Advertise on podcast: T.J. Smith

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Maryland’s redistricting fight took center stage as the hosts unpacked a judge’s ruling blocking a referendum question from moving forward, at least for now. Delegate Jason Buckle joined the conversation to explain the legal deadlines, the role of the Maryland Supreme Court, and why the ballots may still be printed even if the question’s final fate remains unsettled. The discussion also examined the broader implications of mid-decade redistricting, mail-in voting, and whether the current political climate makes compromise possible. Listeners heard competing views on fairness, procedure, and the possibility that Maryland’s high court could ultimately decide the issue after ballots are already in motion. Additionally, Howard County schools are struggling with escalating bathroom vandalism, prompting some schools to lock restrooms and add tighter supervision. The conversation explored everything from ripped-out sinks and vaping to the rise of so-called devious licks on social media, along with concerns from parents, students, and callers about discipline and accountability. The episode also touched on possible fixes, including bathroom monitors, vape detectors, and stronger consequences for destructive behavior. Throughout the discussion, the hosts connected the issue to larger questions about student maturity, school safety, and how districts balance access with preventing repeated damage. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The episode opens with a discussion of the chaotic youth gathering at the Rotunda on the first day of school and the larger question of how communities, schools, parents, and businesses should respond. The conversation looks back at a time when kids moved through malls and neighborhoods without the same level of disruption, then asks why similar behavior now seems to escalate into fights, broken glass, and fear for businesses and shoppers. From there, the focus shifts to public accountability, school involvement, and the role of parents and principals in shaping behavior outside school property. The discussion centers on a small subset of young people whose conduct has a disproportionate impact on victims, businesses, and neighborhood safety. The episode also covers Maryland transportation policy and the rollout of part-time shoulder use lanes on I-695. The conversation examines whether adding temporary lanes will reduce congestion or simply create new safety and enforcement problems, especially when emergency vehicles, disabled cars, and slow drivers are already part of the daily reality on the Beltway. The final segment turns to a major legal development in Annapolis, where a judge ruled that the redistricting ballot question cannot appear on the November ballot. The discussion explores the court's reasoning, the legal deficiencies cited in the ruling, and the political fallout for state leaders as appeals, deadlines, and blame begin to shape the next steps. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore and Maryland are seeing a major decline in violent crime, with the state’s violent crime rate down 18% and the city on pace for fewer murders than in previous years. In this episode, the discussion explores whether the drop is tied to policing, community action, demographic shifts, fewer street conflicts, or broader national trends that are also showing up in other major cities. The conversation also looks at Baltimore’s ranking in a national violence prevention index and asks what should come next. The focus shifts from celebrating the numbers to improving quality of life in neighborhoods still affected by disorder, especially if the city wants to sustain the progress and build on it long-term. Additionally, TJ discusses Anne Arundel County’s revised gender identity policy becomes a major topic in this episode, as the discussion centers on whether schools should inform parents when a student uses a different name or identity at school. The conversation weighs parental rights, student safety, FERPA, and the limits of school responsibility while also questioning where policy should draw the line. The episode frames the issue as part of a larger school culture debate, with listeners and the host raising concerns about privacy, accountability, and whether a blanket statewide approach would solve more problems than it creates. The discussion stays focused on how schools should handle sensitive situations without turning every personal change into an administrative crisis. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a detailed discussion about the ICE detention of a University of Maryland pharmacy professor and the broader debate over immigration enforcement, bond decisions, and whether limited detention space should be reserved for higher-risk cases. The conversation explores public polling, concerns about aggressive deportation tactics, and the political impact of cases that appear to be driven by paperwork issues rather than criminal conduct. Listeners also hear a range of caller perspectives on immigration, protected status, and the importance of following U.S. law. The episode frames the issue as a question of priorities: how the justice and immigration systems should balance legal process, public safety, and fairness for people who have been contributing to society. The second half of the episode shifts to chronic absenteeism in schools and the controversial idea of paying students for perfect attendance. The host breaks down attendance data, discusses incentive programs in places like Detroit, and takes calls from listeners who weigh in on whether cash rewards, gift cards, or other incentives can actually improve student attendance. From there, the conversation expands into parental responsibility, youth crime, and the question of whether schools should still use corporal punishment. The episode closes with a wide-ranging discussion on short-form video addiction and social media’s impact on attention, brain function, and self-control, tying together a broader theme of accountability in public life, parenting, education, and technology. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode blends local Baltimore issues with broader policy questions about education, housing, and consumer finance. From long-vacant properties and neighborhood redevelopment to the structure of the school year and the risks of deferred payments, the conversation asks how leaders can create real opportunity without leaving vulnerable communities behind. The show closes with an interview with Senator Angela Alsobrooks, who discusses the FBI headquarters decision favoring Maryland, the importance of Prince George’s County in that process, and broader concerns about war powers, healthcare, and the cost of living. This wide-ranging episode centered on equity, accountability, and the everyday pressures facing families. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

TJ Smith opens the episode with a firsthand account of navigating the barricades and ID checks in Fells Point, raising questions about how much security is too much in a public area. Callers and texters join the conversation with mixed reactions, including support for common-sense discretion and concern that the policy could hurt foot traffic and local businesses. Brittany Stephens from iMentor and Orioles Jackson Holliday join the show

Join the conversation with TJ Smith, as he revisits his interview that he had with Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Cox yesterday. TJ provides additional reaction and discusses if Cox improves his chances to become the new Governor of Maryland. Plus, how much use is too much use for Chromebooks in schools? TJ reacts to the breaking news of Luigi Mangione pleading guilty to federal stalking charges in court and more addition information coming out about President Trump leaving an Air Force One jet on a catering truck. Who are some of the Republican presidential candidates for the 2028 election? Listen to C4 & Bryan weekdays from 10am-2pm on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio App.

Dan Cox lays out his campaign message as a pro-Hogan, pro-economy approach centered on affordability, tax relief, and public safety

Marylanders are feeling the strain of inflation, rising utility costs, and a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. In this episode, TJ Smith breaks down new polling that shows many residents are worried about their own finances, household bills, and the state economy, while also weighing what lawmakers can realistically do to help. The conversation moves through electricity rates, budget deficits, tax policy, and the tradeoffs between raising revenue and keeping Maryland competitive. It also explores how energy affordability, public safety, and economic stability are shaping the political conversation ahead of the next General Assembly session. He talks to Sahana Jayaraman who wrote an article on Baltimore's longest vacant home, and Delegate Nick Allen on a recent poll on Gov. Moore approval rating.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith as he discusses the use of Flock cameras and citizens' fears about privacy. Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS), a grassroots think tank that advances the public policy interests of Black people, joins the show to discuss juvenile crime with TJ. Also, TJ speaks about the updated vaccine recommendations signed by President Trump and teachers not receiving their proper pay.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, Baltimore’s quality-of-life crimes take center stage in this episode, as the conversation moves from graffiti and littering to loitering, public drinking, illegal dumping, and reckless dirt bikes. The discussion focuses on how low-level offenses can shape how residents and visitors experience neighborhoods, especially when abandoned buildings, neglected spaces, and repeated nuisance behavior create an atmosphere that feels ignored. The episode also examines whether enforcement is being held back by bureaucracy, including the time it takes officers to write citations and the outdated handwritten process still used in Maryland courts. The argument is that lasting improvement in public safety and neighborhood stability may depend on taking these offenses more seriously and finding practical ways to address them consistently. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The episode opens with a deep dive into the latest controversy surrounding the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing. The discussion focuses on the reported exclusion of the Preakness from a championship series, why the Maryland Jockey Club and the Moore administration say they were blindsided, and what that could mean for Pimlico, Park Heights, and the future of the sport in Maryland. Even with the concern, the tone remains cautiously optimistic as the conversation turns to the Preakness moving 22 days after the Kentucky Derby and what that could mean for attracting top horses and strengthening the race’s place in the Triple Crown. Later in the episode, Dan Ilhman of the Maryland Jockey Club joins to explain why the new Preakness schedule could help modernize the Triple Crown and restore more interest from trainers and owners. The conversation also touches on NBC’s growing role in racing, the significance of Memorial Day weekend, and the long-term rebuild of Pimlico. From there, the show moves into a separate but equally intense discussion about war, munitions shortages, leaks, and political messaging, before closing with a conversation about why women now hold more U.S. payroll jobs than men and what that shift may say about work, family structure, and changing social expectations. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The conversation begins with the future of the Preakness Stakes and the decision to move the race back one week. The discussion explores whether the change could help Baltimore turn the Preakness into a bigger festival weekend, bring back more community excitement, and strengthen the race's place in the Triple Crown and the broader horse racing business. The episode also weighs the role of NBC's long-term commitment, the business logic behind the move, and the concern that the Preakness may become too corporate and less accessible to regular fans. Listeners hear reactions from callers, along with a broader debate about money, tradition, and the future of horse racing in Maryland. This episode also turns to Maryland's special session and the redistricting amendment heading to voters. The discussion focuses on mid-decade redistricting, political power, voter choice, and whether the process is fair to Marylanders. Later, the show shifts to a tragic Germantown crash involving a stolen car and seven minors, sparking a hard conversation about juvenile crime, parent accountability, and the failures of the current system. The episode closes with strong caller reaction and frustration over how repeat juvenile offenders are handled. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, Mark Anthony Thomas of the Greater Baltimore Committee joins the show to discuss the major developments shaping Baltimore and Maryland. The conversation starts with the Preakness Stakes and the newly announced six-race racing series, with a focus on what it means for Baltimore, the state’s ownership of the Preakness intellectual property, and the need to elevate the Preakness as a Maryland brand. The discussion also covers Baltimore redevelopment, including the energy created by the city’s harbor during major events, the importance of large-scale projects, the need for stronger transportation planning, and efforts to address vacant homes through coordinated public and private investment. The episode closes with a look ahead to the GBC annual meeting and the broader push for regional collaboration across the Baltimore area. The episode also moves into a serious public safety story about a deadly crash in Montgomery County involving seven children in a stolen car and one man who was killed. The hosts examine the details of the case, discuss accountability, and question how young people end up in these situations so early in the morning. Later, the conversation turns to immigration enforcement and an Associated Press investigation into the detention of spouses and parents of U.S. service members. The discussion centers on military families, parole in place, and the tension between enforcement priorities and long-standing protections. The episode ends with continued debate over the Preakness, the move to Sunday racing, and what Baltimore should do next to maximize the moment. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore’s Fells Point is once again at the center of a debate over public safety, access, and business survival. The episode explores the city’s checkpoint strategy, the use of barricades and ID checks, and the concerns from shop and restaurant owners who say the blockades can discourage customers from coming down to the district. At the same time, some visitors say the added security makes them feel safer, highlighting a sharp divide over how to balance nightlife, commerce, and control. Additionally, the Orioles’ trade deadline moves are examined closely, including the surprising decision to move Adley Rutschman and bring back multiple prospects. TJ weighs the value of immediate help versus long-term rebuilding, while fielding listener reactions about whether the team got enough in return. The segment also raises questions about Adley’s injuries, the state of the roster, and whether a top farm system can truly translate into a championship. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.