Baltimore university sets enrollment record for third year in a row

Good morning Baltimore and happy Monday.

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend and spent time doing what matters most: winning your fantasy football matchups.

As we approach Thanksgiving, it's time for a reader poll: When is it acceptable to decorate for the holiday season? It's a question that can test even the healthiest of relationships. So what's your answer? Send us your most tinseled takes.

Baltimore nurses vote to form first hospital nurses' union in city

Nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore successfully voted to unionize Thursday and Friday, creating the first union for hospital registered nurses in the city, I wrote this weekend. The union organized under National Nurses United (NNU) and will represent more than 500 registered nurses at the hospital, the union said in a release Saturday. Read more about the historic vote, which will likely be certified in the next 10 days.

Morgan State University sets total enrollment record

The fall numbers are in, and Morgan State University is well ahead of schedule on its plan to reach enrollment of 10,000 by 2030. The school announced late last week that total enrollment has reached 9,808, putting the HBCU "seven years ahead of schedule," according to a press release. The surge is an 8% increase year over year and is thanks to a 4% boost in first-time freshman enrollment and a the university's largest-ever graduate enrollment of 1,508.

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Developer defends plan to add 900 apartments at Harborplace

MCB Real Estate's proposal to add 900 apartments as part of a planned redevelopment of Harborplace set off heavy debate from downtown to Dundalk as the developer defended the move as crucial to the city's vitality, our Melody Simmons writes. MCB co-founder P. David Bramble says the designs will be a catalyst to create a 24/7 downtown lifestyle on the waterfront. Read more on the rationale behind the much-debated plans.

What are the top selling recreational cannabis products in Maryland?

After a few months of legal recreational sales in Maryland, prices and purchase frequencies vary widely across the state, but one product rules the market: flower. It's captured a majority of legal adult use sales in the state's $90 million monthly market, but not all strains are selling the same. Read about the products that growers and sellers say are flying off the shelves.

Under Armour's new headquarters begins to take shape in South Baltimore

Braced against a bright fall sky, the skeleton of Under Armour's new global headquarters at Baltimore Peninsula looks stark, yet promising, my colleague Melody Simmons writes. The first two stories of the 280,000-square-foot development are up and the rest of the five-level project is in full swing this fall. Simmons was on site to tour the facility — click the link to browse photos of the new HQ coming together.

State awarded $47 million for port improvements for offshore wind manufacturing

Maryland has been chosen to receive $47 million to bolster port infrastructure to handle offshore wind components as Baltimore County continues to grow its manufacturing capacity for renewables. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced Friday that Baltimore's offshore wind manufacturing hub is one of 41 projects funded through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. Additions funded by the award will include a "roll-on/roll-off pad, a crane pad, ground improvements, geotechnical work, and steel structures to support components used in offshore wind projects," according to the announcement.

BGE announces small business grant awardees

More than 100 small businesses in central Maryland will receive a total of $2.58 million from BGE in the seventh round of the energy provider's Energizing Small Business Grants program. The company announced in Annapolis on Friday that 129 businesses will each get $20,000, many of them run by people from underrepresented groups, according to a press release. This round brings the program total to $13.1 million since 2021, the company said in the release.

Ravens rout Seahawks, 37-3

The Baltimore Ravens took care of business yet again behind a staunch defense and relentless running game. They bested the Seattle Seahawks 37-3, with running back Gus Edwards scoring twice and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finding the end zone as well. The win brings the Ravens to a 7-2 record, best in the AFC North and tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for best in all of the AFC. They take on the Cleveland Browns in Baltimore on Sunday. Suggested Ravens water cooler line of the day: "All aboard the Gus Bus! We're Super Bowl bound."

This newsletter was written by Joe Ilardi, digital producer for the Baltimore Business Journal. I can be reached at [email protected].