Baltimore Crime Statistics For 2012, The History Of Gun Legislation In MD, and Proposed Fees For Ambulance Rides From BWI

Baltimore officials say that gun crimes were down by 6 percent last year, and that overall crime figures dropped as well (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun). But the city reported 20 more murders in 2012 than in the year before. And Baltimore has already seen its first gun violence of the new year -- with two men shot yesterday (via the Baltimore Sun).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks to The Baltimore Sun's Andy Green about the history and future of gun legislation in this state and the Maryland politicians who've helped.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she's happy to be a part of Maryland history. The Mayor officiated at Baltimore's first same-sex marriage ceremony at City Hall early on New Year's Day (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

BWI wants to start charging people $500 for ambulance rides from the airport to the hospital (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Dozens of programs funded by the Komen's Race For The Cure are in jeopardy due to fundraising shortfalls (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

The Frederick County School Board will officially get a peek at a proposal to change Frederick High School when it meets this afternoon. The School Board will also consider what calendar to use during the upcoming school year; there are two options: one, with classes starting August 19th, a second, with classes starting a week later (via our wire service; more here and here).

The Western Maryland city of Cumberland will be getting $1.5-million to pay for several water supply projects (via our wire service and the Cumberland Times-News).

The town of Delmar Maryland could soon get an ethics commission. It would work to get the town's ethics code in compliance with a 2010 law, requiring that municipalities provide financial information and information about conflicts of interest for public officials and candidates for office (via the Daily Times).

More than 650 people plunged into the chilly Atlantic waters to ring in the new year yesterday, as part of Ocean City's 19th annual Penguin Swim (via the Daily Times).

And in sports: The Ravens are hard at work this week, preparing for Sunday's AFC Wild Card game against Indianapolis. Baltimore finished the regular season 10-and-6 and won the AFC North to earn the home game. The Ravens are 0-and-2 against the Colts in the postseason with losses in 2006 and 2009. Sunday's game kicks off at 1pm at M&T Bank Stadium.The Ravens grounds crew is painting parts of Baltimore with the team's helmet logo, in preparation for the playoff game. The War Memorial in front of City Hall and the side of Federal Hill were painted yesterday (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).