Maryland

Students learn about climate change and wild life at the Maryland Zoo

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

Students learn about climate change and wild life at the Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE — Maryland Zoo welcomes thousands of students every year, but Wednesday their visit was extra special and a little WILD.

WJZ’s entire team of First Alert Meteorologists tapped into their “wild side” as they taught hundreds of students about how the weather/climate change can impact wildlife right here in Maryland and across the world.

Wednesday afternoon, Vera, Vivienne, Grace, and Josie went on a little adventure.

“I think it’s fun because you can see stuff that you haven’t seen before,” Vera and Vivienne told WJZ.

“We got to see the giraffes and elephants. And the flamingo. And then that little machine — we tried not to scream when it blows air,” Grace and Josie explained with laughter.

“You get to see cool animals that you’ve never seen before and you get no homework,” said Vivienne and Vera.

Vera and Vivienne are visiting the zo with their classmates and hundreds of other students from across the Baltimore region to learn the science behind the animals and their exhibits.

“They learn a little bit about their role as stewards of our planet,” said Mike Evitts, director of communications at the Maryland Zoo.

Mike Evitts works at the Maryland Zoo and told WJZ a ton of lessons can happen outside of the classroom, and it gets kids excited about learning about the world around them.

“That’s the entry point right— that excitement we want to channel that and help them learn more about the species, about the threats they face in the wild and about how we care for them here at an accredited facility,” said Evitts.

WJZ’s First Alert Meteorologist stepped outside of the weather center and got up- close and personal with the animals to help teach meteorology and other sciences in a new way.

Marty Bass ‘battled’ with the bears and gave a lesson about their exhibit alongside experts at the zoo.

“Anytime you compare our experts and station experts to break down a really complicated subject like meteorology, like climate change or like animal biology—- that’s a really important lesson for these young kids and it’s gonna shape who they develop as they grow,” said Evitts.

WJZ’s Steve Sosna paraded with the penguins alongside Derek Beasley.

“We’re talking about what’s happening here in Maryland, not just at the North Pole, but if we can explain to the kids how these changes are happening here, they’re more likely to understand how all these various changes are happening all around the world,” explained WJZ’s First Alert Meteorologist Steve Sosna.

WJZ’s Meg McNamara and Tim Williams also took a ‘trip’ to Africa to visit elephants and an okapi.

“There’s so many different stories to tell,” Evitts told WJZ. “And there’s so many interesting elements to draw out of the meteorology of biology that you know, we could do this every year for infinity and still have more to say.”

Watch out for WJZ’s School at the Zoo special for an even closer look at all the fun.

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Maryland

SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Published

7 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.

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Maryland

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

ALSO READ | Gas leak explosion, fire in Prince George’s County leaves 1 injured

Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

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