Columns

COLUMN | We aren’t far enough removed from watching this team tumble off the cliff to be OK with it standing so close to it again, but we need to acknowledge it is on sturdier ground.

COLUMN | A new Maryland law stops artists — particularly those in hip-hop — from having their words held against them in a court of law. Because racism.

COLUMN | Exclusive is not the right vibe for the Preakness.

COLUMN | We were at a state park in Kentucky for my wife’s family reunion. It was the kind where someone springs for T-shirts, and the blue-and-gold ones handed out for ours read, “Whole Fam Damily Reunion 2012.” Then the Murdaughs walked in. You know, the Alex Murdaughs.

COLUMN | Maryland’s new anti-predatory pricing bill seeks to protect residents from grocery stores using data to gouge us. We have to be more careful about what they know about us in the first place.

COLUMN | State Sen. Pam Beidle wanted to give the $400,000 left in her campaign fund to the slate she created. Turns out the rules don’t allow that. What can she do with this small fortune now?

COLUMN | State leaders have some decisions to make about the future of racing, and must finally be decisive about their role in the sport.

“With all of the changes that have happened over time, the evolution of this game, a couple things always stay true. It’s starting pitching, and defense, timely hitting,” manager Craig Albernaz said.

COLUMN | No celebration of America’s 250th anniversary rivals America’s Tapestry for sheer volunteer spirit. The embroidered retelling of stories from the original 13 states was inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

COLUMN | Ahead of the biggest game of her career, Alyssa Chung calmed her nerves the only way she knew how: by calling her mom. The pep talk helped the Severna Park native power Navy to an epic comeback over Syracuse in overtime in the NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament.

COLUMN | Baltimore has been waiting a very long time for the Red Line train to come to fruition. It’s still on the table, but the city deserves more.

Reporter Jasmine Vaughn-Hall reminisces about days at her neighborhood park. She hopes her son will do the same.

COLUMN | In Maryland’s biggest primary, almost anything seems possible just 32 days from the start of early voting. A look at how candidates are trying to break out of a crowd of Democrats.

COLUMN | Coby Mayo has been ineffective at third base for the second season in a row. At this point, the Orioles must share accountability for continuing to play him there.

COLUMN | Ferry travel is a romantic idea, but when romance hits political and fiscal reality, the water gets a little rough. Chesapeake Bay proposals are — at best — delayed.

COLUMN | Alonso entered Wednesday with 54 hard-hit balls and 21 walks, accounting for 48% of his 155 plate appearances. That was 11th best in baseball among all qualifiers.

The “Baltimore: Actually, I like it” bumper stickers are a winking nod to the city’s self-deprecation. But to me, qualifying one’s approval gives too much weight to the haters.

COLUMN | The Orioles can undo the damage in the standings. It’s only four games. But it might take four months of good baseball to make anyone think about this team in a different way.

COLUMN | The Orioles have never gone all-in on winning, always holding something back even when taking a big swing. Now, after an awful start in the AL East, it might be too late for Mike Elias to save this team (and his job) with a daring roster move.