heading out the door in a few minutes, just go a new accident in, wilkins avenue at bruns wick street. otherwise it's a commuter's dream for the most part out there. very few areas of heavy traffic, even those flowing at a pretty good pace. as you can see here, a live look at 695 at hartford road, both inner and outer loops moving very well on this stretch of the beltway between i-95 and the harrisburg expressway, and speaking of the harrisburg expressway, as we mentioned, moving well on all of our key routes, virtually delay free on i-83 on the southbound side, all the way from the pennsylvania state line to the top side of 695. megan, back over to you. maryland's legislative session, it lasts 90 days in all. >> although there is a lot of work done throughout the entire session, many in annapolis say there's more work to be done and they don't have much time to get it done. >> abc 2 news' sherree johnson is here with all new reaction on what some are calling the last minute scramble. why, sherree? reporter: they've got a lot of time, but they need to get it all done. we have new reaction today from the governor and in less than a

week lawmakers will wrap up maryland's 430th legislative session, but there's still a lot of work to do. so far only 59 bills have passed. this is compared to 700 to 800 bills each session for the past three years. some big items, deciding whether the state should add table games to slot parlors and also how to deal with the recent federal judge ruling that says maryland's right to carry a firearm law is unconstitutional. one of the biggest items, the $1 billion gap in the budget and the possibility of raising taxes. and we have new reaction from governor martin o'malley on this issue. >> i think there's room for compromise there and i think actually this session has been very productive and especially when you look at what's happened in other states, it's been a cordial civil tone to it. reporter: right now no one is sure how many bills will actually get passed before the end of the session. one thing is for sure, lawmakers will be very busy until monday night. megan, back to you. also in annapolis this morning, child support bill is scheduled for final vote in the

senate. that bill has already passed the house of delegates and currently maryland prisoners can apply for a waiver because they have no income while they're serving time. new legislation would allow child support payments to be adjusted without any action from the prisoner. a vote could come later this week on a bill that would expand gambling in our state. the proposal will create a sixth maryland casino and legalize table games. delegate frank turner who leads the subcommittee is most turned about -- concerned about the amount of money the operators are going to make versus the state. he says it would bring in more than $150 million more to fund education, however, operators would divide $2 billion. >> that to me is not in the best interest of the state for them to make that kind of revenue and the state made substantially less. >> the legislature would have until monday to pass the bill. new information is coming out this morning about a protest at santa monica college

in california. the fire captain said up to 30 demonstrators were forced to be pepper sprayed. five people were evaluated at the scene and two were taken to the hospital. their conditions are not known right now, but the injuries don't appear to be serious. the students were protesting a new plan that would offer college courses at about four times the current cost. also this morning investigators are trying to determine what caused a deadly crane collapse in new york city. it happened last night at the construction site and one man was killed, another hospitalized. a fire department spokesman says two sections of a crane broke loose and crashed to the ground. one piece was 80 feet long, the other 40 feet. 6:33 right now. 15 puppies are resting comfortably after being saved from a fire in new jersey. firefighters found the dogs inside a burning home yesterday. firefighters removed each puppy from the basement of the smoky home and they gave the puppies oxygen. now, those pups were taken to a local veterinarian's office and they were checked out. no word on what caused the fire in the first place.

today a suspect in the mass shooting at a small college in oakland, california is is scheduled to be arraigned. last night mourners packed a church pew for a memorial service for the seven victims. the accused shooter one goh told police he was upset about being expel from that school. the police chief says the 43- year-old former student at that college "does not appear to be remorseful at all." on this day in history, back in 1968, nobel peace prize winner martin luther king, jr. was assassinated. he was gunned down on a balcony of the lorain motel in memphis, tennessee. dr. king at the time 39 years old. james earl ray who was charged with the crime died in prison. and on this 44th anniversary of the civil rights leader's death, a special honor in his memory. memphis will rename a one-mile stretch of the road dr. ml king king, jr avenue. stores, restaurants, even school districts now getting on the anti-pink slime bandwagon.

>> stay with us this morning. now the federal government is stepping in. we're going to tell you their plans to make it easier for you if you know what the beef contains with the controversial filler. when it comes to supermarkets, which market reigns supreme? a look at the best and worst grocery stores according to you. as we go to break this morning, taking a live look at the nation's capitol. "good morning maryland" continues in just a few minutes. achoo! nasal allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, itchy nose and sneezing can hit you year-round, indoors or out. prescription nasonex is clinically proven to help relieve nasal allergy symptoms any time of year. [ female announcer ] infections of the nose and throat

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news time 6:38. the pink slime war continues and the government now stepping in to make it easier for you to know if that filler is in your beef. >> they want manufacturers to now put on their packaging a label so there's no confusion about whether it's pink slime in your ground beef or not. >> yeah. it wouldn't say pink slime, of

course, that's just a term of phrase. contains lean finely textured beef or contains finely textured beef. and the packages will get stamped from the u is sda and the stamp of approval. reporter: what message do you believe the usda is sending? >> the usda is kind of trying to slip the baby. they don't want to require it and offend the industry, but they understand people are outraged. >> over the past couple of months, fast food chains, school districts and grocery stores have pulled beef products from their shelves because of the pink slime. grocery shoppers have now spoken. they've weighed in on the best and worst supermarkets around the country. consumer reports compiled a survey in the may edition, coming out on top wegman's trader joe's and publix. at the bottom of the list wal- mart supercenters and pick and save. the most common complaint, not enough checkouts. that's something i can attest to and agree on. >> i think a lot of people feel the way you do. stay with us this morning. you're waking up to what's new in baltimore. >> your abc 2 news to go straight ahead. here's what's in store. linda.

reporter: we're getting all new information overnight on the salmonella that's making people sick, the likely source of that outbreak. and there was low turnout for maryland's primary. all new reaction as we take a look at some of the local races. and it's dry right now, but i'll tell you if it'll be able to hold up for easter and if you'll have those easter egg hunts outside or indoors. those details coming up. reporter: not a whole lot of congestion, but we are following a couple of accidents. we'll let you know if they are impacting your morning drive. 3q

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, this is your abc 2 news to go. thanks for joining us, i'm megan pringle. >> i'm charley crowson. let's het over to meteorologist lynette charles with a look at today's forecast. >> good morning, megan and charley, good morning, everyone. as we look at maryland's most powerful radar right now, we are drying things out. we do still have some clouds out there, but we will get a few peeks of sunshine as we go throughout the day. we won't be socked in by any means and we won't be washed out by any means.

you can take the umbrella as you head out and about because there is a chance of a stray shower in the forecast. for right now temperatures are not cold like they were yesterday. 55 degrees in fredrick, jessup more of the same there, cadenceville coming in at 49 degrees and we don't have to deal with the breezy conditions this morning. the winds will pick up variable as we go into the afternoon, five to 10 miles per hour. but all in all not a bad looking day whatsoever. but we are looking at the roads right now, and so far, angela, things haven't been too bad for you. what is it looking like right now on the roadways? reporter: you're right, lynette. , so far in terms of congestion. we do have a couple of accidents to watch for. if you're traveling on maryland 175 between the bw parkway and ridge road is where you'll slow down for that collision. also annapolis police on the scene of a crash. that's going to be on jennifer and medical parkway. in the meantime, as far as delays go, we are seeing just a few backups out there. for those of you traveling around the beltway, this is what you'll encounter, for the most part, very light flow of traffic on both the inner and outer loop. as you can see on the north side here at bel aire road.

but as expected, now you're hitting the brakes on southbound 95 on your approach to white marsh boulevard. that sluggish traffic continues off and on southbound 95 as you make your way to the fort mchenry tunnel. back over to you, charley. widespread salmonella outbreak now making people sick. >> so far 19 states including here in maryland and washington d.c. have been affected by this. >> abc 2 news' linda stow is here now with all the new details with this. what are we learning? reporter: government health officials believe the salmonella outbreak is linked to spicy tuna roll sushi. investigators are trying to pinpoint the exact source. right now they're focusing on six clusters of restaurants in maryland, texas, wisconsin, rhode island and connecticut. but the specific restaurants have not been named. at least seven people have been hospitalized. no deaths have been reported. officials say the outbreak is growing rapidly. at least 90 people in 19 states, including d.c. have gotten sick. the most common symptoms of salmonella poisoning are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. the illness can be life threatening for people with

weakened immune systems. right now the fda is working with the cdc and state officials to pinpoint that exact source. the cases were first reported in late february and continue to grow. again, the likely source from spicy tuna roll sushi. linda stow, abc 2 news. happening today, senator barbara mccull sci is holding a roundtable about the impact of drug shortages. she's going to be joined by congressman elijah cummings and medical professions. the senator has been working on legislation to help prevent and reduce prescription drug shortages. the roundtable is happening at the university of maryland medical center. and happening tonight, democratic leader nancy pelosi is speaking at the baltimore labor organization's annual dinner. she'll be giving the keynote address in front of hundreds of labor and business community members, also local and state politicians. the theme of that dinner is welcome home nancy which recognizes pelosi's ties to baltimore's little italy community. in our democracy 2012 coverage, mitt romney is waking up this morning feeling probably pretty good.

he won all three primaries yesterday, including maryland's widening his delegate lead over rick santorum. he is is calling for an election basic choice between his views and president barack obama. >> i don't want to transform america. i want to restore to america the economic values of freedom and opportunity and limited government that made us the powerhouse of the world. >> romney plans to address the newspaper association of america today, a day after obama spoke at the annual meeting for the associated press. there's no doubt about it, there was low voter turnout in our state yesterday. >> some marylanders headed to the polls to settle a handful of competitive congressional contests including ben carden and senator nancy jacobs. >> abc 2 news' sherree johnson is here with all new reaction to this. reporter: a lot of people are now looking towards november. we have new reaction on this. it was a big night for senator ben carden and senator nancy jacobs in maryland's primary. senator carden easily defeated maryland state senator anthony

meus. he's a pastor from prince george's county. he'll face off against daniel bon gino, meanwhile, state senator nancy jacobs anxiously watched the election results. she'll take on doug ruttersberger in the general election. >> i'm looking forward to campaign on my record. i'll see who my opponent is and i look forward to talking about jobs, education, environment, women's rights, let's talk about these issues. >> from here on out it's ditch dutch, and i think we've got a really good shot at doing that because, you know, as we were coming out of polls today, you wouldn't believe the number of the democrats who were coming up to us and taking literature and saying i'm sorry, i couldn't vote for you, i'm a democrat, but i'm going to vote for you in november. >> now, jacobs received 60% of the vote and carden received 74% of the vote in maryland's primary. charley, back to you. >> keep in mind you can have all of your election covered, we've got you covered at our

website, abc2news.com. there you can go and check out all the results of all the races and the key issues. that's abc2news.com/politics. all new this morning, police at the university of maryland college park say they have filed more charges depends a student who -- against a student who threatened to go on a rampage at the school. alexander song was released yesterday and arrested. he's been charged with misuse of e-mail, disturbing the peace as well as other offenses. last month police say song warned on a website that he would kill people on campus. today students in kent county are scheduled to go back to school after being sent home early yesterday because of a bomb threat. investigators are trying to figure out who posted a handwritten note at kent county middle school. it claims that bombs would explode at all public schools in the state. schools were evacuated in that area as well as the board of education after thorough searches, wooer a he told no bombs were found. the university of maryland college park is hosting a community forum tonight talking about the aftermath of the death of trayvon martin.

students, faculty and the public are all invited to take part in that discussion. it's being called "trayvon, tragedies and traumas of everyday." topics to be discussed, racial profiling, gun laws and black masculinity. there will then be a candlelight vigil at 8:00 at the cultural center on campus. baltimore police commissioner fred bealefeld speaking today about the extent of child abuse and neglect here in our state. he will also discuss a new report that shows 13,000 children in our state suffered abuse or neglect in 2010. bealefeld strongly supports voluntary home visiting services to help new parents cope with the stresses of raising a young child. research shows that home visits can reduce child abuse by as much as 50%. news time now 6:50. and five things you need to know today. today five former new orleans police officers are scheduled to be sentenced following the shooting of six unarmed civilians after hurricane katrina in new orleans. two of those people died.

pam and robert champion will hold a press conference today in atlanta to discuss updates in the investigation into the hazing death of their son. robert champion, jr. died after what's being called a hazing incident following a florida atlantic university in november. his death was ruled a homicide. yahoo is reportedly getting ready to announce a massive round of layoffs today. the wall street journal reports the internet company will cut around 2000 people across a number of departments, about 14% of its work force. yahoo has had years of flat revenue growth. the president today will host an easter prayer breakfast at the white house. the obama administration will be joined by christian leaders from across the country. the president is also expected to sign a bill regarding insider trading by congressional members. and first lady michelle obama will visit walter reed national military medical center for a free easter celebration with military families and children. later she'll visit the wounded warriors being cared for at the medical center. cleanup will continue today after tornadoes ripped through the dallas-fort worth area on tuesday, causing

widespread destruction. the video is incredible. this twister was caught on video in forney, texas. you can see a funnel cloud churning towards a row of buildings. the severe weather damaged hundreds of homes and businesses and knocked out power and canceled flights. at this point we have no reports of anyone being injured which, lip et, is is incredible when you look at some of the video and the damage that was done by these storms. >> you're exactly right, megan, that is the good news out of this, but devastating pictures to look at with all those semi trucks just tossed in the air. it's just amazing. and i have some more good news to deliver and that's the fact while, texas, you are going to be drying out for today and that severe weather is now shifting off towards the east, so we're looking at louisiana, also, and mississippi, while you're dealing with some severe thunderstorm watches in effect, and also some flooding that's occurring across these areas as well. let me take your attention back into kansas where you are looking at, again, some severe thunderstorms across that area.

and even back on the back side of that, you can see that area of low pressure just spinning, that counter clockwise spin on the back side of that, while you're dealing with a little bit of snow across the four corners. that's what we have to deal with for today. the severe weather threat will start to shift off towards the east. so across the carolinas, the virginias, yes, we will have the chance for some severe thunderstorms possible as we go through time for today. but let me go ahead and take you outside in new orleans right now and we can see some showers trying to work their way in across that area. again, some severe thunderstorms will be happening across that area. hopefully no type of tornadoes, but definitely going to keep you updated on that information. right now, though, close to home, 49 degrees in baltimore, 46 in easton, 54 in dc, and, yes, these temperatures are well above average, a far cry from yesterday's temperatures in the 30s, low 30s at that. future trend not picking up on a whole lot for today because it looks like all the severe weather and the wet weather will stay to the south of us. but i am going to keep a stray shower, a slight chance for a shower to work their way in

here as we go into the afternoon. so hour by hour we will be warmer. that temperature right around 72 degrees for today. and then check out the cooldown as we head into thursday. so big changes coming, but beautiful sunshine as we go into friday, opening day, and then saturday 65. 70 degrees for easter. things definitely looking good for those easter egg hunts. the next chance for some showers roll in the beginning of next week. let's get a check of the traffic now with angela. good morning. reporter: good morning to you, lynette. good morning, everyone. heading out the door in the next few minutes a couple of slow spots out there. also an update on the accident we report inside annapolis at jennifer road. police now say an overturned vehicle involved in that collision. of course it is going to take awe few extra minutes to get through that area. in the meantime, this is the west side of 695. can you believe how light it is out there, even on the outer loop side we're still moving at a pretty good pace as you make the drive past liberty road. now, for those of you traveling on the north side, just a few pockets of slow traffic, actually, no delays to report on the north side. this is a live look at 695 at

delaney valley road. heading to the beltway right now, it is a little bit sluggish on the northwest expressway on the southbound side as you head to the beltway, and, of course, eastbound i-70, but no major delays to report on either of those major roadways. we're standing by to find out when and where today the woman who claims that she won the megamillions here in maryland, what is going to happen because she says she's going to have a news conference. >> the new york daily news says the press conference will be later today in westport. she is a single mom of seven, but she has yet to produce the winning ticket. her attorney plans to join her a little bit later today. get your green on today because donate life maryland wants you to know about organ donation. that's why the scarves and lynette -- >> i have the king of a cape. >> you're wonder woman. you tie your cape up, there's a reason why this is so

important. 113,000 people in this country are waiting for organ, tissue, eye donations to save their life. if you've ever interviewed somebody, and i know we all have, who's waiting or a family member is waiting for a life- saving organ, it can be agonizing. this organization has been around in maryland since 2007. like you said, this is a huge event. you're seeing the scarf right now that -- angela is wearing this one. it says donate life maryland, a way for you to get involved. this is not advocating anything, we're just saying you might want to consider this when you register to get your driver's license. >> i don't know if you guys have ever done this, it's very easy, go to donatelife.net. you can register online. you can go and sign up. you used to have to go into the mba and i know a lot of people have the fear about organ donation, but they will dispel all the myths on their website. we're going to continue to follow those storms here with lynette, what's happening in texas.

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