BRIAN WITTE

Associated Press Writer
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AP IMPACT: Some lawmakers send few to academies

As the nation's military academies try to recruit more minorities, they aren't getting much help from members of Congress from big-city districts with large numbers of blacks, Hispanics and Asians.

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Estimate: Direct stimulus jobs in Md. total 4,464

An estimated 4,464 jobs in Maryland are being supported directly by federal economic recovery money so far, and greater benefits from the plan should turn up in the next reporting period, Gov. Martin O'Malley's senior adviser said Thursday.

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Md. panel OKs slot machine license for Cecil Co.

A state commission approved a license Wednesday for 1,500 slot machines in Cecil County — the second license awarded so far — and the panel also urged local officials in Anne Arundel County to resolve zoning issues on another site by December.

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Navy petty officer to face punishment in hazing

The former leader of a bomb-sniffing dog unit in Bahrain will be removed from his current position and forced to retire after the Navy reviewed years-old allegations of hazing and sexual harassment against a gay sailor and others.

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Md. gov asks superintendents to scour for savings

With an ominous budget challenge looming again, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley called on school superintendents Tuesday to work together in hunting for ways to save money.

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Hearing scheduled in Del. diocese bankruptcy

A status hearing is scheduled in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington's bankruptcy, which was filed just before a trial on alleged sex abuse could begin.

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Magna says it won't consider bid to move Preakness

In bold lettering in bankruptcy court filings, Magna Entertainment Corp. said it will not consider bids at auction that would move the Preakness Stakes horse race from Maryland, a decision cheered Tuesday by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

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Mayoral candidate in Md. capital drops out — again

A former White House aide has dropped out of the race to be mayor of Maryland's capital city — again — and apparently it's for keeps this time.

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Navy reviewing abuse of gay dog handler in Bahrain

The Navy is reviewing how it handled the case of a gay sailor abused by fellow servicemen in Bahrain for two years until he sought a discharge by coming out to his commanding officer, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

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Md. officials test cell phone detection at prison

Officials from five states observed tests on cell phone detection technology at a closed Maryland prison on Thursday, as states are taking a greater interest in finding ways to halt violence orchestrated by inmates behind prison walls.

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Md. delegate pays police $300 for proposal stunt

A Maryland lawmaker reimbursed the city of Baltimore $300 Thursday for a marriage proposal stunt that involved police, writing on his Web site he hopes officers won't be blamed.

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Md. lawmaker takes heat for marriage proposal

Democratic Delegate Jon Cardin was intent on creating the perfect night to propose to his fiancee, and the evening is certainly one she won't forget. Unfortunately, a fuss over his use of a Baltimore police helicopter and a police boat is likely to dog the couple long after the wedding.

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Military academies say applications jump 10-40 pct

Applications have surged at the nation's three top military academies as tough economic times coincide with stepped-up recruiting efforts by the Army, Navy and Air Force schools, making the prospect of free college and a steady job look sweeter.

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Mourners pay tribute to Md. soldier killed in Iraq

A 19-year-old Maryland soldier who was one of five killed in Iraq by an Army sergeant at a mental health clinic was remembered Thursday as a strongly loyal family member who excelled at making people laugh and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

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Md. alderman charged with groping midshipman

An Annapolis alderman who was charged with a sexual crime and assault on a 21-year-old Naval Academy midshipman denied the allegations Wednesday and said he would fight them in court.

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O'Malley won't rule out prison cell phone jamming

Gov. Martin O'Malley said Monday he would consider going against federal law to hold a cell-phone jamming demonstration at a Maryland prison to help stop illegal cell phone use by prison inmates, but he hopes that won't be necessary.

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2 of Baghdad shooting victims counseled soldiers

Navy Cmdr. Charles Springle made a career of treating soldiers for combat stress caused by frequent deployments to battle zones. He also tried to fight the stigma that can prevent those who need mental help from seeking it.

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"FZZAAT"! Naval Academy graphic novel rolled out

The drawings are crisp and tales of Navy officers scouring the high seas for pirates and other rogues are enticing. Even vivid sound-effect words "FZZZZ" and "FZAAAT" appear in a new graphic novel the Naval Academy is rolling out to recruit midshipmen.

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Md. lawmakers send Preakness bill to governor

The Preakness Stakes horse race would have extra protections to remain in Baltimore under a plan approved Monday by the general assembly that would allow Maryland to buy the second leg of the Triple Crown to prevent it from being moved.

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Md. Senate approves Preakness measure

The Maryland Senate has approved emergency legislation to give the state eminent domain authority to keep the Preakness Stakes in Maryland, in hopes the measure will strengthen the state's hand to avoid losing the race through a federal bankruptcy case.

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Huzza! Md. mulls changing 'offensive' state song

Maryland lawmakers are thinking maybe it's time to find a way to scrub "Northern scum" — and a few other sensitive pre-Civil War phrases — from the official state song.

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Base realignment boon becomes burden in recession

Like most states on the receiving end of big military base moves, leaders in Maryland crowed four years ago when the Pentagon announced thousands of jobs would be transferred to the Aberdeen Proving Ground from Fort Monmouth, N.J.

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Obama's rail car embodies 'grandeur of 1930s'

The rail car President-elect Barack Obama will ride to Washington for his inauguration contains the trappings of a fine hotel or yacht, with painted walls, cherry wood, brass Pullman lamps and modern amenities for a comfortable ride.

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Group sues to force EPA to clean up Chesapeake Bay

A conservation group filed a federal lawsuit Monday to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the law and clean up the polluted Chesapeake Bay, citing 25 years of failure to restore the nation's largest estuary.

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Company has inaugural tradition dating to Truman

Saws are buzzing in the cavernous warehouse where a Maryland company is fast at work on making parade floats it has provided for presidential inaugurations since Harry Truman's in 1949.

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