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Rick Hutzell

Rick

Rick Hutzell has worked as a journalist in Annapolis since 1987, and knows the city and its people about as well as anyone can. A native Marylander, Rick lives in Annapolis with his wife, Chara. They have two grown children and enjoy life in a city on the Chesapeake Bay.

The latest from Rick Hutzell

As the federal shutdown stretches on, let’s say thank you to civil servants
Before the president and his party continue their wanton disassembly of the federal workforce, it’s a good moment to appreciate what we’re about to lose.
Julie Reed took a buyout from her job at NASA. She doesn't think people have appreciated federal employees' devotion to public service since at least President Ronald Reagan's days.
7 things to do in Annapolis: The fall boat shows have arrived
When the Annapolis boat shows are in town, it can seem as if there’s nothing else going on. That’s far from true.
The Annapolis Powerboat Show helps define fall in the city, marking the start of back-to-back weekends dedicated to boating. This year's show will be a little different, as redevelopment of City Dock begins.
No Moore’s rainbow wigs and clown noses drop AI bomb on Maryland politics
The messenger, whoever he or she or they are, matters less than the medium. AI-generated images have arrived in Maryland, and there’s no going back.
The website No Moore features a laughing image of Gov. Wes Moore, part of a campaign ridiculing him and criticizing his policies.
A good Chesapeake Bay Bridge yarn can’t be stopped by facts. They might even help.
The picture was alarming. A Dundalk woman posted a photo of a Bay Bridge deck support looking off-center, askew atop the pilings. And so, another Bay Bridge myth is born β€” it’s slipping!
The state is considering replacing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
7 things to do in Annapolis, from β€˜Annie’ at Maryland Hall to a Blossom Dearie tribute
The musical story of a plucky orphan and her arms merchant father figure stars Jules Kanarek as Annie and James M. Toler as Oliver Warbucks. It’s one of the great things to do in the coming week, along with a production of β€œBrigadoon."
Jules Kanarek portrays Annie in the Compass Rose Theater production of β€œAnnie” at Maryland Hall through Oct. 19.
Sequel plays Annie's dog Sandy, trained by Kelly Litchford of Leverage Animal Actors.
To sell the looming shutdown, Maryland Democrats focus on affordability
When the federal government shuts down, and it will either this time or the next, Maryland’s Democrats will have to explain why. The Constitution is burning, but they’ve settled on an old political strategy.
From left, Rep. Johnny Olszewski, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, and Rep. Sarah Elfreth, and Rep. Glenn Ivey. Six members of the Maryland congressional delegation arrive to the ICE field offices at the George H. Fallon Federal Building in Baltimore on Monday, July 28, 2025, to test whether they will be allowed to see conditions in which detainees are being kept.
America’s fear is perfectly reflected in the Naval Academy β€˜shooter’ scare
The terror spread by half-truths and careless disregard for the impact after reports of a shooting at the Naval Academy was a snapshot of the American industry of fear.
A Navy police vehicle leaves the Naval Academy on Sept. 11, a few hours after the Yard went on lockdown following reports of a shooting on campus.
7 things to do in Annapolis: 14 bands, two stages and the Chesapeake Bay
Fourteen bands will perform progressive bluegrass, American roots and improvisational music on the beach at the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival. Other things to do include Al Green at Live! Casino, a queer dance troupe premiering its new work and the Naptowon Philharmonic.
The Annapolis Baygrass Festival returns to Sandy Point State Park on Sept. 20-21 for the third year. Fourteen acts will perform on two beachfront stages.
As RFK Jr. blows up public health, some states are rushing to save it
A growing number of Democrat-led states are joining together to protect common-sense safeguards against infectious disease with vaccines. Maryland has yet to join these partnerships, but the idea is under discussion.
Reva Bounan, RN, holds a syringe to be used during a Vaccine Clinic offered at BCPS Fest held at New Town High School on August 16th, 2025 in Owings Mills, MD.
Another assassination, another step toward an American dissolution
Assassinations, by their nature, are destabilizing. In the spinning top of American political life at this moment, Charlie Kirk's death may prove to be the thing that irretrievably knocks us over.
FILE - Turning Point USA Founder Charlie KirkΒ arrives to speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at Thomas & Mack Center, Oct. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas.
His ideas for shrinking government shaped Annapolis elections. This is his last one.
For 17 years, Bill Kardash has been the intellectual power behind the idea of shrinking city government. This will be his last hurrah in Annapolis.
The Annapolis primary election is Sept. 16, 2025, but the city offers on-demand mail-in voting. One drop-off box is set up in each of the eight wards, with plenty of signs pointing the way.
7 things to do in Annapolis: Here’s what they’re singing about at the songwriters festival
What are the local and emerging songwriters singing about during the four-day Annapolis Songwriters Festival? I asked more than 60 of them, and here’s some of what they shared.
TavairΒ Dominique is an Annapolis-Baltimore songwriter who will perform at 5 p.m. Friday during the four-day Annapolis Songwriters Festival.
Dear Gov. Moore, what’s wrong with vacationing in Ocean City? (and other nonsense questions)
Columnist Rick Hutzell has a few questions for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore after he was photographed sunbathing topless with his wife on George's Clooney's boat?
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Governor of Maryland Wes Moore speaks onstage during the 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture presented by Coca-Cola - Day 3 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Baltimore has a crime problem. That’s not why Trump is threatening to send in the National Guard.
President Donald Trump’s threat is not about crime. It's not even about Baltimore or Chicago or any other of his favorite municipal punching bags. It is about power.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14:  California National Guard soldiers (front) stand guard at a federal building on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Protesters held an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration in downtown Los Angeles which has been the focus of protests against Trump's immigration raids. Marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are taking place across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army in Washington, DC, coinciding with President Trump's birthday.
Annapolis’ next mayor will finish the big dig at City Dock. But what then?
When Annapolis voters elect a new mayor this fall, he or she will need to focus on finishing the reinvention of City Dock, a project that awaits federal funding.
City Dock, Annapolis, MD, May 9, 2025.
7 things to do in Annapolis, from a sculpture dedication to the county fair
Wednesday's kickoff of the Anne Arundel County Fair is among the things to do in Annapolis for the week ending Wednesday, Sept. 9.
"Dragonfly," a sheet-metal sculpture by James O'Neil, is the 19th statue on the Quiet Waters Park Sculpture trail.
This judge will resolve β€˜who’s your daddy?’ Her pay raise might be unconstitutional.
Orphans' Court judges convinced the Baltimore County executive and council to give them $30,000 raises. It may have violated the Maryland Constitution.
The Baltimore County Orphans Court conducts its hearings in a series of small courtrooms on the fifth floor of the county courthouse in Towson.
When a journalist dies in Gaza, does it change how we think about this horrific war?
When a colleague urged me to write about the death of Anas Al-Sharif, a correspondent covering the war in Gaza for Al Jazeera Arabic, he hoped I would be outraged. I didn’t. Because, frankly, I don’t know how I feel. So I asked someone who was there.
Freelance journalist Mariam Dagga, 33, who had been working with the Associated Press and other outlets during the Gaza war, poses for a portrait in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on June 14, 2024. Dagga was one of several journalists killed along with other people in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Remember that ugly Annapolis billboard with the cockroach? Now, it’s Bannerific!
That billboard is still in downtown Annapolis. But wait. Is that an ad for The Baltimore Banner I see, floating majestically over City Dock? Why yes! Beauty, as I have just been reminded, is in the eye. Sometimes like a poke.
A workman installs The Banner's billboard advertisement on Aug. 26, 2025 at City Dock in Annapolis. Beauty, it turns out, is in the eye of the beholder.
7 things to do in Annapolis, from Navy football to the symphony at Quiet Waters Park
The Navy Midshipmen open their football season Saturday in Annapolis against the VMI Keydets, the first time the two schools have met since 2014. Both schools could use the diversion.
ANNAPOLIS, MD - SEPTEMBER 21:  Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) runs towards the end zone for a touchdown during the Memphis Tigers game versus the Naval Academy Midshipmen on September 21, 2024 at Navy - Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD.
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