>> i can support the civil marriage protection act because civil marriage is not synonymous with religious marriage. >> good evening, everyone. the debate over same-sex marriage is our story tonight. >> we begin tonight with an insta-weather-plus forecast alert. >> it has been a mild winter. it was not that way a few years ago. remember when the snow would not stop? on the 10th of february, 2010, it was a chore to dig out. the skies were blue. 50 inches of snow and one month two years ago. that record snowfall is just a

distant memory. there is a winter weather advisory in effect for the northern tier counties. baltimore, carroll county, a frederick county. warnings are in effect. you'll see there is a light rain around baltimore and the i-95 corridor. we have had reports of some light snow around westminster, frederick, southern pennsylvania. there is more to come, all covering the ohio valley. that is going to take all day tomorrow. details on that and the complete weakened outlook coming up in a few minutes. >> if you are making plans, futurecast shows when this dries -- when the skies clear. it is all on wbaltv.com. >> the marathon debate over same-sex marriage today.

a joint house committee listened to hours from testimony from gov. martin o'malley. david collins joins us live from annapolis. >> this hearing is just now wrapping up. 10 hours long. advocates on both sides offered personal stories and legal arguments. some expressed concerns about teaching alternative lifestyles in public schools. >> opponents tested the patience of some legislators by framing their argument around stereotypes. one told the committee, people are not born gay or lesbian. he says being a victim of child molestation made him a day, but he is not any longer. the issue also brought out the worst in people. the parents of syrup, a 14-year- old -- sarah, a 14-year-old to

spoke out, are worried about her safety. earlier in the day, gov. martin o'malley defended the bill. many believe they provided game changing testimony. >> if gays and lesbians are denied certain rights, why not also denies certain rights to those heterosexuals who commit adultery, have been divorced, had had an abortion? >> this rev. declared marriage is a christian union between a man and woman and he will refuse to marry a same-sex couple. >> notwithstanding my personal beliefs i can support a civil marriage protection act because civil marriage is not synonymous with religious marriage. >> legislator engaged the governors would several lively

exchanges. what would be the harm before putting this before the voters of the state? >> people have spoken and a very personal sense by sending each of you here to make decisions. >> that seems to be in conflict that we would ask about the gambling but we will not ask them about something called marriage. >> i do not believe on an issue as important to individual rights that we should abdicate our responsibility. >> the real battle is holding on to the votes. we have the votes on our side. >> this committee is expected to send the governor's bill to the house floor. those believe a dozen legislators are on the fence. the vote counters will only say the vote is close. as many of six are shy from passage. >> thank you. tonight, the white house is back

pedalling after a firestorm erupted over a new rule that required religiously affiliated employers to provide contraceptive coverage for their employers. -- employees. the president says the change protect religious liberty while ensuring that women will not be discriminated against in the workplace. >> the bishops have painted this issue of requiring contraception be provided through church run hospitals and schools as being an issue of religious freedom. that is not something you'll win when your president of the united states. >> the new policy will take effect in august of 2013. it has already won support from both the catholic health association and planned parenthood. >> the u.s. cardinal of bishops is withholding their support until it sees details. the archdiocese of baltimore --

when i asked about the obama administration's new regulation number it's true -- birth control, he said the biggest issue was the government forcing catholic institutions to do things they considered immoral. >> it was our anniversary. baltimore is no longer a catholic community. it is good that all of us are reminded. >> we apologize for the difficulty with the audio. the cardinals elect says the biggest issue was that government attempting to force caplet institutions to do things they considered immoral. a formal ceremony will be held to the vatican next saturday. i would beginrome for that. >> -- be in rome for that.

>> hundreds of marylanders are seeking help. maryland is set to receive $960 million after the state's attorney general reached a settlement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers. that money is available for homeowners who are seeking refinancing and belief and payments to those who homes have already been foreclosed upon. >> everyone who called had a story about what had happened and what they were experiencing. they were at decided there was something to get some type of assistance. >> if you are seeking information about the settlement or need help to stop a foreclosure, call the state attorney general softness -- the state's attorney general's office. >> serious damage, but no serious injuries.

we were over the scene of a car crash. the driver apparently lost control and ran into the house around noon. >> it was another emotional day in charlottesville at the murder trial of george huguely. he broke down for the first time. we have more on today's proceedings. >> some key evidence in the case today, including his conversation with investigators hours after yeardley love was found dead. his videotaped statement sparked emotion and tears from the accused killer and yeardley love's family. she said george huguely had been drinking the day before his statement.

the two had recently learned that the other had been unfaithful. he went to yeardley love's apartment to talk things over. he said, she kept hitting her head against the wall. he responded, i never strangled her. i may have grabbed her neck. about 30 minutes into the tape, the detectives told him that she was dead. he response, she is dead? no, i did not. he starts shouting and crying. please tell me she is not dead. love was found dead in her apartment almost two years ago after her head was repeatedly slammed into a wall. defense attorneys claimed that she died by taking aderol and drinking alcohol.

witnesses have testified that george huguely and yeardley love had a volatile relationship. he claims he never punched her strangled her. >> our interactive timeline details the events leading up to the trial and you can sign up for free e-mail alerts. we will send you any mel wants the jury reaches its finding. that is at wbaltv.com. a man accused of killing his mental hospital bromates has been declared competent to stand trial. his attorney says his client was being sexually abused and acted in self-defense. he was committed to perkins in 2006 after he was found not criminally responsible in the death of a bethesda psychiatrist. >> video recording of police officers on duty is ok in public. and you roll on the issue addresses situations like this.

-- a new ruling on the issue addresses situations like this. it shows police detaining one man when another man comes out of nowhere and attacks the officer. it comes days before federal court hearing over a man who says an officer confiscated his cell phone and deleted images taken of an arrest at the preakness in 2010. >> there is a case of serious of power ball fever going on. the jackpot is now $325 million. with the recent lottery win, it seems like maryland might be the place to get your ticket. >> the last time we had was for $128 million in christmas eve. we also had one end december and hartford county. they have been winning all over the place. >> you can catch the power of all drawing tomorrow night at

11:22. >> there is the mega millions jackpot. it is $41 million. you can catch that drive tonight at 11:22. so there. >> do not count out grazing on the streets of baltimore just yet. there is an announcement from the mayor's office. >> of philadelphia has of -- new questions about the mayor's use of the skybox. >> a special common the recognition of his contribution to civil rights. >> a winter weather advisory for the northern suburbs. some rain and snow are on the way for the weekend. it is relatively mild here in town.

>> the baltimore mayor has announced the city will enter into 85-year agreement with a new motor sports promoter. -- a five-year agreement with a new motor sports promoter. the city canceled its contract with baltimore racing development last year after the company did not pay an estimated $12 million in debts owed to investors, the city, and the state. >> the mayor says there is no governing policy about its use. jane miller takes a look at one city that does have rules about how the skybox is used. >> near stephanie rawlings

blake knowledge there are few rules governing the tickets. the guest list shows most skybox tickets went to the mayor's family, political friends and supporters, and staff. even her campaign officials and professional fund-raiser were included. >> i am sure you would like to think there is some philosophy that those behind it. >> that is not the case in philadelphia. that city uses specific roles. a spokesman for the mayor says the rules were put into effect because too many tickets were going to political friends and insiders. it spells out how many tickets go to whom. for a football, 6 go to the mayor, to to city employees, the rest to nonprofit organizations. no tickets can go to city contractors and no ticket can be used for political fund-raising. the philadelphia policy requires

public disclosure of everyone who uses the skyboxes on a quarterly basis. >> baltimore could benefit from a policy that is similar to that. >> she is with a watchdog group, common cause. >> the reason why the skyboxes exist for the city's benefit is because it -- is because of taxpayer money. they really should be used in a way that highlights things that benefit the taxpayer. >> we ask the press secretary whether a skybox policy was under consideration. he refused to answer. instead, he complained about our coverage about this story. >> maryland congressman elijah cummings received honors today for his work would civil-rights. he was given an award today at

howard community college. he is the ranking member of the house committee on oversight and government reform. >> insta-weather-plus forecast -- >> we have had mostly light rain here in town would temperatures in the upper 30's. as you travel north and west, there has been some snow mixed in with the rain. especially in westminster and northern frederick county. the reports have been mostly trace amounts of snow. you see some snow showers from detroit to the cincinnati area. picking them some snow and rain showers all the white south. this system is going to take its time -- there is a western

system coming at us. an arctic front is coming in here. that will not get here until tomorrow evening. in baltimore, it turned out a little warmer than normal. 46 at the airport, 49 downtown. record low for this day on the coldest day ever in the baltimore, 1899, 7 below zero. that is unheard of in baltimore. 15.5 inches of snow as the blizzard of 2010 were winding down. this time around, it is light snow in the forecast. winter weather advisories. warnings in western maryland. this storm system, area of low pressure south of us, producing light rain and snow mixture. behind it, there is an arctic

cold front with a burst of snow showers. look how chilly it is behind us. we will feel some of that arctic air briefly on sunday. 33 in hancock right now. mid-40's on the lower eastern shore. north and west, we will have the best chance for snow accumulation. we're talking an inch or two. rain mostly south and east of annapolis, down toward ocean city tomorrow morning. in an arctic front comes in with a second burst of snow showers. the overall storm total is an inch or two for most areas. you will see some darker blue in parts of carroll county and frederick county. they could approach that three- inch mark. western maryland gets more

substantial snow, 6 inches out there. snow showers in the morning. winds shifting to the northwest. temperatures will be falling late in the day. 20 on sunday. four to 8 inches of snow out in garrett county. eastern shore, snow showers tomorrow night. flurries on it sunday. the same transition at ocean city. look at that cold air in the upper midwest. that is coming our way for sunday. 39 tomorrow, 36 sunday. we born into the 40's on monday and tuesday. -- we warm up into the 40's on monday and tuesday. could some of you will be thinking of your sweetheart this weekend. here is a four-year-old with a nice message of love. this is a seven-year-old.

you can share your valentines photos on wbaltv.com. >> one of the best college basketball atmosphere's we have seen in years. >> across america, it is in that got millions. >> it is friday, february 10. the jackpot is estimated at $41 million. he must have these five white balls. let's see if we can make you a millionaire. 4, 50, 18, 3, 29, megball is 20.

>> for the first time ever,

basketball- loyola's new what to do with the spotlight tonight. crazy atmosphere. look at this. to this is what college basketball is all about. rj williams. this place is rocking. down it goes. everything going their way. wicked layup off the glass. that is home court advantage. watch this move. sleight of hand, cannot touch that. the 25-point lead. loyola takes over sole

possession. 87-81. >> i thought the crowd was great. i want to thank the baltimore committed to. a lot of our fans are baltimore people that like a basketball. >> a far different mood in college park. the terps have lost howard for the rest of the season for a torn acl. this latest entry comes at the worst possible time. maryland plays duke tomorrow afternoon. they wait to find a job whether or not danielle brian will return to the team. -- danny o'brien will return to the team. that could help to lure o'brien

back next season as well. he chose rutgers over maryland and several other schools. ray rice had some influence on his choice. >> i did have a chance to talk to ray rice. he told me about the relationships i have with the players and where i feel comfortable. >> the orioles general manager issued a apology to date to the south korean baseball association. he apologized for what he called an unintentional breach of protocol when they signed teenager kim seong-min without getting the prior approval. no approval date for today's.

to make room, they designated outfielder for the assignment. stay with us. we have some snow in the seven- day forecast.

>> not much snow.

>> the roads are still warm. we do have winter weather advisories in northern suburbs. that is where you will have an inch or two of snow. be careful. windy and cold weather comes in behind this on sunday. this cold does not stick around for very long. temperatures warm up again. it could be close to 50 by the end of next week. a couple inches of snow, cold weather. >> it will be one of the pretty snows. not messing up the roads. >> gentle. >> by this time tomorrow night, it will be tomorrow night. >> thank you very much for joining us. we will see you back for tomorrow. good night.

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