Eighth District Is Costliest House Race in the Country, Campaign Reports Show

COLLEGE PARK – Candidates in Maryland’s 8th District have raised more than $5

Congressional Challengers Raise Big Money, but Still Trail State’s Incumbents

COLLEGE PARK – Maryland congressional challengers have raised $2 million more this year than they had at this time in the 2000 election, driven by high- profile races in the 8th and 2nd districts and deep-pocketed politicians

Despite Concerns, Officials and Voters Seem Pleased With New Voting Machines

COLLEGE PARK – State election officials say they are satisfied that thousands of new touch-screen voting machines will function properly in four counties this fall, although experts have raised concerns about the accuracy and usability of the machines

Silver Spring Woman Tapped as One of Nation’s Top Journalism Students

COLLEGE PARK – A Silver Spring woman has been named one of the nation’s top 10 journalism students by the Scripps Howard Foundation

Jet Ski Renters Take Note: There Will be a Quiz Before You Hit the Water

WASHINGTON – When personal watercraft rental businesses open for the season, their stock will include 5,000 quiz books

Personal Watercraft Accidents Fall, but Still Loom Large in Ocean City Waters

WASHINGTON – The number of personal watercraft accidents in Ocean City has fallen significantly since the state enacted stricter safety regulations in 1996, according to a review of six years of Coast Guard recreational boating accident reports

Half of Boaters Involved in Accidents Failed to Take `Mandatory’ Safety Course

WASHINGTON – A mandatory Maryland boating safety course is apparently neither mandatory nor significantly promoting safety, according to an analysis of Coast Guard boating accident statistics

Six Flags Roller Coaster Death Increases Concern About Accident Trend

ANNAPOLIS – Six Flags’ Batwing coaster didn’t kill the 16-year-old Maryland girl last Sept

Citizen Lobbyists Confront Imposing, Discouraging System

ANNAPOLIS – Willie Collier knew he was an outsider the first time he climbed the State House steps

Lobbying Takes All Kinds

ANNAPOLIS – Think “lobbyist,” and money, influence and lots of backslapping are some of the things that come to mind, says Ann Ciekot, one of 695 such folks registered to prowl the halls of Maryland’s General Assembly