A new must-know Baltimore journalist

Newsletter for May 21, 2025

Today, I'll be stepping in for Kaela as she participates in a prestigious fellowship with the National Press Foundation focusing on mental health journalism. Feel free to send them your congrats or any relevant tips!

This week's newsletter kicks off with a big announcement: We've hired a new reporter in Baltimore! Starting this summer, Maria Eberhart will be reporting on the various tech- and innovation-related topics we've covered in Maryland for over a decade, with a particular focus on the state's rural-urban digital divide, as a corps member in the Report for America program. Read on for more details about her and the new position.

Plus, as Russia's war with Ukraine grinds on, several expats and refugees from the country's robust tech sector discussed their frustrations with the Trump administration's policies — and what the invasion's fallout means for their lives and work.

— Sameer, Technical.ly editor in Baltimore and DC

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Maria Eberhart remembers when laptops came to her school in Baltimore County. Over a decade later, she's joining the Technical.ly newsroom to cover access to crucial tech resources, digital literacy, broadband and more as our latest reporter in Baltimore.

The former employee of New York Public Radio and Pitchfork joins our newsroom via Report for America, a philanthropic initiative that places emerging journalists in local outlets to cover communities and issues underserved. Continue reading ...

The recent pause of a federal program for Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing Russian invasion has left locally settled immigrants and refugees, including from the country's vibrant tech ecosystem, feeling frustrated and confused about their prospects.

Several of these technologists and entrepreneurs discussed with Technical.ly their anxiety over this local and international uncertainty, as well as broader issues with the Trump administration's approach to their home country. This new article also highlights the perspective of a Ukrainian immigrant who grew up in metro Baltimore and now tries to advocate for more recent refugees and immigrants on Capitol Hill and beyond.

"As a refugee, you would think that you would come here and finally feel like you could take a sigh and a breath of relief,” said Karina Mandell, the chair of the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee and a former RealLIST Connector. “But sadly, the Ukrainian community hasn’t been able to do that.” Continue reading ...

• A Baltimore-based founder said his participation in Halcyon's recent cohort for Maryland, Virginia and DC climate tech entrepreneurs helped put his sustainable construction materials startup on a bigger stage. [Technical.ly]

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore included a bill authorizing a workgroup for best STEM practices and innovation network development in a slate of legislation he signed into law alongside the state's FY 2025-2026 budget. That budget also includes a 3% tax on digital services that some members of the state's tech community argued would stifle innovation. [Maryland Governor's Office]

• The University of Maryland, Baltimore and Open Works announced a partnership to help more people access hands-on technical education via a makerspace in Baltimore's Poppleton neighborhood. The latter nonprofit created a similar partnership with the historically Black Coppin State University about a year ago. UMB announced the partnership soon after budget cuts prompted it to cut 30 jobs and reduce about 1,000 other workers' salaries. [UMB/Technical.ly/Baltimore Biz Journal]

• A horse named Journalism came from behind to win the top spot at last weekend's 150th Preakness Stakes horse race. [CBS News]

• Even with all its benefits, remote work can't replicate a few in-office experiences that are key to growth. [Technical.ly]

• Some more University System of Maryland news: The system's board of regents voted on Monday to give its institutions authority to slash salaries, close their doors and take other cost-saving actions. Meanwhile, its Center for Environmental Science is planning a relocation across the Chesapeake Bay from Cambridge to Annapolis. [Biz Journal]

• Baltimore-founded VC firm Squadra Ventures, whose primary office is now in DC, announced Meghan McGee as its new head of platform. McGee previously spent nearly 20 years working for Owings Mills-based private equity firm Camden Partners. [Squadra]

• Artscape's back this weekend with a number of programs and offerings incorporating technical topics and themes. This year features talks on tech and expression moderated by entrepreneurs Andrew Parlock and Keisha McClain, AR components within the festival map and a STEM-focused youth learning lab. [BOPA/Technical.ly/WBAL]