On The Record

Listen in to a Stoop Story from artist and curator-in-Residence at The Peale Jeffrey Kent about how he found himself along the road to becoming an artist. You can hear his story and others at Stoop Storytelling's website . The next Stoop live event is next Thursday, November 9th, at the Whitehall Mill in Baltimore; it’s titled “Not Gonna Work for Me: Stories about Horrible Bosses, Quiet Quitting,...

Charm City is blessed with a vibrant arts and culture scene. Now, Baltimore Center stage and Baltimore American Indian Center team up to add to that bounty with a gallery to showcase local Indigenous arts. We hear about the inaugural   Indigenous Art Gallery   exhibit from Annalisa Dias , who directs ‘Artistic Partnerships and Innovation’ at Baltimore Center Stage. She is a Goan-American artist an...

It’s the highest disparity of any state in the union: about 30 percent of Maryland’s residents are African-American. Yet African Americans are 71 percent of those behind bars. A new partnership between the Maryland Attorney General and Maryland Public Defender, called the " Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative ," takes aim at reducing mass incarceration of African Americans in Maryland.  We sp...

Local clergy Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg traveled to Israel on a listening and solidarity mission. He bore witness to massacre sites and met with families of those taken hostage - we hear how they cope as they await news. The we hear from Sumayyah Bilal and Rebekka Paisner , two friends who bring their Jewish and Muslim communities together in Baltimore in hopes of fostering empathy and understanding...

Food, water and medical supplies are trickling into Gaza as the war persists. Are humanitarian aid groups able to meet the need? We ask Sean Callahan , the head of Catholic Relief Services, what he’s hearing from workers on the ground. Plus, what is Laila El-Haddad , a local Palestinian journalist, hearing from her relatives in Gaza?  Links: Catholic Relief Services , 10 Things You Should Know Abo...

Car exhaust, industrial waste and forest fires are well-known sources of air pollution which can negatively impact human health. But a group of lesser-known air polluters hit closer to home; residential or commercial gas furnaces, water heaters and other heating and cooling systems. A new report from an array of environmental justice advocates highlights air pollution emitted by Maryland residenti...

Here's a Stoop Story from Nikayah Fayson about finding the joy in Baltimore’s unique cultural landscape after moving to Baltimore in high school. Interested in attending a Stoop Storytelling live? The next Stoop event is Nov. 9 at the Whitehall Mill in Baltimore , and is titled “Not Gonna Work for Me: Stories about Horrible Bosses, Quiet Quitting, and Career Reinventions.” Do you have a question o...

A new book explores the a league of dangerous women through history. Lisa Perrin , professor in the illustration department at the Maryland Institute College of Art, wrote and illustrated The League of Lady Poisoners . The elegantly illustrated book is about women known for poisoning people throughout history. In addition to her work as an illustrator, she is an award-winning designer, entrepreneu...

The ready-to-wear clothing industry nearly killed the appetite -- and the need -- for home sewing. At  Leona’s Sewing Studio  colorful fabrics, humming machines and constant camaraderie have helped create a revival of the nearly lost art. We hear from founder  Ireatha Leona Woods  and three of her students:  Brenda Squirrell, Nichelle Midon and Lori Ferrara. Links: Leona's Sewing Studio ,  Future...

The Child Victims Act lifts the statute of limitations on when sexual abuse victims may sue perpetrators. Steven J. Kelly is a principal at the law firm Grant & Eisenhofer. He represents some of the first-to-file plaintiffs . We hear their stories .  Plus, what does the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy filing mean for survivors of clergy abuse? We speak with Professor Pamela Foohey of Car...

Why has teaching African American history become politicized -- and what must be done to make sure the true stories are told? Today we 'Pass the Mic' to Terri Freeman , head of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture . She asks Dr. Edwin T. Johnson  Chairman of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and historian and archivist at Morga...

Sharing and messaging through social media apps is the modern version of passing a note in class. It’s how kids communicate. We speak parenting and technology expert Devorah Heitner about setting healthy boundaries for Internet use while giving children space to explore. Her latest book is, "Growing Up In Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World.” Do you have a question or comment about a show or...

Here's a ghostly Stoop Story from Sean MacDonald .  The next Stoop event is November 9th at Whitehall Mill in Baltimore. The theme is “ Not Gonna Work for Me: Stories about Horrible Bosses, Quiet Quitting, and Career Reinventions. ” Want more Stoop? Listen to 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 P...

Evie Archer is the new girl in town, and her aging home holds a dark secret. We ask Frederick author Michelle  Jabès Corpora : will spirits from beyond help Evie solve a decades-old mystery … or claim her as their next victim? This supernatural thriller for teens is titled, " Holly Horror." Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Su...

At its peak in the late 1800s, the Chesapeake Bay produced more oysters than almost anywhere else in the world. During the twentieth century, however, oyster populations in the bay plummeted to a tiny fraction of their former levels. And 5 years ago—in 2018— a Maryland Department of Natural Resources assessment of the state’s waters found the oyster population had shrunk in half in less than twent...

There is a hidden world buried beneath your feet. As you walk to work or drive to the grocery store, you crisscross a network of hidden streams and rivers beneath Baltimore’s concrete surface. Now, a new public art installation and walking tour seeks to pull back the pavement on Baltimore’s underground waterways. Ghost Rivers is a series of installations, wayfinding markers, and writings that took...

Many people only see a crime-ridden, violent version of Baltimore City. We hear from photographer J.M. Giordano and Baltimore Peace Movemen t co-founder Letrice Gant , who are dedicated to helping citizens understand and embrace the truth: there is much more at work than that same old narrative.  Links: Baltimore Peace Movement, Peace Weekend Nov. 3-5 , Sat. 10.21 Lost Weekend Book fest talk for ‘...

Preventing suicide among veterans is personal for state Secretary of Veteran Affairs’ Anthony Woods . He lost his mother, an Air Force veteran, to suicide five years ago. We hear how Woods is expanding the reach of mental-health services. Read Woods' commentary in the Baltimore Banner .  The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Vetera...

There once was a time when “artificial intelligence” existed only in the pages of science fiction. Now, you hear about AI everywhere; AI-generated images, art and video, AI writing cover letters and college essays. But how would you feel about artificial intelligence making decisions about your health? This emerging technology is being used more and more in healthcare, from analyzing test results...

White Potato pie, stuffed ham, blintzes, oyster stew! 'Festive Maryland Recipes: Holiday traditions from the Old Line State' mixes food with colorful graphics and stories to create a celebration of yesteryear. Author Kara Mae Harris gives us a taste!  Links: Event: Pratt Test Kitchen with Kara Mae Harris , Old Line Plate blog.   Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pit...

Here's a Stoop Story from Gertrude's Restaurant co-founder Chef John Shields about the courage of blazing your path but then following the detour that delivers your dreams. 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/her...

Since recreational cannabis became legal July 1, Marylanders are spending millions on cannabis products every day. Adult-use sales topped $54 million in September, while medical cannabis sales fell slightly between August and September.  We ask Will Tilburg , acting director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration , what products are selling most, how new licenses will expand the business, and who...

Israel is at war with Hamas. Hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians are dead, and Hamas is holding civilian hostages. We ask Middle East analysts Marc Lynch , and Laura Blumenfeld : What should we expect from this conflict? How does revenge fuel emotions, and what happens when leaders pursue justice at any cost?  Links: Israel's One-State Reality , Gaza and Israel: Five Things to Watch , Let's Get...

Art and history lovers get ready: a new show at Baltimore Museum of Industry dives into the late-nineteenth-early- twentieth century role of the neighborhood corner bar. And the Baltimore Museum of Art turns ideas about male-dominated artmaking on their head in 'Making Her Mark.’  Links: ' The Neighborhood Corner Bar ' at BMI, ' Making Her Mark' at BMA , BMI neighborhood bar walking tour , Corner...

Here's a Stoop Story from Kerry Prayer about embracing the unconventional in the pursuit of love and family. The next LIVE Stoop event takes place Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the American Visionary Arts Museum. The theme: ‘Creating Art, Creating Change: Stories About Art as a Tool for Social Justice.’ Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senio...