Anne Arundel schools seek waiver to excuse 2 snow days

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The Anne Arundel County school system has requested a waiver from the state to excuse two of its recent snow days. Spokeswoman Maneka S. Monk said county Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell has asked state Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick to excuse two snow days during the week of Dec. 21, after nearly 2 feet of snow fell, because Gov. Martin O'Malley designated those days as a state of emergency, which required school closures. Monk said the school system sets aside four days annually for cancellations because of inclement weather. "We had to use half of our days," Monk said. "We had no choice in the matter, so we don't want it to count." Spokesmen for other school systems, including Baltimore City and Baltimore and Howard counties, said they had not yet decided whether to seek waivers. William Reinhard, a spokesman for Grasmick, said the office had asked the state attorney general to examine whether the governor's declaration would warrant a waiver.

- Nicole Fuller

O'Malley adviser Enright to take job in private sector

A top adviser to Gov. Martin O'Malley is taking a job in the private sector. Michael Enright will become managing director for Beowulf Energy, a private independent power and infrastructure company in Easton. Enright, 46, has long been an O'Malley aide, dating to 1999 when he was first deputy mayor when O'Malley was the mayor of Baltimore. Enright, a high school friend of the governor's, went on to be chief of staff when O'Malley was elected governor. In September, he became a senior adviser to the governor, focusing on energy issues and oversight of the money Maryland has received under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

- Associated Press

City to refile lawsuit against Wells Fargo

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The city of Baltimore plans to amend and refile its lawsuit accusing Wells Fargo of discriminatory lending practices. A federal judge dismissed the complaint this week, saying Wells Fargo was not responsible for the many problems of inner-city Baltimore. The first-of-its kind lawsuit accused the mortgage giant of targeting Baltimore's black neighborhoods for bad loans and claimed that the resulting foreclosures cost the city tens of millions of dollars. The city has until Feb. 3 to file an amended complaint. City Solicitor George Nilson says the new lawsuit will make the damage claims more specific and focused and that the value of the case is likely to shrink.

- Associated Press