Weather-Related Schedule Changes, Leopold's Trial, Term Limits, MD's Petition Process, Redistricting Proposals, and A Ravens Rally

Several school systems are closed today, and most others are delayed, as the WYPR listening area sees a mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through noon; and our latest list of schedule change information is here.

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith and WYPR Reporter Karen Hosler discuss a new push for Congressional term limits from Rep. Andrew Harris (R-MD 1st District).

This morning, Baltimore City kicked off its biannual homeless persons count. The census is required by HUD, and it runs today through Wednesday. WYPR's Mary Rose Madden went out with some of the workers, and brings us this report.

In other news: Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold has been acquitted of one charge of misconduct, but four other charges remain to be decided (via our wire service, the Baltimore Sun, and the Gazette).

Governor Martin O'Malley has named a former legislator to fill the seat in the House of Delegates once held by Tiffany Alston; O'Malley has tapped former delegate Darren Swain to represent District 24 in the House (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Some Maryland lawmakers are proposing a change in the state's petition process (via our wire service and the Washington Post).

Maryland's redistricting process could change, under proposals moving through the General Assembly (via marylandreporter.com).

A group of lawmakers in Annapolis is trying to boost the Baltimore area's economy (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making a $350-milliondonation to Johns Hopkins University. The huge gift is one of the largest ever received by Johns Hopkins (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Frederick Alderman Karen Young is running to be Frederick's next Mayor. The Democrat announced her candidacy late last week, and is the first candidate to officially enter the race (via the Gazette).

And in sports: the Baltimore Ravens depart for New Orleans today, where they will take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the Super Bowl. The city of Baltimore and the team are hosting a Super Bowl Sendoff Rally at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater. The rally officially kicks of at 11:30, but the entertainment is already underway -- turns out, winter weather just can't dampen our purple fever! More here from the Baltimore Sun.