A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From the Baltimore Sun: Donald Trump accepts GOP presidential nod; references Baltimore homicides in speech
"Businessman Donald J. Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination Thursday with an address intended to galvanize a divided party and set the tone for a general election that is shaping up to be the most polarizing in a generation.
"Capping a week in which Trump’s message was waylaid by allegations that his wife’s speech was plagiarized and by the refusal of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to offer his endorsement, Trump sought to rally Republicans around the idea that his vision for the nation would lead to a more prosperous and secure future than that of Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“'Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy. The problems we face now — poverty and violence at home, war and destruction abroad — will last only as long as we continue relying on the same politicians who created them in the first place,' Trump said. 'My message is that things have to change — and they have to change right now.'
"In a speech unexpectedly heavy on a law-and-order issues, Trump discussed a spike in homicides in Baltimore and other cities, as well as the recent violence against police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Though violent crime has fallen nationally and homicides are down 7 percent this year in Baltimore, Trump cited a 60 percent rise in killings in the city — the increase from 2014 to 2015.
"Touching on issues that have rarely surfaced in his campaign, Trump lamented poverty rates for black and Latino children, failing schools and racial divisions that he said have been exacerbated by Democrats.
“'The irresponsible rhetoric of our president, who has used the pulpit of the presidency to divide us by race and color, has made America a more dangerous environment,' Trump said. 'This administration has failed America’s inner cities.'
"The importance of Trump’s speech was elevated by the events that led up to it, including Cruz’s suggestion that conservatives might bolt from the Republican nominee by voting their conscience. Trump, meanwhile, stoked international tensions on the eve of his address by implying that his administration might not defend NATO allies — undercutting seven decades of U.S. diplomacy.
"The Republican National Convention nominated Donald Trump as the GOP's presidential candidate in Cleveland the week of July 18, 2016.
"Trump, introduced by his daughter Ivanka, delivered a more scripted and subdued address than the bomb-throwing, off-the-cuff remarks that drove his success on the primary election campaign trail, where supporters appreciated his unpolitical approach. The toned-down speech was nevertheless met with enthusiastic applause in the Quicken Loans Arena."
From the Baltimore Sun: City Council president says Baltimore can’t afford $15 minimum wage
"Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. 'Jack' Young will not agree to increase the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour, dealing a blow to legislation that's aimed at lifting residents out of poverty but which critics say would sink the city's economy.
"Young said this week that city government and Baltimore businesses can't afford to pay their lowest-wage workers more than $11.50 an hour. Young is an influential member of the council, which is split on the proposal.
"'We just can't do $15,' Young said. 'Even $11.50 is a stretch, but I think it's a compromise. Anything other than that, I will not be voting for this bill.'
"The state-mandated minimum wage rose to $8.75 an hour this month and is scheduled to reach $10.10 an hour by 2018. The city finance department said increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour would cost city government $150 million over five years and push the unemployment rate as high as 10.6 percent.
"The council's Labor Committee amended the bill Thursday to exempt some small businesses, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the city's YouthWorks program from paying their employees the proposed $15 minimum. Council members have also agreed to delay the increase until 2022.
"Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was forced to close a $60 million budget deficit this year, and on Wednesday the Department of Transportation announced plans to scale back the Charm City Circulator, a free bus service used by 4 million riders a year. The department said that move was being made to save $6 million.
"'We cannot continue to try to lead the state in these fiscal times that we have in the city of Baltimore,' Young said.
"Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who introduced the minimum-wage bill in April, said she won't budge from $15. She said the changes made during the committee work sessions this week would generate enough support for the bill to pass over Young's objection.
"'Not only will it be an actual benefit,' Clarke said. 'It will be a symbol of hope and promise.'
"Councilman Robert Curran, the committee chairman, said the panel will vote on the bill next week. He hopes to have it before the full City Council in August.
"A spokesman for Rawlings-Blake said she will sign the bill if the council approves it.
"The Labor Committee agreed to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $500,000 in gross annual income from paying employees $15 an hour.
"Clarke said that would provide relief for many local businesses that would have felt the financial impact the most."
From the Baltimore Sun: Baltimore Pride: Members of city’s LGBT community on Orlando’s impact, what ‘pride’ means to them
"In the 41 years since the first iteration of Baltimore Pride, the LGBT community has made progress for equality nationwide. But some 41 days before this year's annual festival, a tragedy was a stark reminder of the struggles that still remain.
"After a gunman who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State killed 49 and injured dozens more at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12, Jabari Lyles wondered what was next.
"'Does this now give us a platform?' asked Lyles, board president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore, which organizes Baltimore Pride. 'Will this be the time people listen?'
"In the immediate aftermath, the LGBT community was united in sorrow. Now, many see this weekend's Baltimore Pride festival as an important tool to bring people together for a celebration of who they are.
"'Pride this year and years to come are just reminders that the fight is not over,' said Bethany Henderson, program manager of the LGBT Health Resource Center at Chase Brexton Health Care. 'We are still fighting against racism, sexism, transphobia and queerphobia. And we need to continue to support one another in that fight.'
"Pride organizers have taken extra steps to tighten security at the weekend events, including meeting with Baltimore police Commissioner Kevin Davis and the FBI, Lyles said.
"'I gave them my absolute commitment to doing everything we can that Pride is as safe as possible,' he said.
"Pride events will also include a tribute to Orlando, with a performance from the Baltimore King of Pride on the main state at 4:40 p.m. during Saturday's block party.
"In light of the Orlando shooting and ahead of this weekend's celebration, we asked members of Baltimore's LGBT community to share their stories, and tell us what Pride means to them."
In the full article, read thoughts from Bryanna Jenkins of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance; Vanna and Julia Benton, owners of Flavor in Mount Vernon; JabariLyles, board president of the GLCCB; and more.