things easier, they would spend a lot of extra resources. >> penalty relief is offered by the internal revenue service. good evening, everyone. >> it is a new option for people struggling to pay their taxes. >> the deadline for filing is april 17th. we go live to the federal building downtown. >> the fresh start initiative aimed to help struggling taxpayer started in 2008 and now the irs has expanded that to cover more people. aztec state quickly approaches, the irs is offering them some relief for the millions of unemployed who are likely struggling to pay their taxes. let's say that you zero thousand dollars. you're supposed to make that payment when you file your return. >> this will allow the penalties for not paying that thousand dollars to be waived until

october 15th of 2012. >> those who have been unemployed for at least 30 consecutive days and self- employed individuals with a 25% drop in income qualify for the extension. the irs is making payment and stock options available to more people. the cap used to be $25,000. now, taxpayers can setup a payment plan. >> the economy has been very very bad and people have been struggling. >> a baltimore accountant has forced clients to make some tough choices they have not necessarily made. the new provisions are in the best interest of the taxpayer and the government. >> we're trying to make things easier for taxpayers to pay their fair share. if they did not make things easier, they would spend a lot of extra resources in the collection efforts. >> this includes expansions to

the compromise program which allows the government to cut down taxpayer debt. we had some forms and information and qualifications on our website. >> an amber alert to report for a prince george's county boy. it is reported that young wuilbert garcia was abducted by his mother, silvia garcia. she is driving a black mercedes- benz with a license plate number 8ag0407. if you have any information that could help police, call 911 or prince george's county police. >> traffic was backed up beyond belief late this morning into the afternoon all because of a hay fire.

a large number of bales caught fire. the driver had no idea what was going on until other drivers caught his attenti. >> we noticed that his load of straw was on fire. they tried to put it out with fire extinguishers. the fired a part of responded. >> it took crews two hours to clean up the mess. traffic was backed up for 10 miles. no one was hurt. the cause of the fire is under investigation. >> there was a collision and baltimore county police say vehicle crashed into a home. a man was injured but it is not clear if he was in the vehicle or in the home. >> a judge threw the book at a 57 year-old. the man convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a disabled man

in his care. >> prosecutors got everything they asked for, 57-year-old tony chestnut is going to prison for 40 years for sexually abusing a disabled man over the course of 14 years. >> in 25 years, it is some of the worst video that i have ever seen. >> the judge repeatedly called this case absolutely outrageous. >> it was outrageous behavior and it was behavior that we did need to be punished. i am pleased with the sentence. i think that the police did an outstanding job. >> police discovered the abuses through detective work. they found the videos while searching a home to the prosecutors say the abuse happened here and at this group home where chess that took care of three disabled men including the 50-year-old victim who

suffers from severe mental retardation and autism. they said that just not take the victim because he is unable to talk and the most vulnerable president. >> that is what really stuck in my mind. >> no comment from chesnutt's family but inside, they pleaded with the judge. >> they're willing to seek treatment. he took the stand to plead on his own behalf. he said, i know i was bad. i am truly sorry. >> he is remorseful because he got caught. >> a second man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a robbery and shooting of a man in brooklyn park. the 23-year-old will be sentenced to 60 years in prison. in july of 2010, it the people shot and killed a 21-year-old in front of his home.

a witness said that they saw barnwell take cash from buckley's pocket but the prosecutor said in court today that bradley manning indirectly aided al qaeda when he posted information on wikileaks. he is charged with aiding the enemy. defense lawyers argue that he was a troubled soldier who should not have classified information to begin with the into the private is expected tomorrow and he's expected to learn the date of when his trial begins. >> after the shooting death of a baltimore police officer who was in plain clothes, baltimore police are enforcing strict changes in their program. this follows an independent review of the events that happened at the select lounge last january when the officer was killed along with a civilian. the biggest change for the public than any time you are dealing with an off-duty officer, he will be wearing

clearly marked a tire -- attire. >> at any time will an officer not in uniform were clearly identified, they will not take action. >> there was a break in communication with police dispatched at that crime scene. in session 2012, the senate debate over the budget was a heated one today and things got kind of nasty. >> the budget was sent to the house and it includes personal tax increases. under the proposed budget, personal income tax will increase for those earning $300,000 or more a year. those making over half a million will pay an additional 20 $500 million. sales tax on tobacco products will be increased to the plan

also closes loopholes that local governments have used to pay for education. >> it makes sense, it is practical, it is work, it is consistent with our long-term policy. >> some decisions on some of them could come as soon as tomorrow. >> a bill benefiting maryland inmates passed the house of delegates and in -- and is on its way to the senate. it would allow inmates to get reductions to their sentences by earning college credit. they can already earn credits for good behavior, special projects but they don't become eligible until they have half a sentence. those that pass the bill said that it would give them the ability to get a deal early. families annapolis or rallying for a bill to increase the number of midwives in the state. the law currently requires a

midwife to be a registered nurse. the measure would also establish the state board of midwives within the health department. >> we have obtained the list of guests to the governor's taxpayer-owned skybox. this usually includes politicians, pollock -- local leaders. legislators were on the list, the house speaker was among them but not the state senate president. tonight, loyola univ. is in the n.c.a.a. tournament. >> we go live to campus. >> i am in the middle of all the excitement here on campus. 100 students have gathered for this game.

even though the greyhounds were trailing by 11 points. students said they were very excited. loyola is not for its academics and they hope that this game will help to change that image. for a joke -- for the students that could not go to the game, this was the next best place. >> we are getting our name out there. it is amazing that we are playing ohio state. "i love being part of the school and i'm really excited. >> university says the campus has been buzzing with excitement for several days. the students got back from spring break and found out that the greyhounds would be going to the n.c.a.a. tournament. it was an exciting moment to rally around considering that most of the students were toddlers last time that though yolo was in the tournament.

though yolo has been thrust into the national spotlight. -- most of the students were toddlers the last time that loyola was in the national spotlight. loyola has been thrust into the national spotlight. >> they hope that this will help them appeal to new audiences. >> we believe that many students and their families may have discovered this through the tournament. >> two years ago, morgan state made it to the tournament. the national exposure helped the university. >> we did see a number of increase in business to the website. people wanted to fill out applications. >> time will only tell how little benefit from this game but the tournament at had brought students and alumni together for fellowship and fun.

we are expecting them to come back after halftime. we will have an update in sports. we are live on loyola campus tonight. >> this is is in striking distance. our own coverage has courtside seats to the game. you can review all of the reports and pictures. >> the blame game in washington, president obama is defending himself when it comes to high gas prices. coming up, his message to critics have blamed him for the pain at the pump. >> the storms continued to show off on a steep doppler. >> 54 deg

>> defense secretary has leon panetta sat down with afghan president hamid karzai look -- hamid karzai. officials with the u.s. believe that the request to have u.s. forces leave is an attempt to calm citizens. u.s. troops will continue to patrol until 2014. high gas prices have become a talking point in the 2012 presidential campaign and president obama is on defense. >> he has been pushing for alternative energy. he insists that there is more oil drilling going on now than when president bush was in office. we have tonight's project economy report.

>> sky rocketing gas prices are dragging down president obama's poll numbers. he defended his energy policy. >> we are drilling. under my administration, america is producing more oil per day then at any time in the last 8 years. [applause] >> he is accusing his rivals as playing pump politics. >> they are acting like they have a magic wand and we will give you cheap gas forever if you just elect us. >> newt gingrich as promised $2.50 a gallon if he is elected. >> it will create more jobs. >> he believes that drilling on federal land could lead to trillions of dollars. >> we could pay off the national debt. a showdown with iran which up of supplies. saudi arabia has already

promised to step up production. the white house is sitting down reports that the united states and u.k. have already decided to tap their reserves. >> the report of any type of agreement or timetable associated, a course of action, this is just wrong. >> there is no denying that gas prices are looming large in the campaign trail in this election year. >> tonight, one analyst is predicting that within the next month or so, gas prices will top last year's all-time average of $4.11 a gallon. maryland is ranked as number three on the list as a top state for tornadoes. there is an average of 9.9 tornadoes. maryland is one of the small states in the nation. they're pointing to our geographic circumstances. ahead of us was kansas and

florida. the average number of tornadoes state-by-state, you can see how they form. >> i would have to sit down with big guys, 9.9 tornadoes. >> it is like, what? >> it is an interesting way to measure. you can look at them at -- you can look at them as to how many are really nasty tornadoes. >> you can look at the big damaging ones out there. you have to keep an eye on them tend to we are getting into the season here, especially as we get into april and may. this is what the radar screen look like. you saw a lot of showers and even storms approaching from the west and by late afternoon, there was a good band of showers west of baltimore. temperatures have really warm.

temperatures were up around 86 degrees this afternoon but then some cool air came down the coast and swept into the central and eastern part of the state. you'll watch how the showers this kind of fade away as they push into that more stable atmosphere. there is another batch near pittsburg. we have another chance to pick up a few showers or storms. not as warm as in frederick just to the west. 20 degrees warmer than is normal. 55 in westminster now, 50 at easton. cambridge, 50. after pushing into the upper 80's, the have cooled to 59. that front made it to about hagerstown and will continue to fade away. we will wake up to a lot of cloudiness in the area. it looks like some fog will be forming overnight. you not want to factor that into

your travel plans. 50's around baltimore. this front that brought us the scattered showers and brought in some cooler air will gradually dissipate and a surge of warm air coming in from the south will spread back across a region so temperatures should continue warmer than normal. 81 in chicago this afternoon. 70's all the way back to denver. a big chunk of mild air still moving our way. did not expect a major cool down. tomorrow, the rain chances are higher. there is a 40% chance of picking up a shower. on the day, southwest wind at 5-10 knots. the temperatures are in the low 50's. scattered thunderstorms friday. temperatures are mild, 60's and 70's going into st. patrick's day. eastern shore, a chance for a storm.

the same basic scenario, scattered storms, partly cloudy. inland rotation's will be much more mild than areas along the coast. 73 tomorrow, cloudy skies, a bit cooler sunday and monday and even in some fog each morning as this goes back to the east. right through the middle part of next week, we expect of the trees to continue to be mild. -- we expect temperatures to continue to be mild. >> we will give you an update putting on hopes of the glass slipper at the dance. >> the jackpot has an annuity of $1,500,000.

here are your numbers 34-20-28- 18-32-1.0. if no one matches all six numbers, the jackpot climbs to $1,600,000. the next drawing, monday night.

>> the ravens' went into this off season hoping to improve their offensive line. one of the most consistent players joined the free agent and since today smiling with the new orleans saints. -- a free agent exodus today signing with the new orleans saints. a $36 million deal with a 13 million in guarantees. that is a big number. bigger and more money than what the ravens have on the table.

the ravens' spent time visiting with philadelphia eagles' free agent guard. this is one of the costliest off-season weeks in recent years in terms of town but leaving the ravens. we might see the linebacker leave as well. he made a name for himself as a former undrafted free agent who found his home in the starting lineup next to ray lewis. he plans to visit with the denver broncos tomorrow. if mcclain leaves, then another former undrafted rookie free agent becomes the heir apparent. to maddis' credit, he looks better.

top of the first, chavez julie one to right field. palm trees and gone. -- drilling one to right field. chris davis not nearly as productive, a swing and a miss. -- pitched four scoreless innings. his second straight outing with four scoreless innings. a single to left field. it is in the bermuda triangle. detroit beats the birds, 4-2. the round of 64 has some of assets. loyola would like to pull off the shocker on the second seed.

we can show you the score, right now, 46-31, ohio state in front of loyola. they have about 17 and a half minutes left in the second half. some syracuse escaped with the wind. e win. the second half, the orange trailing. they come up with a turnover. 41-40, syracuse. sutherland hits it from the wing. syracuse hangs on to avoid the biggest upset in tournament history. opening strong against colorado state.

racing down the court. jackson puts down the three as murray state puts away colorado state, 68-41. the mexico coach knows something about national titles. they struggled early. long beach state. long beach is up three. in the second half, new mexico from the wing hits the three. the lobos up by five. from there, new mexico in control. new mexico knox of long beach state, 75-68. we will be back with your forecast

>> seven days of above normal temperatures. we will see a couple of scattered showers in the area. maybe some fog in the morning. mostly cloudy skies. we will be dealing with cloud cover but the temperatures will be mild. it looks like dry weather through the middle part of next week. >> stepped into spring. >> it is amazing. >> thank you for joining

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