NATIONAL
Ehrlich alleges racism
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. yesterday called the Democratic Party "racist" in its appeal to blacks. "I saw a message coming out of the Democratic Convention: If you happen to have black skin, you have to believe one way. You have to. Or you are a traitor to your race," Ehrlich said in remarks to the Maryland delegation yesterday. [Page 1A]
First lady vital to campaign
As President Bush battles for electoral advantage, his wife, Laura, has emerged in her understated way as a key surrogate on the campaign trail. [Page 1A]
Soldier says abuse was promoted
A sergeant who served with the 372nd Military Police Company in Abu Ghraib testified yesterday that members of the company were encouraged by military intelligence to abuse detainees. The testimony came yesterday during a military court hearing for Pfc. Lynndie R. England. [Page 3A]
WORLD
Al-Sadr considers politics
An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr indicated yesterday that the Shiite cleric is considering a future in politics rather than warfare as the U.S.-backed Iraqi government and the cleric's representatives continued talks on the future of al-Sadr's armed militia. [Page 12A]
Libya's nuclear technology lost
The International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday that some nuclear technology ordered by Libya for its former weapons program is missing, raising concerns about where the equipment is and whether North Korea could have been a provider. [Page 13A]
MARYLAND
Drug-resistant germs studied
A Johns Hopkins public health researcher is studying the possible effects of the poultry industry's use of antibiotics on people and the environment. She suspects that antibiotics in chicken feed are creating drug-resistant bacteria that are passed along to workers and fishermen. [Page 1A]
Man held in terror case freed
A Virginia man imprisoned for 10 days in Baltimore as a material witness in a case involving the militant group Hamas was released yesterday after friends put up their houses as collateral for a $1 million bond. Ismail Selim Elbarasse was arrested after police spotted his wife videotaping the Bay Bridge. [Page 1A]
Blind demand light rail changes
The National Federation for the Blind is demanding changes in Maryland's light rail ticket system. The campaign was triggered by the experience of a blind Baltimore couple who were escorted off a train for failure to have a ticket. [Page 1B]
BUSINESS
Consumer spending up 0.8%
Shoppers spent more freely last month, raising hopes that June's economic lull could be coming to an end. The Commerce Department reported that consumers boosted spending by 0.8 percent in July from the previous month. [Page 1C]
Personal care aides want raise
Personal care workers who contract with the state are lobbying for a pay raise. Squeezed between an underfunded Medicaid program and their minimal status as contract workers, the personal care aides say they haven't had a raise in 18 years. [Page 1C]
TODAY
CMA nominees announced
Alan Jackson topped the list of nominees for the 2004 Country Music Awards yesterday, grabbing seven nominations, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist. The awards will be handed out Nov. 9. [Page 2D]
Ja Rule facing assault charges
Rapper Ja Rule, charged in Toronto with assault causing bodily harm, will plead not guilty, said his lawyer, Steven Skurka, yesterday. A pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 6. [Page 2D]
SPORTS
Ravens welcome cornerbacks
Holdout Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister reported to the team after a monthlong absence. Deion Sanders, a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback, is scheduled to make his appearance today at the Ravens' practice facility in Owings Mills. [Page 1E]
Serena wins in style
Serena Williams arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing knee-high black boots, a denim miniskirt, a studded black tank top and dangling earrings and proceeded to overwhelm Sandra Kleinova of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-3, on the opening day of the U.S. Open. [Page 3E]
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"This [study] is important work, because for a long time, people who worked around chickens were always saying, 'I got a touch of the bug again.'"
Carole Morison, executive director of the Delmarva Poultry Justice Alliance (Article, Page 1A)
TODAY ONLINE
CONVENTION Q&A;
Submit your questions about the Republican National Convention to Sun White House correspondent David L. Greene at www.baltimoresun.com/election2004
ORIOLES AT 50
Read about three of the quirkiest Orioles players from the past five decades, and find previous stories from our "Orioles at 50" series. www.baltimoresun.com/oriolesat50
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