For today's BBJ Highlight, I wanted to share an innovative new way to repurpose empty office space. Baltimore law firm Baker Donelson yesterday donated an entire floor of its downtown offices for use as a small business incubator. Through a partnership with several other stakeholders, The Light of Baltimore will support 30 small businesses and already 26 companies are confirmed inside the space.
Now, for the news of the day.
- Election day is only a few weeks away and tonight the public will have the opportunity to hear from both candidates for governor in their first, and likely only, debate. Democrat Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox will make their pitches to voters and discuss key issues at 7 p.m. on Maryland Public Television, WBAL and WRC. The discussion will not be live. Baltimore Sun
- You might recall the recent court rulings that allowed Maryland election officials to begin counting mail-in ballots as early as Oct. 1. Even though approval was granted, officials in Baltimore County say they won't be able to start counting that early because of how late the rulings came through. They're already busy this month training election judges and gathering supplies, and therefore will likely follow the same schedule as last year of beginning counting on Nov. 10. The county still needs 800 election judges to run the polls during early voting and on Election Day. WYPR
- A federal judge has denied a motion by a local environmental nonprofit that would have required improvements at Baltimore City's wastewater treatment plants. Baltimore Sun
- Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital and Spirit of Children today will unveil and dedicate a new sensory room at the Baltimore hospital. The space is designed for children to move, play and explore using sensory activities, in particular, for children who have sensory processing disorders. The activities help them develop an increased awareness of their surroundings, improve focus and teach self-regulation of behavior. (Press Release)
- President Biden's student loan relief application is coming. White House officials have pledged the form will be available this month for federal student loan borrowers to complete. The application will be posted online in both English and Spanish and will be available through Dec. 31, 2023. It is expected to be relatively easy to complete, does not require any uploading any documents and requires only basic information. NPR
- Popular juice bar concept
Pure Green
has opened a new location in Baltimore in Charles Village near Johns Hopkins University. The 800-square-foot store on St. Paul Street offers cold-pressed juices, smoothies, wellness shots, acai bowls, oatmeal bowls, toasts and juice cleanses. The location is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Malav Patel and Ketul Dave who wanted to bring a quick and healthy food option to the community. (Press Release)
- The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore hotel in Fells Point has been named the No. 1 hotel in the mid-Atlantic by Conde-Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards. The 25th annual awards gave the Pendry a score of 98.02.
Condé Nast Traveler
's write-up says the hotel's brand is "aimed at thirsty Millennials who think they have great taste."
- Blink-182 is back. The quintessential 90s punk rock band is launching a world tour with a stop at the
CFG Bank Arena
on May 26, 2023. The tour announcement comes as the group's new single "Edging" comes out Friday. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. WBAL-TV
