Emily Hofstaedter

1 week ago | wypr.org | Emily Hofstaedter

The first pope from the United States is celebrated by the first Archdiocese in the United States. Bells rang overhead as some of the Baltimore faithful walked into the Cathedral of Mary our Queen on a warm May evening. Baltimore is the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States. “Shocked that we had an American Pope– an American born pope– so that was really amazing.” said 70 year-old Larry Glose, a parishioner at St. Phillip and James in Baltimore, on his way to mass on Thursday night.

1 week ago | wypr.org | Emily Hofstaedter

Residents in several Maryland counties are being asked to conserve water and limit non-essential water use. The notice applies to Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County and Carroll County. Baltimore City officials are citing historically low levels at the Liberty Reservoir, which is one of the region’s main drinking sources. Officials say the Reservoir, which is in eastern Carroll County, has been impacted by below-average rainfall and increased seasonal demand.

1 week ago | wypr.org | Emily Hofstaedter

This time 10 years ago, politicians promised money and revitalization to the West Baltimore neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester. That came after the Baltimore Uprising, spurred by the death of Sandtown resident Freddie Gray following injuries he suffered while in police custody. Though she turns her phone to silent, the screen on LeChelle Redd’s device barely goes dark as calls come in during our ten-minute interview.

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | Emily Hofstaedter |Bri Hatch

The Baltimore City streets swelled with protesters on Thursday evening as locals took part in the “Stop the Billionaire Takeover” rally, a nationwide event marking International Workers’ Day. Ray Baker, the Maryland director for the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council, revved up a crowd of around 150 people gathered in the 80 degree heat outside Camden Yards.

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | Emily Hofstaedter

Baltimore City hit a new record low for monthly homicides in April with five reported killings. That is the lowest number of monthly homicides since the city began keeping monthly records in 1970, confirmed a spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department. On top of that, the total number of homicides in 2025, currently at 39, are the lowest they have been at the start of any recorded year so far.