leftwich tells us, it will cost you more money before you get it. >> reporter: the day of the meter readers will soon be gone. in comes two million gas and electric meters that can be tweaked constantly for efficiency. the power system just got smart. >> the cost to generate electricity is driven by fuel prices. it's a worldwide supply and demand issue. but what we can control, what is within our control is how much energy we use and are we using it most efficiently and at the right time. >> reporter: but all the digital goodness has a price, half a billion dollars, made up by consumers at 38 cents a month for electric and 44 cents a month for gas. it will creep up eventually $1.23 for electric and $1.54 a month for gas. many the long run, bge says the customer will save. >> the savings are projected at $2.6 billion circumstances with a huge sum of money. the cost of the project is $500 million to put it in. so the savings are many times greater than the costs to get

it installed. >> reporter: the big question, are you willing to pay more for electricity now on the promise that you're going to save some money later? people are still stinging from the big rate increase from a couple years ago, and even a buck or two on either way for many folks, they just don't like that idea. with power bills highs, many folks would like to see a little savings right now. >> if it would save me some money later, i would. but it depends on how many years or whatever. >> reporter: while others say their bill is so large now, a few more bucks a month won't even make a difference. >> i think in the long run it would eventually pay off. but i wouldn't notice too much of a 2 or $3 change. >> reporter: bge says it filed the papers with the pfc today. they hope to discuss the proposal before them next month. in baltimore, roosevelt leftwich, abc 2 news. >> bge says it has applied for $200 million in federal stimulus money set aside for energy improvements. if they get ate share of that cash, the company says the cost to consumers would be even

less. now to an abc 2 news update. baltimore county police say the driver in a deadly weekend crash in essex will not be charged. 12-year-old joseph alan hudson was killed when he was hit and killed by a car by a car while crossing north point boulevard. the driver, 18-year-old jameel wilson swerved, hitting other vehicles. police believe the kid crossing the street was at fault. the driver was taken to franklin square with minor injuries. another driver went to shock trauma, also with minor injuries. police in baltimore have got another homicide on their hands. they say a man was shot in the head while he was sitting in a car near the corner of falls and cedar crofton roads. it happen around 5 this morning. still no word on suspects or motive. and now for a look at tonight's top stories. baltimore city police are on the scene as we speak, of a barricade situation. this all started as a shooting in an alley near 29th and

alameda. police say one person was shot, and then two suspects ran inside a house. there are no reports of any hostages. investigators say more arrests are possible in the killing of a florida couple who adopted 12 children, many with developmental disabilities like downs syndrome and autism. authorities are looking at business ties among other possible leads for a motive in the deaths of byrd and melanie billings. three men are already in custody, including two charged with murder. supreme court nominee sonia sotomayor made it through the first day of her confirmation hearings. she told a senate judiciary committee today that the law drives her rulings as a judge, not her personal experiences. sotomayor has come under fire from republicans who say she might let her own emotions drive her rulings. a south korean news report is raising new questions about the health of north korean leader kim jong-il. today's report says the north

korean leader has life- threatening pancreatic cancer and may have only five more years to live. south korea's spy agency cannot confirm that report. was the cia keeping secrets from congress? the agency is known for conducting covert operations, but one of their secrets may soon spark a congressional investigation. the director of the cia has told some members of congress that former vice president dick cheney reportedly ordered the agency to keep a counterterrorism program under wraps. democrats are now calling for investigations of both cheney and the agency. according to the "wall street journal," the project was an attempt to carry out a 2001 presidential authorization to capture or kill al qaeda operatives. >> to have a massive program that is concealed from the leaders in congress is not only inappropriate, it could be illegal. >> the former vice president's allies say the agency didn't need to brief congress because the program never made it off the ground.

it fueled up and ready for takeoff. the seven astronauts assigned to shuttle endeavour have arrived a the launch pad. will the weather force another delay? forecaster says there is a 60% chance of more storms. the latest mission will deliver the last pique piece of japan's lab to international the space station. today's launch is scheduled for 6:51. across the area right now, temperature-wise from the storm center weather net, showing very nice temperatures and low humidities. take a look at it right now. 81 in bel air. 80 in glenwood. perry haul 43% humidity, with a temperature right now of 81 degrees. here is your forecast for next couple of hours this evening. what we're calling for is some pretty nice weather, scattered showers, maybe even a thunderstorm down to the south and east of us. we'll have the complete forecast coming up in just a couple of minutes.

breaking news now regarding one of the ravens' star players and most popular athletes. wide receiver derrek mason says he will retire from the national football league. according to jock life.com, mason said he had a tremendous career with two great teams. he added that all good things come to an end, and he is ready to see what else life has to offer. rob carlin will have more on this story coming up in sports at 6. twisters ripped through parts of ohio over the weekend. they turn mobile homes into rubble, leaving many homeless. still ahead, one thing that wasn't torn apart by the tornado. and scammers preying on unemployed. we'll show you the red flags to look out for while applying for jobs. but first, we want to take you outside, head over to lisbon for a check on the weather conditions there, lisbon elementary where it feels like it's 80 degrees. it's actually 81. and no rain in that forecast.

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millions of americans who is unemployed, you probably think things can't get much worse. but there are even con artists out there now, preying on people looking for jobs. abc 2 works for you with tips to avoid being hit by a job search scam. >> reporter: looking for a job? not only is it harder to find one in this economy, but now you have to look out for scammers. according to the better business bureau, more and more people are vulnerable to schemes that prey on people seeking jobs. let's take a look at some of the more common schemes. you may be asked for a credit report or given fake job application forms. you may be charged fees for a background check. scam artists may even try to get you involved in moneylaundering schemes when you're trying to cash counterfeit checks. they may try to involve you in a work at home scam, where you pay money up-front for services you never get. here are some red flags you should watch out for. spelling errors. most online fraud is done by

scammers outside the u.s., and english isn't their first language. you may be asked for a social security number. don't buy into claims that you can get rich quickly. and you don't have to stay away from online job sites. just be careful what kind of information you release. for instance, don't put down your address on your resume. and if you've got any suspicions, make sure you report to it the better business bureau. to reach them, head to abc2news.com and check out links mentioned on air. it's on the right-hand side of our home page. and make no mistake, there are scammers everywhere. here in baltimore, innocent people are being hit by rogue movers. straight ahead, when it comes to your big move, learn who you can and can't trust. and it's all in a day's work. how one thrift store employee saved the day for one family and the life of a woman, all during one shift.

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summer is usually the biggest season for movers, but not everyone who offers to schlep your stuff can be trusted. joce sterman has a warning about so-called rogue movers in this week's scam alert. >> reporter: it can be incredibly stressful. trying to fit everything you own into boxes, getting it ready so someone else can haul it away. but how much do you know about the person you're trusting with your stuff? >> anybody with a pickup truck, a truck can throw a sign on it and they can move individuals within the state. >> reporter: that's because according to angie barnett with the better business bureau, maryland doesn't license or regulate moving companies, which leaves rogue movers with an open door to scam you. the bbb says they get the biggest number of complaints about companies that don't survey how much you'll need to actually move. instead they go off your take

on how many boxes you need and how much furniture you have. >> the problem is they low ball the estimate. and then when they actually come to move us, they tack on hidden fees. >> reporter: and the real problem comes if you refuse to pay the fees once they have already packed up your home. the worst rogue movers will actually hold your stuff hostage until hoe you shell out cash. that's why the bbb says you've got to do your homework to find a reputable mover. you can check the company's record on the bbb website. the maryland movers conference and the american moving and storage association also keep lists of companies who have qualified for special programs they run. the bbb warns you should get several estimates before signing on. find out if they have fees for things like climbing the stairs or distance to the curb. and make sure the price they quote is the final price you'll pay. get your prices in writing and never pay more than 1/3 of the cost up-front. otherwise your money or belongings could be rolled away by a rogue mover.

joce sterman, abc 2 news. trying to clean up the mess left behind by a twister. and by the looks of it, it's not going to be easy. look at this. the tornado turned at least three mobile homes into twisted metal. it threw one of the homes, syndroming five people to the hospital. one man who left his home in the storm says his bible was one of the only things left intact. >> here is one anchor. and another one there and another there at the end with leather straps that go in through the wallace and up through the ceiling and on the other side. it completely ripped the anchors out. thank god we wasn't home at the time. things could have been much worse. >> it's just stuff. because you can start over. it will take time. and it will take money. but my most precious things are my kids, and they were with me. i've got them, and that's all i need. >> the man, woman, and three children who were taken to the hospital are all expected to recover. they've got some broken bones and lots of cuts and bruises.

now the forecast certified baltimore's most accurate, here is chief meteorologist norm lewis and maryland's most powerful doppler radar. >> just another reminder of how dangerous the weather can be. but we're not having anything like that. >> no, nothing like that. as a matter of fact, we're kind of on the opposite side of the weather that they're having in texas and oklahoma where yesterday in enid, oklahoma, 112 degrees. i mean, just extreme heat there, while we've got below normal temperatures. now eventually it's going to switch. but not going to switch this week. we're going to stay below normal. >> i didn't think i would be saying this any time soon. looks like we can use some rain. >> we do need the rain and a chance for it thursday and saturday. let's take a look outside right now. our harbor cam overlooking the columbus center, or pier 5, rather. some of the boats docked down there. folks getting out and around and about in tinner harbor. right now 86 degrees at bwi

thurgood marshall. 34% humidity. wind continues from the west at 8 miles an hour. the pressurizing 29.87. we want the take a look at the tropics, see what is going on. not much happening. here is florida there is the carolinas. but as you can see all the way to the coast of africa, not much at all happening. there is one little system that has now come off africa that we're going to watch. but it doesn't look like much is going to be developing. but we'll keep our eye on it for you. in the meantime, around our area, sunshine throughout the day today. few afternoon clouds and some showers over on the lower eastern shore. a few scattered showers and thunderstorms. but nothing around the baltimore area. right now maryland's most powerful radar indicating that one little shower right here making its way on towards the east there is another little shower just to the south of us down near the cambridge region. but around the baltimore area, we should be precipitation-free until thursday. temperature-wise right now in westminster, 81. 81 in iams bill. columbia 86. 84 in capital heights. in stevensville 84.

77 in galena. 77 up in the elkton area. as far as the forecast for tonight, the few showers to the south and east will remain south and east and continue to pull on towards the east. high pressure moves in during the day tomorrow. very weak, giving us a very nice day with lots of sunshine. another one, the system heading in our direction will set us up. and by wednesday evening, we'll see some showers from ohio, down through kentucky, lexington, louisville, but then that system makes its way in our direction. gives us a chance for some shower, maybe even a thunderstorm on thursday. so here is your forecast for the overnight period. partly cloudy and cooler. overnight low down to 58 degrees. could be a few degrees cooler than that. in the northern and western suburbs because of a mostly clear sky. during the day tomorrow, another nice sunny day. but again, below normal temperatures with a high of 86 degrees. the 86 tomorrow will be followed by an 88 normal temperature on wednesday. then we go to 89 on thursday with a chance of some thunderstorm activity. then the cooler air moves back in for friday, saturday, sunday, and monday. and again, a chance for some showers and thunderstorms on

saturday. we'll be back at 6 with more on the weather. >> all right, thanks, norm. well, this is a great time to buy a new car, if your budget allows it. dealers are slashing prices as they try to move the '09 models off the lots. but our consumer reporter john matarese tells us about cars that are even better deals than most so, you don't waste money. >> reporter: want a great deal on a new car? i mean a really great deal? well, then you may want to buy one of the worst selling cars in america because those are the cars dealers are practically giving away right now. if you want a bargain these days, skip the new camaro. it's so hot, it's selling for sticker price. instead, edmunds.com says shop for a slow seller like some dodge and pontiac. the website has compiled a list of new car bargains with five months more of unsold inventory. including the dodge caliber,

pontiac g6, kia optima, jeep patriot, and chevy colorado. my advice, make an office. deals are motived to move these slow-selling cars. but from the doesn't that stink file, some bargains that may not be such a deal if you need to unload them in a couple of years. they're known as orphans, brands like pontiac that will soon be gone. for owners who may need to sale, that stinks. some bargain cars are not a bargain if you need to resell in two to three years. but edmunds warns resale values can drop especially fast on orphaned brands. sure, a soon to be dropped car like a pontiac g6 may not hold its value very well. but if you're willing to hold on to it for a few years, you can drive away with a good car at an absolute bargain right now so you don't waste your money. i'm john matarese. the search for baltimore's next opera singer is on. baltimore's concert opera is taking a page from "american idol." they're holding open auditions

for singers in front of a live audience. they say they've got enough applications, but there could be room for audience members. tickets are 10 bucks at the door. it's tonight and tomorrow at the engineers club from 7 to 10. here is a look at what is coming up on abc 2 news at 6. it has been almost 40 years since we made it to the moon. coming up can at 6, we'll take a trip back with a maryland man who helped put us there in the first place. and money is tight. so baltimore needs your help to make some wishes come true for city firefighters. wishes the city can't afford. now a preview of what is ahead on world news at 6:30. coming up on "world news," she has been called a bully, arrogant, even racist. now supreme court nominee sonia sotomayor's turn to answer her critics as she goes before the senate. the inside reporting on the confirmation hear, on world news. ♪

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that gives you the results of the leading wrinkle prescription brand, without a prescription. olay professional pro-x. this is a guarantee you're guaranteed to love. just another normal day at work. not for one young college student, who may have helped save a life. chloe was working at a thrift store in washington state when she heard a loud thud. she looked over at the dressing rooms to find a customer having a seizure on the floor. she responded quickly and called 911. >> and then i just saw some feet slide from under that curtain. and i opened it up. i helped her out. i got her flat on the floor and laid her on the side because i had first responder training when i was in high school.

>> there was a pair of jeans, and i was looking through them to see if we wanted them in the store, and folded it, and it was just rolled up in the jeans. that. >> customer is expected to be okay, and get this, earlier that day she found $9,000 in ebonds stuffed in some clothing. she of course promptly gave them to her boss who returned them to their owner. up next, maryland takes a trip back to put a man on the moon. and firefighters need a few genies to help make their wishes come true on the job. abc 2 news at 6 starts right now. >> now abc 2 news at 6. we begin with breaking news as baltimore city police surround a house that may have shooting suspects barricaded inside. good evening. i'm marybeth marsden. it started with one man shot in a northeast baltimore alley. it now involved s.w.a.t. officers and a barricade in northeast baltimore. abc 2 news reporter brian

kuebler joins us now from along the alameda. >> reporter: the 3000 block of the alameda is still blocked off as police continue the try and contact the suspect they believe is still in one of these homes. let's show you videotape we shot earlier today. police say this all started with a murder. a man in his late teens, early 20s was shot several times in a nearby alley. police then believe the suspect ran into a home on this block. they have spent the better part of this late afternoon trying to reach those suspects or suspect. the s.w.a.t. team is here as well as homicide and the k-9 unit. now police say they did take at least one suspect into custody already, but is still trying to reach another one. again, they believe may be held up in one of these homes. back out here live now, you can tell this is still a very busy and very active scene as this block continues to be roped off with crime tape. this is still a very much continuing and developing story. we of course will be on top of it and give you the latest details right here on abc 2 news. live in east