police station. the blast killed more than 60 iraqis and injured dozens more. militants struck with car bombs and roadside blasts and one suicide bomber. the attacks come days after the last u.s. forces left iraq. the white house has said attempts to derail progress will fail. senator john mccain believes pulling the troops out was a mistake. >> we needed the residual force there and it is not there and now things are unraveling tragically. >> reporter: there is no claim of responsibility but al-qaeda insurgents are expected because most of the carnage took place in shiite neighborhoods. earlier this week the shy eat prime minister ordered the arrest of the sunni vice president, accusing him of running death squads. sunni shiite classes brought iraq to the brink of war in 2006. many worry that violence would spike after american troops left. u.s. officials have expressed concerns about a resurgence of al-qaeda now that the military is gone. terrell brown, wjz.

>> the white house said it is confident iraqi security forces can maintain stability in the country. house republicans give in to president obama's demands and agree to extend the payroll tax cut. late this afternoon we learned house gop members reached a deal to vote for a short-term extension of the tax cut and some unemployment benefits. the deadline to reach a deal was the end of the year. just a short time ago house speaker john boehner said he did not regret pushing the issue right to the deadline. >> it may not have been politically the smartest thing in the world, but i'll tell you what, i think our members waged a good fight. >> without a deal, people could have lost an average of $1,000 a year from their paycheck. negotiations on a long-term extension of the payroll tax cut are expected to begin in the new year. a former ravens running back blamed the nfl for his brain injuries. jamal lulu -- lewis and other

players are suing the nfl. they said they have problems with mentalness. avery corn et died on sunday after he had just been fed enfamil newborn powder from a wal-mart in southern missouri. doctors say he may have contracted a infection from the prepared formula. they are looking into another similar ill finance a second baby. the government is not requesting enfamil issue a formal recall. a congressman apologized for mocking the first lady's figure. the republican senator was overheard saying michelle obama has a large bebehind. he suggested mrs. obama should pay more attention to her figure because she supports a healthy eating initiative. he sent a note today apologizing for the inappropriate remark. former president george bush weighs in on the race for the white house. he said he thinks mitt romney is the best choice.

beg add seanan reports for wjz. it is not a full endorsement for romney. >> reporter: republican presidential hopeful mitt romney got a boost from former president georgia bush, sr. a houston newspaper quoted bush as saying, i think romney is the best choice for us. >> i'm encouraged by the support of president bush for my campaign. as you can tell, there is growing momentum for this effort. >> reporter: romney said he spoke to the former president by phone and thanked him. despite the praise, a bush spokesperson said it is not an endorsement. but it is a blow to fell yo -- fellow texan government perry who got bush's support in 1998. bush said i like perry but he doesn't seem to be going anywhere. newt gingrich who posed bush's move to raise taxes while he was president isn't getting bush's support either. bush senior said i'm not his biggest advocate. the former speaker of the house is busy playing catch-up in

virginia. because of his late start into the race, he needs signatures from 10,000 voters to get on the march ballot there. >> we've had folks from the state coming together as volunteers and we're going to file thousands of petitions this afternoon. i think this is democracy in action. >> reporter: gingrich is calling on romney to end negative campaigning but romney said by law he has no control over negative ads paid for by political action committees. romney has also rejected gingrich's challenge to a one- on-one debate, saying it is not a two-man race. begad, seanan, wjz. mitt romney and ron paul are hoping to oust gingrich. they are both running anti- gingrich ads in iowa. new damage for the washington monu: engineers say the cracks and chips make the 127-year-old structure vulnerable to rain. the experts who inspected the damage caused by the summer's

earthquake are worried water may collect on the upper -- floors before repairs could be made. it has been closed since the earthquake back in august. and stories in tomorrow's baltimore sun. the secret santa is better known as layaway angels. and a proposed map for legislative maryland districts. and how anthony allen is continuing the lessons he learned about charity and giving. for these stories and more read tomorrow's baltimore sun and look for the updated forecast from the first warning weather team. and it is a tradition for more than half a century. ron matz takes us inside to show us what make this is train garden so special. >> reporter: the holiday train garden at the glenn avenue fire station is right on track. now in its 56th year, the longest continually operating train garden in baltimore. four trains running constantly, the set-up begins in october. >> a small scene can take 10-12

hours to do, much less getting the other stuff ready. so just the scenes themself take up a lot of time. >> reporter: it's 40 by 15 feet, from harry potter to winter wonderlands and even mr. bo. the display takes up half of the firehouse. at glenn avenue, it is all about tradition. >> some people generations after generations sign our guest book we have upfront and many people have been coming here since they were children and they are bringing their grandchildren. so it is amazing. >> reporter: there is no charge to get in but donations keep the trains running. >> we thank you for your contributions. this is self sustaining so your contributions keep us going every year. >> it is something we enjoy seeing the families coming in and enjoying the time here, the kids and the faces and the smiles. it is just a joyful time of year and we like to celebrate with the community we serve.

>> reporter: in northwest baltimore, ron matz, wjz eyewitness news. >> the train garden at the glenn avenue firehouse is open every day from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. through new year's day. and you can come up and listen to the holiday music in front of the fireplace this season, even if you don't have one. wjz has a yule log burning 24 hours a day. we're doing our best to keep it lit. listen to the music of 101.9 and just click on the link at the top of the home page. i think its tim's turn to go put on a fresh log. >> that is right. those same logs have been burning for days now. still to come on wjz eyewitness news, stranded in the snow, the few supplies that helped a college student survive more than a week stuck in her car. >> i just can't even imagine what that four hours must have been like for him. >> and a wild ride. the incredible journey that this cat survived. i'm meteorologist tim williams in the weather center. we're putting the finishing

tups on your holiday weekend forecast coming up in a few minutes. and wjz asks four your pictures to help deck the halls and here are some you sent us. for a complete slideshow go to wjz.com. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, woman: we had been called up for the first time.

wildfires were getting close to homes. at that moment, i got my first taste of just how important the guard is. announcer: be there for your community, at nationalguard.com.

a five-alarm fire spread to three buildings in san francisco. fire broke out after 3:00 in a four-story apartment complex. at least 125 firefighters are on the scene. now so far there are to reports of injuries. the cause of this fire is still unknown. an arizona state university student is back at home after spending ten days stranded in the snow without a working phone. u.s. forest workers found 23- year-old lauren wineberg outside of phoenix. she was driving down a dirt road and got stuck in the snow on december 12th. she survived on candy bars and used an empty water bottle to drink melted snow. a soccer fan is banned from going to the game for life. after he storms the field

during a dutch cup match in amsterdam. the fan ran on to the field and attacked the goalie from the visiting team. the goalie kicked the fan several times before he was ejected from the game. the visiting team left the field in protest. there is no word yet if the match will be replayed. here is a cat that lives up to the nine lives. this guy took a 200-mile trip under the hood of a car. the driver noticed the cat when he pulled over of a rest stop. outside of burns, the cat is doing well and will be ready for an adoption. he was named eclipse in honor of the car he hitched a ride in. >> oh, my gosh. scott pelley has a preview of what is coming up tonight on the cbs evening news. >> a food bank running on empty. we'll show you the new faces of hunger in america tonight on ,,,

well it will be a white christmas in parts of colorado. a storm hit denver overnight causing trouble for drivers. here is a a live look at the -- a live look at the rocky

mountains right now. the storm jumped 9 inches of snow within 24 hours and with some areas getting more than two feet. there is no sign of snow in the baltimore area. it's been an unseasonable warm day. tim williams shows us how long the weather sticks around. >> there were times tv hill looked like that. i'm glad this isn't one of those years. temperatures down from 62 degrees. topping out tonight around 46 and tomorrow we start off around 47 degrees with rain moving through tonight. it will clear out early tomorrow. we'll go back up into the mid- 50s with sunshine by the afternoon. and then for the next few days, 46 on saturday with a good bit of sunshine in time for the ravens. we'll have some clouds but most of the rain stays south of baltimore and the metro area. 50 degrees and 48 with clearing on monday and 52 with sunshine and sun by the middle of the week. denise. >> thank you, tim. beach boy brian wilson offers up good vibations this

holiday season. chris jacobs has more from hollywood. >> beach boy wilson lent his legendary voice that we here were lucky enough to be part of that reminds us what this holiday season is truly about. [ singing ] >> brian's good vibrations warmed the help group as they honor john anythingowski, president of television distribution for his benefit of the autism treatment. this masterpiece is finally unveiled. [ music ] >> reporter: good vibrations is the cornerstone of the smile sessions available now. it documents smile, an album that was too progressive to be released in its entirety. [ music ] >> it is a holiday present even for brian. >> well it is something very original and different.

i'm proud as hell. i'm very proud that people like my music. >> reporter: this knew music video for heroes and villains is also on the smile sessions. also tonight the stars share with us their holiday plans, plus prince william shows off his royal dance moves. that and more coming up later on entertainment tonight. tonight at 7:30 here on wjz 13. >> there are some things that should never be done on tv. that was one of them. the little dance move thing. and still to come, bad news for the ravens. they lose one of the best players to an injury. >> mark has details and >> mark has details and reaction fro,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

when i grow up, i want i want to be a fireman i want to be a baseball player i'll be a chef 'cause, it's like the coolest job ever you get to ride around in a giant bus with your name and picture right outside chefs get to cook yummy cheeseburgers, pizza, and chocolate everything i would be the pitcher, because they get to do something all the time they get to ride on those trucks and never have to stop for red lights or nothin' and you get to play really loud if your child is sick over and over again, it could be pi a defect in the immune system that affects millions early detection can give children a chance to dream my plan is to be the youngest pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter i'll write a cookbook

that's just for kids i know i'm going to be famous, 'cause my mom and dad call me their little star and that pole you slide down... cool jeffrey modell foundation 25 years of helping children reach for their dreams well the ravens won't have to play in the rain after all. >> they'll have to play without one of the best players. and that is the issue today for sure. headed to the playoffs, hoping to finish strong, the ravens suffer a significant setback today. veteran wide receiver anquan boldin will miss the final two regular season games. the ravens hope to have him back in time for the playoffs. he is having knee surgery today. the team said he aggravated his knee after a light workout on

tuesday. he missed practice yesterday. sports doctor james andrews is performing the surgery on boldin in birmingham, alabama. he has the second most pass receptions on the team, only ray rice has more. veteran lee evans will be counted on now along with a number of young receivers. >> i think those guys are very much ready to have success. and between the tight ends and others play a role in that as well so it is interesting to see how they do but we anticipate them to do well. >> this is a opportunity for a lot of guys to step up and make a play. and that's what it will take. it is not just a receiver position but all across the offense. so people will get more opportunities, so i'm looking forward to seeing everybody play. >> the ravens are also counting on the next man up at the kicker position, shane graham will kick on saturday as billy cundiff continues to miss practice with a calf injury. cory redding also missed practice today and his status

for saturday is uncertain. the ravens final home game is on saturday. cleveland bounds coming to town. see the game here on wjz. i'll be at the stadium with highlights and reaction at the locker with the post game report. and then it is marty and jessica keeping it going with football talk in canton. we have a full day of football coming up here on saturday on wjz. mike loxly is returning to the university of maryland coaching staff. his hiring was announced today. loxly was the head coach at new mexico prior to getting fired there this year. he takes over as terp's offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. he was at maryland, during a five year stint that ended in 2002. the maryland basketball team returns to action tomorrow after an 11-daybreak. they will take on ratford in college park tomorrow night. meanwhile 20,000 fans at kentucky's arena, the largest crowd the loyola basketball team has played in front of.

the boys from baltimore were not intimidated. check out the power move down the lane and slamming in 2. a team high of 14 and kentucky ranked third in the nation. and down by just 6 at halftime. second half, average davis, kentucky outscored loyola 15-2 during a critical stretch. kyle wilter came off the kentucky bench and would lead the way with 24 points, 87-63 the final. loyola's record now 8-3. and the nba season will tip off on sunday. lakers star kobe bryant said he should be fine to play despite a torn tendon he suffered in his right wrist, an injury he suffered when he fell during a preseason game on monday. bryant said he can play through pain as he entered his 16th season. the lakers will open against chicago on christmas day. injuries in football and basketball, the tough keep going. >> thank you, mark.

we'll be right back. there's always a moment.

the moment you decide to get involved, to get engaged. this is my american story. when you teach someone to read they have a sense of self-fulfillment. seeing family, friends fall victim to gang violence, drugs it definitely made me want to serve. there was a hole in the ground and by the time we left, there was a house. i realized that these kids were not getting a meal. it is so easy to give back. i don't have a lot of money to help people but i do have something: i have time. you can give any skill you have get up and do something! just imagine how strong a society we could be.

every one of us has a role to play in making our communities and our country stronger. discover yours - help us continue to make a difference in the life of our nation. go to serve dot gov and find the opportunity that

be sure to watch the cbs lineup tonight at 10:00. and for a special episode of the mentalist, followed by eyewitness news at 11:00 into and finally most people joke about fruitcakes lasting for you'res but a holiday treat in ohio is no joke. it was made in 1941. it is still sealed in its original metal container. the owners kept it for 30 years before returning it -- what? -- to the original store. the store manager is auctioning it off for charity. whoever ends up with it will have an interesting choice to make, eat it or use it as a door stop. >> who will want to open it? oh, my goodness. >> fermented. back at 11:00, i'm denise koch. >> don't go away. much more >> pelley: tonight, breaking news. it appears there has been a break through in washington.

nancy cordes says there's word of a deal that would prevent a tax increase for 160 million americans. there's a new report on unemployment. anthony mason looks at the growing hopeful signs for the economy. how would the republican front-runners create jobs? wyatt andrews and dean reynolds put the question face to face. >> reporter: mr. speaker, can you tell me what your job creation plan is? >> pelley: and barry petersen on the new face of hunger in america, causing a run at the food bank. captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with scott pelley. >> pelley: good evening, there is a deal tonight that would prevent a tax increase which would have hit most american households in nine days. date road, republican leaders of the house of representatives caved in and agreed to vote on a senate bill that would extend a