Latest on the Key Bridge collapse

Newsletter for March 26, 2024

We at Technical.ly hope you, your loved ones and your communities are safe and sound in the aftermath of the horrific Key Bridge collapse this morning. As the human, economic and infrastructural tolls of this disaster get sorted in the coming days and weeks (and months and years), I encourage you to take care of yourself.

With things changing fast on the ground, we put together a recap of what we know so far — find that below. And if you need a palate cleanser, we've got a story about a Johns Hopkins alum's company that's tied to Major League Soccer.

— Sameer, Technical.ly editor

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In less than 24 hours, the Francis Scott Key Bridge went from carrying a functioning interstate highway to falling into the Patapsco River. It was hit by a cargo ship in perhaps Maryland's worst civil engineering disaster in recent years.

Like media outlets the world over, we'll be following up on the aftershocks — and are keen to hear from folks with expertise on how tech figures into this evolving situation. If you're one of those people, or know one, please hit reply tell us about it.

➡️ In the meantime, learn more about this fast-evolving situation in my story here.

In a much happier story, Baltimore reporter Alanah Nichole Davis interviewed Saul Garlick about Fabric, the company he cofounded that landed in Major League Soccer's first-ever MLS Innovation Labs cohort.

The geospatial web platform, which uses AR to facilitate in-person experiences during sporting events, has already been employed at NBA All-Star Weekend and the NHL Heritage Classic. For Garlick, a twice-over Johns Hopkins alum, Fabric is the latest highlight in an entrepreneurial career dating back to his undergrad years.

➡️ Find out more about Fabric and Garlick's journey in the article here.

• ICYMI: Gov. Moore, who's spent a lot of today at the bridge collapse site, last week announced the members of the new Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact. The council, which is dedicated to cross-sector partnerships to support innovation, includes leaders from state government, philanthropy and private industry. [Maryland Governor's Office]

• Mayor Brandon Scott (who, like Gov. Moore, was at the collapse site this morning) recently issued an executive order on generative AI use by city employees. City government will form an advisory group to assess current usage, set up guidance and offer education. [Baltimore Mayor's Office]

• Meet the six companies in the inaugural StartUp Lab, a new program to support STEM-related startups in Carroll County. [MAGIC]

• From share values falling to supply chain nightmares, the Key Bridge collapse's supply chain ramifications extend well beyond Charm City. [Pittsburgh Business Times]