I'm Jonathan Hunter. I'm a TV reporter. Journalism never stops. God is in control. Story idea? Jonathanhunter12@comcast.net.
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Articles by Jonathan Hunter
The role of psychiatric-physical multimorbidity and continuity of care in seniors’ medical emergency visits
Abstract Multimorbidity contributes to complexity in seniors, but the impact of co-occurring physical and psychiatric illnesses on emergency department (ED) visits has received little attention. We investigated relationships between trans-diagnostic psychiatric severity, physical multimorbidity, and their interaction with non-psychiatric ED use; and tested the association of continuity of primary care on these relationships.
USMLE Step 1 Is Now Pass/Fail. What Does This Mean for You?
The USMLE Step 1 exam is now pass/fail. Preclinical and clinical faculty alike agree that this transition will “hopefully” lead to a shift in the motivation of medical students. The information tested on Step 1/Level 1 exams is considered to be the foundation for the information tested on Step 2/Level 2 exams. Why did USMLE Step 1 go pass / fail?
A father & daughter are working to make sure a Vietnam Veteran gets his proper recognition
COLUMBIA - A father and daughter duo are working to make sure a marine who served in Vietnam War gets his proper recognition. They have been advocating to have his name added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Thomas Howard joined the Marine Corps in the summer of 1965. "We knew we was going to be going to Vietnam because that was the major thrush, then because the Vietnam War was becoming a hot fighting war," said Howard. In the Marine Corps, Thomas risked his life on numerous occasions.
Highlighting Dorothy Boulware, a pastor in the community
JESSUP - With the month of March being Women's History Month, we wanted to spotlight women preachers. It's estimated that women only lead about 14 percent of American congregations. WMAR-2 News got the opportunity to speak to Rev. Dorothy Boulware. She's one of the pastors at The Hill, a non-denominational church in Jessup. You may run into her on any given Sunday. "And my title is pastor at large.
Dundalk artist makes name for himself using scrap metal
DUNDALK, Md. - A Dundalk man is making a name for himself by turning scrap metal into works of art. On any given day, you can find Eric Magnunson welding in his shed. He started out in 2016 while living in Arizona, and earned a degree in welding during the pandemic. "I had a little welder, a tiny little bedroom and a whole lot of time. So, I just started making stuff," said Magnunson.
Army veteran credits service dog with changing her life
Army veteran credits service dog with changing her life BALTIMORE (WMAR) — Roughly 20 veterans take their own lives everyday. K9s for Warriors pairs veterans with service dogs to lower that number. WMAR-2 News spoke to a Baltimore woman to see first-hand how a service dog can make a huge difference. Jamie Benjamin is a retired Army veteran who saw the unthinkable while serving overseas. She credits Deacon the dog with changing her life. Just holding Deacon puts Benjamin at ease.
Baltimore Army veteran credits service dog with changing her life
BALTIMORE - Roughly 20 veterans take their own lives everyday. K9s for Warriors pairs veterans with service dogs to lower that number. WMAR-2 News spoke to a Baltimore woman to see first-hand how a service dog can make a huge difference. Jamie Benjamin is a retired Army veteran who saw the unthinkable while serving overseas. She credits Deacon the dog with changing her life. Just holding Deacon puts Benjamin at ease. "Deacon usually gets in my face. He will lick on me.
Paying homage to the Triple Nickles, the first African American paratroopers, who served during WWII
PARKVILLE - The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the Triple Nickles, made history during World War II as the nation's first African American paratroopers. Their brave efforts opened doors for future generations of Black paratroopers. WMAR-2 News spoke to three African American military veterans who served as paratroopers. They say the Triple Nickles paved the way. In 1944, during World War II, White men were being trained as paratroopers to invade France.
Alpha Achievers expands all throughout Howard County teaching life lessons
COLUMBIA, Md. - In Howard County, the Alpha Achiever program has been motivating and empowering men of color in high school since the late 1990's. At Hammond High school in Columbia, you'll run into Vincent James. He's the Alpha Achievers program advisor. The guys call him Mr. James. When the Alpha Achievers meet each month, Mr. James makes sure they're dressed in a shirt and tie. "When civility seems to have gone by the wayside, respect seems to have gone by the wayside, and so forth.
Two local veteran organizations join partnership
BALTIMORE - Here at WMAR-2 News, we are your Voice for Veterans. Back in January, we introduced you to Paul Hylenski, the founder of Vet Mentor AI. The website allows veterans to see what benefits they are eligible to receive. RELATED: Local veteran creates website to help veterans navigate their benefits Now, Vet Mentor AI has partnered with the Veteran and Military Support Alliance. With the partnership, VAMSA will be able to better utilize technology to help their veterans.
B&O Railroad Museum exhibits highlight Black history
BALTIMORE - The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore has several exhibits highlighting Black history. "I think it's important that we understand that Black people have contributed a lot to American railroading over the past 200 years. And the Black experience and Black history is intimately intertwined with the railroad history," said Jonathan Goldman, the Chief Curator at the B&O Railroad Museum. That history spans from the 1800's through the civil rights era.
Howard Community College's P.R.I.D.E. program helps Black men thrive in and out of the classroom
COLUMBIA, Md. - Howard Community College in Columbia offers a program to help men of color thrive in and out of the classroom. Howard P.R.I.D.E. was founded in 2012 to assist Black men struggling with math.
Local veteran overcomes addiction and now works as a peer recovery specialist
BALTIMORE - One local veteran struggled with addiction for years. Once he got help, he made it his mission to help others struggling as well. That veteran is 33-year-old John Jeffery. He joined the Army when he was 18 and was deployed to Afghanistan. Once he made it back to the U.S., he struggled with PTSD and substance use. Because of his addiction, he was discharged from the Army. Jeffrey went to a treatment center in Virginia. But after relapsing, he was kicked out.
A Baltimore ice cream shop teams up with an LA one to help victims of the LA wildfire
BALTIMORE - David Alima is the founder of The Charmery, the Baltimore based ice cream shop. He still feels for the people impacted by the LA wildfires. "Watching the news, and seeing the devastation that was happening in LA with the wildfires, and wanted to see if there was one little thing we can do," said Alima. Alima came up with the perfect idea. At The Charmery, they have an "Other People's Ice Cream" series. This is where the ice cream shop does their own take on another store's flavor.
Stroke survivor shares her story to raise awareness for American Heart Month
BALTIMORE - The month of February is American Heart Month. It's a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. One woman has been sharing her story as a way to remind others of how important it is to take care of your heart health. Just nine days after Erin Adelekun had a C-Section, she had a terrible headache. Her husband made her breakfast and asked her to come downstairs. "I thought I said I will be down in a minute, but it was gibberish," said Adelekun. Adelekun was having a stroke.
A food pantry sees a rise in demand after the recent closure of a grocery store
Share BALTIMORE — There's a food pantry located in Northwest Baltimore that has seen a rise in people coming in asking for food. That food pantry is 40 West Assistance and Referral Center. The center is located just down the street from where the Edmondson Village Giant grocery store used to be. Since the closure, the food pantry has seen more people in need of food. Linda Hutchinson has been coming to the food pantry for the last few months. She says her only other option is Family Dollar.
A food pantry sees a rise in demand after the recent closure of a grocery store
BALTIMORE - There's a food pantry located in Northwest Baltimore that has seen a rise in people coming in asking for food. That food pantry is 40 West Assistance and Referral Center. The center is located just down the street from where the Edmondson Village Giant grocery store used to be. Since the closure, the food pantry has seen more people in need of food. Linda Hutchinson has been coming to the food pantry for the last few months. She says her only other option is Family Dollar.
Howard County Police urge drivers to Move Over after close call
COLUMBIA - In a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement, the Howard County Police Department is urging drivers to be vigilant about the Move Over Law following a close-call involving one of their officers. Just two weeks ago, an officer responded to a crash on Route 100, only to find themselves in a dangerous situation when another vehicle collided with the rear of their patrol car, which was on the shoulder. "Fortunately, no one was injured. The officer wasn't injured.
New election judge recruitment law is set to take place in 2025
BALTIMORE - On Jan.1, several new laws go into effect in the state of Maryland. One new law is designed to make it easier to recruit election judges. Starting in the new year, the State Board of Elections will be required to develop a marketing campaign to recruit people to serve as election judges. Also, county employees who serve as election judges must receive administrative leave and pay.
There's an effort to turn Thurgood Marshall's former school into a national historic site
BALTIMORE - There's an effort underway to turn the Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center into a national historic site. The center located in West Baltimore is where Thurgood Marshall went to elementary school. The center is located on Division Street, not too far from where the civil rights icon grew up. More than 200 people signed an online petition in favor of the site becoming a national historic site.
The Center for Technology and Access Training is bridging the technology gap in the Sandtown neighborhood
BALTIMORE - People who live in the Sandtown neighborhood, who don't have access to high speed internet, have a resource in their backyard. They are able to go the Center for Technology and Access Training, also known as CETAT. At CETAT, students are able to learn everything from music production, video production, coding skills and how to fly drones. There are a couple after school programs for the students. CETAT also is a resource for seniors to gain basic computer skills as well.
The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council lays out strategy to tackle vacant housing crisis
BALTIMORE - When you travel through Baltimore, you will see blocks full of vacant houses. It's estimated that there are roughly 13,000 vacant homes in Baltimore. A new council was recently formed to tackle the problem head on. The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council (BVRC) is working to bring that number down. Calvin Alston, 79, is a Baltimore man who remembers what the city looked like back in the 1950's. "You didn't see abandoned houses back then. The neighborhoods, they were close.
Baltimore woman continues to fight food insecurity
BALTIMORE - October 15 was a tragic day in Hampden. A 5-alarm fire claimed the life of two people and destroyed 10 homes. On that street is the church Pathway Fellowship FMC. "You could see where the fire stopped next to the house that was burnt, next to the church. It was like God's mercy, said Sharon LittleJohn, a member of the church. The church didn't burn down, but was affected by smoke and water. It has a care and share ministry where they deliver food to people in need.
Morgan State's Food Resource Center is addressing the food insecurity problem in the region
BALTIMORE - When you travel to Morgan State University, all you have to do is go to the second floor of the business center. Inside, you'll find the Food Resource Center. You'll see cereal, canned goods along with fresh fruits and vegetables. "Food is essential to meeting our goals, staying alive, being the best person we can be, and if you're hungry you can't do that," said Melissa Thomas, the Program Coordinator. Thomas says if a student needs food, they are welcome to schedule an appointment.
Baltimore County voters woke up bright and early to cast their ballots
PARKVILLE - Voters in Baltimore County came out first thing Tuesday morning to cast their ballots. Some even traveled far to be able to vote for the first time. One by one voters came to the Parkville Senior Center to vote. Alyssa Flores, a college student at James Madison University, couldn't pass up the opportunity to go home to vote in her first election. "I'm just very excited to be voting, and like being able to express my opinions for once," said Flores.
Local college students are excited to vote in this year's election
BALTIMORE - A record amount of college students are expected to vote in this year's presidential election. That includes college students locally. WMAR-2 News spoke to students at Morgan State University and Towson University to get their thoughts on this year's election. For several students this year is their first year voting. That's the case for Madeline Shaw, a Towson University student. She'll be voting in person on election day.
Baltimore man receives national recognition for helping to address food insecurity
BALTIMORE - One Baltimore man recently received national recognition for his commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region. Omar Taribishi is the founder of Leftover Love. His organization collects leftover food at closing from restaurants and delivers them to food pantries and community fridges. On Saturday, he was honored by the Arab America Foundation at the Empowerment Summit in Detroit. He was a recipient in the 40 under 40 category.
A candy shop in Lexington Market is continuing to honor a family legacy
BALTIMORE - One Baltimore family wanted to do something to honor their late mother and grandmother. They decided they wanted to open up a candy shop in her honor. Inside Lexington Market you will find Betty Lee's Candy Dish. Betty Lee was an East Baltimore woman who was known for having a larger than life personality. She was known for having candy dishes inside her house. Anybody who came to visit was able to get candy. She unfortunately passed away in 2019.
A national Black male mental health tour is making its way to Baltimore
A national Black male mental health tour called Just Heal Bro is coming to Baltimore Saturday. It's a way for Black men to discuss trauma and healing in a safe space. The event is coming to Coppin State University. On Saturday, the event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a wellness mixer. Men will have the chance to get free haircuts. Afterwards, there will be an interactive panel with mental health professionals and actor Laman Rucker. Research shows Black men are less likely to seek mental health treatment.
Cockeysville community members are concerned about speeding on Cranbrook Road
COCKEYSVILLE - In Cockeysville, it's clear when you speak to people who live and work in the area, they are concerned about the speeding along Cranbrook Road. Jahmel Oriley had a close call near the intersection of Cranbrook Road and Greenside Drive. "The other day I was getting ready to turn right here, and the guy ran the light and almost ran into me. Literally, right here when I was taking my kid to school," said Oriley.
Be on the lookout for voter scams this election season
ANNAPOLIS - We are just weeks away from election day. Unfortunately, you have to be on the lookout for voting scams. There is a scam that is being sent to voters through a text message. WMAR-2 News spoke to the experts. They say you want to be careful about what you click. For voter Scott Taylor, he says there's nothing more irritating than getting a scam text message.
Man accused of murder is set to go to trial; The family of the victim wants justice
BALTIMORE COUNTY - Jury selection starts Friday in the murder trial of Lydell Darien. He is accused of shooting and killing Shawn Stewart last year at a cookout in Randallstown. The last year has been hard for Stewart's family. His life was cut short at the age of 49. Stewart's family tells WMAR-2 news they want justice. There's not a day that goes by where James Stewart doesn't think about his son Shawn Stewart.
Joppatowne High School students return to school for first since deadly shooting
JOPPATOWNE - Students at Joppatowne High School returned to school Thursday for the first time since last Friday's deadly shooting. The district made some changes to ensure student safety. However, parents are still concerned. WMAR-2 News spoke to a parent and grandparent as they dropped their kids off to school. Like everyone, they're hoping there won't ever be a repeat of what happened last week.
Coming up with an evacuation plan
BALTIMORE - Do you know what to do if a hurricane, tornado or another disaster strikes? September is National Preparedness Month. This is a month meant to educate people about the best ways to handle any type of emergency. Red Cross officials say having a good plan can sometimes be the difference between life and death. They encourage every household to have a evacuation plan.
Reflecting on the 61st anniversary of the March on Washington
BALTIMORE - It's been 61 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous, "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. It's a day cemented in the history books. On August 28th, 1963 more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. for the March on Washington. Rev. Douglas Sands, who leads a church in Carroll County, volunteered to be a marshal to ensure there was peace and order.
HCPSS officials are working hard to recruit special ed teachers
ELLICOTT CITY - There's a nationwide shortage of special education teachers. Ahead of the school year, districts are working hard to recruit special education personnel for the classroom. Howard County officials have been working hard since the fall to recruit special ed teachers. They have some vacancies heading into the school year and are currently looking to hire people. Dr. Terri Savage is the Chief Academic Officer for Howard County Public Schools.
Celebrating Juneteenth in Howard County
SAVAGE - There are several celebrations taking place around the Baltimore region for Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, which acknowledges the ending of slavery. In Howard County, there will be a Juneteenth celebration at Carroll Baldwin Hall. This is the second year of the event. Organizer Iretha Leona Woods says in 2023 there were approximately 400 people in attendance. She is expecting a good turnout this year.
Men's Health Month: The importance of having a primary care doctor
June is Men’s Health Month and we are focusing on what men can do to take better care of themselves. Research shows a majority of men would rather do chores than go to the doctor. A Cleveland Clinic survey backs it up. The survey found that 55 percent of men aren't getting regular health screenings. One Baltimore man and one doctor are encouraging all men to go to the doctor regularly. Bryan Alston was 27-years-old when he learned he had high cholesterol.
Men's Health Month: Taking a look at key health screenings men should have
BALTIMORE — June is Men’s Health Month. When James Williams Jr. was 39 years old, he was healthy. He ran marathons, but his late wife insisted he get a prostate screening for his annual physical. “And I'm like, that’s an old man's disease. Why would I get screened for prostate cancer? I feel good. I’m in shape," said Williams. He got a prostate-specific antigen test. His numbers were elevated, but one doctor said not to worry about it. He got a second opinion.
There's a critical need for more foster parents in Maryland
BELCAMP - There is a critical need for foster parents. It's a need felt across the state. In Maryland, there are roughly 4,000 children in foster care. The harsh reality is there are more foster kids than there are homes. Arc Northern Chesapeake Region in Harford County is putting out a desperate plea for people to sign up to be foster parents. Cynthia Brown and her husband have been foster parents for nearly 20 years. Over the last two decades they have fostered about 20 kids and adopted six.
Taking a look at Memorial Day travel at BWI
BALTIMORE - Airports all across the country are expecting to see more travelers than usual this holiday weekend. WMAR-2 News saw a good amount of travelers at BWI Friday morning. At BWI they are expecting to screen 33,000 travelers by per day over Memorial Day weekend. AAA expects 44 million people to travel this Memorial Day weekend. This is a 4 percent increase from last year. AAA experts say they haven't seen these numbers in close to 20 years.
Health officials and advocates are raising awareness about Lyme Disease
BALTIMORE - With the weather getting warmer, we're spending more time outdoors. That means you want to check yourself for ticks. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The Maryland Department of Health is encouraging everyone to take precautions. When Robin Ann Wolfenden was 19-years-old, she was bitten by a tick while working as a camp counselor at the Catoctin Mountains. Doctors locally couldn't diagnose her properly, so she had to go to a specialist in Long Island.
Exploring the Robinson Nature Center
COLUMBIA - We are bringing back our "Trips that Make Cents" series. This where we find fun activities for you and the family that won't break the bank. We stopped by a place in Howard County where kids can learn all about the great outdoors. The Robinson Nature Center in Columbia is both affordable and educational. The day we stopped by students from Mount Airy Christian Academy were visiting on a field trip. They had a brief class before they got to explore the center.
Baltimore County Police are hosting a film screening to raise awareness about PTSD
BALTIMORE COUNTY - First responders are there for us during our worst moments. As a result, many suffer from years of trauma. Now, the Baltimore County Police Department wants to raise awareness of the issue. The department will be screening the documentary PTSD 911 on May 15. The film explores the lives of first responders and the trauma they face on the job. The Baltimore County Police Department's Peer Support & Wellness Team wants to show the film to start a dialogue.
After experiencing cardiac arrest, woman urges more CPR, AED education
BALTIMORE COUNTY - A woman is sharing her story of a near-death experience in hopes of raising awareness about the importance of knowing life-saving techniques like CPR and using an AED. That woman is Breanna Sudano. Her life was saved nearly 13-years-ago after she went into cardiac arrest at a field hockey game. She was 13 at the time. Now, she is 26-years-old.
Baltimore street artist is hoping to spread positivity with his wire sculptures
BALTIMORE - A street artist in Baltimore is doing his part to spread positivity in the city. He's also doing it in an unorthodox way. That artist is Reed Bmore. If you drive around the city a lot, there's a good chance you may have seen some of his artwork hanging from traffic lights. Near one intersection of West Lombard Street in West Baltimore, you will spot a wire sculpture hanging from one of the traffic lights.
A horse farm in Carroll County gives incarcerated men a second chance
SYKESVILLE - A farm in Carroll County is giving both horses and men a second chance. So, it's only fitting the farm itself is called Second Chances Farm. The program in Sykesville is continuing to change lives. On any given day, you can find Michael Green over at Second Chances Farm in Sykesville tending to the horses. "Everyday we take care of the horses. We administer their medication. We give them care. We groom them," said Green.
Baltimore City Police are investigating multiple weekend shootings
BALTIMORE - Baltimore City Police are investigating multiple shootings that occurred over the weekend. Homicide detectives are still investigating in some of those incidents. Sunday On Sunday around 5:45 p.m., near South Broadway and Eastern Avenue in Fells Point, officers located two 21-year-old men. One had been shot multiple times. The other had graze wounds. Both victims were taken to the hospital, but there's no word on their conditions.
Comedian Paul Mecurio is coming to perform in Annapolis Friday
A well known comedian is set to perform Friday night at Rams Head in Annapolis. That comedian is Paul Mecurio. His journey to becoming a comedian was a unique one. He appears regularly on the late show with Stephen Colbert. He's known for making people laugh with his funny comedic style. However, you may be surprised to hear that before he went into comedy, he did something totally different. He was a lawyer who attended Georgetown Law School. He worked on Wall Street as a banker and a lawyer.
Comedian Paul Mecurio is coming to perform in Annapolis Friday
ANNAPOLIS - A well known comedian is set to perform Friday night at Rams Head in Annapolis. That comedian is Paul Mecurio. His journey to becoming a comedian was a unique one. He appears regularly on the late show with Stephen Colbert. He's known for making people laugh with his funny comedic style. However, you may be surprised to hear that before he went into comedy, he did something totally different. He was a lawyer who attended Georgetown Law School.
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