Not just hot today, but excessively hot – the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Baltimore, and warns that heat stroke and heat related illnesses are particularly likely during today’s hot and humid conditions. Artscape gets underway in Baltimore as the heat wave continues. Former Maryland Labor Secretary Tom Perez has been confirmed to the post of US Labor Secretary. Mixed employment numbers for June: MD’s jobless rate went up, but the state added jobs. Plus: Harbor Point, “The Lines Between Us,” dead fish in the Inner Harbor, and more.
Still Hot – Excessively So: It’ll be another hazy, hot and humid day across Maryland. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Baltimore from noon until 8 tonight; officials say that the mid to upper 90s highs we’ll experience, added to high humidity, make the risk of heat stroke or heat related illnesses far higher than usual today. It’s a Code Red Heat Alert day in Baltimore again, the city’s emergency cooling centers will be open – you can call 311 to find out where they are. And air pollution concentrations are again expected to be high – and the State Department of the Environment has issued a “Code Orange Air Quality Alert.”
Artscape Gets Underway: An extra 350-thousand people are expected to put up with the heat in Baltimore over the next three days – for Artscape. Billed as the nation’s largest free arts festival, the 32nd annual event has a number of streets closed along North Charles Street and Mt. Royal Avenue. Expect delays if your travels take you there. The Baltimore Business Journal has more.
Perez Confirmed As US Labor Secretary: The US Labor Department will now be headed up by Maryland’s former Labor Secretary: Tom Perez. He’d been nominated to the post back in March… but his confirmation was held up by Senate Republicans… who earlier this week reached a deal with Democrats allowing the vote. The Baltimore Sun notes that the vote went down along party lines, 54 to 46. Perez will replace former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
June Jobs Numbers: The US Labor Department says that Maryland’s unemployment rate reached 7% in June, even as the state added a net 4300 jobs to its rolls. Economist Anirban Basu tells the Baltimore Sun that the three straight months of increases in the state unemployment rate is likely a result of the federal sequestration spending cuts. The Baltimore Business Journal has more here.
Harbor Point Controversy Grows: WYPR's Fraser Smith and Luke Broadwater of the Baltimore Sun talk about the latest arguments for and against the controversial development at Harbor Point. It’s today’s edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
“The Lines Between Us”: Today’s episode of “The Lines Between Us” at 9am focuses on racial disparities in juvenile justice. Maryland Morning senior producer Lawrence Lanahan brought us a preview.
Suspect’s Death Under Investigation: An investigation is underway after a man died in the custody of Baltimore city police. The man allegedly resisted arrest at a traffic stop last night, then went into cardiac arrest, and was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital. The man has not been identified, and the case is being investigated by homicide detectives and internal affairs. A witness tells the Baltimore Sun that officers used excessive force; and says she videotaped the incident.
Dead Fish In Baltimore’s Inner Harbor: The Maryland Department of the Environment is trying to learn what caused murky green water and about 200 dead fish in the Inner Harbor yesterday. The recent heat could be in part to blame; the Baltimore Sun has more.
Leopold’s Name On AA Tax Bills: Anne Arundel County residents are getting tax bills with the name of former County Executive John Leopold on the envelope. Leopold resigned from office earlier this year after being convicted of misconduct in office. His successor, Laura Neuman, tells the Capital Gazette that the county still had 560-thousand envelopes with Leopold’s name on them when she took over… and that it would have cost more than 10-thousand dollars to replace them.
Maryland City Plane Crash: A 70-year-old pilot was critically injured after his small plane crashed in Maryland City. The Capital Gazette has more.
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles are in the Lone Star State tonight, to kick off a three game series against the Texas Rangers.