents, teachers and advocates rally to delay school board’s vote on permanent school closures for two years” — Baltimore City teachers, families and advocates held a rally to urge school leaders to halt school closure decisions for two years. The rally came after school officials recommended the closure of four Baltimore City public schools, citing declining enrollment, structural problems and other issues.

“‘Sailing is for everyone’: Baltimore-area sailors strive to make sport more equitable and accessible” — Historically, the sailing demographic has largely comprised non-disabled, wealthy, white men. But sailing centers in the Baltimore area are working to make the sport more diverse, inclusive, accessible and equitable.

“Crosswalk art slows cars in Johnston Square“: Volunteers painted colorful pavement designs at intersections near Johnston Square Elementary to get drivers to slow down for pedestrians.