Ravens prevail in final minutes; Baltimore city administrator stepping down; Astros, Phils heading to World Series

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

It's always a good Monday when the Ravens win on Sunday. The team managed to hold onto the lead in the final minutes of the game to beat the Cleveland Browns 23-20. Malik Harris blocked a 60-yard field goal attempt by Browns kicker Cade York to keep the Ravens’ narrow three-point margin with just under two minutes remaining in the game. The win puts the Ravens in first place in the AFC North. Baltimore Sun

In weather today, expect Sunday's showers to give way to clouds and a high of 66 degrees on Monday. It will warm up into the 70s on Tuesday and Wednesday with partly cloudy skies. WBAL.com

Here's what else you need to know to get your day going.

• It took Harley Flack about two years and nearly $300,000 in legal costs to prove that Stella May Contracting was worthy of a minority-owned certification from the state. That's why he wasn't surprised by new analysis by The Business Journals that shows state departments of transportation – including Maryland’s – are regularly missing goals established by The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. Check out our in-depth look — this week's cover story — at minority contracting. Baltimore Business Journal
• Executives from the Ravens, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Paramount and Topgolf are holding a news conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. to "share their vision" for the burgeoning Warner Street Entertainment District near M&T Bank Stadium. A news release says officials will unveil the new name for the district and update project deadlines. There's lot of anticipation for the opening of Topgolf, a 65,000-square-foot driving range and entertainment facility. The venue has already scored a liquor license and is eyeing a late October/early November opening date.
• Baltimore City Administrator Christopher Shorter is leaving Baltimore City Hall for a new job in Northern Virginia. Mayor Brandon Scott tapped Shorter in 2020 after the position was created via a council bill and subsequent ballot referendum. Baltimore Banner
• Carroll County received a triple A bond rating — the highest possible — from three credit agencies, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard and Poor’s, for the fifth straight year. The strong bond rating enables the county to secure a low interest rate of 3.799% on this year's $30 million bond sale. Baltimore Sun
• We're nearly two weeks away from the Nov. 8 election. Wondering where to vote? When early voting starts? What to bring and can't bring to the polling place? WBAL has a handy guide to voting on the big day. WBAL.com
• Early earnings reports show fewer companies are beating analyst estimates, fueling concerns by investors that a recession could be on its way. Of the 20% of companies in the S&P 500 that have reported third-quarter results, 72% have topped analysts’ consensus earnings estimates, according to FactSet. That's below the five-year average of 77%. Wall Street Journal
• The Ravens weren't the only local team victorious on the gridiron. The Terps rallied for a 31-24 win against Northwestern University on homecoming day in College Park's SECU Stadium, also known as The Shell. The win enables the Terps to become eligible for a bowl game. Baltimore Sun
• Can't help but be excited for my hometown of Philadelphia. The Phillies are heading to the World Series after a dramatic home run by Bryce Harper defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 in game five of the National League Championship Series. Yahoo!Sports
• And as an Orioles fan, I'm also happy to see the New York Yankees lose to the Houston Astros in game four of the National League Championship Series 6-5. “It’s an awful day, just an awful ending,” Manager Aaron Boone said shortly after the game. “It stings.” The Astros take on the Phillies in game one of the World Series on Friday night. New York Times