the largest mega millions jackpot in the history of mankind. thousands of people across the street are hoping to become overnight multi-millionaires. that is our story tonight. good evening. >> that is a big story. this week's jackpot is worth $540 million. it could climb even higher. we are live in north baltimore with tonight's big story. are you dreaming about the money? >> i do not even know what i would do with $540 million. to think that that number could go higher, it is enough to make your head spin. when so many people flying all over the country, the number could go higher than $540 million. with all this money on a line, no surprise why there is so much hype and excitement surrounding tomorrow's drawing.

[no audio] >> we are having some technical difficulties. basically, we went all over time -- all over town talking to people about what it would do if they won. i think we are still having some technical difficulties. i am not sure. hearing a little bit of programming in my ear. a lot of excitement building at about this. a lot of money on the line, a lot of money to be made. that video is ready. you should have been momentarily. >> i could not pass up the biggest jackpot ever. >> is worth an estimated $540 million. after taxes, the winner would walk away with a long some of $260 million or a yearly payment of $13.8 million. with so much money on the line, people are thinking about how

they would spend all the money. >> i would tell my niece guess some money for college, help my sister get a house, and i would get a beach house. >> i would give to charity and put my little boy in a private school. and i would go on my trip to hawaii. hopefully, stay for six months. >> she is not the only one hoping to cash in. the soda pop shop has already sold more than 12,500 tickets this week alone. to get sales are high across the country, meaning more people are interested in playing. that could make an even higher jackpot. >> is a longshot, but i figure, let me try it. >> the odds of anyone winning the jackpot is one in 176 million. you have a better chance of getting bitten by a shark or becoming a saint. the orioles have a better chance of winning the world series than

any of us have at winning the jackpot. >> i was not planning on being canonized anyway. that means my odds are even better. [laughter] >> and you see the odds stacked up against you. why do you play? >> people only play when it is a humongous number. i play when the odds are the worst. it is just fun. you can what if r an hour to until they pull the numbers out. >> we can all dream for a little longer, at least tomorrow night when nose -- at least until tomorrow night, when the numbers are growing -- are drawn. we are live in north baltimore. >> and you can test the mega millions drawing live tomorrow night right here on 11 news. the senate defeated a move by president obama to create billions of tax breaks for oil companies, which are enjoying record profits because of record profits.

-- because of record prices. >> pushing to end the government's subsequent -- yet -- the government subsidy, president obama challenged senators who were about to vote. >> you can stand with the big oil companies or with the american people. >> he said the public is being hit twice, paying record high prices at the pump and giving billions in tax breaks to producers. >> with high oil prices around the world, they have more than enough incentive to produce even more oil. >> they have record profits, almost $5 million per hour for exxon. and the ceo is making tens of millions with taxpayers' help. >> the american people know that these subsidies are unnecessary, ineffective, immoral. >> but they are irrelevant, said republicans. >> facts are stubborn things. blind the man supports the price.

we should be supporting the united states of america for less dependence on foreign oil and more dependence on our own oil. >> many state democrats support subsidies. >> the motion is not agreed to. >> the vote lost 51-47. experts warned gas prices will go higher. >> unfortunately for consumers, there is little they can be done in the near term. >> two-thirds of americans disapprove of how barack obama is handling rising fuel prices. >> meanwhile, the house of representatives passed a 3.5 trillion dollar -- a $3.50 trillion budget for 2013 carried mostly along party lines, with the republican majority revamping medicare, cutting back spending programs, including food stamps and transportation. it does not raise taxes on the

wealthy as president obama proposed in his budget outline. the governor's bill to foster wind energy passed the house but needs senate approval. it would create 40 offshore wind turbines capturing wind energy, 30 miles off the coast of ocean city. it does require consumers to pay an extra $1.50 per month, but it could reduce your bill in the long run. some delegates are not convinced this will help consumers save money. >> what about businesses? what is the maximum cost that a business might have to pay so that we can do something like this? >> 1.5%. >> the house cut the cost for industrial users to 1.5% of their bill. the senate is expected to vote tomorrow. >> a toddler is recovering after being hit by an unmarked police car in east baltimore. it happened near the intersection of -- in highland town. it appears the child ran in the

street between two cars and was hit by the police car. the extent of the child's injuries is not known at this time. a two-alarm fire in east baltimore broke out this morning. crews also had to fight the wind to get the fire under control. that is what might have caused the fire to spread to a vacant building next door. no word on what sparked the initial fire. >> a narcotics investigation ended up with four people arrested in north will bald -- in north baltimore. police say a significant amount of drug trafficking has taken place along the 4700 block of shamrock ave. one of those arrested faces multiple charges, including weapons and drug trafficking. we are working to learn the names of the others involved. >> the retrial of twin brothers accused of setting a pit bull on fire in 2009 will continue tomorrow.

during opening statements, prosecutors told jurors they will prove that they are responsible for the death of the doggett nicknamed phoenix. the brothers, who are now 20, are charged with aggravated animal cruelty and mutilation of an animal. the defense says it will not be able to prove the men are guilty. request denied for a man seeking a reduced conviction. he wanted his condition reduced to probation before judgment in the killing of an 18-year-old in 2007. the judge denied the modification because of the nature of the offense and a strong opposition. the ruling was a relief to the parents of the victim. >> i felt sorry and i accept his apology. i just think, in this case, he let his lawyer lead him too quickly to this motion and try to force it. i think you can forgive people over time, but it is hard to do

when it is jammed down your throat. >> the probation report would have erased his felony conviction and expanded his employment opportunities. >> under heavy scrutiny. the video of florida neighborhood watch volunteer george zimmerman at the investigation in -- as the investigation in the death of trayvon martin continues. prosecutors insist the tape is not consistent with the defense attorney's statement that a struggle left zimmerman bloody and beaten. authorities say no one knows what happened just yet. >> we do not want to rush into a judgment on either side. just because you do not see something in this very poor video does not mean that it is not there. >> so far, no charges have been filed against george zimmerman. meanwhile, a rally was held at morgan state university in

protest of the death of trayvon martin. they gathered in front of the behavioral sciences building and the university president attended the rally in support of the students. >> all of you are proud students of morgan and that is why i am here, to send a message that we -- >> the ex symbol they are wearing is a symbol of stereotypes and that people cannot be judged -- should be judged on their character, not on how they look or what they are wearing. >> autism is officially becoming an epidemic in the united states. a new report shows that one child in '88 has autism or a related disorder. the previous estimate was one in 110. this new number means autism is nearly twice as common as officials said it was five years ago and affects 1 million u.s.

children and teens. experts say the one thing the data says with certainty is that many children and families need help. because of autism remains a mystery. tonight, stan stovall was selected as one of the 50 most influential people in maryland. the daily record selects people who are making a difference in maryland. congratulations to our co- worker. sorry, i almost jumped on top of you for the story. >> the winner will get a big prize. >> and a jump in the number of students enrolled in maryland colleges is expected to increase in the next decade. we will fill you in on how that could impact the price for higher education. >> i have a method and it works. >> everyone wants to win the lottery carried this guy has done it seven times.

insight next. >> a chilly morning. frost advisers in effect for parts of maryland. right now, down 250 at the airport.

>> the number of students enrolled in maryland colleges is expected to jump 20% over the next decade. the board of regents says schools will be forced to raise the price of things like meals, parking, dormitories. students say they already pay enough and will move off campus to save money. regents say it is part of the cost of doing business. >> every year, it cost more to turn the lights on.

we need to make improvements to the dorms and apartments. we have done a good job of keeping those costs as modest as possible. >> the cost of tuition is also expected to go up next year. >> do you know how to create clean energy? if you have ideas, the university of maryland is offering $250,000 in prizes. a series of competitions take off tomorrow, funded by the u.s. department of energy. it includes a $75,000 business pan and $100,000 clean energy challenge. the winner will complete -- will compete in the national finals that will be in washington this summer. $540tomorrow night's million mega millions jackpot, who is not dreaming about winning the lottery? >> if only we knew. a florida man who says you can

win 2. >> i have a method and it works. >> the world's first and only seven-time lottery grand prize winner. >> i drive a jaguar and ride a harley. we live in a big, fancy house. we go on cruises all the time. we are enjoying it. >> his first big hit was $10,000, 18 years ago. >> when i won my fourth, that was when i knew. -- a whopping $840,000. >> that was when people started saying, wait a minute. nobody can be that lucky. >> he says it is strategy that helped him win and he is sharing his secrets and a new book. tip no. 1, set a budget. >> do not spend dose -- grocery money or rent money. figure out what you can afford. >> even though the florida lottery tells most winners come from quick fix, never buy them.

>> have you ever won? >> pit one lottery game and stick with it. >> take your budget and/10. if it is $100, by 10 at $10 tickets. buy them in a row of the same game. >> play your same numbers every time. >> he says is tips apply to instant games and numbers games. i thought, why not get it -- why not give it a shot? i am going to put his series tv test. >> i 1 $5. ok. another five. the last one, here we go. four out of my 10 tickets were winners. net gain of $20. >> here is my original investment and might take home a prize. i am going to buy lunch. >> his most recent when was in august, $98,000.

here is a final piece of advice from him. say you're losing lottery tickets because if you do win big, you can deduct the cost of all of those duds from your tax bill. who knew? >> now, your 11th instant weather forecast. >> high temperatures today. probably warmer than what it felt like for most of the afternoon. the highs of the day occurred before dawn. in the early mornings, still in the '60s and '70s. then a front came through and the winds kick in. for most of the day, temperatures in the '50s. if the lowest on the tomahawk was 50 at the airport, and that is the current temperature. a special note on the f-22 over by the snow amount. 22 inches of snow on the 29th day of march in 1942. a huge palm sunday snowstorm. 30 inches of heavy snow and 22 inches in baltimore.

1 foot in dc and 10 inches on the eastern shore. temperatures above freezing for most of the storm. a very heavy, saudi, wet storm. it calls all problems on the roads 70 years ago today. this time around, still mostly clear across the street -- across the state. overall, a very quiet weather pattern. almost down into the '30's in southern pennsylvania. into the mid-thirties in western maryland, where a freeze warning is in effect. for carroll, fredrik, no. baltimore, frost advisory's tomorrow morning. low-forties at the inner harbor. there is some stormy weather over the midwest and sneaking into parts of the western ohio valley. that could cause thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon. we will see clouds increasing through the day and the possibility of light rain showers by evening.

a better chance for rain saturday night into sunday morning. some of them might linger into saturday afternoon. we cannot rule out a shower on sunday. the weekend has more unsettled weather. that will keep the temperature down a little bit. the clouds increase friday and by the evening, some wet weather might be a route -- might be arriving. light winds out of the sow or se, keeping waves around 1 foot. some all i'll valley thunderstorms might survive into western maryland. storms possible there tomorrow. chilly on saturday. on the eastern shore, we have rain, but mostly after sunset going into friday night. lower eastern shore, it will stay dry during the day but the rain arrives tomorrow night. it continues off and on into saturday. seven-day forecast, temperatures held down because of the clouds. eventually some showers coming through.

a sprinkle is possible on sunday, but we should see a little bit of sun. and then it warms up a little bit. some scattered thunderstorms tuesday afternoon. >> after 14 straight losing seasons, the orioles do not have too many zealous fans. they do not -- they do have a zealous fielder. >> it is matt davis. with me is the drawing official. tonight's jackpot has an estimated annuity of $1.9 million. thursday, march 29. 15, 19, 43, 16, 28, 14. 15, 19, 43, 16, 28, 14.

if no one matches all six numbers, the jackpot climbs to $1,950,000. the next drawing is monday night on wbal tv 11. to see the winning numbers, to see the winning numbers, visit

>> now, 11 sports. >> day by day, the orioles content to get down to their eventual starting rotation. the orioles dropped a left- ander and assigned him to designate a simon. a pair of prospects struggle this spring. they added an infielder to take his spot on the roster. but showalter and the orioles in tampa lot tonight. bottom of the second, not ibanez jump on the pitch and that one is in the seats and then some in right field. the home run. top of the fourth, mike reynolds

blooped one into right field. 2-1 orioles. in the night, a couple of long shots delivered. the o's knock off the yankees. coaches and players cannot afford to look ahead on the schedule, but we can. the loyal lot men's lacrosse team has an enormous showdown on the horizon. johns hopkins is number one and they play each other in one month on the final game of the regular season. loyola coach can i get too excited because this week, they play ohio state. he wants to make sure his kids keep focused on what they do best and avoid looking ahead. >> we are playing good, solid defense on one end of the field. we are at our best when the ball

hits the ground. defensively, we are making saves or knocking the ball to the ground. that gives us the ability to run. we always tried to be a team that can run. this year, it is coming together at the other end. >> do you know the scene in the action movie where the actor tries to hold on to that pledge to avoid a fatal flaw but reaches a point where he cannot hang on and avoid the fall? for a while tonight, the washington capitals had that look in boston. scoreless after two periods, third period, the caps up 2-0. 1:25 in regulation, the game is sent to overtime with the tying goal. sudden-death phase of the shootout, final shot. the caps continue to hang in the playoff picture with a 3-2 win over the bruins. turns out losing in the elite eight does not turn out to be

the worst day this month for the north carolina basketball team. today, 3 tar heels announced it would leave school early to enter the draft. along with graduating senior tyler's seller, north carolina will lose four of its five starters from this season. all nfl players wander -- teams won their players to get stronger. the browns' coaching staff was pushed around today. the running back coach holding the bag and he gets floored. shoved to the ground. that is embarrassing. i love his reaction. trying to conceal it. he might play for the coach, could not hold back. he buried the coach. now you know why teams used blocking sleds instead of having coaches hold the bags. blocking sleds do not fall down. at least he got back up.

>> he popped back up, i am all good. >> are you guys done? it's oysternomics 101. you start with a u.s. senator named ben.

by helping restore thousands of acres of oyster beds, he kept hundreds of oystermen on the job... which keeps wholesalers in business... and that means more delivery companies... making deliveries to more restaurants... which hire more workers. and that means more oystermen. it's like he's out here with us. he's my friend, ben. i hope he's your friend, too. i'm ben cardin, and i approved this message.

>> what would you rather have? $500 million or a really good forecast? >> what is it worth? >> that is not a $500 million forecast.

>> no refunds. take it or leave it. 60 degrees tomorrow. shower chances increase for the evening and continue into saturday, maybe even a sprinkle lingering into sunday. warmer temperatures, low- seventies monday and tuesday is with chants for thunderstorms tuesday evening. april begins on sunday. april fools' day. let's start thinking about your jokes right now. planning. >> thank you very much for joining us. >> the tonight show is next. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> follow breaking news and whether any time at wbaltv.com. stay connected with us on facebook and twitter.

and "the tonight show" band.