Sunny and mid 80s today. More heat and humidity creeps in over the weekend, with highs near 90 both days.
With the Baltimore City Detention Center’s men’s facility closed for good, journalists were finally allowed to take a good look around (PHOTOS). Spoiler alert: the facility lives up to its ugly reputation. Pre-trial detainees were moved to another part of the Baltimore corrections complex, and convicted inmates were transferred to a state prison in Jessup. Gov. Larry Hogan plans to demolish the closed facility ASAP.
What’s next on the list for state corrections officials? Fix a troubling discipline problem among corrections employees. A recent state review discovered that 253 state corrections employees had been arrested in the last couple years, with most keeping their jobs. Some of the charges include assault, looting during recent unrest, DUIs, and having sex with inmates.
Local schools are trying new ways to convince more kids to eat breakfast. Many children, despite being eligible for free or reduced-price breakfasts at school, avoid eating because of stigma around being poor. One solution: students “pay” with ID cards that conceal whether or not food has been discounted. In the city, all public school students are now eligible for free breakfasts and lunches, under a federal program.
Three victims from a spate of shootings on Wednesday died from their injuries. A 21-year-old Keenan Stanfield was killed in Hamilton Hills, a 34-year-old man was killed in Rosemont, and a 23-year-old man was killed along Calverton Road in West Baltimore.
During the fatal Calverton Road shooting, 93-year-old Clara Bea Canty, known in her neighborhood as “Grandma” was grazed by a bullet (she was released from the hospital with only a minor injury). Plainclothes officers in the area witnessed the shooting and have arrested a suspect.
This week’s Washington Post investigative report about how some companies (like Bethesda-based Access Funding) are striking it rich by cheating lead-poisoning victims out of structured settlements has state lawmakers calling for stronger protections for settlement recipients and tougher restrictions on companies that buy settlements. New legislation could help ensure that settlement recipients have stronger legal counsel during a potential sale, and prevent companies from ‘judge shopping’ to get a contract approved.
Rep. Elijah Cummings is asking for a meeting with Access Funding’s CEO and a detailed explanation of how the company purchases structured settlements.
Windjammer (Future Islands, Beach House, Dan Deacon, and more), the Maryland State Fair, and a tiny run for tiny oysters in Baltimore magazine’s weekend lineup. The Baltimore Business Journal has a few things you should know about the state fair (keep your drones and selfie sticks at home). Even more great weekend options at SouthBmore.com