contracts

• Baltimore City Paper

Mandated Health Insurance? How UnAmerican!

• Baltimore City Paper

All the Money in the World-and Then Some

• Business

Uber says it's threatened by Md. regulators

The popular ride share company Uber began urging Baltimore users this month to help "save" it, declaring that "Uber's future in Maryland is in jeopardy." Uber's PR campaign was spurred by regulators wading into the same controversy that already hit cities across the county as Uber and other technology-fueled ride sharing companies disrupt the local taxi cab market.

• Opinion

Grant Obama trade promotion authority [Commentary]

Presidential trade promotion authority expired in 2007 and must be renewed quickly to ensure America continues to lead in leveling the playing field for manufacturers and workers. The stakes are high. Without new market-opening trade agreements, manufacturers will be at a competitive disadvantage.

• Carroll County Times

Potential tenants of Eldersburg Commons named

Prospective tenants for Eldersburg Commons are nearing the final stages of discussions to locate at the shopping center replacing the former Carrolltowne Center.

• Opinion

A trade policy for the millenials [Commentary]

How policymakers negotiate and interact with their constituents about trade negotiations could be as important as what they negotiate. In a world of instant communications and social media, governments are struggling to find a way to develop public trust while effectively conducting trade policy negotiations.

• Business

Giant, Safeway workers to picket outside new Giant Food in Washington

Giant Food and Safeway workers, who are negotiating with management over a labor contract that expires Dec. 20, plan to picket Thursday outside a new Giant store in northwest Washington.

• Business

Federal lawsuit alleges kickbacks at Northrop real estate firm

A Howard County couple is suing one of the largest real estate companies in the state, alleging the firm and a title company had financial ties that violated federal law.

• Opinion

Detroit's decline

Cal Thomas writes that one-party rule exacerbates the Motor City's many woes.

• Baltimore City Paper

How corruption, waste, and mismanagement killed the 143-year-old nonprofit and left dozens of Baltimoreans homeless.

• Opinion

Michigan becomes the latest right-to-earn-less state

If the right-to-work assault on middle class wages and benefits can happen in Michigan, it could happen anywhere

• Business

Five questions with … Therese M. Goldsmith

Maryland's insurance commissioner tells homeowners to vet contractors before signing contracts

• Business

Five questions with … Therese M. Goldsmith

Maryland's insurance commissioner tells homeowners to vet contractors before signing contracts

• Business

1st Mariner Arena turns 50 amid calls for its replacement

In spite of its success, 1st Mariner Arena is in a period of transition that could lead, in the near future, to it being renamed, handed off to a new management company and even demolished.

• Health

Maryland picks model for essential health insurance benefits

Under health care reform, insurance policies in Maryland will be required to cover acupuncture for pain management purposes and chiropractic care in certain medically necessary cases.

• Property

Laurel Mall makeover begins with groundbreaking

After going through ownership changes, scrubbed designs and, to the chagrin of local officials and residents, being several years behind its promised construction schedule, the $130 million makeover of the now-closed Laurel Mall is finally happening.

• Opinion

Protecting Baltimore's house

The teaming of the charitable efforts of Under Armour and the Ravens has the potential to focus more philanthropic resources on Baltimore's needs.

• Latest

New Grand Prix chief has been a big city contractor, campaign donor

Despite financing more than $140 million city contracts in the past 12 years, donating tens of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes and being a member of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's inner circle, J.P. Grant has largely avoided the limelight.

• Business

Regulators pressure life insurers to help beneficiaries collect their due

Regulators nationwide are pushing life insurers to do a better job of tracking when policyholders die and locating the beneficiaries — an effort that potentially could recover billions of dollars for consumers.

• Environment

Natural gas exports eyed through Calvert County

Thanks in large part to booming production of natural gas from shale deposits in neighboring states, a Maryland LNG terminal could be bustling again in several years — exporting the heating and industrial fuel to other countries, instead of importing it.

• Opinion

Jobless benefits aren't welfare

Unemployment insurance is like health insurance: You don't take it away just when people need it the most

• Opinion

How to get the economy moving again

If Congress fails to extend the current payroll tax cut, taxes will go up on millions of people at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet; that's unacceptable

• Business

Most Harford fire companies say they have 'no problems' with county's demands

Almost all companies have signed county contract, association spokesman says

• Opinion

South Korean trade deal: A small step toward fixing the economy

Free trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama would create jobs; we can't let politics get in the way of their passage

• Contracts

Fire companies question new memorandum from county

Companies still hope to disclose budget information through association

• Justice System

Jury selection begins in bribery trial of state Sen. Currie

Jury selection in the federal bribery and extortion trial of Maryland Sen. Ulysses Currie and two Shoppers Food Warehouse executives opened Monday with the judge reading aloud a long list of potential witnesses that could double as a Who's Who directory in state politics.

• Sports

Tyrod Taylor out to prove he's a viable No. 2 QB

Rookie out of Virginia Tech will need strong performance vs. Falcons to prove he is ready

• Television

Call it the chase before the Chase

• Sports

MacPhail stays quiet on future with Orioles

Orioles: Andy MacPhail stays quiet on future with Orioles. President of baseball operations won't comment on report he won't return next season.

• Opinion

Talk about the devil dancing: Nancy Grace gets ABC's 'Stars' for being bad

The addition of HLN host Nancy Grace to the lineup of ABC's 2011 "Dancing with the Stars" is such an exquisite example of how calculating and exploitative prime-time network TV can be. This year's cast also includes Chaz Bono, David Arquette and Rob Kardashian.

• Opinion

Clear the way for a greener electric grid

Renewable energy: A more flexible planning process is needed for the Mid-Atlantic's power system

• Maryland

SHA cut corners, transportation chief says

Maryland's top transportation official says managers at the State Highway Administration routinely cut corners in following state procurement rules and often asked contractors to perform work outside the scope of their contracts.

• Maryland

Pastor who conspired to kill for insurance admits targeting others

Baltimore pastor Kevin Pushia, who paid a hit man $50,000 in church funds to kill someone for life insurance payouts, bought similar indemnity policies on his own boyfriend when the pair were fighting, along with contracts on the man's mother and daughter, he testified in court Friday.

• Orioles

Who's best general manager in MLB?

• Jobs and Workplace

Verizon strike is over but a Laurel doctor still has repair issues

Verizon workers have ended their strike, but a Laurel podiatrist still does not have permanent land lines transferred to his new offices

• Sports

Should the Ravens trade away one of their cornerbacks?

In Tuesday's "Your Turn," we discussed the Ravens' depth at cornerback and which two players should start at the position when Week 1 rolls around. It seems your preference is for Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams. So how do the other players fit in, and will any of them become expendable when rosters are cut down?

• Baltimore City

Murder-for-hire trial begins in killing of blind, disabled man

Opening statements are expected Tuesday in the trial of two brothers accused of carrying out a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Baltimore pastor Kevin Pushia, who pleaded guilty last year to ordering the death of a legally blind and mentally disabled man to fraudulently collect $1.4 million in life insurance.

• Jobs and Workplace

Verizon employees in Md. to return Tuesday with extension

Verizon's union employees will head back to work Monday night after a deal was reached to extend their expired contract pending further negotiations, the company said Saturday in a statement.

• Features

Announcer Ted Williams skips Baltimore Fashion Week over contract disputes

The homeless Ohio man with the golden baritone who became an overnight sensation earlier this year has dropped out of Baltimore Fashion Week

• Politics

Mayoral candidates seek to reverse long slide in city jobs

As Baltimore's mayoral candidates present their economic development credentials and plans, economists warn that Baltimore stands at a crossroads: The city must draw new businesses and boost job opportunities or face continued population loss, declining property values and more crime.

• Anne Arundel

Anne Arundel Council rejects school board's request to reshuffle funds for teacher salaries

The Anne Arundel County Council denied this week the school board's efforts to reshuffle existing funds within the approved budget to honor wage agreement that the board had negotiated with the union.

• Sports

Ravens fans get a chance to welcome new, old faces

Leach, Pollard, Evans and Jimmy Smith will debut with Ravens, while three former players return with Chiefs

• Travel

Source: Aruba suspect tried to redeem insurance on Md. woman

• Travel

Aruba probes insurance policy in missing Md. tourist case

• Opinion

Too many cooks spoil the school board

Baltimore's school board selection process has worked well for the city; now's no time to change it

• Opinion

Too many cooks spoil the school board

Baltimore's school board selection process has worked well for the city; now's no time to change it

• Sports

Orioles' top pick Bundy plans to reach majors by 2013

Orioles: Orioles' top pick Dylan Bundy plans to reach majors by 2013. Righty looks forward to pitching alongside brother; Esposito, Delmonico also excited to start pro careers.

• Business

Bel Air commissioners approve Western Alley easement

The Bel Air Board of Commissioners approved two easements, including one that brings them closer to upgrading Western Alley.

• Sports

Orioles agree to terms with top draft pick Dylan Bundy

• Business

Verizon strike continues as company and workers trade barbs

The standoff between Verizon Corp. and its workers has turned ugly. Contract negotiations have broken down, and thousands of workers have been striking for more than a week. The company has trained current and retired managers to replace picketing union workers.