NATIONAL
New Orleans mayor halts return
Mayor C. Ray Nagin bowed to the potential threat of a new hurricane and the insistence of President Bush and other federal officials in calling off the reopening of large sections of New Orleans. Tropical Storm Rita represents a "new event" that forced a change in the plans that he had outlined late last week, the mayor said. pg 1a
WORLD
N. Korea's vow on nuclear plans
North Korea pledged yesterday to dismantle its nuclear weapons program and accept international inspections in a breakthrough in talks in Beijing. But obstacles remain for negotiating nations. pg 1a
MARYLAND
High-tech city parking meters?
Baltimore officials are proposing to replace nearly half of the city's traditional parking meters with new high-tech machines that allow coins and credit cards. The machines have been tested in Fells Point and in parts of downtown. pg 1a
City Council OKs new hotel
The City Council gave final approval last night to plans to build a downtown convention center hotel. The proposal had divided the council for months, forcing Mayor Martin O'Malley to compromise on other spending issues to win support. pg 1b
SPORTS
Crosby's HR in 9th beats O's, 3-2
Bubba Crosby led off the ninth with his first home run of the season, pulling Eric DuBose's second pitch into the right-field seats to give the New York Yankees a 3-2 win over the Orioles. pg 1d
BUSINESS
Ex-Tyco CEO gets prison term
Former Tyco CEO L. Dennis Kozlowski was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for looting the company of hundreds of millions in a case of executive greed replete with tales of a $6,000 gold-threaded shower curtain and a $2 million Mediterranean birthday party. Tyco's former finance chief, Mark Swartz, 44, received the same sentence. pg 1c
TODAY
Alsop to be a MacArthur fellow
Marin Alsop, whose appointment as the next music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra generated international headlines - and became a local issue - will today become one of 2005 MacArthur fellows selected for 2005. pg 1a
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The six countries have opened up a gate to the eventual denuclearizat-ion of the Korean Peninsula."
Ren Xiao, a senior fellow at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies Article, Pg 1a
STOCKS
DOW -- DOWN
-84.31
10,557.63
NASDAQ -- DOWN
-15.09
2,145.26
S&P
-6.89
1,231.02
SUN INDEX -- DOWN
-1.26
325.16
UP NEXT
TOMORROW
Teaming beer and cheese is a sharp idea.
In Taste
THURSDAY
MEET THE AUTHORS
The Baltimore Book Festival draws authors including Rolling Stone contributing editor Toure and George Ross from "The Apprentice."
In LIVE
ONLINE TODAY
NORTH KOREA
View a story gallery, graphics, regional perspective, a map and other coverage. baltimoresun.com/nkorea
JAIL REPORT
Read the report by a city grand jury critical of the medical care at Baltimore's state-run city jail. baltimoresun.com/jailreport
