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Commissioner of the Baltimore City Police Department Richard Worley joins Midday to discuss challenges facing his department, which he has lead for less than a year.

Worley, a native of Pigtown in southeast Baltimore, is a longtime member of the department and was named acting commissioner in June 2023. His nomination was approved by Baltimore city council last October.

Homicides and non-fatal shootings continue to decline in Baltimore and around the country, and the city has announced another expansion of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy. But can police sustain the program with hundreds of patrol vacancies?

(Photo by Ulysses Muñoz, The Baltimore Banner)
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

The leading candidates for Baltimore mayor took to the debate stage on Tuesday, in one of the last opportunities for voters to hear from contenders for the city government's top seat.

WJZ-TV, The Baltimore Banner, WYPR Radio, and the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore organized the event on UB's main campus.

Incumbent Mayor Brandon Scott, former Mayor Shelia Dixon, attorney Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace answered questions on public safety, city development, affordable housing and other topics.

WYPR reporters John Lee, Wambui Kamau, Emily Hofstaedter discussed the mayoral race before the candidates' opening statements were made.

The debate was moderated by the Banner’s Emily Sullivan, WJZ’s Denise Koch and Midday's Tom Hall and is set to air at 7pm on WJZ-TV, WJZ's websites and at The Baltimore Banner.
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Our series of Conversations with the Candidates concludes today and tomorrow with forums for the top two offices in the city of Baltimore.

Today, the leading candidates in the race for Baltimore City Council President make their case to voters. With just a few weeks before the May 14 primary, the candidates are locked in a three-way tie.

Incumbent Nick Mosby faces challenges from District 1 City Councilman Zeke Cohen and former City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed.

We ask the candidates why they think they are the best choice to lead the city council, and what their plans are for transportation, development, public safety and more.
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

On today's Midday newswrap, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin joins the show to discuss congressional aid for Baltimore following the Key Bridge collapse, and continued military funding for Israel.

Plus, legal scholar Kim Wehle joins us with analysis of yesterday’s Supreme Court hearing in which justices considered the claim by Donald Trump that he is entitled to absolute immunity. We also talk about the controversial case of access to emergency abortions in Idaho. In both cases, Justices appear to be divided.
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Midday to share another weekly review of a local theatrical production.

This week, we discuss the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Macbeth on stage through May 5, 2024. Actor Ralph Fiennes stars in the titular role. Is this the definitive version of Macbeth.

(Photo by Marc Brenner)
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

In today’s Conversations with the Candidate, John Morse discusses his reasons for jumping into the race for U.S. Congress. The 38-year-old is running in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Howard County, and parts of Anne Arundel County and Carroll County.

Morse has garnered some big name endorsements, including Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders. What issues are driving his campaign?
Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.