Articles by Lea Skene

Thousands Allege Sexual Abuse in Maryland Youth Detention Centers

Arlando “Tray” Jones was a toddler when his dad was killed by Baltimore police during a robbery. His mom died several years later after battling alcoholism. His surviving relatives often struggled to provide for him. Sometimes the lights got turned …

Baltimore Sues Glock Over Handguns Easily Converted to Automatic Weapons

Baltimore is suing gunmaker Glock over design features that allow its handguns to be easily modified to become fully automatic weapons, which enables criminals to inflict more damage and makes the city more dangerous, attorneys argue in a complaint filed …

Designs for New Baltimore Bridge Unveiled Almost a Year After Deadly Collapse

Almost a year after the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland officials on Tuesday unveiled their designs for its replacement, which will be taller and better protected against ship strikes. Construction of the state’s first cable-stayed bridge …

Maryland Sues Gore-Tex Maker Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ Pollution

Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was …

Biden Requests Funds to Rebuild Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

President Joe Biden’s pending request for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid includes money to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed under the impact of a massive container ship that lost power and veered off course in …

Ship Owner in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Blames Maryland, Others in Liability Case

As a sprawling liability case takes shape following the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, the owner and manager of the container ship Dali are seeking to deflect responsibility and cast blame elsewhere. Attorneys for Singapore-based …

Lawsuit Alleges Child Sexual Abuse of WWE ‘Ring Boys’ in Maryland

A new lawsuit accuses the WWE and its founders of fostering a culture of sexual abuse within the organization and looking the other way while a longtime ringside announcer preyed on young men he hired as “ring boys.” The suit …

Longshoremen Seek Lost Wages in Suit Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse

A group of Baltimore longshoremen have sued the owner and manager of the ship that caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, arguing the companies should compensate them for wages lost while the port was closed in the aftermath of …

Road Work Inspector Who Survived Baltimore Bridge Collapse to File Claim

It was just another overnight shift for Damon Davis, a road construction inspector who was supervising repairs on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge — until the deck beneath his feet started crumbling. He ran for his life and, miraculously, made …

FBI Boards Vessel Managed by Firm That Operated Ship Blamed for Bridge Collapse

Federal agents on Saturday boarded a vessel managed by the same company as a cargo ship that caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, the FBI confirmed. In statements, spokespeople for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland confirmed …