Midday

Policy decisions made in the Maryland General Assembly can help or hurt the Chesapeake Bay. Allison Colden, the Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), joins Midday to talk about their organization's priorities for legislators in Annapolis.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Are tax increment financing (TIF) packages working for development in Baltimore?

Today's guest is Melody Simmons, a Senior Reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal. For nearly 10 years, she has been covering the planned transformation of an 88-acre parcel of land near Hopkins Hospital by East Baltimore Development, Inc (EBDI). She gives us an update on this TIF anchored project and where it stands with key stakeholders.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Midday in the Neighborhood takes a look at the more than 270 named communities in Baltimore. We focus on one or two and explore what makes each community unique.

On today's show, we stroll down Read Street in Mount Vernon. Here, among funky dive bars and fine dining, Black business owners have long contributed to the neighborhood's wide range of colorful stores, restaurants and shops.

Nick Thieme, a data reporter for our news partner the Baltimore Banner, wrote about Read Street and its long legacy of Black business ownership.

Additional note: In this interview we planned to include members of the Shropshire family who have a long history of business ownership on Read Street. Due to family responsibilities, they were not able to participate.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Nutrition expert Monica Reinagel joins us for another edition of Midday's Smart Nutrition.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, one in eight U.S. households experience food insecurity or do not have access to nutritional, affordable food.

On today's show, we talk about how to fight hunger and malnutrition in the United States.

Monica is a licensed nutritionist, author and speaker. She is also the host of the “Nutrition Diva” podcast and the “Change Academy Podcast” which focuses on the art and science of behavior change.

Carmen Del Guercio, the Executive Director of the Maryland Food Bank, also joins us to talk about hunger.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Two years have passed since Russia began a brutal invasion of Ukraine. In a press conference on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers and "tens of thousands" of civilians had died in the conflict, so far while many others have been injured. Estimates of Russian casualties vary widely, but US intelligence sources and the United Nations put the number near 100,000.

We are joined by Paul Starobin, a former Moscow Bureau Chief for Businessweek, who has reported extensively on Russia for more than 25 years. His new book, "Putin’s Exiles: Their Fight for a Better Russia," chronicles the extent and the efficacy of the movement to oppose Putin.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

There is a change of leadership at the top of Baltimore city's public library system.

Heidi Daniel has been CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library since 2017. But next month, she will become the executive director of the King County Library System in Washington State.

Her replacement is Darcell Graham, who has been with the Pratt Library for 25 years. She served as the Vice President of Public Services, and she has been appointed Interim CEO of the library while a search is conducted for a permanent successor to Daniel.

We speak with Graham and Daniel about the transition and what it could mean for Baltimore's public library.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

WYPR and WTMD have been partners since 2021. Today, we are announcing the formation of a new company that will serve as an umbrella for both stations.

The two stations will join together as Baltimore Public Media to serve listeners in Baltimore and beyond.

We speak with Craig Swagler is the President and General Manager of Baltimore Public Media.

We are also joined by Wendel Patrick is a composer, performer and educator, and the host of ArtWorks on Maryland Public Television. He is the composer of the musical, sonic identities for WYPR and WTMD.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Midday Theater Critic J. Wynn Rousuck reviews the latest interpretation of "Peter Pan" which runs through February 25, 2024. 

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

On today's Midday News Wrap, a discussion of the latest stories in Maryland's headlines.

First, the race for Maryland's open U.S. Senate seat and the house races for congressional districts two, three and six. Tom speaks with Maryland Matters founder and editor Josh Kurtz about these consequential races.

Then, Tom talks with WYPR reporter Emily Hofstaedter about a lawsuit the city of Baltimore has just settled with a ghost gun manufacturer and indictments regarding police officer misconduct. 

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

A special encore edition of Midday. Live at WTMD, The Swingles. 

One of the most acclaimed virtuosic vocal ensembles in the world. They are currently touring the US and making a stop at Baltimore’s Keystone Korner. On today's show hear some of their amazing arrangements of folk, pop, jazz, musical theater tunes, and learn more about their musical history.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.