The Merriweather Post is a hyper-local community news blog covering development, housing, land-use policy, and retail and restaurant news in Columbia, MD, and Howard County more broadly. This Substack is home to deep-dive analysis and long-form reporting. For breaking news, follow the blog on Facebook at facebook.com/themerriweatherpost.
I’m Jeremy Dommu — a District 4 Howard County resident who started this blog in 2019 because I couldn’t find the kind of coverage I wanted to read. I’m not a journalist, and this isn’t a news organization. It’s one person who loves researching, getting wonky, and writing about the place he lives. I get deep into economics, business strategy, and local government finance, and I believe that shared knowledge gives residents a better framework for meaningful debate and discussion.
My coverage is fact-heavy, but I mix reported facts with my own analysis and opinions, and I’m not shy about inserting myself into a story when it’s relevant. I write the way I think: casually, directly, and without a lot of journalistic formality. I approach Howard County development from a growth-friendly perspective, though I report the numbers and reach conclusions even when they don’t support my priors. This is one person’s informed take on Howard County, not wire service copy.
With ~2,000 Substack subscribers, more than ~5,000 Facebook followers, articles that regularly exceed 5,000 views, and a recent ranking as high as #17 in Substack’s Rising News category, The Merriweather Post has become a trusted source of information and perspective on the future of Howard County. The blog has been cited as an original source by regional media outlets and frequently breaks local news before it surfaces elsewhere.
All content on The Merriweather Post is free, always. No paywalls, no paid-only articles. If you find value in this independent, locally-focused coverage of Howard County, a paid subscription is the best way to show your support and help keep this work going.
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