[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 noon. >> good afternoon. i am sarah caldwell. new numbers and unit showed the u.s. economy continues to add jobs. the unemployment rate stays steady, the lowest it has been in three years. tara mergener has the latest. >> as expected, the jobless numbers are a steady, once again and 8.3% to 227,000 new jobs -- 227,000 new jobs were added to the economy last month, but gop presidential hopefuls are

blasting the president's economic performance. 5.5 million americans out of work for six months or more. nearly if you are unemployed candidates for every job opening in the country -- nearly four and apply candidates for every job opening and a the country. >> there are millions more having eight tough time making the right, paying the mortgage or for gas or groceries. >> exit polls showed the economy as the one issue for republican voters. >> once we give the barack obama, this economy will start turning out and -- with the defeat of barack obama, the economy will start turning around. >> we can have a positive future of the country if we get back on track. >> the unemployment rate dipped from 8.7 to 8.3%. >> confidence is up and the economy is getting stronger. >> experts say that one reason

the numbers are down is because many have stopped searching for work. only those actively looking are counted among the unemployed. president obama heads to the manufacturing plan today to talk more about the economy -- a virginia manufacturing plant to talk more about the economy. >> video in to our newsroom from sky team 11 -- a crash in the rosedale area involving a police vehicle. right now no word on a cause or any injuries. >> yesterday at this time, temperatures were in the 60's and beginning to climb into the 70's. a little different story today. only 50 at the airport right now. winds gusting to 18 miles an hour. here is a chart showing where the winds are. starring as guests in the red-

and yellow-shaded areas. blue shades route in the baltimore area and chesapeake bay. cooler breeze. we will talk about the weekend forecast coming up in just a second. >> that is, john. state police in calvert county and sheriff's deputies are investigating a gruesome discovery in frederick. someone reported that the body of a newborn infant was found in the trunk of their car. it is not clear who left the child there or if there's any connection to the owner of the car. the child's body has been taken to the medical examiner's office for an autopsy. towson students come together to clear the air. tensions have been tight since racial slurs showed up on sidewalks. >> a student group has taken responsibility for writing the words "white pride' in chalk on

campus and last 94 was held on the issue. >> to come all the way to towson and feel like this is the most insecure, unstable environment. >> hi, everybody. i'm matt heimbach. you all know me. i feel the hate. >> dressed in white t-shirt with the confederate flag, matt heimbach spoke for the group youth for western civilization. he defended their actions. >> after black history month, which we respect everyone's right to celebrate their heritage, what would happen if we celebrated our own pride? our chalkings were defaced and we are holding a huge meeting. >> the goal is to talk about this is an express thoughts and concerns. >> as a baltimore city resident, i felt safe in my community. as i come to towson, i do not. when i see things like "white

power," i don't know what to feel except tears. >> why is it celebrated if i am a proud cherokee, proud jesus freak, proud to be female, but it is criminal to say proud to be white or straight? >> this is what college is all about, giving them an opportunity to discuss, debate, learn from each other and come to their own conclusions. >> matt heimbach, listed and you saw on that piece, it said that he and other members of the group have been threatened as a result of the ridings but there have been no reports of actual violent outbreaks. >> another no-confidence vote in anne arundel county for public service union members. this time it was the firefighter's union who weighed in on fire chief john ray, saying they have no confidence in his leadership to the union said the chief neglected staffing and safety issues, failing to meet national standards in some areas.

there was a vote of no- confidence in the police chief and county executive john leopold. >> this sends a strong signal. it says that we have no confidence in our leadership, they need to step down. that is a strong message for rank-and-file police officers and firefighters to said their bosses. >> the fire union says that the votes prove that the county government is dysfunctional. in our "session 2012" coverage, the general assembly is one step closer to raising income tax rate. a committee approved a budget plans the that, among other things, raises income tax for most marylanders by 0.15%. those making half a million at year or more would see as 0.25% increase trade it would add a sales tax to online purchases, but not online music sales. it also includes the governor's plan to increase the wholesale

tax on cigars and other tobacco products. here is how the proposed increase would in fact your paycheck if you make $50,000 a year, he would be paying an extra $6.25 a month. incomes over $150,000 a year would have $18.75 a month more taken out of their paychecks. there will be -- they will be talking about medical marijuana in annapolis today. one of the bill's being hurt would create a medical marijuana commission -- being heard would create a medical marijuana commission. it would include new rules part approved merkel marijuana programs. a new poll is out on the other big issue of the session, same- sex marriage. a poll of voters by marylanders for marriage equality shows that 52% of maryland voters would

support it if the referendum were held today. 44% say they to vote against it. opponents need to attain 56,000 signatures in the petition drive to put the game marriage law on the ballot for a referendum. as the budget battle rages on in baltimore city, administrators warn that tougher times are ahead. the school system is facing a $35 million budget deficit, due in part to teacher pensions, employee benefits, and labor costs. the city schools ceo warns that the school district will have to learn to live with less. >> roughly 80% of the district's budget is in teachers, personnel, our custodians, ground crews. it is all about how we are going to pay people for competitiveness and manage a budget where we can get more dollars of a single year. >> the system has cut jobs to bridge gaps in the past. there is no word were additional

cuts will come from this time around. maryland senator barbara mikulski will make history tonight as the recipient of a special board. she is the first non-african american received the harriet t ubman lifetime achievement award. she played a key role in securing nearly $1 million in federal funds for the establishment of the harriet tubman the underground railroad historical park in dorchester county. the legislation she supported also is that this is a historical park in auburn, new york. seven people shot, one person killed, and the question now is who is the dunman -- gunman. we track the latest from pittsburgh. "fashion star" premieres

at progressive, you can bundle your home and auto policies and save. don't worry, tiny people. flo is a gentle giant. bundle home and auto at progressive.com. >> a psychiatric clinic is back open today with extra security after the deadly shooting yesterday. it happened at the university of pittsburgh. a man had two pistols and shot seven people. when it died. campus police shot and killed a suspected gunman. they still know who he is because he was not carrying id

and his fingerprints were not in the school system. an investigation into a gun and drugs ring has led to a massive bust by baltimore city police. city police executed four warrants in the city, one in the county, and one in a storage unit. they ended up seizing 16 guns, a large amount of heroin and cash, and bulletproof vests. they arrested three people. still to come, nbc is looking for the next fashion star. plus, can you believe in has been one year since the disaster in japan? this earthquake and tsunami changed the country forever. >> not much out to the west. things will be quieting down and cooling down. the insta-weather-plus forecast is just ahead.

quite a bit colder t

>> this weekend marks the one- year anniversary of the disaster in japan. the earthquake and tsunami left the island nation in ruins. >> good morning to you. all along this battered coast, communities devastated by last year's tsunami are remembering that terrible day with sadness, but also with the determination to rebuild their lives. entire towns were obliterated when the raging waters swept in.

15,000 people are dead, 4000 still missing. much of the mangled wreckage that littered the coast has been cleared. those have been piled into vast mountains of debris, some of it near toxic. that is the equivalent of 19 years of trash in the worst- affected area. more than half a million buildings were destroyed or damaged. still no real idea as to how to get rid of it all or how long it will take. there is still no real blueprint for rebuilding. there are signs of hope, though. we spoke with a group of seaweed farmers out harvesting for the first time since the disaster wiped out most of the region's fishing fleet. they have been supported by the west germany mercy corps. -- u.s. charity mercy corporate

people are resilient, and that is perhaps the most important asset as state and look to the future. back to you. >> with all the inspiration we get from hollywood, you may think you are a fashion star, but what do you have to create the next big brand? that is the focus of nba's newest reality series, and nicole richie and john varvatos joined us from new york. >> i feel like i'm from baltimore because my husband is from there. big orioles fan. >> clackum at you want -- like to have you on. nicole, tell us how the show works. >> this show is amazing trait you will be meeting and getting to know talented designers, each

competing for $6 million from the biggest retailers in america. they have challenges. they have to present designs on a huge runway, big, over-the-top fashion shows, fun music. they can order it online at night or go into the retailers and buy it the next day. this is something that has never been done before. we're talking about immediate, accessible fashion, designing clothes for america to wear white here and right now. >> john, by the way -- apologized for calling you joe -- >> regular joe. call me chesaco if you want -- jessica if you want. >> how do you advise up-and- coming designers? >> the first thing is they have

to create their own personality for the brand, and create a brand, more than just one product. it is -- you have to think about the long-term and how to create sending this individual. you step above the mire that is out there. >> very good. i appreciate your time. we look forward to the show. >> go orioles! >> you can catch a series premiere of "fashion star" tuesday night at 9:30 on a wbal- tv 11. >> now your 11 insta-weather- plus forecast with john collins. >> to change the flavor of today's weather, temperature is down a little bit. like interactivity. all that has moved off of this scene. we still have some thin clouds overhead.

cold enough for snow in parts of pennsylvania. it is snowing up to the north of us right now. some of that related to lake effect. you can see it clouds up there. an indication that there is wind up there as well. current conditions outside -- we had a high yesterday of 74 degrees at the airport. now we are beginning to slide. we bought about on the weekend and then start to climb again. you take it all tomorrow and come right back up again. on the boardwalk, 48. 46 in parkton. 34 in oakland right now. we are dealing with pollen. 502 is the count for trees. some of you sneezers are getting

caught. gusty winds coming in behind at cold front, now off shore. a second front is in the great lakes. in general, out to the west, not much happening. that gives us quiet weather. the past week or so it has been active with solar flares and storms. not as big as the one earlier in the week. thiss the area of sunshine that is coming from. this is a picture of what it looks like this morning from the satellites up there. it is still producing some strong solar winds and flares, these massive injections. our forecast is getting things back to earth now. in mixture of sunshine and clouds, breezy, cooler.

we are not close to this right now. northwest winds at 10 to 25. some of the guests stronger than that. two-to-the three-foot on the water. approaching us early next week, and here is the forecast -- 57 today, 50 on saturdays. then we want to about 60 on sunday. money looks at dry. money looks at dry.

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>> happy friday. i am sarah fleischer from 98 rock. your pick 3 numbers are -- we will get to your pick four in a moment, but first, play the $2 million logo hunt. collect logos at the top of your ticket for chances to win prizes. visit mdlottery.com for details. ready to go with your pick four

numbers. the maryland lottery -- let yourself play. >> john has one last look at the forecast. >> it is still windy, just not as warm. only about 950 on saturday. weekend looks dry. set your clocks ahead. on monday, good day. tuesday, a chance of rain. next week is mostly in the 60's for highs. >> thank you for joining us for a lebanese and noon. >> watch tonight at 5:00 with

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