Good afternoon, Baltimore: Wednesday lunchtime lowdown

ON THE SITE...

Brian McKnight, Clutch to headline Artscape 2012: R&B artist Brian McKnight, rockers Clutch and funksters the Rebirth Brass Band will headline this year's Artscape festival, set for July 20-22.

O'Malley to stump in Wisconsin for Walker foe: Gov. Martin O'Malley, continuing to build on his high national profile as head of the Democratic Governors Association, will travel to Wisconsin Thursday to campaign for the challenger in the effort to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Anne Arundel council adopts $1.2 billion budget: It raises the property tax, cuts back trash collection and trash bills. The capital budget allows the county to move ahead with a new Lake Shore Fire Station, replace the Eastern District Police Station and add public boat access at Fort Smallwood Park.

Maryland eyes growth pollution 'offsets': The new policy, which officials plan to begin airing next month, would force developers to pay for pollution reductions elsewhere to offset any increases in bay-fouling nitrogen that would result from their projects.

Tuesday evening storms drenched parts of central Maryland: The heaviest rainfall was to the northwest of Interstate 95. More than an inch of rain fell across parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties.

 

ON THE SITE...

• Baltimore County is forming a task force to look at future uses for the Sparrows Point area if the steel mill there closes.
• A tenth Baltimore police officer was sentenced in a towing kickback scandal, receiving the longest prison sentence yet.
• The University System of Maryland's Board of Regents will vote on the system's budgets, which include some cuts.
• Susan Reimer's Thursday column will look at Michelle Obama's new book on the White House garden.
• The Orioles seek to break a four-game losing streak behind ace pitcher Jason Hamel on Wednesday night.