It seemed like the perfect moment at the perfect time. Just after the third inning Thursday night at Camden Yards, the Orioles were up 1-0 against the Boston Red Sox and widely expected to clinch the American League East title before a jubilant crowd, when Gov. Wes Moore and Orioles Chairman/CEO John Angelos — side by side and applauding — suddenly appeared on the stadium’s video board. Beneath the two men was a statement that seemed to bring even more good baseball news.

A new era for Baltimore’s Harborplace shopping complex will rise from a blank slate, the project’s developer said Sunday. A spokeswoman for MCB Real Estate, Harborplace’s newly appointed steward, said the Inner Harbor’s two “pavilions” will be torn down to make way for the waterfront promenade’s next chapter. MCB Real Estate managing partner P. David Bramble did not expound on when demolition might occur, but spokeswoman Alexandra Hughes said in an email to The Baltimore Banner that the developer will continue to engage with community members as part of its 12-month “design phase.”

Community members had their say before the Maryland Public Service Commission Sept. 19 regarding Baltimore Gas and Electric’s proposed rate increase. Baltimore residents, community association leaders, health care workers, environmental and consumer advocates, and government officials filled the commission’s Baltimore chambers and many testified.

Maryland State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury will resign as the state’s public schools leader Oct. 6, but the next day become a full-time senior adviser for the State Board of Education. A joint statement released Friday from the board and Choudhury explains that he will provide “expert-level advice, guidance and recommendations” on education policies, strategies and priorities, such as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan.

 

About 1.5 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, typically around the joints, causing swelling and deformity. Generally, doctors prescribe the drug methotrexate, which reduces pain and swelling and can also slow joint damage and disease progression over time. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Next, doctors often prescribe drugs such as Humira and Enbrel — from the seemingly ubiquitous TV ads — that block a molecule called tumor necrosis factor alpha, which regulates the body’s inflammatory responses.

The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal. The package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden’s full request. The bill funds government until Nov. 17.

Small-town elections where just a few hundred people cast ballots typically don’t get much outside attention. But Tuesday’s vote in Federalsburg, a 200-year-old enclave of about 2,800 people in Caroline County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, made history as residents elected the town’s first Black council members. In a community where about 43 percent of the population is Black, the election of Black leaders was long overdue, said residents and civil rights leaders who celebrated the wins.

With two days before a partial government shutdown, House Republicans held their first impeachment inquiry hearing Thursday over unproven allegations that President Biden benefited from his son’s business dealings overseas. Witnesses tapped by Republicans for the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing acknowledged that there was no evidence showing that the president profited from his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings when he was vice president in the Obama administration.

It’s been 48 hours since we lost a giant, Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. As you guys know, Brooksie was the greatest Oriole of all time, and the greatest third baseman in baseball history. You met Brooks. You saw firsthand what kind of man he was. And yes, he sets a high bar for the next great Baltimore Orioles. That would be the three of you. Adley and Gunnar, you are new to Birdland, but we already love you.

Parts of Annapolis are good for bicycling. Parts are not. You can ride downtown, or on a few trails through nice neighborhoods. Bay Ridge Road has wide, paved shoulders that make it a popular route out of Eastport. Hop on your Trek or Specialized and it’s an easy trip to Truxtun Park along Spa Road or Hilltop Lane. But try Forest Drive, or venture far out onto West Street, and it’s like taking your life in your Schwinn handlebars. Live in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods on the southern reaches, and biking to work may be out of the question.