NATIONAL
McCain's candidacy is official
Sen. John McCain officially declares his candidacy for president, offering sharp criticism of the Bush administration for its handling of the war in Iraq. The former naval aviator says he has the experience to keep the nation safe. pg 3A
House votes on Iraq war bill
Defiant and unified in the face of a promised presidential veto, House Democrats push through an emergency war spending bill that orders President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq no later than this fall. pg 3A
Maryland
Ehrlich's letter asks for money
Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is raising money to keep his campaign office open and to "confront the ultra-liberal bosses in Annapolis." In an April 20 letter to his supporters, he slams Gov. Martin O'Malley and promises to lead those " ... who have not given up on Maryland." pg 1B
Hopkins won't propose lenders
Johns Hopkins University officials announce the school will stop recommending loan companies to students and parents, and adopt a student loan code of conduct established by New York's attorney general. pg 1A
World
Iraq rejects quest for death toll
The Iraqi government has refused to provide the United Nations with civilian casualty figures for the world body's latest report on the hardships endured by Iraqis, the United Nations said. pg 16A
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
+135.95
13,089.89
NASDAQ -- UP
+23.35
2,547.89
S&P; -- UP
+15.01
1,495.42
SUN INDEX -- DOWN
-0.27
359.78
CEG profits soar
The 1999 deal to move Maryland to a deregulated power market handed Constellation Energy Group title to a fleet of valuable power plants formerly owned by its utility subsidiary. But it also locked the company into multiyear agreements to sell the electricity they produced at bargain prices. pg 1D
SPORTS
Orioles drop 3rd in a row
Right-hander Curt Schilling allowed one run in seven innings, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 6-1 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Orioles managed five hits and suffered their third consecutive loss. PG 1C
TODAY
Rosie's stay short but profitable
Rosie O'Donnell's announcement that she's leaving the daytime gabfest The View left many fans in tears. Since O'Donnell joined the ABC show in September, viewership has increased by 17 percent, to 3.5 million. pg 1E
Growth evident at Everyman
Everyman Theatre will add a seventh performance each week to its 2007-2008 season. The coming season is newsworthy in other respects: It will include a first Shakespeare production and the Baltimore premiere of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. pg 1E