U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen questions Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Dr. Julia Alexander, former executive director of the Walters Art Museum, has died; An attendee of a previous year's Baltimore County Farmers Market holds a produce item.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen questions Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Dr. Julia Alexander, former executive director of the Walters Art Museum, has died; An attendee of a previous year's Baltimore County Farmers Market holds a produce item.

Last week, we shared news about the passing of former Walters Art Museum director Julia Alexander; the cancellation of the 2025 Baltimore County Farmers Market; and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen questioning Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration cutting funds from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Revisit the stories here:

The 2025 Baltimore County Farmers Market, which was scheduled to take place June through October, has been cancelled. Photo courtesy Maryland State Fair.
The 2025 Baltimore County Farmers Market, which was scheduled to take place June through October, has been cancelled. Photo courtesy Maryland State Fair.

“2025 Baltimore County Farmers Market cancelled“: Organizers have cancelled this year’s Baltimore County Farmers Market at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, citing lack of vendor interest.

Julia Alexander, former Andrea B. & John H. Laporte Executive Director and CEO of the Walters Art Museum, has died. Photo courtesy Walters Art Museum.

“Julia Alexander, former executive director of the Walters Art Museum, dies“: Dr. Julia Alexander, the first woman to serve as executive director and CEO of the Walters Art Museum, died last week from a heart attack.

collage with four circular photos, all of people smiling, most in chairs, outdoors at a summer concert
Photo collage from Pikesville Armory Facebook page. Credit: @plantationparkheights_uf and @_karmizzle .

“Free jazz summer concert series coming to Pikesville Armory“: A series of three free jazz concerts will take place in May, June, and July at the Pikesville Armory.

Senator Chris Van Hollen wearing dark suit and tie, white shirt, leaning toward mic on dais
Screenshot from Senate hearing video on Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s YouTube channel.

“Noem tells Van Hollen funding will resume for National Fire Academy in Maryland“: In a Senate subcommittee hearing Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem committed to resume funding for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland that the Trump administration previously pulled.

Emma Katherine Bilski, center, speaks about the Douglass Place homes during one of her Full Story Baltimore walking tours.
Emma Katherine Bilski, center, speaks about the Douglass Place homes during one of her Full Story Baltimore walking tours. Credit: Dan Rodricks

“Dan Rodricks: Discovering the houses that Frederick Douglass built for the poor“: Known to most as a powerful advocate for abolition as well as an influential writer, editor, orator, and diplomat, Maryland native Frederick Douglass held another, lesser-known role: affordable housing developer.