bill irwin
- The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix helped boost weekend revenues at a sampling of hotels by 44 percent compared to Labor Day weekend last year while more than doubling the take at city-owned parking garages, according to preliminary counts.
- Maryland lawmakers voted this year to raise the sales tax on alcohol by three cents on the dollar. But when the increase kicks in on Friday, bar owners say, drinkers could see prices going up by several times as much.