that his proposed bill brings more clarity over the issue of protecting freedoms. >> we have drafted this bill to be very explicit about the protections of religious liberty, as well as the protection of rights equally under the law. cut the civil marriage protection act extends civil protections to religious leaders. it clarified language, sitting that religious leaders, not the state, control the theological doctrine. and it has punitive action against religious institutions that will not recognize same-sex marriages. >> billing which is broader and more inclusive to put to rest any doubt anyone might have on whether or not this bill lives up to maryland's history of protecting freedoms.

>> last year, both sides realize there were five short of the needed number for passage. this new version of that marriage laws in new york, maine, and washington d.c. to address concerns. >> it goes into detail about religious denomination, organizations, charities, those sorts of things. >> but some opponents, such as the maryland conference of catholic contends it does not protect all. >> we are concerned about the impact on the rest of society. >> the governor had interesting remarks. the will have that new at 6:00 p.m. david collins, wbal tv 11 news. >> we are following some breaking news out of baltimore county, what is believed to have started as a burglary has ended up in a deadly head-on

collision. firefighters are on the scene at the delaney road when they're told that a suspect collided with another car. the passenger in the vehicle is now in police custody. the driver was flown to the hospital and later died. we will bring you more details as they are available. >> president obama will deliver his third state of the union speech tonight and it is shaping up to be a sharp campaign speech. our 11 news state of the union team coverage begins with steve handelsman in washington. >> running for reelection, president obama is polishing his speech aimed at middle-class voters, outraged at the growing in cash -- income gap between them and the wealthy. >> we want an economy based on everyone doing their fair share, everyone getting a fair shake, and everyone plane ready set -- same set of rules. >> the president wants a new set

of tax rates for the highest income earners, over 35% mitt romney fired this from tampa. >> the president will give a nice speech with a lot of familiar phrases in it, but he will not give you the numbers, like 9.9% unemployment in florida. >> newt gingrich also chimed in. >> he shifted from yes, we can't to why we could not. >> -- yes, we can to why we could not. >> we need to retrofit our buildings and build schools and create jobs. >> the president's policies are just winter double down on what has not worked. gartz president obama will push a new plan to revive the

mortgage market and bring it home factory jobs from overseas. adding to that, congresswoman gabrielle giffords will attend, before she retires to focus on her recovery. >> the theme of tonight is how best to fix the economy and who is best to lead the recovery. maryland lawmakers are already talking to debra wiener with what they would like to hear the president say tonight. she joins us now. >> the state of the union address seems like a good marker of political times. i think about a year ago, the president's approval rating was 53%. today, 44% driven at this time last year, he was congratulating a new republican speaker. -- today, 44%. at this time last year, he was congratulating the new

republican speaker. this year, this address is very much the kickoff to his reelection. with that said, we asked members of maryland congressional delegation what they want to hear this year. >> i want the president to be specific, bipartisan, and positive. i think, right now more than any other time since we started this recession, we need strong leadership. >> i want the president to present leadership on how we can move this country forward, on how we can have jobs today and jobs tomorrow. and at the same time, wrap our arms around bringing down the debt and the deficit. >> the president is going to emphasize that we have to invest in america to create jobs. the key is to get more money in the hands of consumers. that means more jobs, extension of payroll tax holidays. i think it is key that we invest in our country, help our workers

with the training that they need, and to create the jobs that will provide for america's future. >> i want to hear a plan that will get us through these debt and deficit crisis we are in, and something that will help us in the end. i want to hear him say something where he will work with congress, not against us, but with us, to solve the long-term debt issues and to reinvigorate the economy. >> state of the union night, always a very important presidentially tries to come up even more important -- presidential address, even more important is here as he fights for jobs, and his own, too. >> you can fight -- you can watch the seat of the union address live right here on wbal tv 11 and we will also stream and live on our website wbaltv.com. >> as military spending continues to decline, one

defense company in the area is feeling the pinch. aai has announced that it will be laying off close to 200 employees. lowell melser is live from the company headquarters with the latest. >> it is no secret, as you mentioned, that military spending is on the decline. now we are feeling that a little closer to home as earlier today, aai, which is best known for its drone aircraft, has laid off 184 employees here at its headquarters in hunt valley. you might call it a sign of the economic times, at least when it comes to defense spending according to officials at hunt valley-based aai, best known for its unmanned aircraft systems. it is laying off 184 of its employees by end of business tuesday. employees were keeping to themselves outside of headquarters, and not offering comment.

11 news was able to obtain an e- mail from the president of the company that owns aai, stating that they have had to make sacrifices given cancellations. he went on to say that these changes are part of the ongoing improvements over the past 18 months as they seek to be more competitive, even in light of a declining u.s. defense budget. >> we have shut down our activities in iraq, and we will shut down our activities at some point in afghanistan. it is not a shock to hear that aai is going to do some downsizing. we caught up -- >> we caught up with one county executive who said he is disappointed with the layoffs. he added, the county will be

assisting any way it can. >> we know that they have begun an outreach center for their employees for the professional staff to deal with the layoff. we have offered our professional services as well. >> according to that e-mail from the company president, they plan to lay off a total of 320 employees act aai facilities around the country. lowell melser, wbal tv 11 news. >> it is normally the coldest time of the year, this part of january, but for the 10th time this month the temperature has topped 50 degrees, pushing close to 60 in many areas. 56 in downtown baltimore at this hour. in the 40's all along the bay. 52 degrees at crouseville, and columbia checking in at 50. there is some cool air of to the

west. that will be slipping in here over the next 24 hours or so. along the gulf coast, some rain headed our direction as well. the forecast in a few minutes. >> the cumberland fire chief said a blaze that killed two again sisters is believed to have started accidentally. it happened 6:00 a.m. friday morning. inside, firefighters found the two girls, ages 7 and 4. an exact cause has not yet been determined. the mother and an infant sibling made it out alive. >> closing arguments wrapped up this afternoon in the civil trial regarding former corporal read de torrez's action regarding a man kicking and unresponsive dog.

his family is seeking $145 million in a lawsuit. deliberations got underway just hours ago. >> many people would agree that school buildings in baltimore city are in need of a series of great. >> city school officials say they need something else, and they need -- they went to annapolis to ask for it. that is ahead at 5:30 p.m. >> aligning out by the thousands as mourners remember -- lining up by the thousands as mourners remember joe paterno.

>> tonight, mortars are paying their final respects to former penn state -- mourners are paying their final respects to former penn state had coach joe paterno. >> the line stretched of around the block as hundreds waited to pay their respects to legendary coach, joe paterno. >> he is penn state. >> the public, to tackle the,

and former football players returned -- the public, faculty, and former football players returned to pay their respects. this man says he was more than just a coach. >> he is still a rock star. >> rock star, mentor, and father figure to sell many, including interim coach tom bradley, who took over when joe paterno was fired mid-season. >> i was lucky enough to work with him and call him friend. he had an impact on my life in so many ways. next to my father, he was the guy. >> his own son, j., also spoke publicly. he said despite his father's battle with lung cancer and the controversy all firing at in the midst of the -- controversial firing in the midst of the sex abuse scandal, he was very

upbeat. >> he was positive about the direction he wanted the rest of his life to go, and how he wanted to remember penn state and also to give justice to the victims involved. >> others involved in the allegations also attended. he was greeted by hugs and handshakes, all to focus on remembering joe paterno. >> thousands are still expected to gather on campus for a public memorial. >> meanwhile, more than 10,000 free tickets are being made available to the public for that memorial service and were snapped up in just seven minutes time, even though there's a two person limit for those ordering.

a in tonight's medical alert, drug currently used to treat an enlarged prostate may also help slow the growth of prostate cancer. researchers in canada studied the drug for three years and they found it delayed early stage of localized prostate cancer. it is usually used to treat enlarged prostate, but now approved yet for prostate cancer. and medical experts are calling attention to a drastic, but more common way to breast cancer, having both breasts removed in a mastectomy even though double lumpectomy is an option. it does reduce the risk of recurrence, but does not eliminate it. dwyer more women choosing it? >> quality of life is not having to worry about a local of -- a

local recurrence or breast cancer in the other breast. >> others say that they just want to be rid of the roller- coaster emotionally. obviously, that is saying -- never an easy decision. finally, who do you think ?olerate mepaying more women reported more pain than men in just about every disease category. it is found that women are more likely to suffer from fahrer y al-shaab and had a -- from a fire broke myalgia and headaches. >> and now, your 11 insta- weather plus forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> another unseasonably warm day as far as temperatures. 59 degrees, 18 degrees

warmer than normal for this day in january. the record high is 74 on the state. the record low, one degree in 1963. the record amount of snow for the state came down in 1940. -- for this day came down in 1940. the temperatures are in the upper 40's to even mid 50's at this moment. still mild at cambridge. 41 at oakland. there is a batch of cooler air trying to filter in on the west/northwesterly breeze. again, mainly clear skies and the winds less than 5 miles per hour most of the night. the stage is set for a pretty good drop. 25 suburbs, 35 downtown. the wind will be averaging 5 miles per hour or less.

showers and thunderstorms along the gulf coast. a bit of a wintry mix in the plains states. it will get here late wednesday night or early thursday morning. tomorrow, kind of in between systems. the clouds increasing during the day. tomorrow night, the clouds thicken, and by dawn on thursday, the first of the precipitation will be moving in. early in the morning, temperatures will be hovering near freezing, so the computer models are producing snow and sleet across pennsylvania. this area might have a little sleet or freezing rain mixed in. after that, a chilly rain throughout the day on thursday. finally moving of a coast thursday afternoon. temperatures tomorrow will not be as warm as today. heights tomorrow only 43-48, which is a bit more normal. the 44 in the mountains and 38

beyond. some wet weather will move in late wednesday night going into thursday on the northeastern shore as well. tomorrow, rain mixed with a bit of sleet on thursday in the predawn hours. tapering off friday morning. a chance for some lerch -- flurries or snow showers on sunday into monday. >> we had hoped it would not end like this, but after this weekend's disappointing afc championship game, a lot of baltimore residents are sending grabs up north. >> and that sounds expensive. >> we did our paid this morning with our morning show. when we come back, we'll show you what good sports we are. >> the national pinball museum just opened in baltimore. i will have details, a coming

out.

>> there's too much pain outside of is that people are really going through. let's understand who we are as 18. let's understand who we are as men, and let's make someone smile when we walk out of here. let's be who we are. ravens on three. >> you have to love that. >> very nice. >> some very emotional words from ray rice in the locker room after the game on sunday. >> very beautiful. >> the video is going viral and it has fans looking for to next year. a little payoff before that with

our affiliate in boston. >> here is our pay off. we were good sport about it. >> we are eating cold boston baked beans. >> oh, that is not good. >> excuse me for a second. [laughter] i hate cold beans. congratulations, patriots, and good luck in the super bowl. >> [laughter] >> a good sport is a good sport. >> you are. and the harris is also paying his wager. a dozen crab cakes with up this afternoon. had the ravens one, harris would have been chowing down on new england clam chowder. which means he would have gotten the short end of the stake. no comparison. how were the beans? >> they were cold.

first thing in the morning? exactly. >> coming up, governor bob ehrlich is putting his left over campaign funds to use. >> how he used the money, while controversial, state officials say it is not illegal. >> and making a pitch for more construction dollars for the schools, but is how the school districts want to spend the dollars that

11 news at 5:00 p.m. in hd continues now. >> some baltimore city school students took the day off today to help lobby the state for more money. baltimore has some of the oldest school buildings in the entire state and a good number of them are showing their age. >> that is why the schools ceo was in annapolis to lobby for state dollars. but this time he wants flexibility in how to spend those dollars. tim tooten is in the newsroom with the story. >> right now, it would take about $3 billion to deal with the backlog of fixing up old school buildings, and since those dollars are hard to come by, city and state lawmakers are asking for permission to invest over the long run. this elementary school was built in 1955. it is one of the many cities school buildings in need of a facelift. the key issue is money.

baltimore is counting on $13 million this year, hardly enough to take on big projects like this one. >> there is a steady stream of dollars that has come to the school system from the state. >> of the school said v.c.o. balad -- the schools ceo along with several students packed the room. the ceo is asking permission to use state dollars to borrow even more money to speed up school construction projects. >> we need predictability. letn, no bibank is going to us are and as they know what they're getting in the future. -- is going to let us borrow unless they know what they're getting in the future. >> it is very costly to build

schools. >> but now, it is a proposal. but it is one that school officials hope that lawmakers take seriously. >> they are competing against didn't that have modernized buildings -- against students that have modernized buildings. >> but city school officials say they are running out of time, and for some lawmakers that means everything is on the table. >> we need to get some funding for the school system. if that means taxes, if that means more fees, then so be it. that is the nature of the beast. >> right now, only a few construction projects and your are allowed. -- only a few construction projects per year are allowed. >> officials in baltimore county want to get returning veterans back to work, and they aim to do it by expanding the nationally recognized home front initiative, aimed at hiring

troops as they come back home. they will receive priority in screening and hiring for potential vacancies in police, fire, and other public safety jobs. >> when we send troops to combat, we sign off on their readiness. and we assure the units are ready to deploy. but when we come home, we also a sign off that the individual members of those units are ready to be reintegrated back home, back in their communities, back at work, back on college campuses. >> the initiative has a website for all available services for returning veterans. you can find a link on our website wbaltv.com, just head to our "dancing with the stars" page. >> the military defense -- just had to our "as seen on" page. >> the military defense company aai is laying off 184 employees,

saying they had to be more cost- efficient given recent project delays and cancellations. they are providing laid-off employees with unemployment benefits and job search information. gov. martin o'malley laid out the details of his civil marriage protection act of 2012 today in annapolis. he claims this bill will bring more clarity to this issue of protecting religious freedom. it extends to legal protection to religious leaders and it says the state will not default -- will not deny funds to state and religious institutions that do not recognize same-sex marriage. senior adviser valerie jarrett says president obama will outline a blueprint for the economy tonight in his state of the union address, as well as talk about creating clean jobs and the so-called profit rule.

some groups are blasting the president for not doing enough to improve the economy. >> mitt romney has been forced into a defensive mode, if you will, by newt gingrich. he scored a critical win in south carolina and is gaining ground in florida. here is our commitment 2012 update. >> mitt romney hopes the release of his tax records will and questions about his personal wealth and whether he is paying his fair share to uncle sam. >> the other thing that strikes me is the amount of money that he gives away. >> romney donated more than $7 million to charity in 2010 and 2011, but his opponents are more focused on how much eurand, $42 million over those two years. and his relatively modest -- modest tax rate, 15%.

new kingery has been hammering on him about the issue -- and newt gingrich has been hammering on him about the issue for weeks. get $13 million getis ads, and then you'll thousands of people. i predict that you will get people power. the >> it shows the flaws of the two candidates. both have serious problems. >> florida voters have a week left to decide for themselves. after mixing it up at the debate, the candidates are saving their hardest punches for president obama. >> following last night's debate, we asked our friends on facebook which candidate performed the best. 24% voted for ron paul. 16% for newt gingrich.

12% for rick santorum. 6% 4 mitt romney. 32% did not bother to watch it at all. governor -- former gov. bob ehrlich filed a report last week and state officials tell the 11 news i-team that their expenditure is permitted as long as it is campaign related. last month, a jury convicted schurick on charges he operates -- authorized a campaign to eliminate the african-american vote. he is paying his own legal fees. >> the italian cruise ship has another obstacle. the fine print on the ticket. >> and even with all wheel drive, it will not keep your car

from sliding on the ice. cars, trucks, even snowplows at the mercy of icy roads. >> coming out, why the president's state of the union address may be about more than the state of the union.

[ male announcer ] little owen wanted to play, but his nose was raw and sore. achoo! [ male announcer ] and common tissue made it burn even more. ♪ puffs plus lotion is more soothing than common tissue, and it delivers our most soothing lotion for every nose issue. a nose in need deserves puffs plus lotion indeed. to give your cold a comforting scent, try puffs plus lotion with the scent of vicks.

>> covering the world, officials say yet another body has been found in size -- inside the capsulized italian cruise ship, bring in the death count to 15. that as workers are recovering thousands of gallons of fuel. at times they cannot see their own hands in front of them because the water is so dark, and oftentimes they run into big objects floating by, such as furniture. >> occupied d.c. protectors will get one final warning before d.c. police start enforcing the ban on camping in jefferson

square. protesters will continue to be permitted to exercise their first amendment rights in the square. however, camping regulations would be enforced only against individuals. >> and this is not going to make people feel good. one man, this all on tape. he posted the video through youtube, cars struggling down a snowy road in town to fall. it is hard to drive. -- in bountiful. it is hard to watch. between recordings, he tries to help drivers move their cars to the side, but they just keep on coming. and as you can see, the all wheel vehicles did not stand a chance. >> oh! >> oh, man! >> long walks on the beach

followed by a beautiful sunset. >> i have never had anything like that. >> really? >> no, never, but some officials say there are good reasons to allow horses on the beach. >> you can find all kinds of pinball machines from the past and present at the museum in baltimore. details, coming up. >> there is some rain coming up in the forecast. the seven-day details are straight ahead. 56 de

but coming up on 11 news at 6:00 p.m., the same-sex marriage debate continues in maryland. why the governor said his new proposal will bring clarity to the hot-button topic. plus, illegal dumping at sea.

the connection to baltimore, and why officials want to give the whistle-blower a

>> baltimore is now home to a brand new museum and it is encouraging patrons to be hands on. i guess, the kind of have to be. jim bates he takes us to the national -- jim beattie takes us to the pann bob newseum. >> this is no arcade. this is the national pinball museum. >> this -- pinball is not just a game. i have always believed that ever since i look at the artwork and thought this was an interesting thing. >> he just moved to water street

in baltimore and open his doors january 14. the first floor houses antique pinball machines and the history of the game dating back to 1777. >> upstairs, you can try a lot of them out. on your back to do is buy an access card, swiped it, and to have unlimited play starting at two hours for $12. >> here, they are getting back whole museum experience, and enjoying themselves in a hands- on way. >> the museum is a labor of love for hamm. he started playing at 4 years old, and now island and 900 pinball machines. >> it was a fascination, partially the hand by coordination of watching the button and watching the flipper move and controlling it. but it was also the artwork. that is why i say it was a time honored history.

any important subject that has taken place in our country has been depicted on a pinball machine. >> he shares that passion and knowledge with others through the museum, which will eventually house classrooms, and library, and a theater. >> we have parties and are starting of leagues. i'm trying to create a place that is a community center. >> the museum is open friday through sunday. you can into more information and our website wbaltv.com. >> and now, your 11 insta- weather plus forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> we have been in and out of the cloud cover throughout the day. it looks like a clearing trend will settle into the region overnight. that will cool things off after an unseasonably mild afternoon. the rain as well off the coast now. you can see from baltimore south into virginia and west virginia,

mainly clear skies now. that will set the stage for rapid cooling of temperatures overnight. 52 in the area here. 56 in baltimore. to pittsburghand up to cleveland. 39 at frostburg. the wind is expected to be less than 5 miles per hour overnight. temperatures drive -- a drop quickly overnight this time of year. we should have temperatures ranging from 25 in the suburbs to 35 at the inner harbor. the west. this averaging 5 miles per hour west -- or less -- the west breeze averaging 5 miles per hour or less. a lot of rain in texas, the gulf coast. a severe weather threat with the potential for tornadoes in parts of texas and louisiana. this will be moving to the north

and east around here. the only concern is your early- morning hours of thursday. temperatures may be hovering around freezing before sunrise on thursday. there could be some freezing rain mixed in at the pennsylvania border. snow and sleet will be likely their early thursday morning. after that, just a cold afternoon and probably will not taper off until some time friday morning. then it moves off the coast and the skies clear. temperatures mawr will not be as warm as today. -- temperatures to marra will not be as warm as today. increasing cloudiness, about 40 in the mountains tomorrow, and then the rain moved in on thursday with a high of 44. they're looking for more snow, but will get some rain on thursday before it turns colder on the weekend. about 70% chance of rain on

thursday. slightly milder on the lower eastern shore. 48 tomorrow, 51 on thursday. waves less than a foot. keeping an eye on those water temperatures for the polar bear plunge. it is cold to get into 40-degree water temperatures, but we have seen them in the low 30's this time of year. so far, the temperatures in the water are holding up. 46 tomorrow with increasing cloudiness. 54 as the rain tapers off on friday and the sunshine comes out in the afternoon. chances of a sprinkle on saturday and high of 47. the chance of a snow shower on sunday and monday with the high only in the 30's. >> the new numbers from the

department of labor bureau of statistics showing that maryland has the lowest unemployment rate in nearly three years. it is below the national average, after seeing job growth for the fourth straight month. that includes state and local government, health care, social services, as well as leisure and hospitality. ocean city may start to allow horseback riding on the beach. it would allow it from november 1 through march 30 from 6 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. you could literally ride off into the sunset on the beach. you would have to pay $50 for a horse permit to do it on the beach. authorities are concerned about those who do not clean up after their horses. there will be a several hundred dollars fine for those who do not. american attorneys are gathering

in miami, preparing to argue for the rights of passengers on board the italian cruise ship. wright apparently were signed away with the purchase of the tickets. embedded in the fine print, there is a forum selection clause on the cruise line tickets that obligates passengers to go to italy, or to make a claim through italian lawyers only. lawyers are asking for a full refund as well as documented medical expenses. not addressed is compensation for mental anguish. >> what they're about to find, the passengers on the ship, instead of the regular damages that we have come to expect like pain and suffering, passengers have signed away their rights to recover those things. >> survivors have only 19 days to file. they do intend to make it legal claim for lost property. the group says it will do all it can't -- all it can to locate and return personal belongings, but did not comment on

passenger complaints about its contracts. >> rewarding the whistleblower, federal prosecutors say the person who reported pollution on his ship deserves a reward. that is coming up new at 6:00 p.m. >> i'm rob roblin. this weekend is the annual polar this weekend is the annual polar bear today my journey continues across the golden state, where everyone has been unbelievably nice. mornin'. i guess i'm helping them save hundreds on car insurance. it probably also doesn't hurt that i'm a world-famous advertising icon. cheers! i mean, who wouldn't want a piece of that? geico. ah... fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent oh dear... or more on car insurance.

>> the 15th annual polar bear plunge takes place this began. one company is going the extra mile to support the plunge, and some of its employees. rob roblin explains. >> it is that time of year again, time for the polar bear plunge, and the time for raising money for special olympics. here at this store, the manager knows firsthand how important the special olympics is. >> special olympics has done a lot for my son, jamie. without special olympics, he would not have a social life. but more than the little kid, it means a lot for the adults, that would not have of way out if it were not for it. >> her son compete in a number of sports, so she knows -- he knows how the money raised is

important. >> is a great company to raise money for. i'm so proud that they haven't come behind special olympics. -- that they have come behind special olympics. >> the managers said that kim and her son jamie are just part of the reason the company has become involved in this year's plunge. >> we have employees with children that are athlete, but we actually have athletes that are -- employees that are athletes. just to see how important it is in their lives, it was a good match. >> with the help of customers -- in line >> most people want to give. it is only a dollar and most people have been saying, no thanks, i'm going to the plunge. i think that is great, too. rex and with the support of companies like these, -- >> and

with the support of companies like these, olympics -- athletes like jeanie can compete. >> the super plungers will begin their plunging on friday. and the 16th annual polar bear plunge will be on saturday. >> and wbal tv 11's live coverage of the polar bear plunge is starting at friday and saturday. you can be a part of it. you can send text messages of encouragement to those participating. send your plunge and your message to 88509. your message could appear on the news. standard text messaging rates will apply. here is what is coming up at 6:00 p.m. >> the same-sex marriage bill is on the fastrac in annapolis, but the governor says it is important enough to put on the november ballot. details ahead.

>> federal prosecutors are asking for a big reward for a whistle-blower. details on that, next. >> i'm debra wiener live on capitol hill. this state of the union night, but what is the state of the union? a live report, coming up. >> live, local, late breaking, this is wbal tv 11 news at 6:00 p.m. in hd. >> good evening, everyone. today, gov. martin o'malley laid out details of its much anticipated civil marriage protection act. >> it lays the groundwork to legalize same-sex marriage in maryland, and now has set the stage where what could be one of the session's most high- profile debate. >> the bill is on the fast track here in annapolis. it was just introduced last night and a hearing has already been scheduled next week in the senate. the governor said passage is important to give children important to give children raised by same-sex