Maryland's Death Penalty, This Week's State GOP Convention, and A Preview Of The 2014 Governor's Race

Aides to Governor Martin O'Malley say he'll likely make a decision soon as to whether he'll seek to repeal the state's death penalty during next year's General Assembly session (via our wire service and the Washington Post).

Prince George's County Democrats are urging Governor Martin O'Malley to approve the man they've nominated to replace former Delegate Tiffany Alston in the General Assembly. That nominee -- businessman Gregory Hall -- ran against Alston for the post in 2010, and lost by 310 votes. Hall's nomination has been controversial, in part because he was convicted of a misdemeanor gun charge in relation to a deadly shootout 20 years ago. The Chairman of the PG County Democratic Central Committee will hold a meeting tonght to get legal advice from an attorney for the State Democratic Party on the matter (via the Washington Post).

The Maryland Republican Party holds its annual convention later this week. And it's likely to be a contentious one -- as some GOP activists are expected to push for the ouster of Party Chairman Alex Mooney (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett says he's re-considering his earlier plan not to run for re-election (via the Washington Examiner).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks to The Sun's Andy Green about potential candidates in Maryland's 2014 Gubernatorial Election.

Even though some Baltimore-area shoppers did more browsing than buying, a new survey reveals Black Friday shopping has set a record. The National Retail Federation announced yesterday 247-million shoppers visited stores and websites during the four-day holiday weekend, up nine-percent from 2011 (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

The holiday season is off to a rough start for firefighters -- after one Marylander died and more than a dozen others were displaced by fires caused by improperly used heating sources. Firefighters are reminding folks to keep space heaters away from flammable material and to never fill kerosene heaters while they're running (via our wire service and the Washington Times).

A proposal to make English the official language of Carroll County is drawing controversy (via the Washington Post).

Baltimore's historic Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum has been hit by vandals over the past month (via the Baltimore Sun).

A Baltimore police officer is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries after the officer's gun discharged during a roll call meeting last night. The incident is under investigation (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

State highway officials will be updating Dundalk residents this week on their plans to resurface a key thoroughfare in the Baltimore County community (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood lit up for Christmas this weekend, marking the traditional beginning of the holiday shopping and decorating season in Charm City (via our wire service; more here from the Baltimore Sun).

And in sports: the Ravens needed overtime to beat the San Diego Chargers yesterday, but they triumphed in the end: the score was 16 to 13. The Ravens record is now 9-and-2, and they have a three game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division. The Ravens will host the Steelers this Sunday in Baltimore.