courtroom with more on the sentence. >> the judge said no, this case involves the right to vote and demand something more, at least for now. paul schurick apologized in court. outside, he spoke publicly for the first time. >> i just walked out of a courtroom. >> he authorized the robocall on election day 2010. it suggested the election was over. paul schurick was convicted of fraud because the call had no authority line. his sentence was a year in jail, but all but suspended. he will spend 30 days on home detention. he will perform community service. he will not have to pay a fine. the case has destroyed whatever legacy he hopes to leave behind

after 30 years of public service, he said. >> in addition to a mistake, the violation of the law, a profound personal failure. i have paid, and will continue to pay. >> he took responsibility for authorizing the call. it was written by a political consultant. he denied it was intended to suppress the black vote. he said the intent was just the opposite. >> it was aimed at motivating a few thousand african-american voters who had not yet been voted for bob ehrlich. >> this type of behavior is more than just a dirty trick. it is illegal and it will be prosecuted in the state of maryland. >> the judge told paul schurick that he condemns the act, but not him personally. he is willing to knock the sentence down to probation before judgment and the future.

-- in the future. >> an unexpected day off today in the murder trial of george huguely. one of his defense attorneys falls ill. >> an unexpected curveball at the george huguely murder trial, as one of his attorneys literally calls out sick. rhonda quagliani called out sick today. court was delayed from around 9:30 this morning. i took up 30, the co-counsel told the court she would not be returning today because she was too sick. her illness was on known, but she hopes the back in court tomorrow morning. this causes an interesting dynamic in the case. we're one day behind and there were hopes that the jury would it the case sometime this weekend. it appears that will happen sometime next week. just speculating at this point. it looks like that will probably

be the case. court is expected to begin sometime around 9:00 tomorrow morning. >> to a story broke on wbaltv.com this afternoon. we have learned what sanctions ulysses currie faces. the judge at the committee recommends that he be censured, apologize for its actions, and be banned from any leadership positions. they will vote on those recommendations tomorrow. a showdown over the same-sex marriage bill in the house chamber begins within the hour. 71 not be did 71 votes are needed for passage. -- 71 votes are needed for passage. >> stunning developments on an issue to close to call.

to republicans who have voted against it in the past now say they are for it. one of those republicans attached strings attached to the vote. and we have a democrat who favors the legislation, but she may miss the boat on friday because of emergency surgery. -- a vote on friday because of the emergency surgery. he bolted through another exit to avoid answering questions about his surprise decision to support the governor's same-sex marriage bill. delegate locked his office door. visitors to his office were not pleased. " just explain it. why is he hiding out? >> baltimore county democrat delegate is now playing coy. the guide accompanying him tried to block our attempt to interfere in. >> last time we talked, you were on the fence. >> we will have the debate today

and tomorrow. >> shortly after our encounter, we received any mail that he intends to vote in favor of the same-sex marriage bill. >> they want to share with some of the delegates there stand on traditional marriage. >> they say he will be tied up in meetings all day. he abstained from voting the bill at a committee to the house floor. >> is there any debate? >> republican leaders said this issue has bipartisan opposition and claims democrats, not the gop, remain divided. >> the democratic caucus is very split on the issue. they're having a tough time securing their own members. >> would anyone like to change their votes? >> the vote counters declined to give up numbers. some members said they will vote yes just to put a question to referendum. >> i think this is important

enough that everyone should have a vote. >> if there is no other way to get into a referendum, that would be a yes vote. >> late today, the delegates said his vote is contingent upon the passage of an amendment that would allow the bill to go into of fact later down its date from october to january 2013. the chamber is expected to start getting full of around 5:00 party tonight. >> just a few moments ago, the new jersey assembled did pass their gay marriage bill. that bill will go on to the governor, who is expected to veto it. >> police have arrested the driver of a tractor-trailer that overturned on i-95 last night. the 46-year-old man is charged with driving under the influence. the truck was carrying a large amount of a concrete solution. fire crews worked with local law

enforcement and has not crews to clean up the spill. the substance was not hazardous and no one was injured in the accident. one person is dead and another injured after a car crashed into a tractor-trailer. along southbound -- that is where crews say a car rear ended a tractor-trailer and burst into flames. there were four people in the the car and to people managed to escape without injury. the cause of the crash remains under investigation. a deadly fire inside an apartment building. the fire started around 7:15 last night on charles street. fire crews were able to rescue an elderly victim, but he passed away overnight. the fire was related to unattended cooking. >> bge has begun the long process to restore gas service bite those customers affected

by tuesday's gas main break. both the gas and water lines have been repaired. crews must now enter each of the 900 homes and businesses to turn the gas back on safely. public, the heat will be back on by this weekend because there is a chance -- hopefully, the heat will be back on by this weekend because there is a chance of winter weather. what is the deal? >> the trend is to move this storm farther south and miss us. the potential is still that we will get by with nothing. the big problem is there is no cold air in our region if you are wanting some snow. if you do not want to know, that is the big benefit. there is no cold air in the region. temperatures have been near 50 degrees. we are dealing with some rain. the system is way off to the south and west. this will be tracking out of

parts of the south and, rolling our way as we head into the upcoming weekend. the trap of the storm will be critical as it makes its way from the southern rocky mountain states. if it pushes a little farther to the south and stays in the carolinas, we could miss it altogether. it is contingent on a little bit of cold air filtering in saturday and sunday. that is what we will be watching. we will have another update in a couple of minutes. >> baltimore history will be made in italy this weekend as baltimore's archbishop is elevated to cardinal. we are the only area tv reporter. >> the last time we were here at st. peter's square was just a few short years ago. we were in at the square when the white smoke came from the chimneys signifying a new holy father had been selected. now the pope will celebrate 22

archbishops to the rank of cardinal. two of them from the united states and one of them are very on. -- our very own. tens of thousands have come here to witness this service and person. coming up tonight, we will tell you why this selection of a cardinal is such an important event in the life of the catholic church. >> you can see more videos from rome on wbaltv.com. we will broadcast the entire elevation ceremony live. at a saturday morning at 4:30 a m. >> a large group of students from to baltimore middle schools literally brawling in the streets. the police and the school system

are doing to prevent another scene. >> we are learning more details about the final farewell for whitney houston. but was expected to speak and sing at her funeral. >> it was apple juice, now researchers have discovered arsenic in another unexpected place.

>> the way emergency crews communicate with each other will be much clearer. the outdated 911 call center will be completely replaced with a brand new digital system. the $76 million project will greatly improve the way public safety members communicate with each other and with those in the community who need their help. >> for the citizen, what it means is clear communication, with greater coverage, and this one has -- this will enhance the safety of our public. it will officers to respond quicker and communicate directly. i see it as a great enhancement. >> the technology improvements include 18 transmitter towers. >> whitney houston will be laid to rest on saturday. police blocked off the street in front of the new jersey church

she attended as a child as mourners flooded the area. >> the colorful array of bowlines, flowers, and signs continues to grow outside of new hope baptist church. authorities are discouraging those same fans from trying to get close to the church during the service. >> i would advise the public that there will be nothing to see at the church. the best thing to do would be to stay home and watch the service on television. >> police will cordon off a two- block area on saturday. kevin costner is said to be one of the celebrities invited to join per family for the service. per godmother will be among those performing, as well as stevie wonder. >> we will celebrate her life to the standard in which she

deserves. this is a church and we will have some church. >> if will pay tribute to whitney houston a. and this morning's "los angeles times." >> i think she was a wonderful singer. this is a tragedy. she was not in public service, and i do not think it is appropriate. >> her accomplishments were reasons of great pride for many people in this state. on that basis, she is entitled to have the recognition. >> this evening, the newark paper is quoting an official.

>> researchers say strict parenting rules about alcohol use could suppress the teenager's desire to drink. previous studies have shown that alcohol related stimuli can trigger the impulse to drink among people who imbibe regularly. when parents set strict rules for their teenagers before they have had much experience with alcohol, it appeared to curb their impulse to drink, especially among boys. an alarming find for researchers and dartmouth university looked at different foods that used brown rice syrup as a sweetener and found arsenic. researchers say at least one formula sample had six times the legal limit of arsenic. right now, there are no federal laws restricting how much of the carcinogen can be in food.

arsenic is found in soil and has been linked to cancer and immune system problems. for some car buyers, that new- car smell is one of the best features. some researchers say it could be toxic. researchers at the apologies center analyze the chemical content of the nearly 200 new cars. they found 300 chemicals and the car's interior. people are exposed to those chemicals when they breathe and the dust in their car. the 2012 honda crv was the most healthy car interior. >> your insta-weather-plus forecast -- >> we have been dealing with some wet weather. the rain is moving off the mid- atlantic coast and across parts of delaware. we will continue to see that trend as the evening moves on. we will see a little bit of clearing behind this, a few left

over the showers. the almanac reflects a 10th of an inch of precipitation today at the airport and downtown. the morning low was 35, eight degrees warmer than what is normal. biggest snow storm ever rolled through on the president's day weekend of 2003, almost 22 inches. that was back in 2003, nine years ago today. this time around, it is just going to rain all the way up to pennsylvania. even western maryland, dealing with some wet weather. the showers of around baltimore will end and we will see some breaks in the cloud cover. we could see patchy areas of dense fog developing for a few

hours tonight. in western maryland, a little freezing drizzle or a few flurries may develop late tonight, early tomorrow morning. partial clearing, some fog. 31 to 38 for the overnight low. the wins will shift to the northwest tonight. temperatures will be mild again. there is no cold air in the lower 48. this front would be keyed to the weekend. it will deliver some cold air into the mid-atlantic and northeast trade you could have some winter weather in the mid- atlantic. a lot of the computer models right now are keeping that storm to our south. this appears to be the favored track. all the messy bothered with this as to the south. but the storm takes another track to the north, we could get

into a rain-snell mixture on sunday. -- rain-snow mixture on sunday. one computer model shows sunny skies over baltimore on friday, clouds moving and saturday, wet weather tries to move north. this case baltimore under the clouds. it is about a 50-50 shot. sunny skies, a breezy, a mile tomorrow. there will be no hint of winter in the area tomorrow. on the day, a small craft advisory. the seven-day, mild weather continuing tomorrow. increasing cloudiness, but still near 50 on saturday. the cold front goes through on saturday night.

the storm system passing by to our south might be close enough to give us some rain, we just have to wait and see. either way, the whole thing will be gone by presidents day. >> thank you. a popular candy maker is putting its products on a diet. >> it is the last act in a five month battle over president obama's proposed jobs plan. what is next in the debate over your payroll taxes? >> investigators sift through what is left from the hundreds prison. --

>> new questions regarding that a fire inside a prison in honduras that killed more than 350 people. witnesses say a crazed inmate screamed that he was going to burn the entire building and then set fire to his mattress. other prisoners --

investigators said it took firefighters more than 30 minutes are arrived on the scene. most prisoners were trapped in their cells. >> tensions are culpable in the middle east with the nuclear standoff between israel and iran. israeli leaders responded to claims by iran that they have made significant development in their nuclear program. netanyahu says sanctions are not working. his defense minister says it was a stunt on iran's part to convince the world it has gone beyond the point of no return. >> for the first time, we see signs of the impact of these sanctions, but the night -- but they might not suffice. >> israel and the united states say iran is trying to develop a

nuclear weapon. iran says it is ready to return to the negotiating table over its nuclear program after halting those talks over a year ago. >> how would you like to meet brad paisley? we will show you how to score some free concert tickets. >> fights break out between students in baltimore city. >> who am i not to fight? >> and university of maryland freshman texas battle with cancer public hoping to inspire -- takes his battle with cancer public hoping to inspire.

>> live, local, latebreaking. 11 news at 5 in hd continues now. >> students running wild in the streets. a brawl between schools leads to a crazy seen in the evening rush hour. we watched it all unfold and breaking news last night. students from two neighboring schools converged on a bus stop from -- in northeast baltimore. >> we are live in northeast baltimore with an update. >> police just left here about five minutes ago. they have been here all

afternoon. they are not talking about -- i am not talking about one or two police officers. i am talking about a lot of officers. >> any city police are having a heck of a time with these kids. >> this was the scene yesterday. the incident lasted about an hour. one local businessman at says fights have been breaking out between students in the area all week. >> hasn't been going on for a while? >> just this week. >> sporadic fights? a lot of fights? >> just school kids. >> this intersection is a major transportation hub for students from a number of different schools in the northeast corridor. officials say it is not uncommon to see large groups of students

at the intersection when school is out. yesterday, there were fights between the students all around the intersection. >> i think it is horrible. it is so terrible. they get out of school and it is the warm weather. as soon as it gets warm, they want to fight. it is terrible. >> it to police about an hour to bring the situation under control. today, there was a large police presence standing by in the area. officials tell me that the students are being identified who were involved yesterday. they face code of conduct consequences. >> here is a look of some of our other top stories. an unexpected day off in the jury of the george huguely murder trial.

testimony was postponed today because one of the defense attorneys is sick. testimony is expected to resume tomorrow. no jail time for paul schurick. he is the former campaign manager for bob ehrlich. he ordered the robocalls in the 2010 gubernatorial election. he will serve 30 days of detention and must perform 500 hours of community service. the ceo of indycar racing promises the next baltimore grand people -- -- grand prix will be a success. this city has tentatively entered into an agreement with a new operator for september's race. left the cityent empty-handed. >> the payroll tax cut extension is moving toward a new boat on capitol hill.

democrats are crowing about it and some republicans are growling. this is a bipartisan agreement that seems to be holding. >> we have reached an agreement. >> house republican and senate democrats made the final deal in the wee hours this morning. >> this is very important for a lot of people, 160 million americans. >> federal workers will not have to pay more toward their pensions as republicans had demanded. >> the deal extends to 2% cut in payroll taxes or through 2012. it renews its $300 a week extended jobless benefits for at least 63 weeks. it protects doctors from cuts in medicare reimbursements. house democratic leader nancy pelosi gave the credit to president obama. >> good morning. >> she said that he created the

drumbeat of forced republicans to make the deal. >> public sentiment is everything. the public supported a payroll tax cut for 160 million americans. >> republicans back off their demands for spending cuts and they're in no mood to credit barack obama. >> this is an economic relief package. the president's policies have failed and they have made the economy worse. >> the deal got signed this afternoon. both sides were smiling, even though no senate republicans have yet signed on. the deal, most agree, is done. a bipartisan deal. formal approval, the house and senate votes could come as soon as tomorrow. >> religious leaders flooded capitol hill today claiming the obama administration is violating the rights to religious freedom for requiring

that employees of religious affiliated institutions have access to birth control. >> it is a hot-button issue inside merrill lynch religious community. -- maryland cost religious community. > mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans and their families is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. usaa. we know what it means to serve.

>> nancy pelosi is criticizing house republicans for having a hearing on birth control that included little to no testimony from women. the oversight and government reform committee hosted the hearing to discuss the obama administration pause decision requiring allegis affiliated institutions to offer birth control coverage as part of their health care plan. of the 10 witnesses, not one was a woman. >> that is a good question for the whole debate. where are the women? where are the women on that panel? they're having a panel on women's health and they do not have any women on the panel.

>> on friday, the president modify the policy saying insurance companies, not religious organizations, pay for the contraceptive costs. that decision did not satisfied the religious leaders who testified at today's hearings. >> the momentum continues for santorum. he is leading mitt romney in the michigan primary. the detroit news survey has santorum with 34% support and mitt romney with 30%. gingrich and paul lag far behind. mitt romney was born and raised in michigan. santorum will compete aggressively to win the state. it takes place on february 28. >> the man who tried to blow up an international flight with a bomb in his underwear will spend the rest of this life in prison.

he was sentenced today. he pleaded guilty to the charges last fall, calling the bombing a blessed weapon to avenge poorly treated moslems around the world. the nigerian man tried to set off a bomb on christmas day 2009. passengers pounced on him. an attorney called today's sentence cruel and unusual. >> the number of people seeking unemployment benefits down to the lowest level in almost four years last week. that is just the beginning of some positive economic news. it is not all good news, especially for fans of southwest airlines. the fares are going up again. >> i am strong as ever. i feel great. >> a story of courage above and beyond. >> range moving out of the picture tonight. we are in for some mild weather for friday and saturday.

the big question is sunday. it is 45 degrees at the airport, 47 downtown. d

>> within the next hour, a special session of the state house will get under way attacking the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. we are live and annapolis with the very latest. a ruptured tractor-trailer fuel tank turned early-morning traffic into a headache. after a month of investigating the state joint senate committee it releases its investigation

>> maryland men's basketball team returns to the court tonight. one young man has made it clear the meaning of success has little to do with the score. we have this amazing story from college park. >> for the first time in my eight years, we are allowed into a maryland basketball practice. we are here to learn about - zaching. >> that is kind of where -- he wants to be an inspiration for everybody. >> he is a tough kid. you do not see that every day. >> the maryland freshman battles brain cancer for the second time

in his life. after coming out of surgery last month at johns hopkins, he struck the iconic pose. >> when i am coming out of surgery, my one thought is, i hope nobody is worried about me. i hope they are not worrying about me. the first thing i did, i said, dad, take a picture of me. i did oppose. if you work at all worried that i would be ok, i wanted to make it a very clear that here i am. i feel great. >> it caught on as a source of inspiration. showing a vision and composer well beyond his years, he ran with it. >> there are seven-year-old add nine-year-old in hospitals with cancer.

what i hope this brings awareness. >> he calls the cancer incredibly, a blessing. another chance to prove his worth. >> who am i not to fight? >> relentless determination, here's to would going global. >> your insta-weather-plus forecast -- >> it was nine years ago today we were right in the middle of baltimore's biggest snowstorm ever. it was the blizzard of 2003. it was a three-day storm. february 16 was the worst of it. almost 22 inches of snow on that one day. the storm totaled 26.8, making it the biggest all-time record in baltimore. some of these suburbs topped 30

inches nine years ago. what a difference nine years can make. temperatures are nowhere near cold enough for snow today. even western maryland, low 40's at this hour. the rain shower activity will continue to press off the coast. we have a few more sprinkles out west. it might turn cold enough in the mountains to produce a snow showers or freezing drizzle in the colder valleys. east of the mountains, we expect partial clearing. the wind shifting to the northwest. areas of fog may form as the skies began to clear. this front will slip off the coast and push all this mr. away. it will allow high-pressure for friday and part of saturday. you can see that temperatures do

not drop dramatically at all. even at international falls. a lack of cold air it means as the next storm approaches, it is a rain-snow mixture potential. we're sure not -- we're still not sure of the exact track of the storm. if the to combine, we could get the winter weather, but is too far off to tell. one of the favored tracks appears that the storm stays down in at georgia. we will just have to wait and see. this computer model is one of are more reliable ones. clarence skies tomorrow, increasing cloudiness -- clearing skies tomorrow, increasing cloudiness on that saturday. this is a split decision right now, a 50-50 shot the we will get some wintry weather.

sunny skies tomorrow, a breezy day tomorrow. a small craft advisory on the day. -- the bay. partly cloudy skies on saturday. sunshine and 50's tomorrow on the eastern shore. ocean city, some sunshine tomorrow after some morning fog. seven-day forecast, temperatures stay above normal as the storm approaches. a cold front goes through on saturday night. rain or wet snow on it sunday. sunny skies on president's day. >> to the latest in the fight to curb distracted driving. regulators are urging car makers to design-board technology. electronic warning systems and alert drivers to potential collisions or lane changes would be exempted from that

recommendation. the guidelines include recommendations on how to make- door devices less distracting and time-consuming to use. >> some good news on the economy tonight. an american auto company is posting record profits. unemployment claims for the lowest they have been since 2008. largest auto maker, general motors, posted earnings of $7.6 billion last year. the biggest profit in nearly two decades. flint,sembly plant in mich., for the first time in two years, the overnight shift is back up and running. 750 new full-time jobs with benefits. >> i have peace of mind. >> the iconic american company still has a long road ahead. the government still owns a big share of stock. to allow motorists still owes

billions from the bailout. mitt romney works to rev up the crowd in his native michigan, given a nod to the come back. >> i am glad it went through a managed bankruptcy process. >> santorum kept the heat on president obama. >> this is a president who is suffocating this economy. this is a present to does not care about you. >> there are signs companies are starting to hire again. jobless claims fell to their lowest in nearly four years. economists point to stronger retail and auto sales along with gains in manufacturing, as good indicators the country is heading in the right direction. >> we have runs -- we have had runs of strong data before. this looks like a good indicator. >> one of the hurdles, rising gas prices. they're expected to soar this spring did when increased demand from booming countries like china and ongoing conflict with

the middle east. >> state comptroller kicks off shop md. energy. this is a tax-free weakened on select energy star products. beginning this saturday, and running through the night on monday, md. jurist who purchase energy star products will not have to pay the 6% state tax. " appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, programmable thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs. commented these appliance stores this weekend and said the 6% sales tax. >> the energy star label was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. no breaks for airline passengers. southwest has raised its air fares by $10 per round trip.

american, delta, u.s. airways have matched the increase. more pets died on the delta air lines than any other airlines last year. that is up from 16. a spokesperson says the loss of any package is unacceptable. -- pet is unacceptable. >> a popular counted maker is putting its candy on a diet. sodium levels will be reduced by a quarter by 2015. the company says the goal is to improve the nutritional value of its products. his career in politics destroyed in a matter of minutes. a former top aide to bob ehrlich breaks his silence about his role in those controversial election day robocalls.

>> the maryland food bank is getting a big boost from a brown paisley. we will tell you what he is doing

>> broad paisley is coming to baltimore next month -- brad paisley is coming to baltimore next month. >> he is helping the maryland food bank boost donations through a special virtual food drive. >> they are moving pallets of

nonperishable at the maryland couldn't -- food bank, but the shelves are bare this time of year. there is an easy way to donate online. >> you go on line and you order cases of food at wholesale prices. your money goes so far. >> a huge help in this spring, this guy. brad paisley will perform at the band. d perry. >> whoever spent the most number of dollars, the person who places the largest order will win to front-row tickets to this concert. >> you also have a chance to meet brad paisley by dunning early. >> -- by donating early. >> they can enter to win to premier seats.

>> maryland food bank ceo says to have such celebrity power is sure to bump up donations. she said if everyone got into the concert donates $1 -- >> it would mean $14,000. 35,000 pounds of food. brad paisley, we love you. >> if you would like to find out how to donate online, you can go to our website, wbaltv.com. >> you are not eligible, by the way. that is all for 5:00. >> stunning developments today in the battle over same-sex marriage. >> we are live at the courthouse, a former aide to bob ehrlich is sentenced and speaks for the first time about those infamous robocalls.

[captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news at 6. >> the state joined at the committee has spoken at it wants a public apology from ulysses currie. details are straight ahead. our big story tonight happening just minutes from now in annapolis. lawmakers will begin debating a bill that would make same-sex marriage legal in the state of maryland. >> there have been many twists and turns. david collins is following the action. >> high drama today on an issue to close to call. here is the latest. as to take a look at the activity, members are filing into the chamber. two republicans now support the deal. -- the bill. prince george's county democrat veronica turner will not be veronica turner will not be