THE REGION
Dayton Reopens Office in Senate Building
Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) reopened his Senate office yesterday after closing it Oct.12, citing terrorist threats.
Dayton told Minnesota reporters Wednesday that the threat period, outlined in two classified intelligence reports, expired Election Day. Aides returned yesterday to his Senate Russell Office Building suite.
"The timeline for the heightened threat has passed in those reports," Dayton said. "I think Washington is now back within the range of where it's been since September 11."
Dayton was widely criticized for fleeing the Capitol. He reiterated that he acted to protect his staff and visitors from danger to which he would not be exposed because he would be away for the congressional recess. Dayton said he would push for release of the briefing for "people to have a chance to read the assessment for themselves."
MARYLAND
Dog Bites 3 Mount Rainier Schoolchildren
Three elementary school students were bitten by a German shepherd in Mount Rainier yesterday afternoon, moments after they stepped off a school bus, police said.
The students, whose ages and genders were not released by police, were taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital, where they were treated for minor cuts and bites, said Lt. Michael Scott, a police spokesman.
Scott said he had no information about the children's condition other than that they are expected to recover. He said the children are students at Mount Rainier Elementary School.
The dog, which was running loose and unsupervised, was taken into custody by the Prince George's County Animal Management Division, Scott said. He said the dog's owner was found yesterday evening, and charges are pending. He said the owner promised to provide paperwork proving the dog is up to date on vaccines.
Legislative Leaders Tackling Malpractice
Maryland's Senate president and House speaker met privately yesterday to revive discussions about the state's looming medical malpractice crisis.
Aides to House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said yesterday that Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) are working to broker a compromise that will allow them to bring legislation to the General Assembly before year's end.
The two did not reach an agreement but resolved to find a source of financing for a special fund to help doctors hit with consecutive annual increases in malpractice insurance rates. They agreed to continue discussions early next week.
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) has also been involved in negotiations but was unable to join Busch and Miller yesterday, aides said.
