Local government

Assessments rose more slowly this year after three years of big property value increases.

A scramble for county executive and the arrival of a first-ever inspector general are among the story lines to watch in Howard County in 2026.

Officials didn’t use the software meant to ensure compliance with contract rules — despite paying for it since 2008.

No one can really predict anything in politics, but one thing seems certain: this time next year, there will be new faces preparing to take over many Baltimore County offices.

It’s been nearly a year since a Banner investigation revealed just how hard it is for Baltimore children to get to school on time, but Maryland’s most powerful lawmakers remain mum on the issue.

The report listed a slew of recommendations to prevent future explosions and fires in the city’s underground conduits.

With elections on tap in 2026, a replacement will have to wait until 2027.

COLUMN: When Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York on Thursday, the city will become the largest local government in the United States led by a Democratic Socialist. Til then, Montgomery County holds the title.

The transportation department set a loftier street-paving goal than in the previous three years, but fell far short of it.

Baltimore restaurateur and Elkridge resident Bob Cockey is running for Howard County executive in 2026. He becomes the fourth candidate to run in the spring Democratic primary.

The city wrote fewer tickets in 2024 than it did during the pandemic. Here's what's happened in 2025.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Associate Judge Paul J. Hanley last week dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by a developer.

The Baltimore Board of Estimates is set to vote on Jan. 7 on whether to approve the settlement for Gary Washington, who spent 31 years in prison in the deadly shooting of Faheem “Bobo” Ali, 17, on Dec. 27, 1986.

From Luigi Mangione distancing himself from his family to driving while Black, here are the top Baltimore County stories of 2025.

Some of the biggest stories in Howard County: From zoning battles, the approval of the new lakefront library, school redistricting and a new inspector general.

A Baltimore County woman swore out charges in an alleged 2018 Randallstown sexual assault after prosecutors declined to act, prompting a judge to reopen the case.

A record number of volumes were borrowed from Baltimore’s library system last year.

The family of Bilal “BJ” Abdullah, an arabber killed by Baltimore Police this summer, are condemning the findings of state investigators who cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

Experts say several changes could improve an unusual part of the criminal legal system in Maryland — one that allows anyone to seek charges on their own without input from police or prosecutors.

Howard County firefighters can use medical cannabis when they are off duty starting in January.