Citing the potential dangers of powdered alcohol for both youth and adults, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has convened a coalition of public health and physician leaders in support of banning the substance in Maryland. Nearly two dozen pediatricians, emergency medicine physicians and public health leaders across Baltimore have endorsed The Baltimore Statement on Dangers of Powdered Alcohol, which highlights the public health risks associated with powdered alcohol, known as Palcohol.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Wednesday the city will develop a strategy to combat youth violence with help from President Obama’s National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, also known as The Forum. Health Commissioner Leana Wen said youth violence should be treated as a public health issue as well as a criminal justice issue.

On a brisk night in February there is a lot of noise coming from a fourth floor conference room at the Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health in East Baltimore. The raucous sound rises and falls blending in with a recording of the Jeopardy theme song as eight Baltimore City teenagers play "Teen Years Jeopardy," a game designed by instructors to test their knowledge of healthy relationships. The teens are training to become Youth Brand Ambassadors for the Dating Matters Program.

Vicktoria Powers runs a clean shop. She's the owner of Vikkis Fells Point Deli.  "Over on our grill, you'll see the one guy and myself. We do all the cooking. If a customer needs to be rung up, we yell MOC, money on the counter, they come up, they take the money. Same as the guy in the back, he does strictly prep, one does strictly dishes and sanitizes everything," she said. That's exactly the thinking behind a bill on it's way to a third reader at city hall. The plan is for any establishment that serves food to have their health department rating posted onsite and online.