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Orioles could explore 'dramatic pivot' with Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman
Baltimore needs brighter days ahead to avoid this scenario.
Ravens' best remaining free-agent options at the center position
The Ravens may still need to find their offensive line's anchor, and if they turn to free agency, there aren't many options still available.
Eric DeCosta details Ravens' response to Maxx Crosby setback
Jesse Minter reveals how the Baltimore Ravens navigate adversity and tough decisions, emphasizing adaptation and moving forward.
Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles - Live Score
View the Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles game played on April 30, 2026. Box score, stats, play-by-play timeline, highlights, odds & more
3 measles cases confirmed by Maryland health officials in April
Maryland is reporting its second and third measles cases of 2026, both of them Baltimore-area residents who had recently traveled out of state.
49ers updated draft picks after trade back with Baltimore Ravens
The San Francisco 49ers traded again in the 2026 NFL draft.
It's Official: Girls' Flag Football is a sanctioned sports for Maryland high schools
Maryland is adding another championship sports to high schools. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) officially sanctioned girls'
Baltimore clothier who started business in vehicle is opening new storefront
A Baltimore clothier known for dressing some of the city's most stylish men is opening a new storefront for his brand Downtown.
Baltimore City Commissioner of Health Michelle Taylor to Speak at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Class of 2026 Convocation | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Ceremony will recognize the value of the practice of public health at the local, state, and global level.
Where to watch Baltimore Orioles vs Kansas City Royals: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 22
Here's how to watch Wednesday's Kansas City Royals vs Baltimore Orioles game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
Cornerback could be Ravens’ wildcard pick in Round 1
The Baltimore Ravens could pivot to cornerback in Round 1 if value aligns, adding depth and future flexibility in the secondary.
Who will the Baltimore Ravens draft? WJZ's Sports Team predicts their first-round pick.
State health officials announce 2026’s first confirmed case of measles in Maryland
Maryland health officials warn that a Baltimore-area resident was confirmed to have measles after traveling internationally, marking the first measles outbreak of the year.
Health officials confirm measles case was found in Maryland
A case of measles has been confirmed in a Baltimore area resident who recently traveled internationally.
Measles case confirmed in Baltimore after international travel, health officials report
One case of measles has been confirmed in the Baltimore metro area from a resident who traveled internationally, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Measles case confirmed in Baltimore after international travel, health officials report
One case of measles has been confirmed in the Baltimore metro area from a resident who traveled internationally, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
White House spotlights tax perks for small businesses
Restaurant co-owner Tony Minadakis explains how President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' tax perks, including no tax on tips for hospitality workers, directly help his Baltimore-based business and employees.
Inside USS Torsk, last US submarine to sink enemy ship until Iran War
The USS Torsk, a historic submarine that's now a museum in Baltimore, was the last US Navy submarine to sink an enemy ship until Operation Epic Fury.
Eric DeCosta credits coordinator input in Ravens draft success
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says strong alignment between personnel and coaching staff is key to the team's success.
Millions risk health coverage as they skip paying higher Obamacare premiums
A new report showed about 14% of Affordable Care Act enrollees didn't pay their premiums in January, signaling that millions more could be losing health coverage in the coming months.
Two scientists to receive 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health
DALLAS and MINNEAPOLIS, April 17, 2026 — The American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association have awarded the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health to two neuroscientists, Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., of Baltimore, Maryland, and...
Shhh! A new Fells Point lounge wants to be Baltimore’s best-kept secret.
In Baltimore, a city more known for its bars and watering holes than nightclubs, Wonderland wants to draw a crowd that relishes dressing up and letting loose to dance music.
Baltimore health system leader to receive 2026 AHA Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award
The AHA today announced that it will present Harsh K. Trivedi, M.D., president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt health system in Baltimore, with the 2026 Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award during a ceremony April 20 at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Lead paint falling from Baltimore-area bridges raises health concerns
Zay Flowers says inconsistency doomed Ravens in 2025 season
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers says 'inconsistency' due to injuries and uneven play led to the team's 2025 disappointment.
Bleacher Report Lists Diamondbacks Top 5 in MLB Power Rankings
BALTIMORE – The No. 4 spot in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings says as much about identity as it performs.
City Council President Zeke Cohen lost his mother, but her influence lives in his politics
Joan Berzoff, a social work professor and the mother of Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen, died last week at age 76.
Miles Across MedStar Health 200-Mile Run Launches In Southern Maryland, Spans DC To Baltimore
A 200-mile Miles Across MedStar run launched from MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, promoting movement, wellness and chronic disease prevention across Southern Maryland, DC and Baltimore.
The Future Of Health And Nutrition In America
Lifestyle contributor Kari Hawker Diaz returns with balance of nature to discuss the future of health and nutrition in America, and share simple habits and stra
Kyle Hamilton praises Mike Mickens' technique and coaching style
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton praises new DB coach Mike Mickens' 'rare' technique-oriented style, recalling their Notre Dame days.
Mark Andrews calls new Ravens OC Declan Doyle 'dynamic'
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews describes new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle as 'dynamic' and a great teacher.
Ravens Scott Elliott praises Trey Hendrickson's 'elite' work ethic
Ravens Director of Strength & Conditioning Scott Elliott praised newly signed linebacker Trey Hendrickson's 'elite' physical makeup and work ethic.
Where to watch San Francisco Giants vs Baltimore Orioles: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 12
Here's how to watch Sunday's Baltimore Orioles vs San Francisco Giants game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
Ravens add Dr. Nic Gill for outside perspective on sports performance
The Baltimore Ravens hired Dr. Nic Gill as VP of Health & Performance, bringing an 'outside perspective' to the team.
“AI polls” are fake polls
A few weeks after Donald Trump’s second presidential win, I took the train up from London (where I was living at the time) to Oxford to attend a conference on polls and forecasts of the 2024 election. Most of the attendees were pollsters or academics, but I also watched presentations from Aaru and Electric Twin, two companies that do what is interchangeably called synthetic sampling, silicon sampling, or synthetic audiences. Stripped of startup jargon, that means they use large language models (LLMs) to simulate responses to public opinion polls by having AI agents take on the role of survey respondents. I had already heard of Aaru thanks to some articles with eye-catching headlines like “No people, no problem: AI chatbots predict elections better than humans” in the months leading up to Election Day. The founders were making some big, some might even say far-fetched claims, such as: “within two years, we will simulate the entire globe — from the way crops are grown in Ukraine to how that impacts production of oil in Iraq, trade through the strait of Malacca, and elections for the mayor of Baltimore.” When Semafor asked Aaru’s cofounders — Cameron Fink and Ned Koh — about my boss, they said “we respect all those who came before us.” Nate (as he so often does) shared his thoughts on Twitter: Fink and Koh were relatively good-natured about this back-and-forth when we spoke at Oxford. They even offered to mail me one of the t-shirts featuring Nate’s quote they apparently had made. I never took them up on the offer, which I now somewhat regret. These synthetic sampling companies fell off my radar for a while, but they do still exist. In fact, Aaru recently received a $1 billion valuation. Is what they’re doing anywhere close to the most important frontier in AI development? Not by a longshot, especially when Anthropic just developed a model so adept at exploiting software vulnerabilities that it’s only being released to 40 companies. Still, silicon sampling is increasingly finding its way into public polling. Axios reported in March that “a majority of people trust their own doctors and nurses” based on findings from Aaru — without mentioning that the “people” in that sentence were actually LLMs. Around the same time, the Public Sentiment Institute “boosted” their online sample of 373 real survey respondents with 114 AI agents.1 (Spoiler alert: even the co-founder of Electric Twin doesn’t think that’s a particularly defensible approach.) Polling companies like Qualtrics and Ipsos are also developing synthetic data panels. So, what should we make of these … “polls”? Let’s get one thing out of the way: whatever they are, they’re not polls in the way that term is usually defined. Subscribe You can’t replace polls with AI On one hand, using LLMs to essentially make up fake survey respondents sort of sounds like the dumbest idea ever, one that will at best imperfectly replicate real polls while introducing all sorts of biases. On the other hand, with LLMs improving at a remarkable, perhaps even alarming rate, maybe that means I’m a dinosaur at the ripe old age of 24 because I still want to rely on polls that talk to actual people. I’m not going to argue that synthetic samples are completely useless. In fact, as I’ll return to later, there is evidence that some techniques can replicate topline survey results quickly and cheaply. But the marketing from certain companies can be slightly optimistic. “No traditional poll will exist by the time the next general election occurs,” said Fink in 2024. We’re just 206 days away from the midterms, and based on the fact that I still have to collect a bunch of polls every day, I’d say he should have run that prediction by a sample of AI agents before the interview.2 To see why synthetic samples can’t replace polls, here’s a quick primer on how they work. The simplest version of these models involves taking a LLM (like ChatGPT or Claude), giving it a demographic profile (e.g., a white, college-educated woman who lives in Utah and makes $70k a year), and then asking it to respond to a survey question. You repeat that process a few thousand times using different demographic profiles and end up with a sample of synthetic survey responses. The actual models used by private companies are more sophisticated than this, usually because they incorporate more hypothesized demographic characteristics for each agent and provide them with extra information. Aaru, for example, feeds agents a diet of news and information they’d be likely to consume, while Electric Twin incorporates their customers’ proprietary data about the audience they’re trying to replicate. The way Ben Warner, the co-founder of Electric Twin, explained it to me was “we have a large amount of data on […] for instance, 5,000 people. Can we make an accurate prediction of how they would respond to another question?” Still, it should be obvious why synthetic samples can’t replace polls. Polling is fundamentally a data collection process. We might use surveys to make predictions by feeding them into election forecasts, but the main purpose of a poll isn’t prediction, it’s gathering new data about what people think and how they feel. Silicon sampling, on the other hand, produces no new data. It’s simply a model: you input LLM training data, demographic prompts, and a bunch of other information, and it spits out a prediction for what a poll would say. We love models here, but models aren’t polls. That difference is an important philosophical sticking point for most pollsters I talk to. “I think politics should stay away from [synthetic sampling], because we’re trying to […] represent the voice of the people,” said Natalie Jackson, a vice president at GQR Insights. Democratic pollster John Hagner told me: “I think I’m just incredibly skeptical of this idea. I don’t think it’s research. At that point, you’re asking the machine to tell you what you already believe.” Hagner has seen some presentations of early synthetic sampling experiments, but so far, “if it’s being used in a campaign, people are keeping it incredibly quiet.”3 But Eli, I hear you saying, aren’t polls themselves increasingly governed by modeling decisions? Indeed they are: pollsters’ choices on which sampling method to use, how to define their likely voter models, and how to weight their samples can and do lead to dramatic differences in the results they publish. Aaru even referenced these limitations in the methodology statement included with that maternal mortality “poll” — although I’m using the term “methodology statement” loosely here, because it doesn’t really explain how the model works at all. We can ignore the (frankly preposterous) implication that synthetic sampling isn’t subject to a separate set of biases. The important point is that there’s still a meaningful difference between using weighting and other statistical techniques on actual polling data and using a model to predict what a poll would say. The latter is far closer to election forecasts or techniques like MRP — potentially useful models, but not a replacement for polls.4 To be fair, other synthetic sampling companies are perfectly happy with the distinction between polls and models. Warner compared polling and synthetic sampling to different tools in a toolbox. “The mistake I think we make is we think that these new tools should either work in exactly the same way or somehow replace these old tools,” he said. “Rather than thinking of it as, okay, so we’ve always had the hammer, we’ve always had the screwdriver, now we’ve got a saw. But don’t use a saw to try [to] do the job of a hammer.” A quick comment from Nate Eli didn’t ask me for a comment — rather rude of him, don’t you think? But since I’m editing this story, I figured I’d add a few quick thoughts rather than putting words in his mouth. Beyond the frequently misleading marketing, what bothers me about the AI “poll” hype is that as AI tools make statistical inference cheaper and/or better (note that these are not synonyms) that actually increases the comparative value of collecting original data. You might be able to train a model to make a reasonable estimate of what some hard-to-reach poll respondent would say — say, a young Black man who voted for Trump. (Such a person checks a number of boxes for a voter who is usually hard to reach in surveys.) Indeed, this is closely related to what models like the Silver Bulletin forecast already do. They essentially smooth out the kinks in noisy survey data by making inferences based on past voting patterns or national polls or surveys of other states. But you don’t actually know what these voters think unless you’re reaching them directly. If there’s a shift in opinion among this subgroup, you’re not going to detect it. So if I were running a campaign, I’d invest more in going the extra mile to find a representative sample of those voters. And then I’d hire some smart quants — or Claude? — to figure out the implications for campaign strategy based on proprietary data that my competitors didn’t have access to. -Nate Silver Are these models any good? If synthetic surveys are just a new type of model, the next obvious question is whether the models are at least accurate. The answer very much depends on who you ask. On one end of the spectrum, you have the maximalist argument that synthetic sampling is more accurate than actual polls. “It’s an incredibly challenging problem to go to someone and say ‘hey, we’re going to be more accurate at predicting human behavior than you, even when you talk to your customers directly’,” Koh recently told CNBC. In his view, synthetic sampling isn’t a saw to polling’s hammer, it’s “magic.” There’s certainly evidence that synthetic samples can replicate certain survey toplines. But if Aaru does have any examples of their approach outperforming the polls, they’re keeping those to themselves.5 Aaru’s 2024 election model, for example, had Kamala Harris leading in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on November 4th. And although they’ve since taken down their forecast page, they gave Harris a 50.5 percent chance of winning the race on November 2nd.6 After the election, Fink told Semafor he was happy enough with those results because they were “within margin of error,” a term that is completely meaningless when applied to a “sample” of AI agents. And of course, Aaru says their models have improved since 2024, so supposedly now they’d be more accurate than the polls? Still, their stronger argument is on cost: “We are significantly faster and cheaper than traditional polling, and still more accurate,” said Fink. The first two claims are undeniably true, but the third brings us to the opposite end of the spectrum. Both Jackson and Hagner are skeptical that these models are reliable for anything beyond replicating common survey toplines. “I just […] don’t think the machines are what we want when we’re looking for nuanced views. My example on this is people in Arizona and Nevada in 2024 who voted for Trump and voted for expanding abortion in their states on ballot initiatives,” said Jackson. Hagner identified another issue. Maybe the synthetic respondents, like sycophantic LLMs, are inhuman in one important way: they’re too nice. “The reports that have come through at the meetings that I’ve been at are that the early experiments on this, they cannot get respondents to be as racist or sexist or, frankly, as negative as human respondents,” he said. Academic research mostly agrees on this point. While there are some papers that show promising results when using LLMs to replicate polling data, most show that LLMs suffer from various quirks like producing too few “don’t know” responses and can seriously overpredict the favorability of politicians like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They also seem to struggle with too little variation between demographic subgroups, so the difference in predicted opinion between Democrats and Republicans, for example, is too small. When I asked Warner about these studies, his response to these papers was that just because academics can’t get synthetic sampling to work doesn’t mean that the technique doesn’t work in general. “Actually, the argument is, okay, yours does not [work]. That does not mean […] for this complex set of machinery, which uses a lot of investment, a lot of time, a lot of money, you can’t get it to work.” Cards on the table, I’m somewhat sympathetic to this argument because academics aren’t exactly great at making election forecasts. Usually, the people with skin in the game are the most accurate. Warner’s argument is that the approach Electric Twin takes — which includes, for example, making multiple predictions for each synthetic respondent using different models and prompts and subsequently averaging those to get a final prediction in a sort of ensemble forecast — produces better results than the simpler academic models. Warner shared a comparison between his method and the method from a recent academic paper with me, and Electric Twin was indeed able to get more accurate replication. But even still, he acknowledged that synthetic sampling “is not a crystal ball.” “If you asked me, do I think using other data sources will be more accurate than asking somebody who they will vote for, I would probably say no. But if you asked me ‘would your system be useful for our turnout modeling today?’ I would say yes.” For better or worse, it looks like the method is already getting more popular in the market research world. Most of the clients Aaru touts these days are businesses like EY and McDonald’s. And AI will probably begin to pop up in other parts of the political polling process. Pollsters are already using it to code open-ended survey responses, and some firms, like YouGov, are testing using LLMs to ask survey respondents questions. More worryingly, one danger to actual polls is that AI agents can be used to infiltrate online surveys. Most online polls use various checks to prevent that from happening, but there’s conflicting evidence on how effective those filters are and how prevalent AI agents currently are in online panels. If those agents ever become impossible to detect, it might spell the end of online polling, but the solution isn’t to replace all of your respondents with ChatGPT. Silver Bulletin is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a subscriber. Subscribe 1 That particular poll obviously doesn’t meet Silver Bulletin standards for aggregation. But we exclude all Public Sentiment Institute polls from our averages because we classify them as an amateur polling firm. 2 You could argue that Fink meant the next presidential election, but (a) I’m also confident we’ll still have real polls in 2028 and (b) in that case he should have asked an LLM to define “general election.” 3 Quick caveat: that’s reporting from a Democratic pollster. It’s possible that Republicans are more willing to use AI in political campaigns. 4 Indeed, Silver Bulletin does not include “polls” produced by MRP in our forecasts or averages, and we think it’s extremely misleading when their practitioners describe them in a way that suggests original data had been collected among a large number of states or Congressional districts. 5 A recent report from Aaru and EY did show two examples of a synthetic estimate being closer than a survey to a real-world benchmark — but I’d take those findings with a grain of salt because the report reads more like an ad and didn’t involve any sort of prediction being made ahead of time. 6 For comparison, our odds for Harris on the same day were 48.2 percent.
Lacrosse, Flag Football Set to Compete at Women In Sports Day in Baltimore
EMMITSBURG, Md. (April 10, 2026) – Mount St. Mary's host their inaugural Women In Sports Day at the Under Armour Stadium at the House in Baltimore. Women's lacrosse battles Canisius in a crucial Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game, while flag football resumes play in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) with a contest against Saint Joseph's.
AMPLIFIED: New era for ‘Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World’?
The Raiders will keep star edge rusher Maxx Crosby after a trade to Baltimore fell through.
100K new veterans sign up for VA health care amid 'landmark improvements'
Veterans Affairs has recorded 100,000 new health care enrollees already this year, hitting the milestone faster than in six of the last seven years, the department said this week.
Science happens here! Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology invites public to free Open House Saturday, May 2, 2026
Dive into the world of marine science and explore cool tech at this open house you won't want to miss! Have you ever wondered what happens in that unique
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Baltimore Ravens take tackle
With the 14th overall pick in the 2026 Bleeding Green Nation community mock draft, Baltimore Ravens GM 215T1LL1D1e selects ...
Orioles-Cardinals Trade Brings Relief To An Injured O's Bullpen
The Baltimore Orioles added bullpen depth on Tuesday by acquiring left-hander Nick Raquet from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for infielder/outfielder Brayden Smith. According to the Orioles X account, Raquet has not yet reported to the team; Raquet was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Sunday. On Monday, the Orioles placed left-hander Dietrich Enns on the 15-day injured list with a left foot infection and called up right-hander Brandon Young to start Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
Carnegie Science cuts 100-year bond with Johns Hopkins
The nonprofit Carnegie Science will close its operations at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University this summer, ending a 100-year cooperation between the school and one of the largest private funders of...
Ravens' 56-man roster as off-season workouts begin
The Baltimore Ravens are set to begin their nine-week offseason workout program on Monday. Here’s a full look at the current 55-man roster
Where to watch Baltimore Orioles vs Pittsburgh Pirates: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 4
Here's how to watch Saturday's Pittsburgh Pirates vs Baltimore Orioles game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
Faith vs. Sports: Bulls' Jaden Ivey waived after alleged anti-NBA Pride Month remarks
Start your morning with The National News Desk as Angela Brown sits down with the co-founder of Transformation Church and Pastor Derwin Gray to discuss former C
Ravens set to lean on Derrick Henry in revamped offense
Ravens coach Jesse Minter highlights Derrick Henry’s role as Baltimore builds a run-heavy offensive identity.
Less than one-fifth of Marylanders correctly answered these 5 questions about state politics. How do you stack up?
Marylanders were quizzed about state politics in the latest poll by the UMBC Institute of Politics -- and the results might surprise you.
Knitting Factory Entertainment and The Finn Group Partner To Operate Baltimore’s Pier Six Pavilion
Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) and local promoter/event marketer The Finn Group announced a new partnership managing operations and talent buying
UMBC Poll finds Marylanders paying attention to politics and are Orioles fans
Marylanders say they are paying attention to state politics, but the new UMBC Poll released Thursday revealed that many still struggle with basic facts about ho
Gerry Sandusky retires after an illustrious 42-Year broadcasting career
Gerry Sandusky retires after 42 years, ending a legendary run as WBAL sports director and the voice of the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore County family calls for police accountability after mental health call left man paralyzed
Gerry Sandusky retires as WBAL-TV 11 Sports Director, Voice of the Ravens
Gerry Sandusky, longtime sports director at WBAL-TV 11 and the Voice of the Baltimore Ravens, announces his retirement.
Public Health Leaders to Convene in Baltimore at the 2026 Preparedness Summit to Improve Local and National Emergency Response Efforts
/PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the country's over 3,300 local health departments, will...
Orioles owner David Rubenstein is ‘open for business’ for future extensions
A year ago, Orioles owner David Rubenstein declared that he had “no financial limit.”
Baltimore Orioles vs. Athletics - Live Score
View the Baltimore Orioles vs. Athletics game played on August 29, 2026. Box score, stats, play-by-play timeline, highlights, odds & more
Marina and bar owner remains hopeful after Key Bridge collapse impacted business
It was two years ago that the Key Bridge collapsed in seconds after being slammed into by the Dali cargo ship.It was one of those moments those in Maryland reme
New Congressional bill targets sports team relocations
More than 40 years after the Colts left Baltimore for Indianapolis like thieves in the night, those in a profession that enjoys nearly the same level of respect are trying to prevent it from happening again.
Science happens here! Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology invites public to free Open House Saturday, May 2, 2026
Dive into the world of marine science and explore cool tech at this open house you won't want to miss! Have you ever wondered what happens in that unique
Police responding to business explosion in Carroll County
According to a spokesperson for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, the explosion occurred Friday afternoon at the address of Catoctin Mountain Growers.
Virginia Tech adds commitment from EDGE Alexander Taylor
Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy edge rusher Alexander Taylor committed to Virginia Tech on Thursday. The three-star prospect announced the decision on X. Taylor is the second commit in the Hokies’ 2027 recruiting class, joining three-star edge rusher Andrew Rogers.
Maxx Crosby Trade Attempt Shows Ravens’ New Aggresive Strategy
The Baltimore Ravens rarely chase blockbuster trades, but their pursuit of Maxx Crosby suggested a different level of urgency. The trade suggested an “all in” motto from a franchise that is known for patience and draft-driven roster building. The deal ultimately fell apart before it could be finalized. Even so, the attempt revealed a willingness […] The post Maxx Crosby Trade Attempt Shows Ravens’ New Aggresive Strategy appeared first on The Lead.
Baltimore County schools partners with Ray Lewis for mental health screenings
Baltimore County schools launch mental health program with Ravens' legend Ray Lewis
4 Security Plaza Shopping Center businesses burglarized
Baltimore County police are investigating four break-ins at businesses in Woodlawn.
Herman’s Bakery in Baltimore County closing March 31 after decades in business
Ravens to sign safety Jaylinn Hawkins to 2-year deal
After seeing Ar’Darius Washington and Alohi Gilman depart on the first day of free agency, the Ravens have found their replacement at safety. As first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday afternoon, Baltimore agreed to terms with free agent Jaylinn Hawkins on a two-year, $10 million contract. Hawkins, 28, is coming off an impressive […]
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta addresses backing out of Maxx Crosby trade: 'Big regret for me'
DeCosta spoke with reporters one day after Baltimore's controversial decision
Customers say last goodbyes to Dundalk bakery closing after 103 years
It's the end of an era for a Baltimore family business as Herman's Bakery is set to close in Dundalk.
Ravens-Bills matchup gains intrigue after Hendrickson, Chubb deals
The Ravens-Bills 2026 matchup now carries added intrigue after Baltimore signed Trey Hendrickson and Buffalo landed former Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Baltimore Ravens rebuild trenches in post-Maxx Crosby mock draft
What's next for Baltimore?
Patriots Lose Team-Leading Ball Hawk In Secondary
Former New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins has reached an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens.
WATCH | Ms. Corporate America Maryland pageant spotlighting women in business
The Ms. Corporate America pagent will take place on Saturday. President of the organization and current Ms. Corporate America, joined 7News.
Ravens agree to terms with Trey Hendrickson on four-year, $112M deal after backing out of Maxx Crosby trade
Baltimore quickly pivoted after its controversial decision to back out of the Crosby deal
New York Giants agree to terms with fullback Patrick Ricard
The New York Giants have agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard.
Inside the NFL's reaction to Ravens backing out of blockbuster Maxx Crosby trade with Raiders
Baltimore backing out of the deal for Crosby with Las Vegas sends shockwaves around the NFL
Ravens cancel Maxx Crosby trade after failed physical: Analysis
The Ravens backed out of their blockbuster trade for Raiders star Maxx Crosby after he failed his physical, voiding the deal that would have cost Baltimore two first-round picks.
Did Ravens Overpay for Maxx Crosby? Veteran Insider Explains
When the Baltimore Ravens reportedly sent two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, the move immediately stunned the league. Not only was the price steep, but it also broke from Baltimore’s long-standing philosophy.
Gov. Moore's 2027 budget proposal supports businesses hurt by Purple Line construction
Governor Wes Moore is expected to highlight how his budget proposal will support small businesses and drive economic development along the Purple Line corridor
Will Maxx Crosby get a new deal in Baltimore?
Current contract pays $29 million per year over next four years.
Ravens shock NFL with aggressive Maxx Crosby trade
For the first time in the Ravens' history, the franchise will use a first-round pick to trade for a player.
Raiders trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens for two first-round picks
It came at a price, but Baltimore was able to land the five-time Pro Bowler from Las Vegas.
McDaniel College announces new School of Business and Technology, targeted for 2027 launch
**McDaniel College Plans New School of Business and Technology, Targeted for 2027 Launch**WESTMINSTER, Md. — McDaniel College is moving forward with plans to es
David Baltimore, 7 March 1938 – 6 September 2025: a giant in biomedical science
Leukemia - David Baltimore, 7 March 1938 – 6 September 2025: a giant in biomedical science
No charges filed in deadly 2025 Baltimore County police shooting during mental health crisis
Baltimore Orioles Player Makes Change Before MLB Season
A player on the Baltimore Orioles is making an adjustment at spring training.
Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute sports program gives athletes chance to compete
Ravens' preferred contact path for Lamar Jackson revealed
It appears Baltimore would prefer one way over the other.
Sports program in Baltimore trains Paralympians for competition
Odunowo's 15 lead UMBC over Bryant 70-58
BALTIMORE (AP) Josh Odunowo scored 15 points as UMBC beat Bryant 70-58 on Thursday for their seventh-straight win.
'Made in Baltimore' store shines light on Black-owned businesses
In honor of Black History Month, the Baltimore Development Corp. is supporting Black-owned businesses at its "Made in Baltimore" store at the Inner Harbor.
Ravens GM DeCosta praises new OC Declan Doyle's vision
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta praises new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s vision, communication, and drive ahead of his NFL debut.
Rabid raccoon confirmed in Churchville, Harford Co. Health Department says
The Harford County Health Department announced that a raccoon in Churchville tested positive for the rabies virus on Tuesday.Officials reported that the raccoon
Would you eat fruits and vegetables with a doctor’s prescription?
“These health issues are linked to what type of food we choose, with 80 to 90% of folks that don’t meet recommended dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption,” Song writes.…
Baltimore man charged with attempted murder after shooting inside commercial business
A Baltimore man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a shooting from last week in the city's northern district, police announc
Politics Aside Season 2, Episode 4
On this episode of Politics Aside, Chris Cillizza runs drills at M&T Bank Stadium with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and later, shoots hoops with Virgina Rep. Suhas Subramanyam at Wizards legend Gheorghe Muresan’s Giant Basketball Academy in Ashburn. Along the way, Chris explores how youth sports and community shape political leadership.
PRET for impact: Advancing pandemic preparedness in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
IN THE SPOTLIGHT PRET for impact: Advancing pandemic preparedness in the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaThe Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) is making significant progress in strengthening pandemic preparedness, with dedicated support from the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC).Aligned with the WHO Global Influenza Strategy and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution High‑Level Implementation Plan III (2024–2030), the country is strengthening its capacity to prepare for and respond to influenza and other respiratory threats. In early 2025, a core team from the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) participated in a two‑day virtual workshop, which included a mini‑simulation exercise. The workshop was organized by WHO SEARO in collaboration with the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Secretariat at WHO headquarters and the WHO Country Office for the DPRK. Read more A REGIONAL CONSULTATION GUIDES WHO SEARO IN DEVELOPING A ROADMAP FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PREPPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR EMERGING THREATS (PRET) INITIATIVE BASED RESPIRATORY PATHOGEN PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESSInfluenza and other respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential continue to pose major public health risks globally. To strengthen regional preparedness and response, Member States of the WHO South‑East Asia Region (SEAR) convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to review and provide input on the draft Roadmap and Action Framework for Broad Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Planning (2026–2031). Supported through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) funds, the proposed roadmap aims to advance robust, integrated preparedness and response capacities for influenza and other respiratory threats across SEAR. This work is aligned with the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative and the SEAR Strategic Roadmap on Health Security and Health System Resilience for Emergencies Read moreSRI LANKA’S USE OF ANTIVIRALS TO REDUCE THE SEASONAL INFLUENZA BURDEN Sri Lanka is strengthening its influenza response by placing greater emphasis on rapid testing, timely treatment, and integration with maternal health services. With support from WHO, the country is building a stronger evidence base on the burden of influenza and the value of vaccination, advancing a holistic approach to protect vulnerable populations and enhance pandemic preparedness. To reduce hospitalizations and deaths from seasonal influenza, Sri Lanka is taking proactive steps to expand access to rapid diagnostic testing and ensure prompt initiation of treatment. National clinical guidelines recommend the use of oseltamivir for individuals at high risk of complications, helping prevent severe illness and shorten the duration of infection. This strategy not only saves lives but also supports local pharmaceutical production, contributing to a reliable supply of antivirals for both seasonal outbreaks and future pandemics.Read moreBHUTAN BOOSTS PANDEMIC INFLUENZA READINESS WITH PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS FRAMEWORK PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTED TRAINING AND SIMULATIONSOriginally developed in 2012, the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NIPPRP) has long served as Bhutan’s central framework for managing influenza threats. In 2024, the plan underwent a comprehensive update to reflect evolving global and regional guidance, lessons learned from the COVID‑19 pandemic, and new capacities developed under the PIP Framework. The revised NIPPRP is now more clearly aligned with Bhutan’s broader emergency and disaster risk management structures, ensuring a coordinated, whole‑of‑government approach to pandemic response. As part of efforts to strengthen national pandemic preparedness, Bhutan conducted three national‑level training sessions followed by simulation exercises on influenza pandemic preparedness and response at five sentinel hospitals between April and May 2025, with support from the PIP Partnership Contribution (PC). These activities brought together more than 140 health professionals and key partners from across the country, with a focus on operationalizing the updated NIPPRP and enhancing readiness at key frontline facilities. Read moreSTRENGTHENING INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE: WHO BRINGS TOGETHER INFLUENZA EXPERTS FROM SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONSThe World Health Organization (WHO) convened the 18th Bi‑regional Meeting of National Influenza Centres (NICs) and Influenza Surveillance for the WHO South‑East Asia and Western Pacific Regions from 9–11 September 2025. Hosted by the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), the meeting brought together representatives from Member States, Territories, and Areas across both regions, alongside experts from the WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza in Australia and Japan, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals in the United States, quadripartite partners (WOAH and FAO), and other technical counterparts. The consultation provided a platform to review progress, share experiences, and outline priorities for strengthening influenza and respiratory pathogen surveillance across the two WHO regions.Read moreNETWORKS AND TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIPSSTRENGTHENING PANDEMIC READINES: SOUTH-EAST ASIA ADVANCES UNITY STUDIES UNDER THE PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVEThe WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Investigations & Studies initiative, also known as Unity Studies, provides a standardized, globally coordinated framework to support these efforts. Originally developed for influenza and adapted during COVID-19, Unity Studies enable countries to conduct rapid, nationally led investigations and studies to assess transmissibility, severity, susceptibility, and intervention effectiveness. To better prepare for future influenza pandemics, WHO has recently launched a network of sites which will be ready to conduct these investigations and studies rapidly in the event of a pandemic, or epidemic of an emerging or re-emerging respiratory pathogen. The WHO South-East Asia Region now hosts six sites of WHO GISRS Unity Studies across the five countries including Sri Lanka, strengthening regional capacity for early pandemic investigations. From 13–16 July 2025 in Colombo, the Global Public Health Summit offered an opportunity to advance this agenda. Read moreSTRENGTHENING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS THROUGH UNITY STUDIES: REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS FROM INDIA IN WHO’S SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION As countries continue to strengthen their pandemic preparedness through investments in resilient health systems during the interpandemic period, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Investigations & Studies Global Initiative, Global Initiative, commonly known as Unity Studies, remains a vital framework for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. These standardized epidemiological protocols enable countries to rapidly generate high‑quality data on transmissibility, infection severity, population immunity, and the effectiveness of public health interventions. To highlight how Unity Studies protocols are being adapted and applied in national settings, WHO Headquarters, together with WHO Regional Offices, including the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), hosted a global webinar. The session showcased case studies from India and the United Kingdom (UK), demonstrating innovative approaches to respiratory virus surveillance and pandemic readiness. Read moreSTRENGTHENING REGIONAL INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE AND PREPAREDNESS: WHO SEARO HOSTS HIGH-LEVEL WEBINAR AMID RISING H5 THREATS In response to the increasing detection of avian influenza A(H5) cases in humans globally and within the WHO South‑East Asia Region, the WHO Regional Office for South‑East Asia (SEARO) convened a regional webinar on 25 July 2025 to review preparedness mechanisms, strengthen surveillance pathways, and promote timely reporting of unusual respiratory events. The virtual session brought together more than 50 participants from Ministries of Health, National Influenza Centres (NICs), National IHR Focal Points (NFPs), WHO Headquarters, WHO Country Offices across the Region, and WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) for influenza. The webinar provided an opportunity to share situational updates, discuss surveillance gaps, and reinforce coordination mechanisms critical for early detection and rapid response to avian influenza threats. Read moreOther Key PIP Updates (July-December 2025)MEMBER STATES:Bangladesh drafted and conducted a series of Core Group Meetings in 2025 to review and update the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan for Respiratory Pathogens. In addition, the country carried out Rapid Response Team (RRT) trainings on seasonal and avian influenza and other re‑emerging infectious diseases. Bangladesh also updated its epidemiological data‑training programme for physicians at sentinel surveillance sites, using a revised epidemiological data‑collection tool.Bhutan revised and updated its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NIPPRP) in 2025 and developed a national Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for influenza outbreak management. DPR Korea conducted a nationwide simulation exercise in July 2025 to support the update of its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (2019). This followed a PRET‑based virtual orientation and mini‑simulation exercise held in May 2025 by SEARO and the WHO PRET Secretariat. The comprehensive exercise, conducted across central and provincial levels, assessed strengths and gaps in pandemic influenza preparedness and response. The feedback gathered has been incorporated into the revised draft plan to address identified weaknesses and strengthen overall readiness.India conducted a targeted nationwide online re‑orientation training on review and updates to the influenza portal for all State Surveillance Officers (SSOs) and relevant officials using the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). The training emphasized correct marking and reporting of influenza samples as “unsubtypable” or “not subtyped” where applicable, to ensure accurate national surveillance.Maldives conducted simulation exercises in three atolls based on its existing National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP). The country plans to conduct similar exercises in three additional atolls after updating the NPPRP in 2026. In addition, Maldives conducted training on FluID and FluMart as part of a broader data‑management training package for Ministry of Health and Health Protection Agency officials, aimed at improving routine reporting to WHO platforms and the DHIS2 system.In Myanmar, technical support was provided to the National Influenza Centre (NIC) through dedicated human‑resource support (January–December 2025) to sustain data management and laboratory detection capacity for influenza and other emerging and re‑emerging respiratory viruses. This support also included strengthening genomic sequencing capacity.Nepal conducted a consultative workshop on the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP) in July 2025. The workshop engaged key stakeholders from multiple sectors to review lessons from past pandemic responses, assess current mechanisms, and gather critical inputs for strengthening national preparedness. Key recommendations included revising the 2019 NPPRP and developing an updated Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan aligned with emerging risks, national priorities, and relevant international frameworks. Nepal also held a two day workshop dedicated to advancing the National Action Plan for Genomic Surveillance, aimed at reinforcing the country’s capacities for early detection and monitoring of emerging respiratory pathogens.Sri Lanka received the final report from WHO on the feasibility assessment for conducting an Influenza Burden of Disease (BoD) study in the country. The assessment, conducted from 28 April to 9 May 2025, included a desk review of existing data sources, document review, visits to sentinel surveillance sites, and key informant interviews. The study identified critical data sources required for a future BoD assessment, as well as their availability and quality. Officials from the Epidemiology Unit, the National Influenza Centre (NIC), and SARI/ILI sentinel hospitals across the country participated in the assessment.Timor Leste conducted on‑the‑job training and monitoring activities at two sentinel surveillance sites to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity for the detection of SARI, ILI, ARI, and other respiratory infections. REGIONAL OFFICE:SEARO conducted a Member States Consultation on the first draft of the Regional Roadmap and Strategic Action Framework for implementing WHO’s PRET‑based broad respiratory pathogen pandemic planning for 2026–2031. The consultation took place on 29–30 October 2025 during the final two days of the Regional PIP PC Annual Review and PRET Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants included representatives from Member States, WHO Country Offices, WHO SEARO, WHO Headquarters, partner agencies, and invited multidisciplinary technical experts. They reviewed the draft and provided detailed feedback, which has since been incorporated into a revised version. The consultation helped shape a shared regional vision for robust, PRET‑aligned pandemic preparedness, building on country‑level progress, addressing existing gaps and challenges, and aligning with global and regional health security frameworks. The publication is planned for release during the SEAR regional committee in 2026.SEARO documented the evolution of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning process in the Region, tracing its development from its origins as a planning tool for responding to avian influenza outbreaks in 2006, through the experiences of the 2009 and 2019 pandemics, to the current status. The document outlines the way forward for respiratory pathogen pandemic planning across all 10 SEAR countries, aligning future national plans with WHO’s PRET Framework for broad respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness.The Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit has drafted the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Guidance on Influenza Prevention and Control, aligned with the Global Influenza Strategy and other regional initiatives. The draft is currently under review. Although this technical product was developed in response to a request from the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (MoPH‑DPRK), SEARO is finalizing it for use not only in DPRK but also across all Member States in the Region.The Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Unit, in collaboration with WHE/SEARO, completed a regional landscape analysis on key barriers, challenges, and opportunities for the introduction of seasonal influenza vaccination in WHO South‑East Asia Regional (SEAR) countries.Additionally, the Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Unit has completed a regional landscape analysis of influenza vaccine procurement systems across the WHO South‑East Asia Region (SEAR).KEY MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONSMEETINGS:Six-month progress review of the implementation of the PIP-PC workplans in SEAR, focusing on Outputs 1 and 2 for the period January to June 2025, and held virtually across three sessions on 4, 8, and 10 July 2025. Read moreAnnual Regional Meeting (Hybrid) on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) and WHO’s Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Implementation in SEAR in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27 to 30 October 2025. Read more18th Bi-regional Meeting (Virtual) of National Influenza Centres (NICs) and influenza surveillance in WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions from 9 to 11 September 2025. Read morePUBLICATIONSImplications of influenza A virus surveillance in Southeast Asian Region countries: a scoping review of approaches for the surveillance of swine influenza viruses at human-swine interfaces. Read moreAnnual South-East Asia regional meeting on operational planning for implementation of global influenza strategy and preparedness for respiratory viruses in 2025 Report on annual review meeting of implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness (PIP) partnership Contribution (PC) Fund in South-East Asia Region and the simulation exercise on PRET Status of influenza in who south-East Asia Region
Havre De Grace woman referred to mental health court after 100+ puppies rescued from residence
Deborah Heydt will attend mental health court in Harford County District Court after police rescued over 100 dogs from her residence last August.