. it's looking like the perfect weekend to find the perfect pumpkin, and thanks to the weather we've had this year there's going to be plenty in the patch to pick. in hartford county parent and kids were already looking out for pump kiss. fred slade shows us what they found at brad's produce in churchville. >> reporter: these green beans were just picked this morning. that's brad milton. it's a business he's started in 1992. in the fall. >> we have a nice pumpkin crop most years, and we have gourd and jack a lanterns. >> reporter: activities like looking for the perfect pumpkin. >> there's like a million of them. there's a bunch of different

sizes and shapes and stuff. >> let's get this one. >> you like there one? >> yeah. >> you want a big pumpkin or little one. >> reporter: earlier this year there was concern about the pumpkin crop. >> about the first or second week of august we had a nice shower of rain that all the pumpkins that were set on the blooms just got really nice size and were set underneath those vines and there's no complaints from us about the pumpkin crop this year. >> . >> every year we come here to get our pumpkins with my grandfather, and i always try to get a really big or a really cool looking one. >> one year we had pumpkins, 55, 50 and 49 pounds, and what happened it cost me a lot of money but it was fun.

>> reporter: despite a dry summer it was a great crop for pumpkins. with halloween two weeks away they will be plenty to choose from. >> thanks, fred. and if you want to have the best jack lantern we'll have tips for you. lighter colored skin are easier to carve. you can find the rest of our tips on abc2news.com click on the tips under the spotlight section. for a look at tonight's top stories. baltimore city school officials are vowing to work with the city's teachers to try to help them understand the terms of the contract between the city and teachers union. the contract was nota prepared by union members in a vote yesterday. the current contract ends on october 28 but there could be a revote soon. a horrific courtroom, a man is charged with murder assault and child abuse in the

death of his 6 months old daughter. he walked into his daughter's room and saw she was not breathing he eventually confessed to choking the infant to death. the autopsy slows the baby had several old injuries as well including a broken rip. three female students from edgewood high school face serious charges after splashing two other girls with bleach. a 14-year-old was brought to the hospital with a concussion. three teens are being charged as juveniles. definitely a fall like day. wind gusting up 30 higher through the day. these are our exclusive weather net sites parkville down to 59. churchville 58. temperatures quickly falling

below 60 degrees and it never felt much warmer than that today thanks to the winds which have been gusting as high as 25 to 30. steady breeze out of the north at 7 to 12 miles per hour and the windchill is more like the mid 50s right now. a few passing clouds radar all clear. expecting that to be the case all weekend. 50s clearing skies tonight cool and breezy and the rest of the weekend featuring more of the golden autumn sunshine we'll break it down in just a few. thanks, wyatt. democracy 2010 now. there are just 18 days to go until the midterm elections, and this week there were two critical debates in bitterly fought contests that could help decide which party controls congress next year. >> reporter: it's the closest and most important senate race in the nation. >> man up harry reid, do you need to understand that we have a problem with social security. >> reporter: it's also the nastiest. >> that's really extreme. >> there you go again.

>> absolutely wrong. >> demoralized our troops and endangered them. >> reporter: republican sharron angle is slightly ahead of harry reid. it was carried out in the race's only debate. >> i'd like to know, we'd like to know how did you become so wealthy on a government payroll? >> that's really kind of a low blow. i had been on a fixed income since i went to washington. >> reporter: and on the airwaves. >> she says rape victims should be forced to have the baby. harry reid, the best friend illegal have ever had. >> harry reid actually vote todd use taxpayer dollars to pay for viagra for convicted child molester. >> introducing sharron angle crazy suit. >> reporter: in delaware another pitched battle republican tea party favorite christine o'donnell faced off against democrat chris coons. >> when you brag balancing the

budget you have done so raising. >> reporter: the top two democrats aren't taking any chances. president obama will campaign in delaware joined by vice- president joe biden. >> lots of politics. the latest news and local and national candidates all the races in our democracy 2010 section just click on the news tab on the home page at abc2news.com then click on the political tab lots of did information on there. a new store opens its doors in to you son and a surprise for students coming up too. they are staging a special opening night at baltimore's historic senator theater. we'll explain coming up.

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. stocks rose in early trading after the federal reserve chairman ben bernanke reiterated that the central bank is ready to do more to simulate the economy. the dow fell 31 points the nasdaq however rose 33 points. s & p 500 rose about 2 points today. attention shoppers a new lowe's opened a store in towson today. it brings more than a hundred jobs in the area. today is the soft opening meaning you can get in this weekend, but the grand opening is coming next thursday. company says there's going to be a big surprise at that grand opening for area students. reopening tonight the senator theater baltimore's historic accept for theater the building still doing through renovations but the theater's new operator will start showing the movie red on the big screen. it was purchased at foreclosure auction by the city last year.

the former owner missed mortgage payments. the new owner he also own the charles theater they are planning to big a restaurant. it originally opened in 1939. finally some credit card companies are cutting customers a break when it comes to overdraft fees how card companies are trying to go a little easier on your wallet when it comes to shopping bigger not always better. closer look at one of maryland's hidden treasures.

bob ehrlich says he wants to fix maryland. but he increased state spending by record amounts. ehrlich raised $3 billion in taxes and fees... including property taxes... and a 40% increase in college tuition. and now he's made over $1 billion in new promises... with no plans to pay for them... except for cutting education. cuts that will lay off teachers and increase class sizes. that's not a budget. and bob ehrlich's not the kind of leader... we can trust.

i always feed in the fall. but, it's the best time. feed your lawn in the fall. the fall feeding makes all the difference in the world. what the fall feeding does is build the roots.. that's when the roots sorta want nutrition. i give my lawn scotts winterguard. it's like a root building machine. it builds your lawn from the roots up. next year you get this! the stronger the roots, the stronger the lawn.

all year long. the best time to feed is when it will do the most good. there's no substitute for the fall feeding, trust me. it is the best thing you can do for your lawn. i use scotts winterguard. . the dollar continues to fall against other major current says around the world. investors expect the federal reserve to mumble more money

into the economy next month to simulate growth along with interest rates are seen by a good thing by economists. more corporate revenue more jobs and lower unemployment. exists are concerned about the falling value of the dollar. for the second time retirees and others on social security won't be getting any increase on their benefits next year. the reason inflation has been too mild. the house is planning a vote in november to give one time payments $250 for people on social security. the nation's housing crisis continue to be bad news for big banks. stock prices continue to drop as investors begin to add up just how bad the foreclosure mess will hurt profits. this comess a national investigation gets underway into how banks handle foreclosures. more than 100,000 homes were repossessed by banks in september. that's more than any other month in history. you might have a hard time believing this one. some banks are starting to give

their customers a break when it comes to dreaded over draft fees. john matarese shows what some are doing how it may help you so you don't waste your money. >> reporter: under this year's new banking laws, banks have to get your approval for overdraft protection. many people are still opting for it. that means more and more of those 30-dollar overdraft fees. but finally one bank is giving its customers a real break, and there's a chance it could spread to other banks. every banking customer hates overdraft fees. the new banking laws placing restrictions on these fees but they can still get you if you're not careful. >> i think it's ridiculous you're putting your money into the bank. >> sometimes $24, they hit you for a 24-dollar fine, $3 here and there. >> reporter: one bank is shaking up the status quo. huntington a midwestern regional bank has just become the first major bank to give a grace period on over drafts. that's right.

if you accidentally overdraft your account buying say a cup of coffee you'll have 24 hours to make it right before an overdraft fee. the bank will notify you by e- mail or text that you've gone over. it's great pr for the bank. banking customers like naturally willard hope it spreads. >> do you think this is something other banks maybe should follow and consider doing. >> absolutely. especially with the economy. >> reporter: under pressure from the government and customers banks are easing their overdraft rules. u. s. bank and bank of america will now waive fees if your overdraft is over $10. sun trust will now waive fees in overdraft is $4 or less. the best way to avoid any overdraft fees is to say no when your bank offers you overdraft protection. now sure your debit card could be rejected at the store, but that way you won't be hit with a 30-dollar over draft fee for

trying to buy a 2-dollar cup of coffee i'm john matarese. >> looks like more people are getting delayed at wbi thurgood mashall airport. according to the u. s. department of transportation more than 74% of flights leaving have left on time more than 79% last year. compared with other d. c. airports bwi ranked better for arrivals. it was 17th in the country. jetblue now starting a new advertising campaign with a familiar brand message. ours is better than theirs. slogan you above all will appear in print and video ads for the airline and other airlines shortcomings print ads will out the jetblue experience. when it comes to shopping in our area we certainly have plenty of malls and shopping center. there are a few unique and quaint places to shop like

savage mills. brian shows us it's rich history. >> reporter: savage mill, began operation in 1922 it made it one of the oldest operating cotton mills in the united states used for clipper ships, gun he sacks even one point in time it was used for back drops for silent movie sets. we have the cotton shed building where the cotton was stored. we have the spinning building where there was a weaving process that took place. we have the carding building where the canvas was actually carded and made into the course, tough fab rick. the major part of the renovation was not only updating and modernizeing the buildings but connecting the 9 separate buildings to make them a more walk able user friendly operation as you see today.

the roman trust bridge is one of 0 you are features we're best known for it is the only standing bowman trust bridge in the united states today. it is on the department of interior's national treasures list. manor house was built in 1860, and that was the house for the superintendent of the mill and the idea providing the house for the superintendent was it kept them very close to the property. today, we do catered events there. we do meetings, we do weddings. these are owner operated businesses. everybody has a lot of themselves that they present in the businesses they have. one of our well-known artists is a lady name jill hackney she actually does abstract type work and is represented in probably half a dozen galleries around the country today. we have the family game store people can play games during

the week. we have the queen's inc. art craft collection. we have terrapin adventures which is an outdoor adventure challenge course for both team bidding. we very rams head tavern for food. the atmosphere is very relaxing very laid back it's a really nice day trip. >> now if you'd like to check out historic savage mill in howard county this weekend might be the best time they are celebrating fall fest discounts in most shots from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. if you'd like to take part in the eye spy contest you might win an ipad. at 6:00 we'll take you back to savage mill to learn more about its more haunted history as well. nice spot down route 1. >> beautiful stot there.

they have got the odd outdoor adventure stuff. did the zip line last year. good times. you done the zip line. >> no i have not. not anywhere. you're the adventurer. >> yeah. well we try. i tell you one thing, this weekend whatever your outdoor adventure is going to be savage mill going to pick pumpkins. >> it's starting to feel like fall. >> good stuff. check it out right now. we've got a beautiful, beautiful shot here downtown man. i mean, you know, kind of weather you wait for in fall. little breezy through the day. winds west northwest 16. so it's still breezy scenario. and we've got temperature at 60 right now. quickly falling into the 50s. already feels like the 50s. check it out. we've got a live stream out of northeast. weather net contact always across maryland. the sun cascading through the clouds beautiful looking weather there and through the

day in germantown gorgeous gorgeous weather. see some clouds passing at tiles and it was breezy no doubt about that. if you look closely at the trees nice changing of the leaves starting to look a lot more fall like as well. temperature wise top of the hours 60 falling into the 50s. 40s in the high terrain to the west. ocean city 62. this is a great time of the year to get to the beech. wind gust he out of the north and northwest. breezy tonight and tomorrow but not quite as windy tomorrow and less windy on sunday. our highs today only in the low mid-60s. on average these numbers never quite felt this mild felt like mid to upper 50s. i think we're back into the mid- 60s under mostly sunny skies still breezy downtown for the run looks fantastic into the 60s but start off in the morning upper 40s 50s. as we take you further south

toward howard county highlands 67. a little warmer as you head south of town. satellite radar trend right now we've got just a few passing clouds a little bit of isolated shower activity showing up toward west virginia. i don't think it's going to make it in here. a lot of the rain not touching the ground. so the whole ball of wax, the whole storm system that brought the winds through the day continues to push further away. high pressure continues to settle in out of the west. and as it comes in a little closer tomorrow, we'll go from a windy to just sort of a breezy scenario, and i think we're going to stay nice and dry cloud cover wise we'll see passing clouds early in the day tomorrow then sunshine all over the place. sunshine through our day on sunday as well. we stay dry just about all weekend. 43 clearing and chilly. two degree guarantee will go 65, sunny, breezy and autumnish. 41 crystal clear and your 7-day forecast the outlook we're going to bump up sunday close

to 70s. we will rebound temperature wise very fall like tonight tomorrow and into next week. >> thanks wyatt. here's a look at some of the stories we're working on for you at 6:00. i'm kelly swoope. every year millions of cancer patients are subjected to grueling chemo treatments. tonight at 6:00 hear the story of one woman how her body rejected the drug nearly causing her death. savage mills in howard county is one great getaway. you'll hear why some history needs repeating itself. those stories and more coming your way at 6:00.

imagine denying a pregnant woman the choice of health care providers. only one senator voted with big insurance over pregnant women: andy harris. protecting our bay? harris was the only one to vote against cleaning up toxic waste sites. he always sides with the polluters, one of the worst environmental records in the senate. and harris was the only one to vote against extending education for special needs kids. no wonder his republican colleagues think he's too extreme. we can't afford his extreme ideas. i'm frank kratovil and i approve this message

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diamond a different kind of diamond. he rented out a baseball field in orlando and spray painted the message sara will you marry me on the field. he charted a helicopter and instructed sara to look down. >> i didn't want to do it and ordinary way. >> what's ryan's last name. what was sara's answer apparently the move was a home run she said yes. aren't they cute. baltimore city school teachers vote no on a performance contract. find out on abc 2 news at 6:00 which starts right now. . we begin tonight with a heartbreaking story out of baltimore city. police say they have the father of a 6 month old in custody tonight. they say he killed her. good