tonight with a potential for dramatic shift in how the u.s. constitution is interpreted with it -- in regards to freedom of speech. >> we sit on the press of this of the landmark decision that could affect every single one of us here in the u.s. at the center of the showdown is a maryland man killed in combat and his family crew found themselves facing protesters as they were burying their son. >> the supreme court will decide whether the first amendment protects funeral protesters from potentially conflicting emotional distress on the family of the deceased. >> supporters of the west baptist church, including children, stood vigil went outside the supreme court building, waving signs in front of hundreds of people lined up to get inside.

it may become a landmark decision, creating a new standard for the first amendment light -- the right of free speech and assembly. members of the church staged a protest regarding the u.s. policy on gays in t military parade demonstrated 1,000 feet from the funeral of a marine. they chose the site to maximize publicity for their cause. they posted video of the event on line. the court of public opinion is not on their side. >> their message is absolutely absurd. it is horrible and anti- american. >> you have the right for freedom of speech, but there is a decency line. >> the question before the high court is whether the first amendment protects the protesters against civil claims. not his father won a $5 million suit, claiming emotional distress. it was overturned. >> there is a right way to

express an opinion in america, but does not involve conflicting emotional distress on others. intentionally harming a private citizen at a private funeral. it is not a constitutional right. >> justice ruth bader ginsburg question whether the protestor singled out society. big knowledge and googles are not clear. -- acknowledging that the rules are not clear. sonia sotomayor law. the attorney for the baptist church and the daughter of the church founder. the rule of law is that the mere fact that you take offense at words or call yourself having your feelings hurt is not enough to shut up the speech.

>> reporters ask whether the family ever considered the feelings. >> that is our answer about the feelings. stop worshiping your feelings and star worshiping god. >> he declined to say what it was. he wants to keep it private. mr. snyder says this is not a case about free speech. it is about harassment. cox -- quest a host of media outlets have signed a brief in support of the first amendment issues at the center of the debate. if you would like to read that brief, log onto our website, wbaltv.com. you can also take part in our survey. do you think the supreme court should rule for or against the

baptist church? feel free to share your opinion. the 02 wbaltv.com. also today, the family of sergeant first class express a range of emotions reacting to their son's death last week in afghanistan. he was an army ranger. they were able to describe the type of sun -- the man their son was. >> if you met him, you would understand. there are not a lot of words. it will not describe them. >> he served in the army for nearly nine years. he leaves behind a wife and two children. >> the parents of another soldier killed in afghanistan were given their sons medal of honor today. robert miller was awarded the highest military decoration.

miller and his team were ambushed by the taliban in january of 2008. survivors say miller continued to fight, even after he was wounded. in afghanistan, the brits are staying put. david cameron and defended his role in afghanistan today. they're not remains a critical part of keeping terrorist ad day -- they're not -- they now remain a critical part of keeping terrorist ad today. >> they were trained by al qaeda in afghanistan. those training camps could easily come back if we left tomorrow. why? because the afghans are not yet ready to take control of our security. >> he also stressed that the british troops will not remain after the 2015 pullout date. france's foreign ministry has issued warnings for travelers. leaders are recommending caution in crowded tourist spots. a message on the website said

british authorities believe that the level of terrorist threats is very high in the united kingdom and the risk of an attack is very likely. france and several other european nations have stepped up efforts amid what has been described as heightened threats. >> life behind bars, that was the sentence handed down to the oregon woman accused of killing a maryland mother for her unborn child. she pleaded guilty to killing her last year and taking the baby from her stomach. >> she cried as she switched her plea to guilty in an oregon court this afternoon. the victim and moved from anne arundel county to oregon shortly before she was murdered. >> i am guilty. >> she cried and a visibly trembled as she pled guilty to aggravated murder. she will go to prison for the rest of life.

the victim's family watched on, relieved. she will have no possibility of parole and cannot appeal the conviction. >> i thought this was the best punishment for her. she will never get out. >> the 21-year-old was seven months pregnant in june of 2009 when she moved from anne arundel county to or again. she connected with roberts on craigslist and was planning to buy baby clothes from her. she killed her and cut her baby from her womb. she was found dead in roberts apartment. >> it was a tough one to swallow. you come out to a place for a fresh beginning and to have something so tragic happened with such good intentions. >> during the hearing, chris directed his comments at roberts. her father, kevin, said the entire family is deeply affected by the loss of his daughter and son born grandchild.

>> there is not a father in this world that can understand, except for a father that has lost a daughter and grandson. >> roberts pretended to be pregnant leading up to the murder and told police that her baby was her baby after the murder. robert's family was also at today's hearing, but made no comment during or after court. >> baltimore city police tonight say they are questioning a person of interest in a shooting in southwest baltimore. we were over the scene shortly after 5:00. police say a man was shot in the back. he was then rushed to shock trauma. several hours later, homicide was called to a shooting in west baltimore. that was just after 9:30. day 4 and still no verdict in the trial of those accused of murdering 10 harris. today's deliberations ended

deadlocked on felony murder and conspiracy charges. they all stand accused of gunning down harris during a robbery at the haven lounge into a dozen 8. the defendant faced 29 charges each. we want to know what is the secret? he is posting an event this weekend, but is all as it appears? >> id is advertised as a family event. -- it is being advertised as a family event. >> the event is called the family fun day. it is set for saturday and is being advertised in paid ads on the radio. >> bring the entire family and bring your friends. the events is absolutely free. >> the ad is paid for by a firm

called universal elections. that is the firm of political consultant, a long time and sometimes controversial operative in local politics. he has been retained by eon and told us he will build his campaign committee for reimbursement. -- built his campaign committee for reimbursement. expenditures must be related to -- the radio added dick -- reveals no such disclosure. >> i will have to get back to you on the details of the picnic. >> the council president deflected our questions. >> is the writ -- is there any reason that you do not want to look -- is to look like a political event? >> he was promoted to council president, not by boaters but by other council members. he is yet to compete and a

citywide election. >> have you decided what you are going to run for? saturday's scheduled event is unusual for a political event. politicians use of such events to raise money. the council president is using the event as a giveaway, free food and entertainment. >> we have an update on that trip that helen holton is going on. the city's spending board approved the $1,100 expense. she is heading to the national association of county in palm beach next week. steffy rollins blake in voted in favor of the expenditure. -- stephanie rollins blake voted in favor of the expenditure. >> she had is a working councilwoman with a budget. she has travel expenses as a part of our budget.

>> jack young abstained from the vote. >> more changes coming to facebook. details on that, straight ahead. >> we have located the largest pumpkin's within 100 miles or so. >> you can get rates 10-20% less than those listed on line. >> hotel haggling. it may not be as hard as you think. >> we will show you how local service and just back from iraq. that is next. >> a few showers are moving through our area, but there is a warmer the weather pattern waiting to move in. 64 at the airport, 36 at the

64 at the airport, 36 at the

so who is "making stuff up"? the news media say it's bob ehrlich... with attacks that have been called "false" and "misleading." made up attacks bob ehrlich knows aren't true. but here's what's not made up. bob ehrlich's $3 billion in taxes and fees. the $2.5 million he got paid working at a lobbying firm. or the fact ehrlich worked for the casinos to put slots at arundel mills mall. now, bob...that's all true.

>> that is one big pumpkin. the largest wave over 1,000 pounds. the family says the a party hollowed out the pumpkin. speaking of mass of pumpkins, take a look at this 1,540 pound pumpkin on display at valley farms. the farm says it is the largest ever displayed in maryland and one of the largest crown in the world. you can see it for yourself through saturday. it is all part of a contest. >> the state is rolling out a new service that may keep you from getting stuck in huge traffic jams. the state highway administration is starting a new hotline to help you avoid delays. the prop -- the program has voice recognition.

you can dial 5-1-1- from your fund for the latest traffic information. >> you can see if there is a crash or if there is a 4 " -- a closure. you can log onto website. >> eventually, you'll be able to register your route and automatically receive alerts. before you book your next hotel, it turns out you could be paying more than you need. popular discount websites charge hotels a fees for booking. they avoid the fee and you pay less. if you have already booked your rooms, a tribe asking for an upgrade. you just might get bumped up to a nice sweet. >> the website is changing the way you deal with france, allowing you to group certain people together. close friends, work out the bodies, work friend, the hope

that it will evolves communication on the website. the potential downside, people do not need permission to add due to a group. if you do not wish to be part of that group, you need to remove yourself. >> he upstage the entire cast of the show tonight. >> for a really good reason. >> he got a standing ovation when he delivered a surprise. >> a gallon woman in the audience tonight got quite be a surprise when she was singled out, pulled up on stage and asked to answer a life change in question. >> ♪ you never know what is going to come your way at day's performance. whites dancing, acrobatics, it is all part of the elimination spectacular.

wednesday night, one member of the audience came up with a way to make the show more memorable. to army sergeant made a plan to propose to his girlfriend of one year. >> i really wanted to do something special, so i contacted their website. i asked them if they could -- if we could do this. >> they made sure that they got picked for a skit that involves calling on a couple to shake on stage. at the end, he popped the question on bended knee. the crowd roared as she accepted. >> he must really love me. he must really want to marry me. >> we got to check all be running back stage and ask a couple what is on tap for the wedding. >> what are you going to do for your wedding? >> find a way to get to the

moon, i guess. >> in the meantime, at -- she is a recent college graduate. he flew in her parents from oklahoma to be here for the big moment. >> you are insta-weather-plus forecast -- >> for most of the day, the showers were bypassing baltimore. late this evening, a batch of showers was able to cut across central maryland. we have not had any measurable rain. just a trace officially here on tv hill. there was a pretty good batch of rain that when across the eastern shore. you can see the precipitation totals over the last 24 hours,

you kind of get a feel for that counterclockwise circulation. the showers diminished a bit on their trip west down through the mountains. they really dried up coming east of the amounts. that should be gone by morning. we are expecting a clearing trend here on out until the weekend. not much rain in the rain gauges today. temperatures once again well below normal, in the low 60's. an area of low pressure is up here on the pennsylvania-n.y. border. that counter clockwise flow bringing in the cool conditions. it will be a chilly morning. we're already down to the 50's. sunrise forecast, parties cloudy skies. temperatures in most places in the mid and copper 40's. there is another cold front

behind it, but this one does not have any cloud cover. high pressure over most of the middle of the country for the next several days. this storm out west is very interesting. a lot of showers and thunderstorms. three tornadoes in the arizona today. that is when to stay out west. high pressure will come in here. you can see the clearing trend in the day tomorrow. fred, saturday looking great around here. a very comfortable -- friday, saturday looking great around here. highs of 68-73. western maryland chills out after a chilling warning. onshore, northwest about 10-20 miles per hour. it will be breezy. tropical storm otto has formed

right here. it looks like this thing will be drifting off to the north and east, staying far from land. and other tropical system in the atlantic. breezy tomorrow with partly cloudy skies. 75, friday and saturday. ravens a football sunday looking pretty good. >> major league post-season gets underway with a major piece of history unfold in tonight. you will not believe what did not happen in the opening round of the playoffs. >> tonight, you're estimated jackpot is $61.5 million. for just $1 more, you can add

our platter -- power play off. you're multiplier is 5. 26, 41, 14, 37, 46. powerball is the number 24. here are your winning numbers for this evening -- after months

telling us "maryland is moving forward," "and moving maryland forward" this jobs report tells the truth maryland's economy stalled "we face an uphill struggle in trying to regain the jobs lost" o'malley attempts a cover-up, falsifying the jobs report to help his campaign. "whatever we can do to make it disappear, we need to do it. that's coming straight from the top" martin o'malley, first he makes stuff up, when caught, he covers stuff up. we need a governor who tells the truth.

>> their teen years after roy halladay pitch, he finally pitched in his first playoff game. he pitched a no-hitter. he becomes the first to do it. what a show in philadelphia. second inning, he was striking out former phillies treat he even got a hit in this game. he drives in carlos luiz. in the ninth, brent phillips incident.

roy halladay, at a no-hitter. what a way to open the playoffs. >> it was a lot of fun for me. you want to share things like this with family and friends. my family is here and i feel like my friends are on the team. it makes it special for me. >> opening things up in the american league, we will pick it up with the tampa bay ras. they have their hands filled. they got mowed down by texas. rangers crabby early lead. third ending. -- rangers grabs the early lead. a 3-0, rangers. for-0, and shutting the door from there. 7 and is, attend a strike outs.

-- seven innings, 10 strikeouts. there is another game going on right now. yankees are in front of the twins, 6-4 in the seventh inning. before the ravens, plenty online. never too early to noted a trend like this. the ravens game ended with an interception last week. this week, the ravens hope it begins the same way. ray lewis stops a pass. it starts with taking a physical approach to stopping receivers. >> you have to hit them. hopefully, that limits their iran. >> much more on the raven's approach in this week's game against the broncos, coming up on a midnight.

channel 208 on comcast. if you watch tonight, you will have a chance to win tickets to a raven's game. in two weeks, the ravens travel to new england. they will not have to worry about covering randy moss. he trait -- he plays for the vikings now. he started to become a distraction in new england. now he will get to present with his new quarterback. no dancing from the time, just

eaks to send jobs over seas. i think we need tax breaks to send kids to college. so i worked for a $2,500 tax credit to help pay for college. fought to get pell grants expanded and insisted that college loans go directly to kids instead of through banks. i'm barbara mikulski. i approve this message. because it's not about the next election, it's about the next generation. right? yeah!!!

i'm frank kratovil and i approve this message. the real andy harris. his past attacks have been called deceptive, his new attack, false. harris voted for deregulation increasing our electric bills by 72% it's not surprising, harris always sides with the big guys. he opposes cracking down on wall street and supports tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. harris even opposed making big insurance cover cancer screenings. andy harris' extreme ideas will cost us. telling us "maryland is moving forward," "and moving maryland forward" this jobs report tells the truth maryland's economy stalled "we face an uphill struggle in trying to regain the jobs lost" o'malley attempts a cover-up, falsifying the jobs report to help his campaign. "whatever we can do to make it disappear, we need to do it. that's coming straight from the top" martin o'malley, first he makes stuff

up, when caught, he covers stuff up. we need a governor who tells the truth. >> the sunshine returns and we like it. >> hello, sunshine. >> and no sunshine tonight. >> i will set up and wait for it. >> mid 70's, friday and saturday, a great football whether on sunday. seven-days of high temperatures in the 70's. >> nice. >> jay leno is coming up next. we will see you tomorrow. >> good night, everybody.

two governors, two different approaches. even in good times bob ehrlich didn't make education a priority. he increased college tuition by 40%, cut school construction by $200 million, and ehrlich voted to eliminate the department of education while serving in congress. but in the toughest of times, martin o'malley has made record investments

in public schools, new school construction, and o'malley froze college tuition four years in a row. with martin o'malley, our children always come first.