On The Record

As commissioner of Social Security, Martin O’Malley is applying the same data-drive management tools he used as mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland. We ask about backlogs and whether Social Security is running out of money. Links: Hearing on Protecting Solvency of Social Security Martin O’Malley is on a one-year sprint to save Social Security Statement of Administrative Policy Do you have...

COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic - the CDC considers it an endemic disease - but COVID is still dangerous, and the disease keeps on changing and spreading. So, how can we best prepare ourselves? For answers, we’re joined by virologist Dr. Andy Pekosz of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Yesterday, the Baltimore City Health Department announced it will hold  vaccination clinics  ...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Jen Diamond about emerging from the pandemic. Listen to more from Stoop Storytelling Series . Check out the podcast and schedule of upcoming events . Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/...

The Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC) brings together scientists, researchers and neighbors to take a deep dive into the ecological health of the city. For years they’ve collected data measuring the health of the air, soil, plants and trees across many neighborhoods -- all in hopes to make equitable environmental decisions to combat the effects of climate change. To find out how...

New research from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science suggests that songbirds of different feathers flock together during their migrations… and there’s a lot to learn about these multi-species relationships. For insight, we’re joined by migratory ecologist Joely Desimone , an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Appal...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Kelly Harris about a memorable trip to Greece. On September 21st and 22nd, the Stoop Storytelling Series will share tales on the theme, “ Keepers of Culture: Stories about people who inspire and enlighten ,” at the Maryland Folk Festival.  And on September 27th, the Green Room in Baltimore will host an evening dedicated to the theme: “ Neighbors: Stories of Friends, Foes,...

Juvenile crime overall has declined. But to change the course of the young people caught up in gun violence -- either as victims or perpetrators -- Thrive Academy surrounds them with support -- life coaches who help them figure things out. We talk with Pastor Ebony Harvin and Bilal Rahman , two life coaches for Thrive, and with Secretary Vincent Schiraldi, the head of the Maryland Department of Ju...

Three times as many people are dying from opioids as a decade ago. Baltimore City sued on behalf of those lives lost, and to combat overdose deaths in the future: The city has won more than $242 million dollars in restitution so far. We ask Interim Deputy Mayor J.D. Merrill , and Sara Whaley , Program Director of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of...

Here's a Stoop Story from Michael Furr about bottoming out -- and living to tell about it. If you, or someone you know needs help with substance abuse, you can call the 9-8-8 lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or go to this link . Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@w...

Administering elections has always been important. The stakes are high to get it right. For decades, the high stakes mostly weren’t linked to high tension. But these days, as so many Americans insist the 2020 presidential election was stolen, election workers in some battleground states face threats and harassment.  We speak with Jared DeMarinis, Maryland state administrator of elections , about e...

Behind the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Gen X, and the Millenials are the Zoomers: the 70 million Americans who make up Generation Z. This group includes the country's youngest voters. A new book, titled, “The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,” takes a close look at their political motivations and ambitions.  Author Melissa Deckman is the chief executive...

When there are dozens of ways that youth can be led astray, seduced by social media or maybe more dangerous fascinations, how do you capture their minds and hearts? ‘Beats Not Bullets’ teaches middle- and high-school students skills in the music recording industry as a way to keep them focused on positive activities and lead them toward healthy life choices. Rich Croce and  Brandon Lackey , who he...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Natasha Tylea about putting in the work … honing her craft … and owning it -- no matter who is in the room. Find more information about Stoop Storytelling, including the Stoop podcast, Stoop Specials and Stoop live events at Stoopstorytelling.com . Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Produce...

For a group of Baltimore middle and high school students, squash is more than a vegetable! They participate in SquashWise . The non-profit melds the fast-paced game with personal development and academic excellence. We hear from Abby Markoe , co-founder and executive director, and visit the courts to hear from some of the coaches and students. Links: Community SquashWise sign up , Squash with Your...

Here's a Stoop Story from retired Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Pamela White about holding her own as a young lawyer, and taking one for the team. There are two LIVE stoop storytelling events coming up: ‘ Keepers of Culture : Stories About People Who Inspire and Enlighten’ will be part of the Maryland Folk Festival in Salisbury next month: Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. And...

Laura Lippman's novel and the Apple TV series 'Lady in the Lake’ fictionalized the real stories of two tragic deaths in 1969 Baltimore. How their stories were told hinged on which media outlet told them. Baltimore’s Afro News publisher, Dr. Frances 'Toni' Draper , lived through the coverage; she reflects on how reporting on Black communities has changed -- and how it hasn’t.  Links: AFRO archival...

Across the state, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is funding 129 grants totaling $111 million dollars aimed at supporting hundreds of thousands of students with behavioral health screenings, addiction treatment, counseling, family support, wraparound services, and more. This morning, we’ll learn about two of the grants in Howard County public schools. First, Dr. Bruce Wexler is the neuroscient...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Lou Smith , who talked about his passion for teaching at event co-hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. The next Stoop show is tonight at 7 pm at Manor Mill. The theme is, “ Rose Colored Glasses: Stories of Summertime Nostalgia .”  Check out the Stoop podcast . Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior...

A wheelchair or high-tech communications device can cost thousands -- often not covered by insurance. Maryland Equips is an innovative state project that accepts and distributes medical equipment for free.  We speak with Lori Berrong, executive director of the Assistive Technology Program within the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and clients Justin Hack  and  Sarah Starr . Links: Maryland Eq...

Thirteen thousand abandoned buildings and even more vacant lots blemish Baltimore City. We talk with Sean Closkey , president of ReBUILD Metro . The nonprofit has transformed more than 500 abandoned buildings and lots in East Baltimore, all led by neighbor input . And Onyx Development’s Rian Hargrave believes access to quality homes in safe neighborhoods is a human right. She tells us how she's wo...

What happens when an up-and-coming Philadelphia architect moves home to Ellicott City -- to take a job as a baker? Which lets her care for her frail mother, but doesn’t do much for her love life ...? We ask author Michelle Paris about her latest book, " Eat Dessert First ." Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Produce...

Today we offer TWO Stoop stories: One from Christine Harazim about embracing every inch of who you are! And one from Katie Hileman about the power that comes with being comfortable in your own skin. This Sunday Aug. 11 you can tune into the Summer Escapades Stoop Special at 4pm and 11pm on WYPR 88.1fm or at wypr.org Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact O...

It will take years to untangle the many ways in which the pandemic affected life in Baltimore. From employment opportunities and educational choices to decisions about whether to buy a house or have a baby-- the only way to understand COVID’s consequences is to look at the data.  We speak with Amanda Phillips de Lucas , who directs the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance,  part of the Unive...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Kelly Meekins about getting stranded with her family. The next Stoop show is two weeks from tonight: August 16th at Manor Mill in Monkton. The theme is “ Rose Colored Glasses: Stories of Summertime Nostalgia .” Check out the Stoop podcast . Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maure...

Fourteen Marylanders have died of heat-related causes this year. As climate change drives up the intensity and duration of heat waves, what can public officials do? Hopkins epidemiologist Jaime Madrigano offers insight and solutions. Links: Maryland Department of Health Office of Preparedness and Response 579 - How to Be a Climate Change Advocate: Making Sure Public Health is Part of the Climate C...