Lawmaker sues; president of MSU promises contract

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Making good on a threat, a state lawmaker sued the president of Morgan State University yesterday over the educator's refusal to release his employment contract. By afternoon, Del. Galen R. Clagett, a Frederick County Democrat who is on a panel that oversees Morgan's budget, had gotten word from state lawyers that Morgan had relented and that the contract was on its way. Clagett said he would drop the lawsuit once he gets the document. In response to a formal public records request filed weeks ago by Clagett, who is investigating financial irregularities on the campus, President Earl S. Richardson said in a letter this week that he was refusing to release the contract in part because he suspected "discriminatory or retaliatory" motives by the legislator. Morgan officials did not explain their change of heart or respond to requests for comments yesterday. Employment contracts of state college presidents are considered public documents under Maryland law.

Gadi Dechter

Fairs lead 133 dropouts to continue education

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Two resource fairs held this week to re-enroll dropouts from Baltimore high schools attracted 190 participants, 133 of whom made commitments on the spot to continue their education, city school system officials said yesterday. Seventy students will be returning to city high schools, 46 others enrolled in an alternative program and 17 enrolled in GED programs. The fairs were held after city schools chief Andres Alonso ordered high schools to call and pay home visits to the 925 students who have dropped out since January. Sixty-eight students had pledged to re-enroll before the fairs, where representatives from a variety of high school and vocational programs and social service agencies were on hand. Officials aren't sure yet whether any of the 68 are included in the 133 who re-enrolled at the fairs. System officials said they are planning more such fairs. Jonathan Brice, the system's executive director of student support, said many of the dropouts did not realize how close they were to getting a diploma, and schools need to do a better job of letting students know how many credits they have.

Sara Neufeld

Stretch of I-695 to close tonight

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All lanes of eastbound Interstate 695 at Interstate 95 and the ramp from eastbound I-695 to southbound I-95 will be closed tonight through tomorrow morning to allow contractors to work on an I-95 express toll lanes project. From 11 p.m. today to 6 a.m. tomorrow, eastbound drivers on I-695 will be directed to detour onto northbound I-95 to westbound Route 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) to southbound I-95. From there they can stay on I-95 southbound or exit onto eastbound I-695.

From Baltimore Sun staff reports

City officials warn of road closures

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Baltimore transportation officials are warning motorists of road closures planned for today that could affect traffic. Madison Street is to be closed between Bond Street and Broadway from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate a crane operation. The 2nd Annual Recovery Walk is planned for 9 a.m. to noon, going south on Park Heights Avenue to Auchentoroly Terrace and ending at the entrance to Druid Hill Park. Southbound lanes on Park Heights from Garrison Avenue to Druid Hill Park will be closed during the event. Officials also warn that traffic patterns will be altered in Mount Washington from 6:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. today for the Mount Washington Wine & Jazz Fesitval. Though no roads will be closed for the event, heavy traffic should be expected.

Man's body found in the Inner Harbor

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Baltimore police say a man's body has been found in the Inner Harbor. Officers were called to the 400 block of Light St., near the Spirit Cruises platform, about 7:10 a.m. yesterday for a report of a body found. Police spokesman Detective Donny Moses said an employee of Spirit Cruises spotted the body floating in the water. Firefighters pulled the man's body from the water. Moses said police do not know the man's identity and do not know how long the body was in the water. He said there do not appear to be any signs of trauma, but the body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Associated Press