Shutdown Countdown, Obama Comes to Town: Top Maryland Headlines

By Danna Walker

The top headlines of the week in Maryland:

Obama: Affordable Health Care a Right, Not a Privilege
The president told a crowd at Prince George's Community College Thursday that Republicans are afraid Obamacare will succeed. —Bowie Patch

Charges Dropped Against Man Arrested at Common Core Meeting
The Ellicott City man was charged with disturbing school operations and second-degree assault after attempting to question school officials at a public meeting in Towson. —Ellicott City Patch

Harford County Exec Responds to Baltimore County Education Forum Arrest
County Executive David Craig, a Republican running for Maryland governor, sounded off on Common Core and the arrest of a parent during a state-sponsored forum. —Havre de Grace Patch

Cardin: Reform Tax Code with Consumption Tax
At a visit to the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Sen. Ben Cardin talked about his ideas for reforming the country's tax code. —Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch

Columbia Mall Expansion: Two Restaurants, Seven Retailers Announced
Many of the new stores will open this November. —Columbia Patch

Aberdeen Man Among 5 Charged in North East Teen's Murder
Five people were charged with murder this week in what police said was an attempt to hold up a drug dealer. —Aberdeen Patch

Juror, 19, Arrested for Taking Cell Phone Picture
The man snapped a picture of an undercover police officer during secret proceedings of the Grand Jury in Howard County. —Ellicott City Patch