protection under the law. family matters, that is how some supporters are framing the debate over legalizing same-sex marriage. gov. martin o'malley proclaimed his proposed bill brings more clarity to protecting the issue of religious freedom. >> we have done our very best in the drafting of this bill to make very, very explicit that the protections of religious liberty, as well as the protection of rights equally under the law. >> the civil marriage protection act extends legal protections to religious leaders. last year 8 addressed only institutions. -- it addressed only institutions. it further limits punitive actions against religious organizations for failing to perform same-sex marriages. in short, the state will not deny funds to those institutions that will not recognize same-sex

institutions. >> this bill lives up to maryland's rich history of protecting religious freedom. >> last year, the bill was withdrawn when vote counters realized they were five short of the 71 needed for passage. the measure had already cleared the senate, and is expected to do so again this year. this newer version of that marriage laws in maine, new york, washington d.c. >> it goes into detail about the disorganizations, charities, and so on. >> but opponents contend it's still redefines marriage. >> we are not concerned about protecting religious can't -- institutions. we're concerned about the impact it has all of society. >> opponents will put the question to the november ballot. the governor seems ok with that. >> we must let the public decide. >> one delegate on the fence told us this evening the bill

does go a long way in addressing his concerns. >> thanks, david. tonight, president obama is making final touches on his third state of the union address he will deliver this evening. he also launched today with several news anchors, including brian williams of nbc, for an off the record chance to find out about his speech tonight. >> aides at the white house say we will hear the president's plan for economic recovery. republicans are already calling the speech more of the same. >> mr. speaker, the president of the united states. >> with millions of americans to neenan, the state of the union is always a big night for the president. but it is also a big opportunity for president obama to make the case for reelection. white house officials expect him to talk about the economy and

the middle class. >> this focus -- his focus is the need to keep the recovery moving along, the economy growing, and creating jobs. >> and white house aides say congress -- the president will call on congress to take action. republicans are already on the attack. from capitol hill, where lawmakers say the speech is all about politics -- >> the goal is not to caulker deep nation's problems. it is to call for republicans. -- is not to conquer the nation's problems. it is to conquer republicans. >> this agenda made these troubled times last lager. he and his allies made it harder for the economy to recover. >> to guess where obama would go -- the gap between where obama would go and where we would go is as wide as the pacific ocean. >> there's not much the president can get done with a divided congress. but this year is about getting

reelected. >> this check -- this is his chance to frame the re-election. he sometimes gives absolutely wonderful speeches. sometimes he does not. tonight is a big night. >> the president is also expected to talk about the raid to take out osama bin laden. the admiral who planned the raid will be sitting in the first lady's box. >> our news coverage continues with debra winger, who spoke with maryland lawmakers today. what are they hoping to hear tonight? >> i was curious, i mean, what do you say when so many people feel the state of the union is so-so? in 1975, president gerald ford said the state of the union is not good. we ask members of the maryland delegation what they would say. >> i would say the state of the union is strong, but we still have a ways to go considering from whence we have come. we have gone through some very

difficult times, and continue to do so. to stand there and said that everything is fine, i think, would be almost an insult to people who are out of work. >> we are still in a very tough place. there are millions out there looking for jobs. there are a lot of families living from week to week. we all recognize that. i am beginning to see some improvement. efforts too see some sustain that. looking forward to a strong speech and real leadership from him. >> the state of the union is in peril right now. we are not out of the economic woods yet. europe is now having a crisis. we are not out of the woods yet. >> in his first state of the union address, president obama said, despite our hardships, the

union a strong. it seemed to work then. we will see now. >> you can catch president obama's state of the union address tonight at 9:00 p.m. right here on wbal tv 11. we will also be streaming it live at our website wbaltv.com. you will find a link on the homepage. >> federal prosecutors are asking a judge to reward a whistle blower with a substantial pay off. the crime occurred in the middle of the ocean. >> this case will be in federal court in baltimore tomorrow. it is about illegal dumping at sea. it involves secretive notes authorities with

pictures taken to back up his claims. >> the allegations came to light almost a year ago at baltimore's port. a crew member on a foreign carter said that had just arrived got the attention of coastguard essential -- coast guard inspectors and handed them a note. it said, "i have something to tell you, but secret." his spelling was a bit shaky. a crewmember went on to -- the crew member went on to tell inspectors that he dumped oil and other garbage at sea under the direct orders of superiors. he used what is called a "magic pipe" to improperly dispose of the waste. ships are supposed to either burn the waste or store it at ports. instead, they took apart the press gathered piping while at sea, substituted the magic pride, and dumped it at -- it atpipe and dumped it in the

seat. prosecutors want the crew members who spilled the beans to get a bigger board, recognizing, they say, how hard it will be for him to work in shipping again. >> prosecutors want the whistle blower to get half the fines imposed in this case. that could be big bucks in a previous case involving the similar allegations, the whistle-blower got half a million dollars. it also depends on how much the whistle-blowers' lawyer can get. >> interesting story. thank you. some bad economic news out of hunt valley where one area defense company is feeling the pinch. aai has revealed it will be laying off close to 200 employees. lowell melser has more. >> it is no secret that military spending these days is on the

decline. now we are feeling the effects of this a little closer to home. aai, based in hunt valley, laid off 184 employees today. 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. it is laying off 184 of its 1650 employees by end of business on tuesday. employees were keeping to themselves and offering comment. 11 news was able to obtain an e- mail from the president of the company that owns aai, stating in part that the company had to be more cost-efficient, given project delays and cancellations. a spokesman also said, "these changes are part of an ongoing -- are part of ongoing

improvements we have been making over the last 18 months. we see continued opportunity for aai to support the u.s. and its allies, even in light of a declining defense budget." >> we have shut down our activities in iraq, and will shut down at some point in afghanistan. it is not a shock to hear that aai is going to do some downsizing. >> we caught up with the county executive, who says he is disappointed with the layoffs. he said he has been in contact with aai, who he says is providing job assistance. the county will also be helping in any way it can. >> we will have a professional staff to help them deal with the layoff. we have offered them our professional services. >> the county needs to pay attention, he said, making sure this is not the beginning of a

trend of some of its bigger employers. >> we are always concerned when a company downsizes. we are not -- are actively meeting with all of our major employers in the county, letting them know that we want them to continue operating in the county and we want to help them grow. parent company plans to lay off workers and around the country. >> much more news ahead here on 11 news at 6:00 p.m. >> two of the ravens biggest stars will not play at the pro bowl after all. we will tell you why in sports. >> unseasonably mild january day, but changes are coming.

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>> of course, fans are still feeling the sting of the ravens lost to the patriots on sunday, and that includes the payoff to the sister station in boston. >> we are eating cold, boston baked beans. >> oh, that is not good. >> excuse me a second. >> i hate cold been spirited >> -- i hate cold beans. >> we get it. >> representative andy harris also had to pay off a game they wager with boston congressman

wrought -- bob jintao. he served up a dozen crab cakes this afternoon. had the ravens won, he would have been chowing down on, probably, cold new england clam chowder. and now, your 11 insta- weather plus forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> even though there was some cloud cover around the area today, the temperatures still managed to soar to above normal temperatures. a clearing trend is under way for the region tonight, though. that will help the temperatures to cool off pretty quickly. even with the mix of clouds and sunshine throughout the day, at 18 degrees warmer than normal. 41 is the typical high, and we hit 59 officially at b.w.i. marshall. the low temperature for today is what the normal high temperatures will be. -- would be. off a bitg to cool over the next few days. by the weekend, even a chance of

a couple of flurries. but it will be a gradual trend. millington, 40 degrees right now. and it's bird, made 40's. western maryland, a bit on the tilley side. mid to upper 30's where the -- where a flurry is possible by morning. 25 and the suburbs tonight, at 35 inner harbor. the front moving off the mid- atlantic. this will eventually drag some chillier air in our direction. a new storm is developing in texas, louisiana, and the gulf coast. showers are blossoming down here. it will be moving east toward us.

the wettest day appears to be thursday. temperatures might be hovering near trees -- near freezing if this rain arrives in the early morning. it will not be here long, but the potential is for sleet and freezing rain. further north into pennsylvania, sleet and snow look like lee. -- look likely. snow possible into friday morning. cold air will change the rain to snow in and -- in the mountains friday. tomorrow, just the fact that we have a northwest breeze and we will at some cloudiness, the temperatures will not be as mild, 43-48. about 40 in the mountains tomorrow and with a chilly rain on thursday, that could end up with snow showers by friday. eastern shore, sunshine and

clouds mixed tamara. temperatures in the 40's. -the 50's on thursday as the front moves across the lower eastern shore. in our area.rrow a cool front rows across the area by saturday. snow showers are possible by sunday and monday, with high temperatures back in the 30's. >> from the susquehanna banks sports dinner, this is 11 sports. -- sports center, this is 11 sports. >> the ravens have to hope they do not lose their defensive coordinator. he did interview with the indianapolis colts for their head coaching job today. they have not selected a time for when they will declare their new coach. can you bear losing him to the colts right now?

ray rice and terrell suggs will both skipped the trip to hawaii. rice has skipped the trip for family reasons. suggs has listed injury reasons. a couple of milestones ahead for the maryland men's basketball team this week. first, under duke tomorrow night. the turks will dedicate their home court to william prior to tomorrow night's game. the terps have won eight straight at home, but they have also lost their last three against duke. sturgeon understands the issues. >> i do not into the record. i never have.

am i pleased with the way we're playing right now? not really. i think we are leaving a lot out there. i think our shot selection is not great. i think our execution is not very good. i think there's a lot more in gas and i'm trying to get it out. >> it most fans are holding out hope that the orioles will pull off a major surprise and signed free agent prints fielder. this appointment today. he will play for the birds, the same team his father played for, but for a lot more money. he reportedly got a nine-year deal worth $214 million. it will pay him on average $23 million per season, more than twice as much as the top paid oriole outfielder, nick markets. -- nick markakis. today, flip saunders became the 13th coach in the last three decades to leave the wizard's

shy of the 100 mark. 17 games into his third season, the club floundered to a 2-15 start this season. saunders leads -- leaves with a record of 31 wins and 100 losses. randy wittman takes over as the head coach. the late 90's was the last coach to mark the post with the wizard. >> have you recouped some of your energy? >> annon and less. -- none and glass. the good news is, we will eventually get over this. the bad news is, it will be a long time. >> the forecast right after this. ♪

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>> coming up tonight at 11:00 p.m., all eyes on the nation's capital as president obama will deliver his third state of the union address, plus, reaction from state lawmakers. that is

>> very comfortable today for january. >> 59 degrees. but tomorrow night, it's still above normal for a couple of days. the rain comes in thursday, maybe a bit of sleet early in the morning. the bulk of that will end by friday morning. cold this weekend, but not too bad for the polar bear plunge on saturday. only a slight chance of a sprinkle, and then some flurries coming after the plunge for sunday. >> i your going to say a chance of floating ice on the water. [laughter] >> that would not be good. thanks for joining us. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

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