The County

Baltimore County Public Library Communications Supervisor Emily Williamson talks to Caroline Szymanik, a teacher who visited all 19 branches this summer and documented the adventure on social media under the handle @whineyliney. Special Guest: Emily Williamson.

Cal Bowman, Director of Baltimore County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management discusses how the office prepares for and anticipates incidents. Whether severe storms or a cyber-attack, OEM is ready to connect departments and lead the county through a multitude of incidents and events. Special Guest: Cal Bowman.

BC Builds, launched in the Fall of 2025, is an initiative designed to modernize the development, permitting, and regulatory processes in Baltimore County. As the department of Permits, Applications, and Inspections moves through this process, we discuss the permitting application process with a couple departments that are involved, namely the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability. This is part 2 of a 2-part podcast. Last month, we spoke with PAI Director Pete Gutwald concerning what residents and developers should know before starting the permitting process, how the BC Builds initiative will help improve permitting, and gave a general overview of how a permit moves through the application process.

BC Builds, launched in the Fall of 2025, is an initiative designed to modernize the development, permitting, and regulatory processes in Baltimore County. As the department of Permits, Applications, and Inspections moves through this process, Director Pete Gutwald sits down with us to discuss what residents and developers should know before starting the permitting process, how the BC Builds initiative will help improve permitting, and gives a general overview of how a permit moves through the application process. This is part 1 of a 2-part podcast. Next month we discuss the permitting application process through the lens of the departmental review process.

This month, Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier signed three new bills into law concerning the welfare of animals and pets. We discuss how these new laws will impact the animals, pets, and residents of Baltimore County. We also speak with Baltimore County Animal Services Bureau Director, Dr. Rene Varela, on how it affects their operations.

During Earth Month, discover how the Baltimore County's Department of Environmental Protection & Sustainability works to promote environmental stewardship, sustainable growth, water quality and pollution prevention. We discuss stream restoration, watershed management, solar energy projects, and reforestation programs with several members of the department.

The Baltimore County population is aging, and becoming a caregiver can be overwhelming and isolating for many. The Baltimore County Public Library has received a $40,000 grant and is working with the Baltimore County Department of Aging on a series of programs and providing resources to better support a caregiver’s journey. Special Guests: Heang Tan and Julie Brophy.

For 8 years running, the Baltimore County Executive has held town hall meetings in every council district to give community members an opportunity to provide input into the budget planning process. We explore how the county prepares for these meetings held over 2 months every year.

Baltimore County offers a wide array of festivities to celebrate the holidays. In this episode, Tom Yorke, Chief of Tourism for Baltimore County highlights some of the events and activities going on. Special Guest: Tom Yorke.

Baltimore County broke ground on three new school buildings this fall. These new buildings will usher learning in to the 21st century for these schools and their communities. In depth interviews with the educators and students who will benefit from these new buildings, as well as provide details on their construction and timelines.

BCPL is wrapping up Library Card Sign Up Month. With school back in session, they have several programs available, including one that can help with homework, and the Adult Reading Challenge is in full swing with B Well Read Bingo. Plus the changes coming to the Woodlawn branch and the challenges facing every library system in the 21st century. Special Guest: Emily Williamson.

September is both Healthy Aging Month and National Senior Center Month highlighting the importance of staying healthy and engaged as we grow older. The Baltimore County Department of Aging is inviting everyone to participate in No Senior Eats Alone Day on Thursday, September 11,2025 or any day of their choosing during the week of September 7 through 13. The goal is to help make older adults feel valued and connected, establish better eating habits, and improve nutrition and health. They are also working to draw attention to the impact of social isolation for many seniors. We also discuss some of the other new programs the Dept. of Aging is working on. Special Guest: Heang Tan.

Organized by Baltimore County Tourism, Baltimore County Restaurant Week is one of the County’s most anticipated biannual events. Over 40 restaurants are participating this year. We talk to Tom Yorke, Chief of Destination Marketing for Baltimore County's Department of Economic Workforce and Development on what residents and visitors can expect from this years' experience. Special Guest: Tom Yorke.

Summer is here and soon schools will dismiss for the year. But how do you keep your kids from the “summer slide”… the learning loss some students experience with the freedom from academics. The Baltimore County Public Library is once again offering a fun solution. The Summer Reading Challenge! We speak with Baltimore County Public Library’s Manager for the Youth and Family Engagement department on the programs available for kids this summer. Special Guest: Conni Strittmatter.

May is Older Americans Month, and here in Baltimore County, about 25 percent of our residents are seniors. Baltimore County’s Department of Aging operates 20 senior centers in the county, as well as one virtual center with over 16-thousand active members. We talk to Department of Aging Director Heang Tan about the programs and centers that they operate. Special Guest: Heang Tan.

We talk with Dr. Heather Wooldridge from the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public School concerning the Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge. We also sit down with the Department of Environmental Protection & Sustainability to discuss a program they are offering this month. DEPS Forest Stewardship Supervisor Carrie Oberholtzer gives us a preview of their native tree giveaway. Plus, we tell you how you can get a compost bin or rain barrel from the Department of Public Works and Transportation. Special Guests: Carrie Oberholtzer and Dr. Heather Wooldridge.

In honor of Black History Month, we visit three museums in Baltimore County dedicated to perserving Black HIstory. The Benjamin Banneker Park & Muesum is 142-acre museum and park in Catonsville, Maryland. It honors the life of Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught astronomer, mathematician, and surveyor who was born free in 1731. The Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball inside the Baltimore County Public Library in Owings Mills holds a vast collection of memoribilia and features programs to promote the culture, history, ideals, and impact of the Negro Leagues and their players. The Turner Station History Center inside the Sollers Point Multipurpose Center in Dundalk contains exhibits that reflect the powerful heritage and spirit of a proud African American community and its residents who thrived through faith, family, education, and hard work.

Interview with Tom Yorke, Chief, for Destination Marketing and Communications for Baltimore County's Department of Economic and Workforce Development. We discuss the new website aimed at helping both locals and tourists find events, experiences, and destinations. Special Guest: Tom Yorke.

Baltimore County's Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management David Bycoffe talks about how residents can prepare for winter weeather. He also talks about the steps that the county takes before, during, and after a storm as well as offers tips to stay safe during the winter months. Special Guest: David Bycoffe.

An in-depth interview with Chief Data and Performance Officer of BCSTAT, Momen Abukdheir. We discuss the creation of BCSTAT, how the COVID-19 pandemic drove the program forward, and how a project moves from conception to analysis to implementation. Special Guest: Momen Abukhdeir.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. We talk about how the Baltimore County Public Library is celebrating, plus more details of their newly reopened Catonsville branch, and much more. Special Guest: Emily Williamson.

As Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Department is leading a comprehensive effort to Reimagine Recreation and Parks, which outlines a long-term, community-driven roadmap to rethink the department based on national best practices. Special Guests: Bob Smith and Cortney Weinstock.

Explore the wonderful world of books with this year's Summer Reading Challenge, "Adventure begins at Your Library." Children of all ages can join the challenge and log their reading on Beanstack or a paper game board. Read for 10 hours to pick up a completion prize and enter in prize drawings! Special Guest: Conni Strittmatter.

New County Administrative Officer D'Andrea Walker was appointed to the position by the County Executive & unanimously approved by the County Council in April. Under Walker’s leadership, Baltimore County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation modernized programs and improved services, including bringing back residential bulk trash collection for the first time since 1992, announcing plans to significantly extend the life of the County’s landfill, and launching the Towson Loop, Baltimore County’s first free locally operated transit service. Now as the County’s newest Administrative Officer, she will oversee the day-to-day operations as well as the efforts of the county’s various departments. Special Guest: D'Andrea Walker.

In February 2024, Baltimore County Dept. of Health & Human Services launched 5 pet scanning stations across the county, offering 24/7 access to microchip scanning to help lost pets reunite with their owners more quickly & prevent animals from being uneccessarily housed at the shelter. Baltimore Co. is the first jurisdiction in Maryland to provide these community scanning stations. Special Guest: Kayla Franczkowski .

Baltimore County’s new Bring Your Own Bag Act goes into effect November 1. On this episode of 'The County,' Baltimore County's Bureau Chief of Solid Waste explains the goals and potential impact of the law, and answers frequently asked questions. Special Guest: Nick Rodricks.

This episode of The County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting Baltimore County's first Immigrant Affairs Outreach Coordinator, Giuliana Valencia-Banks. It is presented in both English and Spanish, with the Spanish version beginning at 8:30. Special Guest: Giuliana Valencia-Banks.

On this episode of The County, we take a look at all the work Department of Recreation and Parks has done to improve recreational opportunities across Baltimore County.

On this episode of The County, we sit down with the Baltimore County Police Department's first LGBTQIA+ Liaison, and travel to the Department of Recreation and Parks' annual Pride event!

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski explains his proposed FY24 budget and all that it means for employees, residents, and visitors! Special Guest: County Executive Johnny Olszewski.

From the past, to the present, Baltimore County has so much to be proud of. On this episode of The County, we tell the stories of barrier breakers Berley Roberts Sr. and Stacy Rodgers.