Risk

High winds and an overturned tractor trailer closed the eastbound and westbound spans of the Bay Bridge for several hours Wednesday afternoon. It reopened to passenger vehicles in both directions just after 6 p.m. The accident happened at about 2 p.m., when the westbound vehicle was struck by a gust of wind and forced against the guardrail. The passenger-side tires of both the trailer and cab were lifted from the pavement. The trailer was twisted like a piece of aluminum foil. The unidentified driver received minor injuries and was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis for treatment, officials said.

Ladies and gentleman, I know we get wrapped up in the planning and details but please, please do not leave your wedding bands until last minute. Let me clarify: Order your wedding bands at least two and a half months before your wedding. I work in a jewelry store and am speaking from experience. I can not tell you how many of my clients wait until the last minute and then everyone is in a panic to get a ring expedited and, too often, they may have to settle for a different ring in order to have it on time.

Saint Agnes Hospital will work with local churches to screen for heart disease, using a $244,455 grant from The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation. The hospital announced Thursday that it had received the award. The screening program will focus on African-American women, who have the highest risk for developing heart disease, the hospital said. Those found to have heart disease or risk for it will get access to educational programs, lifestyle coaches and exercise classes. The hospital will follow patients over time and measure improvements in health.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security now incarcerates, via immigration detention, more people per year than any other state or federal agency. In 2012, the DHS detained over 429,000 noncitizens awaiting immigration hearings or deportation, at a $2 billion cost to taxpayers. Yet the DHS' new risk assessment technology, which comprehensively and individually assesses immigrant detainees and collects valuable data, makes it possible for Congress to improve detention practices while reforming broader U.S. immigration laws.

Maryland is one of the states most "vulnerable" to sequestration cuts, given its dependence on federal spending, Wells Fargo said Monday. The financial services company's report, which underscores earlier warnings from economists, says non-defense spending makes up 10 percent of Maryland's gross domestic product — tied with Virginia and D.C. for the biggest share nationwide. Defense spending is nearly as large, at 9.8 percent, ranking the state third — and again tied with Virginia and D.C. — behind Hawaii and Alaska.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette went to December's winter meetings with several ideas in mind to improve on last season's success. His work in Nashville - the Orioles were able to re-sign outfielder Nate McLouth but couldn't reach a deal to acquire a power hitter - received mixed reviews. But on the final day of the meetings, Duquette plucked left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland from the Cleveland Indians with the 23rd pick of the annual Rule 5 draft.

If there is some good to arise from the tragic death of Nathan Krasnopoler - the 20-year-old Johns Hopkins University student killed while riding his bicycle on University Parkway by an 83-year-old driver who didn't notice him in the bike lane - it may be to call greater attention to the dangers of Maryland's aging driver population. Today, Mr. Krasnopoler's parents were in Annapolis to brief the House Environmental Matters Committee on the latest data provided by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration documenting the threat.

One of the reasons Congress seems reluctant to stop budget sequestration ("The sequester stand-off," Feb. 7) is that few realize the real consequences of indiscriminately slashing spending in blind, indiscriminate fashion - - particularly for our national security. Under sequestration, the defense budget alone would weather $500 billion in cuts across every program, affecting fundamental military capabilities. The cuts will sideline our aircraft carriers and force other ships from service, weakening us in the Pacific while also freeing Iran to shut down the Strait of Hormuz at will.

SARASOTA, Fla - And so ends the strange offseason saga of pitcher Jair Jurrjens, who arrived at the Orioles' spring training facility Saturday after finalizing the minor league contract that started out as a major league contract. Confused? It's not all that complicated. Jurrjens agreed to a major league deal three weeks ago worth $1.5 million that included incentives that could have boosted the value to $4 million, but club officials obviously weren't satisfied with the results of his physical and renegotiated the contract down to a minor league deal with a major league invite to spring training.

Health Maryland to host panel discussion on risks of playing sports Maryland's Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism will host a panel Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. to discuss the risks of playing sports, from children to professionals. Panelists include Dr. Stephen A. Haas , a retired physician for the Washington Wizards, Capitals and Nationals; Sean Sansiveri , staff counsel for the NFL Players Association; Rick "Doc" Walker , a commentator for ESPN-980 and Comcast SportsNet; Olympic field hockey player Katie O'Donnell (Maryland)