Baltimore Checkbook

8 things you need to know this morning

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Good morning and happy Wednesday. Expect another warm, spring-like day today with temperatures expected to hit 70. Try not to think about the winter-like weather that’s expected to head our way when spring officially hits on Sunday. The trials of the six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray are expected to resume in May. Office Edward Nero will be tried May 10. [Baltimore Sun] U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio suspended his campaign for the presidency after losing to Donald Trump in…

These firms give you money to pay student loans

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Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would help you pay your student loan bill each month? More employers are doing just that. Nearly 5,000 workers have signed up for a student loan assistance program Fidelity launched in January, the company said Tuesday. …



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/these-employers-give-you-money-to-pay-off-student-loans/38528250

Apple gets final word in encryption fight

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Apple lashed out against the government on Tuesday in its battle over the iPhone used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, accusing federal lawyers of not understanding technology and mischaracterizing the company’s arguments. In a brief filed in fe…



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/apple-gets-final-word-in-encryption-fight-the-government-just-doesnt-get-it/38532352

5 adjustments for a more comfortable workspace

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The average employee sits more than seven hours per day. Making a few adjustments to your position can improve your comfort and productivity. The following hints will help make your desk work more ergonomically healthy and avoid repetitive injuries. Because there is no one sitting posture that is perfect, you should move frequently. Get out of your chair twice each hour for mini stretch breaks of one to two minutes; set your computer’s alarm as a reminder. If you are staring at a monitor, regularly…

Uber, Lyft gear up for a day without Metro

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Ride-sharing services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft will be in high demand Wednesday as Greater Washington deals with the abrupt and unprecedented shutdown of the entire Metrorail system. Both companies said Tuesday that local driver communities have been put on alert for what promises to a be a busy and booming day for business. “ETAs may be higher than normal but we’re doing everything we can to ensure there are plenty of drivers on the road,” Lyft said in a statement. An Uber spokesperson…

Agreement reached to end housing discrimination

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An agreement has been reached that advocates say will end decades of housing discrimination in Baltimore County.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/news/agreement-reached-to-end-housing-discrimination/38529990

Business leaders urge Washington, D.C., officials...

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Greater Washington business leaders gathered together Tuesday to press for the approval of the $6.8 billion merger between the Exelon Corp. and Pepco Holdings Inc. — and any deal will do. Jim Dinegar, the president and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, said at a press conference that the gathered members of the business community had no preference on which of the options the D.C. Public Service Commission and D.C. officials ultimately need to agree on, just that they agree. “The…

For you Baltimore to Washington commuters, the...

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A heads up for the Baltimore to Washington commuters: The D.C. Metro will shut down its entire rail system for at least 29 hours beginning midnight Tuesday to check electric cables, according to multiple news reports. Adam Tuss from NBC Washington first broke the news, which is also being reported by The Washington Post and WTOP. Metro is expected to hold a news conference at 4:30 Tuesday to address the situation. We are awaiting word on how the federal government and local jurisdictions will handle…

Charleston's Cindy Wolf makes short list for James...

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Cindy Wolf, the acclaimed chef and owner of Charleston restaurant in Baltimore, is competing against five other chefs for the title of Best Chef: Mid Atlantic in the prestigious James Beard Awards. The culinary organization whittled down its list of semi-finalists and announced its finalists for the awards on Tuesday. The winners will be announced during the 26th annual James Beard Awards ceremony on May 2 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The full list of nominees can be seen here.

After years of anticipation, construction begins...

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Developers of the 44-story tower at 414 Light St. near the Inner Harbor broke ground on the project Tuesday, with the goal of opening in March 2018. Once completed, the $160 million tower will hold 394 luxury apartment units, 40,000 square feet of outdoor and indoor amenity space and retail space along the first floor. The 2-acre site is the former home of spice maker McCormick & Co. Inc. and has long been eyed for redevelopment. Up until this month, the site had been a surface parking lot. Questar…