Baltimore Checkbook

Google's plan to bring VR to the masses

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/144627175262/googles-plan-to-bring-vr-to-the-masses#_=_

Google may be getting serious about virtual reality, but it’s not straying too far from its DIY roots.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/googles-plan-to-bring-vr-to-the-masses/39631096

Gap closes 75 stores outside North America

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Gap Inc. says it will shutter 75 Old Navy and Banana Republic stores outside North America as the struggling company looks to focus on regions where it sees it has the greatest potential for success.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/gap-closes-75-stores-outside-north-america/39634012

University of Maryland Medical Center names new...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/144617220802/university-of-maryland-medical-center-names-new#_=_

University of Maryland Medical System has named as CEO of its flagship hospital the executive it called on to help turn around the struggling University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. Dr. Mohan Suntha will take over as CEO of University of Maryland Medical Center Sept. 1. Suntha has served as president and CEO of St. Joseph Medical Center since the university system acquired the hospital in 2012. Suntha succeeds longtime CEO Jeffrey Rivest, who retired last year. “Throughout his career,…

COPT to take a gamble on the University of...

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Demand for office space in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia is still struggling to rebound to pre-recession levels, but at least one area developer is rolling the dice that the tenants will come if you build it first. Columbia-based Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE: OFC) plans to break ground speculatively on a 75,000-square-foot office building at the University of Maryland’s 126-acre research park. The park, called M Square, is already home the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,…

Sports Authority's demise leaves holes,...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/144614681662/sports-authoritys-demise-leaves-holes#_=_

The Sports Authority’s decision to close all 450 remaining stores — including the seven left in Maryland — leaves both headaches and potential opportunity for shopping center landlords. Thomas H. Maddux, principal of KLNB, calls it “good news and bad news.” “The market should be able to absorb these spaces pretty well,” Maddux said. “But it never happens quickly on the retail side. Sports Authority has to work through its bankruptcy. Landlords have to get control of the space.” Maddux said…

Fed officials to Wall Street: We're right, you're...

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The Federal Reserve has a clear message for Wall Street: Get on our page.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/fed-officials-to-wall-street-were-right-youre-wrong/39630574

White House, Congress reach deal on Puerto Rico...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/144612931307/white-house-congress-reach-deal-on-puerto-rico#_=_

Congress is trying to save Puerto Rico from “full scale economic collapse.”



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/white-house-congress-reach-deal-on-puerto-rico-rescue/39627534

CDC: Salmonella outbreaks being caused by turtles

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/144612401862/cdc-salmonella-outbreaks-being-caused-by-turtles#_=_

Small turtles may be cute but they are making people sick. That was the warning from U.S. federal health officials on Wednesday.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/health/salmonella-outbreaks-caused-by-turtles/39625456

Frito-Lay expansion will add 140 new jobs at...

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Frito-Lay is expanding its snack food manufacturing plant in Aberdeen with a 165,000-square-foot automated distribution center that will bring 140 new jobs. The $122 million expansion project was unveiled Thursday by state officials. The project will also install two additional manufacturing lines at the plant and upgrade a wastewater treatment system. Plano, Tex.-based Frito-Lay is a division of PepsiCo. It has operated its plant in Harford County since 1994 and has expanded several times since…

Google patent would glue pedestrians to...

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Google just got a patent for a special kind of coating on self-driving cars that could help prevent pedestrian injuries.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/google-patent-would-glue-pedestrians-to-selfdriving-cars/39627748