8 things to know: Morgan State to march in Normandy D

See Correction/Clarification at end of article

Good morning and happy Monday! Hope you enjoyed another weekend of great weather.

There was lots going on outside in the region over the weekend. The Charles Street Promenade drew crowds who enjoyed strolling and entertainment on the car-free street. Runners hit the hilly and scenic streets of North Baltimore for the Baltimore 10-miler. Little Italy served up plenty of pasta, sausage and cannoli at its Feast of St. Anthony Italian Festival. And the Annapolis Greek Festival attracted those looking for dancing, music and gyros at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Here's what else you need to know to start your week.

Morgan State University's marching band is making history in one of the most sacred places in Europe. The Baltimore school's band will perform in the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade next year in Normandy, France. The invitation to Morgan's "Magnificent Marching Machine" to participate in the parade was extended by Music Celebrations International as part of the official 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day: The Battle of Normandy and the Liberation of France. The occasion, made possible with the support of the American Veterans Center, marks the first time an ensemble from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) will participate in the annual D-Day memorial parade. "The opportunity to have our students not only represent our university but also our nation on such a grand world stage in recognition of such a monumental occasion is truly an honor," Morgan President David Wilson said in a news release. This official 80th Anniversary of D-Day represents possibly the last at which any June 6th veterans will be present.

Harborplace's would-be developer P. David Bramble kept his promise to seek input from the community with the first "listening session" on the future of the beleaguered landmark. BBJ Reporter Melody Simmons reported that 200 stakeholders attended the meeting at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Saturday, many ready to offer their take on the next incarnation of Harborplace. Bramble said he envisions a "cool" mix of local and national retailers and restaurants in the complex.

Wall Street may be a bit bearish on the stock market as a whole. But apparently, hedge funds and other speculative investors like tech stocks. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the same investors betting against the S&P 500 are expecting a rally in the tech-focused Nasdaq-100. The Journal used data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission compiled by Bespoke Investment Group. The S&P 500 is up 12% this year with a big part of that increase coming from seven big tech companies, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices data through the end of May.

Sign up for the Baltimore Business Journal's emails to get the latest business news for Greater Baltimore in your inbox twice a day. Already signed up and loving the work we do? Consider subscribing for less than $3 a week.

A sonic boom that shook houses in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., on Sunday was caused by fighter jets scrambling to intercept a private plane flying over Virginia. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said Sunday that the jets were responding to a Cessna that later crashed in Virginia. Sources told the Washington Post that the military did not shoot the Cessna down. A sonic boom is caused by shock waves created when an object or in this case, a plane, travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. Residents throughout the DMV reported hearing the loud boom and some said their houses trembled.

HonFest organizers reversed their decision to not allow Planned Parenthood of Maryland to take part in the annual neighborhood festival after an outcry about the decision, the Baltimore Banner reports. HonFest organizers apologized to Planned Parenthood of Maryland for initially rejecting its vendor application. "This year, our sincere intent was to remain politically neutral and avoid any type of conflict, and in doing so, we inadvertently created the controversy we were desperately hoping to avoid," a post on the HonFest Facebook page said. "We are deeply sorry and apologize for our decision to exclude your organization." Planner Parenthood said late last night that they will be in Hampden next weekend, but not at HonFest, instead setting up shop at a Hampden hair salon.

Mayor Brandon Scott kicked off pool season in the city with the annual Big Splash event at Druid Hill Park Pool. The city will operate 12 pools, including six park pools and six neighborhood pools, all fee-free this summer. The pools at Druid Hill, Riverside and Roosevelt parks are currently open and operating on a weekend schedule. Lake Clifton, Cherry Hill Splash Pad and Patterson Park Pool will open by late June due to maintenance and in Patterson Park's case, repairs. "Our annual Big Splash event is always an exciting way to open pool season, which is a favorite for residents of all ages across the city," Scott said in a statement. "Our pools serve as a fantastic resource and gathering space for communities all across Baltimore, providing a safe venue for Baltimoreans to enjoy themselves while escaping the summer heat."

It's that time of year when everyone is an NBA fan. It's hard not to get swept up in the excitement — and last night was no exception. The Miami Heat battled Denver's high altitude, unfriendly arena and a big point deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 111-108 in the second game of the NBA Finals. "Our guys are competitors," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Associated Press. "They love these kind of moments."

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated when Morgan State's marching band will participate in the D-Day parade. The band will participate in the parade in 2024.