We'll get this gorgeous cool, fall weather for one more day today before rain from Tropical Storm Ian arrives Friday.
Ian hit the West coast of Florida yesterday as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing serious flooding and high winds. More than 1.5 million homes and businesses were without power, as of last night. The storm was downgraded early this morning and is expected to emerge over Atlantic waters later today. (NPR)
BBJ Highlight: Developers, this one is for you. This month, Baltimore City released a dozen requests for proposals for sites across the city. I rounded up the RFPs, complete with information and photos on the properties and vacant lots, in an article yesterday.
Here's a few more local headlines:
- After a Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge approved a rule change from the
Maryland State Board of Elections
that would allow them to begin counting mail-in ballots early, the move has been challenged in court by the Republican nominee for governor, Dan Cox. Cox filed Tuesday for an emergency stay of ballot counting, arguing the Judge's decision violates state law, and requesting the court hear the case quickly as ballot counting is now scheduled to begin Saturday. So far the court has agreed to expedite his case but did not say whether the ballot counting had been put on hold. The State Board of Elections has until this afternoon to file a response. Baltimore Sun
- A recent state audit of
Morgan State University
found poor financial controls and criticized the institution for how it handled student refunds, financial aid, room and board charges and deferred payments between 2017 and 2021. Baltimore Brew
- A little more than a week after Adnan Syed's 22-year-old murder conviction was overturned, the family of the woman he previously was alleged to have murdered is seeking to appeal the ruling. Baltimore Sun
- If you get a new number in Maryland it may not start with 240 or 301. The state will soon begin assigning 227 area codes as it is expected to run out of available 240 and 301 lines in 2023. WMAR2
- Baltimore City is moving to a new online bill payment system that offers more payment options and increased communication. The change is a step toward making City Hall more modern and secure. WBAL
- The 20th Annual Pigtown Festival returns next weekend along the neighborhood's Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 8 from noon to 7 p.m. It will include, of course, pig races, as well as food and drinks, over 80 vendors, a KidZone with an entertainment stage and a main stage with performances from Rufus Roundtree and De B'more Brass Factory, and others. Organizer Pigtown Main Street is also partnering with the Poe Festival, which honors legendary poet Edgar Allan Poe, on Oct. 8 and 9. (Press Release)
- Fells Point mainstay Max's Taphouse is in the running to be named
USA TODAY
's Best American Beer Bar. The bar was nominated for the 2022 Readers' Choice awards and is now asking regulars and fans of the bar to submit their votes and help them bring home the trophy. Instagram
- A 2,005-pound pumpkin named Miss Amelia arrived at Valley View Farms in Hunt Valley this week and will be on display until Oct. 29. On that day at noon, the pumpkin will be broken open and its seeds counted. The person who guesses the right amount of seeds will win a $300 gift card. WMAR2
