Zuri Berry
@zuriberry.com
Executive Editor, Montgomery and Prince George's counties at The Banner. 👨🏾💻 @bannermoco.bsky.social @bannerpgcounty.bsky.social Check us out at: https://thebanner.com/capital
13-year-old drove stolen car full of kids in crash that killed man in Germantown
13-year-old drove stolen car full of kids in crash that killed man in Germantown
Police said a 13-year-old boy was the driver of a reportedly stolen car carrying six other children that crashed into a second vehicle in Germantown, killing a man.
thebanner.com
Trump administration admits cancellation of Maryland energy grants was political
Trump administration admits cancellation of Maryland energy grants was political
Department of Energy attorneys admitted in recent court filings that it cancelled grants, including over $80 million for Maryland projects, based on how states voted in the 2024 presidential election.
thebanner.com
Why have Maryland’s school test scores stalled? In Prince George's County, the district’s English proficiency rate rose less than one percentage point. In math, 13.7% of students are considered proficient.
Why have Maryland's school test scores stalled?
Maryland posted lackluster scores on the annual standardized tests, but experts say they expect greater improvement in years to come and the results are in keeping with the national trend.
thebanner.com
The Nats were just getting interesting.
Nationals trading All-Star lefty Foster Griffin to Guardians for prospects
Griffin is 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts. He doesn’t overwhelm hitters with a high-velocity fastball, but instead flummoxes them with seven pitches and a tremendous cutter.
thebanner.com
After late sprint, Tonya Sweat says she secured enough signatures to challenge Braveboy
After late sprint, Tonya Sweat says she secured enough signatures to challenge Braveboy
Aspiring Prince George’s County executive candidate Tonya Sweat and her team were sent scrambling after learning they didn’t have enough signatures to appear on general election ballots.
thebanner.com
Johns Hopkins researcher Fatima Ameaka released from ICE custody
Johns Hopkins researcher Fatima Ameaka released from ICE custody
A public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University who was arrested by immigration officials while boarding a domestic flight has been released after spending multiple days in federal custody…
thebanner.com
What to know about Wes Moore leading the National Governors Association
What to know about Wes Moore leading the National Governors Association
The role allows Moore not only to advocate for governors but to continue to raise his political profile.
thebanner.com
ICE detains Hopkins public health researcher as agency expands airport arrests
ICE detains Hopkins public health researcher as agency expands airport arrests
A Johns Hopkins University public health researcher and former Fulbright scholar was detained this week by immigration agents while boarding a domestic flight as the Trump administration ramps up…
thebanner.com
As business programs struggle to find students, UMD offers a faster way to an MBA
As business programs struggle to find students, UMD offers a faster way to an MBA
The University of Maryland Smith School of Business will allow students to earn their degrees with three fewer courses.
thebanner.com
Gov. Wes Moore announces fast-tracked admissions for unenrolled Howard University students
Gov. Moore announces fast-tracked admissions for unenrolled Howard University students
Students unenrolled from Howard University last week may now receive financial and application support from the University System of Maryland.
thebanner.com
Saturday has got some real competition for my interests. Should I hit up Black Books Matter fest, or go to the Wine and Jazz festival? Lots to do in Prince George’s County.
7 things to do in the capital region, from Karol G to wine and jazz
Things to do across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties this week include festivals showcasing books, wine and jazz, and concerts headlined by the likes of Karol G.
thebanner.com
My colleague went library card maxxing, and for good reason. Have you seen some of these Libby holds??? One of the great things about living in the DMV is access to all the nearby library systems. And here she breaks down the benefits of access to specific systems and branches.
How many library cards can a book lover like me collect?
If you’re itching for a certain e-book before your beach vacation, or your kid is behind on their summer reading list, you may want an extra card — or 10.
thebanner.com
Thousands of Marylanders lost SNAP benefits because of the Big Beautiful Bill.
Federal cuts to SNAP cost thousands of Marylanders their food benefits
SNAP cuts under the Trump-supported federal law leave 36,000 Marylanders without food benefits, affecting families, seniors and vulnerable groups.
thebanner.com
Welp. The people in the comments are not feeling these options.
Help pick a name for the former Six Flags site
The team behind the redevelopment at the former Six Flags site is asking for the public’s input on a name.
thebanner.com
Ousted Prince George’s County Planning Board Chair Darryl Barnes is suing the county, County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha. He’s claiming Braveboy dangled jobs to force his resignation.
Ousted planning chair sues, claims Braveboy dangled jobs to force resignation
Ousted planning board chair Darryl Barnes sued the county, the executive and council chair, claiming he was forced to resign following unsubstantiated misconduct allegations.
thebanner.com
Only 11.1% of students in Prince George’s County passed the Algebra I exam, the lowest rate in Central Maryland.
Maryland students still struggle with high school-level math
Maryland students continue to struggle with high school-level math, with only 21.3% passing the Algebra I MCAP exam and disparities across districts and demographic groups.
thebanner.com
Montgomery County schools’ test scores show one grade is outpacing the rest
Montgomery County schools’ test scores show one grade is outpacing the rest
Montgomery County students made modest gains in reading and math, though not all groups improved.
thebanner.com
Prince George’s school test scores hold steady — and so do achievement gaps
Prince George’s school test scores hold steady — and so do achievement gaps
Prince George’s County Public Schools’ standardized test scores crept up slightly in English and math, but disparities across race, disability and language persist.
thebanner.com
Commanders fire tight ends coach who was recently charged with DWI
Commanders fire tight ends coach who was recently charged with DWI
Ben Steele was arrested on June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia, where the team’s facility is located. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and other offenses, according to court records.
thebanner.com
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in public subsidies goes to funding internet service to unlivable buildings on Alaska’s Adak Island. We knocked on every door and talked to every person we could find. Not a single one told us they used the service. with @adn.com
On This Nearly Deserted Alaska Island, You Pay to Keep Hundreds of Empty Buildings Wired for Internet
U.S. phone customers pay more than $340,000 a year for an Anchorage company to keep homes and buildings on Alaska’s Adak Island wired for obsolete internet service. All but a few of them sit empty.
propublica.org
“It’s rooted in intellectualism but remains delightfully stupid, even in its most poignant and emotional moments.” Oh, Hannah. I love it.
I just went to one of the weirdest plays I’ve ever seen. You should see it, too.
“Adrift: A Medieval Wayward Folly” is the latest production onstage at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre, on loan from Baltimore’s Happenstance Theater. It’s a very weird, wonderful and eerily familiar…
thebanner.com
I’ve been reading all about the drama at Howard University after hundreds of students were unenrolled. And then lo and behold, my colleague writes this fantastic story about Coppin State and how making the college more affordable has in turn helped save it. Who’d have thunk it?
The gamble behind Maryland’s most affordable university
Rather than raising tuition to bring in more revenue, Coppin State University slashed it, wagering that a more affordable college would draw more students.
thebanner.com
New book from my friend Dr. Miya @williamsfayne.bsky.social on the Black press just came in the mail. Looking forward to digging in.
Angel Reese’s “Bayou Barbie” nickname now has more meaning and reach on her mission to inspire young girls and grow as a cultural figure. The Atlanta Dream All-Star’s signature Barbie doll will debut during the WNBA’s All-Star weekend.
Prince George’s County Planning Board defies staff recommendation on data center amendment
Prince George’s County Planning Board defies staff recommendation on data center amendment
The Prince George’s County Planning Board considered a proposal that could allow data centers in agricultural and residential areas.
thebanner.com