MARYLAND
Dixon dismisses fire official
Mayor Sheila Dixon has dismissed the head of the training academy but let the fire chief keep his job after an investigation into the death of a recruit during a training exercise revealed a long series of safety violations that has sullied the department's credibility. The mayor said that 25 regulations established by the National Fire Protection Agency were not followed when instructors set fires inside an abandoned rowhouse and sent cadets inside, killing Racheal M. Wilson. pg 1A
U.S. Lacrosse looks to move
U.S. Lacrosse wants to leave its cramped North Baltimore home for a new $25 million headquarters and sports complex on the water near Fells Point. But to stay in Maryland, officials said yesterday they need almost $8 million in state aid and more subsidies from the city. pg 1A
NATIONAL
Presidential race rolls along
Most Americans might be ignoring the early skirmishing, but rapid-response techniques are propelling the 2008 presidential race, with unpredictable consequences for contenders in both parties, strategists said. pg 1A
Students learn less, study says
American high school students are taking tougher classes, getting better grades and, apparently, learning less than their counterparts of 15 years ago, according to two reports issued by the federal Department of Education, which assessed the performance of students in both public and private schools. pg 4A
WORLD
U.N. says Iran is defiant
Iran has steadily expanded its program to enrich uranium and defied a U.N. Security Council deadline for an immediate freeze of nuclear activities before it gains the capability to produce fuel for nuclear weapons, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said. The report by Mohamed ElBaradei confirmed that Iran recently began installing the first of 3,000 gas centrifuges. pg 13A
SPORTS
Ravens don't use tag on Thomas
The Ravens opted not use the franchise tag on Adalius Thomas, meaning the All-Pro linebacker will become an unrestricted free agent next week and most likely will sign with another team. PG 1F
TODAY
Jim Carey less than dazzles
Jim Carrey doesn't live up to his potential in his latest film, The Number 23. pg 1C.
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