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.

MLB doesn't approve O's signing of Kim

By Eduardo A. Encina — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:44:00 GMT

Major League Baseball has ruled it will not approve the Orioles' contract with 17-year-old South Korean Kim Seong-min, a move that caused much controversy in the pitcher's home country. The action comes five days after the Orioles apologized for an "unintentional breach of protocol" in signing Kim, regarded as the country's top left-handed high school pitcher.

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.

Grand Prix chief is racing fan and driver

By Julie Scharper , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:52:28 GMT

Dale Dillon has built tracks, organized races

Construction magnate and self-described "gearhead" Dale Dillon has built offices for high-speed racing teams, laid tracks for IndyCar contests in two cities and, despite having only one leg, raced open-wheeled cars competitively. Now, he is poised to become the face of Baltimore's Grand Prix race.

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.

Prosecution rests case against Huguely

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

Prosecutors gave jurors a look at George Huguely V's actions on the last day of his ex-girlfriend's life through witness testimony Wednesday. Huguely got drunk and tried to hook up with at least three fellow University of Virginia students before — and possibly after — his confrontation with Yeardley Love, witnesses said.

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."

Counties oppose O'Malley's teacher pension plan

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:22:00 GMT

Local officials say they can't absorb the retirement costs

Local officials say they can't absorb the retirement costs

Man convicted of shooting salon owner in head during robbery

By Peter Hermann , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:16:57 GMT

Malcolm Anthony Pulliam faces life in prison; has unrelated rape charges pending

A 35-year-old man faces life plus nearly 50 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder for forcing the owner of a Northeast Baltimore hair salon to kneel on a bathroom floor and shooting her at least twice in the head during a robbery.

Sheppard Pratt gets state OK for Ruxton group home

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.

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.

O's official: 'Absolutely no truth' to rumors that Angelos will sell team

By Childs Walker — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:31:00 GMT

An Orioles official said today there is “absolutely no truth” to fresh rumors that owner Peter Angelos is shopping the club.

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.

O'Malley: Keeping Comfort a tough sell

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

A day after the U.S. Navy announced plans to move the hospital ship Comfort from Baltimore to Virginia, Gov. Martin O'Malley conceded it would be a "tough economic argument" to keep the vessel docked off Canton. The Navy has said it will save about $2 million per year by moving the ship, a fixture on the Baltimore waterfront for a quarter-century.

City proposes one school closure, scaling back grade levels at three

By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:40:35 GMT

Southside Academy High School would close this year under annual plan to restructure failing programs

Baltimore school officials proposed Tuesday night to close one school, Southside Academy, a Cherry Hill high school with about 274 students.

Fire kills more than 350 inmates in overcrowded Honduras prison

Gustavo Palencia — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:29:02 GMT

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - A massive fire swept through an overcrowded prison in Honduras and killed more than 350 inmates, including many trapped inside their cells, officials said on Wednesday.

Preston: Randy Moss could help Ravens for a season or two

By Mike Preston — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:32:00 GMT

There is speculation the Ravens have interest in receiver Randy Moss, and I have no problems with the team trying to pursue him as long as they don't mortgage away the future. I can't see the Ravens doing that because that's not general manager Ozzie Newsome's style. Even though Moss has been away from the game for a short time, he's still probably one of the fastest receivers in the league, and all opposing defenses have to respect speed. At the right price, I wouldn't mind seeing him line up opposite Torrey Smith with Anquan Boldin in the slot. The Ravens had similar plans for Lee Evans last year, but he spent most of 2011 on the sideline with a high ankle sprain.

Baltimore Diner: Bang Bang Mongolian Grill opens in Canton

By Richard Gorelick — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:50:00 GMT

Bang Bang Mongolian Grill opens officially on Wednesday in the Can Company space that formerly housed the Austin Grill.

Traffic: Accident on Route 100 eastbound near I-95

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:08:25 GMT

No major delays reported on transit systems

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, traffic was slow on Route 100 eastbound at I-95, due to an accident.