gay marriage law and the fight to repeal it. opponents launched a new drive today online. shelton dutes joins us live in annapolis with the details. >> i spoke to to pastors who said they have heard from people from every corner of the state who say they do not like the law and the want to keep a marriage as a definition between one man and 11. opponents are not wasting any time to make sure they get more than 100,000 of these petitions signed by june. >> we are getting a lot of e- mails on this issue. >> governor martin o'malley may have signed same sex marriage into law, but there are a lot of unhappy people still out there. >> we are probably at a pace of getting over 100 every hour work. >> the marylanders marriage alliance once, and online drive creek >> we want to make sure we of whole marriage between one

man and one woman. we are not against any group of people. we are just saying we have a value about where marriage should be and what it is in our state. >> the petition must be signed and returned. participating churches across the state will have petition drives on sunday and there will be street corner initiatives to get the 5600 signatures needed to get the law on the ballot. >> 150,000. we'll have more than enough. >> democratic delegate elliot burns says he plans to rolled his sleeves to get all the petitions signed. >> it is a detriment. everybody is going to get to be gay, and who is going to have children? >> i absolutely believe that we will get the votes we need, just as i believe we would get the votes we needed in the house, and we did.

>> in order for the issue to show up on the ballot in november, opponents must get 56,000 signatures on petitions by the end of june. for more information, had to our website, wbaltv.com. shelton dutes, wbal-tv 11 news. >> the state senate gives preliminary approval to the budget and a final vote could come as early as tomorrow. there are four separate pieces of a companion legislation necessary to balance it. the democratic majority rejected republican amendments that would balance the budget by taking deeper cuts. >> all it is is paring back the increases for this year. i think that is part of what maryland's families are looking to see as accomplish here. they are having to do it with their personal budgets to. >> in addition to the preliminary approval of the budget, the took steps to hold

state agencies accountable by withholding funds from agencies that do not comply with requirements to submit reports. governor martin o'malley trust to sell his 6% gas tax to state lawmakers. he says that the tax is not passed, it could lead to catastrophe down the road in terms of economics and safety. it will increase at a rate of 2% per year for three years, and could be postponed if gas prices rise more than 15% within one year. angry protesters rallied against the governor's proposal. >> the only people that make a profit are the big oil companies and credit-card companies, not the distributor and not the gas station owner. >> we should have the greatest roads in the nation without having a tax increase. they go and siphon money out of the trust fund and spend it to cover other budget overshoots someplace else. this is just so wrong.

>> the governor says he feels for consumers but insist the revenue raised each year will be enough to make sure the state's infrastructure remains sound. we do smoking occur with the child along for the ride? senators signed off on a bill prohibiting drivers from doing justdax , smoking in cars if a passenger in is under the age of eight. opponents say the bill oversteps the boundaries of government by regulating what is legal behavior in private property. >> this is not about if it is bad to smoke in a car with your kid. it is, and nobody should do it. the question is, should be illegal? should be reason for a police officer to pull you over? eventually it is just a small step from saying you cannot smoke in your home. >> it is about little brother in the backseat, in the car seat. >> we are talking about police

intrusion. i don't believe this should pass. >> that bill will now move to the house for approval. testimony on a bill named for a teenager who was missing for months before being found dead in baltimore. it would raise the age of what is considered a critical missing child from 14 to 17. phylicia barnes was 16 when she vanished in 2010. the house judiciary committee will vote on the bill next week. if it passes, it would then head to the full house. >> a glen burnie man admits to producing child pornography in connection with images made of three minerors. his co-worker at a gas station caught him downloading images on the businesses computer.

the images were apparently found at his home. the plea deal is approved in court, gold and will be sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release -- bowman will be sens. >> new questions have surfaced about a maryland legislature already accused of crimes in two different cases. is delegate tiffany alston abusing her privilege to drive? jayne miller caught up with the prince george's county democrat today. >> on tuesday, we saw prince george's county democrat tiffany alston driving herself to work. she pulled into the parking garage reserved for maryland's house of delegates. according to the mva, she really should have someone else behind the wheel. a copy of her record shows that her driving privileges suspended and has been for almost a year, since a blake, 2011. the records say she failed to

appear at a hearing for driving on suspended tax. >> can i talk to you for a second? >> no. we first approached her as she arrived at the state house yesterday morning. she would not stop to hear or questions. when she did agree to speak with us, almost nine hours later, she said she had no idea about her driving status. >> do you have a valid driver's license? >> i am sorry but i do not. i did receive paperwork today. >> the same addresses listed in other court records and the address where we saw her on monday as she drove off in the morning complex you never received notification that your license was suspended? >> not to my knowledge. like i said, my attorneys are looking into it. as soon as they get the facts, i will be happy to address them in a court of law.

>> these are just the latest questions about her compliance with the law. in september of leicester, alston was indicted on criminal charges of theft, for allegedly using campaign funds to cover her wedding expenses. in december she was indicted again on charges of theft and misconduct, for allegedly hitting the state to pay for an employee in her law firm. she continues to serve in the house of delegates and as a member of the house judiciary committee where the state's criminal laws are considered. >> what should your constituents think? >> everyone should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. >> the state's attorney grievance commission is recommending should be suspended indefinitely, after a judge found she committed misconduct in her handling of a client's money. jayne miller, wbal-tv 11 news.

>> the american soldier accused of killing 16 afghan villagers, most of them children, has been flown out of the country. u.s. officials say the 38-year- old staff sergeant was taken to of confinement facility in another country. the ap is reporting he was flown to kuwait. defense secretary leon panetta said u.s. troops will continue to be challenged, but that should not read direct them from their mission. the defense secretary also said that afghan and coalition forces need to keep working together. protesters rallied for an immediate withdrawal of troops. kai reed joins us in the studio with more on that. >> the protesters are demanding what the color change in priorities. less money spent on more and more on issues here in the united states.

the demonstrators rallied, including people from all walks of life. nicholas powell says he was appalled to hear about 16 afghan civilians killed over the weekend, allegedly at the hands of an american soldier. >> i have to think about it from the perspective of if that was my son, my mother, my sister. that is my immediate reaction. >> the u.s. has been an estimated $4510 billion in afghanistan. the protesters believe that could have been better spent and the united states, like on unemployment. >> been in on education and housing right here at home. >> we need jobs at home. we need education and money spent on housing, health care, nutrition programs, education in this country.

all money spent in afghanistan could end homelessness and build new schools. >> the president, meeting with the british prime minister at the white house today, said the u.s. is making real progress in afghanistan, and reiterated his time line for a transition of power there next year, with the u.s. and nato turning over full responsibility to afghan security forces in 2014. >> we will complete this mission and do it responsibly. >> overtime line is get out now, get the u.s. and nato out of afghanistan immediately. that is the best way to prevent more on war crimes. >> and new poll out today, 40% of americans say the recent shootings in afghanistan have weakened their commitment to the war. 61% said the remaining u.s. troops should be brought home immediately. kai reed, wbal-tv 11 news. >> things are beginning to take shape at the new maryland live

casino. an exciting delivery made to arundel mills today. >> tomorrow's:round of the n.c.a.a. tournament, as we get ready to take on the greyhounds. >> it is still snowing up in new england, but it feels like summer here in maryland. we will see how long the warmer temperatures hang around with a seven-day forecast. right now, 71 degrees in

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>> the first phase of opening the merrill like casino at arundel mills is underway. the first 100 slot machines were delivered to the facility that it is expected to open sometime in june. rob roblin was there for the delivery. >> american life casino will be one of the largest gaming and entertainment facilities in the country. today they were moving in the first 100 slot machines. there will be 4750 slot machines, electronic table games. >> we have probably the best assortment slot machines in the country. the newest, the latest and greatest, some of the old classics, along with electronic table games. really anything you are looking for that you would expect to find anywhere, plus. >> they will not only have

slots, there'll be all types of popular restaurants and entertainment. >> we are a world-class entertainment resort. we have some of the nationally recognized reston bands -- restaurant brands. we have maryland based companies and we have our buffet. on top of that, entertainment. you will find something for everybody. >> at their employment center, they are still looking for applicants for 1500 jobs that need to be filled before opening day. >> we have in arnold services, food and beverage of pauper slot, marketing, cage, basically everything. all the people who will be doing the work, dealing with the customers, providing the experience.

>> when they open the suggestion box at the k. neal senior center today, the top piece of advice parrot.p the parent it was on the run for two full days. >> meet francine, a red crowd african parrot, all loose tuesday all over the catonsville senior center until it met its match. >> is a real hero today. >> i would not say hero, i would just say it was part of my job description. >> will start at the beginning, which was the parking lot. the bird, biting people speak as they got in and out of cars. >> it was the event of the day. kept everybody pretty busy. we were very interested and concerned with this bird.

>> the roof, a huge tree, the bushes. >> we called him the first time, and he managed to escape. >> i could i get it closed, so he flew out. >> then it was back up in a tree, but finally he was coaxed down, thanks to teamwork and a secret weapon, saltines. what's a blanket, a box, and salting crackers. -- saltine crackers. >> the team were denaud in there. a neighbor saw our story and alerted the owner that francine had been found. late tonight, she was fun to do -- she has finally made it home. >> now, your insta-weather forecast with chief

meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> march 14 in the baltimore area typically has a high in the low 80's. the past couple of days, we have been seeing high temperatures in the low eight of the in many areas. we are running close to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year, but we have not set any record highs yet. we missed it by four degrees today. tomorrow is within reach, the record high is 82 and we will be pushing toward those numbers. it is still mild outside right now. 63 in columbia at this hour, 70 degrees at the inner harbor in downtown baltimore. unusually warm for this time of year. 61 degrees in garrett county at 11:00 at night. that is pretty mild.

we will see widespread by morning with clear skies and calm winds. downtown baltimore will stay in the 50's tonight. we are in for another summary date. several inches of snow in maine, winter storm warnings in effect in far northern maine. everybody else south and west of there, including the schaub -- the chicago area today were quite warm. in the northwest we have a winter storm warnings and advisories there as well. the northwest and the northeast are still dealing with winter. everybody in between across the nation isn't drawing -- is enjoying a very mild finish to winter. steady winds coming up from the gulf, 69 degrees in chicago with this hour. much kummer long the canadian border.

kind of chili in seattle where it is 43. -- much color along the canadian border. ly in seattle. tomorrow we will be a couple of degrees warmer than today with a good deal of sunshine. maybe a couple of isolated storms popped up late in the afternoon into the evening. just a 20% chance of that storm tomorrow. a 50-50 shot we will get some rain moving through the area on friday before it clears up over the weekend. 60's with scattered storms thursday and friday in the mountains, 70's to low 80's on the eastern shore for a couple of days. a minimal chance of an evening storand a better chance for showers friday. at ocean city it will be very nice. the beach will be cooler, but inland, close to 80 degrees.

cloudy skies not the temperatures back a bit on friday. on 70 on st. patrick's day, and sunday, high temperatures in the upper 6 deposit. >> two former ravens will play for coach pagano next season. we will fill you in on who and where, next in sports. >> this is powerball. tonight the jackpot is a guaranteed $50 million. we did not have a winner on saturday night. 1-8-59-46-41.

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>> we expect chuck pagano to and have a player or two from the ravens for free agency, but we did not expected to become a family affair. jarret johnson signed with san diego. he will play with john pagano, chuck brother. he gets a four-year contract to help him do that. johnson played in a record 129 consecutive games. the ravens now see paul kruger as the likely replacement for johnson on the defense. chuck pagano did get one of his former players. a three-year deal worth more than $10 million to follow chuck pagano to indianapolis.

he played a huge role in helping develop young players. the ravens wait on a decision from ben grubbs. he has an offer but also went to new orleans today. the ravens have some shopping plans, too. eric winston has plans to visit with the ravens. he should be in town by the end of the week. loyola kicks off the opening round of the n.c.a.a. tournament against ohio state. pete gilbert had a courtside seat. >> i am here with the head coach sos.oyola, jimmy pat sugg >> it is great. it is exciting for the school. the players are what i most excited about.

you give your name on a credential list. >> we are in pittsburg and i assume a lot of people in baltimore assume there is nothing to do but hate the steelers. what are you going to do to keep focused and have some fun? >> 15 minutes of fame. the andy warhol museum is here. i am not trying to think too much out of the box. i am board. >> have you thought about the pre-game speech? where are you drawing your motivation from? >> they should be pretty motivated now. we may play little different zone. player game, but this is what's

that have dreamed about. enjoy yourself. >> this is loyola's first time in the n.c.a.a. tournament since 1988. pete gilbert, wbal-tv 11 sports. >> everyone is in the act today. the greyhounds had 10 players scored goals in and blow out over delaware. loyola in a white jerseys ready to face of. joanna dalton missed but on her own rebound. all loyola this afternoon. 14-5 over delaware. the orioles lose to the pirates, 11-5. stick a

a seven-day forecast, 80 tomorrow and a thunderstorm possible. st. patrick's day, a little bit cooler, kind of cloudy. enjoy the warmth. >> it just keeps on going. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

girl: i want to tell you about my friend. his name is ben. ben learned about a homeless boy who had an infected tooth, and the boy died. that made ben really sad. he wrote a law so every kid can see a dentist. we have special dental van that goes from school to school. he even helps make sure we learn how to brush our teeth.

he's my friend, ben. i hope he's your friend, too. i'm ben cardin, and i approved this message. >> announcer: it's "the tonight new orleans saints quaba