Baltimore

The editorial board of the Baltimore Sun argues that school cellphone restrictions are needed, as mental health professionals are increasingly concerned about how overuse of the devices can harm a child’s development.

Leyla Layman takes over as interim CIO, with responsibilities that include overhauling the city camera system. Carter became CIO in 2020, one year after a ransomware attack directed at the city of Baltimore.

In contrast with other cities that allocated COVID funds to safety, Baltimore devoted a far greater portion of its spending to violence reduction and prevention efforts than it did to police.

The university intends to buy all of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve “net-zero” status by 2040 using solar arrays, electric buses, composting, renovations and new construction rules.

A few months into Baltimore County Public Schools' two-year contract with the virtual therapy app Talkspace, about 69 percent of surveyed students said they rated their therapists at least 4 out of 5 stars.

Under a mandate from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the city has 10 years to identify and replace any lead pipes that deliver water to customers, with its first benchmark in October.

The region’s designation as a federal tech hub was dealt a blow as it missed out on up to $70 million in funding that business leaders hoped would spur additional investment and help create thousands of jobs.

Researchers will be comparing these measurements with those from an instrument on a commercial satellite last year that provided hourly daytime measurements of air pollution across North America.

Baltimore City Public Schools approved a four-year, $5.46 million contract to put AI-powered security scanners from Evolv Technology at 28 schools. Staff generally supported the idea, while students were more ambivalent.

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners unanimously approved $6 million on Tuesday night to install weapons detection systems within 26 of the city’s high schools.

The new e-buses in Baltimore are part of a nationwide push to transition the U.S.' 480,000 school buses away from their dependence on fossil fuels. Officials say the new vehicles will mean quieter roads and facilities.

Facing budget cuts, Baltimore City Public Schools will convert a virtual learning program for students in second through fifth grades into a city school, so it will be eligible for state funding and other resources.

As Maryland works to fill gaps in Internet access, Gov. Wes Moore and local groups are focused on ensuring residents have digital literacy skills, technical support and broadband, especially in areas like Baltimore.

Students aged 13 and up at Baltimore County Public Schools have free access to the online therapy messaging platform Talkspace, which will give them an assessment and match them with a licensed therapist.

Two Baltimore City Council committees this week heard discussion about a pair of proposals designed to regulate the growing use of facial recognition technology within city boundaries.

The city will spend $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act money in an effort to help city employees return to the office early next year, almost three years since many were asked to work remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic.

By the end of the year, Baltimore residents who don’t speak English will be able to communicate with 911 services in their native language, without waiting for an interpreter, officials say.

Plus, New Mexico’s broadband director is retiring, California has a new public broadband services bill and applications are open for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s 2023 digital trailblazers program.