PG's Headlines: Obama Visit, East Campus, Cafritz

The University of Maryland and the City of College Park have been talking about East Campus for more than a decade. With plans for the multi-use development stalled at least once in 2009 due to the down economy, university officials say they expect construction to begin by this time next year. Phase 1 will include a hotel, graduate student housing and retail, the cost falling somewhere in the neighborhood of $171 million.

The long-debated Cafritz rezoning plan—a proposal that would ease the way for 37-acre mixed-use development on the north end of Riverdale Park—was finally given a hearing date before the District Council. Members will weigh the developer's application and tomes of related materials on April 11 before holding a vote, the final step in the rezoning approval process.

President Obama visited Prince George's Community College in Largo on Thursday. Topics of the speech included gas prices, energy initiatives and job training.

Police acted quickly to find a man who robbed a M&T Bank in Bowie on Wednesday morning. No one was hurt in the incident.

School Officials, Students Spar in Protest Debate

Students and community activists blast school officials for their response to Northwestern High School's student protest for better school conditions.