kate amara has more. >> a huge protest outside the glen burnie high school tuesday afternoon, but it was actually a counter protest. >> to support and show them that it does not get through to them. >> part of a grass-roots groundswell. hundreds of people trying to drown out the controversial westboro baptist church. >> i just think that everything they do and everything they say is just a complete contradiction korea >> the church was outnumbered. just a few members showed up as classes got out for the day. >> half the students have been lied to all of their losses. >> they were protesting our status new gay marriage law. they were protesting, sexuality at the funerals of soldiers, and last year, they won a court battle in a case that began in maryland. >> to put us on trial. >> that rennert was dismissed by the counter contingent, organized by several community groups and a strong push through social media. hundreds here are calling this a teachable moment. >> coming around. love is so much greater than hate. >> kate amara, wbal tv 11 news. >> secaucas released an alternative budge

kate amara is in the newsroom with a look at the race from a slightly different angle. >> there are a lot of states that come after these 10 super tuesday states. a lot of them want to know, will we matter? we can tell you from the returns a we have seen that this race clearly is not over today. even if one of these candidates has managed to collect all the delegates at stake today, it is still just one-third of the delegates needed to clinch the republican presidential nomination. when the dust finally settled on super tuesday, the national rate could remain too close to call. if mitt romney and rick santorum continue to do get out for the title of front runner, that is where maryland comes into play, according to political science major herb smith. >> it is still very close race. >> maryland's primary election is tuesday, april 3. >> the maryland secretary of state determines who are the unviable presidential candidates at a given point in time. >> in 2008, maryland, virginia, and d.c. joined forces for a potomac primary. call last may, governor martin o'malley signed a bill moving

old hill top is finally awakened from its slumber. 11 news reporter kate amara has more. >> we love it here. we love coming to the track. the track looks good. >> opening day at pimco. the start of the spring meet. >> this and preakness. one of the two best days of the year that you can ask for. >> eight weeks of racing. a total purse of $3.425 million. >> free to get in, free admission. a little drizzle doesn't keep anybody away. it is packed higher. >> for some it is a day of nerves. >> our horse was running in the second race at pimco. >> for others, the start of live racing means a lot of work. >> my crew was excited to be here and ready to rock 'n' roll. >> 50 days until the big headline of the 137th running of the preakness and the return of in-field mascot pegasus. >> i am pegasus, lord and protector of the preakness in-field. >> the half man, half horse in-field demigod appeals to a wide range of demographics in 2012. >> the good thing is not only locally but nationally and internationally, all eyes are on pimco. >> something for everyone officials say, and that ranked true for

here's kate amara with more. >> friday afternoon crews were setting up the last of five early voting sites in baltimore city. 1-46 locations state-wide. >> it seems as though it has been a trend that each time early voting numbers increase. people like the flexibility of having six days to choose when they want to come. >> this is maryland's first presidential contest with early voting. it begins saturday and runs through thursday, ahead of primary day on april 3rd. the election director believes he'll see a dote total turnout of up to 60%. >> i think because of one race being contested, it is going to make numbers low. >> the democratic ticket could suppress turnout, and nationwide enthusiasm for the republican presidential primary is considered luke warm at best. >> but as the delegate hunt heats up, or solidly blue state with 37 delegates is getting a second look from the g.o.p. hopeful. >> the more the merrier. >> the more the merrier. >> mit romney held a big rally in arbutis each week. and ron paul has a rally planned in college park next week as well. >> well, it is not a colo

here's kate amara with more. >> friday afternoon crews were setting up the last of five voting sites in baltimore city. 1-46 locations statewide. >> it seems there has been a trend each time early voting increases. people have flexibility to choose. >> this is maryland's first presidential contest with early voting. it begins saturday and runs through thursday. baltimore city's elections director says he'll see a total turnout of up to 30%. >> i think because of one race being uncontested, it is going to make numbers low. >> the democratic ticket could suppress turnout and nationwide the republican presidential primary is considered luke warm at best. >> but as the delegate hunt heats up, or solidly blue state is getting a second look from the g.o.p. hopeful. >> the more the merrier. >> mit romney held a rally in arbutis, newt gingrich will be here tuesday, and ron paul will be in college park next week as well. >> it is not a colossal prize like texas, california, or florida, but it is still very significant. >> kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> maryland's 46 early voting centers are

kate amara has more. >> he's making his move, scottie!>> it is the day race fans have waited for all winter, opening day at pimco race course. >> we don't believe in working. we come to the track every day like clockwork. we'll be here every day. >> the stakes are higher in 2012. total purse pumped up to $3.425 million. >> it is like stealing. the best thing about it is preakness. coming around the corner. >> this is special. >> the idea, attract bigger crowds, larger fields, bigger horses. >> what crifes drives the wagering end of this is more quality. the obvious impetus for that is the size of the purses. >> it all starts today leading up to the highlight of the season, the 137th running of the $1 million preakness stakes. >> the preakness is what the preakness is, and we're expecting a better turnout than last year. sales have been off the charts. >> this and preakness, one of the two best days of the year that you could ask for. >> kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> the time is 5:28. 47 degrees on tv hill. history was made in maryland l

it will be anchored by kate amara. that is tonight on wbaltv.com lots starting at 10:00 p.m. >> coming up, the latest on the tornado outbreaks. >> a a maryland woman who survived the disaster. while she was visiting alabama. >> we will tell you who the latest player is to get the bad news call from the club. >> snow showers are winding down on hd doppler. we're talking about a significant warmup this week. 41 at the airport, 43 at the switching to progressive could mean hundreds more in your wallet year after year. feed me! saving you money -- now, that's progressive. call or click today. but in the sleep number store, we hear it all the time. yeah, nine out of ten couples disagree on the firmness they want in a mattress. i sleep on the couch. with our bed, the sleep number setting represents the firmness that you like on your half of the mattress. you can have it your way and i'll have it mine. so we save a lot of marriages. at our semi-annual sleep sale, save $400 to $700 on our most popular bed sets. sale ends soon.

i am kate amara for wbal-tv 11 news. >> here is your forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> to the south and west, more activity. the clouds are beginning to thin out around the baltimore area. that will allow some lake the sunshine. the storms have been bigger and more significant to the west. they're moving into the west virginia panhandle. it is worth watching. it looks like as it encounters stable air, the storms will fall apart. there is a severe thunderstorm watch in ohio. they have had warmer air. the storms are severe that way and into parts of indiana. temperatures have been warmer on the other side of the mountains of 80 degrees in parts of the ohio valley. it is 78 in cincinnati. it is only 47 at bwi marshall. the warmer air is moving into the mountains and the ohio valley. as the storms and counter the cooler air here, they will likely weaken. just a trace of rain at the airport. the highs today were below normal. that is rare this year. 59 is the normal high. we were pulled short of that. -- we were 12 short of that. it is warmer out west. some of the ohio v

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> a consumer alert for nissan owners. another massive recall. list next. >> and what to watch for when planning an occasion. the i-team breaks down what you should know about travel insurance. >> and does your office image shout ready for success or "night out on the town"? whatever the experience, this author will help you look the part for success. st >> in "consumer alert" a recall from nissan. the nissan juke and infinity -msedans. they are from the 2012 year. gasoline could leak causing a fire. the recall scheduled to start march 19. 615-725-1000 if you have questions. >> a plan to mandate rear-view cameras. ray lahood is delaying this until more study is done to ensure the most protective and eefficient. people are killed annually when drivers accidentally run over them when backing up. >> a consumer preview of windows 8. the first beta available and available free online. microsoft is counting microsoft 8 as fast and fluid and praised its ability to perform tasks, such as letting you interact with multiple apps simultaneously. it features

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> if you want to check out bpdt for yourself you will see there is a link on our web site. >> the time now 5:28. coming up, the fate of the former rutgers student. >> and why george clooney received a personal he is court to a paddy wagon? next. >> and the forecast ahead. >> welcome back to "11 news saturday morning." thank you for joining us on this st. patrick's day. >> happy st. paddy's day, everybody. >> you will start to hear some lawn mowers, i bet, with all the green grass. >> and we are like in the middle of march. >> it is amazing. >> it doesn't feel like wint winter time. >> it hasn't all winter, for that matter. >> yesterday was a little cooler than we had seen for the two previous days, like thursday and friday, with temperatures up around 80 or so. we didn't break any records temperature-wise. strange thing about this winter. we haven't tackled any big records. anyway, all the more unsettled weather southbounding pushed to the south. there is a front still straddled across the yire. we have skies here in baltimore. crescent moon in the skies. t

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> so from police on tv to tv actors now behind bars, george clooney has a rap sheet. the cause that had the oscar winner placed in police custody. still ahead. >> and let the ipad craze begin. >> and the video you are seeing there, people swarming to the ravens cheerleaders try >> the luck of the irish kicks off our consumer alert. you are in luck if you are looking for a shamrock shake. it is available nationwide this year for the first time ever. you can find one at any of the 14,000 u.s. restaurants until the end of the month or until supplies last. if you need more sugar, dunkin donuts rolled out two new doughnuts. if you plan to be out and about, free fries for everyone in america. today and sunday, customers can get a free value size order of fries complete with green st. paddy's day sauce from heinz. >> apple's newest version of the ihad hit stores yesterday. many lined up to buy the tablets. mark has the story. >> by now the scene, like the one in dallas this morning is familiar. apple devotees from around the country and the world swarmed to buy

it will be anchored by kate amara and chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer will be here with the forecast. again, that is tonight at 10:00 p.m. on wbal +. >> the price on dog food for the city's k-9 unit stands at $12,000. that that is for less than a year. >> a big dog. [laughter] >> but there is still less than $15,000 to spend on gatorade for the baltimore public record department. >> you can learn everything you want to know at your fingertips. we will explain how. >> but first, the warm winter has forced two popular ski resorts to shut down for the season. or you can still satisfy your desire to ski, just ahead. >> we will show you where the snow showers are right now. plus, the warming trend in the seven-day forecast. >> coming up at 6:00 p.m., the battle over the budget continues in annapolis. a closer look at a talk that is being tossed around. and how the gop candidates are getting ready for tomorrow's super tuesday showdown. plus, we will speak with a maryland woman who was in alabama and survived the disaster t >> a winter of warm weather and rain has made its mark on two popul

kate amara joins us with more on what is going on there. they could and had better weather today. >> it was drizzly but the fans were just happy to be back. there were 10 live races, 11 more tomorrow, and then 10 more on sunday. [no audio] it is opening day. >> it is something we look forward to. the economy is horrible. we do not believe in working. become to the track every day. we will be here every day. >> the stakes are higher in 2012. $3.45 million. >> it is like stealing. the preakness is right around the corner. >> this is special. >> the idea is to attract bigger crowds. >> we have always made the argument that what drives the wagering is more quality. the impetus for that is the size of the purses. >> it all starts today leading up to the highlight of the season. >> we are expecting a better turnout than last year. sales have been off the charts. >> this and preakness, one of the two best days of the year you could ask for. >> donna, start getting your hat ready. at 6:00, the warm winter could add up to better racing this spring.

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> obviously they will have the inside scoop on some of the things that go on there. they have their own tv station. >> we have all of those next. >> the time now is 9:08. still ahead, the maryland zoo is here. >> and the search to find the next ravens cheerleader is not over yet. we'll tell you about tryouts going on today and how you can join in. >> we continue, although winter does finally end on monday. we will talk about the insta-weather plus forecast.3q um, miss ? you have hard water stains and that cleaner's not gonna cut it. you need lime-a-way. it's 4 times more effective at removing limescale than the leading bathroom cleaner. lime-a-way is specially formulated to conquer hard water stains. for lime, calcium and rust... lime-a-way is a must. >> not all maryland is in the clear here. we do have some patches of fog here. what's left of the fog will burn off later today. we pushed most of the cloudiness down to the south. what's left of the rain shower activity down in southeast virginia and parts of west virginia and the southwestern corner of vi

in annapolis, i'm kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> and by the way, that photo by stan stearns was nominated for a pulitzer prize that year. >> and the photo that came in second, also his, jack ruby shooting lee harvey oswald. >> you always have to think about what you are going to cook for continue -- dinner. still ahead, how to make your family a great meal without spending a lot of time on it. >> well, our wellness doctor is here with advice for us. >> and the insta-weather plus forecast right after the break. >> and we're taking a live look from the grand hotel in ocean city. current temperatures right now 50 degrees out at the airport. 57 at ocean city. they are going to get up to the low 60's today. humid out there. 93%. winds out of the west at 7. barometer holding steady at 29.5. it feels about 5 degrees warmer than it is out there right now. turbulent kms taking a look right now at some areas. high 40's to low 50's. the warmest temperatures on the eastern shore. current temperatures. a lot of this front we are seeing is brought tornadoes through the south, and unfortunately fatal to

kate amara, wbal-tv 11 news. >> the new system will start february 10. the big test will be on the first day of report, which is april 2. >> baltimore city lost 10,000 jobs last year alone, but coming up, why the news isn't all bad on the job front. >> the family of a teen electrocuted by a park fence wants to make sure it never happens again. their fight to the statehouse next. >> first a look at last night's winning lottery numbers. i was shocked to find out how many couples don't sleep in the same bedroom. but in the sleep number store, we hear it all the time. yeah, nine out of ten couples disagree on the firmness they want in a mattress. i sleep on the couch. with our bed, the sleep number setting represents the firmness that you like on your half of the mattress. don't mess with my side because i'm comfortable. i can adjust mine to my liking and she can do the same. go ahead and switch sides so you can feel what the other side feels like. you're on his side. how does that feel? it's hard. i like my side i like my better, too. side better. this is t

well, new drilling technology kate amara, and we are now told that, in fact, as of this last week, theyil in north dakota alone. now, that made me think we had to change my speech, because up until last week, i have been saying there was 25 times as much oil as they thought, ' and that the current estimate is there are 160 times, 16,000 percent more oil in north dakota than they thought there was in the 1990's, and some experts believe that number is off by a huge margin, that future technology will ultimately lead us to find about 500 billion barrels of oil. now, i am not trying to fill you up with numbers, but i'm trying to make the point about a general direction. an american president that believed in energy, and an american president had better believe in science and technology would drive the price of gasoline below $2.50, with a limited our dependence on the middle east, and we would never ever about again to a saudi king. [cheers and applause] -- never again bow to a saudi king. [cheers and applause] [crowd whistling] so you have my promise, at a time when i hope this evening an