T.J. Smith

T.J. Smith is a familiar voice to the WBAL audience, serving as spokesperson for the Baltimore City Police Department from 2015 to 2018.

T.J. Smith is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 40 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts T.J. Smith, a news show with 40 episodes published.

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  T.J. Smith

  August 27th, 2026: What Happens Next After the Redistricting Ballot Ruling

  Aug 27, 20261h 3m

  Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Maryland’s redistricting fight took center stage as the hosts unpacked a judge’s ruling blocking a referendum question from moving forward, at least for now. Delegate Jason Buckle joined the conversation to explain the legal deadlines, the role of the Maryland Supreme Court, and why the ballots may still be printed even if the question’s final fate remains unsettled. The discussion also examined the broader implications of mid-decade redistricting, mail-in voting, and whether the current political climate makes compromise possible. Listeners heard competing views on fairness, procedure, and the possibility that Maryland’s high court could ultimately decide the issue after ballots are already in motion. Additionally, Howard County schools are struggling with escalating bathroom vandalism, prompting some schools to lock restrooms and add tighter supervision. The conversation explored everything from ripped-out sinks and vaping to the rise of so-called devious licks on social media, along with concerns from parents, students, and callers about discipline and accountability. The episode also touched on possible fixes, including bathroom monitors, vape detectors, and stronger consequences for destructive behavior. Throughout the discussion, the hosts connected the issue to larger questions about student maturity, school safety, and how districts balance access with preventing repeated damage. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

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  T.J. Smith

  August 26th, 2026: Rotunda Chaos, Traffic Fixes, and Maryland's Redistricting Ruling

  Aug 26, 20261 hour

  Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The episode opens with a discussion of the chaotic youth gathering at the Rotunda on the first day of school and the larger question of how communities, schools, parents, and businesses should respond. The conversation looks back at a time when kids moved through malls and neighborhoods without the same level of disruption, then asks why similar behavior now seems to escalate into fights, broken glass, and fear for businesses and shoppers. From there, the focus shifts to public accountability, school involvement, and the role of parents and principals in shaping behavior outside school property. The discussion centers on a small subset of young people whose conduct has a disproportionate impact on victims, businesses, and neighborhood safety. The episode also covers Maryland transportation policy and the rollout of part-time shoulder use lanes on I-695. The conversation examines whether adding temporary lanes will reduce congestion or simply create new safety and enforcement problems, especially when emergency vehicles, disabled cars, and slow drivers are already part of the daily reality on the Beltway. The final segment turns to a major legal development in Annapolis, where a judge ruled that the redistricting ballot question cannot appear on the November ballot. The discussion explores the court's reasoning, the legal deficiencies cited in the ruling, and the political fallout for state leaders as appeals, deadlines, and blame begin to shape the next steps. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

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  T.J. Smith

  August 21st, 2026: Speed cameras, court ordered care, and school testing debates in Baltimore

  Aug 21, 20261h 3m

  Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode moves from traffic enforcement to public safety to education policy, offering a close look at Montgomery County’s new speed-on-green camera program. The discussion explores whether cameras change driver behavior, whether they are a money grab, and how they may be used more effectively in high-risk areas and work zones. The conversation also examines how the technology applies in edge cases, including funeral processions and emergency vehicles. Along the way, the episode weighs surveillance, safety, and fairness, while fielding caller reactions and local examples from Baltimore and surrounding areas. The second half of the episode turns to major local issues in Maryland, including the verdict in the Baltimore Police officer case, the launch of court-ordered outpatient mental health care, and the killing of 17-year-old Jada Sellers. The discussion focuses on accountability, violence, treatment, and the role that older men can play in guiding younger boys toward healthier behavior. The episode closes with a debate over Howard County’s decision to remove midterm exams from middle and high schools. It raises questions about student stress, mental health, learning outcomes, and whether schools are making academic expectations too easy to reduce pressure. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

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  T.J. Smith

  August 20th, 2026: Why Baltimore Crime Is Falling and What Comes Next

  Aug 20, 202659 min

  Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore and Maryland are seeing a major decline in violent crime, with the state’s violent crime rate down 18% and the city on pace for fewer murders than in previous years. In this episode, the discussion explores whether the drop is tied to policing, community action, demographic shifts, fewer street conflicts, or broader national trends that are also showing up in other major cities. The conversation also looks at Baltimore’s ranking in a national violence prevention index and asks what should come next. The focus shifts from celebrating the numbers to improving quality of life in neighborhoods still affected by disorder, especially if the city wants to sustain the progress and build on it long-term. Additionally, TJ discusses Anne Arundel County’s revised gender identity policy becomes a major topic in this episode, as the discussion centers on whether schools should inform parents when a student uses a different name or identity at school. The conversation weighs parental rights, student safety, FERPA, and the limits of school responsibility while also questioning where policy should draw the line. The episode frames the issue as part of a larger school culture debate, with listeners and the host raising concerns about privacy, accountability, and whether a blanket statewide approach would solve more problems than it creates. The discussion stays focused on how schools should handle sensitive situations without turning every personal change into an administrative crisis. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

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  T.J. Smith

  August 19th, 2026: When Paperwork, Public Safety, and Fairness Collide

  Aug 19, 20261h 3m

  Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a detailed discussion about the ICE detention of a University of Maryland pharmacy professor and the broader debate over immigration enforcement, bond decisions, and whether limited detention space should be reserved for higher-risk cases. The conversation explores public polling, concerns about aggressive deportation tactics, and the political impact of cases that appear to be driven by paperwork issues rather than criminal conduct. Listeners also hear a range of caller perspectives on immigration, protected status, and the importance of following U.S. law. The episode frames the issue as a question of priorities: how the justice and immigration systems should balance legal process, public safety, and fairness for people who have been contributing to society. The second half of the episode shifts to chronic absenteeism in schools and the controversial idea of paying students for perfect attendance. The host breaks down attendance data, discusses incentive programs in places like Detroit, and takes calls from listeners who weigh in on whether cash rewards, gift cards, or other incentives can actually improve student attendance. From there, the conversation expands into parental responsibility, youth crime, and the question of whether schools should still use corporal punishment. The episode closes with a wide-ranging discussion on short-form video addiction and social media’s impact on attention, brain function, and self-control, tying together a broader theme of accountability in public life, parenting, education, and technology. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

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