In February, USA Rugby banned trans women from all levels of one of the world’s most inclusive sports. What happened next was telling. Across the country, teams refused to comply. The story of the Baltimore Ferals, who are pushing back: www.thebanner.com/sports/rugby...

Want to make sure everyone who has engaged here also sees our companion video: bsky.app/profile/spor...

Baltimore Banner Sports@sports.thebaltimorebanner.com · 2w ago

“We’re not asking for permission to be here. We’re playing.” In February, USA Rugby banned transgender women from competing in women's matches. It was, on paper, a massive blow to the Baltimore Ferals, one of hundreds of teams affiliated with International Gay Rugby. Instead, they kept playing.

In February, USA Rugby banned trans women from all levels of one of the world’s most inclusive sports. What happened next was telling. Across the country, teams refused to comply. The story of the Baltimore Ferals, who are pushing back: www.thebanner.com/sports/rugby...

By @kylegoon.bsky.social: A trans ban came to rugby. Baltimore’s Ferals played on. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

A trans ban came to rugby. Baltimore’s Ferals played on.

In February, USA Rugby banned transgender women from competing with other women at all levels. Something interesting happened: Many teams refused to listen.

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I'm so grateful to my colleagues @lizbowie.bsky.social, Shayla Colon, @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social, @jessicagallagher.bsky.social and @elliew0lfe.bsky.social who have jumped on this story with me. If you have anything you can share, please email Maya.lora@thebanner.com

And if you're wondering how and why this happened even though ICE agents have been told by the city and state to avoid schools, and ICE officials themselves have previously promised to do so, read this explainer. Detainments on school grounds are pretty rare: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...

Maryland leaders can’t always keep ICE off school grounds

After two parents were detained outside of an East Baltimore elementary/middle school, local leaders are searching for ways to prevent it from happening again.

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We're doing everything we can to piece together what happened. But my incredible colleague @lesliegraystreeter.bsky.social captured why the detainment, in full view of students, was so jarring for her and her son, who attends CJR and asked for his passport www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...

Streeter: ICE detained people outside my child’s school and forever changed him

COLUMN | My son called me panicked as ICE detained people outside his Baltimore City public school. It’s forever changed him — and me, too.

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The next day, ICE finally gave their account of events, saying Jesus Acevedo Sanchez "violently resisted arrest," drove away to avoid ICE and dragged an officer. The couple's lawyer says they were taking their kids to school when ICE hit them with two cars. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...

ICE vehicles hit Baltimore father’s car as he took his children to school, attorney says

ICE says Jesus Acevedo Sanchez and his wife, who were detained while dropping off their children at a Baltimore school, face federal charges.

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Last week, ICE agents detained a mother and father during morning drop-off at a temporary learning space for Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School kids in far East Baltimore. The school is over 40% Hispanic and over a third of kids are learning English. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...

ICE agents detain parents dropping off kids outside Baltimore school

ICE agents detained two adults on public school property Thursday in a chaotic scene caught on video.

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Chris McBride was sentenced to life for murder. Would a Maryland law give him a second chance? (via @thebaltimorebanner.com) (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social)

He was sentenced to life for murder. Would a Maryland law give him a second chance?

The Maryland Second Look Act allows people who’ve served at least 20 years in prison for crimes committed when they were adults younger than 25 to ask a court to reduce their sentence.

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By Céilí Doyle: Smashing junkers, chasing glory at the Upperco Volunteer Fire Company demolition derby. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Upperco Volunteer Fire Company hosts demolition derby in Baltimore County

Upperco’s fire department hosts several motorsport events a year in Baltimore County.

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‘A bulletproof God’: Baltimore pastor delivers Easter sermon days after being shot, carjacked, Céilí Doyle reports. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social)(via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Baltimore pastor delivers Easter sermon days after being shot, carjacked

The cleric told his congregants and the public to forgive the young man who shot and robbed him.

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“He is a bulletproof God" Ceílí Doyle and @jessicagallagher.bsky.social were at service today as Pastor Rashad Singletary delivered an Easter sermon just days after being shot in a carjacking. He spoke to us about forgiveness. www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Baltimore pastor delivers Easter sermon days after being shot, carjacked

The cleric told his congregants and the public to forgive the young man who shot and robbed him.

thebanner.com

By Jessica Calefati, @leeosanderlin.bsky.social and @jessicagallagher.bsky.social: Everyone has seen Baltimore’s missing boy. So why can’t authorities find him? (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Everyone has seen Baltimore’s missing boy. So why can’t authorities find him?

Tristan King ran from a caseworker in Baltimore and has been missing since September. Brooklyn residents have seen him, but authorities can’t find him.

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Pinkshift might be Baltimore’s best-kept secret, but they already know the Metro Subway is, too. Check out their weekend shows at the Ottobar via the local link 21 and 94.

Baltimore Banner@thebaltimorebanner.com · 7mo ago

Pinkshift is the next Baltimore band you need to know www.thebanner.com/culture/musi...

“Do I have all of the answers right now? No, I don’t. But am I willing to do the work? And are my members willing to do the work? Absolutely. Absolutely.” Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk charts a new course in the Maryland House. 📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

New House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk stresses good governance, civility

Maryland’s new speaker of the House of Delegates faces a budget shortfall and thorny debates about immigration enforcement, affordability and redistricting. She says she’s ready for the challenge.

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A Baltimore homebuying dream collides with a ‘heartbreaking’ rental scam. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

A Baltimore homebuying dream collides with a ‘heartbreaking’ rental scam

On Oct. 21, Jalen Absolum, 18, of Philadelphia, closed on a home on Riggs Avenue in Mosher in cash. A family was living in the house and claimed they had a lease.

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By @darreonna.bsky.social: Community gathers to remember Baltimore’s 133 homicide victims in 2025. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Baltimore mayor, community mourn last year’s 133 homicide victims

Hundreds gathered at War Memorial Plaza to mourn those who lost their lives to gun violence in Baltimore City in 2025.

thebanner.com

By @juliemore19.bsky.social: A genetic disease is stealing their toddler. A blood test at birth could have saved her. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

A genetic disease is stealing their toddler. A blood test could have saved her..

In October 2024, Kennedy Krieger Institute doctors diagnosed Carmen Akras with late infantile onset metachromatic leukodystrophy, or MLD. The a recessive genetic condition destroys the nervous system ...

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Just past the tree-line of a well manicured vet cemetery lies what researchers believe are the unmarked graves of Black children who died in state custody. Lawmakers said they want to restore dignity to those buried there. w/ @jessicagallagher.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Maryland lawmakers seek to honor Black children buried in unmarked graves

“[W]e need to be mindful of never, ever allowing something like this to happen again," said state Sen. Michael Jackson.

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By Céilí Doyle: Gnome Hill: NCR Trail landmark brings joy to northern Baltimore County. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

Gnome Hill: An NCR Trail landmark in northern Baltimore County

The man behind the gnomes is Gene Stiffler, a bluegrass fan with a clever streak. He’s turned his White Hall property into a regional landmark for the countless cyclists, hikers and other trail enthus...

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‘Round 2’: Baltimore again sees multiple people hospitalized after overdoses in Penn North Find the story here ---> www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/lo...

By Sapna Bansil: She nearly died on a playground. Now this mass overdose survivor struggles to find help. (📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social)

West Baltimore mass overdose survivor struggles to find help

A “bad batch” of drugs that swept through West Baltimore sent at least 27 people to the hospital Thursday.

thebaltimorebanner.com

The Dish: This Prime Rib waiter has served legends — and became one himself Story by Christina Tkacik on the @thebaltimorebanner.com

For 60 years, they’ve made the memories and friendships last. My latest for The Baltimore Banner. 📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/ba...

Decades of friendships bound by sticky buns and Baltimore upbringing

A group of 1965 Forest Park High School graduates is happy to dish on the secret to their remarkable, long-lasting connection.

thebaltimorebanner.com

A turtle swims through waters affected by an oil spill at the inlet near S. Caroline Street and Lancaster Street on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The spill occurred nearby the day before, on Wednesday. Read all updates on the @thebaltimorebanner.com --> tinyurl.com/d99ad5dn

At 11, she’s turned heartbreak into hope on the National Spelling Bee stage Read the story by @kris10griffith.bsky.social on the @thebaltimorebanner.com ---> tinyurl.com/2rj9mrb5

At 11, she’s turned heartbreak into hope on the National Spelling Bee stage

This week, Amelia “Bindi” Ray will take the national stage as the youngest Maryland competitor in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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Preakness, schmeakness. Tonight is also Gunz of Steel, an arm-wrestling competition for women and non-binary people featuring a deranged lunch lady, a gym-obsessed rat and a flying crocheted placenta. 📸: @jessicagallagher.bsky.social www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/life...

At Gunz of Steel, arm wrestlers flex muscles and mayhem

A dozen costumed participants, many joined by a costumed manager, will lock arms across Stellmon’s custom-built arm wrestling table for four rounds of competition at Gunz of Steel.

thebaltimorebanner.com

Preakness Day! Find all your coverage on the @thebaltimorebanner.com ! Live Blog --> tinyurl.com/4p7wrk82

Groundbreaking audit of Md. police-custody deaths has major implications: -It "validates concerns" of biased death investigations -Dozens of deaths will be reexamined -Nail in the coffin for "excited delirium" -It all started with the George Floyd trial www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/cr...

What you need to know about Maryland’s audit of police-custody deaths

The audit’s implications reach far beyond a finding of 36 wrongfully classified deaths.

thebaltimorebanner.com