Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The conversation begins with the future of the Preakness Stakes and the decision to move the race back one week. The discussion explores whether the change could help Baltimore turn the Preakness into a bigger festival weekend, bring back more community excitement, and strengthen the race's place in the Triple Crown and the broader horse racing business. The episode also weighs the role of NBC's long-term commitment, the business logic behind the move, and the concern that the Preakness may become too corporate and less accessible to regular fans. Listeners hear reactions from callers, along with a broader debate about money, tradition, and the future of horse racing in Maryland. This episode also turns to Maryland's special session and the redistricting amendment heading to voters. The discussion focuses on mid-decade redistricting, political power, voter choice, and whether the process is fair to Marylanders. Later, the show shifts to a tragic Germantown crash involving a stolen car and seven minors, sparking a hard conversation about juvenile crime, parent accountability, and the failures of the current system. The episode closes with strong caller reaction and frustration over how repeat juvenile offenders are handled. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, Mark Anthony Thomas of the Greater Baltimore Committee joins the show to discuss the major developments shaping Baltimore and Maryland. The conversation starts with the Preakness Stakes and the newly announced six-race racing series, with a focus on what it means for Baltimore, the state’s ownership of the Preakness intellectual property, and the need to elevate the Preakness as a Maryland brand. The discussion also covers Baltimore redevelopment, including the energy created by the city’s harbor during major events, the importance of large-scale projects, the need for stronger transportation planning, and efforts to address vacant homes through coordinated public and private investment. The episode closes with a look ahead to the GBC annual meeting and the broader push for regional collaboration across the Baltimore area. The episode also moves into a serious public safety story about a deadly crash in Montgomery County involving seven children in a stolen car and one man who was killed. The hosts examine the details of the case, discuss accountability, and question how young people end up in these situations so early in the morning. Later, the conversation turns to immigration enforcement and an Associated Press investigation into the detention of spouses and parents of U.S. service members. The discussion centers on military families, parole in place, and the tension between enforcement priorities and long-standing protections. The episode ends with continued debate over the Preakness, the move to Sunday racing, and what Baltimore should do next to maximize the moment. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore’s Fells Point is once again at the center of a debate over public safety, access, and business survival. The episode explores the city’s checkpoint strategy, the use of barricades and ID checks, and the concerns from shop and restaurant owners who say the blockades can discourage customers from coming down to the district. At the same time, some visitors say the added security makes them feel safer, highlighting a sharp divide over how to balance nightlife, commerce, and control. Additionally, the Orioles’ trade deadline moves are examined closely, including the surprising decision to move Adley Rutschman and bring back multiple prospects. TJ weighs the value of immediate help versus long-term rebuilding, while fielding listener reactions about whether the team got enough in return. The segment also raises questions about Adley’s injuries, the state of the roster, and whether a top farm system can truly translate into a championship. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Maryland’s special session centers on a high-stakes redistricting fight that could reshape the state’s congressional map. The discussion focuses on why Democratic leaders are pushing a constitutional amendment, how the Trump administration’s moves in Texas helped trigger a broader national redistricting battle, and why leaders in Annapolis argue Maryland must respond within the new legal and political framework. The episode also explores the tension between protecting the current 7-to-1 map and the risk of court challenges that could leave Democrats worse off. Throughout the conversation, listeners weigh in on representation, fairness, and whether Maryland should act alone or wait for a national standard on redistricting. Finally, we closed the show TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Artificial intelligence took center stage in this episode as the conversation explored both its rapid growth and the unease many people feel about where it is headed. The discussion focused on how AI is already affecting schools, jobs, creativity, and everyday tools, while also raising concerns about safety, misuse, and the need for clear boundaries. The episode also highlighted Maryland universities launching new AI degree programs to prepare students for emerging roles in the field. Alongside the promise of AI education, the conversation addressed the risks of overreliance on the technology, including wrong answers, hacking, and the possibility that AI systems can go off script. The episode also touched on how AI is being used in practical ways, from advertisements to customer service and research assistance, while emphasizing the importance of human oversight, research skills, and ethical use. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a spirited debate over Baltimore’s dirt bike issue, where the conversation centers on public safety, enforcement, and the role of lawmakers. TJ Smith argues that the problem cannot be solved by police alone and that the real conversation belongs with state legislators and city leaders who can create clear rules, accountability, and possibly designated spaces for riders. The discussion also explores the tension between personal freedom and community impact. Callers and listeners weigh in on whether dirt bikes should be regulated, legalized, or kept off city streets, while TJ emphasizes that laws and standards exist for a reason. The episode highlights how the issue affects residents across neighborhoods, generations, and demographics. In the second half of the episode, TJ shifts from Baltimore street issues to major national topics, including the war in Iran, President Trump’s handling of the conflict, and the political consequences of rising tension and depleted missile stockpiles. The conversation questions the value of ongoing negotiations, the reality of military strategy, and the impact these decisions may have on the midterm elections. The episode later turns to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Capitol Hill testimony and his repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment. TJ frames the hearing as a test of whether lawmakers want real answers or political theater, then closes with a discussion of Maryland’s special session on redistricting and the broader partisan divide shaping politics at every level. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

The TJ Smith Podcast brings listeners live to Baltimore Ravens training camp in Owings Mills, where a new head coach, a new offensive staff, and a new game-day atmosphere set the tone for the 2026 season. TJ Smith and guests break down the shift from the John Harbaugh era to Jesse Minter’s leadership, along with the impact of earlier morning practices, a revised offense, and the continued pressure that comes with high expectations in Baltimore. The conversation also looks closely at Lamar Jackson’s ninth season, the preseason plan, and the roster battles that could shape the year ahead. From wide receiver depth to the tight end room, the podcast explores where the Ravens may improve, where questions remain, and why the core talent still gives the team a chance to contend. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, TJ Smith opens with a conversation about bike lanes in Baltimore and the tension between traffic calming, commuter concerns, and neighborhood impact. The discussion focuses on North Dukeland Street near Gwynns Falls Parkway, where residents raised questions about parking, traffic flow, evacuation routes, and whether the community had a meaningful voice in the process. The episode then turns to broader questions about infrastructure, including whether bike lanes belong on every roadway and how connectivity, public transit, and street design shape city life. Caller reactions add another layer, highlighting concerns about congestion, emergency response access, and the need to prioritize roads that are already strained. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to a high-profile Anne Arundel County school policy issue involving student gender identity and parental notification. The discussion examines where schools should draw the line between student privacy, counseling, family involvement, and parental rights, while also wrestling with questions about age, consent, and what schools should disclose. The episode closes with a major infrastructure warning about data centers and the electric grid, as well as an update on Pimlico, the Preakness, and Maryland racing. Across these topics, the throughline is clear: the show is focused on how public policy affects everyday people, from roads and schools to power supply and racing in Baltimore. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, TJ digs into a frustrating pattern of vandalism, youth disorder, and the strain it places on Baltimore’s public assets. From Lime scooters being pulled out of the Inner Harbor to repeated pool vandalism at Patterson Park and Walter P. Carter, the conversation centers on how quickly shared resources become damaged and costly to repair. The discussion also raises the question of whether enough is being done to protect facilities that are meant to give young people safe, constructive places to go. The episode also explores the idea that accountability is missing when bad behavior goes unchecked. TJ Smith and callers debate whether more cameras, security, and enforcement are needed, while also noting that not every child is involved in these incidents. The broader concern is that repeated vandalism and reckless behavior can take opportunities away from everyone else and create a cycle that Baltimore keeps paying to fix. The second half of the episode shifts to a highly charged discussion about a Montgomery County incident involving ICE, firefighters, and a rescue response in the Potomac River. TJ Smith argues that emergency responders should not hesitate when lives are at risk, even if the situation involves federal immigration enforcement. The conversation highlights the tension between local policy, public safety, and the practical realities first responders face in the moment. From there, the episode moves to a wide-ranging examination of the war in Iran, U.S. munitions shortages, and the risks of escalation. TJ Smith questions whether Iran is intentionally drawing out the conflict to drain American stockpiles and force concessions. The discussion touches on depleted precision munitions, the challenges of sustained military operations, and the consequences of mixed messaging from political leaders and defense officials. Finally, we closed the show TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a deeply emotional discussion of the Baltimore County case involving the deaths of a 15-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother. The conversation explores the shock of the announcement, the psychological toll on first responders, and the public speculation that followed before charging documents revealed more details about the suspect and the online relationship that preceded the killings. From there, the episode moves into a broader debate about juvenile accountability, social media exposure, and the warning signs that can be missed when dangerous behavior is minimized. The discussion includes caller reactions, concerns about online platforms, and a strong argument that families and communities need better tools to recognize and respond to risk. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.