Johns Hopkins Hospital faces worker strike; M&T Bank donates to free financial counseling center

Good morning Baltimore!

Up first, your BBJ Highlight: Canton staple Looney's Pub is getting a new owner and a new concept. A local restaurateur is in the process of buying the corner bar and said a new food concept is coming, along with a building update.

Now, onto today's news.

• A possible worker strike is looming over Johns Hopkins Hospital . Employees there have said they plan to strike Oct. 1 as negotiations between the hospital and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East — which represents about 1,800 employees — have failed. The existing contract expires in 10 days. WBAL-TV
• Northwest on The Johns Hopkins University 's Homewood campus, new data found that rape reports were up in 2021 over the previous year. Notably, fewer students were out and about on campus in 2020 due to the pandemic. But in 2020 three rapes were reported, and in 2021, nine rapes were reported. The data comes from Hopkins' Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Baltimore Brew
• M&T Bank has donated $82,000 to expand the Baltimore City Financial Empowerment Center, which since January 2021 has provided professional, one-on-one financial counseling as a free public service. Press Release
• Now when Anne Arundel County Public Schools have an inclement weather day, students could be called to participate in virtual instruction instead of getting the day off. WMAR2
• U.S. home prices have just seen their biggest drop in nine years. Prices in August were down about 6% from their peak in June, due in large part to higher mortgage rates. NPR
• My regular '8 things' readers know I get excited about new local exhibits and shows, so of course, I had to share one from my local museum. This weekend the B&O Railroad Museum will unveil its new permanent feature, "The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers." The exhibition examines the role the railroad had in the historic Underground Railroad network. Baltimore Fishbowl
• Hiring alert! More than 36 Domino's stores across Greater Baltimore are looking to hire about 85 delivery drivers. (Press Release)
• We're almost to October and I can't wait to break out my Halloween decor. But if you're ready to dive into spooky season a little early, the historic Lord Baltimore Hotel is participating in the world's largest ghost hunt on Sept. 24. More details via EventBrite.