Rona Kobell
Cover Balt Co. for The Baltimore Banner. Priors: Balt Sun, Bay Journal, Md. Sea Grant, etc. Produced Eroding History, on PBS.org now. Wolverine, Terp, Yinzer. Hopkins SNF AGORA, Knight-Wallace fellow. Writing book on E. Shore for JHU Press. Bunny/girlmom.
- The Baltimore County Police Dept. hired a convicted rapist. My colleague Ceili Doyle investigated the story and interviewed the convicted rapist and the woman he assaulted and told the story. @thebaltimorebanner.com
- SCOOP: The rent is too damn high. Not news. But in Baltimore County, many people are considered "burdened" because they're paying between 30-50 percent of their salaries on rent. Where that happens may surprise you. www.thebanner.com/baltimore-co...
- We interrupt the wall-to-wall local pension story to bring you news of a house that is not going to be landmarked, which will save the new owner $160,000 on windows. www.thebanner.com/economy/real...
- This is the fourth story I have written in a week on pensions. If you missed the other three, this one tells you what you need to know. You could say I am paying pension attention. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- Reposted by Rona KobellI wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
- @thebaltimorebanner.com has been reporting on the pension bump since November 2024. The heat intensified last month, when a county board recommended doubling the council's salaries. That also would double the council's current pension. Two councilmen now saythey'll repeal the pension bump bill.
- Councilman Todd Crandell announced he would not run for re-election to focus on sobriety. He could earn more as a retired councilman than as a working one - because of a pension boost tied to a salary increase for future council members that 6 of 7 supported. His $41,400 benefit jumps to $84,000.
- Why did Towson Square die? In this story, I circle the square, or square the circle, to find out why. And it's not what anyone has said before. It's something else.
- I asked myself, what if I wrote about Baltimore County's growing Nepalese community through its food? And then, I did. Mo Momos!
- I received an email today from a woman who had heard all her life she was a descendant of Harriet Tubman. Mary Dennard helped her prove it. Now, the woman is educating all of her nieces and children that they are Harriet's cousins. This cynical scribe shed a tear. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- They thought the property would remain ballfields. Then, a few days before Christmas, the bulldozers came. What will become of the site now? We are at the council meeting trying to learn! www.thebanner.com/economy/grow...
- On a national level, Trump officials have tried to erase Black history. In Harriet Tubman's home county, one 77-year-old part-time ranger is working to keep it alive. #Harriet @angryblacklady.blacksky.app @imaniperry.bsky.social @marthasjones.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- More IG news.
- I was cooking dinner and my kids were fighting over which one was going to help me and I decided the best course of action was to step out of the kitchen and let them finish the meal I was making together.
- Baltimore County is shaking things up. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- The beer baron mansion owners have three showings this week, which I think is because of this story. If you're one of them, and you buy it, I hope you enjoy all the gimlets. www.thebanner.com/economy/baue...
- This house is under $800,000 and it comes with all the period furniture, a saltwater pool, a view of the Chesapeake, and a boatload of local history. It's perfect for a gimlet and a day of reading on the porch. Pass the quail terrine! www.thebanner.com/economy/baue...
- Reposted by Rona Kobell[Not loaded yet]
- I just listened to an hour-long interview on @podsaveamerica.crooked.com with Rahm Emanuel and Tommy Vietor did not ask the presidential hopeful one question about the 16 shots Chicago police fired at LaQuan McDonald's back when Emanuel was mayor.
- The Baltimore County librarians have been through a lot. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- Did you know that, in Baltimore County, you can ask for the County Council to change the zoning on a property you don't own? It's true. And did you know that someone can ask for your home to be considered a historic landmark without your knowledge or consent? Also true. This is the $160,000 bargain.
- Breaking news: The CEO of the Baltimore County Public Library and the board overseeing the library have parted ways. This move comes just weeks after the CEO fired 14 part-time librarians via Zoom, then rehired them two days later after fierce backlash. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- Baltimore County prosecutors convicted Kirk Bloodsworth for a crime he did not commit. After 8 years on death row, he was exonerated, and the case inspired many prosecutor offices to set up exoneration units. One county that hasn't: the one where it all began. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- Baltimore Co IG Kelly Madigan is leaving to take the IG position in Howard County. She has appointed her deputy, Steve Quisenberry, to replace her. Quisenberry was on the committee to choose the new HoCo IG, but that he recused himself from discussions around his boss. with @lillianreed.bsky.social
- Reposted by Rona Kobell[Not loaded yet]
- On a busy travel weekend, a look at how Black Americans traveled under segregation through this @umbc-ai.bsky.social @artsatumbc.bsky.social exhibit, Picturing Mobility. Segregated beaches abounded in the Mid-Atlantic - so Black Marylanders created their own spaces. www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
- Reposted by Rona KobellStill reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
- This @emilynussbaum.bsky.social profile of @kerirussell.bsky.social is just so, so good. @newyorker.com
- A private firm got a judge to pre-emptively seal this lawsuit #baltimore county IG brought against a former employee. Unusual, even unprecedented. What don't they want us to know? #journalism #FOIA @reason.com @cjciaramella.bsky.social @jasonleopold.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- National news is busy, but we don't sleep on the local news here at The Banner! www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- Catherine’s really good.
- Reposted by Rona Kobell[Not loaded yet]
- I am glad so many readers are interested in this!
- Junius Wilson has been to hell and back. Now, he gets to have his art at AVAM and he has never been happier. www.thebanner.com/culture/arts...
- Four years ago, #Baltimore Co Inspector General Kelly Madigan and then-chief of staff Patrick Murray met at the Bun Shop for what could be the most expensive breakfast in #Baltimore County history. Taxpayer tab: $190,000. County got judge to seal case. We explain! www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
- Reposted by Rona Kobell[Not loaded yet]
- Standing room only for Erik Larson!
- Reposted by Rona Kobell[Not loaded yet]
- Sources are confidential. Period. You sign up for this job, and you have to be willing to go to jail to protect them. I almost had to once, in 1997. A benevolent federal judge quashed the subpoena. I remember the fear, but also the pride of being trusted with deep secrets. All we have is our word.
- I mean, I’m here for the fox photos and the mushroom photos and the cute dogs and to share some good local stories but otherwise I’m sort of confused? So many arguments, so much shouting.
- I come on here for 10 minutes and realize I am not online enough to know what everyone is fighting about. Back to my book!
- There is so much to be upset about these days. And then, there are the people who anonymously complained about a peach and an eggplant in a historic district....jeopardizing their future because...well, honestly, you just have to read the story. www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
- What if we just keep talking about Robert Redford and sharing our favorite photos of him?
- The Y would like to upgrade its facilities, but it can't, because #Baltimore county owns them. The county would like to provide more access to, but it can't, because the Y already heavily subsidizes membership. #swim baltimorebanner-the-baltimore-banner-staging.web.arc-cdn.net/community/lo...
- Get your news on! #Baltimore Co council has passed a map. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
- The art of silence is overrated. Not everyone has to comment on everything.
