WORLD
Iraq dangerous for helicopters
Iraq is becoming increasingly dangerous for the hundreds of U.S. military helicopters flying missions there. Five helicopters have gone down in Iraq in three weeks. pg 1a
NATIONAL
FDA approves weight-loss drug
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first officially sanctioned weight-loss drug to be sold without a prescription. pg 6a
MARYLAND
Medical coverage for uninsured
Maryland House of Delegates leaders unveiled yesterday a $600 million proposal that would extend medical coverage to nearly 250,000 uninsured residents. The plan aims to provide coverage for every child in the state by expanding Medicaid. pg 1a
City checks residents on heat
City housing department employees hit the streets yesterday to check on Park Heights residents who might be without heat or electricity. About 800 city residents potentially have no heat and electricity or face a turn-off, BGE said. pg 1b
SPORTS
Former NBA player comes out
Former NBA center John Amaechi, who spent five seasons with four teams, became the first NBA player to publicly acknowledge he is gay. pg 5d
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
+ 0.56
12,666.87
NASDAQ -- UP
+ 19.01
2,490.50
S&P; -- UP
+ 2.02
1,450.02
SUN INDEX -- UP
+ 0.99
373.36
$1.9 billion in city projects
Development projects under way last year in downtown Baltimore totaled nearly $1.9 billion, more than the area has seen for years, according to a report scheduled for release today. About $1.6 billion worth is under construction, the report said. pg 1a
Hopkins backup tapes missing
Johns Hopkins began notifying thousands of university employees and hospital patients yesterday that backup computer tapes containing personal information about them - some of it sensitive - have been missing for seven weeks. pg 1a
TODAY
Surprise during Fashion Week
Designers at New York Fashion Week are surprising industry watchers by introducing fall collections that people can actually wear. pg 1c
Puns from media on astronaut
The media left no pun unturned as they reported on a jealous astronaut who was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a rival. pg 1c