Challengers

Since his golf outing with Tiger Woods, President Obama has been battling with the press over access. And things only look to get more contentious this week as we move toward sequester Friday. Here's a look at a wide-ranging discussion of the issues involved that aired Sunday on CNN's "Reliable Sources" with host Howie Kurtz. The first video has me engaged with longtime CBS White House correspondent Bill Plante, and Julie Mason, host of "Press Pool" weekdays on the POTUS channel (124)

Scientists have long known that the human mind develops most rapidly during the first five years of life, a point President Barack Obama underscored in his State of the Union address when he urged states to provide universal access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. Investment in early childhood education is an investment in the nation's future, and Maryland is well-positioned to heed the president's call. Children who attend high-quality, public pre-K arrive at school better equipped with the cognitive and social skills needed for learning, and there is a large body of evidence suggesting that they retain that advantage throughout their school careers and beyond.

Maryland's approximately 30,000 nonprofits range from the smallest all-volunteer organizations to the largest private employer in the state. Greg Cantori loves them all. As CEO of Maryland Nonprofits since October, he's in his self-described dream job, running one of the nation's largest state associations for nonprofits after 20 years of working in the local sector. He recently chatted with The Baltimore Sun about challenges facing nonprofits and how they're coping. How much are federal budget pressures affecting local nonprofits?

Mika J. Cross, a human resources manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sometimes uses a laptop issued by the agency. But she is far more likely to check email or collaborate with colleagues on one of her two personal computers. As someone who frequently works from home, she finds using her own technology more convenient. "It allows for greater flexibility," said the 39-year-old Waldorf woman, who oversees a program that helps employees balance work and personal commitments.

It is not unusual to see art that tackles social and political issues, but there's still something startling about Jeffrey Kent's solo show "Preach!" at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. The Baltimore artist zeros in on opposition by some African-Americans, especially in churches, to same-sex marriage. Kent employs provocative imagery, including minstrel figures in blackface, and an evocative substance: cotton. The impetus for the recently completed project goes back to 2008.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Ravens' quest for a franchise quarterback finally ended when Joe Flacco capped a stellar postseason by engineering a Super Bowl victory. Now, a championship and Flacco's unresolved contract as a pending unrestricted free agent have created a complex reality. Flacco is poised to either be paid as much as a $20.46 million franchise tender next season or be retained through a potential blockbuster deal that could rival New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' $100 million contract.

Employees at General Motors' plant in White Marsh have an unusual workplace benefit. Anyone who drives an electric car can plug it in to charge while they work. At the plant, which produces transmissions and electric motors, workers can park their electric vehicles — or EVs — in any of eight spaces under two solar-powered canopies in the employee lot. "You encourage the use of EVs and give employees some benefit," said William Tiger, plant manager for General Motors Baltimore Operations.

There's no better time than spring to plan for a room makeover. And we want to help. Tells us about a room or space in your home that is a real design challenge. Send a photo of the room along with its dimensions to homes@baltsun.com . Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 19. We'll have an interior designer evaluate some of the rooms and offer tips and a new look. With a little design help, you'll be ready to go by the time the Maryland Home & Garden Show arrives in early March.

Havre de Grace High School was taken over by tiny robots Saturday, Feb. 9, as 13 teams from schools and scout troops around the region participated in a daylong Maryland FIRST Tech Challenge qualification tournament. Saturday's tournament, a qualifier for the state final later this month, was hosted by the Spears & Gears Team No. 4141 from Havre de Grace High. In all, more than 200 people attended the event, including approximately 130 team members and mentors, 45 volunteers who were mostly Havre de Grace High students and about 30 spectators, according to Shawna Ashman, one of the mentors for the host team which did not participate Saturday.