and that will be the scenario going through remainder of today. temperature wise we are so mild. 42 into annapolis sykesville at 39 degrees. and 41 degrees right now in joppa. so i am forecasting a high right around 53 degrees but with such a mild start, the temperatures could maybe be as mild as they were yesterday. we came in at 55 degrees. and i am thinking may we could see that -- maybe we could see that especially in some spots. time to check the traffic with and l.a. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. and good morning everyone. for the wednesday morning drive you will need to give yourself extra time getting through west baltimore. that's where we had a gas main break and if you are traveling in that area on frederick avenue and militant avenue it's where the closure is expect delays and you may want to take brunswick street going to be the best alternate to get around that. in the meantime, running down the major thorough fares, 695 and 295 both incidents incident free on 795 at least in the southbound direction, starting to see increase in volume

heading towards 695. and if you are traveling on west side of the beltway be alert for delays forming. your ride on the west side starting at liberty road. our drive times are increasing as you head out this morning. expect a little more time on the west side outer loop from 795 to 706789 that's a 10 minute drive and top side # minutes from bel air to providence road. -- 8 minutes from bel air to providence road. stephanie rawlings-blake administration has come up with a new plan to manage the grand prix with safeguards protecting the city from losing money. sherrie johnson has the latest details. and a lot of people will contend for the race and the city got burned. >> reporter: this new contract has things in place so that doesn't happen. we have new information from the mayor's office. today, the mayor will announce the details of a new 5 year agreement with down horse racing a motor sports promoteor. they will hold racing events on the streets of downtown

baltimore on labor day weekend 2012 through 2016. last year's baltimore grand prix race generated about 47 million dollars. some key turns in this -- terms in this contract includes a 5 year term also an amusement tax lock box and ticket surcharge lock box a portion of the money from each ticket will be placed in the lock box escort account controlled by a trustee. this makes sure the racing group pays amiewnsment taxes and service fees. the merrill mayor will unveil the contract after an open public review period with citystake holders and community groups. final contract will be presented to the board of estimates on february 2 2nd for a vote. sherrie johnson abc2 news. 6:32. this morning law makers are doing what you voted them to do and that's work together. and they found a way to keep money in your pocket. late last night congressional negotiators reached a tentative deal that would save you about

a thousand bucks. sources say the deal would extend the payroll tax cut for the rest of the year. it would renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. >> i think the move is to get it off the table. we have to move onto another issue and i think that's what the mood is. >> the tentative agreement which is being finalized could be unveiled later today. all right. news time 6:33. and this is the hot topic for the morning and one you will talk about throughout the day. what do you think of the idea of paying students to go to class? in public school? that's one school -- that's what one school in eye o-- in ohio is doing. 84% of students showed up or on a regular basis so the principal teamed with up private donors offering kids cash to show up to class. seniors who do arrive on time five days a week and behave well get $25 every friday. underclassmen get 10 bucks. >> you have student who we haven't seen in a week or two

coming to school. >> and most will be going through stuff at home. so i. know they will be happy to have money. >> every time a student gets paid a extra $5 is put in the savings account. students can redeem the monies after they graduate. we want to know what you think and we received a lot of comments on the facebook page this morning. writing in we have one very simple play put this is a dumb irene kassorla idea the question is do they want to learn and better their lives or remain dumb their lives as well. and i want to share this quickly it's blunt and to the point. courtesy of thomas saying i would hell he no" weigh in and let noise what you think. kid being paid to go to class. what do you think in good idea or let it go by the wayside. 6:34. caught on tape a man steals arolex at a airport security bin. you can see the woman pick up her purse and coat and leeks something behind. the -- leaves something behind.

guy behind her put on his jacket and goes to grab his lapton and he picks up the watch puts -- laptop and picks up the watch and puts it in the backpack e walks off with it. right now police are searching for him. a consumer alert this morning. listen up, the favorite color of lipstick could lead in -- could have lead in it. 400 popular brands has trace a lead. it doesn't appear to be changing and it doesn't exceed safe levels. the top ten contaminated levels are loreal and maybe lien. it could be a strike to end all strikes in the u.s. >> absolutely. which tweet treat manufacturer could see workers headed for the picket lines. how many times you heard someone say they can outwork outthink or outsmart their boss. a study has impressive numbers and look at that straight ahead when good morning maryland continues.

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good morning maryland from the a as ito co mills school. >> i -- patapsco middle school. >> i love the greetings. they are fan at that time tastic. >> where you can-- fantastic. >> where you can say good morning to us coming up in a bit. news that's not going to be good because people who make twinkies could go on strike. >> twinkie revolt workers threatened to walk off if they impose wank cuts and i am not eating this twinkie. >> come on eat it. >> hostess filed for chapter 11 and they owed 800 million dollars. that's million. a hearing is now set for march 5th on proposed collective bargaining contract. something that could spur home sales. >> real estate companies study says evening home may be a dating perk. 18% of men say they would

rather data homeowner than a renter. how picky can you be. more than a third of women said the same thing and home perks master baths and walk-in close rest a big turn on for both sexs what happened to a good sense of humor. >> apparently i don't know. he dropped out of presidential race off the campaign trail and now he is going to remain off the dance floor. herman cain former gop candidate says he is passing on the envision to join dancing with the stars -- invitation to joindancing with the stars emmett says he can't do 58 count but -- stars. he says he can't do a 8 count but can only count to 9 counting referring to the 999 tax plan. cast for the 14th season for dancing with the stars will be announced february 28th. there are -- they are eyeing michelle bachmann. >> really? >> yes. >> much more to come on this wednesday. >> stay with us, your abc2 news to go straight ahead. linda. >> reporter: all new information on the gas main

break in southwest baltimore. how long before hundreds of homes will get the heat back on. the state of new jersey plans to honor whitney houston. and the latest on the funeral plans. and the same sex marriage bill goes to the full house today. coming, more on that controversial legislation. there's no rain or snow today in the forecast. but there is some down the line. i will tell you when coming up. and lynette traffic is starting to pick up with two hot spots you may need to avoid. details straight ahead. ♪

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i am mealingan pringle. >> i am charley crowson a lot on this wednesday morning. sherrie johnson will brings us up-to-date on the controversial same sex marriage bill and linda so has more on the main break and first lynette charles. we are not dealing with a whole lot. no rain or snow as you step out for the school bus forecast. well, we are dealing with temperatures in the 30s. mainly the upper 30s to 40s

this morning. we will be dealing with most loyly cloudy skies and sunshine ding ding -- mostly cloudy skids and then sunshine going into the after-- skies and then sunshine going into the afternoon. 37 in mount airy. not much of a wind chill. so not feeling too bad outside. 41 right now in frederick. and that will be higher going throughout the dayism think we will see temperatures about -- day. i think we will see temperatures 20 or 10 or 20 degrees above where we should be this morning and more into the afternoon. let's show outsatellite and radar. not a lot in testimonies of precipitation. no rain no type of snow. and we will have the clouds out here but high pressure builds in and we will see lots of sunshine by the afternoon. let's check the traffic with angela. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. and good morning everyone. let's get ready for the wednesday morning drive. one of the areas you will need to avoid fire activity in parkville. this is on harford road at. take old harford or northern parkway. that's going to be the best bet

to get around that. on the major thorough fares we are looking at a lot of congestion especially heading towards the beltway. on 795 and eastbound i-706789 u.s. 29 at maryland 108 south bound lanes is where you will see most activity heading towards the capital beltway. and as you take the drive on the west side passing frederick road, our drive times have increased sharply out there for you. traveling on the harrisburg expressway its going to take 8 minutes from the beltway to shawan road. west side of the beltway 695 from 795 to i-70 look at 13- minute drive. charley and megan back to you. >> we have new information after a gas line ruptured near the 300 block of millington avenue between wilkins and frederick road in southwest baltimore. still be treated like an active scene where we find linda so with the latest and linda what have you learned in the past hour? >> reporter: well, in a couple minutes bge crews will be back out trying to turn gas off to the 900 homes affected in the

area. we are live at mobile command unit and they have set up a block from where the gas main ruptured. bge has turned off the gas to 3560 homes and they have 300 more to go and that's what they are doing. we have learned that this is going to be a very tedious process and this is going to take several days to make the full repair. what happened was crews were fixing a water line when it broke and hate gas line next to it. gas was shut off to the homes and businesses in the area. there's an elementary schoolnearby frederick element and a senior living facility all without heat this morning. >> water line broke and gas line was located and the pressure could are brokeent gas main and we believe asphalt may have fallen on top of the gas main as well. >> reporter: so again we have learned starting at 7 this morning, bge crews will go door to door knocking on homes where they have yet to shut off gas. if a crew hasn't been to the a

house call 410-685-0123. and no word as far as frederick elementary which is right near by and affected by the gas outage if they will be closed. we have been waiting to hear and if we hear we will let you know online at abc2news.com. live in southwest baltimore, linda so, abc2 news. news time 6:48. today, the city is expected to announce an extension of the charm city circulateor. board of estimates expects to approve a plan to use the grant from the federal transit administration to buy up to 4high bread electric bus it will extend to fort mchenry national monument. that celebration begins june 13th and the new route needs to be up and running by then. and new for you this morning the navy says medical ship the usns comfort is expected to 3406b from maryland to virginia d did the -- expected to move from baltimore to for noshing around march of

2013. they provide medical and surgical cal and hospital services. today a new bill will be heard in the general assembly going before education health and environmental affairs committee working to increase a drop out age for students in public schools in the city. they will have to be 18 years old. students 16 and 17 years old will have to get a consent form signed from their parents and that's happening today at two this afternoon. new developments in the death of whitney houston. the new jersey governor says flags will be flown at half- staff and government buildings on saturday. that's the same day houston's funeral. the private funeral will take place at new hope baptist church in newark the same place where she sang in the choir as child. governor christie says it's fitting the state honor the pop icon. >> she was an important part of the fabric cultural fabric of this state. >> houston was found dead saturday in her bevel hills hotel room.

she was 48. toxicology results could take 6 to 8 weeks to be completed. today the stakes will be high with same sex marriage the bill is happening right now in annapolis. lots of last-minute negotiations have been taking place as the battle intensifies at this hour in the statehouse. abc2 news sherrie johnson tracking latest. what kind of information do you have this morning? >> reporter: well, we havelearned it could -- the debate could start as early as today. two house committee voted tuesday to send the bill to the full house. it's not expected to be introduced into the chamber. one house republican echoed his support. patrick hogan represents a large democratic district and says he would be more comfortable with the bill to create civil unions for same sex couples but understands there's not much support for the proposal. this measure died in the house last year and it passed the senate. governor o'malley supports the bill and has led the fight for it in the 2012 general assembly. o'malley says he need supports

of a couple house delegates and republican votes could be critical to passing the bill. supporters hope to follow momentum created by victories in washington and california. if the bill passes, maryland would become the 8th state to legalize same sex marriage. sherrie johnson, abc2 news. 6:51a bill brought to the general assembly is kicking off with a rally today on human trafficking. today advocates will host a day to educate people about the bill. it's meant to expand the definition of child abuse and include human trafficking, child pornography and prostitution. this rally will begin today at nine in annapolis. well inia health alert. the maker of the drug avastin is issuing a warning saying fake vials has been distributed in the u.s. and they do not contain the key ingredients meant to treat the colon, lung kidney and brain forms of cancer. education news this morning. education secretary duncan is planning to make a make announcement today.

he is expected to release details of the proposed $5 billion program for a new race top of the style competition. under the program, states and district could compete for grant dollars meant to improve teacher quality. baltimore orioles have come to terms with adam jones for a new one year contract avoiding arbitration. jones and orioles agrees 6.15 million for the a one year deal. arbitration hearing was scheduled for friday but thankfully both side came to an agreement before an arbitrateor was brought in. five things to know before you head out this morning. today occupy baltimore the movement is protesting against it. today a group of demonstrators are planning to occupy baltimore court against issues ranging from foreclosure to lawyercrouping. protests are scheduled for the day. and tonight governor o'malley will take part in the baltimore sun's first ever news makers forum. a discussion scheduled for 7 in the sun's community room live

streamed baltimore.com. workers at maximum security mental hospital are calling on lawmakers to ilprove safety at the hospital center. union members and hospital staff will gather today to support the funding recommendation included in governor o'malley's proposed budget. and first lady michelle obama and jill biden will unveil a new report outlining opportunities and practices for states to better support military spouses working in profession where state licenses are required. the report is part of the white house joining forces program. denver broncos quarterback tim tebow is partnering with pizza hut book it program. he will read dr. seuss's green egg and ham via live web stream at 9 a.m. log onto book it program.com. >> i love green eggs and ham. not to eat but the book. the wind for today, we have them. they are light out of northwest at 5 miles an hour. east op about 6. these will --

easton about 6. theee these will pick up and become northwest continuing and then about 10 to 15 miles an hour. so it's going to be a breezy day on tap and that northwesterly flow is a very chilly flow as opposed to that southwesterly flow that we got yesterday which is a warm flow. and satellite and radar we have the clouds around and we don't have any snow and we don't have rain as of yet. high pressure building in for today. that's why we will get sunshine in here. but it's going to slide off towards the east as we go into the evening. allowing for an area of low pressure and a cold front to move in and that's what's going to be bringing us rain for tomorrow. you will need that rain gear and it's likely that we will get the rain in here by your commute home. it looks like it's going to be a wet time. goikd slick on the roadways and we dry back out going into friday. plenty sunshine back in the picture here. your neighborhood forecast for today, coming in right around 51 degrees in parkville and columbia around 52. the temperatures are above average by tonight, 35 degrees increasing clouds and it will

be chilly and then tomorrow, 49 degrees with rain likely mild once again and here's 7-day forecast. we will be nice on friday and right around 52 degrees. more of the same on saturday and then we are watching a storm very carefully as we go into sunday. let's check your traffic with angela. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. and good morning everyone. again brunswick street the best alternate to get around frederick and millington with the gas line break. fire activity in parkville. this is going to be on harford road at taylor avenue. you will need to avoid that as well. other than that, congestion is what you will deal with. not a lot of accidents to report on the major roads. this is 95 between caton and the beltway. heaviest traffic on 95 right now getting through howard county heading towards the capital beltway. the trip on 895 from i-95 split to the tunnel is where you will see slow spots of traffic. still not too bad as we look livality 895 north of pulaski highway. now back over to you.

a question this morning, how well does your boss do their job? >> get this a. a study suggest half workers could do their job's boss better. one in three don't think the boss is effective and fewer than 40% believe supervisors inspire them to do their best. >> the part of the employees gripe is the boss just doesn't listen to them. >> all right go ahead and unload. yeah, right. >> how is valentine's day? i changed the subject. >> she is watching right now she is fantastic. >> news director and general manager all the managers do a great job and work hard every day. >> and charley the check is in the mail. >> on facebook we are talking about the school in ohio paying kids to come to public schools. seniors getting 25 dollars a week for showing up doing what they are supposed to do and behave behaving. >> go to abc 2 news.com and way in on the facebook fan page. we will have an update in a

bit. >> that's good way to increase your allowance. >> i guess. >> yeah. >> we are still on air so i won't it will you what i think. 3, 2, 1. what i really think about this...

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