What's Happening In Baltimore Today

Source: ANDREY DENISYUK / Getty

Updated Aug. 18, 2025, 8:30 p.m.

Baltimore’s waterfront was rocked Monday evening when a massive cargo ship burst into flames and sent out a frantic mayday call near the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Videos shared on social media captured a fiery explosion erupting from the front of the 751-foot vessel, the W-Sapphire, followed by a towering plume of thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Fire officials rushed to the scene around 6:30 p.m. after reports of an explosion aboard the ship. Crews discovered extensive damage consistent with both fire and blast, according to Baltimore City Fire Department spokesperson John Marsh.

Remarkably, all 23 crew members survived without injury. The U.S. Coast Guard has taken over the investigation and cleared the ship from the busy shipping channel. It has since been moved to a designated anchorage area for further inspection.

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management confirmed there were no injuries or damage beyond the fire itself. Still, the dramatic images of the fireball rattled Baltimoreans, sparking memories of recent maritime disasters in the area.

Officials from the Maryland Port Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority deferred all questions to the Coast Guard as the probe continues.

This remains a developing story.

Although SNAP-Ed’s in-person operations will end, some of its online nutrition education resources will remain accessible to the public.

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Stay informed with the latest updates from Baltimore in 2025. From breaking news to major developments, here are the top stories shaping the city this year.

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1. U.S. Coast Guard confirms ship explosion near Baltimore’s Key Bridge site

2. Maryland’s SNAP-ED program to shut down October 1

3. Baltimore residents worried after recent burglaries in Mount Washington

4. BGE asks customers to limit electricity after substation disconnection

5. Baltimore mayor responds after President Trump takes jab at the city

6. Convicted killer of Maryland mother Rachel Morin sentenced to life in prison

7. 4 children, 2 adults killed in Maryland house fire

8. Police investigating mass shooting in Park Heights

9. Former youth pastor facing child sex abuse charges in Baltimore County

10. Anne Arundel County Police expands drone program to enhance safety

11. Baltimore County listed in latest DOJ report of U.S. “sanctuary jurisdictions”

12. Baltimore’s DPW is making “visible progress” for heat protection, report finds

13. Cause of partial downtown building collapse unclear as city officials wait for inspection

14. Baltimore police sends out more patrols to Federal Hill following recent violence

15. Dali shipbuilder sued over power failure that led to collision with Key Bridge

16. Maryland teen drowns after storm pushes him into draining pipe, officials say

17. Baltimore City schools accused of neglecting incidents of antisemitism

18. Howard County passes emergency bill targeting for-profit house parties

19. Maryland patients face uncertainty as Johns Hopkins, UnitedHealthcare clash over insurance coverage

20. 10 hurt, 5 hospitalized after possible hazardous materials incident at Poultry processing plant

21. Baltimore children under 12 ride free onboard MTA buses

22. Video shows chaos as gunfire is heard in Baltimore’s Federal Hill

23. Woman found dead along shoulder of Baltimore Beltway

24. BGE, Pepco customers will save around $3 on monthly energy bill starting in 2026

25. Maryland pastor arrested by ICE agents, community rallies in support

26. Morgan State unveils new off-campus student housing development

27. New Baltimore County Inspector General appointed as current one was rejected

28. Vehicle with body pulled from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

29. Family of Ronald Silver II sues Baltimore over DPW worker’s death

30. Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release, another bars immediate ICE detention

31. Nurses at Baltimore hospital hold 1-day strike over staffing, patient care concerns

32. Baltimore City school board meeting derailed by offensive video

33. Ocean City, Maryland residents reject ordinance that would restrict short-term rentals

34. Baltimore County teachers to see cost of living raise in September under agreement with district

35. Baltimore Ravens’ veterans report to training camp with high expectations

36. Worker dies after getting trapped in trench at Baltimore County construction site

37. Part of York road still closed after major water main break in Baltimore County

38. $200k grant funding approved for new flood warning system in Baltimore

39. 35 cars, two businesses broken into in Baltimore’s Federal Hill, police say

40. Juveniles to be detained if arrested while on ankle monitoring under new DJS guidelines

41. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announces buyout offer for state employees

42. 25 people hospitalized due to suspected overdose in West Baltimore

43. Baltimore Police to share body cam video in fatal shooting of 70-year-old woman

44. DPW to start trash and recycling collections at 5:00 A.M. during summer months

45. Baltimore’s collapsed Key Bridge remains to be demolished this week

46. Marilyn Mosby says she hit rock bottom, criticizes current Baltimore State’s Attorney

47. Maryland joins 19 states suing Trump administration over Medicaid data release to DHS

48. Baltimore City Council President, other leaders demanding end to BGE multi-year rate hikes

49. Baltimore Police officer charged with rape of 16-year-old girl

50. Marilyn Mosby says State’s Attorney Ivan Bates filed complaint against her over Syed case

51. Baltimore County fire chief gives update on house explosion in Rosedale

52. New Maryland state laws to go into effect, including hiring freeze

53. Maryland State Police crack down on multiple illegal car rallies

54. Baltimore Fire union raises concerns over city’s decision to downgrade 4 medic units

55. Ocean City, Maryland’s new beach tent rules cause confusion for visitors

56. Undeground fire in Downtown Baltimore on Saturday under investigation

57. Demolition of last remnants of Francis Scott Key Bridge to begin next month

58. Accusers of ex-Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker left with “stain” of his denial, attorneys say

59. Man dies in Baltimore police custody, prompting investigation

60. Baltimore City Police say woman, 70, lunged with knife before officer shot and killed her

61. Maryland to implement state hiring freeze, buyouts, due to historic fiscal challenge

62. Justice Department asks Abrego Garcia not be released on federal charges

63. Man sentenced to life for murder of 12-year-old Baltimore girl

64. Amtrak train stuck in tunnel without power near Baltimore amid heat wave in Maryland

65. Second quadruple shooting reported in West Baltimore after 2 adults, 2 teens injured

66. Baltimore Mayor Scott signs $4.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026

67. AFRAM brings sense of community back to Druid Hill for 49th year

68. BOPA has new agreement with Baltimore City, will operate as “Create Baltimore”

69. Baltimore community mourns arabber who was fatally shot by police

70. Baltimore leaders focus on reintegration to keep crime rates down

71. Investigators release body camera footage from deadly police shooting in Dundalk

72. Baltimore gym teacher accused of inappropriately touching students

73. CIAA Tournament To Remain in Baltimore through 2029

74. Suspect dead after Baltimore police shooting leaves officer injured

75. Orioles minor league player Luis Guevara, 19, dies in personal watercraft crash in Florida

76. MTA introduces plan for future of Baltimore’s bus services

77. Suspended Maryland teacher found not guilty of sexually abusing students in partial verdict

78. Maryland releases updates to Tenant’s Bill of Rights, takes effect July 1

79. Baltimore lawyer alleges Meta, Google allowing “squatter networks”

80. Baltimore City Council passes $4.6 billion 2026 budget

81. University of Maryland Medical System sues company over denied service claims

82. Maryland Attorney General Brown preliminary agrees to settlement with Purdue Pharma

83. 1 man dead, 2 other injured after shooting on Maryland I-70

84. Hundreds gather at State capitol in Annapolis for ‘No Kings’ rally

85. Gov. Moore announces relief funding for some BGE customers to help with high energy costs

86. State highway officials say Baltimore Beltway project will reduce congestion along I-695

87. Police investigating Maryland couple accused of killing, hiding the body of a 3-year-old girl

88. Baltimore teacher allegedly choked her neighbor over trash cleanup

89. Maryland man dead, trooper hurt in multi-car crash on I-95

90. Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to U.S. to face federal criminal charges

91. Maryland could see a spike in health insurance costs in 2026

92. Ground beef distributed in Maryland and around the nation could contain E. Coli

93. Baltimore County approves 4.9% water rate increase

94. Local police warn of uptick in break-ins as summer season approaches

95. Howard County Public Schools cutting more than 120 jobs as school boards slashes budget

96. Diesel Spill from Johns Hopkins Vendor Tanks Sends 2,000 Gallons into Inner Harbor

97. Baltimore Mayor Scott says DOGE cuts are “irresponsible” as Johns Hopkins freezes hiring

98. Baltimore building collapses after truck crashes

99. Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker lists Maryland home for $3.2 million

100. BGE to shift supply costs onto lower-usage months, reducing peak season bills

101. Several new laws go into effect in Maryland

102. 16-year-old convicted of killing classmate at Joppatowne High School

103. WNBA star Caitlin Clark ruled out of Wednesday’s WNBA game in Baltimore

104. Man and woman killed in double shooting in Baltimore on Memorial Day

105. Baltimore Police to increase presence for major holidays and high-profile events

106. Baltimore sees spike in juvenile crime as repeat offenders go unchecked

107. Baltimore’s Jewish community seeks more patrols after Israel Embassy staffers shot

108. Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay is seeing a concerning drop in blue crabs

109. Baltimore police release video of deadly officer shooting

110. Juvenile crime in Baltimore is out of control, City State’s Attorney says

111. Police remind the public to stay vigilant against potential post-storm scams

112. Investigation underway after Police say a County Officer shot man armed with knife

113. 17-year veteran of Baltimore Fire Department dies in skills training session

114. West Baltimore warehouse condemned after Monday fire, faces demolition

115. Fines to increase for Baltimore parking violations

116. Baltimore mother killed on Mother’s Day and her birthday

117. Man killed after exchanging gunfire with officers in North Baltimore, police say

118. Demolition of Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course to begin after 150th Preakness Stakes

119. Justin Tucker released by Baltimore Ravens amid sexual misconduct allegations

120. Baltimore mayor announces summer youth engagement strategy

121. New group aims to revitalize downtown Baltimore

122. Family of man killed by Baltimore County police says he wasn’t violent

123. Baltimore County police investigating scams by pet cremation service

124. Guilty verdict handed to man on trial for Rachel Morin’s murder

125. Trial for Rachel Morin’s accused killer resumes Monday

126. Family seeks police footage of Baltimore County crash that killed a man and 2 children

127. Supreme Court rules U.S. must facilitate return of mistakenly deported Maryland man

128. Baltimore schools votes to prohibit cellphone use

129. U.S. Department of Education pulls millions it committed to Maryland

130. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott touts drop in crime

131. Maryland reparations bill inches forward

132. Ravens Coach John Harbaugh reaches three-year extension to stay in Baltimore through 2028

133. Trial for accused murderer of Rachel Morin set to begin

134. Jane Doe identified in 29-year-old Baltimore County cold case through new DNA technology

135. Family of DPW worker who died of heat exhaustion calls for justice

136. One Year Later: Key Bridge Collapse

137. Baltimore’s Own Derik Queen Calls Game!

138. President Trump singles out Baltimore schools while dismantling Department of Education

139. NTSB to release new information in Key Bridge collapse investigation

140. Baltimore County child murdered on Christmas Eve honored by State Senate

141. Civil lawsuit filed against man convicted in daycare sexual abuse case

142. 5th person pleads guilty in mass shooting in Baltimore’s Brooklyn Homes

143. Baltimore County Police Shooting: Suspect Identified as City School Teacher with Prior Gun Conviction

144. Baltimore County officer released from hospital after last week’s shooting

145. Baltimore residents respond as city ramps up parking enforcement

146. Baltimore County police officer injured in shooting at Catonsville precinct

147. Lawsuit against McDonogh School alleges former dean abused students

148. Family of DPW worker who died on the job speaks out on IG report

149. Pedestrian dies after falling under MTA bus in downtown Baltimore,

150. Maryland resident has case of measles, health department confirms

151. Maryland lawmakers consider tax on sugary drinks

152. Adnan Syed will not have to return to prison for Hae Min Lee’s murder

153. Proposed bill in Maryland would punish parents for some offenses committed by juveniles

154. CIAA tournaments put Baltimore in the spotlight

155. Baltimore County schools approve $2.98 billion budget

156. Anne Arundel County government buildings impacted by cyber incident

157. Morgan State acrobatics and tumbling team goes viral for routine

158. 18-year-old arrested in double shooting near Columbia mall

159. Maryland bill aims to use speed assistance technology for reckless drivers

160. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appointed for Cohort of Governors

161. 1 dead, 1 injured after double shooting inside Baltimore senior living facility

162. Video shows Amazon delivery driver striking woman, leaving

163. Father sentenced to 65 years for shooting at his child’s birthday inside Maryland mall

164. Proposed bill in Howard County aims to create more affordable housing

165. BGE explains reasons for rising utility rates

166. Baltimore sheriff’s deputies overpaid by millions, OIG report shows

167. Baltimore City leaders aim to hold BGE accountable for rising utility bills

168. Baltimore County schools investigating teacher over social media post allegedly to help ICE

169. Baltimore community mourns death of longtime WBAL Reporter Tim Tooten

170. Man accused of AI impersonation of Pikesville principal indicted

171. Printing error causes Maryland comptroller’s office to send sensitive data to wrong addresses

172. Maryland’s highest court upholds ending statute of limitations on child abuse lawsuits

173. Design for Maryland’s new Key Bridge unveiled, 10 months after tragic collapse

174. Maryland lawmakers introduce legislation to address BGE price increases

175. Ravens fan pleads guilty to attacking Washington Commanders fans

176. Proposed bill would increase speeding fines in Baltimore City

177. Massage therapists accuse Ravens’ Tucker of sexually inappropriate conduct

178. Baltimore area first responders called to DC plane crash site

179. Proposed bill would prevent police from pulling over drivers for certain offenses

180. Daniel Hersl, of disgraced GTTF, granted supervised release

181. Middle River mother charged with murder in the death of her 11-year-old daughter

182. Baltimore DPW’s water and sewer rate hike approved by city’s spending board

183. Baltimore residents report stinky odor

184. Four injured after student attacked at Baltimore high school

185. BGE customers raise concerns over extreme bill increase

186. New bill seeks to find cause of student absenteeism in Baltimore City schools

187. U.S. Supreme Court will not hearing case on Maryland’s strict gun licensing laws

188. 18-year-old charged with murder of woman at Baltimore hotel

189. Security guard shot during altercation at Baltimore McDonald’s

190. Bird flu detected at Maryland poultry farm on Eastern Shore, Maryland officials say

191. $2.9 million allocated for railroad crossing upgrades in Baltimore County after Rosedale collisions

192. Baltimore police investigate man’s death as first homicide of 2025

193. Community mourns 4-year-old’s death at Baltimore County viewing

194. Baltimore State’s Attorney discusses violent repeat offender accountability

195. New Maryland law helps amputees cover special prosthetics

196. Former Pikesville principal sues Baltimore County schools over AI recording

197. Baltimore City DPW hold public meetings on proposed water rate increase

198. Maryland lawmakers to consider cellphone restrictions in schools

199. Marylanders approve of Gov. Wes Moore in Gonzales poll

200. $85 million invested for Highway to Nowhere redevelopment

201. Key Bridge pre-construction phase to begin

202. Maryland leaders strategize Baltimore crime plan

203. Maryland Senator Katherine Klausmeier named as Baltimore County executive,

204. Maryland sees its first major snow storm of the season in January

205. Rapper Lupe Fiasco to serve as hip-hop professor at Johns Hopkins’ Peabody Institute

What’s Happening In Baltimore: Top Stories You Need to Know in 2025

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