NATIONAL
General extends Iraq tour
Gen. George W. Casey Jr. is extending his assignment as the top allied commander in Iraq to a third year, senior Pentagon officials said late Friday, ensuring that the U.S. military-diplomatic team there remains in place well into 2007. pg 3a
Actress Shelley Winters dies
Shelley Winters, a blond bombshell of the 1940s who evolved into a character actress best remembered for her roles as victims, shrews and matrons, died yesterday. She was 85. pg 6a
WORLD
Pakistan challenges U.S. attack
Pakistan's government demanded an explanation yesterday for a U.S. airstrike on a remote village that Pakistani officials said killed a number of women and children. pg 1a
Iran dismisses sanction threats
Iran's president stood fast behind his decision to resume uranium enrichment research after a 2 1/2 -year freeze, shrugging off threats of international sanctions. pg 19a
MARYLAND
Speculation surrounds ticket
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. might be in no rush to pick a running mate, but as his Democratic rivals make their partners known, several names are being bandied about in state political circles as possible Republican candidates for lieutenant governor. pg 1b
Backup lights increasing
As the State Highway Administration considers which of its 2,900 traffic lights will get battery backups -- a question that gained urgency in the wake of last week's fatal crash in Howard County -- at least one local government has installed such backups at more than half of its lights. pg 1b
BUSINESS
Transit drives urban growth
After decades of sprawl, high-density transit-oriented development -- long a pie-in-the-sky vision among urban planners -- is exploding. About $2.1 billion worth of state transit-oriented projects are under way or in the conceptual stage. pg 1a
Warnings for Under Armour
Under Armour was Maryland's best performer last year and one of the hottest new stocks since the dot-com boom. But Wall Street analysts warn that the stock's price leaves little room for growth. pg 1c
SPORTS
Seahawks top Redskins, 20-10
Despite losing Shaun Alexander, the NFL's Most Valuable Player, to a concussion in the first quarter, the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the NFC title game by beating the Washington Redskins, 20-10, in the second round of the playoffs. pg 1d
TRAVEL
Philadelphia's favorite son
Philadelphia has planned a yearlong celebration of exhibits and events to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father who called it his home for 67 years. pg 1r
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It's the ultimate irony that I can show 13 movies in my home today that 10 years ago would have gotten me arrested. ... That's why I'm a good American; I believe anything can happen in America."
Filmmaker John Waters, host of a new TV series of movies Article, PG 1E
Up next
Tomorrow
The long view of history
Saltimore author Taylor Branch's final installment of his civil rights trilogy - 23 years in the writing - hits the bookstores.
IN GO TODAY
Wednesday
Poor Richard's Armagnac
Celebrate the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, an 18th-century foodie.
IN TASTE
ONLINE
KAL CARTOONS
For a look at Kevin Kallaugher's work as an editorial cartoonist at The Sun, go to:
baltimoresun.com/kal
