Baltimore Daily Brief: Immigration order, BGE pause, and bridge lead-paint concerns

Top local headlines

Baltimore is juggling public-safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood-quality-of-life issues as the week heads toward the weekend.

1) Mayor issues new order limiting ICE access to city spaces

Mayor Brandon Scott signed an executive order aimed at protecting residents’ constitutional rights amid stepped-up federal immigration enforcement nationally. The order reiterates that federal agents are not allowed into city facilities without a judicial warrant, and it directs the city to expand ‘Know Your Rights’ outreach with a new resource webpage. City leaders also emphasized that local police are not responsible for civil immigration enforcement.

2) BGE pauses the Baltimore Peninsula transmission project

Baltimore Gas and Electric said it is pausing a controversial South Baltimore transmission build-out tied to the Baltimore Peninsula redevelopment. The project drew scrutiny after reporting that the electric infrastructure could cost more than $500 million, raising questions about who ultimately pays and how the work lines up with the development’s timeline.

3) Lead paint flakes reported under multiple Baltimore-area bridges

State environmental officials and city crews are responding after lead paint flakes were found falling from several bridges, with testing showing high lead levels. The early focus was on the 28th Street Bridge area near the Jones Falls, but additional locations have been identified, including the Orleans Street Viaduct. Officials are urging people not to touch any flakes, to keep pets away, and to report sightings so cleanup can happen quickly.

Quick hits

• Deer management in city parks: Recreation and Parks outlined a March 9–April 9 effort in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Herring Run Park, and Druid Hill Park, with a stated goal of removing up to 271 deer to reduce collisions, habitat damage, and tick concerns.
• Northwest District shooting investigation: Police reported a non-fatal shooting Wednesday morning on the 4900 block of Nelson Avenue; detectives are investigating.

Sources

• https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/immigration-executive-order-ice-maryland/
• https://www.wypr.org/the-baltimore-banner/2026-03-05/bge-pausing-its-pricey-baltimore-peninsula-transmission-project
• https://www.wbaltv.com/article/agencies-investigate-paint-flakes-falling-baltimore-bridges/70611605
• https://baltimorebrew.com/2026/03/03/two-more-baltimore-area-bridges-confirmed-to-be-shedding-lead-paint-flakes/
• https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-parks-deer-overpopulation-plan-residents-thoughts/70613404
• https://www.baltimorepolice.org/news/media-advisory-march-4-2026