That was a Stoop Story from Rona Kobell about a chance encounter with danger during a reporting trip to the Chesapeake Bay.

Find more information at Stoopstorytelling.com.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

In the Chesapeake Bay and across the state, a rich array of turtle species call Maryland home.

But turtles are in danger because of the effects of climate change and destruction of their natural environment. A 2022 study from Tel Aviv University found 58% of the world’s turtle species are threatened by extinction.

World Turtle Day was created in 1990 as an annual observance to help people celebrate these beloved animals and protect their vanishing habitats around the world.

Kerry Wixted, program manager with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, joined us to discuss Maryland's turtles and their habitats. Wixted is also a former Wildlife Education and Outreach Specialist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Wixted is set to speak during The Natural History Society of Maryland's celebration of World Turtle Day this Sunday, May 21.  More info can be found on their website.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

The late congressman Elijah E. Cummings famously said: “Our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see.” The Elijah Cummings Youth Program, in its 25th year, is his testament to that. We speak with executive director Kathleen St. Villier, and students Ryen Eley and Benjamin Caplan, about the experience.

Links: Elijah Cummings Youth Program, Justice is Not Just Us podcast.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

On Monday, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski ruled out a run for the United States Senate and instead backed fellow Democrat and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in the race. 

Olszewski is in his second term as Baltimore County’s chief executive. Last month, he presented his $4.9 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024. The county council is scheduled to vote on that proposed budget a week from tomorrow. 

So, what’s ahead? We ask Olszewski about a raise for county employees, plans to revitalize Essex, and preventing opioid overdose deaths.

Special thanks to gust host, WYPR reporter John Lee.

Links:
Olszewski pitches budget with “historic” education funding to the County Council
Once the only African American on his shift. Now he’s set to become Baltimore County’s first Black police chief.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Policy director Jed Weeks and development director Sonya Thomas from Bikemore talk about Bike to Work week (and month!) and discuss how the nonprofit is working to convince commuters to choose two wheels instead of four for their travel. Plus, how they advocate for transportation policy change.

Then Bong Delrosario, director of transportation policy and programs for the Maryland Department of Disabilities talks about transportation challenges facing people with disabilities… and how the state is working to improve their experience.

Links: Bikemore, BikeToWork, Transportation options for people with disabilities

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

One in five Americans report experiencing mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health. That's equivalent to approximately 55 million Americans.

But there are significant barriers to accessing mental health treatment, including stigma and cost of care.

Darius Sanders is Senior Clinical Social Worker and Therapist in the Outpatient Psychiatric Mental Health Program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. He joined us to talk about loneliness and the challenges men face in seeking mental healthcare.

Then, a group of dapper motorcycle enthusiasts are taking to the streets in support of men’s health. Ethan Pritchard and Tim Bernstein are two of the organizers behind Baltimore's Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride. Every year in cities across the world, local motorcyclists raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men's mental health.

Baltimore's Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride is May 21, 2023. More info at can be found here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Maryland’s crisis hotline by calling 2-1-1 and pressing option 1 or texting 898-211.

Calling 988 will connect callers directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which encompasses all behavioral crisis services, to include all mental health and substance use.

More resources can be found at NAMIMD.org.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Mothers Day is Sunday. For many people that might mean planning a brunch or giving special gifts or cards. There are lots of ways to show appreciation and acknowledge the special person who holds that place in the family. Maybe it is an aunt, or grandmother, or another loving person who fills the role.

Yet for others, the holiday may trigger a sense of loss -- or hurt, or even regret. 

Marjorie Nicole, who lost her mother last year, wants to make sure those who feel heavy-hearted on this holiday have a place to come together. We ask her about 'Missing Our Mothers' Sunday lunch.

Links: Missing Our Mothers lunch, K-Love the poet.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Here’s a Stoop Story from Wendry Rumrill about … the fierce love of a mother for her son … and for herself. Find more information at Stoopstorytelling.com .

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

The pandemic worsened America’s maternal mortality crisis, with the burden of death disproportionately felt by communities of color. We speak with Dr. Doee Kitessa, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 

Then, the Maryland Child Alliance is collecting signatures to put a 'baby bonus' on the ballot - $1000 to new parents in Baltimore. We speak to the group's founder, Nate Golden. The group will have a table at the 3rd Annual Baltimore Birth Festival on May 21st..

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

How does Tribe 55, a group of Black Women artists aged 55+ amplify its message? With their new exhibit ‘Seen. Heard. Common Ground.’ It opens at JELMA on Morgan State Campus. Dr. Schroeder Cherry, curator, and Stacey Cruise, Tribe 55 member give us a preview. Plus, Baltimore Beat’s arts and culture editor Teri Henderson offers her picks in music and art! 

Links: JELMA, Seen. Heard. Common Ground. , KirbytheImmortal1/Purple Freestyle, 4kMicheal/Truss, Deep Sugar After Hours, Sweet Spot: Space Cowboy, Micah E. Wood at Current Space, Crying in the Yard, Martha Jackson Jarvis/BMA, Blossom at Raunjiba Design Center. 

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472