Podcast appearances and mentions of melody simmons

The Baltimore Business Journal's Melody Simmons talks about the economic impact expected from the Baltimore bridge collapse. And, the Washington Post's Cristiano Lima-Strong explains a new law in Florida that seeks to prevent children under 14 from joining social media. Then, New York Times reporter Andrew Jacobs discusses the renewed interest in the drug ibogaine to cure addiction as the number of opioid deaths in the U.S. continues to rise.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Are tax increment financing (TIF) packages working for development in Baltimore? Today's guest is Melody Simmons, a Senior Reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal. For nearly 10 years, she has been covering the planned transformation of an 88-acre parcel of land near Hopkins Hospital by East Baltimore Development, Inc (EBDI). She gives us an update on this TIF anchored project and where it stands with key stakeholders.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

The Baltimore Sun was sold to David Smith, the Executive Chairman of Sinclair Broadcasting. The conservative media conglomerate owns the Fox45 TV station in Baltimore, and more than 200 other stations across the country. Melody Simmons, a Senior Reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal, joins us to discuss the news.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Last Monday, Gov. Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joined the developer David Bramble to announce preliminary designs for a reboot of Harbor Place. Melody Simmons covers development for the Baltimore Business Journal. She joins Midday to discuss the plans for Harborplace. Then, Pamela Woodof The Baltimore Banner joins Midday to share her reporting on the retirement announcement from Congressman John Sarbanes which follows Senator Ben Cardin's decision to retire at the end of his term.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

The Baltimore Orioles are the top seed in the American League playoffs. Their week of rest comes to an end Saturday when they'll take on the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, the Division series. It's the first time the team has made the playoffs since 2014. The excitement that the Orioles have generated this season is peppered with no shortage of anxiety as negotiations continue to finalize a lease agreement between the team and the MD Stadium Authority. Today we talk baseball with Danielle Allentuck, the Orioles beat writer for our news partner, the Baltimore Banner. Melody Simmons also joins us. She is a senior reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal who covers real estate and economic development.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Today, it's Midday on Development.  Every so often, we talk to the folks who are involved in some of Baltimore's commercial and residential projects that in many cases are game-changers for the neighborhoods in which they are being built, and for the city at large. Certainly, there are few game-changing projects in Baltimore that rival the enormity and significance of Port Covington, the 200-acre waterfront development in South Baltimore that will eventually provide a new headquarters for the Under Armour company, and 14 million square feet of retail, residential and office space, along with parks and open areas. To view videos of the new neighborhood, including a CG fly-through, click here. Tom's first guest is MaryAnne Gilmartin, the founder and CEO of MAG Partners. Her development firm is working on finding tenants for all of the first tranche of new buildings in the Port Covington neighborhood that are just a few months away from completion. MaryAnne Gilmartin joins us on Zoom from New York… Later in the program, Tom talks with Melody Simmons, a business development and real estate reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal. The veteran journalist updates us on some of the other big projects underway here in Baltimore. Melody Simmons joins Tom in Studio A.  __________________________________ Reminder: Election Day is next Tuesday! Early voting continues through Thursday at 8:00 PM. If you want to request a mail-in ballot by mail, the deadline to postmark your request is today (Tuesday). You have until Friday to ask for a mail-in ballot via e-mail.If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register when you vote early, or on election day. Bring a form of identification that proves you live in your jurisdiction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

C4 and Bryan Nehman heard weekdays from 5:30-10:00am ET on WBAL Newsradio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

C4 and Bryan Nehman heard weekdays from 5:30-10:00am ET on WBAL Newsradio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.

Today on Midday: We're looking at how cities like Baltimore can recover, not only from the ravages of the Coronavirus pandemic, but from the problems that have plagued many mid-sized American urban centers for years prior to COVID-19. Now, we turn to two keen observers of the local business environment and Baltimore's rapidly changing cityscape: Ethan McLeod is associate editor at Baltimore Business Journals; Melody Simmons is the BBJ's business and real estate reporter. They join Tom to discuss some of the development projects now underway in Baltimore that promise to revitalize some long-neglected city neighborhoods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Midday: another check on the economic impact of the pandemic. For retailers, it's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But this year, as cases of Coronavirus surge across the country, consumer spending may be a ghost of holiday's past. Bill Thorne, the Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at the National Retail Federation, explains why consumers should start shopping early this holiday season. Melody Simmons of the Baltimore Business Journal talks about her reporting on the Black business owners in Baltimore fighting to survive the pandemic. Plus, Hampden Village Merchants Association President Ben Ray discusses the importance of keeping cash in the community this Christmas.

C4 and Bryan Nehman heard weekdays from 5:30-10:00am ET on WBAL Newsradio 1090 and FM101.5.

We continue our series on the nominations for MDDC's prestigious James S. Keat FOIA Award, which honors a body of work reported primarily through open records. The Keat award, among many others, will presented online the week of May 11. In this episode “Unraveling Harborplace,” we will hear from Melody Simmons about her investigative work for the Baltimore Business Journal.

In the race for Mayor of Baltimore, most of the major candidates have promised to spur economic development and expand the footprint of development to include historically neglected neighborhoods. Several high profile locations, like Harborplace downtown and Cross Keys in north Baltimore are in need of a facelift. A redeveloped State Center complex remains a dream for adjacent neighborhood associations who have been waiting for something to happen for more than a decade. In Poppleton, on the city’s west side, an $800 million dollar project near the University of MD Bio Park has been stalled for just as long. The fortunes of Under Armour have changed substantially since the Port Covington deal was signed nearly four years ago. Founder Kevin Plank’s role has been reduced, and the share price of Under Armour stock is down. Will this in any way affect the $5 and a half billion dollar Port Covington project? Towson, on the other hand, is awash in construction cranes. The new projects there have thrilled some business owners, and made others nervous about increased traffic and other problems that can attend residential and retail development. Today on Midday, an update on the status of a few of these projects, and the potential impact they’ll have on the local economy. Later in this hour, we'll check on the status of State Center, the aging 28-acre complex in Midtown Baltimore. Plans to revitalize State Center have been in the works since the Ehrlich Administration, many moons ago. We’ll get the latest on the State’s plan -- as well as a brief recap of city-focused elements in Governor Hogan's new budget -- when Luke Broadwater of the Baltimore Sun joins Tom from Annapolis. But we begin with Harborplace here in Baltimore. The shopping center has numerous vacancies, and it’s in receivership as its owners and the city wrestle with how to revive what was once the crown jewel of the City. Joining Tom in the studio are Anthony Hawkins, a former Vice President with the Rouse Company who was the first general manager of Harborplace; and Melody Simmons, who reports on economic development for the Baltimore Business Journal.

Today, a conversation about what Baltimore’s Inner Harbor used to be, and what it could be. Since it was built in 1980, Harborplace has been one of our city’s signature tourist attractions, a centerpiece of Baltimore's downtown redevelopment. Now, after years of neglect and declining profits, the ----festival marketplace---- has been placed in receivership. It’s losing money, it’s losing stores, and it’s losing patrons. Compared to the glitzier Harbor East, is Harborplace a loser?There are some who think we should convince new stores and restaurants to occupy the currently vacant storefronts, and others who think this is the moment to tear down much or all of it and re-purpose Harborplace as green space and non-retail space. In a recent competition, entrants were asked to let their imaginations soar when it comes to what Baltimore’s waterfront could look like. Today on Midday, a survey of some of the proposals to modernize the waterfront property, and what the redevelopment of Harborplace could mean for tourists, locals and local entrepreneurs. Some improvements are already underway. Just last week, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and the City announced a public-private partnership to fund a major renovation of Rash Field Park on the southern side of Harborplace. Construction is set to begin in January. Joining Tom to talk about all of this: Melody Simmons covers real estate and economic development for The Baltimore Business Journal.Laurie Schwartz is president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. They join Tom in Studio A. Daniel Campo is associate professor and program director of city planning at the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University. He joins us on the line from Argot Studios in New York City.We welcome listener calls, emails and Tweets.

Today on the Friday News Wrap, guest host Nathan Sterner takes a look back at a week of dramatic political news, from the Paul Manafort trial to the arrest of a Republican congressman on corruption charges, and a special congressional election in Ohio that’s given Democrats new hope for winning a majority in the House this November. NPR White House correspondent Scott Horsley joins Nathan on the line from NPR studios in Washington to help us make sense of it all. Then, we’ll hear how the city of Chicago is dealing with last weekend’s spasm of gun violence in the city's South and West Sides, in which at least 70 people were shot and 12 victims died. Nathan talks with the Reverend Gregory Livingston, the Interim Pastor at Chicago's New Hope Baptist Church. He's a prominent faith leader who’s been active in protesting the city's daily violence -- and how city leaders have been respondingto it.And we close the hour with Melody Simmons, real estate and development reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal, who joins Nathan in the studio to talk about the Journal’s new two-part series of articles spotlighting the brighter sides of Baltimore, called Stop Aplogizing, Baltimore. BBJ editors say the series is intended to accentuate the positive about a city that’s usually framed in terms of rising crime, poverty and political dysfunction. And they're hoping that readers of the series will be inspired to join a larger conversation about the future of Charm City: BBJ is hosting a public forum to discuss the series on Tuesday Aug. 28, on the second floor of 36 S. Charles St. Coffee, doughnuts and networking will be on tap starting at 8am. The discussion will be led by BBJ's editors and reporters, and include prominent local leaders and businesspeople. Audience members are invited to ask questions and share their ideas.To register for this free event, contact April House at ahouse@bizjournals.com.

Episode 12: Brittney Joy,  YA Fantasy In This Episode, You’ll Hear:   (Podcast run time 59:45 minutes)   :59 - Introduction to Brittney Joy, YA Fantasy 3:03  - Brittney shares her titles she has published 5:00 - Brittney shares what she wants new readers to know about her right up front 7:29 - Brittney talks about when she knew she was an author 10:30 - Brittney talks about her publishing journey  14:45 - Vikki & Brittney talk about cover designs  20:26 - Brittney & Vikki discuss finding & using an editor 25:30 -Brittney talks about finding an agent  30:20 -Brittney shares tips about marketing & support from other authors 36:15 Brittney & Vikki talk about reviewing books 38:00 Brittney shares her motivation & inspiration 43:15 Brittney reads from Overruled     Connect with Brittney Joy:   Brittney Joy Author Website: http://brittneyjoybooks.squarespace.com/   Brittney Joy Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittneyjoybooks   Twitter: https://twitter.com/brittneyjoydov   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittneyjoybooks/   Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Brittney_Joy     Links And Resources Mentioned In This Episode:   AAYAA - An Alliance of Young Adult Authors (almost 3000 members) https://www.facebook.com/groups/YAauthoralliance/   Facebook group for author support/questions (Where Brittney found her copy editor): https://www.facebook.com/groups/masterkoda/   Cover Designer for Brittney’s Red Rock Ranch books - Melody Simmons: https://bookcoverscre8tive.com/home/   Cover Designer for OverRuled & OverRun - Regina Wamba: https://www.maeidesign.com/     Podcast Music Credits:   Artist: Kevin MacLead Title: Backbay Lounge Album: Teh Jazzes, 2017 Website: https://incompetech.com/music/     Thanks For Listening   Thanks for listening!. If you have something you’d like to share with me, please connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or our website. Write a review on iTunes.

Baltimore is one of six US cities now competing for a $30-million federal grant that city planners hope will launch a major redevelopment project in East Baltimore. More than 1,300 public housing units and a school might be demolished in what could eventually be a $1 billion transformation of a 200-acre tract between Harbor East and Johns Hopkins Hospital, in the Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown neighborhoods -- a part of the city long marked by blight, vacancies and violent crime. If the Housing and Urban Development grant is awarded to Baltimore this summer and additional financing can be secured, the project could begin as early as next year. Perkins Homes, a large public housing complex, as well as City Springs Charter Elementary and Middle School, would be torn down as part of this huge project, which calls for the construction of a new City Springs school complex and more than 2500 new housing units. But to what extent could current residents be displaced? And given the history of past redevelopment efforts, could this project lead to more racial segregation and less affordable housing? Melody Simmons is a reporter with the Baltimore Business Journal and a veteran observer of the city’s real estate and development scene who has written several articles on the prospective East Baltimore transformation.Klaus Philipsen is an architect who writes and lectures widely about urban design, city architecture, preservation and transportation issues. He’s the author of Baltimore: Reinventing an Industrial Legacy City, and his commentaries on urban design appear frequently on his blog, Community Architect.They join Tom in the Midday studio, and answer listener calls, emails and tweets. This segment was streamed live on WYPR Facebook page; you can watch the video here.

Bryan Nehman asks how comfortable you might be with the latest method of Amazon delivery. Also, Melody Simmons of the Baltimore Business Journal joins the program to talk about a non-profit grocery store the Salvation Army is planning to open next week in Baltimore.

On this edition of the Midday News Wrap, ​our Friday review of some of the week's top news stories, Tom is joined in Studio A by Heather Mizeur, a former delegate in the Maryland General Assembly who ran a vigorous but unsuccessful campaign in 2014 for the Democratic nomination for governor. Mizeur recently launched a non-profit group called MizMaryland-Soul Force Politics, which is producing a policy blog and a podcast that Mizeur is hosting.Melody Simmons also joins Tom in the studio. Simmons is a veteran journalist and a reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal, which, on Wednesday, published her long piece -- in a BBJ series called ----The Amazon Effect” – about the economic impact various Amazon projects will have on the city, and what they might cost in taxpayer subsidies.

On Monday night, the City Council voted to send a minimum wage bill back to committee. Luke Broadwater from the Baltimore Sun and WYPR’s Metro Reporter Kenneth Burns were in the council chambers for the debate and vote, and they will walk-us through how and why the council took this step, and what it will mean for the city moving forward. Plus, Natalie Sherman of the Baltimore Sun and Melody Simmons of the Baltimore Business Journal have been covering the complexities of the proposed Port Covington development for many months. They’re give a status update on the enormous project. Then, the Nutrition Diva, Monica Reinagel on meat substitutes. Are they healthier? And are they worth the trade-off in taste?