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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

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.
Klausmeier says Inspector General Kelly Madigan never asked to keep the job
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said the county’s first inspector general never asked to be re-appointed to her position.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said she decided to "go by the charter" and require Kelly Madigan to re-apply for her job.
Son of a midge: Swarms of the pesky flies are ruining summer pleasures in Middle River
The midges are back, and they’re worse than ever. The tiny flies that have terrorized marina owners on the Back River for two decades have extended their reach to the Middle River peninsula.
A window ledge in Edgemere is infested with midges. The pesky flies have invaded the Baltimore County waterfront.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from concerts to a Caribbean workout
Still recovering from Artscape? Here are some fun local events, many of them free, to do in Baltimore County for the week ending June 3.
The Flying Vees is a bonafide supergroup composed of four seasoned musicians of varied backgrounds. Catch them this weekend at Manor Mill.
Yes, Baltimore County recycles everything in your bin — even glass bottles
Baltimore County is trying to get people to understand that it does actually recycle our trash and wants more people to believe it, and to put out their bins.
Workers sort through a conveyor belt of recycled materials at the Materials Recovery Facility of the Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility.
Remember the golf course project Johnny O championed? The Baltimore County Council cut funding for it.
The Baltimore County Council approved all but $6.6 million of Kathy Klausmeier’s proposed $4.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, denying funds for a golf course renovation.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski speaks at the groundbreaking for a new clubhouse at the county-owned Rocky Point Golf Course.
Pat Young opts for public financing in bid for Baltimore County executive
Pat Young has become the first declared candidate for Baltimore County executive to fund his campaign through a newly created public financing option.
Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young is running for Baltimore County Executive and will be the first candidate in the race to take public financing.
For 25 years, Baltimore County undercharged developers for public improvements. That’s finally changing.
Baltimore County was charging 1999 prices for its bond funds. This was problematic for finishing projects. It took a quarter century to fix it.
6/16/22—Exterior of the historic Baltimore County Courthouse in Towson, the center of county government.
Is your kid graduating from a Towson college? Here are some attractions to check out
So, you’re visiting Towson for your child’s graduation and you may be wondering what there is to do. There’s plenty of history, culture and nature to check out.
The Towson skyline glows in the colors of sunrise.
Baltimore County residents deliver petition urging Klausmeier to keep inspector general
Ten Baltimore County residents gathered in front of county offices Friday morning to deliver a letter and a 260-signature petition urging County Executive Kathy Klausmeier to keep Inspector General Kelly Madigan in her role.
A group of Baltimore County residents visit the county courthouse on Friday. May 16, 2025 to deliver a petition calling for the reappointment of Inspector General Kelly Madigan. She was recently advised by the new county executive that she would not be reappointed.
Baltimore County Council seeks to keep Madigan as inspector general
The councilmen are reacting to news that Madigan was notified by Klausmeier’s office that she wouldn’t be reappointed and that the inspector general’s job had been posted.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan speaks during a press conference Dec. 21, 2020. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. and Baltimore County Administrative Officer Stacy Rodgers stand behind her.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from an arts fest to Jazz at the Armory
It’s gloomy out, but fear not, the weekend will be here soon, and fun events abound throughout the county. Here’s a snapshot of things to do through Wednesday May 21.
Visitors shop along and walk across Frederick Road in Catonsville, which hosts a weekly farmers market.
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