This episode, Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin turn the mic on their own industry, sitting down with TJ Smith — until days ago the host of a talk radio show on WBAL, and before that spokesperson for Baltimore City Police and then-County Executive Johnny Olszewski — and Miranda Spivak, a former Washington Post editor, former top editor at the Gazette newspapers, and author of Backroom Deals in Our Backyards. Together they take stock of Maryland's media landscape today: what's been lost as newsrooms shrink and outlets close, but also what's emerging to try to fill the gap, from nonprofit journalism to a generation that may be starting to crave something deeper than a headline.
In this episode:
- How Pew Research shows the share of Americans following local news closely has dropped from 37% in 2016 to 21% in 2025 — and what that decline actually looks like on the ground, from WBAL cutting local programming to the Washington Post scaling back Maryland coverage
- TJ Smith on the erosion of local news bureaus, the blurred line between "journalist" and "influencer," and how he tried to bridge the gap by recording his own press conference footage for outlets that could no longer send anyone
- Miranda Spivak on the economics of local news, why subscription and philanthropic models are gaining ground, and what it was like watching ownership change at the Washington Post
- The bright spots: the Baltimore Banner's Pulitzer Prize and its expansion into Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and TJ's case for cautious optimism that younger generations may be circling back toward wanting real depth over quick hits
- A candid look at what's still missing even where new outlets are succeeding — the group's take on the loss of the editing function, and where the Baltimore Sun's shift under new ownership fits into the bigger picture
- New models worth watching: bundling news subscriptions like streaming services, cross-promotion between outlets, and the case for local journalists becoming trusted community voices in their own right
- A frank conversation about media distrust, "flooding the zone," and what it takes to rebuild credibility in an information environment that's radically different from the one this group started their careers in
What is Maryland Now?
Maryland Now is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping Maryland’s politics, policy, and public life. Hosted by Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin — three veteran journalists and public‑affairs leaders with more than 60 years of combined experience — the show brings depth, context, and historical perspective to the issues facing Maryland today.
Each episode blends reporting, interviews, and insider knowledge. You’ll hear directly from the people driving decisions in Annapolis and across the state: agency heads, lawmakers, advocates, strategists, and longtime policy experts. The hosts draw on their decades covering and working in Maryland government to connect past decisions to current debates — revealing how we got here, what’s been tried before, and what’s at stake now.
Season One follows the 2026 General Assembly session and election cycle, with deep dives into housing, energy, the state budget, public health, and more. The conversations are smart, candid, and grounded in real reporting — not hot takes.
If you want to understand Maryland — its politics, its communities, and its future — Maryland Now is for YOU