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News Wrap: Suspect Injured in Custody in Coma; Cummings Weighs Senate Bid

Man Injured In Videotaped Confrontation in Coma 

A man hospitalized following a videotaped encounter with Baltimore police remains in a medically-induced coma. According to the Baltimore Sun, family members say Freddie Gray underwent surgery on an injured back and larynx. The incident happened Sunday morning as officers tried to stop Gray in the 1600 block of North Avenue, but it is unclear how the 27-year-old became injured. Police are releasing a detailed timeline of their encounter with Gray, who they say took off running when they tried to stop him in an area with a history of drug dealing and violence. The timeline says Gray was arrested one minute later and placed in a transport wagon, but police say that van was stopped to put more restraints on Gray. Officers say video evidence shows he was conscious and speaking at the time. About 30 minutes after that, paramedics were called to the Western District station to take Gray to Shock Trauma. 

Elijah Cummings Weighs Senate Bid 

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings says he's still weighing whether he should run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Mikulski. The Washington Post reports on a poll commissioned by Cummings, which shows 29 percent of likely voters support him. Though the poll was privately commissioned, Democratic strategists point to Cummings' popularity and experience in Congress. 

Meanwhile, Maryland State Delegate Dereck Davis says he'll run for the congressional seat now held by Representative Donna Edwards, who officially announced her candidacy for Mikulski’s seat early last month. Davis says he will formally announce his candidacy for the 4th congressional district seat in a few days. However, the Baltimore Sun reports that the chair of the state's House Economic Matters Committee will take a "low key approach,” and it will take a while before the campaign really gets going. 

State Officials Call For Review Of Flawed Food Contract 
State Comptroller Peter Franchot wants a review of a food contract for Baltimore detention facilities. The Board of Public Works had to approve an emergency, $6.6 million dollar contract for Crystal Enterprises. The company threatened to back out without more money, saying it was misled about how many inmates it would have to feed and had to pay for overhauling jail kitchens. 

Baltimore Settles Shooting Death Lawsuit 

A settlement between the City of Baltimore and the family of a man shot to death by police is now official. The family of Michael Wudtee had demanded $10 million dollars, but agreed to $175,000, which was approved yesterday by the city's board of estimates. Wudtee died during a 2012 struggle with an officer who reported him assaulting a woman at a gas station at Liberty Heights and Gwynn Oak Avenues. 

Workers Rally For Higher Minimum Wage 

Demonstrators gathered in Baltimore Wednesday to rally for a higher minimum wage. Employees of fast food and retail establishments are asking for pay raises to $15 an hour, and say companies like McDonald's can afford it. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and Maryland's is $8 dollars per hour. 

Lt. Gov. Convenes Heroin Task Force Meeting

Maryland Lt. Governor convened a meeting of the state's heroin Emergency Task Force at the University of Baltimore Wednesday. Boyd Rutherford was tapped to lead the inter-agency panel to address the heroin problem after the governor signed an executive order in February.  Information from regional summits will be used to create recommendations on how to combat the problem.  

Former Baltimore Mayor Schmoke To Visit Cuba 
Just like he did in 1999 when he was the mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke will visit Cuba this summer. The new president of the University of Baltimore says even before the recent thaw in relations between the U.S. and the Caribbean communist nation, the two countries showed some cooperation. In 1999, it was baseball diplomacy with the Orioles playing a home-and-home set with the Cuban national team that led Schmoke to visit Cuba. He says President Obama's cautious approach to re-establishing ties with Cuba is the right one. 

Phelps Confirms Intent To Compete In Rio Olympics 

Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps has his sights set on Rio in 2016. The 18-time gold medalist is confirming he intends to compete in one final Summer Olympics next year in Brazil.  The 29-year-old is in Mesa, Ariz., this week for the Arena Pro Swim Series, his first meet since a six-month suspension by USA Swimming for a second DUI arrest last fall. 

O's Use Five-Run Sixth To Sink Yankees 

Chris Davis doubled in two during a five-run sixth inning that lifted the Orioles to a 7-5 win over the Yankees in Baltimore. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop belted solo homers for Baltimore in the rubber match of the three-game series.