Cold Fronts and New Frontiers: The Baltimore Morning Briefing

Frozen but Resilient: The City Recovers

The mood in Charm City this morning is one of icy resilience as we emerge from what officials have called one of the most severe snowstorms in a decade. After a week that saw 6 to 10 inches of snow and dangerously low temperatures, Baltimore City Public Schools are officially reopening their doors today, Monday, February 2. However, the transition back to routine isn't without its challenges; the Baltimore City Health Department has extended the Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert through this evening. While salt trucks have cleared the main arteries, residents are still navigating thick ice in residential alleys, some of which measure up to three inches thick. Many parents are adjusting to two-hour delays as the city prioritizes safety over speed in the wake of the deep freeze.

A New Era at the Castle

If you are at the local coffee shop today, the conversation is undoubtedly centered on the massive shift at the Ravens' headquarters in Owings Mills. For the first time in eighteen years, the Baltimore Ravens are starting a new month without John Harbaugh at the helm. Following his dismissal in early January after an 8-9 season, the Jesse Minter era is officially in full swing. Minter, the former Chargers defensive coordinator and only the fourth head coach in franchise history, has been moving at a breakneck pace to assemble his staff. News broke yesterday that the team has hired Charlie Gelman as the new Game Management Coordinator, replacing Daniel Stern. With superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson reportedly involved in the interview process, the city is buzzing with cautious optimism about this "restart" for the franchise.

Celebrating Two Centuries of Art

For a much-needed warm-up for the soul, look no further than the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Today marks the opening of the "Ouroboros" exhibition at the Meyerhoff Gallery, a centerpiece of MICA’s landmark Bicentennial celebration. As the college honors 200 years in Baltimore, this specific show features eleven artists with deep roots in the city, exploring the enduring tensions and triumphs of the relationship between the institution and its grassroots community. It is a powerful reminder of the artistic legacy that continues to define Baltimore, even in the middle of a winter chill. Whether you are an alum or simply a lover of local culture, this milestone is a feel-good highlight to start your February, celebrating two centuries of the city’s creative heart.