J. Brian Charles
The Trace
Baltimore, MD, United States
Contact J.
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by J.:
Baltimore Still Thinks It Can Defund the Police
The modern defund movement has roots in Baltimore activism. A new focus on bringing residents into city budgeting could inform the national effort. → Read More
Baltimore Bets on a New Type of First Responder: The Librarian
After a devastating shooting in a public space, officials embarked on a plan to train city employees — and residents — in alleviating grief and trauma. The work starts this summer, at the library. → Read More
The Revival of an Old Tax Idea
More and more communities are considering reviving an old tax idea that’s been tried in only a few places. → Read More
A Simple Change That Can Reduce Student Absenteeism
It involves tweaking the tone and the look of letters home to parents. → Read More
Chicago Is the Latest City to Hire a New Kind of CEO: Chief Equity Officer
Chicago's new mayor is the latest to carve out a position for a chief equity officer who focuses on racial and economic diversity and discrimination. → Read More
Denver Voters Deny Homeless the 'Right to Survive.' Here's What That Means.
Initiative 300, a first-of-its-kind ballot measure that even divided advocates for the homeless, failed on Tuesday by an overwhelming margin. → Read More
Mold, Rats and No Hot Water: Will Federal Oversight Improve Public Housing in New York?
The city keeps getting slapped for the poor condition of its public housing. Nothing has changed so far. → Read More
States, Cities Add Sweeteners to Attract Investors to Low-Income 'Opportunity Zones'
With 8,700 low-income communities competing for private investment, some places are topping on the incentives to make themselves stand out. → Read More
Mortgage No More: Baby Boomers Who Rent Are On the Rise
In the past decade, there was a 43 percent increase in renters over the age of 60. The trend brings with it new challenges -- and benefits -- for cities. → Read More
Affordable Housing Crisis Reaches a Tipping Point in Charlotte, N.C.
After experiencing explosive growth in recent years, the city is tripling its spending to address the shortage of lower-income units. → Read More
The Criminal Justice Reforms Trump Didn't Mention in His State of the Union
The president touted a bipartisan bill he signed to reduce sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. But he's been quiet about his support for a new juvenile justice law that could impact more people. → Read More
As Airbnb Battles Cities Trying to Regulate It, One State Joins the Fight
A new law in Massachusetts aims to curb short-term rentals, which critics say are limiting the affordable housing stock and turning residential property into unregulated hotels. → Read More
What Are 'Opportunity Zones,' and How Can They Help Distressed Cities?
A new program may be a boon to struggling cities -- if it targets the right ones. → Read More
How Housing Policies Keep White Neighborhoods So White (and Black Neighborhoods So Black)
Decades of local zoning regulations and land-use policies have kept racial segregation firmly rooted in place. → Read More
During Shutdown, Mayors Show What Bipartisanship on Immigration Looks Like
The U.S. Conference of Mayors gathered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to discuss its agenda and tout its members' ability to work across party lines -- even on immigration. → Read More
Can California and NYC Afford Their Near-Universal Health-Care Plans?
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bill de Blasio initiated ambitious plans this week to cover drastically more residents, including undocumented immigrants who are not currently eligible for subsidized insurance. → Read More
No More Muzak: Alaska's Hold Music Now Features Local Bands
Goodbye, elevator music! → Read More
To Fight Blight, One City Turned to Courts
In less than four years, St. Petersburg, Fla., has reduced the number of vacant homes by more than 75 percent. → Read More
Bail Reform Helps New York Achieve the Lowest Incarceration Rate of Any Big U.S. City
While state lawmakers have been locked in a stalemate on the issue, the city has implemented new rules and programs that have helped it achieve the lowest incarceration rate of any big U.S. city. → Read More
Can Paying for the Poor to Have Lawyers Actually Save a City Money? Philadelphia Thinks So.
Lawyers in Philadelphia think so. They want the city, which is suffering from an eviction crisis, to spend more on helping people fight landlords in court. → Read More