Picking sides

Heat and humidity today, with highs over 90 and the chance of storms later. Tomorrow will be sunny and less humid, with highs in the mid 80s.

justice

The trial of 5 men accused in the 2013 shooting death of 1-year-old Carter Scott ended in a mistrial for four of the men, but a first-degree murder conviction for the fifth. The jury voted 11-1 to convict the other men, but could not reach a unanimous decision (they’ll be retried).

city

Gov. Larry Hogan visited Baltimore yesterday to pledge over $7 million in state funds for Baltimore’s “recovery” efforts following April’s state of emergency. Hogan announced that the state will make $3.3 million available to summer job programs in the city, about $2 million to help businesses repair and recover, and $2 million in homeowner settlements.

Meanwhile, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that the city will not extend recovery funds from the Baltimore Development Corp to damaged nonconforming liquor stores operating in residential areas. (These corner liquor stores are legally operating as they were grandfathered in when zoning laws changed years ago.) The nonconforming stores affected can either seek recovery help elsewhere, or accept city aid by either relocating to a properly-zoned location or leaving the booze business.

crabs

Maryland crabs have been scarce so far this season, leading many restaurants to bring in more expensive crabs ($250+ a bushel, instead of $130-$180 local) from Louisiana and the Carolinas.

MD’s Department of Natural Resources says the state’s crab population is in better shape than it was last year, but the harsh, long winter slowed things down for this year’s season.

death

Blaze Starr, iconic burlesque dancer and former owner of The Block’s 2 O’Clock Club, died yesterday at 83.

John S. Carroll, well-known Baltimore Sun editor in the 90s, passed away over the weekend at 73.