Maryland News - baltimoresun.com

O'Malley explains evolution of stance on same-sex marriage at Sun forum

By Steve Kilar, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:59:58 GMT

A rehash of his state-of-the-state address, one audience member said

Gov. Martin O'Malley gave his most detailed explanation to date for the evolution of his stance on gay marriage, at the inaugural Baltimore Sun Newsmaker Forum Wednesday evening.

I-95 plaza bidder prompts questions

By Candus Thomson , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:42:08 GMT

Fla. work reported late; losing Md. competitors complain

The state is poised to approve a 35-year deal with the U.S. unit of a Spanish hospitality company to rebuild and manage two travel plazas on Interstate 95 even as questions emerge about its track record and experience.

Less than six degrees of separation in Huguely trial

By Jean Marbella , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:56:13 GMT

Huguely's small and troubled world, reunited in a courtroom

Even by the admittedly low standards of such affairs, this was a college reunion filled with more than the usual awkwardness and the sense of an unrecoverable time.

Port workers, drinking buddies lament departure of USNS Comfort

By Jonathan Pitts , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:47:00 GMT

Ship will now berth in Norfolk after more than 25 years in Baltimore

It was Happy Hour at the Poncabird Pub on Wednesday, and the South Baltimore tavern was as busy and bustling as usual, but as late-afternoon sunlight streaked through a side window, the expressions it caught on the faces at one table were decidedly grim.

Baltimore police praise training programs at city council hearing

By Justin Fenton , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:43:00 GMT

Results are sharper skills, stronger bonds, officers say

A parade of Baltimore police officers, from rookies to a 30-year veteran, told City Council members Wednesday night that training programs developed by the department have sharpened their skills and helped build camaraderie among the ranks.

Huguely lawyers fail to get charges dropped

Tricia Bishop , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:47:00 GMT

Defense begins case after prosecution questions friends of former University of Virginia student

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Circuit Court Judge Edward Hogshire refused a defense request Wednesday to strike charges against George Huguely V, finding that there was "ample evidence to support a jury finding in favor of all of the indictments" against the former University of Virginia student, including premeditated murder.

Perkins hospital workers rally for more jobs

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:17:00 GMT

Improvements sought after three slayings at state mental hospital

Workers at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center in Jessup held a rally Wednesday to urge state lawmakers to add more jobs at the troubled mental facility where three patients were killed in a 14-month span.

Another Grand Prix is in city's 'best interest,' Rawlings-Blake says

By Julie Scharper , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:56:39 GMT

Rawlings-Blake touts financial safeguards in brief remarks

Continuing race offers vendors, city best chance to make up last year's losses, Baltimore mayor says

Sister of Md. correctional officer calls slaying a 'nightmare'

By Andrea F. Siegel, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:43:45 GMT

Jury to consider death sentence for prisoner convicted of murdering David McGuinn

A sister of slain correctional officer David McGuinn told jurors weighing whether to sentence his killer to death that the two siblings were so close that others in the family called them "Donnie and Marie."

Sheppard Pratt gets state approval for group home in Ruxton

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:25:00 GMT

Residents have expressed strong opposition

Despite local opposition, Sheppard Pratt's application for a high-end group home in a residential Towson neighborhood has received state approval.

Chat replay: Baltimore Sun Newsmakers Forum with Gov. Martin O'Malley

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:51:00 GMT

The Baltimore Sun hosted its inaugural Newsmakers Forum tonight, with Gov. Martin O'Malley as the featured guest. Opinion Editor Andy Green conducted an hourlong interview with the governor. Read the chat transcript.

For second year in a row, BWI sets passenger record

By Candus Thomson , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:35:56 GMT

Airport saw 22.39 million ticket holders pass through gates in 2011

For the second year in a row, passenger traffic set records at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, with 22.39 million ticket holders passing through the gates in 2011.

Maryland Politics: Del. Hogan a 'no' on same-sex marriage

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:11:00 GMT

Western Maryland Del. Patrick Hogan, who was the target of an intense lobbying campaign over the past few days, announced this afternoon that he will not support Gov. Martin O'Malley's same-sex marriage bill.

Internal poll shows movement for Delaney in 6th District

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:18:00 GMT

An internal poll conducted by Democrat John Delaney’s campaign for Maryland’s 6th District race shows the Potomac financier is gaining ground against State Sen. Robert Garagiola and is tied in a head-to-head matchup, according to a summary of the survey.

Md. Politics: Federal workers take $15B hit in payroll tax deal

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:37:00 GMT

Federal employees will be required to contribute $15 billion toward the cost of extending federal unemployment insurance under a tentative agreement struck in Congress that would also maintain the 2010 payroll tax break, federal worker union officials said Wednesday.

Exterior construction completed at Arundel Mills casino

By Nicole Fuller , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Casino to open in June with 3,000 slot machines

Developers celebrated the completion of major construction at the $500 million Maryland Live! Casino at Arundel Mills mall Wednesday morning, urging the public to save their money for gambling.

Keeping Comfort in Baltimore a tough sell, O'Malley says

By Yvonne Wenger, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:44:27 GMT

Navy could save $2 million a year by moving ship to Norfolk, Va.; governor says

Gov. Martin O'Malley says Maryland will have a tough time persuading the Navy to keep the USNS Comfort docked in Baltimore, but he expects forthcoming commerce to bolster the waterfront's vibrancy.

Real Estate Wonk: Crime, school, amenities data and housing

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:50:00 GMT

Crime Beat: Press association weighs in on photographing police

By Peter Hermann — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:31:00 GMT

Just hours after Baltimore police issued a directive telling its 3,100 officers that they can't arrest or seize cameras from people merely for photographing or videotaping them, officers were caught on tape seemingly doing just that.

Baltimore officials to unveil new contract for Grand Prix

By Julie Scharper and Luke Broadwater, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Safeguards will protect city from losses, officials say

Safeguards in deal with new operator will protect city from losses, officials say

Natural gas out in Millhill neighborhood, possibly for days

By Steve Kilar, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:36:00 GMT

Gas main broken during water main repair, utility officials said

A swath of the Millhill neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore lost natural gas and water service early Tuesday — and gas outages may continue for several days, according to the utility operators.

Navy moving hospital ship Comfort to Virginia

By Matthew Hay Brown and Steve Kilar, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:19:00 GMT

Fixture of Baltimore waterfront to set sail in 2013

The USNS Comfort, the white-hulled hospital ship that has been a fixture of the Baltimore waterfront for a quarter-century, is moving next year to Norfolk, Va., the Navy announced Tuesday.

Valentine's Day busiest of year for Md. courthouse marriages

By Mary Gail Hare , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:00 GMT

Couples — wearing wedding finery or jeans and T-shirts — choose clerk's office over chapel

The most love-infused day of the year is also the busiest date for weddings at many Baltimore-area courthouses. In Baltimore County, Court Clerk Julie Ensor officiated at nearly 30 weddings. No one waits long — the vows take about 10 minutes. Above, Baltimoreans Juliet and Andre Thompson, both 50, show off their marriage certificate.

Balto. Co. Council may strip bathrooms from transgender bill

By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:54:27 GMT

Council hears hours of testimony on anti-discrimination bill

After hearing hours of testimony on a bill to ban discrimination against transgender people, Baltimore County Council members said Tuesday they would consider exempting public restrooms and locker rooms from the measure.

Body shop owner testifies at police kickback trial

By Justin Fenton , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:43:40 GMT

He says city officers got $300 per referral, damage added to boost insurance payouts

Repair shop owner Alex Moreno said he was approached in 2008 by a Baltimore police officer with an idea to help boost sales at his fledgling Rosedale business: In exchange for a cut, officers would funnel cars to the shop.