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Rona Kobell

Rona

Rona Kobell is a regional reporter covering Baltimore County. Before joining the Banner, she worked as an environmental reporter in the region for nearly 20 years at The Baltimore Sun and The Chesapeake Bay Journal. She has twice been honored by Baltimore Magazine for the best environmental reporting in Baltimore. Last year, she was a Johns Hopkins SNF AGORA fellow studying democracy. She’s also taught journalism at the University of Maryland, Loyola University and Towson University.

The latest from Rona Kobell

Guys in Ties, an 80s band, is playing at the Guinness Brewery Friday.
Seven things to do in Baltimore County, from outdoor concerts to blueberries
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending Wednesday July 2.
William Jarmon, left, talks with Dion Banks at Banks' book signing on May 29, 2025, in Cambridge.
Dion Banks symbolizes Black pride on the Eastern Shore. His first book takes a page from that life.
Dion Banks has written a children's book about a Black superhero who fights slavery titled “Kofi the Wind Whisperer: A Hero’s Fight to Freedom.” The story takes inspiration from the landscape of Dorchester County.
Kendrick Tilghman spins his audio deck at Malcolm Ruff’s annual Juneteenth celebration in 2023.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from Juneteenth celebrations to a jazzy evening
There’s plenty to do in Baltimore County during the week ending 25, including several Juneteenth celebrations on Thursday, the federal holiday.
proposed redistricting map to expand the Baltimore County Council.
Proposed new political maps sent to Baltimore County Council. Are they DOA?
A Baltimore County panel sent its plan for redrawing political maps to the County Council, but it might end up being dead on arrival.
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson at an event at the White House last month.
Dr. Ben Carson’s neighbors don’t want his solar farm. They’re running out of options to stop it.
Dr. Ben Carson’s neighbors are opposed to his proposed solar farm in northern Baltimore County. They’re running out of options to stop it, thanks to a new Maryland law.
A window ledge in Edgemere is infested with midges. The pesky flies have invaded the Baltimore County waterfront.
To fight midges, Baltimore County is bringing out the big fly swatter – a helicopter
To combat the unprecedented numbers of midges that have invaded eastern Baltimore County’s waterfront neighborhoods this spring, the county's Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability will double the treatment area for its next helicopter treatment.
Kim Ross, right, and her daughter Arielle leave Towson University after Arielle’s dress rehearsal for the Morton Street Dance Center last month.
As Trump cuts diversity efforts nationally, Black women show daughters the way to lead
Arielle Green has seen her mother ascend in leadership, from homeowner association president to Democratic Central Committee member to, now, first Black female delegate representing her district.
A woman stands at a microphone talking about the council expansion.
Baltimore County Redistricting Commission recommends new council maps in 4-3 vote
The Baltimore County Redistricting Commission voted 4-3 Monday evening to recommend a new map that would divide the seven existing County Council districts into nine.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county's charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena non-government records Nov. 28, 2023.
With council support for Madigan, Baltimore County IG search panel may be moot
A panel tasked to choose Baltimore County’s next inspector general needs its pick approved by at least four County Council members. They might not get the support.
The Maryland State Police logo.
One dead, several injured in I-95 crash involving Maryland state trooper
The crash occurred at around 2:02 a.m. when a Jeep Cherokee struck an on-duty state trooper’s vehicle, leading to a multi-vehicle crash.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden was fired abruptly by Trump.
After a lifetime in libraries, Carla Hayden was fired by Trump in two sentences
Hayden’s firing comes as libraries and archives are under siege nationwide by the Trump administration and factions of the Republican Party.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier is the first woman to hold the office since the Baltimore County created the executive position in 1956.
‘How about me?’ Kathy Klausmeier reflects on first five months as Baltimore County’s first female executive
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, the first woman to hold the post, sat down recently for an interview with The Baltimore Banner. She addressed permit delays, teacher salaries and her controversial decision not to automatically reappoint the county's inspector general.
Baltimore County's Inspector General has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud.
Baltimore County IG finds another corrections officer involved in a fraud scheme
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud, in this case by receiving an $18,125 federal COVID loan for a business that did not exist.
The Wizard of Oz dancers of Charm City Ballet.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from ballet to backwoods music
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week, including Pokémon Club, Music in the Woods and Charm City Ballet.
The seven-member Baltimore County Council holds a legislative session at the Old Courthouse last year.
Baltimore County is expanding its council and redrawing districts. It hasn’t been easy.
When the Baltimore County Council voted to expand to nine members, the decision launched a process that will take months. But making history can be messy.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said she decided to "go by the charter" and require Kelly Madigan to re-apply for her job.
Klausmeier says Inspector General Kelly Madigan never asked to keep the job
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said the county’s first inspector general never asked to be re-appointed to her position.
A window ledge in Edgemere is infested with midges. The pesky flies have invaded the Baltimore County waterfront.
Son of a midge: Swarms of the pesky flies are ruining summer pleasures in Middle River
The midges are back, and they’re worse than ever. The tiny flies that have terrorized marina owners on the Back River for two decades have extended their reach to the Middle River peninsula.
Workers sort through a conveyor belt of recycled materials at the Materials Recovery Facility of the Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility.
Yes, Baltimore County recycles everything in your bin — even glass bottles
Baltimore County is trying to get people to understand that it does actually recycle our trash and wants more people to believe it, and to put out their bins.
The Flying Vees is a bonafide supergroup composed of four seasoned musicians of varied backgrounds. Catch them this weekend at Manor Mill.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from concerts to a Caribbean workout
Still recovering from Artscape? Here are some fun local events, many of them free, to do in Baltimore County for the week ending June 3.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski speaks at the groundbreaking for a new clubhouse at the county-owned Rocky Point Golf Course.
Remember the golf course project Johnny O championed? The Baltimore County Council cut funding for it.
The Baltimore County Council approved all but $6.6 million of Kathy Klausmeier’s proposed $4.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, denying funds for a golf course renovation.
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