Earlier today, I was told by a board chair to stop taking pictures of her... in the middle of a public meeting. Is this a normal experience for photogs? Or am I just even more insufferable than usual now that I have a camera in my hands?

Breaking: Judge in Baltimore's opioid case rejects the city's $5.2 billion ask for its abatement plan and says he will allow for a new trial (that being the trial last year that resulted in a $266 million jury verdict). More details TK.

Mayor Brandon Scott called the judge's decision on Baltimore's landmark opioid case "disappointing to say the least." Read my latest for Filter | harm reduction journalism ⬇️

Baltimore's Restitution Advisory Board was slated to have an ad hoc meeting at 4 p.m. today to discuss the judge's ruling (this had been scheduled for weeks, and an official told me Monday that it would take place regardless of a ruling). It was just canceled; no reason given.

There's a new Baltimore Beat next week, and you definitely won't want to miss it (every edition is great, but I'm biased about this one).

I just realized that if you Google my name, my Twitter account appears alongside a shirtless photo of Brian Mann. I'd like to publicly declare that I am not Brian Mann, though I am a fan of his work. And sometimes we write about similar things.

My latest for NPR ✨️ Purdue Pharma, Sacklers reach new $7.4 billion opioid settlement npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-…

Immediately after the Baltimore City Council passed the budget tonight, Councilwoman Phylicia Porter announced four hearings pertaining to the overdose crisis. They're scheduled for next month. Throwback to when prior hearings got cancelled... Twice.

Well-known Baltimore arabber shot and killed by Baltimore Police officers baltimorebeat.com/well-known-bal…