NATIONAL
Panel targets financing loophole
A joint congressional committee is proposing to eliminate the loophole that Baltimore developer David S. Cordish used to finance two Indian casino complexes in Florida with tax-exempt municipal bonds. [Page 1a]
Lockheed group wins contract
The Pentagon chose Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. and a group of international partners over an American-only team headed by the Sikorsky Aircraft Co. to build the next fleet of presidential helicopters, perhaps the most prestigious aircraft contract in the world. [Page 3a]
WORLD
5 more Americans killed in Iraq
As Iraqis braced for potential election-day violence tomorrow, attacks claimed the lives of five more American service members. [Page 1a]
Questions linger on Mideast peace
Israelis and Palestinians have experienced hopeful times before -- only to have those hopes for peace eroded by more violence. Amid the latest progress, the question on nearly everyone's mind is: Will it be different this time? [Page 9a]
MARYLAND
City to begin new anti-crime plan
Baltimore police will begin flooding historically violent areas with patrol officers to try to reduce homicides under a new anti-crime plan. The proposal also calls for using helicopter spotlights on drug corners and targeting truant students and curfew violators. Much of the focus will be on the Eastern, Western and Northwestern districts. [Page 1a]
Edgemere Marine dies in Iraq
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Starr Jr. of Edgemere was among 31 servicemen killed this week when a Marine helicopter crashed in Iraq. He grew up in the Perry Hall area and graduated from Perry Hall High School in Baltimore County. [Page 1a]
Woman pleads guilty in killing
Monalisa Mackey, 41, pleaded guilty to killing her 18-month-old daughter. But city prosecutors said she did not bear sole responsibility for the death, charging that the baby never should have been left in the woman's care. Mackey could receive a maximum prison term of 30 years at sentencing. [Page 1b]
SPORTS
O's appear close to acquiring Sosa
The Orioles appear to be nearing a deal with the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Sammy Sosa. Sources close to the situation said the commissioner's office has been notified of a pending deal, which is believed to include Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston and a few minor leaguers. [Page 1c]
Rahman-Klitschko likely May 7
Baltimore native Hasim Rahman's chance to become a two-time world heavyweight champion by defeating World Boxing Council title holder Vitali Klitschko will likely happen May 7 at New York's Madison Square Garden, promoter Don King and representatives of both fighters said. [Page 1c]
S. Williams wins Australian Open
Serena Williams overcame a rib injury to defeat top-ranked Lindsay Davenport, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, to win the Australian Open women's title. Williams captured her seventh Grand Slam singles title, ending an 18-month drought. [Page 1c]
BUSINESS
Impact of mergers is uncertain
Business analysts and economists have mixed feelings about the impact of the huge mergers being done or hashed out behind closed doors recently, including yesterday's announced $57 billion merger of Procter & Gamble Co. and Gillette Co. The marriages, or contemplated ones, include some of the biggest names in business. [Page 1a]
Money rolls in at T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Group Inc. reported that a record amount of investor money flowed into its funds last year, raising assets to an all-time high of $235 billion and making the Baltimore mutual fund company one of the fastest-growing in the country. [Page 9c]
Constellation Energy profit up 13%
Demonstrating the success of its strategy to compete nationally in supplying and managing energy for businesses and utilities, Constellation Energy Group said its fourth-quarter profit jumped 13 percent and reported record earnings for the year. [Page 9c]
TODAY
'Patron saint of kaleidoscopes'
The largest collection of kaleidoscopes in the world -- more than 1,000 and growing -- makes its home on a wooded hillside near the Potomac River in Bethesda, kept by Cozy Baker, the "patron saint of kaleidoscopes." [Page 1d]
'Arnold Run' movie takes liberties
The producers of See Arnold Run, a made-for-television movie premiering tomorrow night on the A&E; cable channel, are advertising it as a true story, but the film takes enough leeway with the facts that such a claim is almost absurd. [Page 1b]
TODAY ONLINE
CRIME-FIGHTING PLAN
Read the Baltimore City police plan for reducing violent crime. www.baltimoresun.com/policeplan
TERPS FOOTBALL Q&A;
Submit your questions about the Terps' football recruiting efforts to recruiting coordinator James Franklin. www.baltimoresun.com/college/football
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I would call it a nonfiction movie in that it is based on true events and real people."
Matt Dorff, writer and executive producer of "See Arnold Run," a cable television movie about Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Article, Page 1D)
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