^They’re Blackbirds, But Not Ravens – At Least Not Yet

OWINGS MILLS – It’s 10:30 in the evening, and under the dreary fluorescent lights of a practice field near here, Alexander Austin, a real estate developer by day, huddles up with the other members of his indoor football team

Romania Turns to UM Professor

WASHINGTON – At the age of 30, Vladimir Tismaneanu fled the Communist regime in his native Romania where he said he felt ideologically suffocated and politically repressed

^Smoking Ban May Make Temporary Dent in Bar Revenues

BETHESDA – When Montgomery County became the first jurisdiction in Maryland to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in 2003, county officials predicted that non-smokers from across the region would come “flocking” to the area, “grateful for the chance to eat smoke-free

Assembly Enacts Bill to Expunge Records; O’Malley’s Signature Expected

ANNAPOLIS – The Senate unanimously passed and sent to the governor Tuesday legislation that will automatically expunge the police records of those who are arrested but never charged with a crime

Marylanders Strongly Approve Smoking Ban; O’Malley More Narrowly

ANNAPOLIS – As the General Assembly works to iron out a compromise for a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, a new poll indicates that a record-high 72 percent of Maryland voters support the legislation

Senate Approves Electoral College Change

ANNAPOLIS – In an effort to draw more attention to Maryland from presidential candidates, the state Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would grant Maryland’s 10 Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote, rather than the majority winner in the state

New Solar Energy Requirements Could Decrease Rates

ANNAPOLIS – Marylanders could see lower energy rates in the near future with the passage of an energy bill that would require the state to increase the availability of solar power

General Assembly Nears Vote on Smoking Ban

ANNAPOLIS – With little fanfare or debate, the General Assembly moved one step closer Friday to approving a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, a measure that will likely come to a vote for final passage next week

Senate Bans Favoritism on Scholarships; OKs City’s STD Program

ANNAPOLIS – Picking up the pace on its legislative calendar, the Maryland Senate passed legislation Thursday that would prohibit state legislators from granting scholarships to their own and their colleagues’ family members

Statewide Smoking Ban Gains Momentum

ANNAPOLIS – Even before listening to hours of testimony for and against a proposed statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, a Senate committee appeared to have already made a decision to move the legislation forward