Executive changeups at two local companies; Baltimore hospital named top workplace for women

Good morning Baltimore!

After a few morning showers, we should have mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50s.

Let's get into the news of the day.

Number of city squeegee workers appears to be on decline

Baltimore leaders say that a new ban combined with accountability and enforcement actions have reduced the numbers of squeegee workers on city streets. Acting City Chief Administrative Officer Faith P. Leach also said the number of squeegee workers connected to employment and other opportunities across the city is also up, and complaints from drivers are down. The update from WBAL-TV is the latest on the hot-button issue since the city launched the squeegee ban at select intersections in January. Leach said the city would continue its efforts into the warmer months.

Diamond Sports hires new HR executive

Diamond Sports Group has hired Meredith Powers as its new Chief Human Resources Officer starting March 8, the company said in a release. She joins the Hunt Valley-based Sinclair Inc. subsidiary after serving as Organization and Talent Development Leader at GE Digital . Powers is the latest new executive to join Diamond after David DeVoe Jr. was named its first-ever chief operating officer and chief financial officer last month. The additions come as the company likely prepares to navigate bankruptcy.

COPT executive departs company

The Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia-based Corporate Office Properties Trust, Todd Hartman , has resigned from his position. COPT Defense Properties reported the news in a Form 8-K filing on March 2. Hartman will continue to provide consulting services to COPT for 12 months after his resignation for a payment of $584,400, per an agreement between the former executive and the real estate firm.

JetBlue, Spirit merger will likely be blocked

The Justice Department is expected to block JetBlue Airways Corp.'s planned $3.8 billion takeover of Spirit Airlines Inc. by filing an antitrust lawsuit in federal court. According to a report in the South Florida Business Journal, the filing will allege that the elimination of Spirit would increase ticket prices and decrease options for travelers, amid an already challenging travel and airline market.

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Walmart is getting into the health care game

Walmart Inc. is planning to build health clinics across the country at a time when the nation is struggling with a primary care physician shortage. The company launched its Walmart Health division in 2019 with a clinic in the Atlanta area and now plans to open 28 new clinics in 2024, which would bring the total to nearly 80 sites by the end of 2024. None are planned for Maryland yet, but the centers will be built at 沃尔玛 Supercenters, Phoenix Business Journal reports.

Most business owners support federal minimum wage increase

A majority of business leaders and executives, about 75%, agree the federal minimum wage should be increased from $7.25 per hour, and 66% said it should go up annually to keep pace with the cost of living. The numbers come from a new survey by Payscale Inc. However, most respondents, or 68%, said they already pay more than the federal minimum wage, often due to a growing list of state requirements. (For example, Maryland is once again considering raising its minimum wage). Still, Congress is divided over the change. Here's a breakdown of the considerations at play in the push to raise the federal minimum wage from ACBJ's The Playbook.

Baltimore hospital named one of America's best workplaces for women

Mercy Medical Center has been named one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek. The hospital earned 4.5 out of 5 stars based on a study and survey of more than 37,000 working women. The companies were ranked the highest on criteria like "compensation and benefits", "work-life balance" and "proactive management of a diverse workforce." Mercy Medical Center was founded by women, the Sisters of Mercy, nearly 150 years ago.

CFG Bank Arena adds to 2023 concert, performance lineup

Baltimore's (almost) newly renovated arena has added several new acts to its 2023 lineup. This year CFG Bank Arena will host Adam Sandler (April 21), KISS (Nov. 29) and a combined show with Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire (August 19). The arena just finished hosting the CIAA basketball tournament and will now work to finalize renovations before its grand opening in April for the Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Tour.

This newsletter was written by Carley Milligan, Digital Editor at the Baltimore Business Journal. I can be reached at [email protected].?