testimony is key in the hearing for two penn state university officials facing perjury charges. prosecutors say they lied to the grand jury about what mcqueary told them. legal experts say mcqueary's testimony today was convincing and damaging. >> did he describe a sexual act? >> the lawyers maintain their clients were not told by mcqueary about the sexual details. testimony may be contradicted by another witness and family friend who says on the night of the alleged abuse, mcqueary told him the only heard noises. mcqueary is also facing criticism he did not do enough to stop the alleged abuse. he says he was shocked and distraught and turned to his father for advice, but did not go to police. instead, he met with joe paterno and testified he conveyed to return to what he saw. in a written statement read in

court, joe paterno says mccurry told him an older person fondling a young person and identify the man as sandusky. paterno told mcqueary he would pass his concerns on to the right people. also testifying today mcqueary's father and campus officials. other suits testimony may conflict with mcqueary's were not called to the stand. >> in 1977, sandusky founded the second mile foundation. 20 years later, the first allegations. he retired from penn state two years before allegations reached a head coach joe paterno. you can see the entire detailed timeline on our website at wbaltv.com. the military case against bradley manning is on hold. he is the army private accused of leaking sensitive documents to wikileaks.

the hearing began to date but ended when his attorney asked the investigating officer to recused himself. he referenced ties the officer has to the justice department investigating the wikileaks founder and. manning faces 22 charges of violating military code. >> a family is suing the school system and two elementary school principals for more than $1 million in damages saying they did nothing to protect their two children, and one with special needs, from being bullied. lowell melser has more. >> we need to protect our children. we hope this goes in a manner where this type of thing does not have to happen to anyone else. >> after a second day in court, he talks about why they're suing baltimore city and two elementary school principals for $1.3 million. according to court documents and

previous testimony, they claim their sun the special needs and his sister were bullied over and over again from 2008 to 2010 while they attended two different schools and that no one in the school system listened to the families repeated concerns. the only person to testify on friday was the child's grandmother. there were problems as to whether a second witness, a licensed child counselor, could testify. the children's grandmother testified she did not appreciate the way she was treated by principal sydney twiggs at hazelwood elementary school when she tried to bring forth allegations of bullying, adding fuel to the family story that no one took them seriously when they brought the subject up. >> i would count myself to be a peer of his. why would he address me by a slang word?

i am called nana by my grandchildren. nobody calls me grandma. i don't not respected. > -- i felt not respected. >> the city attorney in opening statements questioned the credibility of the sullivan story saying the two accused principles, twiggs and williams, have more than enough experience to handle these types of situations. >> thanks to the federal government, maryland has $50 million additional dollars to improve the early childhood learning programs. tim tooten joins us with more details. >> the money will be on hand sometime this month.

the state can start spinning it early next year on programs for children from birth to five years old and to help prepare them for the first day of school. research has shown children enrolled in preschool learning programs tend to be more successful in their later years. that comes as no surprise to eric parker, a preschool teacher. >> i always tell my children that you have to try your best. you do not want the adults spelling around you so you do not know what they're talking about. we have to learn to read. >> maryland already knows how it will spend the millions. the money will help to lay an academic foundation for children from low-income families. he helped to make the pitch for federal funding. >> in our application, we stressed eliminating the gap we

see starting at the age of five when the kids start school. >> the dollars will be managed by the state. school districts are anxious to see how their students will benefit from the extra funding. >> in rounds out the city schools initiative. it gives us the opportunity and an outrage to partner with the care centers, nursing schools, headstart. >> part of the grant will encourage parents to do more teaching at school before children enter school. that is with this principle has been preaching throughout her career. >> i would like them to read to their youngsters every day so had they have the modeling when parents read to their students. >> maryland is one of nine states getting federal funds. it comes from a larger 5000 million white house race to the top program. -- $500 million white house race to the top program. >♪

>> a couple of sprinkles are showing up on the doppler. it could mix in with some flurries. the threat of precipitation is to the south of baltimore. there is not a lot of precipitation in the immediate vicinity. it is getting cooler. we have seen temperatures drop into the low 40's in the northern suburbs. we will see some of the numbers dropping into the upper thirties as the evening progresses. that could lead to a sprinkle or flurry in the area. most of the precipitation will stay in southern maryland where the rain is more substantial. there is another system coming in with colder air over the weekend. that could bring another chance of snow. details coming up in a few minutes. >> a police officer from pennsylvania is injured during a car crash near the maryland

line. sky team 11 was over the scene shortly after it happened. pennsylvania police were pursuing a burglary suspect when the chase across the state line. it happened along the 21,000 block of york road. one person was trapped in the vehicle and is being treated in the hospital. another person ran from the scene and is still missing. a bizarre story of westminster involving an early morning shooteing -- shooting and robbery. it happened just after 2:30. we're told allen kent was visiting samantha stanley when the suspect arrived at the house, but into a fight with kent, and shot him in the leg. troopers arrested the three suspects during a traffic stop. two others ran from the police and are still at large. >> the federal government will not shut down at midnight. with just hours to spare, democrats and republicans agreed

to a budget bill will run for next a tumor. some -- that will run through next september. steve is in washington with more details. >> the house vote came about 10 hours after the debt review before the deadline. -- have spoken about 10 hours before the deadline. the government will not shut down even if the senate ways to vote. >> people do not have to worry about the government's closing tonight. >> the nine months ending p lan increases some funding by 1%. it cuts homeland security programs by 5%. the trillion dollar bill has a nickname. >> it will be a little while before we realize we are on the bus or have been from under it. >> it is important we celebrate the bipartisan nature of the bill. >> democrats did not celebrate a year of partisan warfare. >> less substance, more

contention, more confrontation. >> the big fight is just ahead. >> we're not going home unless we pass a payroll tax cut which benefits 160 million workers in our country. with both parties want to keep the reduction in social security and medicare taxes. republicans still link it to the approval of a pipeline from canada opposed by some environmentalists. >> we will make changes. i guarantee you the keystone pipeline will be in there when it goes back to the senate. but republicans say the pipeline means more u.s. jobs and less foreign oil. >> president obama says the pipeline and payroll tax bill means he will veto it. that means 2011 will end with another partisan fight. >> still ahead, do you find yourself sneezing more than usual for the holiday season?

>> running nose, fatigue. >> the increase in winter allergies and help doctors say they can affect a much more than just your nose. >> we will introduce you to the canine graduating class of 2011 and tell you where they will be working. >> these kids are getting a lesson in giving back they will never forget. details are next.

>> 46 members of the baltimore police department are celebrating their new positions tonight. [applause] friends and family filled the room for the ceremony at the maryland state fair grounds. after taking the oath of office, the county executive and chief presented promotion certificates to the officers and congratulated them on the job well done. you can meet the officers receiving the high honors, see the pictures come and share your own at wbaltv.com. after weeks of training, six new k-9 dogs are ready to join police agencies across maryland.

the dogs graduated today from the police unit at the state police academy. four of the dogs will remain with the state police. the other two will work with the prince george's and baltimore county police departments. ♪ >> most people do not think of winter as allergy season. if you are like the millions who have indoor allergies, you might find yourself sniffling and sneezing and exhausted over the next few months. >> i have congesting, runny nose, my fatigue is at high levels. >> i cannot pay attention to one thing. >> for these two, allergies or more than just a sniffle. both men say they can be crippling at times. >> i have tried to work through it and not making a factor.

it is debilitating when you have the flu. it is very similar. >> when patients are afflicted with these types of allergies and they are affecting their energy, they cannot wake up in the morning. they are late to work. it affects their move. it causes irritability. >> a new study showing allergies can actually be affecting the brain. this allergist led the study that looked at the 98 patients who suffer from seasonal and environmental or allergies. 82% of the patients said they experienced extreme fatigue and lethargy. after eight weeks of allergy treatment, 72% had increased energy levels. >> they have a complete check of a primary care physician. they did not have any other condition. >> the doctor says this is more evidence that when allergens

into the body, histamines can slow down brain function. people will feel fatigue come irrigable, depressed, and have symptoms similar to attention deficit disorder. other studies have linked allergies to chronic fatigue syndrome. >> we see the patients come into our clinics. the majority of the patients have allergies. >> he says he has been getting allergy shots for years and it has helped him breathe easier. he also feels like he can enjoy life again. >> the energy levels have improved. i no longer feel like i am sick. i do not even worry about it anymore. >> a new study shows shoveling snow can increase your risk for heart problems. researchers in canada studied the medical records of patients who went to the emergency room

with heart symptoms over two winter seasons. they found 7% were shoveling snow when they started having symptoms. they say the number could be much higher because of some patients may not have told the doctor what they're doing when the symptoms began. smokers and those with family histories have the highest risk of problems while shoveling snow. >> here is your insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> we do have the chance of seeing some flurries over the next several days. one weather system passing south could bring some sprinkles. there is a lot on the radar. most of this around baltimore will dry up before it hits the ground. it is warm enough so that anything does it do that does develop will be sprinkles of rain.

all of this is moving quickly off to the east. it will only be a few hours tonight when a sprinkle or flurry could go by. the almanac shows dry weather for this day. on this day back in 1933, there were 6 inches of snow in 1973. it is 10 degrees in 1951. the high temperature was about midnight. as soon as it turned midnight, that is when temperatures were the warmest. it is 28 at oakland. etting cold ingive the mountains. there could be a sprinkle or flurry until midnight. then the skies will clear. we should wake up to mostly clear skies on saturday morning.

sprinkles and flurries mainly to the south. otherwise cloudy and chile overnight. what went through last night is down in the carolinas. the next surgeon cold air will come in out of central canada. that will get here saturday night into sunday. it may trigger a few snow showers early in the morning on sunday. i would not be surprised if this burst of cold coming through drops a few inches of snow in the mountains were some early morning snow around here. it will be a normal, chilly december weekend. the win on the day will be strong enough for a small craft a advisory. -- the wind on the bay will be strong enough for a small craft advisory. temperatures will be in the 20's

when snow showers coming in for the next couple days. it will be partly cloudy tomorrow with a flurry on the upper eastern shore on sunday. around the coast, look for rain tonight and partly cloudy skies through the weekend. temperatures will be back to normal with a chance of snow showers on sunday and another chance of rain on tuesday into wednesday of next week. >> still ahead on 11 news, baltimore city celebrates a special anniversary. details of the jfx 50th birthday. >> we will have a preview of the sunday ravens game. >> the city fire department is hit with a $3 million race discrimination suit. details are new at 6:00.

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west for the big game against the chargers. is this a must win? >> if they win the rest of the games this season, they're guaranteed the top seat. the third-ranked defense in the nfl gives a look at an old friend, once thought of as a replacement for ogden now finds a home with the chargers. bid protection for rivers. jerry johnson is well ahead of the task ahead this week on that side. >> he is a huge cry. -- he is a huge die. he is coming along. he has had injury issues in the past. the talents still exists.

you have to deal with it. >> there are a host of ravens connections in san diego right now. his brother is a linebacker coach. the sibling rivalry will simmer a little bit. >> that brings us to the question for this friday. who do you think will be the mvp of sunday's game? text your answer to this number. the number is88509. standard texting rates apply. we will reveal the results of the pole at 6:00. >> the ravens and charges will be right here on tv 11.

>> still had on 11 news. >> i hope somebody can do something to get them off the shelf. >> a mother worries about her son and wants products like the spake marijuana banned. >> a front runner for the republican nomination picks up a big endorsement from a key state. that story from washington.

>> live, local, latebreaking -- this is wbal-tv 11 news.

11 news at 5:00 continues now. >> a hertford county mother once a product that minute -- mimics marijuana removed from store shelves. >> it is legal, but is it safe? >> and mother embraces her young son. a big brother has his arm around his little sister. it is a proud moment at a high school graduation. it is images of a happier time for a family. the hopes his mother once had for her daughter -- her son are now fading. >> not knowing what to do. >> this mother does not want to be identified. we will call her destiny. she says her sons' downward

spiral into hard drug abuse began in college with marijuana. she and her husband found out and forbade it. we thought we had it under control. then he found fake marijuana. it is legal. there is no age limit on it. you can be 10nd buy it. he started smoking at. >> it is a core chemically manufactured marijuana. -- it is fake or chemically manufactured marijuana. it did not take the chemist's along to replace the active ingredients and put it back on the market. it is illegal for anyone, even minors to buy. >> is not hard to find. we sent a producer to the shopping center in hartford county. she went in with $20. a few minutes later, she came out with a brand called california chronic.

>> i said i was looking for california chronic. he pulled out a box with about 50 little containers. >> she says he showed her a variety of brands and flavors. we noticed a steady flow of young patrons buying a herbal and since -- incense. >> it is the same as regular pot. >> this young woman purchased a brand called hysteria. >> does it worry you it is synthetic and in our -- and you do not know what is in it? it does not concern you it could hurt you? >> not really. >> we wanted to know what was in the california chronic repurchased. we sent it to a lab. it did not contain any of the five banned substances.

it did have one substance that has been banned in some states but not maryland. he says herbal incense use is devastating to local youth. >> we're seeing them ending up in the emergency rooms because theheir lungs collapse ing, hallucinogenic reactions to it. >> do you sell california chronic? >> yes. >> the store clerk would not contact further. we left our contact and permission for the owner and called several times -- we left our contact information for the owner and called several times but never heard back. >> i hope somebody can do something to get this off of the shelves and keep it off. . mindy basara for the 111 i-

team. >> the family has filed a lawsuit against the school districts in the bill to protect their child from bullying. the parents say their special needs son and his older sister were repeatedly tormented at two elementary schools over two years. they are suing the district because they say school administrators did not do enough to stop the abuse. you are looking at a live picture from the jfx. expressway just turned 50 years old. it was designed to serve as the no. artery to connect downtown and the beltway. as early as the 1940's, planners identify the need for a roadway to connect the areas. they broke ground on a project in 1956. the first section of the roadway opened to motorists on december 16, 1951. the man convicted was sentenced to an extra seven years behind

bars. the judge added years to his sentence. at the request of the states attorney for baltimore city, the prison time for the probation violation will be served in addition to rather than concurrently with the life plus 20 year sentence wagner received on october 21. ♪ >> the republican presidential contenders are back on the campaign trail after fielding questions in last night's debate in iowa. one of the front runners picked up the coveted endorsement from a key state today. >> south carolina is third on the nominating calendar. right now, newt gingrich is leading in the polls there. mitt romney is getting the nod from the states conservative governor. >> mitt romney's numbers have been lagging newt gingrich's in the double digits. the new endorsement could help.

>> i want to be your president. >> before going to south carolina, he campaigned in iowa. newt gingrich has conservative credentials. >> it is laughable to suggest that someone who campaigned with ronald reagan and jack kemp with a 30-year record of conservatism is not a conservative. >> i understand from my success and failures will take to put americans back to work with high-paying jobs. >> raw meat stopped short of attacking his main rival. > -- romney stopped short of attacking his main rival. >> newt gingrich is sound and reasonable. that is something you do not hear often from him. >> they say the nomination remains open. >> i think gingrich's momentum was stemmed a bit.

he has a good chance to win iowa, but so do other tenants including ron paul and mitt romney. >> mitt romney has maintained his lead in new hampshire in the polls. after new hampshire, south carolina votes. history shows the candidate to winds in south carolina wins the nomination. -- the candidate who wins in south carolina wins the nomination. >> the reindeer got loose in a texas town. >> the race discrimination state against the department. details are new at 6:00.

and enjoying it less and less?

upgrade to verizon fios and get tv, internet and phone for our best price online -- just $79.99 a month for two years with a 2 year agreement. this holiday deal is only for a limited time. so don't wait. get fios at this great price. act now and we'll add a special bonus -- $300 back. hurry, go to verizon.com/greatdeal. fios. a network ahead. contact the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v. >> they would have been euthanize in california. nearly 100 dogs are getting a second chance. only 20 out of every 100 dogs taken into shelters make it out alive. some shelters in oregon stepped up to the plate to fly canines

from california to oregon. they're hoping they will get the nurturing they need and perhaps a new home for the holidays. >> a couple of santa's reindeer escaped and ran loose on an interstate in webster, texas. the owner has a petting zoo and was on his way to an elementary school to show kids the rain gear. dancer escaped from the trigger during rush hour traffic. >> i was worried about them getting hurt or causing an accident. >> i thought it was elk at first. it was shocking. we stopped and got them. >> luckily, no one was hurt, including the reindeer. santa says he will make sure the doors are locked on the trailer from now on.

one post office is really resident -- busy this time of year because of one resident. people come from hundreds of miles away to get their christmas cards stamped with "rudolph." of 10,000 cards and letters are sent each christmas season with the stamp. that is a lot for a town of only has 500 people. >> we could make it in time. >> it is a big shopping weekend for americans. where you can find the latest deals. >> faced with the possibility of spinning to 10 years behind bars, barry bonds learns his fate. we will tell you if he is heading to prison. >> blast of cold air is coming in for the second half of the weekend. details are straight ahead. that is a live look at tv hill.

it is going to be a pleasant evening. changes are on the way for the weekend. details are coming up.

>> here is a look at what is coming up at 6:00. a baltimore family says the school system did nothing to protect their children from belize. a lawsuit is in the works that could be the first of its kind in the city. a discrimination lawsuit is pushing forward against the city fire department. a veteran says his career has been plagued by racism. those stories and

>> the chicago bears wide receiver is facing charges for drug dealing. prosecutors claim he can negotiate with an undercover agent to buy cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana to distribute in six cargo -- in chicago. he has hired an attorney and plans to buy the charges. he remains in police custody until his attorney arranges a bond hearing. it was a big win for barry bonds today. he will not go to prison for obstructing justice in the investigation of steroid abuse. >> just a few miles from the ballpark where he broke hank aaron's record, barry bonds into the courthouse with his attorney. the decision was exactly what his legal team had hoped for. the prosecution asked for a 15- month prison sentence. bonds was given probation, home

detention, and will pay $4,000 fine. it has been a long road for the seven-time mvp considered one of baseball's greatest players. he found himself caught in a sweeping investigation of steroid use in professional sports. faced with charges he lied to a grand jury in 2003 about using performance-enhancing drugs, the case was finally brought to trial last spring. the decision today came as no shock to those in legal circles. lawyers said they will appeal the conviction. >> we intend to fight it on appeal and overcome the judgement so that he can return to public life as a citizen free of criminal convictions. >> bonds left the courthouse smiling. the superstar athlete has avoided prison. to many baseball fans, the once

shining image of barry bonds is now tarnished. >> from his stand out days in three sports, we take a look at barry bonds through the years. it is on wbaltv.com. click on sports. >> here is your insta-weather plus forecast with tom tasselmyer. >> we have seen some light showers trying to move into the baltimore area. most of it is drawing up before it can fall to the ground. -- most of it is drawing up before it can fall to the ground. you can see by the radar screen that the heavier rain and precipitation is heading over to the lower eastern shore. it is pretty much staying south of the baltimore area.

it is 47 downtown. temperatures are above freezing around the region. the eastern shore locations are fairly mild for this time of year. the lower eastern shore will stay above freezing through the night. it is getting colder in the mountains. we will keep the threat of a sprinkle or flurry around baltimore until midnight. after that, the skies will clear here. we should have cooler temperatures by don with snow showers in the far western maryland mountains. -- we should have cooler temperatures by morning with snow showers in the far western maryland mountains. there's a from developing in the carolina area. the weather system will move offshore overnight. on sunday, a blast of cold will come rolling in from the north and west.

that might trigger a flurry or snow showers. there will be a better chance of that activity on sunday. the good news for the mountains is that snow showers should be coming down in abundance on saturday and sunday. that will help out the snow -- ski resorts that have been waiting for a change in the pattern. temperatures will be just a bit below normal tomorrow. it will be cold in the mountains. look for highs only in the 20's were a couple of days. we're finally feeling like winter in the mountains. it will be partly cloudy tomorrow. the snow showers possible on the eastern shore on sunday. the lower eastern shore including ocean city will have

temperatures in the 40's with a mix of cloud and sunshine. cool temperatures are expected in california for the ravens and chargers. there could be a flurry or snow shower on sunday morning. temperatures will get back in the 50's next week. >> do not let this put a damper on your holiday celebrations. it is already time to start thinking about taxes. there are some things you can do to make sure you do not miss valuable deductions. established a filing system for documents. if you make a charitable donation, you may qualify for deductions, but only if you itemize on your return. make sure that you get i receipts. if you refinanced your home, closing costs are deductible.

there is a new date on the calendar you may want to take note of. >> historically the last saturday before christmas is the last full day last minute shoppers have to make amends. that is why it is called super saturday. super saturday this year is this saturday. >> that means super saturday will not be as super as it is one is closer to the actual christmas eve and christmas day. >> next saturday is christmas eve, when families gathered for gift-giving. retail experts expect stores to offer good deals this saturday and beyond. >> i believe retailers will kamal something in the middle of the week before christmas to incent the last minute shoppers through their doors. >> online retailers are

extending free shipping offers. free shipping is a deal breaker for many. >> you get all the way through and find out it is $12 you did not want to spend. >> the coming weeks could be viewed as a procrastinator's paradise. >> holiday sales will not necessarily get you the best deals on everything. specific products are priced to sell in certain months. december is a great time to buy bicycles. even if you live in cold weather, it is a great time to buy a bicycle. christmas decorations will be a steal after december 26. you may even find deals on big screen tv's. if you are going to dinner at burger king, tell them you want fries with that. friday athrefree fries

the chain. they want you to try them. they're giving them away. they say they're using a thicker cut of potatoes. the offer is only good for today. >> the comedian is serving as host of saturday night live this weekend. he was a cast member for six years. he was known for his impressive weekend update quips and musical comedy. he will be joined by michael the holiday episodes. >> congress passes the $1 trillion spending bill. we will have a live report from the washington grew at 6:00. >> students are stuffing backpacks for the homeless. these are items they bought themselves. themselves. details

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>> socks and underwear are familiar gives in many homes. for hundreds of homeless in baltimore city, these gifts will come in backpacks. >> they were packed by children who use their own money to make the holidays a little brighter. >> the holiday spirit in its purest form tells the gymnasium at the school of the incarnation. it is where the entire student body are stuffing backpacks with

the basics for the homeless. >> they get a brand new backpack, hat, gloves, and sock s. >> students have raised money to buy all the items new. the total raised by the community was $24,000. that is enough money to buy roughly 980 backpacks. >> the children go crazy. they change diapers and a box for walks. they do all kinds of things to make money. -- the change diapers and take a box for walks. they do all kinds of things to make money. >> when we handed her the envelope with $900, she freak out. that brought some a strike. >> all the backpacks will be distributed on christmas eve on the streets of baltimore city. for those who have not, they say

it is like changing. >> they are so happy. they feel loved. people have told me that. >> it is almost scary and along the lines are. it is in an alley and wraps around the building. it is sad. >> >> you are going to the christmas card in the bottom. >> those who will receive these gifts will find something to warm their hearts of the bottom of every pack, homemade cards from kids to care. jennifer franciotti for wb wbal-tv 11 news. >> the current deputy fire chief accuses his department of engaging in an evil purpose. details are new at 6:00. >> it is money in the bank for the early childhood program. where the millions are coming from and how they will be spent. >> i am nikole killion in

washington were the shutdown crisis has been stopped. the fight is not over yet. i will explain in a live report. live, local, latebreaking -- this is wbal-tv 11 news at 6:00. >> house and senate democrats make a key decision in the latest deal making avoiding shutdown of the federal government at midnight. there will not be a shutdown. there is still a lot of work to be done. >> the bill keeps the lights on a little bit longer. nikole killion is live in washington with more on the last minute action. >> the shutdown may be averted. the showdown continues over other issues. the shutdown was stopped with hours to spare. the house advanced $1 trillion spending bill to keep the government operating through next fall. next fall.