live in washington, i am kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> very interesting. how are some of the other big race is shaping up? crashed charlie rangel easily won his race in new york. adrian fenty is ousted in the primary. he it basically will be out after november 2. an interesting race shaping up is new hampshire. it may prove to be a real show of the power of sarah palin. the race remains too close to call. there are about 1000 votes between the gop establishment candidates and she has the endorsement of sarah palin. interesting. >> kate amara, thank you. >> very interesting. to 87 degrees on tv hill. the fda has decided whether cold medicine should require a doctor's notes. >> the measure was pushed because of increased miss use. >> we have a new accident on the key bridge. we'll update you on that and we will check on a tractor-t >> welcome back. it's 41 minutes after 5:00 a.m. beautiful picture downtown. 66 degrees at the maryland science center. is much cooler in the suburbs. once you get away from the water and the city, it drops into the 50's. 49 right

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> the parties are arguing about the economy. is anything getting done in washington? >> it is the question of the day. it does appear the small business jobs built is heading towards passage. it cannot be voted on as early as today. it would free up about $300 billion for small businesses who are struggling to get credit. >> kate amara, thank you. >> police are on the lookout for a man they said tried to rob a pharmacy. police say two suspects were present but one of them got away. a security guard confronted the men and wound up firing his weapon. >> the suspects fled the location. one of them was caught by police officer and saw the suspect running. >> police believed the other suspect may be armed. the security guard is authorized to do limited police type work. >> a proposal to build a walmart has sparked plenty of debate. walmart will serve as the anger store at the 25th street station. if it does come to the area, local hiring and living wages. the committee will have a least one more meeting before the make the final deci

we have more from kate amara. >> good morning. the government -- >> take two seconds to turn off your cell phone and take control of your safety before getting behind the wheel. young drivers are being asked to make that pledge today. >> for every two seconds you take your eyes from the road, you double your crash risk. you can injure or kill somebody. >> 86% of teenagers have driven while distracted even though 84% know it is dangerous. >> put down your cell phone. teenagers feel that they cannot multitask and do both. they cannot. >> more than 1/3 of teenage drivers have nearly crashed because of distracted driving. >> the percentages are off the charts with other teenagers in cars. >> this date may be targeted two teenagers, but it is a reminder to all drivers. keep your eyes and your attention on the road and keep the distraction turned off. aaa said parents can help by modeling good behavior. if your kids see you texting while driving, they will think it is ok. kate amara reporting. start while they are young. >> what else is

kate amara has details. >> good morning. the gop wants to expand the bush-era tax cut for everybody. democrats have offered up a plan of their own. the fight over your tax bill is raging in washington. president obama trying to extend tax cuts and engaging in what he calls a wrestling match with republicans. >> we cannot give away $700 billion to people who do not need it. >> republicans claim the administration's plan would only stifle job creation. >> now they want to drive another nail into the coffin by expanding their businesses and creating jobs. >> democrats say they can get small businesses to start hiring if lawmakers moved a jobs bill ahead today. better access to credit and capital. >> small businesses are holding off on hiring. banks are holding on to their capital. they are waiting for us to act. >> this measure could create up to 500,000 jobs. republicans call it costly and ineffective. live in washington, i am kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> with all the barbs being traded back and forth, what does the future

. >> kate amara joins us live with more on the story. good morning.appy friday. >> happy friday to you. democrats threw in the towel and will not pick up again until the lame duck session. no vote on tax cuts until after the midterm. democratic leader blamed the delay on uncooperative republicans. the issue -- on the minds of voters. >> make the tax cut permanent. >> the gop wants tax cuts extended across the board. it is a key component of the pledge to america. >> massive uncertainty for job creators. the american people are suffering. >> democrats say the agenda is a step in the wrong direction. >> their plan would take us back to the bush years. >> relief is on the way for some. a jobs bill designed to cut taxes and create jobs. >> 500,000 jobs without adding to the deficit. >> it is a $42 billion bill. the president is expected to sign it into law on monday. kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> any chance we will see the house take any action on the tax cuts? crashed probably not. they have said they're waiting for the senate to act first. it is not k

live in washington this morning, i'm kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. mindy, back to you in baltimore. >> hey, kate, the president's town hall comes the same week we're expecting to get some economic reports. what can we expect in those reports, any good news? >> that's what investors and regular people are hoping for, so there's reports due out in the housing market this week, including data on new and existing home sales. in the last few months, as you know, we have seen home sales fall to the lowest level that we've seen in decades. obviously a lot of people are watching and hoping that these reports will show the numbers have turned around. >> let's hope so. kate amara live in washington, thank you. >> meanwhile, maryland democratic senator ben cardin is weighing in on the controversial bush-era tax cuts. yesterday he joined our lisa robinson to talk about what will likely be a big issue at the ballot box in november. though the tax breaks were put into place in 2001 and 2003, they're set to expire in january unless congress extends them. republicans

kate amara has an update on health care reform. >> good morning. the administration is reintroducing the health-care overhaul to the public today. this comes six months after it was introduced into law. >> we are done. >> health care reform turns six months old. president obama will mark the milestone today. >> the president will talk about how reform is already changing people's lives. >> several major changes take effect on thursday. parents are now allowed to insure their students through the age of 25. >> we are putting an end to the worst concerns. >> making preventive care a priority. most policies must now pa $100y ay 100%. >> but according to a new poll, six months after the law was signed, the public does not know what is in it. republicans have pledged to repeal the over all if they regain control of congress. the administration believes that strategy will backfire since it would mean taking provisions away from consumers. kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. back to you. >> how does the president plan to mark the milestone? >> president obama wi

. >> kate amara is in our washington bureau with more. >> the pledge to america it is like a sequel to the contract with america, a campaign platform designed to show voters the gop is listening and ready to govern. >> a pledge to america. >> leaders rolled out their pledge to america today. it is designed to win control of congress. >> it is important that a party stand for something besides the other guy is no good. >> cut spending, repeal of replace the health care law. >> the american people understand that is the economy, stupid. >> the pledge will come in handy on the campaign trail back home. >> every time they are asked what do you stand for, they will have the talking points. >> some think this doesn't go far enough. some democrats say it goes back o far.r >> republicans say the plan was created after consulting with voters. it will be unveiled at a hardware store in virginia. i am kate amara reporting. >> it is an ongoing debate. >> the issue is whether or not to put a slots parlor in in arundel mills. jennifer franciotti has more on the debate. >> good morning. david cordish

kate amara has more. >> good morning. this applies to a market is kind of like a sequel to the contract with america. it is a campaign platform that is designed to show voters the gop is ready to govern. >> a pledge to america. >> the pledge to a market is rolled out today. it is designed to win control of congress. >> it is important a party stand for something besides the other guy is no good. >> cut spending, repealed the health clear law, extend the bush tax cuts. >> the american people understand it is the economy, stupid. >> the pledge will come in handy on the campaign trail back called. >> everytime they are asked what you stand for, and now they will have talking points. >> some conservatives think it does not go far enough. some democrats say it goes back too far. >> the argument would be going against the policies of the previous administration. >> republican leaders say this plan was created after consulting with voters. it will be unveiled at a hardware store in suburban virginia. kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news.

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> how does the president planned to mark the milestone today? >> by marking it publicly. he will drop in on a meeting this morning of state insurance commissioners. then he travels to northern virginia where he hosts a backyard discussion on the health care overhaul and on the policies that are going into effect starting tomorrow. >> kate amara, thank you. have a great day. >> 62 degrees on tv hill. coming up, the morning's financial news in the bloomberg business report. >> a much anticipated vote on the gis in the military. it will have to wait a bit longer. >> the baltimore book festival is this weekend. it is about more than just books. we have a presentation of cabaret going on. stay tuned for details. >> traveling westbound i-70, >> traveling westbound i-70, some >> a very good wednesday morning to you. we're talking about the 15th annual baltimore book festival. 66 degrees in mount vernon. we are at the washington monument. we have more than 200 local and celebrity authors who will be here. the 49-year theater will be here. it is quite a

i'm kate amara. back to you, sarah. >> new this noon, police are searching for a suspect in a deadly shooting in southeast baltimore. officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest on the 1,700 block of cane street. he was taken to bay view hospital where he died. >> also carroll county sheriffs are investigating a stabbing death. 26-year-old jeremiah demarrio was found 10:00 p.m. last night on a staircase outside his apartment. police say he had been stabbed in the chest. investigators say neighbors called 911, and he was taken to carol hospital center, where he died. testimony is expected to continue in the ken harris murder trial. yet monica robinson was reportedly with harris the night of the incident. took the stand and said harris was in a hurry when he returned to the car trying to get away from a masked gunman. robinson said she didn't recall hearing a gunshot but the defense pointed out she did say she heard a shot in an earlier recorded statement to police. >> baltimore po

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. back to you. >> what put a bill up for a vote if it has little chance of passing? >> it is a million-dollar question and it is all about politics. democrats are hoping their votes today will resonate with voters back home who are sour about the unemployment rate. they are hoping this test vote can be used against their republican opponents on the campaign trail. >> it is all about politics this morning. keymar, thank you. >> 71 degrees. coming up next, four children and their mother are found dead in a florida called. >> floodwaters remain at record i thought it was crazy feeding in the fall. 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 t

kate amara is live with details cahill. >> good morning. president obama is in iowa this morning. he is having more backyard discussion with voters. he is trying to boost turnout in november. a rally at the university of wisconsin. >> i am fired up. >> president obama trying to reach energize voters ahead of the crucial midterm elections. >> we face another test on november 2. the stakes could not be higher. >> hoping to get younger voters cast ballots in november, telling this crowd to get to work and stay involved. >> the biggest mistake we can make is to let frustration lead to apathy and indifference. that is how the other side winds. >> the president's party needs of this winds. republican's lead the way in voter enthusiasm 47% to 27%. the outcome often hinges on turnout. >> what he needs to do is to communicate to young people, to young voters that even though it is not a presidential election, there is so much at stake and on the line. >> this was the first of four large rallies that was planned. the president has planned stops in iowa as well as richmond, virginia. kate am

. >> kate amara joins us live with the details. good morning. >> good morning. president obama will be pushing his economic message this week on it for this state campaign swing from virginia to mexico and beyond. president obama signs the small business jobs bill into law today, a move that helps democrats show they are focused on revving up a sputtering economy. >> we have to keep pushing growth to create the jobs and prepare the job the recession has done. >> campaign stops plant to help push democrats over the top in november. >> we will continue to focus on clean energy jobs and we will continue to focus on the economy. >> republicans believe the economy is issued number one. >> we have to do something to keep the economy moving. >> voters will be looking for a change. >> they know the way to change it is to change the congress. you don't get to make changes unless you get elected. >> president obama will be focusing on a group that got him elected, young voters. kate amara, and wbal-tv 11 news. >> with lawmakers so focus on the midterm elections, is there

kate amara has more. >> good morning. the president is in iowa this morning. he is doing more of the back toward discussions with voters about the economy. an on-campus rally at the university of wisconsin. >> i don't know about you, but i am fired up. [cheers] >> president obama trying to re-energize voters ahead of the crucial midterm elections. >> we face another test on november 2. the stakes could not be higher. >> the campaigner-in-chief is hoping to get younger voters and other backers to cast ballots in november, telling this crowd to get to work and stay involved. >> the biggest mistake we can make right now is to let disappointment or frustration lead to apathy and indifference. that is how the other side wins. >> the president's party needs polls. a gallup poll finding republicans lead the way in voter enthusiasm 47% to 28%. political strategists know the outcome of the midterms often hinges on turnout. >> i think what he needs to do is to communicate to young people, to young voters that even though it is not a presidential election, there is so mu

i am kate amara. >> a female sports reporter said she was sexually harassed inside an nfl locker room. we want to know what you think about this topic. >> it was more appropriate for you to read. there is a chill in the air today. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in hd. >> do you want to go? >> good morning. i am stan stovall. >> and i'm mindy basara. tony pann has a quick look at today's forecast. >> it is crisp out there. i love this time of year. it is a beautiful morning. you might want to take a light jacket with you. the barometric pressure is 30.01. it will be around 80 today. under mostly sunny skies. we do have a little bit of rain in the seven-day forecast and three tropical storms to talk about. first we say good morning to sarah. >> we have quite a bit happening. and on the inner loop at the key bridge, there is an accident and taking up the right lane as you approach mid span. that is on the inner loop of the key bridge. no

live in washington, i'm kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. mindy, back to you. >> so kate, what are some of the issues the president will discuss during this town hall meeting? >> well, the folks at cnbc say the president will be taking questions from this live audience, as well as questions from viewers, who will be at several satellite locations around the country. they expect the top ex-of the questions to focus on issues ranging from the economy and stem husband to taxes, job growth, and the housing market. >> kate amara live in washington, thank you. >> a pair of deadly shootings sunday morning have police looking for answers and suspects. the first shooting happened just after 5:00 a.m. in the 1200 block of bonaparte avenue. a man was shot in the head. no word on a suspect or a possible motive. and then, just 15 minutes later, reports of shots fired brought police to the 2900 block of edgewood street. the victim, 26-year-old isaiah white, died of a gunshot wound to the back after reportedly getting into a fight downtown earlier the night

kate amara has more. good morning. >> the federal government is teaming up with aaa the latest push to curb this dangerous and growing trend. take two to turn off your cell phone. young drivers are being asked to make that pledge today. >> for every two seconds the take your eyes from the road, you double your crash risk. you cannot injured or kill someone. >> -- you can injure or kill someone. >> 84% note is dangers. >> drive. put down your cell phone. i know teenagers feel that they donot multitask, they canno both. they cannot. the percentages are off the charts in terms of teenagers who drive with other teenagers in cars. the risk escalates. >> this date may be targeted two teenagers, but is a reminder to drivers of all ages. keep your eyes and attention on the roads and keep the destruction turned off. aaa said parents can help by modeling good behavior. if your kids seem texting while driving, they will think it is ok to do. kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> thank you and have a great weekend. >> now

kate amara joins us live with more on that. no surprise there. >> there was a chance they could have acted on it, but senate democrats decided to say they will not pick up the talf until the lame-duck session. no vote on tax cuts until after the midterm. democratic leader blamed the delay on uncooperative republicans. the issue is on the minds of voters. >> make the tax cut permanent. >> the gop wants tax cuts extended across the board. it is a key component of the pledge to america. >> massive uncertainty for job creators. the american people are suffering. >> democrats say the agenda is a step in the wrong direction. >> their plan would take us back to the bush years. >> relief is on the way for some. a jobs bill designed to cut taxes and create jobs. >> 500,000 jobs without adding to the deficit. >> it is a $42 billion bill. the president is expected to sign it into law on monday. kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> what happens if lawmakers don't act on the tax cuts by december 31? >> if they did not send a bill to the presiden

kate amara joins us live with more. >> president obama will be pushing his economic message this week during a four-state .ampaign swing that s president obama signs the small business jobs bill into law democrats show they are focused on revving up a sputtering economy. >> we have to keep pushing growth to create the jobs and prepare the job the recession has done. >> campaign stops are planned to help push democrats over the top in november. >> we will continue to focus on clean energy jobs and we will continue to focus on the economy. >> republicans believe the economy is issue number one. >> we have to do something to keep the economy moving. >> voters will be looking for a change. >> they know the way to change is to change the congress. you don't get to make changes unless you get elected. >> the president will be focusing on a group that helped get him elected, young voters. there are a series of rallies planned on college campuses. back to you. >> with lawmakers focused on the midterm election, is there any government getting them right now? >> it doesn't seem like it is. harr

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. back to you. >> why put a bill up for a vote passing? >> with the hope that the votes play out on the campaign trail. democrats are hoping their yes votes will show they are sympathetic with voters who are struggling in the economy. they are hoping for the republican opponents that vote against that, democrats are hoping to use that against the gop on the campaign trout. >> i think i understand that. thank you. have a great day. >> the wiretap powers have been expanded. now they are asking for permission to expand even further come into your own social online network. federal officials are seeking to expand their wiretap powers to include those networks. others are worried about the possible dampening effect that government buys might have on them. >> it could start out that they are just doing facebook and it goes on to everything. >> it is your own personal business. something that they can see you do. but they do not have to go into my blackberry. >> it might take up to a year before any changes could take effect. that brings us to ou

kate amara has more on the story. >> with control of congress on the line, the president meets with top democrats for one last strategy session. lawmakers are preparing to head home. >> the bill is passed. >> house lawmakers also passed a to 9/11 first responders and survivors. >> help is on the way. we passed your bill in the house of representatives. >> but lawmakers are leaving d.c. without addressing the bush-era tax cuts. dozens of house democrats, many in tight races, broke ranks and sided with the republicans, voting against adjourning the session without voting on the tax-cut extension. >> it's irresponsible for them to leave town without giving us a fair up-or-down vote. they're turning their backs on the american people. >> political analysts say the issue underscores the division among democrats just five weeks before a high-stakes election. >> the states across the country that are generally considered swing states are all leaning to republicans right now. and the only states that are leaning to democrats tend to be very traditional democratic states. >> today's meeting will

. >> i am kate amara in washington, where democrats and republicans are locked in a fight over york tax bill. >> a hard-fought battle in the mail winds brought the ravens an opening night went and silenced the one of the war of the new york jets. we'll have highlights. >> will the weather played a factor in today's primary election? [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in hd. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. >> and i am stan stovall. thank you for joining us this morning. >> like the old nfl films there. "we went to the meadowlands. frozen tundra." you have to love that. we will do sports soon. >> i want to hear about the rain in the forecast. >> yes, it sure you do. temperatures are in the but on the cool side. you might want to take a light jacket with you. it will get warmer this afternoon. we will see high temperatures in the upper 70's and low 80's. a mix of sun and clouds. we will show with the seven-day forecast and give you the lat

getting a passage from lady ga gant kate amara joins us live with more on that story. good morning kate. >> gong to you, stan. this is a makeup you don't see every day. lady gaga versus senator john mccain. they are battling over the future of don't ask, don't tell. >> instead of pop music, it was politics in portland, maine. lady gaga making a monster of a push to reappeal don't ask, don't tell. >> we are going to war for you and you and you and you and you, but not you, because you're gay. >> the grammy winner joining forces with veterans who were dismissed because of the policy and calling on two senators to pass legislation to lift it. >> i'm here because don't ask, don't tell is wrong. it's unjust. [applause] >> this defense authorization bill includes an item that would lay the ground work that would reappeal don't ask, don't tell and is up for a key vote in the senate today. >> it will send an important message that we as a nation stand behind them and appreciate our -- their service. >> republicans are calling this a democratic floy sway voters in an eflexion ye

kate amara is in washington with this report. >> good afternoon, sarah. more backyard discussions with voters about the economy. a campus rally at the university of wisconsin -- >> i don't know about you, but i am fired up. >> president barack obama trying to excite voters. >> we face another test. the stakes could not be higher. >> hoping to get young voters and other backers to cast ballots in november, telling this crowd to get to work and stay involved. >> the biggest mistake that we could make it is to let frustration and lead to in difference. >> the party needs this push for support at the polls according to recent surveys, a gallup poll showing republicans lead the way in its enthusiasm. political strategists know the outcome of the midterm often hinges on it turnout. >> he needs to communicate to young people, too young voters, that even though it is not a presidential election, there is so much on the line. >> this is a first of four large rallies planned for the president. >> thanks. president obama is making his presence known in maryland's gu

. >> i am kate amara in washington with the senate debates to keep jobs out of the cou.

. >> i am kate amara. american firms keeping from sending out of the country. >> in the middle river, there is one early morning accident. is one early morning accident. that's in andy harris' unfair tax plan. 23% sales tax. a 23% sales tax will cut my business in half. would be devastating. andy harris' 23% sales tax absolutely makes no sense. 23% sales tax would really make things unaffordable. that's too high for the average american out here. i don't know how we would manage it really. don't like that idea. we can't afford andy harris' idea. i'm frank kratovil and i approve this message. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today in hd. >> good morning. i'm jennifer franciotti. >> and i am stan stovall. thank you for joining us this morning. >> tony pann has a quick look at today's forecast. er thenit is dry ai er thenit is dry ai

. >> kate amara has more. >> lawmakers are preparing to head home. >> the bill is passed. >> lawmakers passed a bill to provide free health care to 9/11 responders. >> we passed the bill in the house of representatives. >> but lawmakers are not addressing the bush tax cuts. many broke ranks and sided with the republicans, voted against adjourning this session without voting on the extension. >> if you are responsible for them to leave town without giving a vote, you're turning your backs on the american people. >> five weeks before a high- stakes election. >> the states across the country that are considered swing states are leaning towards republicans. the only states leading to democrats tend to be democratic states. >> the meeting will give leaders and the president a chance to discuss their agenda. 68 degrees on tv hill. the fda issues a warning concerning a popular baby product. details are straight ahead. >> this is a live look at traffic. you can see how slowly the cars are moving. traffic is going to be impacted this morning. america saves on dunkin', america runs on dunkin', w