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Jess Nocera

Jess

Jess Nocera is a regional reporter covering Howard County. She previously worked for The Richmond-Times Dispatch, The Baltimore Sun and The Bristol Herald Courier. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a double major in multi-platform journalism and government & politics in May 2017. When not reporting, Jess enjoys practicing yoga, running and antique shopping. Jess lives with her boyfriend and their two adorable kitties.

The latest from Jess Nocera

Leonor and Jose Rivera hold each other as they pay respects and mourn at a portrait of Pope Francis after a Mass at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in North Baltimore on Monday evening.
Archbishop Lori urges Maryland Catholics to remember Pope Francis by serving the less fortunate
Baltimore Archbishop William Lori encouraged area parishioners to learn from Pope Francis’ legacy by embodying light and hope through service to those in the margins.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball briefs the County Council on his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on April 21, 2025.
How Calvin Ball proposes to tighten Howard County’s belt amid federal, state cuts
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball unveiled a $2.3 billion operating budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning in July, recommending $100 million be trimmed from the county’s books.
The Howard Community College board is set to expand by two members.
Lawmakers hope changes bring more stability, transparency to Howard Community College
After a tumultuous seven months, the Howard Community College board is at full strength and set to expand by two members, with new rules in place to ensure more transparency over its decision making.
The Columbia Association’s Board of Directors meets at their headquarters in Columbia, Md. on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Contract clash: Columbia Association, villages at odds over new deal, community buildings
Tensions are rising between Columbia villages and the Columbia Association as the two try to negotiate contracts.
Get ready for an Easter egg hunt at Clark’s Elioak Farm on Thursday.
7 Things to do in Howard County, from egg hunts to Manor Hill Tavern’s beer run
Here are seven things to do in Howard County for the week ending Wednesday, April 23.
The Mall in Columbia shopping mall on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Howard County to put permanent police unit in downtown Columbia
The Howard County Police Department is establishing a full-time unit of officers to three areas in Columbia: the Merriweather District, The Mall in Columbia and Columbia Lakefront.
Wilde Lake High School is among the 11 schools involved in a boundary review.
Some Howard County schools will be redistricted. Will yours?
The school system is about to embark on a boundary review, also known as redistricting, for 11 schools in Columbia and Ellicott City.
Albert William Rice Jr., a Laurel resident, has been charged with assaulting two students when he was a bus aide for the Linwood Center.
Howard County bus aide hit two nonverbal students, police say
Albert William Rice Jr. was arrested and charged last week with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree sex offense.
A contracted bus aide in Howard County has been charged with assaulting two students from the Linwood Center, allegations school officials called "especially troubling."
‘Especially troubling’: A Howard County bus aide faces sex offense, assault charges
A Howard County bus attendant, contracted to serve students at the Linwood Center, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of fourth-degree sex offense this week.
Community members are gathering at the Oakland Mills High track Friday night for the fourth annual Light the Night 5k. The race raises awareness for suicide prevention.
7 Things to do in Howard County from Daffodil Day to a Columbia Orchestra performance
Things to do in Howard County from Thursday, April 3, through Wednesday, April 9.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball submitted an $367 million capital budget request to the County Council on Tuesday, April 1.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball proposes $367 million budget ‘despite uncertainty’
Ball on Tuesday sent his proposed capital improvement program to the Howard County Council for consideration.
The Maryland State Police logo.
Columbia man killed in fatal crash on I-70 in Howard County
Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal Monday morning crash in Howard County.
Brigitta Warren, top center, village manager of the Oakland Mills Village Center, and other advocates for the Columbia village centers stand during testimony at Thursday night’s meeting at the Columbia Association.
Residents to Columbia Association board: Leave our village facilities alone
Many Columbia residents and leaders are pushing back against proposals to turn over management of the village community association buildings and neighborhood centers to the Columbia Association.
The Other Barn in Columbia is a community building managed by the Oakland Mills Community Association.
Columbia Association board eyes takeover of village facilities. But at what cost?
The Columbia Association is weighing proposals to take over the community buildings and centers that are now run by the planned community’s 10 villages. The recommendations are triggering a debate about Columbia’s future.
The full-time faculty union at Howard Community College has accused campus leaders of unfair labor practices through their enforcement of an updated protest policy.
Faculty union accuses Howard Community College leaders of seeking to suppress ‘union speech’
As tensions continue to rise between Howard Community College’s administration and the full-time faculty union, the union is taking aim at an updated policy that restricts free speech and the right to gather on campus.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R., La.), right, moves to remove protester Jake Burdett, in blue, during a news conference as Rep. Lauren Boebert (R., Colo.) was speaking about the World Health Organization on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 .
Progressive ‘troublemaker’ charged with stealing immigration files from law firm
The theft impacts three green card applicants, setting one case back six months, the law firm says.
Views of Game On's entrance on August 22, 2024
7 things to do in Howard County, from a spring fun run to an adult prom
Seven Howard County events for the week ending March 26, 2025.
Howard County has picked a design by county resident Esen Paradiso to be the new county flag. It replaces a design that's been in place since 1968.
Howard County picks new flag, opting for sunny, colorful design
Howard County has picked a design by county resident Esen Paradiso to be the new county flag. It replaces a design that’s been in place since 1968.
The Howard County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly hears testimony on a bill to increase the size of the HCC Board of Trustees in November.
Lawmakers back changes for Howard Community College board amid campus tensions
As state leaders have come together behind four nominees to fill vacancies on the Howard Community College board, a bill that would aims to bring more transparency to the board has the support of the county's senators and delegates.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a letter to the Board of Education that the board’s budget request is “unattainable and unaffordable.” (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Howard County executive expresses concerns about school board’s $1.26 billion budget request
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said Friday that the school board’s $1.26 billion funding request is “unattainable and unaffordable.”
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