Network

The Food Network said today that  Dangerously Delicious Pies founder Rodney Henry of Baltimore will be a finalist on the ninth season of "Food Network Star. " The judges will be Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay in the competition to name the best and brightest new faces in food television. The season premiere will be at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 2. The network says that each episode before the Aug. 11 finale will feature a first-round Mentor Challenge, second-round Star Challenge and an elimination determined by the selection committee, including returning judges Food Network executives Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman.

A global nonprofit that battles the spread of viruses has moved into the University of Maryland BioPark after sprouting from the university's Institute of Human Virology. Global Virus Network is the west side research park's newest tenant. It moved from incubator space in the virology institute, within the University of Maryland School of Medicine. GVN combines the resources and expertise of 30 virology research centers in 21 countries, helping them to share information and ideas to explore vaccine development, understand virus behavior and respond to viral outbreaks.

CBS Sports Network analyst Evan Washburn took part in a Q&A on Monday . The former Delaware defenseman, who can be followed on Twitter at @EvanWashburn , also addressed a few questions about No. 4 Maryland, No. 10 Loyola and No. 12 Johns Hopkins. Do you have any concerns about Maryland or did the 9-7 win against No. 15 Virginia last Saturday re-solidify the Terps' claims as a title contender? I don't really have any concerns. I was able to watch that Virginia game, and all year, I've said that I think it's Maryland and then everybody else.

The Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber is offering its annual Regional Business Showcase and Tasting on Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Suddath Relocation Systems, 1710 Crossroads Drive, Odenton. Vendor Happy Hour is from 4 to 5 p.m. The networking event, which reaches 500 local business professionals, has more than 65 exhibitors, networking, food and beverage samplings and special guests. Cost is $25 each or $20 each for five or more people. Tickets include two drink coupons.

Jay Leno had to know the head honchos at NBC were gunning for him when he told the following joke last Monday night: "You know the whole legend of St. Patrick, right?" he asked the audience in his opening monologue. "St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland -- and then they came to the United States and became NBC executives. " The harsh humor directed at the guys who hold his fate in their hands is just the latest sign that the star and the bosses pretty much detest each other.

T-Mobile USA Inc. launched its 4G LTE network in seven metropolitan areas Tuesday, including Baltimore and Washington. The wireless company, which also launched the network in Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Jose, Calif., said it is expected to reach 100 million Americans by midyear and 200 million by the end of the year. The deployment will complement T-Mobile's existing nationwide 4G network, the company said, with T-Mobile 4G LTE devices automatically able to transition to the nationwide network in areas where LTE has not yet launched.

AT&T has upgraded a mobile Internet cell site in Catonsville that will expand 4G LTE mobile coverage for Catonsville and Ellicott City residents and businesses. The upgrades to a cell site along River Road are part of AT&T's rollout of 4G LTE, the carrier's latest generation of wireless network technology. The network is designed to make mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, the company said. AT&T launched its 4G network in Baltimore in October 2011. During the past two years, AT&T has invested nearly $650 million in wireless and wired network upgrades in Maryland, including nearly $425 million in the greater Baltimore area.

Southwest Airlines took another step in completing its integration with AirTran, announcing Monday that customers can purchase tickets to all 97 destinations served by the two carriers in a single transaction. The newly connected booking network will handle sales for all flights starting April 14. "With a connected network, we can offer customers more itineraries, more destinations, more low fares," Bob Jordan, chief commercial officer at Southwest Airlines and president of AirTran, said in a statement.