How to stop thieves from stealing your child's identity.

Baltimore County Public Schools opened their first Stock Exchange Classroom at Randallstown High School. Students in the Academy of Finance Program will use the room's ticker boards displaying live stock prices for hands-on experience in reading stock quotes and learning how to invest.

Taking on the current job market can seem a bit daunting, but with the right preparation candidates can set themselves apart.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Jeff Kudisch talks about how the school is helping students prepare to take on the job market, including innovative activities such as an improv workshop to build communications skills.

It’s no secret that in today’s economy, consignment shops are doing quite well. But it takes a lot of business savvy and consumer insight to get one up and running.

In this week's “Behind the Biz” we meet a Columbia, Maryland mom who used her entrepreneurial spirit to make her dreams come true.

STX, headquartered in Baltimore, has been supplying lacrosse equipment to the lacrosse community since 1970. Tonight we'll look at the growth of the company into other sports and STX's plans to invest in Baltimore in the form of new jobs and community revitalization efforts.

How entrepreneurs can take advantage of one of the hottest sites online.

The economics of Civil War history. There are over 100 Civil War sites in Maryland. This week we visit a few of them.

How a local restauranteur has been winging it for 25 years.

It's one of the best known buildings in the state. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is celebrating 20 years this season with numerous upgrades which make a trip to the ball park even more fan friendlier.

Cyber crime is on the rise and the need to safeguard against cyber security attacks is real and growing. No industry is exempt and the demand for experts who can battle using bits and bytes has never been greater. Maryland has become a hub of cyber security activity and the university is leading the way.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Sandor Boyson talks about the critical need for cyber security.

What homeowners need to know about a filing deadline that could keep property tax from going up.

How a top Maryland tourist attraction helps to promote the health of Chesapeake Bay.

Why it's important to take a closer look at your mortgage escrow statement.

Marriott CEO Bill Marriott explains how his family turned one small restaurant into a world wide hotel chain with over 3000 lodging properties located in the United States and 68 other countries.

Gas prices are rising with no end in sight, which would seem to indicate bad timing for a proposed gas tax hike in Maryland. Even with more pain at the pump, a tax increase could be the needed catalyst for Americans to shift to alternative energy sources.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Charles Olson talks about how a gas tax increase in Maryland could help encourage the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel.

A local media company is going after Google and Apple. How does Millennial Media plan to succeed?

New efforts are underway aimed at improving the water quality at one of Maryland's top tourist destinations. Our Charles Robinson tells us how that could improve the bottom line for businesses near the Inner Harbor.

It couldn't happen to you, could it? New strategies for keeping your finances safe from scam artists.

Important new information for both home buyers and sellers.

A family owned company has been serving the winning ingredients in the chocolate market for nearly a century. What's the secret to their success?

How is a local company helping salon professionals set up shop in a cost-effective way?

You may have heard what your client, boss or co-worker just said. But were you really listening? In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Ken White talks about what it means to actively listen and how mastering this skill can help your career.

Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland has raised over over $2 million for breast cancer patients and research. How can successful charities like this maximize the impact of their donations?

For years, anyone in Maryland could prepare tax returns for money, but that is no longer the case.

It is believed that one in every 23 consumers is a victim of some form of identity theft. In this week's Behind the Biz, how one local document destruction business owner is protecting your personal information and watching his bottom line.

Secretary Johansson joins us to discuss the Maryland Innovation Initiative bill before the General Assembly. Plus we’ll get an update on Invest Maryland as the first tax credit auction to raise funds for the initiative happens next month.

A Maryland company is playing a key role in the War of 1812 celebration.

Are you thinking of solar power for your home but not sure if it's cost effective? Tonight the president of Maryland based Astrum Solar joins us to answer your questions.

How a local graphics company is becoming a major player in the look and feel of several popular restaurants.

Though cellphones are usually considered devices that connect people, they may make users less socially minded, finds a recent study from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Ajay Abraham talks about new research that examines how using a cell phone impacts behavior.

An unexpected tax break for some homeowners.

The deadline this year for filing your tax returns is April 17th. If you hire someone to prepare your taxes, how do you know if that person is qualified? Tonight we'll get expert advice on what qualifications you should look for in a professional. Plus, tips for keeping up with the ever changing tax laws and how to get the most out of your return.

One Maryland restaurant owner has changed his entire business strategy because of the popularity of his freshly-made soups. How that's working for the bottom line and keeping the customers happy.

Is that big ticket item you just purchased with a sweet rebate actually a tax burden surprise?

Commemorative coins 200 years in the making. What's a silver dollar really worth and what about a gold coin with a face value of 5-bucks? If they're special bicentennial coins from the War of 1812, the answers might surprise you.

Why filling your pet's prescription at your own pharmacy might be a good idea.

Tonight we'll look at the efforts of the Downtown Partnership to keep residents and businesses downtown as well as showcasing Baltimore's attractiveness for new companies.

Estimates are pegging Facebook’s current valuation at $100 billion with its initial public offering coming up this spring. The social media giant will no doubt have the year’s most talked about IPO, but is it a good deal?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Gerard Hoberg talks about Facebook’s impending initial public offering.

A local chef with a twist on the menu - he has found a way to make healthy, gourmet meals for dogs.

Tonight we'll take a look at the growth credit unions have experienced lately as some consumers have grown increasing frustrated with banks. In addition to consumers, credit unions are also looking to increase business members.

Breaking down property taxes - who pays what and why?

What are the ingredients to a successful tea room?

When several houses on a block are facing foreclosure the whole neighborhood can be at risk. One Maryland housing organization is working to keep neighborhoods from falling apart.

Auto dealers in Maryland experienced an increase in the number of new vehicles sold last year. Tonight we'll hear what caused the rise in sales and what this means for the economy.

How two young entrepreneurs are taking the hassle out of parking in downtown Baltimore.

What's the impact of high frequency trades on the average mutual fund investor?

Bucking the trend in the newspaper industry of cutting back on print editions, this week the Frederick News-Post resumed its Monday edition.

A small city in western Maryland was recently named one of the most affordable places to live in the country. We went to Cumberland, Maryland to find out why the town is so appealing to residents and business owners alike.

Why good news for landlords is not making apartment renters smile.

What are the secrets to success in the floral business? One Maryland florist says that after 30 years, everything is still coming up roses.

Do you have trouble sleeping and wish you could be tested in your own bed? NovaSom is a diagnostic-service provider for home testing and evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea.

The Constellation merger gets the blessing of a major player, what does this mean for consumers?

Have you ever worked with someone you might consider “difficult?” Chances are good that someone fitting this description springs to mind. As it turns out, these aren’t just people with whom you may have a personality conflict. The key distinction that separates “difficult” co-workers from the merely “annoying” is their effect on job performance.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Cynthia Kay Stevens talks about her research delves into the characteristics of “difficult co-workers” and their behaviors in the workplace.

How a Catonsville entrepreneur went from taking the restaurant orders to owning the food joint.

Seeing a need for professional networking opportunities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, Scott Marder and Ted Hart started the Maryland Corporate Council. The MCC is a new LGBT-focused networking group that hosts educational and social events related to: networking, finding and working with a mentor, career development strategies, strategies for successful transition from staff to manager to executive, and LGBT-focused finance and tax strategies.

What effect could a controversial new bill have on the internet and e-commerce if it becomes law?

An eclectic mix of gift items and handmade jewelry is making for a different kind of shopping experience in Ellicott City.

From a magazine to the TV screen, how one local media chief is making the move from print to broadcast.

New tools at the disposal for the do it yourself crowd.

Jason Hardebeck recently sold his social-networking software-application development company WhoGlue to Facebook. Now he has taken the helm of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council. He joins us tonight to discuss his plans for the GBTC.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Clifford Rossi, executive-in-residence of finance, shares his prognosis for the housing market for the year ahead.

Will this be the year our economy hits its stride? Three CEOs of leading Maryland-based firms sit down to discuss the year ahead and where new jobs are going to be created.

Is there finally good news in the real-estate market? This week we look at a possible rebound in our Baltimore Sun Extra.

How an apple store alternative is competing with the real ones.

A growing number of Maryland's baby boomer population is nearing retirement age and the state's businesses community is preparing to serve them. Tonight we'll talk with Dr. Rifkin, an executive from a company that owns and operates senior-living properties in Maryland and Delaware.