now abc 2 news at 5:30. >> it's been a mission and a mantra for maryland's governor, going green. good evening. i'm kelly swoope. and now martin o'malley's empower maryland program is taking the step forward with some environmentally friendly changes to state government buildings, including the governor's mansion. abc 2 news' joce sterman got a one-on-one tour with the governor to see what is happening.

>> i have two pit bulls. >> a light moment with governor martin o'malley as he shows us around his home, showing off the changes that are slowly making this old red brick house a little more green. >> we're trying to just do the simple things that all of us should be trying to do in order to conserve energy and order to recycle more. >> reporter: the goal is to be more environmentally friendly. and it doesn't take much. the o'malleys added the rain barrels to keep some rain runoff out of the chesapeake bay. the water they collect also gives the first lady's the water she needs to grow fresh veggies for the family. one of the biggest changes are solar panels on the flat side of the roof. they'll be you'd to heat the water for the house so everybody who lives here can take a hot shower without hurting the environment. >> some of these things look like big expenses up-front. over time that. >> do pay back whatever the cost was up-front. >> reporter: and the cost of

greening up 37 buildings, including government house, is just under 18 million. but the state's department of general services says the upgrades will save $29 million over time and drop energy use by nearly 20%. >> i wish that it were so easy that we could press a button and make it all happen. but it's not about buttons. it's about people. >> reporter: people o'malley hopes will take a cue from the changes being made by the state and in his own backyard. small steps that hopefully leave an even smaller footprint on the earth. in annapolis, joce sterman, abc 2 news. >> when it comes to changes at historical buildings, those had to be approved by the maryland historical trust before the work could be done. metro riders can expect more delays as crews continue working to make safety improvements. metros say all tracks circuit parts between fort totten and

tacoma stations will be replaced. nine were killed and more tan 70 others killed when a train slammed into another train stopped on the track. investigators a still working to pinpoint the cause of the crash. some kids in baltimore county are coming together with the hope of keeping a police officer at the powell center. the youth leadership says that officer kevin is being reassigned to the street because he doesn't have enough seniority. so today they held a protest outside the center on greenside drive. >> kevin made me want to become a police officer. so right now i'm in the process of being a cadet. and it's sad to see him go and how he inspired other kids to do things. >> the youth leadership has also started a petition drive to keep officer kevin there at the powell center. the national discussion on health care reform has turned into a series of town hall shouting matches. but why? is it really grassroots outrage, or something more political?

t.j. winick takes a closer look. >> reporter: lawmakers are getting an earful over health care reform. >> yes they know! >> reporter: at town hall meetings back in their hometown districts. outside detroit, congressman john dingle barely got his opening remarks out when an angry protester pushed his son in a wheelchair up-front. across the country, protests are getting louder. >> i think the more people look at the details of this health care reform plan, the more opposition we're going to see in it. >> reporter: texas democratic congressman lloyd doggett believes they're carefully orchestrated. >> this notion of a grassroots campaign is totally and completely phony. the republican party has coordinated this apparent outrage and stirred it up. >> reporter: some demonstrations are clearly organized. a conservative activist wrote a memo at other town meetings to put the congressman on the defensive with your questions and follow-up. >> these are real constituents with real concerns, even if

they're getting organizing help and being told about it from outside groups, they're going there, and these are people that vote and matter in terms of the political process. >> reporter: but the disagreements are getting increasingly ugly, with comparing president obama and congress to adolf hitler and the nazis. some house democrats are actually canceling public meetings. >> i think we can have honest policy disagreements without being either disagreeable and certainly without being violent. >> reporter: the next legislative action won't be at least until september 8. that's when lawmakers return to washington. t.j. winick, abc news, washington. and it is just a terrific afternoon of weather here across the baltimore area. i mean, the humidity so low right now, and temperatures only just above 80 degrees. we're used to seeing 90s this part of august. we're seeing a few 70s on the map. the pawtuxent river 79 cool degrees. and clear sky right now across all of central maryland. off to the west there are a few

clouds blowing in our direction, but i expect those to break apart a bit. 68 overnight. take a look at the sneak peek of the weekend there. climbing big time temperature wide. 94 by sunday, and this is not the hottest day to come. we'll tell you just how hot a few of the dog days will get in just a few. >> thanks. now for a look at tonight's top story. a terrible tragedy that reminds us about being at the wrong place at the wrong time. a single mother driving back from the doctor's appointment was killed when she was broadside bade speeding stolen car. now a family wants to know more about why it happened. no criminal charges in the deaths of two teens who were struck and killed by a light rail train last month. connor peterson and kyle wankmiller were walking on the tracks. baltimore county police took over the investigation, and they determined that it was only an accident. as maryland health officials report, a fifth death related to the swine flu. federal officials unveil guidelines for dealing with the

virus in schools. health and education officials say students infected with the swine flu need to stay home. they also recommend that schools had some home learning plans prepared for sick students. and the big day for hundreds of baltimore city school kids who spent their summer learning. more than 750 second and third- graders graduated from the parked and schools summer reading program. in three months the children spent more than then thousand hours reading books. today they were treated to a cookout that featured some of the songs they wrote during camp. they would like to see this expanded because it worked so well. >> this would be good for the kids if they could make a great offer. second and third. they need to make it fourth and fifth grade for a lot of kids. >> the number 1 reader by the way spent more than 48 hours reading. the hope is that this will improve reading scores and

encourage the love of reading year round. well coming up, it is a shopper's paradise. we're going to take you to the world's longer yard sale. >> came to me to try something different. i did not expect any type of response. i thought this is crazy. no one is going to even look at it. >> a pregnant woman's drastic measure to help raise money. what she is auctions off on ebay. and from our storm center weather net, in laurel feels like 80. temperature is 80. why it is busy in the storm center. a look at the forecast coming up in just a couple minutes. explain.

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looking for a deal? the world's longest yard sale is open for business from ohio to alabama. it is a 685-mile sale event that seems to get bigger and bigger every year. the four-day event known as the 127 corridor sale atracks bargain hunters from all over the nation. the sale is in its 22nd year, and homeowners all along the route take part. the yard sale stretches through five states and national park, a state park, and a world museum. world war i, rather, museum. an arkansas woman is selling something on ebay that is kind of raising some

eyebrows. lavon drummond who is pregnant with her 7th child is desperate to get some cash. so desperate she, is auctioning off her baby's naming rights. that's right. the highest bidder on ebay gets to name her unborn child. >> i really had no expectations. anything is a blessing. so i am open for anything. even prayers. like i said, i wasn't expecting anything out of this. so i'm surprised. >> the bidding started at $150, and is now nearing $3,000. it's a story that spread quickly. not just around town, but across the country, sparking discussion pro and con, even drummond said some of her family members are not too keen on selling the legal name of their child. but tough times call for drastic measures. her baby boy is due september 16th. i think i've heard it all now. with the slumping economy, there is a lot more competition these days to find a job. coming up, some tips to keep

your skills sharp, helping you to land that next opportunity. and in these tough times, who wouldn't want some free cash? well, an ad is promising just that. but is it too good to be true?

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green arrows on wall street today, all right! the dow jones up 113. the s&p 500 over 13. and the nasdaq up just over 27. unemployment eased in july. but the numbers still points to millions of americans without work who could have months of job hunting ahead. so how do you keep your skills sharp when you're out of the workplace? abc 2 news elizabeth manresa has some tips to make the most of your long layoff. >> reporter: a job loss can be traumatic. >> it was horrible. it was totally out of the blue and unexpected.

>> reporter: and in a tough economic climate, the job hunt a daunting task. >> going online, making phone calls, contacts, sending out resumes. >> what is out there, people are holding on to right now, the way the economy. >> reporter: it's tempting to make a job search a full-time priority. but future employers say they want to see you get up and away from the computer. >> the worst thing you can do to position yourself is someone who has been applying this entire time, but you have not applied yourself. you have simply been applying for positions. >> reporter: to expand your network wherever you can. >> an alumni sports team. a social network right there. being part of a professional association and attending professional association meetings. so right away, you are meeting more people. >> reporter: taking a class or mentoring students in your field can give a boost to your resume, and keep you engaged in a routine. >> make sure you are keeping a schedule, and when you're not working, you're doing something every day. >> reporter: and when you do

meet with a future employer, leave your layoff in the past. >> employer doesn't know than. what they want to know why were you successful in the past, and how are you going to be successful with them in the future. >> reporter: in washington, i'm elizabeth manresa, abc 2 news. abc 2 is working to help you save money in the tough economic times. on our website today, the seven most common money mistakes that people make. plus foods you can freeze to save some money. and think you're cutting corners? see how you compare against people who are taking cheap to the extreme? log on the abc2news.com and click on our financial survival guide. now the forecast certified baltimore's most accurate by weather rate, and maryland's most powerful doppler radar. >> all right. everybody wants to know the weekend. >> all eyes on the weekend. i've got a little money-saver for you. the humidity low today. it's going to be nice tonight. you might be able to skip the ac tonight. >> fan action maybe?

>> a couple of bucks maybe. but unfortunately that doesn't last. i'm talking about serious heat coming our way, oh really? 90s? >> 90s. high 90s probably. toward monday. but again, enjoying tonight out there. it's going to be nice. what we're seeing right now, 81 degrees. 34% relative humidity. and give it just a couple of hours. we're going to be down to 70s. eventually down in the 60s. tonight we were in the 50sthis morning. unbelievable stuff for this part of august, just to give you an idea. almanac wise, yeah, 82 is the high today. we did forecast 85. so no 2-degree weather winner. we'll take a crack tomorrow and the normal high up around 86, 87 degrees. the records up around 105. nowhere near that today. and yesterday. we've been in a nice mild stretch. 59, that's what we woke up to this morning at bwi. at some spots the outer suburbs down in the low to mid-50s this morning. unusual stuff by august standards. rebound temperature-wise today

not that strong. up to 82 at one point. thou we're cooling off. a few 70son the map. 78 out in oakland. and all in all looking at a pretty good weather scenario here into the evening. i think we'll see a few clouds drifting through at times. but we're staying dry tonight. and i think we start off the saturday. one weather-maker brewing here, moving across chicago and into southern michigan right now. but this particular storm system beginning to lose its punch already. and as it tracks across ohio and into pennsylvania, it's going to track north of maryland and head toward new england. and as it does so, weaken and fizzle out. there is not much off to the south other than a warm southerly wind that is going to develop that will begin to crank up the temperatures. tomorrow mid- to upper 80s. we good into the 90s sunday, and really hot on monday. we'll hoe you that temperature in just a second. the forecast map right now, puts the weak storm system in motion, watch as it stays to our north and then fizzles out to almost nothing as it moves toward the new england states.

sunday, midday, still lots of clear skies. but with the clear sky and south wind, temperatures really heating up as we go into sunday afternoon. so be ready for that. forecast for the bay tomorrow looks good. high tide 8:45. low tide 2:41. boaters watch out. late in the day tomorrow winds could get up to 20. bring up the chop 1 to 2 feet. partly cloudy, mild, gorgeous evening. head out and take time on the patio or balcony. tomorrow we start to warm it up. going up to 87 tomorrow. and watch what happens as we go towards the second half of the weekend and into monday, 94 degrees there. and pushing close to the century mark, close to 100 as we go into monday. finally some relief pushes in wednesday on into friday. >> all right, thanks, wyatt. you know, with so many people out of work or coping with pay cuts or furloughs this year, the offer of free government money just sounds too good to be true. but is it as easy as some radio

ads lead you to believe? john matarese checks out one promise of free cash so, you don't waste your money. >> reporter: lots of viewers have been asking me about a radio ad that claims you can sign up for free money through a website called neverpayitback. in these tough times, who wouldn't want some free cash. but is it real, or too good to be true? the ad airing on radio nationwide claims you may be eligible for thousands of dollars. as the name of the website implies, you never pay it back. so how does it work? well, neverpayitback.com offers information on government and private grants and asks for just an initial $2 processing fee. not bad. but hold on. the fine print says if you don't cancel after 7 days, your credit card will be charged $39 a month. my advice, even after you join, you still have to apply for grants, and it's very tough to qualify for one. and from the doesn't that

stink file, where your money apparently goes if you join never pay it back. the better business bureau says the company appears to be located in the philippines. because of that, and the monthly fees, the bbb has just issued a rating of f to never pay it back. doesn't that stink? bottom line, government grant money is available, but applying for it and qualifying for it takes work. and your local library can provide much of the same information at no charge, so you don't waste your money. i'm john matarese. if you thought you missed out on the cash for clunkers program, we've got good news for you tonight. president barack obama has signed an extension of the popular rebate program. washington has added another $2 billion to keep the cash for clunkers program running through labors day. and if your old car isn't eligible under the cash for clunkers, it may not be the end of the road. here are some reminders to extend the life of your ride. first, maintain the basics like your tires, your battery, and

your brakes. make sure the tread on your tires isn't worn. remember to check your tire pressure every month. have your battery strength checked at an auto parts store or station because the battery can die without any warning at all. and make sure you have your oil changed at least every 5,000 miles. if you have forgotten when you had it done, look at the quality of the fluid, if it smells dirty or burnt, you might want to consider replacing it. so how do you know when it's time to throw in the towel and get rid of your oath old clunker. don't sell it because you have been forced into a major repair. think ahead. balancing the cost of repairs against the continuous cost of your new car payment every month. and here is a look ahead to abc 2 news at 6. it's that time of year again. back to school shopping is upon us. but this year students might be heading to class with left. and it's the welcome back he wanted. we'll tell you who was at ravens camp today to give derrick mason a musical greeting.

now a preview of what is ahead on world news, coming up on 6:30. >> coming up on "world news," the encouraging jobs report out today. is the recession finally easing? what is behind the outrage at town hall meetings on health reform. and the amazing girl who helped teach the world about autism, and how she is still surprising everyone. explain. oh yea, well for 6 months, customers get all three: fios tv, internet and phone for just $79.99 a month. oh, all right, see...

you're just moving your fingers, aren't you? i gotta cut my nails. (announcer) now get three amazing fios services for the price of two. tv, internet, and phone for only... for the first 6 months. it all adds up to one incredible deal from fios. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v unlike cable, fios brings 100% fiber optics straight to your home, for razor sharp tv, america's top rated internet-- now even faster, and crystal clear phone service. all for just... for 6 months. it's like getting 3 services for the price of 2. that's a $180 savings over six months for the best in home entertainment. don't miss this unbeatable value 3 great services, for the price of 2. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v this if fios. this is big. yeah, so? it stinks in here! have you smelled this chair? or these curtains? you've gotta wash this whole room!

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we all have different taste buds. for instance, some people may like ketchup on their eggs. others may not. but what about this? this year's wisconsin state fair, they are serving chocolate-covered bacon on a stick. there is mixed reaction to the concoction. >> i love salty and sweet, and this hits the spot.

>> i'm pass this around to some friends and let them try the rest of it. >> now at the maryland state fair, you can get other unique treats. deep fried twinkies and orioles even snickers one year. a sad story of animal abuse. police need your help to find out who set a kitten on fire. >> now abc 2 news at 6. >> tonight we are learning more about the young woman who died when a stolen car crashed into her vehicle in west baltimore. good evening. i'm marybeth marsden. police say they were not chasing the car that struck another, killing keira mckay. the crash happened thursday afternoon at the corner of lexington and calhoun streets. members of mckay's family say they have their doubts about what caused the crash. >> reporter: an initial investigation suggests the carjacking suspect t-boned keira mckay's car at anywhere from 70 to 100 miles