Baltimore is set to receive more than 650 million federal dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan, and at least one city official says Mayor Scott needs to drain the swamp before he can address any of the city’s needs. And we’ll hear how the pandemic knocked Maryland’s child care industry off its feet and what local, state and federal aid might do to revive it.

A multi-million dollar partnership between Maryland and private organizations will help disadvantaged children hit hardest by the pandemic. Baltimore’s Mayor announces a pilot program to divert certain mental health calls away from BPD and to a new crisis unit. Plus, we talk with the young organizers behind this weekend’s Virtual Prom 2021.

It’s not quite a meeting at the OK Corral, but a Twitter spat between Maryland’s Governor and Baltimore’s Mayor over the City’s violent crime rate, has led to an upcoming meeting. We’ll hear from Mayor Scott and Governor Hogan. Plus, Baltimore County’s leader has ended speculation about whether or not he’ll run for Governor.

The U.S. changes course on its opposition to lifting patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines. A federal judge rules the CDC’s moratorium on evictions overstepped legal bounds, so what does this mean for Maryland renters? The state shores up efforts to get nursing home patients and staff vaccinated. And a hate crime murder in Towson will be remembered at the scene of the crime, more than a century-and-a-half later.

As the U.S. tries to reach herd immunity, and reach the vaccine-hesitant, there’s a shift in strategy, from federal health officials on down to local leaders in Maryland. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is about to get emergency authorization for use in 12-to-15-year-olds. We’ll hear from an expert on the pros and cons, and what it means for the upcoming school year. And Baltimore City council members propose a shift in oversight of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management.

Advocates for Baltimore’s homeless help clear an encampment under a city overpass and find temporary housing for those who lived there. Mayor Scott responds to WYPR about getting delinquent homeowners off the upcoming tax sale list before they face foreclosure. And Baltimore’s former health commissioner says the Biden administration blew a big opportunity last week to tout the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Baltimore City’s outdoor mask mandate will be relaxed in line with state guidelines. The Maryland Health Department will restart distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week. Housing advocates have a plea to Mayor Brandon Scott: Stop this year’s tax sale! And state transportation officials look to ease traffic congestion on the Bay Bridge, but the plan is drawing criticism from lawmakers on the shore and beyond.

Baltimore County focuses on getting vaccinations to its homebound residents. Governor Hogan’s easing of public health restrictions is being met with mixed approval. Baltimore’s Health Commissioner says there’s still work to do to bring down the city’s positivity rate. And Baltimore steps into the spotlight with a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris.

Governor Hogan lifts outdoor mask requirements and outdoor dining restrictions as the state’s COVID-19 numbers continue to fall. Baltimore County officials turn their attention to the vaccine hesitant. And Baltimore City renters say they are fighting landlord evictions and a bill touted by the City Council as a viable alternative to security deposits. Our Health and Housing reporter takes us inside the debate.

A big announcement from the CDC on its guidance for mask-wearing is welcome news for the fully vaccinated. We talk with an infectious disease expert about the science behind this shift in public policy. Plus, a profile of Baltimore County’s newly minted Teacher of the Year.