>> with that, the bill becomes law in january 2013. senate president mike miller opposes same-sex marriage. he told the chamber that his vote will be on the other side of history. when the official bill signing ceremony was over, he left quickly and the lieutenant governor filled his seat. those opposed are organizing a petition drive to get the question before the november ballot to let the voters have the final say. david collins, wbal-tv 11 news. >> it started out as a proposal to try and merge the university of maryland college park and the university of maryland baltimore. both schools agreed to what they now call an alliance. tim tooten is live in the newsroom with tonight's education alert. what is the difference between an alliance and a merger.

>> the alliance allows the two schools to accomplish the same goal while keeping their own identities. today that is what they agreed to. >> the college park president was the official cheerleader for the new partnership, one designed to tear down the economic -- and academic perry's that separated the two schools. >> university of maryland students will benefit greatly under this new plan. there will be many new initiatives, including a maryland scholars program derrek texted does not in there. the new alliance permits the two schools to realign programs in public health, law and public policy, bioengineering, medicine, and pharmacy. the changes, with a $45 million price tag over the next 10 years. the alliance is still work in

progress, at an both sides are still trying to iron out the wrinkles. the board of regents and chancellor are convinced it is a proposal with a lot of potential. >> we are unleashing too academic powerhouses that will have a profound effect on our state and the nation. >> the governor tried to tie the new alliance to america's future. >> it will put our stake in a much broader, competitive position to create new jobs of this new economy. >> the agreement stops short of an actual merger. >> it is going to be a very successful alliance >> it is a new name, and the program, but some say it appears headed in the right direction, at least on paper. >> there is a lot more to tell you about the new alliance. you can find it at our website,

wbaltv.com. tim tooten, wbal-tv 11 news. >> a 28-year-old man is accused of breaking into the university of maryland board and assaulting a female student. police say he broke into a cumberland hall residents on sunday. he reportedly assaulted and 80- year-old and tried to get away with some of her property. >> a home invasion and harford county leads the deputy hurt and one man under arrest. it happened a long john wrote in edgewood. shelton dutes is live in harford county with the latest for us tonight. >> the deputy is doing well tonight. he was released from hospital earlier today. he may have more surgery because of the deep cut on his arm. neighbors say they are relieved that he is doing well but they are not shocked that this

happened in their backyard. >> it is not surprising now. if you knew harford village like i do, cause i just let it rest. >> there is glass scattered near the spot where the deputy got injured while trying to apprehend a suspect. >> edgewood has got a lot of violence. >> that is why moved from baltimore. you just cannot escape anything. it is very unsafe around here. >> deputies responded to this home in edgewood around 10:20 last night to reports of a break-in. >> when we approached the home, and we did hear someone from inside and scream out. deputies forced entry into the home. >> get these arrested fleming and say he is facing drug charges.

-- deputies arrested fleming nick clegg >> our deputy was severely cut in his arm and wrist area as the individual was leaving -- as the individual was fleeing through the plate glass window. >> you could tell he was hurting. >> the deputy was released from hospital and is doing well, but officials say he will have to have more surgery on his farm because of the severity of his cuts. -- surgery on his arm. people like christiana plummer just want their families to be safe. crack's most of us around here, if we see something unusual, we will call the police. >> police only have a vague description of the third suspect who got away.

they are asking anyone with information to call metro crimestoppers. you don't have to give your name, and you could earn a cash reward. >> a 71-year-old loman was arrested when authorities at bwi discovered a handgun in her carry-on luggage. police say the woman was apparently traveling to see relatives and she told authorities she forgot she had the handgun in her bag. >> 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. >> the woman was identified as 71-year-old jane hoover. she was released on her own recognizance. >> a baltimore jury will hear claims in a $30 million lawsuit against two city police

officers. barry simms is live in the studio with details. >> a jury panel of 100 people did go to the court room, but the judge sent the panel away. most of the day was spent on pretrial motions. the families of the two men who were fatally shot of the lawsuit, along with jo white, who was injured. >> once a defendant, he is now part of a $30 million lawsuit against two baltimore city police officers. the wrongful death and malicious prosecution suit accuses the officers of negligence, assault, excessive force, and false imprisonment. >> the lawsuit was brought on behalf of those families seeking justice for the negligent killing and wounding of the three young men that were in that car that night, and for

daryl white, to save his good name. >> it was july 4, 2008 when a white, his cousin, and their friend raymond white were leaving the south baltimore union hall. after a shot fired into the air, three police officers investigated. the officers claimed they were the targets and that the shots were fired at them from this white ford taurus. officers opened fire, shooting more than two dozen bullets. raymond was struck in the head and white in the hand. he denied ever having a weapon. testimony revealed none of the officer saw him with a handgun. police never tested him for gunshot residue, and dna evidence was inconclusive. >> for almost three years, he thought those crimes to establish his innocence.

>> on may 5, 2011, white was released from prison. court of appeals overturned his conviction of conspiracy and carrying of the hinkle -- carrying a weapon in the vehicle. as a freak man, he hopes to prove to a civil jury that he is a victim of malicious prosecution. -- as a free man. >> i am feeling very confident and i am ready to put this behind me. >> the attorney for the our researchers declined comment today. because of sovereign immunity, both were dismissed from the case. >> and more comfortable and private experience will be offered for young patients. preview of the new wing, next. >> congress and contraception. while lawmakers were engaged in a heated debate over women's health care, coming up.

>> the ravens have begun making off season roster changes. >> stella in new england and a developing severe weather situation in the midwest, and some of it is moving our way. right now still mild, 56 at the okay, that looks great. were you profitable last month? how much money is in your checking account? have the browns paid you for their addition yet? your finances are scattered all over the place. mm-hmm. what are your monthly expenses? you keep your receipts in plastic baggies? seriously? [ announcer ] get it done and get it off your mind with quickbooks.

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x the senate strikes down a measure to reverse a controversial birth control office part of the president's health care law.

nikole killion has more on the controversy. >> stopped making women's health care a scapegoat. >> of controversy over contraceptives in the u.s. senate. >> with the respect, that is absolute hogwash. >> lawmakers rejected legislation that would have allowed employers to opt out of covering birth control of religious and moral grounds. >> imagine that, your boss is going to decide whether or not you are acting morally. >> i believe what this does is protect first amendment rights. >> democrats argued it was too broad and providers may have existed other medical treatments for women. >> they would no longer have to offer breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings. all they have to do is say i am sorry, we believe prayer is the

answer. >> gop members defended the calls and blamed it the obama administration for requiring the contraceptive coverage under the new health-care law. >> such a mandate poses a threat to our religious freedoms and presents the catholic church and other faith based organizations with an impossible choice. >> a choice that may be challenged next by the house. john boehner said they will, had to proceed on this controversy in washington. >> in a few weeks, a new children's hospital will open at sinai in baltimore create it has been in the making for eight years. hospital officials say it will offer patients and their families are more comparable in private experience. the new facility has an underwater cream that was designed by the same artist who did believing sees at epcot center. it features a heated water bed

in the play room, a nursing station and lights that change color. >> now, your insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> we all know whether guys are weird. this is more logical and the astronomers. just put the three winter months together. this is the seventh warmest meteorological winter on record. what everyone noticed was the amazing lack of snow. we could still build a little snow here, and the seasonal snow could change, but for december, january, and february, we have

only had 1.8 inches officially at bwi marshall. we had that storm way back in the fall, the end of october, and baltimore picked up a few inches. this does not include that. in that false alarm, the airport did not get much at all. today we start -- in that fall storm the airport did not get much. a little bit of last night's rain later after midnight. on march 1, 1952, and half a foot of snow came down. in 1972, it was 80 degrees for the record high. a little warmer in southern maryland, holding on to some 60's in cambridge. a little sea breeze developing at ocean city. oakland is at a cold 37. clear skies and the winds died down tonight, it will be called in baltimore.

it has been winter in full force in new england. a foot of snow in some of the melons over vermont and new hampshire. -- some of the mountains of vermont and new hampshire. all eyes now turn to the west where a new storm is rolling through the plains. if some of this moist, warm air down to new orleans starts feeding into the front, it could be active in some of those areas dealing with severe thunderstorms. we will see if we pick up more nasty thunderstorms to mark. that front will get here late friday night into saturday. tomorrow we will start with sun and then cloud up in the afternoon. by early evening, a chance for a shower. not as warm tomorrow, in the mid-50's. rain in the mountains tomorrow afternoon could mix with some snow as we get into the weekend, and it will turn colder over the weekend. thunderstorms on saturday and

then clearing out saturday night. ocean city has the best chance for some storms coming in friday night into saturday. worm through saturday afternoon and then turning sharply colder sunday into monday -- warm through sunday afternoon. once the front goes by, it will be a lot chillier. a high on sunday is only 48. monday temperatures will struggle to get out of the upper 30's. >> this is 11 sports. >> think of march as remodeling season for nfl rosters. the free agent period opens in less than two weeks. the ravens have apparently parted ways with quarterback chris carr. the team has not made an official announcement. he confirmed on his twitter account that the ravens have released him.

they will pursue other free agents. carr started only one game in 2011. on march 13, jarret johnson, numbered 35 will get plenty of attention from some of his former coaches. coach >> ryan reportedly wants johnson. the new falcons defensive coordinator -- 2 of the hardest players for the ravens to hold onto this spring. thomas receive something only one other sophomore has received before and she won the atlantic coast conference women's basketball player of the year award. thomas becomes the fourth ever to will win this award and the third to do in the past five years. she averaged 17 points per game.

the maryland women's team is right fit. the numbers on the men's team of keep working against them. the last long shot last night at chapel hill. it was not collegial last night. the turk pros were a within six points but carolina blue them out. -- the terps were within six points but carolina blue them out project blew them out. the orioles will play an intra squad game. showalter has a dozen decisions to make on his pitching staff. the orioles have to decide about the starting rotation.

johnson has struggled with some back problems this spring. his flexibility means job security, even if he doesn't know the exact job yet. >> the goal is just to be healthy for throughout the whole season. i have had some problems with that. things are starting off a little bit behind schedule. >> more on the weather with the forecast in just a minute.

>> a downtown landmark is set to be demolished. why baltimore city officials are taking down the skywalks at hopkins plaza. we will talk with an expert to break down the reasons for high gas prices.

>> it is the kind of day you would wish for if you ever wished for a day. >> the best first day of march ever. >> early in the history of 2012. >> a little color and some rain in the evening, and set -- saturday, maybe some showers and storms in the morning. highs only 38 on monday and a slow warm-up for the middle part of next week. >> that is it for our news. thanks for joining us. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

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