This story opens eyes to a major problem in the city. It makes no sense how owners of vacant homes are recieving tax cuts. Even though Mayor Blake has said that they are working on weeding out those who are currently cheating the system, the story points out that it should not take this long to do that. They are allowing the city to earn less in tax revenue because they are providing unwarranted tax cuts.

Although the Teach for America program has done wonders to help the Baltimore City School system, this article shows how the school system's budget cutbacks are effecting Teach for America. Although TFA is working to provide leaders to help lead the Baltimore School's they are starting to find out that the school's don't have money to offer those who complete this program the job. Now, this story has me wondering what is the point of Teach for America in Baltimore if its not even being used to the fool extent.

This story attacks both views of this particular urban development project. The State wants to see it happen because they feel it will open up more business on the West Side of town. Being a $1.5 Billion project, the business owners and residents to the area don't want it to come out of tax payers expense.

Going along with the trend of urban redevelopment, UMD is starting its white paper project to help the Westside development plan that Mayor Blake is pushing. The trend of universities doing their part to help the city is good to see and this story helps make sure that the world knows what UMD is trying to do. Although this is more PR than journalism, this is still a good read to find out what is going on.

This is a great story that covers all angles. Although it may seem like a good thing that MSU and JHU are taking over the East Baltimore Community School, this story shows that residents of East Baltimore don't think so. Also, hints that better education leads to higher property values.

This piece was very informing yet enlightening at the same time. I like how the writer was able to encompass so much information and have it flow so well. The piece is reletive to the urban renewal theme and is shines light onto what has helped Baltimore revolve its strong school system by helping to change the culutre of the baltimore education system by starting at the top.

I liked how he had one quote from the guy who comented on the site who bashed the brazilians and blamed them for the car crash. Then had a a quote from an opposite view who didn't blame Brazilians for her death. The tie to Obama is not very strong. He used Obama's vacation as an excuse to talk about imigration at Martha's Vineyard, even though Obama was there for vacation not immigration reform.

Great lead. Really pounded home the idea of the city-wide problem by just bringing the reader update with the issues that one family is dealing with. By making it personal it allows the reader to sympathize with the victims of the vacancies.;