a year for four years. it will help with the readiness gap. it's a focused effort to better train and improve head start, nursery school and licensed child care centers to better educate children before their formal schooling begins. >> it's for k-12 upfront in a very strategic and effective way so there are positive impactings for children matriculating to school. >> it's very much the idea of attacking the problem at the root. >> at the front end. >> a lot of this money is geared towards lower income areas making sure everyones onboard to get the children ready before they hit their first classroom. >> we have a lot to do. >> she is the executive director of the nonprofit that works with

the state to train early childhood educators and parents. their training room will get quite the workout as it improves the quality of preschool programs and child care in challenged areas around the state. >> whether that's head start or a family child care home or at holt or in child care, we want to make sure that there is -- that the care providers do the best they can. >> an effort backed by millions to make sure that children show up to their very first classroom ready to learn and succeed. baltimore, brian kuebler. >> maryland's $50 million came out of a total of $500 million. the winning districts had to approve to the government they had a plan to improve early childhood development. more trouble for the annapolis man accused of scamming local schools.

those schools and pta groups said gill promised them athletes but couldn't deliver. >> reporter: abc2 news was the first to tell you about criminal charges filed against joe gill. he has another charge after the sheriff heard from another school group. an additional theft charge has been filed against gill that comes after the sheriff's office heard from another pta group that claims it paid gilmore than $300 for an antibull plying group. gill has been charged with two other theft cases involving queen anne's county schools and was picked up after someone spotted his picture on tv. he was wanted by not only queen anne's' authority but the task force. groups from around the baltimore

area made similar claims against joseph gill. so far, queen anne's is the only one to file criminal charges. joce sterman, abc2 news. a warn has been issued for a suspect but the police are waiting to release his name until he gets out of the hospital. he was the suspect in an armed robbery on wednesday. someone spotted the car and police followed him. when police finally got the man out of the car, he reached for a gun and two officers shot him. he is in shock trauma. a man walking to his car in glen burnie was beaten and robbed. someone attacked him from behind. the attacker got the man's wallet and took off. the man did have injuries but did not have to go to the hospital. police searched the area but

were not able to find a suspect. developing tonight the man who witnessed abuse by former penn state coach jerry sandusky spent time in court. mike mcqueary said he saw sandusky molesting a boy in a shower. mcqueary testified in a preliminary hearing for the two penn state officials accused of lying. when asked why he didn't go to police, mcqueary said one of the officials he talked to was in charge of the police department so he felt that he had. prosecutors said jerry sandusky mow lessed children for at least six more years. the fbi said it will now change the definition of rape, this after advocates thought the current description is too specific and only applies to women. the definitions a not been updated since 1929. the new definition includes a

wide range of crimes send not gender specific. it will be official sometime next sprik -- spring. this news comes days after a government survey outlines how widespread sexual assault is. one in four said they have been violently attacked by boyfriend or a husband. we have more and why victim advocacy groups say this could still underestimate the problem. it's in the featured story section on abc2news.com. well, most of the first day of the rookie league's hearing at fort meade revolved around the judge. attorneys for private first class bradley manning said the judge should step down. the justice department is currently investigating wikileaks founder julian

assange. the court said he believed he was biased but did not immediately make a hearing. if convicted, he could face life in prison. the war in iraq is over and american forces will be withdrawn by the end of the year. four units from the maryland national guard are still there. they don't know when they will return home. some will be sent to afghanistan or africa. it's a reflection of their roles both here and on the home front. >> the 175th is currently doing the peacekeeping mission in the sinai they were at andrews airforce base providing security. they also served in rafnlgt many were called up right after 9/11 to provide security. some were sent to hurricane katrina. >> right now more than 1100 members of the national guard from maryland are serving around the world. the proposed merger between

the two companies are closer. this week governor martin o'malley said the merger would have more benefits. it would mean more investments and jobs than they initially thought. the final deal must be approved in maryland. the oldest capital building in america still in use has a new look that is keeping with the traditional design. the dome is entirely made of wood, no metal, not even nails. along with that a coat of paint to make this better. >> although this was a strip and repaint job, we end up having carpenters doing wood repairs. we're dog metal repairs. >> the renovations are just in time for the 130th legislation testify -- legislative session.

an area of rain south of us down through southern maryland, lower eastern shore then snow showers towards basically garrett county west of cumberland, so two different batches of precipitation. winds have turned north. temperatures dropping. you felt that if you've been outside. 41 at the top of the hour tomorrow overnight we'll climb through the 40s, mid-40s by late in the afternoon. we'll talk about how the second half of your weekend shapes up and into next week coming up. the holiday season is here. it looks like more and more of us will get out to celebrate. aaa expect more people to travel this year than last year and estimate a third of marylanders will leave. people have more money or are willing to spend more after a tough year. >> really, a third of residents

will be traveling, so expect the roads and airports to be busy. 91% will travel by car. it seems automobile travel is more affordable despite higher gas prices and more convenient, especially for those traveling with families, kids in toe and lots of holiday gifts. >> gas prices have been dropping lately but aaa said they're at the highest prices ever leading up to christmas. traveling through bwi-thurgood marshall airport is getting more expensive. the cost of lap round trip ticket is up 16% from last year. the average is $334. memphis has the highest at more than $475. as we get into the christmas shopping crunch time we're asking you to remember families who may not be as fortunate as

yours. we want you to help with the an cral kindertime toy drive. you can drop off any new or unused toy at any celebree learning centers. and we're having an event where you can drop off toys. you can also drop off used instruments. all the details, everything you need to know on our website at abc2news.com. diet and exercise can help you stay fit and look wonderful but the benefits go much deeper. the benefits that will help you make changes now. plus, it as a clear. no debating that but there's a right way and a wrong way to clean out your gutters.

don't fall off the roof. >> we're forecasting a mid-morning high of 5 -- 50. that is exactly what we hit. nicole from augustburg, you get an abc2 umbrella. hey, we're back with your complete weekend forecast and a look at your christmas travel week. that's coming up.

the centers of disease control and prevention said if americans do not change their

ways a third of the united states will be diabetic by the year 2050. some people are able to get their sugar levels in a more normal range. talk with your doctor to find out where you may stand. that 100% orange juice may not be as pure as you think. during the processing step, juice can lose its flavor. so many manufacturers have a flavored pack. while some are concerned about it not being 100% pure, the association said flavor packs are created from compounds, not orange juice but compounds that escape from the orange during pasteurization. the leaves have fallen off the trees, so that doesn't mean in they're going. hundreds, if not gazillions of them are in the gutters and now it's time to check the gutters.

>> reporter: rain gutters are your first line of defense to prevent water from coming into house. they will also protect your landscape but you ned to take care of them. >> if you're not leaving -- cleaning your girths once or twice a year, you could have problems. >> reporter: gutter guard can help. you should inspect them once a year to make sure they're in good condition. part of the inspection means looking at the landscape. >> see if there's washout due to the gutters above. they could see sagging girths. in the rain they're not usually yod -- outside to see. look up, look down at the landscaping. >> reporter: when is it time to replace? look to see if they're pulling away from the home. if they continue to overflow even after cleaning them, it's

time for new ones. if you maintain them properly, they should last you nearly 20 years. reporting for abc2 news. for more information on cleaning out your girths or hiring professional, log on to our website at abc2news.com and click on the angie's lips -- list link. all right. let's start out with maryland's most powerful radar. take you on a tour here. southern maryland, lexington south seeing most of the rain. it has crossed into dorchester county and extending towards salisbury. as we go further north and west, way west, we find wintry weather, a fresh dusting, maybe an inch or two but this cluster

of precipitation weakening. so i don't think most of us are going to see anything like they're seeing in garrett county but something wort pointing -- worth pointing out. we hit our high temperature just past midnight. then we got up to 50 by mid-morning. we had early sunshine. we show you that on our abc2 weather bug camera. the clouds thickening up. in bel air and in the heart of harford county, sun. d.c. tonight seeing just about all overcast conditions but the rain has not made it up over southern maryland but a beautiful shot. hey, take a lock at some of the numbers. we've got temperatures rung 30s, 40s, closer to upper 40s near the beaches.

there's no question they're getting snow near oakland and the high terrain where it's 28. winds from the north have let up. still breeze and i think mostly cloudy with mid-40s from cockeys back to ellicott city, and tack you into howard county back up flew columbia mostly cloudy. we should see sunny breaks at times. across the region we already showed you that one weather make per bringing heavy rain south of salisbury, lower eastern shore back through richmond, vo -- richmond, virginia. it would be in the form of a chilly batch or two of light rain. it's trending just south of us. i think that precip will ring itself ot. all we get is cloud cover. colder air will continue to funnel in, not a new blast of

cold air but just enough coming in on the northerly flow that we will not warm up much. we'll stay in the mid-40s which is seasonal. looks like a mix of clouds and sun through saturday, a mix through sunday with a few flurries in western maryland. by the way, this is our last official weekend of fall 2011. we start winter on december 21st. partial clearing. it will be cold, maybe a stray shower or two to the west and to the south. most of us won't see it. not bad. i think dry weather will hold but this will be cloudy at times. tomorrow night down to 28 under a partly cloudy sky. you're going out on the town, bring that coat along. your seven-day forecast showing basically more of the same sunday. has we go into early next -- as we go into early next week we

warm up. our chance for showers comes back tuesday night into wednesday. all right. thanks. there is black friday, cyber monday and today is free shipping day. we got your attention now. take a look at our website. more than 2,000 merchants are offering free shipment and delivery by christmas eve. we have the link on our website. it includes places like harry and david's, kohl's, fossil, see air trading post. you can save on shipping and there's time for it to get there on time. the leverage is on our website,

abc2news.com. here's a look at what's coming up at 11. one of the biggest hassles of the season. it's even harder when you have children. the hottest new gadgets that are making traveling with kids easier. if you still haven't crossed everything off the list, we'll help. plus, wyatt's forecast at 11. we'll be right back. i'm loot kerr nell martha kenny. want to give a shout out to my mom and dad in -- maryland. merry christmas.

many companies hold holiday parties but not all have been going on since the one at mid-state federal bank, its 23rd year. she's been working there more than 5350 years -- 50 years. customers are allowed to join in the festivities as well, have an hors d'oeuvre or two and say hello to miss kitty. >> check out maryland's most

powerful radar. be wary of the cold. it will be dropping. >> all right. we'll see you at 11:00.