Baltimore County schools/local news reporter

Racquel Bazos

Racquel Bazos covers Baltimore County schools and local news for The Baltimore Sun. A graduate of The University of Baltimore, she previously reported for Baltimore Sun community publications. Racquel enjoys trying new coffee shops and taking long walks through the city. Email her at rbazos@baltsun.com.

FILE – A sample of lead pipe from Flint, Mich., sits on display during a tour of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Feb. 14, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)

Some Baltimore County homes could face $10K water line replacements

August 28, 2026 at 5:02 a.m.

Baltimore County is sending notices to more than 104,000 homes, warning residents that some may need to replace their water lines.

Baltimore County school board members (l-r) Vice Chair Robin L. Harvey, Chair Jane E. Lichter and Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers listen to public comment during board meeting. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Baltimore County schools: Puzzle Pieces charter has month to find location

August 27, 2026 at 5:05 a.m.

Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy has just over a month to secure a new facility after avoiding a potential reconsideration of its charter agreement.

Cinnaholic at the Rotunda was closed by the Baltimore City Health Department on Monday due to the broken front door. (Racquel Bazos/Staff)

Baltimore Schools warns students: Code of conduct doesn’t end at dismissal

August 26, 2026 at 5:18 p.m.

Baltimore City Schools says students can face discipline for conduct outside school after fights broke out during a gathering of up to 200 teens at shopping center.

Baltimore County school board member Maggie Litz Domanowski (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Baltimore County school board member apologizes for Sharia law post

August 26, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Maggie Litz Domanowski said hearing from Muslim community members helped her understand why the Facebook post was offensive.

Baltimore County school board member withdraws motion to reconsider Puzzle Pieces charter

August 25, 2026 at 8:11 p.m.

Baltimore County school board member Pete Fitzpatrick withdrew a motion Tuesday that could have led the board to reconsider or revoke Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy's charter agreement.

After Rotunda fights, police and students question ‘teen takeover’ label

August 25, 2026 at 6:07 p.m.

Baltimore police are pushing back on describing Monday’s disturbance involving a large crowd of students at the Rotunda as a “teen takeover."

Baltimore Police officials investigate a shooting Saturday afternoon on 400 block of West Lafayette Street, next to Booker T. Washington Middle School. (Bridget Byrne/Staff)

Baltimore’s violence prevention ranks No. 2. Whether strategy works is unclear

August 30, 2026 at 10:53 a.m.

The distinction comes with an important caveat: The Violence Prevention Index does not measure whether Baltimore’s system actually works.

Chief Operating Officer for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, William “Bill” Heiser, will take over as the new superintendent for Baltimore County Public Schools on July 1.

Baltimore County schools set to open with vacancies, bus driver shortage

August 24, 2026 at 12:38 p.m.

With less than a week before students return, Baltimore County Public Schools has filled nearly all of its classroom positions but remains about 50 bus drivers short.

A school bus waits to pick up children on the second to last day at Roland Park Elementary/Middle School. Baltimore City Public Schools added two additional days to the 2025-2026 calendar to make up for previous inclement weather days. (Ryan Bowie/Staff)

Baltimore City students return to school amid ICE fears

August 23, 2026 at 5:15 a.m.

"To be clear: ICE does not target schools, but we will not allow criminals to hide in our nation’s schools and put the safety of children at risk," Department of...

Then-Harford County Council member Dion Guthrie is set to enter an Alford plea in Baltimore County Circuit Court in 2024 to charges of stealing thousands of dollars from IBEW Local 1501, the union he led for 52 years. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)

Maryland Supreme Court won’t hear Guthrie’s case to restore council seat

August 23, 2026 at 7:28 p.m.

The highest court in the state won't hear the latest petition from a former Harford County Council member trying to get his job back.

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