Lots of political news this morning. Here are a few of our stories:

Md. Lottery director quits to take D.C. job
Longtime Maryland Lottery Director Buddy Roogow, who has led the agency for 13 years, resigned Tuesday to take a job as executive director of the D.C. Lottery.

"An opportunity presented itself," Roogow said in an interview. "I decided it's the right thing for me. It's a new challenge."

His departure at the end of November comes as the Maryland agency is vetting bidders for licenses to operate slot-machine casinos in the state, and will eventually oversee the gambling operations when they open. He also is leaving as state agencies have seen steep budget cuts; Gov. Martin O'Malley recently reduced the lottery's advertising budget by $5.5 million as part of budget-balancing measures.

Wright's appearance sours NAACP award for Arundel man
Many won't attend honor for lifelong Republican

Perry Ealim was elated to learn he'd won a local business award from the Anne Arundel County NAACP and promptly sent a mass e-mail asking friends and associates, largely fellow Republicans, to join him at the November award ceremony.

But most aren't so eager to dine with the guest speaker for the evening, President Barack Obama's controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.

"I am happy for your honor, however I cannot support an organization that would have a racist/bigot such as Mr. Wright as [its] speaker," wrote James Pelura, outgoing chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

Also check out a short on state senators' ire over the firing of Maryland Public Defender Nancy S. Forster.