"Question 7," O'Malley At The Presidential Debate, A Patterson Park Study Group, and A West Baltimore Fire Company Will Stay Open

The Washington Redskins have given their stamp of approval to "Question 7" -- the ballot measure that would expand Maryland's casino gambling program. The team argues that the measure will bring thousands of new jobs to prince George's County, which is where their home stadium FedEx Field is located. "Question 7" on the state ballot next month would allow a new casino to be built in the county, and would allow table games at all Maryland casinos (via the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun). Opponents of "Question 7" held a rally yesterday in Prince George's, arguing that a new casino there would do more harm than good. Opponents also claim that the jobs that would be created would mostly be temporary, and have low salaries (via the Washington Post).

If you plan to vote on "Question 7" -- or any of the other measures or races on the November ballot -- you should be aware of some fast-approaching Election Day deadlines. Maryland's voter registration deadline is October 16th. Early voting runs from October 27th to November 1st. There's more information at elections.state.md.us.

Of course, the presidential race will top the ballot; President Barack Obama and Challenger Mitt Romney are set to debate tonight in Denver -- and you can hear that debate LIVE here on WYPR -- starting at 9pm. Governor Martin O'Malley will be seeing the debate live -- he's going to be in the audience for the debate, and will be in the so-called "spin rooms" afterward to try to shape post-debate news coverage (via the Baltimore Sun).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks to The Baltimore Sun's Julie Sharper about the city inspector general's report regarding City Hall's new phone and computer system.

The Maryland state medical examiner has ruled that the death of a man in Baltimore city police custody last month was a homicide. An autopsy has determined that 46-year-old Anthony Anderson died from blunt force trauma, including a broken rib and a ruptured spleen. Police initially said Anderson choked to death on drugs. An investigation is underway to determine if officers acted improperly during the arrest (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun). 

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is forming a working group to study the future of Patterson Park (via our wire service, the Baltimore Brew and the Baltimore Sun).

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has changed course and says a West Baltimore fire company will not be closing after all. Truck Ten had been slated to close this month, but the Mayor now says it will remain open at least until June 30th (via the Baltimore Sun).

The Baltimore city council is considering a letter-grading system for local restaurants and bars (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

A Maryland lawmaker is calling on Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold to repay taxpayers if he loses a gender discrimination case. Republican State Senator Bryan Simonaire says that fellow Republican Leopold needs to "help restore the trust" of county residents, if he loses a federal lawsuit pending against him. In a response, Leopold didn't say whether or not he'll repay the legal bill -- but did question Senator Simonaire's fiscal stewardship... noting that the Senator charges taxpayers to stay in Annapolis during General Assembly sessions even though he lives 20 minutes away (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

You'll now be allowed to skateboard on Ocean City's boardwalk during the offseason. The Ocean City Town Council voted earlier this week to overturn a skateboarding ban, imposed back in 1972. Skateboarding on the boardwalk remains illegal during tourist season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day (via the Daily Times).

Baltimore's Fells Point has been named one of the nation's ten "Great Neighborhoods of 2012" (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Towson University is considering a proposal to eliminate two sports in an effort to ease budget concerns. The University's Athletic Director said yesterday that the men's baseball and soccer programs could be eliminated. A final ruling could come sometime in November (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

And in sports: The Orioles head into their last game of the regular season tonight; it's against the Tampa Bay Rays, who the O's beat 1 to Nothing yesterday.