we all know to be on the lookout for things like mini bars, but hotels have found new ways to take your money. the world of make believe comes to life for some elementary school students. how playing dressup is helping students become better readers. first, we want to start off with breaking news out of d.c. the super committee tasked with

finding more than a trillion dollars in deficit reductions failed to reach a deal. that triggers across the board spending cuts beginning in 2013. the president is expected to make a statement on the lack of a deal coming up in about 15 minutes. it is official. the university of maryland college park is cutting eight athletic teams. the university's president said the teams will be cut june 30th of next year. all scholarship commitment and coach's contracts will be honored. it was cut by more than $7 million this year, so officials had to look for ways to save money. low income students are having a harder time getting ahead as the college graduation gap between the rich and poor gross. while more students from more backgrounds are finishing college, the difference has widened by 5%.

54% of wealthy families received bachelors degrees. 9% of low income families got diplomas. economists say the housing market has a long way to go before we see real improvement. women are giving up their high heels in favor of lower heels. a new study says heel heights are about to drop. usually when the economy is bad, the skirts get shorter and heels get higher. that's because people return to fantasy. wearing lower heels means women are becoming more produce it gal. high heels won't disappear all together but high end shoe designers beginning to offer

more kitten heels and flats. first, they said homeowners had to take care of the sidewalks themselves. then the city of annapolis took care of them. looks like they may be moving back to a do this yourself approach. don harrison went for a walk with the mayor to see where things stand. >> reporter: in historic annapolis some have the charm is the older uneven sidewalks. it's not so charming if you're pushing a baby stroller. >> a bumpy ride for the baby. it's hard because the wheels get caught. >> reporter: in 2008 the city agreed to cover the upkeep have the sidewalks if the homeowner put up money to help pay for it. when residents got the bill, they complained, so the city removed the fee. that's when the problem began. >> we're in the situation where the city took on the responsibility and liability for

repairing the sidewalks but it gave back the revenue stream to cover it. >> reporter: what the mayor and the city council have to figure out is how to take care of the sidewalks in tight budget tear ri times. -- budgetary. especially in the city, it should be up to the city to take care of them. >> reporter: mark doesn't even live in a home. >> i live in my boat. >> reporter: still, the conditions of the sidewalks affect him. >> i don't think it's safe. >> reporter: the mayor agrees. he's looking for a solution. >> even if it makes meet most unpopular person in town i want to make sure our city government is financially sustainable. there is a public hearing next monday november 28th. yet, most people feel there should be something done about

the sidewalks. in annapolis, don harrison, abc2 news. >> replacing all the sidewalks within the city limits would cost about $22 million. >> let's take a look at tonight's top stories. a building scheduled for demolition is raising health and environmental con-- concerns. neighbors who live near the chemical plant want to notaries being of tearing it down. experts are add veesing neighbors to -- advising neighbors to seal their windows. the university of california davis has placed its police chief on administrative leave after a video went viral showing an officer pepper spraying

protesters. he sprayed them as they sat with their arms behind their backs. protesters from occupy sacramento plan to rally with the students. we got drizzle, really light rain. some of the more steady showers west into carroll county and extending to the frederick area west of elderburg. visibility is reduced. drive with caution. rain totals about a tenth to a quarter of an inch. we should hover about 50. we'll talk about how your travel weather shapes up each day no thanksgiving. it's straight ahead. >> thanks a will the, riot. it is days before thanksgiving. many people in our area are still in need of a hot meal. that's why the salvation army is

stepping up to make sure those in need get help. it was the annual handout. about 100 low income people were served. volunteers helped hand out turkeys and a become with all the fixings. the salvation army still needs donations, especially for christmas. it's tremendously hard to make shower we have all the money to buy the things we need. now, for christmas we always need toys for 10 to 12-year-old boys and girls. anyone would would like to donate or if they would like to bring gifts to the warehouse, we would love to have extra gifts for that age group. >> if you'd like to help, you can drop off your donationings at the warehouse located on buena vista avenue. another local thanksgiving

tradition will be held here on abc2 this year. the turkey bowl will kick off at 10 a.m. on thanksgiving morning. it's the 92nd time. it will be at johnny unitas stadium. if you can't get in front of a tv to watch, we will be streaming it live on our website and your smartphone app. the mother of a missing washington state by is speaking out for the first -- boy is peeking out for the first time. it seems like there's a new republican front-runner every day.

we are hearing for the first time from the mother of the washington state by -- boy. when asked for a comment, she writes my former husband is a is

a -- sadistic muslim. so far he's cooperated but she has not one thing she wouldn't hans is what happened the day her son disappeared. a case of black and blushings retail -- blue, retailers hoping to hit this big. they will clock in at 12 a.m. after thanksgiving. that's forcing many to scrap openings at midnight. defendant services that used to be complimentary, hotels are now charging for. we'll take a look at the hidden charges and how to avoid some of those fees. and the joy of reading.

it comes to life for some students.

most children love playing dressup and reading their favorite nursing rhyme-- nursery rhyme. it was the annual book parade. >> reporter: here's my -- guitar. >> here comes pete, rolling down the street, rocking red shoes on his four furry feet.

>> i'm knocking in my blue shoes. >> great. i made it. i made it just in time. >> they get so excited about nursery rhymes. it opens a world of make believe. as they get older they discern what is make believe and what is real. >> they tell you things about different subjects. >> prior to the parade we might read the stories. if the children don't have a character, a lot of people, students with the head bands, so they can all be included. >> i am cleopatra, princess, goddess, qoon of -- queen of equipment. >> it's very important, also how

we read the story and where did it happen. >> i love being in the parade. what do you think? >> it's fun to read. >> school should be fun. it's a learning place. we want to make sure they're here handbooks are part of that. if they can grass -- grasp the story, the characters and even with nonfiction if they can understand why the sun is shining, why the water is flowing, why our earthquake sometimes splits and shakes. >> pete's mom asks him what did you do at school today? ed pete say -- and pete says. >> books are fun.

reporting for abc2 news. pete's looking lean these days, isn't he, kelly. awesome stuff. 50 at bwi. we've got humidity near 100%. visibility cut to 30% of normal. yeah. it was one gray scenario out there today, dim and dismal and misty. drizzle coming down heavy and steady. check out the practice field. wet weather scenario as they went out to practice. maryland's most powerful radar, showers beginning to drift towards cockeysville. going to get more steady drizzle. heavierer rain due in tomorrow and early wednesday morning.

40s west, 50s east. got a stalled front down the i-95 corridor. that's working to reduce those visibilities. tough to see. lose the low beams. humidity up around 100%, always a condition tributetor -- con contributor. it's a gray scenario. we'll continue to see dreary weather tonight and into the day tomorrow. clusters of rain. some of that could clip us by daybreak tomorrow. we'll look for more unsettled weather. this entire unsettled pattern will break up and change by the second half of hour wednesday and thanksgiving no black friday look outstanding. chilly air knocking on the door. that will hang out tonight.

generate showers tomorrow. a break tomorrow night. the next line back into the storm system will come through early. that big travel day could be dicey, maybe some delays, but the whole thing blows out rapidly and we're left with great weather. overnight 44. showers likely, some patchy fog. tomorrow 54, expect rain. it could be heavy at times. tomorrow night 50 or so as the showers linger out there. fairly mild conditions and i tell you, into the seven-day forecast your temperature is not a big issue. 56 or so. the weekend looks fantastic. we have to get through the next couple of days and tricky travel. >> thanks a lot. in tonight's democracy 2012, when this comes to national security issues, some of the gop candidates have struggled to present themselves as experts on

foreign affairs. tomorrow foreign issues will be in the spotlight once again, correct? >> reporter: they will. that's something we've seen over the past few weeks. this debate is unique. it's happening in washington, d.c., blocks away from the white house. this time there's a new front-runner, newt gingrich. >> he wants to be somebody viewers can lock at and say someone who can be president and not con descending. >> reporter: wolf bit zer will be moderating. the audience, they'll be checking to see if those republicans know their foreign policy. >> what are we going to do with north korea, china's dominance. so all very important issues they will have to address. >> reporter: some of the

candidates have struggled with the ins and outs of foreign policy. herman cain said he is not supposed to know everything. it's more important for presidents to surround themselves with the right people but former secretary of state condoleezza rice takes issue with that. >> you can master those during the campaign. it's important for the american people to know you care enough. >> reporter: the candidates said they're not washington insiders. as i was saying, the debate is happening inside washington. this will be interesting to see how they portray themselves tomorrow night. >> thank you. jamie costello? coming up at 6:00, there's a national manhunt going on at this minute. what caused him to get out and on the loose. before you get in line for the black friday specials, how

you better bring your phone. it could save you money. those stories are all new for you at 6:00.

if you're staying in a hotel this holiday season, you better watch out for hotel fees. we take a look at some of the hidden charges and how to handle them. >> the hotel industry is expected to make a record $1.8 billion this year in extra fees. >> there are a number of services that historically were complimentary in hotels. some properties are charging for

them, from shut services, fitness club fees, fees for hotels to hold your bags to smaller fees that you might not notice. >> by law hotels are required to disclose all charges on an itemized bill if you request one. >> a lot of travelers tend to use the express checkout. i recommend getting an itemized bill. >> even a late night snack could be costly. >> many times they'll add on-- 20% gratuity. some will offer free wi-fi or discounted parking for being a member of their loyalty program. gas prices going down before the holidays? i don't know if we've ever reported that. we'll tell you on abc2 news at 6 which starts right now.

this looks like a clerical error. >> a clerical error has a murder suspect on the loose. why the search has become a national manhunt. the super committee fails to cut costs in d.c. we'll explain. you've read the circulars and clipped the coupons. why will you smartphone save you more. we have a lot to do. we've got shopping, football games to go to lots of pickups and dropoffs. we have to start wondering about our weather. here's wyatt everhart with your weather. >> can you believe thanksgiving is days away. we look at the travel days for tonight, tomorrow. big improvements wednesda