Sam Gauntt

I traveled to California for @LNNMaryland earlier this spring to speak with teachers and students at San Mateo High School, which implemented a complete ban on cellphone use during the school day in 2019. Read more about the ban and its impact here: cnsmaryland.org/2025/06/30/thi…

Gov. Wes Moore (D) and his staff met regularly with lawmakers to discuss a bill creating a reparations study commission, and expressed concerns about the bill that the governor subsequently vetoed, his office insisted Monday. Read more: marylandmatters.org/2025/07/22/moo…

“We’re not doing that climate change, you know, crud anymore.” For @LNNMaryland cnsmaryland.org/2025/07/21/tru…

In several Maryland counties, the sheriff’s office has opted to participate in the  “287(g)” program, which allows ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement abilities to state and local law enforcement officials. For @marylandmatters marylandmatters.org/2025/07/21/as-…

Carl Snowden looked out at the crowd of hundreds of peaceful, sign-carrying protesters gathered on Lawyers Mall in the oppressive heat of a late July afternoon and liked what he saw. And he thought John Lewis would have liked it, too. For @MarylandMatters marylandmatters.org/2025/07/18/hun…

A federal appeals court gave former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby a partial win Friday, overturning her 2024 conviction for mortgage fraud but upholding perjury convictions in connection with the purchase of two Florida homes. marylandmatters.org/2025/07/12/app…

It won’t happen immediately, but advocates and state officials predict that changes to SNAP in the budget reconciliation bill signed last week will deliver “a devastating blow” to many of the 680,000 Marylanders who get benefits. For @MarylandMatters marylandmatters.org/2025/07/11/sta…

Today LNN launches a four-part series called "Local warming: Climate change in Maryland," with this @sashaa_allen story that looks at how this issue impacts every region of the state. Research by @rachmccrea made this project happen. cnsmaryland.org/2025/07/07/cli…

UMD students living in residence halls, university-owned fraternity and sorority houses and South Campus Commons apartments will no longer be able to bring their own electric micromobility vehicles onto campus starting this fall. dbknews.com/2025/07/02/new…

This school banned cellphones six years ago. 📱🙅 Teachers — and many kids — couldn’t be happier. Story and photos by @SamGauntt: cnsmaryland.org/2025/06/30/thi…

When Maryland first announced its new 3% sales and use tax on data and information technology services this spring, Jake Stokes felt his business had no choice but to leave the state. For @marylandmatters marylandmatters.org/2025/07/01/tec…

For LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, Juneteenth is more than just a date on a calendar. “It’s the date that we endure the spirit of the ancestors, the resilience of our people and the promise of a future fate shaped by justice, truth and unity,” she said. marylandmatters.org/2025/06/19/mar…

A report released Wednesday by the Maryland Comptroller’s Office confirmed what thousands of Maryland workers already knew: The state’s economy is deeply tied to the federal government. For @marylandmatters marylandmatters.org/2025/06/19/rep…

For Ellie Rosenstock, the “No Kings” protest she's organizing in Baltimore’s Patterson Park is as much about activists showing their support for each other as it is about showing their opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies. Read more: marylandmatters.org/2025/06/13/mar…

ICYMI: Maryland “did very well” in the sale Wednesday of about $1.6 billion in bonds, state officials said, despite a recent credit downgrade that rattled their confidence and raised fears of higher costs. My first byline for @marylandmatters marylandmatters.org/2025/06/12/sta…

The University System of Maryland is carefully monitoring the State Department's decision to revoke visas of students from China. Students from China made up more than 20 percent of international students enrolled at UMD in fall 2024: For @thedbk: dbknews.com/2025/05/29/tru…

The famed amphibian spoke to graduating students about finding your people, making connections and taking that leap — something frogs like him know a thing or two about, he said. For @thedbk dbknews.com/2025/05/23/ker…

We had so much fun celebrating our newest class of #merrillmade graduates today! 🎓 We're so proud of all you accomplished here and will be following along to see the wonderful places you go! #fearlessjournalism More photos to come 👀

Was bittersweet to edit the immensely talented @kwilson_news’s last piece for @thedbk Read a great piece of student journalism here:

✍️Want to join @thedbk's news desk? We're hiring staff writers and junior staff writers for Fall 2025! Learn more and apply at tinyurl.com/dbknews25. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. DMs/replies are open for questions!