[captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news at noon in hd. >> good afternoon, everyone. i am mindy basara. the big story this noon, the wait is over. the mayor presented the city's

budget cuts. we're live at city hall. >> call this a doomsday budget. a worst-case scenario if the city does not implement new revenue-raising measures and phineus sources of revenue. it is intended to close a $121 million budget deficit. here is what is included. more than 600 layoffs of city employees 120 of them in the city police department. 91 of them in the city to fire department. seven firehouses would close, according to this preliminary plan. 29 of the city's 55 recreation centers would close. all of it, according to stephanie rawlings-blake too much for the city to bear. >> let me be clear. some of the cuts that we would be forced to make are simply unacceptable. especially those cuts to the

police department, fire and recreation and infrastructure. to put any family in financial crisis, particularly at this magnitude, this crisis has the power to rip us apart or to bring us closer together. >> here is what happens next rate in three weeks, on april 12, the mayor will present what she calls an alternative comprehensive budget plan that will include new ideas for new revenue. the mayor was not at all specific about what those revenue raising measures will include. she has hinted in the past that she has been talking with some of the city's nonprofit institute. the rebels and idea of some day -- of some kind of in lieu of payment from those institutions. those are hospitals and universities. she made it very clear today what she will not do. that is that she does not intend

to ask for any increase in the property tax rate. coming up later at 5:00 and 6:00, we will have much more coverage on this budget plan and the services that are on the line. also, some of the revenues -- revenue ideas that are being tossed around. more on all of that later. >> thank you. meanwhile, the city will not be paying any extra money this year. the mayor and d.c. council president are each giving back the raise is that they were slated to receive this year. the mayor will reject the 30 and a dollar bought in pay, keeping her current salary. city council members are receiving a $1,400 salary increase, but it is not known if any of them plan to return their raises. speaking of budgets, a late night in the state senate has produced preliminary approval to maryland's operating budget. the version cuts an additional

$120 million from the budget. among the biggest cuts, a 50% reduction in funds that will help clean up the chesapeake bay. the senate also approved a plan to gradually start making county's share teacher pension costs starting in fiscal year 2012. the budget goes to the house for consideration. the house of delegates is backing a measure that could raise your car insurance payments in the of 97 votes approved the bill, raising the minimum amount of autumn 0 -- automobile liability insurance. now it goes to the senate for consideration. the debate is not in washington today about the changes to the health care reform blog that house democrats demanded in exchange for their yes' votes.

there is still a significant fight. not long after the signing, critics began to make their voices heard. >> this massive explosion in the size of the federal government, which will pass onto our children, a government that they cannot afford. >> senators have begun debate on fixes to the law, but changes could delay reform and cause havoc to democrats. 14 states have filed suit, charging that the new law is unconstitutional. if it affects the economy, congress can regulate it. first couple of days this week were gray and rainy, but beautiful out there this afternoon. temperatures are comfortable as well. we're in the upper 50's. 59 both downtown at the airport. it may feel a little bit chillier to you because the winds are a bit breezy at about 23 miles per hour right now.

definitely a breezy afternoon, but a beautiful one with plenty of sun been out pre today's forecast, mostly sunny and before it is all over, mid-60's for a daytime high. will it last? we will check out your 7-to forecast coming up. >> it has been more than 24 hours since the tractor-trailer collided with a light rail. delays still remain because the track is still unusable. >> in hunt valley, commuters get off at a shuttle bus at the light rail station after being picked up. >> it is not inconvenient at all. i got to the station. i loved it. >> the shuttle bus service was put in place to help commuters wednesday morning following tuesday morning's train crash. in light rail train collided with a tractor-trailer rig at the light rail operator was the only one injured. that amazes this witness. >> yes, i am really -- the way that the tractor -- the tractor-

trailer was a top of the car. i am surprised that only one person got hurt. >> service north of the road is suspended. shuttle buses will carry passengers south to the light rail and take passengers to points north. >> i had to take the bus. i hope the light rail is going to run. >> a sinnett echoed by some commuters who complained about hard to locate shuttles and time-consuming trips. >> i got to work an hour late. i was mad. >> we're behind. >> not everyone found the shuttles to be a pain. >> i believe it is doing what needs to do bridge >> folks are hoping that there's a morning's commute will be a lot easier. -- that thursday morning's commute to be a lot easier >> . >> please continue to look for chris -- for clues about a

gunshot wound. he has been transported to hopkins trauma center and there is no word about his condition. detectives are said to be handling the case. both of the officers were wounded over the weekend have been released from shock trauma. 23 year-old officer and a 34 year-old officer were both shot after pulling over a car in east baltimore. officer more was shot in the hand. the other officer was shot in the face. the suspect thomas miller was killed in the gunbattle. coming up, a substitute teacher is fired for inappropriate actions. what he did that startle the school. plus, a nasa be as warm surround

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>> a substitute teacher in -- teacher is charged with urinating in france because of high school students. it happened in california. he urinated into a cup in front of the students. at one time, he was an anglican priest. he may have some mental issues because of a severe car accident that killed his wife. >> if it is bombarded by a swarm of bees in arizona. tens of thousands of bees swarmed the family.

both mom and son did receive treatment and are doing ok. beekeepers have removed that nest, fearing that the bees would swarm in other family. >> conservative, to take -- commentator was kept from speaking yesterday. protesters protested her speaking engagement. eventually, officials ruled that it would be dangerous for her to come. she expressed her anger an interview with the washington times, calling the university bush like. still to come, a fairly new baby product is being pulled from the shell spirit it could suffocate a child if used improperly. that is coming up

>> in consumer alert, airbus's the world trade organization throughout 7% of plans by boeing that airbus received state

subsidies illegally. the loan structures were in line with legal regulations. the organization also stated that european government financing of airbus had damaged prospects for the american bowling. -- boeing. this is the largest international trade dispute that will effect the aviation market for years to come. >> help is on the way for people who stashed away their gift cards. many come with strings attached. >> this woman is like a lot of americans. she has a doorstep with a gift cards. >> here, i have a best buy. >> lots of them. >> starbucks. american express. they're my savings account, i guess. >> she is not check to see if and when the cards expire. without reading glasses, i cannot read that fine print.

>> she will be penalized in some way. >> tom carter, an attorney for the federal trade commission is raising new government rules which give consumers at least five years to used gift cards before they expire. service and inactivity fees only apply after a year. in those cases, companies must clearly disclose those fees. >> when we are out there protecting consumers and we want to make sure that consumers have enough information that they can form decisions in the marketplace. if these folks did not act -- adequately disclose if they have these, people are deceived. >> the new rules did not apply until august 22. until then, this woman says she will get out her glasses and read the fine print. >> i do not think that is fair. i am glad they're doing something about it. >> experts also recommend that when you do buy gift cards, do your research and pick reputable

companies that are financially stable. more than 1 million babies slings are being recalled after they were linked to three infants. the brand -- they were sold in stores and online. if you have any of those slang's, you should contact them for a free replacement product. -- slings. >> your insta-weather-plus forecast. >> middle of the week and a gorgeous weather across the mid- atlantic. hardly a drop of anything. the whole region is looking really in. the area of low pressure that affects us is well out to our north and is moving to the -- to new england today. we are monitoring a system that will affect us as it gets here later on tomorrow night. in the meantime, it should bring some snow around the rockies this morning and some rain on

the plains. none of that for us today. not even much cloud cover out there. we are clear, mostly sunny skies. we do have some gusty winds out there this afternoon. the temperatures are in the upper 50's right now feel a little bit cooler. how high are the winds gusting? about 24 miles per hour out at the airport. on the eastern shore, winds generally at about 22 miles per hour. take that statewide tour and find out what the afternoon holds for this all. hear, we will top out at about 64 or 65 around baltimore. take it on over to the bay bridge, over to the eastern shore, over at ocean city, it looks like about 61 degrees. that puts us above the normal. the normal is 57 degrees. the average low is 36. tonight will be somewhere around that range.

83 is the record high in 1929. your forecast for tonight, 35 in the outlying areas. a 34 downtown. generally clear skies. high pressure is in firm control and that means fair skies for us. we have an area of low pressure to our west out -- it will drag along a cold front. it will move through your thursday night. the day tomorrow is not going to be that bad. sun and clouds, but increasing clouds throughout the day. temperatures in the upper 50's. the rain comes in tomorrow night for the early morning hours of friday. high pressure builds in again for the weekend, giving as a chillier weekend, but a beautiful one. mostly sunny and 55. on monday and tuesday of next week, and other little upper

level disturbance is going to get through here. given as a good chance of showers. -- giving us a good chance of showers. >> as handheld computers and video gaming become more prevalent, so does the time people spend with these devices. that is speeding up the development of nearsightedness. >> i e-mail my friend, instant message. i used to play video games with my brother. >> like most teenagers, he did a lot of work up close your eyes. recently, a region got worst quickly. >> it would be blurry from looking at the screen. >> teach eyeglasses. then contacts. -- i tried eyeglasses. then contacts. >> studies showed that 66% increase in the nearsightedness in the last 30 years.

for this optometrist, he has an apple -- explanation why. >> the more time spent doing things up close, it limits the amount of focus that you need up close. when you are nearsighted, you do not need the focus of clothes. things are a way get blurry. >> he prescribes contact lenses wore only at night. >> while they are sleeping, it is gently apply pressure to the front service of the eye. >> they do not need contact lenses during the day? >> correct. >> nearsightedness almost always gets worse over time in young people, even with glasses. these lenses are said to slow down that deterioration. to protect your eyesight, there is the 20-20 where -- 20/20 rule. >> i do not try to keep it close to my face. i tried to put its -- not be on

it so much. >> you may send calorie information on all the menus, thanks to the new health care laws. provisions could require chain restaurants with more than 20 locations to post how many calories are in their menu items bridge -- many items. it could lead to help your choices. -- healthier toys. up next, your maryland lottery pick three numbers and pick four numbers. stay with us.

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>> many wonder what is like to be an addict of any kind. dr. ross is up for the challenge as he looks into the secret lives of sex addicts. that is at 2:00. coming up today at oprah at 4:00, and eight takes over for a stay at home mom. -- nate takes over for a stay at home on. that is coming up today at 4:00. and now your maryland lottery -- >> the maryland lottery, let yourself play. >> it is a beautiful day. here are your pick three numbers -- 0, 3, 7.

we will get to your pick four numbers in just a moment. here are your pick four numbers -- 1, 4, 7, 0. the maryland lottery, let yourself play. >> thank you. here is a love the look of downtown. >> very few clouds. mostly sunny skies.

it is a little bit windy downtown parade hold onto your hat if you are going out in that. things are looking really nice. the water is a glistening over at the inner harbor. let's take a look at your 7-to forecast. the high tapping out at about 65. called on the increase tomorrow. it is not going to be a bad day. showers coming in tomorrow night and lasting friday morning. clearing up again. a gorgeous weekend, especially the first half. it looks like 55 on saturday. seasonable for this time of year. 59 on sunday. then we start out next week with some showers as we wrap up the month of march. hard to believe that april is just around the corner. >> i know we do not really want the right, but we need the rain. >> i am so encouraged because the pear trees are already starting to bloom. it is so beautiful out there. >> my daffodils are starting to

bloom. >> as long as it is not a blizzard. that is our new standard. thank you for joining us. >> have a good one. be sure to tune in tonight at 5:00.