morning. >> there is a tropical system that is spinning off the coast of north carolina. bad news for the vacationers near ocean city, because it is going to be somewhat of a washout. the shorts are already hitting the coast line this morning. southern maryland, a couple of strong thunderstorms there. there is a tropical system to the west which is out ahead of a fraud. it will be a humid day today. 75 degrees downtown right now. these are the highest levels we have seen so far in july. i have more on your weekend weather forecast coming up in a little bit. as a check things out with traffic. >> good morning. some problems to look for already this morning if you are heading out. there is a water main break with road closures.

we have an accident in another area. there is an accident to watch out for on prospect in bel-air. the inner and outer leaves are running smoothly this morning. no accidents on the paris for expressway or the jfx. that is the latest. back to you. >> our big story this morning, president obama continues his push for health care reform today in ohio. he used his fourth prime-time news conference to say the health-care reform is essential to the nation's recovery. >> a lot of americans may be wondering what is in this for me. >> president obama tried to retake control over the health- care debate. he focused on what americans have to gain and lose from the reform. what will they sacrifice, he was

asked. >> they will have to give up paying for things that do not make them healthier. i think that is the kind of change you want. >> critics are raising questions on cost and timing. >> most americans do not like the health-care bill. they do not want it appeared it is going to raise taxes. what is the rush? >> it is for relief. >> i get letters every day from families who are being hurt by health-care costs. >> the plan deals with the first tax increase in decades on millionaires. the president is not trying to increase the deficit. >> it will not add to the deficit. it is designed to lower its. that is part of the reason why it is so important to do now. >> he said the window of

opportunity will slow. >> the stars are aligned. we need to take advantage of that. >> congress is divided. the president has praised the measures before they go to congress. he would go to ohio saying that americans can get the best health care for less money. >> how will president obama's health care plan affect people in maryland? >> our reporter has some insight on this. good morning, melissa. >> the people we spoke to said they believe the president's plan will save money for the united states overall. they think is happening faster than the health care system can handle. president obama said he is going to make sure that the future of americans has health care

coverage. he is hoping to that the bill passed in a matter of days. obama said he will require raising taxes, but he will honor his promise not to add to the deficit. they believe america cannot afford to pass on health care reform, they are concerned at what the speed is happening. >> we know right now today in baltimore in most parts of the country, there is a significant shortage of primary-care physicians. if they are going to be the first point of access, it is going to take us seven years before we can begin to see the kinds of emerging primary care needed. >> it is estimated that maryland's spill -- spends $1 billion a year for health care for the uninsured. wbal tv 11 news.

>> thank you. anticipating the swine flu virus will make a comeback in the fall. they are doing a clinical vaccine trial this summer. university of maryland will lead the way. they are trying to determine the strength of the vaccine that is needed. results should be in by early september. if you would like to learn more about the trial, go to our web site at wbaltv.com and click on medical alert. >> the state wants to slash money from maryland's budget. health care and higher education to the biggest hit. the governor still needs to find another $470 million for cuts. he has his eyes on benefits and pensions. >> our intention is to take the actions necessary in order to protect the priorities we have a

for all of our kids in maryland. >> they would discuss the next round of budget cuts. they will hold an emergency meeting today to discuss the impact of those cuts. dr. audrey alonso could get a performance bonus. he may get an annual performance bonus for up to $12,000 for demonstrated increases in the academic performance of baltimore city schools. >> i cannot talk about that. that is for the board to decide. for me coming is about the kids doing better. that is the bottom line. if the kids do not improve, then i am out of a job. >> dr. alonso make it a $12,000 bonus. it amounts to $30,000 a year in performance pay. >> some may have to wait longer

before citizens across state lines with concealed weapons. the permit would allow them to cross into the state with concealed weapons was rejected by the senate. mayors across the country oppose the bill. >> which you are really doing is starting down a very slippery slope where every state is going to have to follow what another state does. >> the national rifle association has argued in the past that these rights should prevail when it comes to gun laws and preserving the second amendment'. we go to our water will a question of the day. do you support the senate's decision on concealed weapon permits? email us your response to watercooler@wbaltv.com. >> the man serving a life sentence for killing the daughter of his girlfriend

wants to be released from his sentence. he was originally sentenced to death. in to thousand seven, a jury overturned the sentence given him life without parole. >> coming up, concerns that the international space station has a dangerous problem that astronauts face. >> and shots are fired. what police believe may have happened near a college campus. >> no problems right here. we will have an update on the morning

>> 74 degrees and a nice tropical feel to things outside. is very humid. dewpoint are up in the upper 50's. it is 74 degrees downtown. very warm. we have an active doppler.

two batches of rainfall. one is to the west. the other is to the south. get the umbrella ready. we needed the rain. it looks like we will give it today. a very warm start for us. we will be in the upper 80's. >> six people were shot during a rally on the texas southern university campus. people gathered for a voter registration drive last night. one student was shot along with five others. police believe the shootings may have been gang-related. >> astronauts are safely back inside the international space station after a sit problem cut their what short. carbon dioxide levels rose in one of the astronauts suits. there were in the process of replacing batteries. the space walk only lasted six hours which is half an hour less than expected.

it is 72 degrees on tv hill. if you are a speed demon on the road, you might want to consider a device that could help you avoid getting a ticket. >> if you are holding onto a gas guzzler, the federal government is offering you a reason t

>> it is getting kind of busy up there. >> it is about 515. -- 5:15. woodlawn -- we have an accident

there clearing. the news on the weather main break. it is not repaired. everything is back to normal there. we have another problem to tell you about. in bellaire, a prospect, there is an accident. an accident coming in at another area. the drive times are not at all. a five minute ride on the 895. here is a live view of traffic in the area of harford road. here is a live picture at 40 west. but it the latest on the buses and trains. >> we are looking at a diversion at will in due to the accident you mentioned on the m@ bus. the 50 bus also has a diversion due to a water main break.

the 17 bus is being diverted due to construction. light rail and metro subway looking very good. we have no delays there. for the mta transit team, back to sandra shaw. >> good morning. you lead your umbrella today. we are tracking an active asd doppler this morning. we are having a strong thunderstorm along chesapeake bay and ocean city. we have a bad chip showers and storms to ever west. a front is approaching. much of the weather is still on the great lakes region. there is a tropical system that is setting up shop off the shores of north carolina. we needed precipitation. we have been very dry this month. it is very mild out there. some board agrees downtown.

-- 74 degrees in downtown. it is steamy. 69 degrees in one area. that is the highest reading we have seen so far this summer. only 72 degrees in the mountain. storm is moving into the central part of our state. a 70% of the scattered showers and thunderstorms in our area. a very wet day. 80 degrees in ocean city. not a good beach state. on the chesapeake bay, waves only 1 foot. 102 is a record high for this day. we had a mall overnight low of

57 degrees. -- we had a arecord overnight lw of 57 degrees for this day. we will not get their however tonight. we are wedged in between two wet systems. that is why you have a good chance of getting part of the action throughout today. we have not had a lot of rainfall accumulation. we are still above normal for the year however. a 40% chance of showers tomorrow. hot and humid on saturday up to 91 degrees. we have another chance of afternoon showers and storms on sunday. >> in the consumer alert, the government cash for clunkers

program starts today. to qualify, which reagan has to be less than 25 years old and get fewer than 18 mpg. you get a voucher if the new cart you buy gets a certain number of miles above the clunker. one company will match the government's offer up to $4,500. new cell phone technology could help you avoid a traffic ticket. it could a large shoe lost in a dance about speed traps and red light cameras. it can be viewed on your computer or your smart phone. if you are taking a vacation, think about travel insurance.

that could be a good thing. our eyes seem bound some -- our eye-team found some information that you should be aware of. >> this woman believes a company should every impostor when she was forced to cancel the family trip t hawaii. when she became ill, she thought she would get the cost of the airline tickets back because she paid extra for travel insurance. >> it was a relief. we did not want to lose almost $4,500 on this whole idea ticket. >> the plan covered a cancellation in the event that a.m. and never became ill. her claim was rejected. >> i was angry and felt stupid. >> coming up tonight at 11, white plains are being denied and the exclusion is you need to know about when you buy travel insurance. >> the finance industry is

digesting some tough words of the president this morning. michelle dodds us live with that story and more in the bloomberg business report. >> good morning. banks want to take big risks, and they will have to pay for it. the president is proposing to impose fees on some of the nation's biggest financial firms. it would be to cover losses from risky transactions and avert another market meltdown. president obama said the mechanism would be similar to the fdic deposit insurance. fdic chairman she liber is expected to push for the fees in testimony before the senate banking committee today. on to the market, the dow is ending its winning streak. starbucks and apple had better

than expected earnings. one person says the worst has passed for the u.s. stock market. financial and technology companies will probably improve. negative mason is based in baltimore. stock and index futures are indicating a higher open for us ahead of the trade. from in your stock exchange, michele for wbal tv 11 news. >> thank you. >> the time is now of 22. coming up, we will get another look at your morning commute with traffic and weather to get it. >> short-term struggles for the orioles. it yields to longer-term sunshine. we will tell you why coming up next. >> do not forget to e-mail us

your answer to the watercooler question of the day. do you support the senate's decision on concealed weapon permits? email us your response to watercooler@wbaltv.com.

>> the orioles have a new home for spring training starting in february. late last night, they finalized a deal to make the new spring training home sarasota, florida. the county officials agreed to the deal last night. they are on their way to the west coast of florida next year. as for the east coast trip this year, not going very well. their last game in new york -- the orioles were in 84-0 hole.

-- a 4-0 hole. third inning,jorge a bad day for the orioles starter. he loses an eighth straight decision. 5-0 york. adam chose with a solo shot. -- adams jones with a solo shot. it is gone. that is where the orioles' offense ran out of steam. the yankees sweep the series for a second time this year in the new yankee stadium. 6-4 is this gore yesterday. on friday, the open a series against boston. we hope your day is off to a fantastic start.

>> thank you. it is 72 degrees on t.v. kill. -- tv hill. >> i have a wrap up with the president's news conference last night and where he plans to take his health care message today. that story is coming up. >> and people in maryland respond to president obama's health care plan. >> showers and storms to our east. we are in the middle. i will let you know if we get in the action later today. >> as far as a morning commute, we are checking on several accidents to let you know about.

>> good morning. welcome back to 11 news today. >> h