Rona Kobell

Rona

Rona Kobell is a regional reporter covering Baltimore County. Before joining the Banner, she worked as an environmental reporter in the region for nearly 20 years at The Baltimore Sun and The Chesapeake Bay Journal. She has twice been honored by Baltimore Magazine for the best environmental reporting in Baltimore. Last year, she was a Johns Hopkins SNF AGORA fellow studying democracy. She’s also taught journalism at the University of Maryland, Loyola University and Towson University.

The latest from Rona Kobell

Baltimore County inspector general issues third COVID fraud report
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan has found that a third county corrections officer with ties to Nigeria committed fraud by obtaining a federal COVID loan for a business that did not exist.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county's charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena non-government records Nov. 28, 2023.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from concerts to airplane building
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending Wednesday, July 16.
Great snakes: At Irvine Nature Center's World Snake Day, visitors can hold and touch these insect eaters.
Baltimore County councilman proposes board to ‘depoliticize’ inspector general appointments
Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka introduces legislation to change the county charter so an appointment board chooses the inspector general.
On Monday, Anne George, Peta Richkus and Marsha Briley-Savage protest County Executive Kathy Klausmeier’s decision not to reappoint Inspector General Kelly Madigan.
If a forest closes, does it make a sound?
Patuxent Research Refuge’s North Tract in Laurel has cut visiting hours. Could the Trump administration could close it entirely?
A male summer tanager sits on a branch above the garden at the North Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel.
The many faces of ‘Moses’: Cambridge art exhibit showcases Harriet Tubman in full color
Harriet Tubman is remembered in an Eastern Shore pop-up exhibit. This is the largest Harriet Tubman-focused art show.
Artist Karen Buster, of Bowie, stands with her Harriet portrait next to show curator Larry Poncho Brown, of Baltimore. Buster sold her piece at the show, which included dozens of different representations of Dorchester County's most famous resident.
Seven things to do in Baltimore County, from outdoor concerts to blueberries
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending Wednesday July 2.
Guys in Ties, an 80s band, is playing at the Guinness Brewery Friday.
Dion Banks symbolizes Black pride on the Eastern Shore. His first book takes a page from that life.
Dion Banks has written a children's book about a Black superhero who fights slavery titled “Kofi the Wind Whisperer: A Hero’s Fight to Freedom.” The story takes inspiration from the landscape of Dorchester County.
William Jarmon, left, talks with Dion Banks at Banks' book signing on May 29, 2025, in Cambridge.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from Juneteenth celebrations to a jazzy evening
There’s plenty to do in Baltimore County during the week ending 25, including several Juneteenth celebrations on Thursday, the federal holiday.
Kendrick Tilghman spins his audio deck at Malcolm Ruff’s annual Juneteenth celebration in 2023.
Proposed new political maps sent to Baltimore County Council. Are they DOA?
A Baltimore County panel sent its plan for redrawing political maps to the County Council, but it might end up being dead on arrival.
proposed redistricting map to expand the Baltimore County Council.
Dr. Ben Carson’s neighbors don’t want his solar farm. They’re running out of options to stop it.
Dr. Ben Carson’s neighbors are opposed to his proposed solar farm in northern Baltimore County. They’re running out of options to stop it, thanks to a new Maryland law.
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson at an event at the White House last month.
To fight midges, Baltimore County is bringing out the big fly swatter – a helicopter
To combat the unprecedented numbers of midges that have invaded eastern Baltimore County’s waterfront neighborhoods this spring, the county's Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability will double the treatment area for its next helicopter treatment.
A window ledge in Edgemere is infested with midges. The pesky flies have invaded the Baltimore County waterfront.
As Trump cuts diversity efforts nationally, Black women show daughters the way to lead
Arielle Green has seen her mother ascend in leadership, from homeowner association president to Democratic Central Committee member to, now, first Black female delegate representing her district.
Kim Ross, right, and her daughter Arielle leave Towson University after Arielle’s dress rehearsal for the Morton Street Dance Center last month.
Baltimore County Redistricting Commission recommends new council maps in 4-3 vote
The Baltimore County Redistricting Commission voted 4-3 Monday evening to recommend a new map that would divide the seven existing County Council districts into nine.
A woman stands at a microphone talking about the council expansion.
With council support for Madigan, Baltimore County IG search panel may be moot
A panel tasked to choose Baltimore County’s next inspector general needs its pick approved by at least four County Council members. They might not get the support.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county's charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena non-government records Nov. 28, 2023.
One dead, several injured in I-95 crash involving Maryland state trooper
The crash occurred at around 2:02 a.m. when a Jeep Cherokee struck an on-duty state trooper’s vehicle, leading to a multi-vehicle crash.
The Maryland State Police logo.
After a lifetime in libraries, Carla Hayden was fired by Trump in two sentences
Hayden’s firing comes as libraries and archives are under siege nationwide by the Trump administration and factions of the Republican Party.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden was fired abruptly by Trump.
‘How about me?’ Kathy Klausmeier reflects on first five months as Baltimore County’s first female executive
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, the first woman to hold the post, sat down recently for an interview with The Baltimore Banner. She addressed permit delays, teacher salaries and her controversial decision not to automatically reappoint the county's inspector general.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier is the first woman to hold the office since the Baltimore County created the executive position in 1956.
Baltimore County IG finds another corrections officer involved in a fraud scheme
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud, in this case by receiving an $18,125 federal COVID loan for a business that did not exist.
Baltimore County's Inspector General has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud.
Baltimore County is expanding its council and redrawing districts. It hasn’t been easy.
When the Baltimore County Council voted to expand to nine members, the decision launched a process that will take months. But making history can be messy.
The seven-member Baltimore County Council holds a legislative session at the Old Courthouse last year.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from ballet to backwoods music
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week, including Pokémon Club, Music in the Woods and Charm City Ballet.
The Wizard of Oz dancers of Charm City Ballet.
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