cell phones. how young is too young? that is our watercooler question of the day. >> and the dog days of summer are here. the forecast as 11 news today continues right now. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> good morning. >> thanks for joining us 4 "11 news today." -- for "11 news today." that its economic forecast. >> it is going to feel uncomfortable today. poor air quality in the city today. take it easy of side. as far as rainfall, there is no concern right now. a week high pressure is in control for another 24 hours. we will see the lower southerly flow later on. it means more dewpoint increases.

it means a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. it will be uncomfortable up to 91 degrees. chances of showers tomorrow. more on that coming up in a little bit. >> good morning. if you're heading out in jessup this morning, the scene of a head-on collision. erode reporter just of writing on the scene. we will have more effort -- a world reporter just arriving on the scene. we will have more information when we get it. no delays on the rest of the area roads. the space sensors show we are up to speed this morning. -- the speed sensors show we are up to speed this morning. 395 looking good. harrisburg expressway looks very good. that is the latest on track -- traffic pollulse.

>> they appear to be heroic as first responders. >> but they are the creators of a child pornography ring. our reporter is like a bald mob county police headquarters with more on the story. >> -- baltimore county police headquarters with more of the story. >> good morning. the couple did most of the child pornography taping in the middle river home. they are facing numerous charges this morning in the child pornography investigation. it was located in side of the home of john nicklas. a search warrant was served on the home where police seized computers and several cd's and dvd's. after police viewed the material, the couple were participating. >> our suspects are performing the sexual acts and filling it

appeared they are distributing it to other people. >> the details of this court document is too graphic to go oin detail on television. police are looking for more victims. if there were children who may have been here this couple, they should give the police a call with any affirmation regarding the case. wbal tv 11 news. -- any information regarding the case. wbal-tv. >> thank you. the city's horse troll unit facing some budget cuts -- patrol unit is facing budget cuts. it is in need of private donations if it is going to continue. there is some good news this morning. violent crime across baltimore

is down. there is a 2% drop in violent crime with an 11% drop in the murder rate. there is a 17% reduction in homicides. 13 of maryland's 24 jurisdictions reported reduction in violent crime. >> war problems for the property management company played with carbon monoxide scarce. the new developments it is experiencing some problems. 10 residents had to be hospitalized due to a covered monoxide leak. -- carbon monoxide leak. some say they have refused to install monitors. >> 20 people could a binge of the hospital last night because -- 20 people could have died last night because they refuse to put monitors. it does not make sense. >> water heaters are blamed for the leak.

so you're says it will install the detectors at each of the homes. >> some federal belt-tightening could pit the kendel stamp of 5 area postal branches -- could put the canceled stamp of 5 area postal branches. those branches could be at ease. mall, -- east point mall, franklin and now washington stations. >> the senate needs to approve another $2 billion for the cash for clunkers program if it will continue. >> weeks ago, who expected car dealers to be saying this? >> we are selling more cars. >> sales are brisk.

dealers and car makers credit cash for clunkers. their offer brought this woman in. she traded in her band for a new ford escape. in more than doubled her fuel efficiency. she helped give afford its first sales increase in nearly two years. >> sales elevated as soon as the program became official a week ago friday. that is what put us over the top. >> but the program is scuttling its cash. the white house wants the senate to do what the house has done which is to agree to give it to billion dollars. skeptics are wary of the rush. >> the house is rushing a $2 billion extension before anybody figured out what happened with the first $1 billion. >> without doing certain things,

we are handing out money for people to go out and buy a new corporate >> some are saying that buyers are getting better mouse per gallon by 10 miles. -- some are saying that buyers are getting 10 miles per gallon more with this program. the democrats see an overall win for main street. they could try for votes in the senate as early as today. wbal tv 11 news. >> and the council will vote on a bill to install street cameras. it will be nearer schools this fall. drivers who drive 12 malls over the speed limit in the area will receive a ticket by mail. >> that is more than enough of

buffer. >> if the measure passes, those cameras could be in place by october. >> plans for two major public transportation routes are getting a big shot in the arm today. gov. o'malley will release an announcement about the purple line. and then he will lay out his proposal for the red line. we will have more on those announcements later on today. >> dozens of shops along the boardwalk have so that all summer long. but the sale of an herb is illegal in ocean city. they are banning the sale of the plant. it gives users a short-lived high. the drug has led to several violent incidents on the boardwalk. it is banned in 10 states

including delaware, but not maryland. >> many more children are becoming a part of the cell phone nation. children ages 12-14 had a cell phone last year with an increased number. children ages 8-11, 26% have a cell phone last year compared to 7% in 2003. that brings us to our watercooler question of the day. what do you think is the appropriate age for a child to have their own cell phone? email us your response to watercooler@wbaltv.com. >> when i was a kid, you had to have your own skate key. as we play with our dinosaurs. i am an old guy. i admit. 67 degrees on tv hill. more from the bloomberg business

report. >> and a surprise visit to north korea from former president bill clinton. >> o.j. simpson is back in court. what he says he deserves to be out of prison. >> water vapor imagery is showing something brewing to our west. i will let you know how that will affect our forecast coming up. >> still trying to figure out what they skate key is. we will update you dad, could you help me build a sand castle? sure, pal. let's just find a good spot. [ dramatic music plays ]

a big day at the beach with the legendary taste of dunkin' donuts coffee on ice. this looks like a good spot. you kin' do it. america runs on dunkin'. treat yourself today with an authentic caramel swirl iced latte.

>> welcome back to "11 news today." some patchy fog around. be aware of that. the sun will come out and it obama's into the 91 degree range. -- warm us into the 91 degree

range. a weak front is moving offshore. the heat and humidity from the mid-atlantic will be coming in. 67 degrees at the airport. the dewpoint are slowly creeping up in certain locations. some moisture in the air today. we will be 18 degrees in the western maryland mountains. but nice blue skies. we do not have the best air quality here. do not exercise outside if you are sensitive to pollutants in the environment. it will be humid and warm. as far as the bay forecast, only about 85 degrees in ocean city. we will get that late day seabreeze kicking in.

is out easterly flow at 10 knots today. water temperatures 81 degrees across the board. the record high was 101 set back in 1930. and in 1966, 55 degrees was the record low. in contrast, of which should be 66 degrees 4 hour overnight lows. 71 degrees downtown. partly cloudy skies to begin things. the clouds will thicken after midnight. a high pressure moves off shore. we will see scattered showers tomorrow afternoon. some of those could be strong and maybe even severe. we will keep you posted on that. as far as the high tomorrow, still a hot one. 89 degrees. 85 degrees after the front kids

down here. saturday -- after the front get down here. over to you. >> good morning. let us check their morning commute. it is not too bad now that an accident has been cleared. both cars were on the tow truck as our reporter left the scene. southbound to 95 at russell street, there is a crash. -- a southbound 95295 @ russell street, there is a crash. -- 295 at russell street, there is a crash. and that is the latest. over to you. >> taking a look as some of our

top stories this morning. former president bill clinton is making a surprise visit to north korea this morning. he is expected to meet with government officials to lobby for the release of american journalists. the former president enjoyed stable relationship with the officials there is trying to get the journalist's release. a final vote on a sonia sotomayor is expected thursday. she is expected to pass making her the first hispanic to serve and the third female to serve on the supreme court. supreme court justices heard oral arguments on o.j. simpson. some say he was denied a fair trial. he is serving a sentence for

kidnapping and assault charges stemming from the robbery of some sports memorabilia. >> in this morning's "consumer alert" thousands of a frigidaire washing machines are being recalled. an internal defect causes heat to buildup which poses a fire risk. sears and other retailers sold them from february to may of this year. the obama administration is pushing to extend unemployment benefits to americans. and the money is running out. it is estimated that there will be more than 600,000 americans who have reached their unemployment checks and still not have a job. let's get the latest from wall street where investors are hoping for more -- for more of

the news from the housing market. our reporter has more. >> the housing market is giving wall street more to chew on this morning. the number of americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes rose in june. our big banks doing their part to help? in an interview, a treasury official says a report will show the biggest u.s. banks are finding it more difficult to meet demands for loan modifications than their smaller rivals. all three major u.s. indexes are down from yesterday. manufacturing and construction is topping forecasts. according to presidio pay advisers, u.s. banks participating in the bailout plan -- bank of america paid $32

million to settle sec claims saying it failed to tell shareholders that it gave merrill lynch to award bonuses and other incentive pay. and they are preparing for the succession of scandaloken lewis. >> in this woman's doctor, plenty of men and women spend plenty of hours in the sun. they could develop some red spots that could develop into skin cancer if they are not careful. there is some cream that has some benefits. many dermatologists preval recommend a gel that targets

precancerous cells before they develop into full-blown cancer cells. >> it target cells that are rapidly dividing and can be like cancer cells. it can kill those cells. >> the madison eliminates the rough skin and can promote skin that make you look younger. if you have had a lot of sun exposure or skin cancer runs in your family, you should have your skin examined once a year by a dermatologist. >> that redness is part of the treatment. >> yes. >> 67 degrees on tv hill. another check on weather and traffic straight ahead. >> and a judge closes the custody case involving the children of michael jackson. >> do not forget to e-mail us your answer to our watercooler question of the day.

what do you think is the appropriate age for a child to have their own cell phone? email us your response to watercooler@wbaltv.com.

>> good morning. we are checking on the morning commute. some good news some one of the accidents we had and the city. it is now cleared. but we do have an accident at russell street and we are trying to find out more on that. the street censers are looking good.

no delays this morning. a quiet ride up there. it is picking up in the white marsh area. here is a live view at traffic on liberty road. that is the latest. sandra had the look at the forecast. >> that is right. we are going to be hot today. 91 degrees is the forecast high today. we are seeing activity out to our west out ahead of a cold front. it is not going to make progress until tomorrow. it was a true here. it will bring some scattered showers by tomorrow afternoon. none of that today. 87 degrees-91 degrees. when this out of the south. -- when the is out of the south -- wind is out of the self. more on your seven day forecast in a little bit.

>> after several delays, kathryn jackson has been named the official guardian of the children of michael jackson. >> the judge and seventeen lawyers have started the test of attending to his estate. our reporter has the story from moscow -- was angeles. >> michael jackson's mother katherine and other members of the family were there along with 17 other lawyers for every aspect of the pop star's life. the judge quickly approved the majority of a custody agreement between katherine jackson you is the mother of michael jackson. she will be the permanent guardian. the ex-wife, debbie rowe has visitation rights. a monthly allowance will be paid for the children and katherine jackson that will be paid out

from his estate. is it difficult to sort the state out. they are trying to find common ground between katherine jackson and the two men who are supposed to be over the estate. there will be an additional proceeding tomorrow -- next week. the judge will consider what role katherine jackson should have in the process. >> this is the first move in a long chess game. >> confidentiality is at the core of this complicated legal battle. contracts with the company that was producing his comeback tour along with other contracts should be kept confidential. the judge told katherine jackson that she must abide by contract confidentiality agreements until he makes the final ruling in the case.

nbc news, los angeles. >> 17 lawyers involved. i wonder how much of his estate will be left? and there is much more to come this morning in the next half- hour of "11 news today." >> a baltimore couple is accused of heinous crimes against children. i will have the details next. >> we are checking the bwi parkway. details ahead. >> temperatures are into the 70's. i will let you know how high the mercury is going to rise in your forecast coming up. >> a bizarre string of burglaries that reveal a suspect who is not concerned about concealing his identity or anything else for that matter. >> take a look at the winning maryland lottery numbers from last night.

>> good morning, everybody. welcome back to "11 news today."

>> thanks for joining us. sandra shaw has a quick look at the forecast for us. >> a little bit more uncomfortable today. the dewpoint are on the rights. the temperatures are in the low 70's. 69 degrees in salisbury. 72 degrees in ocean city. 87 degrees-91 degrees today. more on that forecast coming up in a little bit. >> thank you. other big story this morning, couple accused of a shocking crime. >> they were the masterminds behind a child pornography ring. our reporter is like that baltimore county police headquarters but more. >> these suspects putschists updated in sex acts that they take with children ages -- participated in sex acts that they take with children ages

two-13. >> there is no way to describe this. >> they arrested 34 year-old john nicklas and 26 year-old shannon honea. detectives were able to confirm that child pornography was located inside the man's home in middle river. a search warrant was served on the home where police seized computers and several cd's and dvd's. police reviewed the material and the state the couple work participating. >> our suspects were performing the child pornography sexual acts, filling it and distributing it to other people. -- filming it and is treating it to other people. >> the abuse in about a children's ages two-13. a vast amount of prescription bottles were found and in one of

the videos, the victim appeared to be unconscious. police would not elaborate as to how there were able to track them down, only to say that it was part of their investigation. he is being held without bond while honea is being held on $5 million bond. police want to know if there are more possible victims. if anyone has had contact with this couple, please give the police to permit a call. wbal tv 11 news. >> some frightening moments aboard a southwest airlines flight as it was making an emergency landing at bwi marshall airport. the was a problem with the plains flat. -- plane's flap. it made a safe landing and no one on board was hurt. a car crash is being investigated that killed a brother and sister. it is in the town of bristol. investigators say a woman lost

control of her car, hit a sign, the car rolled in nearby woods. the driver's son is set the trauma center with life- threatening injuries. >> one woman is running into problems trying to put a wind turbine on her roof. she is running into some zoning laws. she would go before a board later today seeking approval to build above the 35 foot presidential height limit. if approved, it would be the first residential when powered device in the city. >> and better rents are being met -- officials are meeting with a better brands regarding any concerns -- veterans

regarding any concerns that they have. >> it is morally right that we do everything we can to help them get as whole as they can be and to move on with their lives and take care of themselves and their families. >> they want to make sure they receive the help and benefits they deserve. >> some are over dispute over lost wages because of accounting policy not the economy. our reporter explains. >> protesters at this evening's rally come from the most critical public service sector, the baltimore county public employees representing the police, fire, sheriff, and correction officers and many administrative staff jobs. >> they are trying to take a provision in our conference as been there for 20 years. we are seeing a slow erosion of our contract. >> he was originally a

corrections lt.. he says the problem starts and and right here at county detention centers. >> this provision only affects correction officers. they are taking it away because they say we filed a grievance over this contract for this provision in the contract. >> the issue is how correction officers use personal leave days on an emergency basis. the county is a holding a 2% cost-of-living increase because the union will not agree to remove their ability to use personal based on a short-notice basis. the staffing shortages affect that apartment. the race is long overdue. that is the argument. >> we agree -- the race is loiss long overdue. that is the argument. >> the budget was approved for all general employees.

>> wbal tv 11 news. >> we are checking on a busy morning rush for motorists heading in hartford county on the roads there. there is an accident in the area of route 24. the ramp north to bel-air is blocked. southbound 295 that russell street, that accidents still clearing. five minutes on southbound i-95. overall we are doing well as far as the list of. this accident is blocking the ramp to northbound 24. get off prior to that at the edgewood exit. here is a live view of traffic

at liberty. it is looking good. that is the latest. over to you. >> we will be up to 91 degrees around the bay today. partly cloudy and mostly sunny skies. yesterday we had a front pass through out of the north northwest. there is a strong high-pressure dome there. today it is weaker and moving offshore. winds are generated out of the south which will bring back the humidity today and tomorrow ahead of the fraud. the front will pass through. a 50% chance of late afternoon showers and thunderstorms as a result, we will be down to 85 degrees on thursday. back to you. >> it is 67 degrees on tv hill. a man learns the meaning of the phrase, you win some and you lose some. find out how he went from rags to riches to rags. >> the president bush as the

senate to approve cash for clunkers. i will bring you the latest on the debate coming up. >> we are still taking your answers to our watercooler question of the day. what do you think is the appropriate age for a child to have their own cell phone? email us your response to watercooler@wbaltv.com.

quest cameras captured a very the look at a burglar in an apartment complex. police say this suspect was not wearing any pants let alone a mask. he broke into several of permits in this building, still in

laptop computer from one person. he went through one mama's underwear and exposed himself to a third neighbor. investigators say he dropped a set of keys at the scene. they hope to identify him soon. let's move on. what do men do to prove their strength? they go up hill with their girlfriends or wives on their shoulders. most guys say they are trying to get them off their backs. but many of them carry their sweethearts up a hill. they cannot weigh less than 110 pounds. one did it in 35 seconds. >> it in just one day, a florida man one and then lost. i feel so bad for the sky. he was on top of the world after scratching up a winning five other thousand dollar ticket in the lottery game.

after he was confirmed it was a winner, he had to cash it in west palm beach. he placed the ticket in his back pocket. he arrived at a gas station to get directions. but the time it got to the lottery office, the ticket was not there anymore. >> when you look back on this, what do you think he will say? >> i am still going to curse. >> he did not sign the back of the ticket. he has no proof that it was ever his. whoever comes forward with it could rightfully claim it. people are searching high and low for that ticket. >> coming up, we will take a look at the morning headlines. >> peebles tigger ledger morning commute. some accidents coming in which will affect your right in bel-

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whether that's building more certified green buildings than anyone on earth. creating online banking tools for the next generation. or making a 10 year, $100 million investment in kids. it's how we've always done business. and will for a very long time to come. pnc. leading the way. >> more problems for the property management company with carbon monoxide is scarce. in new development is experiencing similar problems. 10 people had to be hospitalized monday following a carbon monoxide leak. water heaters are to blame for this sleet similar to the ones at the other property. they say they will install the detectors at each home.

the council will vote next month regarding speed cameras. they would like to install those cameras near schools this fall. if you're caught exceeding 12 miles over the speed limit, you would receive a ticket in the mail. and many children are becoming a part of the cell phone nation. according to a national study, children between the ages of 12-14 have a cell phone and the numbers are increasing. hong >> that brings us to your answers to our watercooler question of the day. >> we ask what do you think is the appropriate for a job to have a cell phone? >> 1% rights -- one person writes and says they can have

one if they pay for it. >> michael rights when s. you feel they are responsible and they have proven it to you. >> and dahlin -- donna says it depends on the child's maturity and age. there should be limits. >> and one person rights is not a question of age. my doctor is 17. she always has reversals with uncertain ending times. her having a phone at age 14 help desk station touch with pick up times and last-minute changes. -- help us stay in touch with pickup times and last-minute changes. >> nikole killion has more of the debate that is revving up regarding the cash for clunkers

program. >> the white house is making another sales pitch to extend money for cash for clunkers. >> move fast. get out and buy a corporate >> there is a little bit of panic and rush. >> this woman traded in her clunker for a new toyota. ford is reporting its first sales increase in two years. >> it the program continues, there will be more increases. >> time is running up. >> if it does not happen this week, it is unlikely that we will make it to the weekend with a program that can continue. >> it a $2 billion infusion is approved by lawmakers, the program could last by the end of september. the cars purchased under the program are 61% more fuel efficient. >> why should we stand in the

way of it when it is -- when its fuel efficiency is much better than anticipated? >> others are not ready to buy in. >> the government should not be in the used car business. this is a great example of how badly the government manages things. >> the white house says car shoppers can still take advantage of this program this week, but some dealers are already stopping the rebates. in mostar and, wbal-tv. -- in washington, wbal-tv. >> good morning. let's check on some problems around the area. northbound i-95 and harford county, there is an accident. an accident is coming in on the east side of i-95. everything else looks good. here is a live view of traffic in the area of loop -- route 24.

near the bellaire exit, the accident is off to the side. you may want to exit just prior to that at edgewood and make a left at the light. so far the northeast corner of the beltway is looking good. that is the latest. over to you. >> it is going to be in the low 90's this afternoon. no precipitation accept offshore and to our west. this is the head of a front that is not going to make its way into our neck of the woods until tomorrow. not a good chance of showers and storms this afternoon. we'll have a better chance tomorrow at about 50% coverage as the front moves through here. we are looking at 63 degrees over the state lines in pennsylvania. as we take a statewide tour,

another court to stay in the upper elevations of the mountains. are the cloud is guys. beautiful sky conditions there. in baltimore, 91 degrees around the bay. 89 degrees around the airport. on the shores of ocean city, a high of 85 degrees. our actual high yesterday at the airport was 85 degrees. we have more humidity today. the dewpoint are creeping up throughout the day. southeast winds with only 1 foot or less waves. the record high was in 1930 at 101. 71 degrees downtown. pearl the credits as with clout -- partly cloudy skies with

klaus thickening after midnight. in moving high pressure system is coming. tomorrow, 50% chance of scattered showers and storms. whorf rushing by thursday, 85 degrees. 84 degrees friday. saturday and sunday, back into the heat. 89 degrees saturday, and 90 on sunday. >> the bottom of county couple is accused of distributing and shooting child pornography. our reporter has more on this story. >> this couple from middle river is facing numerous charges relating to child sexual abuse, child pornography and distribution. according to police, 34 year-old john nicklas and 26 rolled in

honea are facing charges. -- 26 year-old shannon honea are facing charges. police seized computers and several cd's and dvd's. they were participating in the sexual acts. the victims ranged in age from two-13. they are trying to identify the victims. they want to know if there has been any other children subjected to this couple. if you have any information, please call the baltimore county police. the man is being held without bond. the woman is being held on $5 million bond. wbal-tv. >> coming up on "oprah" the woman as a devastating diagnosis. they will tell you what to do next. here is a check on "today."

>> good morning, coming up some breaking news, former president bill clinton makes a surprise overnight visit in north korea to seek the release of two american journalists. why does michael jackson dermatologist want a say in the custody case for the children? all we have an exclusive interview about that. and three men are accused of torturing a man after learning that he was romantically involved with each of them. by that what the people did. >> why is everyone in this video smiling about that story? 67 degrees on tv hill. >> another look at weather and traffic together before you head out.

>> we had some heated humidity. >> is august. when you expect? the high pressure is breaking down with a southerly flow in place. dewpoint of creeping up. 90 is our forecast topped. partly cloudy skies. by late tomorrow, some showers and storms. 93 degrees sunday. >> we are dealing with an accident on the outer loop ramp. but the one on route 24 is now clear. we were talking about skate case

earlier. >> you were talking about how old was. >> my friend says 50 years ago there were states attest to your shoes. you had to have a key to tighten them. >> you can and google it