clinton came to town to witness the signing of a gun control bill. the event is open to the public. a standing-room-only crowd is expected. here is the scheduled lineup. senate president mike miller will make some comments, followed by house speaker mike busch, and then the governor. all the people you see on the steps are members of the clergy, families of same-sex couples. there are some lawmakers up there. this is an historic event for maryland and they are all here to witness the bill signing, as close as you can possibly get to it. this is what the same sex marriage bill does. it allows a same-sex couples to marry in a civil ceremony and get the full legal benefits as other legal couples. during debate over this measure, several supporters pointed out that it will end the state sanctioned discrimination. it extends legal protections to certain institutions for failing

to perform same-sex marriages. this is scheduled to begin at 5:00 sharp. you know how things go. we will bring back to the studio, and please join us when the ceremony begins, a bill signing ceremony of historic proportions, making maryland the eighth state to legally recognize same-sex marriage. david collins, reporting live from annapolis. >> maryland will join seven other states that have had -- that have passed same-sex marriage bills. we have extended coverage section on wbaltv.com. >> a jury has convicted a 37- year-old man in the brutal murder and sexual assault of a teenager whose body was found stuffed in a closet in 2009. davantay harris will be sentenced next month killing 16- year-old jason madison. the prosecution presented under

the details about the murder showing that madison had been slashed with a razor before being stopped in a bedroom closet at his aunt's house in baltimore city. it is the second murder conviction of paris. >> police have not specified how they think a silver spring man made his way into a dorm at the university of maryland college park. they are investigating the sexual assault of a student. oluwafemi charles is accused of breaking into the dormitory. police say he was trying to steal property while he was in her room and touched her without her consent. police are investigating a bold robbery in broad daylight outside of school in anne arundel county. a closer look reveals the suspect was inside the building just moments before knocking the victim to the ground.

lowell melser has the latest. >> anne arundel county police are calling it a highly unusual crime, not just because of where it occurred, but how it all unfolded. chesapeake academy is a private school with students ranging from preschool to fifth grade. it's it's of a rural portion in the 1100 block of baltimore and annapolis boulevard in arnold, not the kind of place where you would expect a violent attack and robbery. >> it appears he was looking for opportunity to commit this debt, which he later did. >> police said the suspect, a man in his late 30's, made his way into the school, claiming he wanted information about sending his child there. police say he made the whole thing up. >> he went into the school and asked for some unrolled an informational. we are looking at it as maybe that was an opportunity he was looking at to see if he could commit this theft.

he later committed the theft in the parking lot when he saw employees approaching another entrance. >> he forced her purse off her shoulder, knocking her to the ground. she sustained some minor injuries, and the suspect fled with her purse. >> they tell us nothing like this has ever happened there, and call the incident unfortunate. we are told that the 57-year-old female victim was taken to hospital as a precaution, and luckily sustained only minor injuries. >> please tell us that no students are other faculty were injured. the description is too vague at this point, but police are asking anyone with the permission on this crime to call metro crimestoppers. lowell melser, wbal-tv 11 news. >> tonight baltimore city homicide detectives are investigating a deadly shooting

itself with baltimore. investigators found an unidentified man suffering from gunshot wounds on windsor mill road on wednesday around 9:00. the victim was taken to hospital where he died. there is no word on a motive or possible suspects. >> the governor is about to sign that same-sex marriage bill. we will send it back to david collins, live in annapolis. >> he is about to do that any second now. the applause is because the governor poke his head out the door and went back in all of a sudden. this is going to be in any seconal. the governors father-in-law is here, the state adjourn the -- attorney-general is here, one of the openly gay legislators in the senate is standing on stage

and a baltimore city delegate is standing on the stage. they were supposed to begin this at 5:00. the crowd has fielded the first floor of the state house building, and as we mentioned before, the last time this happened was back in the late 1990's. there is a huge -- people are standing in the halls, very excited about this. camera phones are clicking left and right. cameras are going all everywhere. not to put a damper on the moment, but there is a reality check here. even with the governor signature, same-sex couples will not be able to get married in maryland under this bill until january 2013. organizers -- opponents are organizing a drive to trigger a referendum. the polls show voters are evenly

split on this issue. they must collect the ballots signatures by june 30. the bill signing ceremony is inching closer to reality. more people are crowding on stage. that would include the montgomery county delegate who was instrumental in drawing up the house votes needed for passage. please bring it back to us when this actually happens. david collins, reporting live from annapolis. >> we are coming off one of the warmer winters on record for december, january, and february. the seventh warmest on record. starting march with mild weather. temperatures have been mild, 50's and 60's around the baltimore area. a little chilly air in the mounds. not all locations to the east

are enjoying this mild weather. lots of snowfall in upstate new york into parts of southern new england. a foot of fresh snow on the ground in vermont with that storm passing by to our north this afternoon. severe storms are expected to roll back to parts of the midwest and south beginning late tonight and going into early tomorrow morning. that could possibly bring some hail and heavy rain, just days after a total of 20 tornadoes touched down all over the region, killing at least 13 people in the process. >> they are the sounds of survival. chainsaws, front loaders, and tractors. others gathered what they can by hand. the cannot clear with the haunting images of yesterday's deadly storms. >> i heard a cracking sound, and then a big explosion. >> charles turner's home was leveled. he and his wife were swept up

and thrown 50 feet. >> she was crawling out from underneath the dryer. >> a day after, looking at this twisted and mangled mess, it is far from ready to believe it all happened in the blink of an eye. >> people say it lasted 13 seconds, but it felt like it was 30 minutes. >> survivors understand, even with all that has happened here, they are the lucky ones. six victims were from the tight knit community of harrisburg. >> we have not seen a tornado since 2004. today is a sad day. people who were here 24 hours ago or in heaven today. >> i am nervous, shaky, i am tired. i just don't even have words for everything that i feel. >> there is not much that can be said here.

they are now worried about the latest forecast, including the possibility of another round of powerful storms as early as tomorrow. >> we do not want to go through this again, and we will do everything we can to protect our people. >> many who are already struggling to survive. >> the national weather service considers the threat of new storms so serious that have moved into a new weather expert, hoping to provide as early as a warning as possible for this already battered community. >> unbelievable, some of the damage. here at home, a rash of home invasions in a certain baltimore neighborhood have police on high alert and residents on edge. >> what you need to know to be safe, headed by:30. >> four loko is now blamed for a number of deaths across the state. >> i am rob roblin. a 71-year-old woman is caught trying to carry a handgun

through airport security. through airport security.

>> we are hearing that the governor has arrived at the podium to sign the same sex marriage bill. that's the back to annapolis. >> we want them to live in a

loving, caring, and committed home that is protected equally under the law. let's sign the bill. [applause]

>> the bill is done. [cheers and applause] >> a celebratory atmosphere in annapolis, as you can see a lot of very happy people, as maryland becomes the eighth state in the country to

recognize same-sex marriage. it looks like everyone there is very pleased. >> the governor came out with senate president mike miller and the house speaker. they got rock star treatment from the crowd. they sat down, the governor made some very brief remarks. he talked about maryland being made up of a free and divorced people, committed to the principle of religious freedom. he discussed the dignity of every individual and called the bill, this is equal protection under the law, and then dooley announced, let's sign the bill. it took little while to sign the bill. there was silence, the cameras were going off, and then you heard the applause when the governor announced the bill is signed. maryland becomes the eighth state in the nation to legally recognize same-sex marriage. they are allowed to marry in civil ceremonies, get the full

cut illegal benefits that other married couples have, and several supporters pointed out that this will in the state sanctioned discrimination. the bill extends legal protection to religious leaders and institutions, further limits punitive actions against religious organizations for failing to perform same-sex marriage. the petition has been organized to put this to a referendum. >> now to washington, republicans fell to block president obama's new boat control world. it requires -- requires all employers to offer contraception even if the employer objects on religious grounds. >> senate democrats say the obama birth control plan. after republicans failed to kill it. >> a sad example of election-

year politics. >> hospitals and universities run by religious organizations will have to include contraceptives free as part of employee health-care coverage, even if they are catholic organizations. >> it is a moral and religious issue that should not be interfered with by the federal government. >> mitt romney opposed the republican roll back yesterday, then switched. >> it violates the conscience of the church and the conscience of the individuals. >> rick santorum helped. >> my gut reaction would be used and for the per se amendment. you stand for freedom of religion. for >> these men are waxing eloquent about birth control and the fact that it is just a moral issue with them. they don't think women should have the right to have it. >> they see a winning political issue for the fall. >> we will make sure that women

across the country are aware that we and the democratic caucus will stand up to fight for their rights, as we always have. >> president obama says the democrat struck the right balance on the birth control rules. it will take credit on the campaign trail. republicans said they will warn americans that president obama really wants to tell them what religion they should practice. steve handelsman, wbal-tv 11 news. >> the federal trade commission is now looking over a wave of complaints about the carbonated group for local, not to some people as black out in a can -- the carbonated drink four loko. a national attention in 2010 after some college students for hospitalized after drinking it in new jersey and washington state. family and friends say that

exactly what happened to 13- year-old michael truelove before he became sick and fell lot of a moving car into traffic. she wants to warn -- his mother wants to warn other so that terrible accidents like that do not happen again. it may be awhile before you see those much talked-about graphic warning labels on cigarettes, if at all. a federer mccrary would have forced tobacco companies to print large images depicting the dangers of smoking on all cigarettes. some of the picture show smoke coming out of a hole in a woman's throat or mouth cancer. major tobacco companies had complained the image is force them to display anti-smoking material more than their on branding. >> now, your insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> welcome to the month of etly., coming in quit

the warm weather continues into meteorological spring, which begins march 1. we get hit 68 in downtown baltimore and the morning lows for very mild for this time of year. 61 downtown right now, 64 in westminster. kind of chili out west, opened at 39 degrees, ahead of some cooler air tried to children. by morning, it may be below freezing, 31. sunset this evening at 5:59. tomorrow the sun will go down at 6:00 in the evening. the days are getting a little bit longer. a sunny and mild day, but to the north, it is still cold in new england. in south central vermont, 12 inches of fresh snow there and wintery conditions across the northeast. we will keep an eye on activity a little further west. this brought -- the next brought

is rolling through the plains states. forecasts are monitoring this. as it gets into the ohio valley and parts of the deep south, they may deal with some more severe thunderstorms as the front is marching east during the day tomorrow. that brought should be here on saturday. will become cloudy during the day tomorrow after some early morning sun. afternoon showers may start to pop up. on the bay, east to southeast winds up with ways about 1 foot. eastern shore locations may have some showers tomorrow evening and a thunderstorm on saturday. thunderstorms and mild temperatures on saturday. it is going to get colder. breezy and colder and snow

showers possible sunday night into monday. monday's i only in the 30's. >> a 71-roman tried to bring a loaded handgun onto a plane, but never made it out of the airport here in baltimore. -- a 71-year-old woman curio. >> each of these rooms is designed with patient and family comfort in mind. i am jennifer

x one a 71-year-old lady checked her carry-on bag at security, there was a bit of a problem. >> police found a loaded handgun in her back. she was arrested and charged. rob roblin has the story. >> it happen here at bwi yesterday morning at around 8: 50. tsa agents caught a woman trying to carry a handgun through airport security.

the woman apparently was traveling to see relatives. she told authorities she forgot she even had the handgun. crack she was traveling to massachusetts to visit with family. the handgun apparently was in a bag that she had. she forgot the handgun was in her purse. she was extremely apologetic and embarrassed by the whole situation. >> koran the airport -- all around the airport or signs telling passengers they cannot carry handguns or knives. >> we have had no less than seven incidents where people have, brute with carry-on luggage -- have come through with carry-on luggage and there have been handguns in them. >> it is not just handguns that bind. >> there is an incident not too long ago were so much at 30 knives in their back half -- in

their bag. chinese or oriental throwing darts, mace, stun guns, those are just some of the things that come through at screening points. >> 71-year-old j. hoover was very apologetic and cooperated completely with authorities. >> nedney you should brace yourself on how much of google seems to know about you. >> starting today, a new privacy policy is allowing the company to dig even deeper. >> a live look tonight at history in the making in annapolis, maryland. details straight ahead. >> local deputies -- a local that he is recovering after

>> live, local, late-breaking. 11 news at 5:00 in hd continues now. >> three cases of breaking and entering in the past week in the greater baltimore area, the latest in harford county late last night. less than 24 hours later, the deputy is recovering and one man is under arrest. >> that piece try to apprehend a man along john wrote in edgewood. shelton dutes is live at the southern precincts. how is that there be doing tonight?

>> he was released from the hospital earlier this morning but is expected to have more surgery because the cuts to his arms were so severe. the search continues for that suspect who got away. >> it is not surprising now. if you can new harbor village like i know harford village, i would just let it rest. >> deputy tyler voss got hurt while responding to a break in around 10:20 last night. >> we did hear someone from inside and we approached a home screaming out. deputies forced entry into the home. >> deputies arrested the man. a second suspect was detained and released in the third suspect escaped through a back window. >> our deputy was severely cut in his arms and risk area.

-- in his arms and wrist area. >> is the were going 50 miles an hour. you can tell he was hurting. >> the officer was released from the hospital and is doing well, but will have to have surgery on his farm because of the severity of the cuts. neighbors in the community say they are fed up with a crime in their neighborhood. the edges of their families to be safe. >> most of us around here, if we see something unusual, we will call the police. >> police only have a vague description of that suspect who got away. that are asking anyone with information to call metro crimestoppers. shelton dutes, wbal-tv 11 news.

>> we continue to monitor our big story tonight, history in the making in the state of maryland. within the last 20 minutes or so, the governor signed the same sex marriage bill into law. david collins is live at the state house in annapolis, watching it all unfold. >> folks lined up on the first floor of the statehouse to get a photograph with the governor with the same sex marriage built still in front of him. this is the last group behind me getting their photo with the governor. after the governor signed the civil marriage protection act, he handed pens that he used to some of those responsible for passage of the bill in the general assembly. he talked about maryland being made up of a free and diverse people who are committed to the principle of religious freedom. he talked about the dignity of every individual and how important it is for children to

live in a loving, caring, and committed home. he pointed out that would benefit from the equal protection of the law under this bill. the ceremony here is officially over. you are looking at some last minute picture taking. the governor invited some of these folks over to the mansion for another reception. we will have more on the story coming up at 6:00. >> there were several people on twitter who noted that senate president mike miller was the one person at that signing table who did not seem to be happy about this. >> it is understandable. there are two things going on with mike miller. he consistently opposes same-sex marriage. the other thing is, he let it go through this chamber. >> several people had just noted that he was not very happy. >> i bet people noticed that as soon as the official ceremony was over, he bolted, and the

lieutenant governor took his seat. >> here is a look at some of our other top stories at this hour. war than a dozen are dead and hundreds of others injured after a deadly tornado outbreak swept across the midwest yesterday morning. hundreds of buildings and homes were destroyed. they must also now worry about another round of powerful storms. a severe weather specialist has come into the region to provide as early-warning as possible for those already battered communities. police said the suspect in an armed robbery in anne arundel county was inside the building just moments before carrying out the crime. authorities responded just before 10:00 yesterday morning, where a woman had been knocked to the brown and robert -- not to the ground and robert. the victim was taken to baltimore medical center for treatment. police are still looking for the suspect. a silver spring man is under arrest, accused of breaking into

a dorm room and sexually assaulting a student. 28-year-old oluwafemi charles was trying to steal property pro the 18-rolle victim, and while inside the room, he touched her without her consent. >> details on the it deadly aftermath of the burning of korans. >> the lawsuit against two baltimore city police officers. however police involved shooting led t

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afghanistan is becoming more and more deadly for u.s. troops. two more american troops have been killed, this time by an afghan soldier and his literacy teacher. it follows the debts of two senior officers who were killed saturday in kabul. six americans have been killed

in afghanistan and less than two weeks. more than 30 afghans were killed and six days protest over the burning of religious materials north of kabul. president obama has apologized, saying it was an accident. >> more details tonight about the ordeal of more than 1000 people stuck on board a crippled cruise ship for three days. the ship arrived at the seychelles today where it was towed after losing power due to a generator fire. pictures show passengers crammed above board on deck because of the lack of air conditioning that made staying in their cabins and possible. -- impossible. >> you would like to go the whole trip, two weeks more, on to italy. >> an investigation is underway

to determine like to more generators on board failed after the first one caught fire on monday. >> prices continued to march toward $4 a gallon. all eyes are on the president's energy policy and the impact of tax breaks on your wallet. >> march is finally here. that means it is almost time to think spring. we'll look at the impact on the cherry blossom season in washington d.c. >> there is still snow in new england, and another round of thunderstorms may be developing in the middle of the country, headed this way. right now, 60 degrees at the right now, 60 degrees at the

x coming up at 6:00, police heard a scream from inside when they responded to a home invasion. an incident that has one-family requesting $30 million. the reason behind a -- behind a proposal to merge the university of maryland college park and the

>> we are just weeks away from the most beautiful time for washington, d.c., a cherry blossom season. the national park service today announced the peak bloom dates from march 24-31.

7% of the trees will be in full blossom at that time. as we enter 2012, the tradition has been 100 years since the gift of 3000 cherry blossom trees was given to washington from tokyo, japan. the festival has been changed from two weeks down to more than five. >> it is important for people coming into town. crakes the average peak bloom date is april 4, but the mild winter is pushing it much further reduce much earlier. it -- pushing it much earlier. >> now, your insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> the cherry blossom 10 mile run is on april 1. usually that is a real highlight of the race. hopefully some of the blossoms will be left. the warm temperatures, the all-

time warmest was 1931 with a 45 degree average temperature for that winter. degrees.ter, 30.7 greec there have been warmer winters than this one, but it has been awhile. a remarkable lack of snow this winter also. 60 degrees in colombia, though it feels like spreading across the region on the first day of march. it gets a little bit colder as you get up into the mountains. it is quite mile down to the south, 66 at chris biele this hour. it will get chellie, -- chilly, 41 downtown. 60 degrees right now, 77 there in charlotte, north carolina.

there is a wintry weather in northern new england. several feet of snow in parts of the mounds boutique in the foothills -- immelt is in vermont. winter is trying to hold on to the extreme northeast part of the country. spring is marching across the midwest again. this front coming out of the rockies is expected to turn to thunderstorms as it hits the ohio valley. not good news for folks in kansas, illinois, kentucky. will have to watch it very closely. it could bring us a few thunderstorms friday night into saturday morning. house tomorrow, skies will become cloudy during the day after some early morning sun. even in the afternoon we might start to pick up a little bit of rain from that approaching system. as the price goes through friday night and saturday, went on the bay will are expected to get much stronger going into the weekend. tomorrow afternoon, a chance for

a shower. it will be mild on saturday. a friend of showers and thunderstorms, 63 degrees, but as the front moves by, a blast of cold air will comment and it will be breezy. sunday night, there could be some light snow or snow showers sunday night into monday. monday, the high is only 38 and will stay chilly into thursday with highs in the mid-40's. >> applications for jobless benefits fell last week to the lowest level in four years. according to it -- according to the u.s. labor party, weekly unemployment benefit applications fell to 350,000 applications. that is down from october. it indicates your people are being laid off. analysts say when applications be paul -- fall below that 375,000 mark, it usually means hiring is picking up.

google's keeping a closer eye on you. the companies new privacy policy takes effect today. merges 60 different privacy policies into just one. from now on, when you search the web using google, information will be collected and linked to your accounts. if ads will be more targeted to your preferences, but google will not sell your information to advertisers. >> you can set your settings not to receive advertising. >> google says it will only use the information to better customize your search results. gas prices have been on a steady climb for 23 straight days now. according to aaa, the national average for a gallon of regular is $3.70 four -- $3.74. in baltimore, from february to

march, consumers have dealt with a 20% increase in gas prices, to nearly $3.70 right now. republicans are seeking to use the energy issue to deny the president a second term. obama pledged to push back on that criticism during a trip to mitt romney spec yard. chris clackum has more. >> president obama found a curriculum where fuel efficiency is central. he then mocked republicans, who blame him for high gas prices, but used against him in the campaign. >> let me tell you, only in politics do people respond to bad news with such enthusiasm. >> holding hr himself, he told the crowd at a community college in new hampshire that although production is the highest in nearly a decade.

>> american dependence on foreign oil has gone down every year since i took office. >> for mitt romney, that is far from enough. >> he has tried to slow the growth of oil and gas production in this country. >> he says he would open up federal lands and more offshore territory to drilling, which newt gingrich also favors. again today, he touted his pledge of gas when elected. >> i want to maximize the development of american resources so that no american president ever again bouse something he cannot do. >> the president again called to an end to the subsidies to the oil companies. hess >> you can check gas prices wherever you go. download over free add up to your smart phone or go to

wbaltv.com give >> the lights are up, the trees trimmed, the stockings taming -- hanging over the chimney and they have been there since christmas. sergeant there'll buchanan's kids have been waiting patiently for christmas. their dad has been in afghanistan for a year, volunteering his time to create agricultural jobs for afghans. he missed a number of holidays while overseas, but his family said that would not let him is his favorite. his kids for keeping his presence wrapped until he came home. >> we have it better here than a lot of people realize. >> the family has six children. there'll says his job is now done overseas and he is back in america.

a $30 million lawsuit against a baltimore city police officers. there'll water returns to citicorp, no longer a defendant. -- daryl white returns to citicorp, no longer a defendant. >> this is one of the many amenities of 42 patients when they come in here. details are next.

>> the new children's hospitals just weeks away from opening at sinai hospital in baltimore. officials say will offer patients and their families a much more comfortable and private experience. jennifer franciotti has details. >> a heated water bed in the play room, a nursing station with blow counters for children and lights that change color. just some of the things kids and families will enjoy inside the new children's hospital at sinai. >> we have been looking forward to this for years. >> the 23,000 sq. ft. facility has an underwater team. it was designed by the same person who did the living seas at epcot center. >> we have a live feed from the aquarium on the big screen when you walk in. >> inouye hospital has 26

private rooms and the chair of the pediatrics department says the number one goal is comfort. >> this is a tough environment when kids are hospitalized. we wanted them to be relaxed. >> to make each room as comfortable as possible, the hospital asked for both parent and patient involvement. what they came up with, a lot to board for parents to keep their valuables, even a hair dryer in the bathroom. even undue build a bear store that everyone bge even a new store that everyone can enjoy. for the hospital that focuses on family centered care, every tspect was built with patienc in mind. for those who work here, they cannot wait for it to open. >> it is like a dream come true.

we just cannot wait. it has been awhile in the making. we are just so excited, and it is just weeks away. >> patients move then on march 19. >> that is all for us at 5:00. here is a look at what is coming at new at 6:00. >> the governor signs the same sex marriage bill into law. details, straight ahead. >> a deputy is recovering from injuries he got on the job. >> a $30 million lawsuit against to baltimore city police officers coming up. >> live, local, late-breaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news at 6:00. [cheers and applause]

governor martin o'malley has signed the same sex marriage bill into law. >> it makes maryland the eighth stake in the u.s. to do so. david collins is live in annapolis with a closer look. >> given the amount of hard work it took to get passage in the house, speaker bush did not make any statement. the governor got the reception of a rock star when he arrived for the bill signing. he said there is a thread that unites the story of our people. it is the threat of human dignity. -- the threat of human dignity. >> all of us at the end of the they want the same thing for our children. we want them to live in a loving, caring, and committed home that is protected equally under the law.