Baltimore City Government Shuts Down for Winter Storm; State Board of Education Convenes for Key Session
City Government Closed Amid Severe Winter Storm
Today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Baltimore finds itself at a standstill as Mayor Brandon M. Scott has officially closed all city government offices for in-person operations. The decision comes as a major winter storm continues to impact the region with significant snow accumulation, icy road conditions, and dangerously low temperatures. While non-essential employees have been directed to stay home, essential personnel remain on duty to manage emergency response and snow removal efforts. The Mayor’s state of emergency remains in effect, and residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to allow plows and emergency vehicles to navigate the city streets.
In addition to the physical office closures, the city is operating under a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert and a Code Purple winter shelter activation. These measures, which are set to remain in place through the end of the day, authorize the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and local partners to increase outreach and provide emergency shelter and transportation for the city's most vulnerable populations. Most public services, including trash and recycling collection, have been suspended or moved to a slide schedule to account for the weather emergency.
Maryland State Board of Education Meets in Baltimore
Despite the citywide closures, the Maryland State Board of Education is moving forward with a critical meeting today at its headquarters located at 200 W. Baltimore Street. While the meeting was originally scheduled for the Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, officials indicated it would transition to a virtual format to accommodate the weather. The session, which began at 10 a.m., features a heavy agenda focused on the future of Maryland’s public schools.
- Graduation Rate Analysis: The Board is reviewing cohort graduation rate data from the 2024-2025 school year to identify trends and areas for intervention.
- Adolescent Literacy Policy: Members are discussing a new draft policy aimed at improving literacy outcomes for older students across the state.
- Budget and Legislative Updates: The Board is receiving briefings on the 2026 Legislative Session and Governor Wes Moore’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which has been described as a "low-growth" plan with no tax increases.
- Kindergarten Readiness: Updates are being provided regarding the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) to evaluate early childhood education performance.
State Legislative and Judicial Impacts
In Annapolis, the Maryland General Assembly is scheduled to hold a pro forma session today at 10:00 a.m. for both the House and Senate. Although these sessions are largely procedural, they signify the continued movement of the 2026 legislative calendar despite the inclement weather. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Clerk’s Office are closed today, with all scheduled oral arguments postponed. Local leaders continue to monitor the storm's impact on upcoming government hearings and public sessions scheduled for the remainder of the week.