Stories

Read some of my latest stories for Baltimore Fishbowl here, and check out my MDDC award-winning articles below.

Award-winning articles:

“Home for the Holidays: A crash course in Baltimore City homebuying“: In this column, I shared my husband’s and my journey to becoming first-time Baltimore homeowners and what we learned after two years of looking. This Baltimore Fishbowl column won first place in Division C for Local Column: Critical Thinking at the 2024 MDDC Awards.

“Howard County residents raise concerns about chemical company’s plans for pilot plastics recycling plant“: Howard County residents worried a chemical company’s proposed pilot plastics recycling plant in Columbia could harm their health and the environment. The company, W.R. Grace, maintained that community members misunderstood their plans. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won second place in Division C for Environmental Reporting at the 2024 MDDC Awards.

“‘One for the books’: Black queer Baltimoreans share love of ballroom at Enoch Pratt Central Library”: Black queer community members strutted, dipped, twirled and posed in Baltimore’s Renaissance Ball at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won first place in Division C for Arts/Entertainment Reporting at the 2023 MDDC Awards.

“With the new academic year underway, how are Baltimore schools and families coping with food inflation?” — In Baltimore, school cafeterias are still dealing with higher-than-normal food costs spurred by inflation during the pandemic. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won second place in Division C for Education Reporting at the 2023 MDDC Awards.

“Name a roach or rat after your ex and watch it get devoured by Baltimore rescue animals” — The Baltimore Critter Society invited supports to name a roach, worm, mouse, or rat after an ex-lover and have it fed to rescue animals for Valentine’s Day. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won second place in Division C for Feature Story: Non-Profile a the 2023 MDDC Awards.

“Untangling knots and building bonds: Our Lady Undoer of Knots church welcomes LGBTQ+ people, other disaffected Catholics” — Left out of the Catholic church, parishioners at Our Lady Undoer of Knots sought to redefine what it means to be a devout Catholic and create an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ people, divorcees and others are welcome. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won first place in Division O for Religion Reporting at the 2022 MDDC Awards.

“Energy supplier choice aimed to lower Marylanders’ bills, but some customers are left feeling powerless” — More than 20 years after Maryland opened its energy marketplace to competition, many consumers have complaints about the cost of their energy bills and the marketing tactics of some third-party suppliers. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won first place in Division O for Public Service at the 2021 MDDC Awards.

“Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra to perform concert featuring music from video games made in Maryland” — Reuniting to perform together in person again for the first time during the pandemic, the Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra & Concert presented their Made in Maryland concert, featuring music from video games developed in the Old Line State. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won first place in Division O for Arts/Entertainment Reporting at the 2021 MDDC Awards.

“Clavel chef Carlos Raba founds Guardian Baltimore jiu-jitsu studio with free kids classes” — A local chef opened a Brazilian jiu-jitsu and yoga studio in Baltimore’s Remington neighborhood, which provides free classes to kids. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won second place in Division O for Feature Story (Profile) at the 2020 MDDC Awards.

“‘They feel like sitting ducks.’ Coalition calls for state to reduce number of inmates amid pandemic” — The ACLU of Maryland and the Office of the Public Defender petitioned the Maryland Court of Appeals to direct state officials to reduce the number of people in Maryland’s jails and prisons and improve conditions for the inmates who remain to limit the spread of COVID-19. This Baltimore Fishbowl story won first place in Division O for General News Story at the 2020 MDDC Awards.

“The Palette & The Page set to celebrate 10th birthday” — The Palette & The Page started as an artist cooperative in downtown Elkton in Nov. 9, 2009, and later became an LLC. The art gallery and bookstore recently celebrated 10 years of being in business. I sat down with the three women who own the shop at 120 East Main St. to have them reflect on the past decade. (I had previewed 15 of the gallery’s monthly art shows at the time of them celebrating this milestone, so this story holds a special place in my heart.) This Cecil Whig story won first place in Division C for Arts and Entertainment Reporting at the 2019 MDDC Awards.

And here’s a collection of some of my other clips from Baltimore Fishbowl, the Cecil Whig and The Towerlight:

Baltimore Fishbowl

“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.

“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.

“‘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.

“Maryland interagency agreement to increase housing and other development near transit stations” — A new agreement between two Maryland agencies will support construction of denser mixed-use projects near transit stations, including more affordable housing, and promote the state’s climate goals.

“Waterfront Partnership report gives harbor’s ecosystem health a C grade, highlighting sewer and stormwater impacts” — While Baltimore’s harbor remains swimmable, the waterway’s health continues to be impacted by sewage overflows, stormwater runoff, and trash pollution, according to the Waterfront Partnership’s annual Harbor Heartbeat report card.

“Maryland to receive more than $80M to create EV charging stations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along I-95 corridor” — Charging stations for electric trucks, buses, and other vehicles will be installed along the Interstate 95 corridor with grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses are on the rebound, but still down from 2018 levels” — The underwater grasses of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries grew by 7% in 2023, contributing to improved water quality and providing food and shelter for the species that live there.

“Solar-powered oyster barge seeks to improve Chesapeake Bay restoration, aquaculture” — A partnership between Maryland companies is seeking to improve the way oysters are grown in the Chesapeake Bay by using a solar-powered barge.

“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.

“Proposed fund would give financial support to Baltimore parents of new children” — The Maryland Child Alliance hopes to establish the Baltimore Baby Bonus Fund to give a one-time cash payment to parents of new children.

“Baltimore nonprofit ShareBaby distributes its 10 millionth diaper” — Baltimore nonprofit ShareBaby distributed its 10 millionth diaper in February 2024, both marking a celebratory milestone and underlining the overwhelming need for diapers and other supplies for parents in the Baltimore area.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“‘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.

“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.

“‘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.

“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.

Cecil Whig

“CCPS scores well in new report card system” — The Maryland State Department of Education released a new five-star-rating-based system in December 2018 to assess school quality. The new Maryland Report Card not only considers students’ academic achievement, but also takes other factors into account such as academic progress, readiness for postsecondary success and English language proficiency.

“County youth aim to mobilize peers before midterm election” — For many young Cecil Countians, the 2018 election was the first time they were able to vote. While relative newcomers to the ballot box, they’re leading the charge in creating a more politically active citizenry.

“Elk Creeks’ Apple Butter Festival preserves family tradition” — Community members came together to share in the tradition of making apple butter, as well as to enjoy the history of Fair Hill.

“Community rallies around family amidst tragedy” — After three children and their uncle were killed in a vehicle collision in Cecil County in May 2019, which also resulted in injuries to the surviving child and his grandmother who were in the car, community members rallied to raise money for the family’s funeral costs and medical expenses.

“Milburn Stone Theatre’s ‘Santaland Diaries’ serves holiday tales with side of elvish snark” — Nearly 30 years after author David Sedaris first read his essay about the wintry woes of being a mall elf on National Public Radio, Cecil College’s Milburn Stone Theatre performed the play that essay inspired. From job orientation as an elf trainee to an impression of Billy Holiday crooning “Away in a Manger,” this production was a fun one to cover.

“Sisters create art from materials that are left behind” — One sister photographs objects and places that have been abandoned. The other makes art to deal with the loss of her daughter. Together, they created an art show about what stays with us and what gets left behind.

“‘Principal for a Day’ provides peek into CCPS schools” — Not only did I get to be “principal for a day” at the Cecil County School of Technology, but I also got to talk to students, teachers and administrators about what teaching and learning look like at a technical school. (By the way, my header photo was taken while I was reading the morning announcements.)

The Towerlight

“Mental health accessibility at Towson University” — As Towson University grows as an institution, the campus’s counseling center and student groups work to keep up with the student demand for mental health resources.

“Community resists proposed Royal Farms” — Towson area residents clashed with county officials and developers over a gas station/retail development nearby. Some opponents said the development would increase traffic and pollution in the neighborhood.

“Defending DACA” — In the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, some Towson University administrators and student leaders defend the program and undocumented immigrants.

“Towson University reacts to violence in Charlottesville” — Following the violence in August in Charlottesville, Virginia, Towson University community members affirmed their commitment to combating hate and bias on campus.

“Academics and amour: how two alumni couples found love through Towson” — For our Valentine’s Day issue, I talked to two alumni couples (including Lynn and Victor Brick of Brick Bodies) who first crossed paths while attending Towson University. They shared how people can keep their love going strong with their sweethearts, and how to enjoy life to the fullest.

“Towson mourns loss of student who demonstrated ‘honor above all’” — After a Towson University student passed away at home, community members remembered him at a candlelight vigil.

“The Big Event 2017: Students brave the rain to serve community” — A wet one, but a fun one. In my first cover story (co-written with my fellow assistant news editor at the time), I traveled around Towson to document how student groups were paying it forward to the community during a day of heavy rain as part of The Big Event, an annual day of service.