for updates and a full background probe on the story, log onto wjz.com. >>> words from afghanistan. strong words. mike hellgren is live at city police headquarters with the latest on how the police show of force and their search for suspects. mike? >> vic, these shootings have genalated -- generated a lot of outrage. and prompted police to review how they get their intelligence. >> reporter: police are everywhere. along ashland avenue, after a mass shooting. part of a bloody battle over drug money and turf. it prompted strong reaction from the archbishop. >> parts of the city are very violent. parts of the city are as bad as afghanistan if not worse, as we saw this weekend. >> this time, it was just pure carnage and pandemonium. it was crazy. >> we've got to fall on the floor like a combat zone. >> a pregnant female. they took her right past me, on a gurney to the ambulance. >> reporter: sources say a feud between blackwell and the rich drug organizations has also sparked murder. beefed up patrols include 37 uniformed officers, members of the auto theft task force and a s.w.a.t. pla

for updates, exclusive reaction or a bagdz on -- background on the case, log onto wjz.com. >>> at this hour, there are some storms in the region. following several tornado warnings that expired a short time ago. it has been a very violent week weatherwise so far. meteorologist bernadette woods is tracking the radar. >> that's one of the worst pictures we've we've seen yet. the city has escaped most of this already. let's go to first warning doppler radar. there are a lot of thunderstorms in a lot of places. at this point, we do not have a lot of warnings. the batch that is moving into virginia, has had the history of tornado warnings. we're starting to see this make its way into the city. this little batch here is going to be picking up, moving northeastward. doesn't have much in the way of thunder as it does -- did earlier. racing off to the northeast at 20 to 20 miles per hour. in addition to all of that, we've seen a lot just recently. most of it is moved over to delaware. but you can see, still thunderstorms around henderson and easton. plus, the western shore. that is all moving n

for updates on all the day's news, log onto wjz.com. >>> an atrocious crime in california.y stroller is thrown, with the baby inside. a stray bullet landed in the stroller, but the baby is fine. police suspect the shooting was gang-related. >>> and a man hunt continues. a man on the run from state prison. one of the men, charles smith, stumbleed on mayor richard daily's vacation home. residents in michigan are being warned to keep their doors locked. >>> at least 10 people were wounded in a collision involving a charter bus and a semi truck in kansas. it happened yesterday near topeka. 18 students and a child were returning home from kansas city, when their bus attempted a u-turn. it was rear-ended by the semi tractor truck. at least one of the 10 injured is in critical condition. >>> and a close call for a german family whose car was struck by a small plane. the sport biplane flew loops. it was unable to come out of the crash. the pilot also escaped without serious injury. >>> in tonight's eyewitness news healthwatch, president obama's wish for a healthcare overhaul plan b

for a link, log onto wjz.com. vic, now back to you. >>> the insanity defense is used by defendants in 1% of all felony cases. >>> a retired baltimore county police officer, wounded in a grizzly bear attack in montana continues to recover from his injuries. you'll recall, he suffered in that attack. he came across a mother bear with her three cubs while she was hiking. he shot and killed the bear with his handgun. the three bears are now being sent to the memphis zoo to be cared for. >>> eyewitness news has been telling you about the powerful storms in the area. complete coverage continues now with kai jackson now, with kai jackson. at wjz.com. he has more footage of what he shot at his house, which is not far from my house. >> we do live close. i grabbed my camera and headed outside. first thing i noticed was hail and the mulch outside of the house. but i found this tree snapped inalph. and around the corner, the entire street was closed to the numerous downed trees. and you could could see where one each fell int

stay with eyewitness news for coverage, wjz is always on for updates, a look at radar, log onto wjz.com. >>> a worker in maryland maybe part of a scheme to issue illegal licenses to illegal immigrants. he was fired in june and the licenses were revoke. a new law took effect on june first to make it harder. >>> clunker cash, is it gone? the government says its empty. lawmakers are working quickly to refill the program with more cash. >> reporter: when customerred arrived on this lottery, he wasn't sure what to tell them for the "cash for clunkers" program. >> it was on and off. >> reporter: after just one week, the program was running on empty. car buyers flocked the dealers ship to take advantage of $4500 towards a new car for trading in an older gas guzzleer. >> this stimulus program is working, it's working well. >> reporter: the "cash for clunkers" program was supposed to last through october or until the billion dollars ran out. lawmakers didn't expect it to hit empty so quickly. on friday the house approved another two billion dollars for the program. president obama praised the qu

. >> here's the top stories on wjz.com for instant updates on the news and the weather log onto wjz.com. . >>> counting down to the weekend's orioles. wjz and masn, it's part of our community commitment. see you there. . >>> in today's health watch, more and more americans are turning to alternative medicine to treat ailments. 38million adults visited specialists in 2007 spending nearly $34 billion. experts urge patients to research alternative medicines and make sure they're safe. >>> the beer summit at the white house meant to strength ties but there could be more benefits. it could lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease. it could strengthen bones. again in moderation, that's one beer for women, one or two for men. >>> there are others including a ritual, babies tossed off of roofs and caught with blankets and the controversy that surrounds the practice. >> unsafe buses and trucks driving on america's highways. find out why. right after dr. phil. >>> that baby in the blanket, wow, stay with us the five-day . >>> weather specific for the orioles food drive, if you're going to b

with wjz and first- warning weather for coverage and instant updates, a live look at radar, log onto wjz.com. . >>> now the developing story, several americans among the injure after suicide bombings where eight people are dead. no claim or responsibility but as joel brown reports, the indonesia president is blaming al-qaida. >>> at least 8 people were killed by the blast that happened two minutes a part. dozens more were injured including 8 8 americans, three were flown out of the country for me medical attention. they smuggled the explosives in the ritz carlton hotel. she was at home when the first explosion went off. >> there was smoke coming up from the area of the marriott, i went back inside to grab my camera and by the time i came back out, the second bomb had gone you have. >> president obama issued a statement condemning the blast and offering help to the government. hillary clinton who is in the region said the bombings reflect violent extremist. no group claimed responsibility for the attacks that left both buildings left to twisted metal. the same hotel targeted by a suicide car

for more information and a link to team haupt, log onto wjz.com. >>> still to come. massive fire. an entire block nearly destroyed in a nearby pennsylvania city. >>> caught on tape. a dramatic high-speed chase. >>> i'm bob turk in the first warning weather center. our weekend is fast approaching. i'll have the exclusive first warning five-day forecast. >>> and wjz 13 is always on. here are the top stories on wjz.com at this hour. for updates and all the day's news, and the updated forecast, log onto wjz.com. >>> officials believe they now know what caused the crash that killed daredevil millionaire steve fossett. sally is in the newsroom with more. >> denise, it now appears that powerful down draft caused fossett's plane to crash into a california mountain side. he disappeared after taking off alone from a nevada ranch alone on a short pleasure flight. he was the first person to circle the world solo in a balloon. fossett's single-engine plane was found crashed near mammoth lakes near california. his body has never been found. >> the area where the wreckage was found is well known

for a link to the website, contact the governor with your opinion, log onto wjz.com and click on local news. >>> new in about 10 minutes, the state budget cuts could mean a tuition increase. >>> ambushed. the baltimore city police officer wounded in a shootout continues to recover tonight. officer jerome sharet is now in stable condition. on saturday, officer sharet and curtis mcmillan responded to a domestic violence call. witnesses say the suspect opened fire on them. sharet was shot three times. earlier today, his breathing tube was removed. the suspect who was also shot, faces a number of charges. >>> a brazen attempt to rob a city police officer ends with a suspect in the hospital and another behind bars. eyewitness news is live with police headquarters. jessica kartalija has more on what happened. >> reporter: that officer had been working the evening shift. he had changed into plain clothes before the suspects approached him. >> reporter: minutes after his shift ends, a baltimore city police officer waits at this bus stop on cherry hill road. just after midnight, three men appro

for extra video, a slide show, a web poll and to send in your well wishes to don, log onto wjz.com. >> how the time flies. >> it flies and flies and flies, yes, sir. >>> still ahead on eyewitness news tonight. a senior citizen in serious contention at a major golf tournament. mark has the story coming up in sports. >>> well, you wonder if they have different rules there. >> i know different terrains. >> they could change it. they have the seniors tour in golf. for guys over 50. they're not supposed to contend with the kids. there are a few sporting events in the world with the history of golf's british open. and in the land where golf began, hundreds of years ago, an american legend has turned back the clock. an incredible story in the first round of the 2009 open. a beautiful, calm day for the opening day. putting conditions, ideal. just ask miguel angel jimenez of spain. he takes advantage. here's a long distance birdie putt on 18. a 60-footer to finish his round. there's your leader. another outstanding putt. here it's ben curtis. rolls in his round of par 65. three-time champ, tig

. >> reporter: now, all day, viewers have been logging onto wjz.com and giving us opinion on masonee retirement. we asked you if you think derrick mason is really retiring. and won't play for the ravens this season. here's how you answered. 36% believe mason will retire and won't play. 47% don't believe it. 18%, not sure. ravens training camp begins in westminster in 13 days. sally? >> okay, mark. thank you. >>> the custody battle for michael jackson's children may not be much of a battle at all. michele gillen has the latest for wjz. >> do not touch me! >> nobody touched you here. >> you just did. >> reporter: debbie rowe, the dental assistant, who had reportedly bore michael michael jackson's first two children, has gotten a big payout. and apparently she has done it again, willing to forego a custody battle for about $4 million. >>> a british newspaper of the "sun" said jackson was so addicted to the sedative diprovan, that he begged to be put under it again. he became addicted after his many plastic surgeries and skin procedures. >> reporter: in a broadcast interview, jackson's f

for instant updates in the forecast and live radar at any time, log onto wjz.com. >>> wjz is following the developing investigation into a night of bloodshed and chaos across east baltimore, where 18 people were shot. police say most of those victims were targets. part of a well-planned hit. >>> eyewitness news investigates. live at police headquarters. mike hellgren has the chilling account of what went down. mike? >> reporter: sally, it's rare to see this level of violence. neighbors described being scared for their lives. so far, no arrests and two gunmen involved in an ash land avenue shooting, where 12 people were wounded. >> reporter: blood and bullet markers are scattered behind a home on ash land avenue, where eyewitnesses described the drug- related mass shooting that happened here overnight. >> all of a sudden, i hear this barrage of bullet. they just sprayed into the ground and sprade everything. people were running, screaming, yelling. people were falling down on the ground. >> reporter: 12 were shot here, including a 2-year-old girl and a pregnant woman. all are expected t

for instant updates on the forecast and more any time, log onto wjz.com. >>> more tough cutbacks. a hiring freeze is in effect. officials say they are trying to cut more from the budget. the school will add masters level courses to try to generate more revenue. >>> earlier last year, the maryland zoo was dead in baltimore. attend asbestos was down. that's no longer the story. suzanne collins reports on this success story. >> hello. hello. >> reporter: the maryland zoo's current mission is to give kids a thrilling experience. feeding giraffes are standing eye to eye with prairie dogs. but these new exhibits aren't the only way it intends to be more visitor friendly. >> i'm reluctant to use this term. but we're trying to make it a little bit more disney-like, in the way people are greeted. >> reporter: business leader don hutchinson took over to try to rescue the zoo a year and a half ago. now, hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt have disappeared. and this month alone, zoo attendance is up 25%. his fundraising chief says despite the recession, so are donations. >> we have broug

pictures of michael jackson, along with an opportunity to e-mail your memories of the king of pop, log onto wjz.comto tune in tonight at 10:00. it is a special "48 hours, michael jackson: the last dance." thal be immediately-- that the immediately be followed by eyewitness news at 11:00. >>> we want to update you on breaking news. an emergency landing at bwi. captain mike perry with the latest. >> reporter: yeah, around 5:15 this evening. southwest airlines jet 69 was departing runway 28 at bwi thurgood marshall airport. it hit about 40 birds. now, it appears that these birds were small, like starlings. but immediately after the bird impact, the pilot called the tower and requested an emergency landing. apparently not sure what the damage was or if there was any to the airplane, but it startled the captain of the airplane rather seriously. very short time, a bwi personnel handed them off to approach control, who advised everyone of the emergency. they basically stopped all of the traffic at the airportux while -- airport, while the flight was placed on a very long downwind. we know there were 169 p

for the latest in this developing story and for updates on the officers' condition, log onto wjz.com. >>> the other big story tonight, legendary news anchor walter cronkite has died at 92 years of age. hari sreenivasan reports for wjz, on cronkite's important accomplishments. >> reporter: broadcast journalism lost a giant friday. anchorman walter cronkite passed away of sereb row vascular disease at age 92. >> this is walter cronkite, cbs news, good night. >> reporter: he recorded some of america's greatest accomplishments. >> man on the moon. oh, boy. >> thank you. >> boy! whew! >> the flash apparently official. president kennedy died. >> reporter: and also some of the country's most painful moments. at one point, cronkite was named one of the most trusted men in america. >> in an era before blogs and cable, walter was the news. he invited us to believe in him and never let us down. >> reporter: he earned the name "uncle walter" because millions invited him into their homes every night. >> he was everybody's minister, priest and rabbi. he calmed america down. >> reporter: cronkite's

you can log onto wjz.com for extra videos. >>> down top washington, d.c., a metro train operator is on paid administrative leave. it comes after the operator opened the train doors on the road side of the platform at the water front station. this driver has not been identified, but a drug as alcohol test has an add ministered. officials are investigating the incident. they are trying to determine how the operator should be disciplined if he is. >>> a harvard professor has growed to meet with the police officer who arrested him in a racially fueled controversy. president obama is going to serve as referee. >> sit down. >> reporter: it appears a meeting will happen between president obama, a white police officer in massachusetts and the black professor he arrested. in an e-mail, professor gate said he would accept the offer. the e-mail said it's time for all of us to move on and assess what we can learn from this appearance. president obama took the unusual step of what may be called bar stool diplomacy because he helped fan the flames higher a few days ago when he said he acted stupidly

for updates on all the day's news, and the updated forecast any time, log onto wjz.com. when morning comes in the middle of the night... rooster crow. ...it affects your entire day. to get a good night's sleep, try 2-layer ambien cr. the first layer dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep. and unlike other sleep aids, a second dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep. when taking ambien cr, don't drive or operate machinery. sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake with memory loss for the event as well as abnormal behaviors such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation and halluciations may occur. don't take it with alcohol as it may increase these behaviors. allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or throat may occur and in rare cases may be fatal. side effects may include next-day drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. in patients with depression, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide may occur. if you experience any of these behaviors or reactions contact your doctor immediatel

and to watch mayor dixon's entire news conference, log onto wjz.com. >>> tonight, walter cronkite's family is saying the legendary newsman will be cremated and his remains buried next to his beloved wife betsy in kansas city, the city where the two met. colleagues are remembering him as a man who set the standards for broadcast journalism. and his death is eliciting tributes from americans in all walks of life. >> and that's the way it is. >> and that's the way it is. >> and that's the way it is. >> that's the way it is. >> reporter: and so the most trusted man in america says "good night" to the millions who turned to him each day for more than a generation. professionally, he personified television journalism, as anchor and managing editor of the "cbs evening news." >> a kind, caring man, with a razor sharp mind and an unquenchable desire to know things. >> i think we all owe walter. >> ironic he would die so close to the anniversary of the first walk on the moon. >> when they landed on the moon, i was speechless. >> reporter: noting his speechless path. privately, cronkite had another p

i am mary bubala at wjz13 trying to help you ride out the recession. >> for more tips log onto wjz.comclig on the special section on the home page. >>> real quickly i want to show you something. this is going to be real, real quick okay. this is nasa.gov that's the crew picture of the endeavour getting ready to launch. and the commander is twittering and you can follow his twiters on the nasa website. for instance, today met with the crew to go over all the first and second day on orbit activity and details important to all be searchingsry nighsed because they are launching at night on a different schedule and they have been working today so that was a frish twitter from the guy commanding the space shuttle mission. hopefully launching today. >> shouldn't he be like. >> nasa.gov check it out. >> amazing. >> now we may move forward. >> thank you. >>> still ahead on "eyewitness news" saturday morning... >> i am kelliely lynn something we speaksed lingering effects of anesthesia after a dental procedure. i will tell you about a new when morning comes in the middle of the night... rooster

in with us for complete coverage of the probe, for updates, more reaction and previous story, log onto wjz.com. >>> swine flu fears, the health department confirms an out break in baltimore. several people attending a conference are sick. gigi has more on what is being done. >> reporter: there were 220 workers in one building from all across the country to attend a two-week seminar. some spent the week in their hotel sick with the h1n1 virus flu. 200 workers in town for a seminary, 11 people contract the h1n1 virus. three more patients are suspected cases. the city's health department says all of the patients are in the downtown building. >> they put a dispenser on the wall to sanitize your hands. >> reporter: it asked the patients to stay in their hotel rooms and away from other workers. >> this is everywhere. >> reporter: the doctor with the city's health department says medical investigators can't determine which worker contracted the flu first. >> the point of the matter is that flu is all around us and decreasing in amount now. folks could have brought it into the state and gotten it from

to watch more video from the scene and see comments from the mayor, log onto wjz.com. >>> kennedy's assassination, the moon walk and the vietnam war is part of the career of walter cronkite. he will be laid to rest next to his late wife in missouri. >> reporter: anchorman walter cronkite passed away. the leading force of cbs news for 19 years, he reported some of the greatest accomplishments. >> man on the moon. the flash official, president kennedy died. >> reporter: also some painful moments. he was name the most trusted man in america. he earned the nick make uncle walter because millions invited him into their homes every night. >> he was a great citizen and a profoundly professional man. >> reporter: his trustworthiness helped to define the role of an anchor. >> this is the cbs evening news with katie couric. >> he represented the best that we are as reporters. >> reporter: they remember a man that held a role in the industry and in america. >> no one has power in print or in tv. >> that's the way it is. >>reporter: a private service will be held thursday in new york. he will be buried next

remember, wjz is always on, for traffic information any time, log onto wjz.com. >>> thank you. here's what people are talking about. a robbery turns deadly inside a liquor store. mary bubala live outside of police headquarters. >> reporter: good morning. the shooting happened at about 9 9:00 last night and police arrived on the scene and found one man dead. their intent may have been robbery, but it quickly turned to murder. two suspects entered the store late thursday night planning a robbery. but at some point it took a turn and a clerk inside the store was shot. >> they found an adult male inside the establishment that had been shot and deceased upon the arrival. >>> they're searching for clues to make them make an arrest. >> we may have two suspects we're looking for. we are trying to verify a lot of information, go back and talk to some witnesses that may have been inside or outside of the store. >> reporter: witnesses say there are a couple of security cameras in the area and that may have captured images. >>> a shootout involving an off-duty officer, a man stole his room

stay with eyewitness news for the coverage of the corruption probe, for background, log onto wjz.com. >>> president obama hopes that the cold beer and the conversation will put an end to the controversy surrounding a arrest of a harvard professor in his own home. the president will host the sergeant and the professor at the white house. >> reporter: the professor and the policeman will finally meet again. president obama is hosting the processer gates and sgt crowley for a round of drinks on the patio near the rose garden. >> three folks having a drink at the end of the day and hopefully giving people an opportunity to listen to each other. >> reporter: sgt crowley arrested gates in his home after a neighbor called about a suspected burglary. >> the cambridge police acted stupidly. >> he came to regret his choice of words and hopes it's a lesson to the nature. he uses teachable moment. you think they will learn something. >> i believe there's a good learning lesson if people slow down a little bit. >> the controversy has yet to slow down. the police department apologized or if e-mail,

for traffic information any time, log onto wjz.com. >>> thank you. sticking with the transportation theme, there's more concerns after another light rail train strikes another person in mount washington after the start of rush hour. >> i'm here almost all of the time. i looked in my mirror and see a girl lying face down. >> she is expected to recover this morning. officials investigating how she happened to be on the tracks. >>> this comes two weeks after two teens were struck while walking on the tracks in lutherville. there could be a possible witness to it all. mary bubala at the light rail stop. >> reporter: good morning. a passenger on the light rail may have seen what happened. he is on video sort of making a sharp turn the moment the boys were struck and want to see if he knows anything. baltimore police say this grainy imagine of a witness is important in determining what happen to the two struck. they were walking along the tracks when the train hit them. because of debris, the northbound track was shut down and that meant all trains were ru

wjz is always on, for traffic information, log onto wjz.com. >>> thank you. here's something people will talk about today. she says she is staying strong and focused, the may message from mayor dixon after she's reindicted on misconduct and perjury charges. eyewitness news live outside right now. good morning, mary bubala. >> reporter: all of this is getting confusing, but the state prosecutor is starting over. he's throwing out the old indictment against the mayor and now he has her former boyfriend cooperating. mayor dixon says she's forging ahead. >> you know, stay focus, continue to build on this. and continue to serve the citizens. >> reporter: her previous indictment describes stealing gift cards and accepting gifts from ron lipscomb, her boyfriend working with the city. he is cooperating with the investigation. wednesday's new indictment reintroduces charges thrown out in the original. she faces three counts of theft, one count of misconduct and two counts of perjury. in a statement the lawyer says the new charges are as flaw as those previously dismis

wjz is always on, for traffic information any time, log onto wjz.com. don, back to you. >>> thank you. here's here's, the cash for clunkers has been so successful, it's running out of money. eyewitness news and mary bubala live with the deal you may have missed. good morning, mary. >>> good morning, don and good morning, everybody. the federal government worries when all of the paper work settles out the program may have already ran out of money. all of the attention on the cash for clunkers program may have made it too successful. >> it's overwhelming. we can't keep up with it. >> reporter: four days into the four-month-long program, it's running out of money. >> that's our concern, they might run out of money. that's why we're here. >> reporter: these early birds thought coming this week, they received $3500 to $4500 towards a more fuel-efficient vehicle. the government is evaluating all options to keep the program funded. >> it does spur business. >> reporter: cash for clunkers has a billion dollar budget. congress could vote to add more money but th

for more information about the study, log onto wjz.com and click on healthwatch. >>> michael jackson's father says he believes foul play was involved in his son's death. investigators are waiting for the coroner's report. and are not ruling out the possibility of foul play. but in the meantime, detectives are looking into jackson's history. they will also be helped by the drug enforcement. >>> olympic gold medalist michael phelps withdraws withdraws from a race today. phelps said the neck pain prevented him from swimming the freestyle. but he managed to swim through the pain last night and swim well. he set a world record in the 100-meter butterfly. >>> thousands of americans are expected to strip down this weekend to set a world record. the american association for nude recreation is hoping to set the guinness world record for the largest number of people simull tain -- simultaneously skinny dipping. for more, go to maryland nudism.com. >>> coming up on eyewitness news at 4:00. cancer rates are higher in african americans. now, researchers think they know why. >>> we at your mama's ho

for instant updates on all the day's news, an updated forecast, log onto wjz.com. >>> did professional negligence play a role. that's what investigators are asking. the climbers apparently died of hypothermia. officials say they had on thin jackets, insufficient for the temperatures. five hikers from the group were able to be rescued. >>> an infant girl may have died from rat bites. the body of the 3-month-old baby was found in her home. officials say she she was covered with what appeared to be bites from rats. police say no foul play is suspected. >>> in good spirits. pope benedict is recovering from surgery today after breaking his wrist. it's the first significant medical issue as his first day as pope. >>> vatican officials say the fall was accidental and was not the result of any fall or conditions. >>> in healthwatch, an early warning for a popular asthma medication. the food and drug administration says it is reviewing data that the medication on xolair might cause heart attacks or problems. a five-year study suggests an increased risk of heart problems and strokes in sport pat

for updates and the updated forecast, log onto wjz.com. >>> and once again, the space shuttle endeavour on the launch pad right now. if the launch happens during this hour, we'll bring it to you live. >>> we vav breaking news for you right now. the launch of the space shuttle space shuttle endeavour has been shrubbed again. you may have heard them talking about delaying the flight and it has happened. this is the fifth delay. nasa is working on a timetable right now for another launch. >>> charges for ukrainian man who immigrated to the united states back in the 1950s the charges have been filed by government prosecutors. >> 85-year-old john denan yuck has been charged with counts of accessory to murder. he is accused of having served as a guard at a nazi prison camp before coming to the u.s. the man who was in ailing health was recently declared okay to stand trial, as long as hearings don't last longer than 90 minutes a day. the trial would be the largest war crimes trial in years. >> he is no longer a u.s. citizen. his citizenship was revoked in 2002 when officials found evidence he

for the latest on this investigation and additional video from the crash scene, log onto wjz.com. >>> heartbreak for a family of a maryland teenager presumed drowned in south carolina. >> reporter: denise, the rescue has turned into a recovery for 13-year-old lonnie hill. he traveled to myrtle beach to play in a baseball tournament at the ripken complex. >> reporter: 13-year-old lonnie hill was with his teammates yesterday when they decided to take a break from baseball and cool off at the beach. the victim went under the water and never came back up. >> saw some guys run out there. then saw somebody go out there in the water. and these guys came back in, grabbed boogie boards. and then i cut off my radio and went straight out there. >> reporter: hundreds of volunteers joined the coast guard for the massive search in the water and from the air but so far been unable to locate the team. >> usually, if you don't find the person within about the first hour, they're submerged. and he could be in, probably, say 10 feet of water. he might be 3 feet off the bottom of the ocean. or he could b

a look at live radar any time and the latest on advisories, log onto wjz.com. >>> maryland has stepped up its efforts to catch cigarette smugglers avoiding state taxes. as mike schuh reports, maryland's efforts are being mirrored with other states with substantial per pack taxes. >> reporter: look at the cigarettes confiscated in maryland. they are missing something important to the tax man. a maryland tax stamp. >> for us, it is a violation of the law. my agency, the comptroller's office is empowered to enforce the law and we are doing that to create a level playing field. >> reporter: they load up in nontax states. maryland the fourth highest per pack tax in the country. in virginia, only 30 cents. south carolina, just 7. >> fact of the matter, with recession, there's more smuggling of cigarettes, tax in maryland is $2. up in new york city, more than $4. >> reporter: the state figures it is losing a half million dollars a year in taxes. as such, they stepped up enforcements efforts. >> almost double the violations. i think we confiscated -- >> much money is there to be made but organ

log onto wjz.com. >>> tonight, the frantic search efforts are on the way to myrtle beach for a maryland boy who is believed to have grounded -- drowned. >> reporter: police say lonnie hill went missing. the child was in south carolina, while participating in a baseball tournament. search and rescue had been forming human chains in the water as they worked through the surf. officials have also launched aerial search efforts in case the child's body washed ashore. >>> new at 5:00, we'll have more on the search efforts in what rip kin baseball was saying about the tragedy. >>> was michael jackson's death caused by one of the doctors he trusted? patty kaufman reports on the new evidence that may lead to criminal charges. >> reporter: evidence of manslaughter. that's what investigators were searching for in a raid of dr. conrad murray's houston clinic, according to his attorney. homicide detectives and dea took 21 copies and a copy of the computer hard drive. >> it is clearly a criminal investigation. looking at manslaughter. that raises the stakes substantially. >> reporter: a law enforceme

for more information on terrell suggs' contract and all the latest ravens news, log onto wjz.com. >>> sunny and pleasant skies continue to take over baltimore. but is more humid weather headed our way? here's a live look outside. will we soon see much-needed rain? eyewitness news has complete coverage. meteorologist bernadette woods and bob turk have the updated forecast. >>> despite all the rain we've had, it has been extremely dry. very dry, in fact. with all of the sunshine and fairly warm temps. we have a chance of picking up showers. take a look at radar. nothing around here at the moment. but down to our south and southwest, really moist air headed our way. more humidity. with showers and thundershowers breaking out. down to our south. and we do expect to get into more humid air over the next few days. and that means the chances of showers and thundershowers will be increasing. bernadette woods in the outback. bernadette has a look at some of the national temperatures. and our weekend look as things are changing over the next few days. bernadette? >> reporter: not only is our ch

for updates and all the day's news, and the updated forecast any time, log onto wjz.com. >>> police areng new information about a shocking crime. a florida couple murdered inside their home. sally is live in the newsroom with details. >> a crucial accomplice to the break-in never showed up. >> police say the suspects accused in the killings all trained together. they apparently didn't realize the person assigned to turn off surveillance cameras in the house didn't show up on the night of the crime. the extent of security -- extensive security system captures the man on tape. melanie and burt billings were shot to death during the robbery. they were known for adopting a large brood of children with special needs and also had four children of their own. kai? >> reporter: sally, thank you. investigators say they don't know the identity of the person assigned to turn off the camera system. or why that person didn't show up. >> reporter: sonia sotomayor appears all but certain to be confirmed for the supreme court. but that is not stopping senators from grilling her for her record. >> report

and for the latest advisories, log onto wjz.com. >>> a clothing store in montgomery county is being charged with death threats and vandalism afternoon it displayed a pro-gay t-shirt. someone broke through the windows of the american apparel store monday. they were apparently upset over the t-shirts that read legalized gay and repeal process now. a spokesman for the store says the display will not be removed. >> just like any campaign shirt or any other kind of apparel that you would wear, if you agree with it, you buy it, if you don't, you don't buy it. >> some of the employees are kind of unsettled by the fact that we are keeping up the man kib -- mannequin, simply because it does affect our safety here. >> employees at affected apparel georgetown also said they received threats. >>> star quarterback ben roethlisberger spoke publicly for the first time after allegations that he allegedly raped a hotel employee. >> reporter: the pittsburgh steelers quarterback was slapped with a civil lawsuit that claims he raped a lake tahoe woman inside his room. today, he made this comment. roethlisberge

log onto wjz.com. >>> we have breaking news from new york. minutes ago, nfl commissioner roger goodell reinstates michael vick with some conditions. he can immediately take part in practices and meetings. but he can't take part in playing yet. vick said, i fully understand that playing in the nfl is a privilege, not a right. and i am thankful for the opportunity i've been given. that's a quote. >>> 18 people were shot. now, police are blanketing the area with a s.w.a.t. team and 37 officers on foot. mike hellgren has the latest on this unfolding investigation, including the first reaction from the police commissioner. >> the mayor says this was part of a feud and he is iritated by it. >> reporter: 12 people were shot during a cookout. among them, a pregnant woman and a 2-year-old girl. all of them are expected to survive. investigators say two men opened fire. the motivation, they were members of a rival drug gang. >> it was very well planned. there's a lot of work that went into that hit. >> reporter: police say one of the targets was steven

for the complete coverage of the death of walter cronkite and share your favorite memories, log onto wjz.comn tomorrow, tune in for a cbs prime time special, remembering walter cronkite. that's at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night here on wjz 13. >>> here's a look at what else is making headlines, two shootings leaves three people wounded. the first happened at mccabe avenue. police say both injuries are non-life-threatening. the other happen in the -- officers arrested one man who is in police custody right now. >>> new details in the steve mcnair murder case. the semiautomatic pistol used to kill the quarterback previously belonged to a convicted murder. he admitted selling the gun to steve mcnair's girlfriend for $100. >>> a heavy water restriction for the next week is in store for 150,000 people in baltimore city and county. it's for people who live in the pikesville zone, watering your plants and washing cars is restricted. a repair is being down along the water main in the area. >>> each day someone is killed on the tracks in the country. this happens despite efforts to keep people from walking

for the latest on the indictments, against councilwoman helen holton, log onto our website, wjz.com.sis on the chesapeake, has veteran watermen asking, where are the crabs? what is normally a busy time is turning into a real season of worry on the bay. it's as if crabs have all but disappeared when they should be most plentiful. >> reporter: a bad sign is turning up on docks all along the chesapeake. >> reporter: tens of thousands of wire pots that should be in the bay, catching crabs, are out of the water. >> i would say anywhere you go in the bay right now, there's 10 times more sitting on the shore than there is out in the water. >> reporter: that's because watermen are coming back empty- handed. crabs are suddenly scarce. >> used to be you had crabs one end to the other. that's what's alarming to me. >> and the pots may explain why. watermen call it hair, a stringy growth that doubles in size every day. >> it keeps doubling and doubling. a crab won't get in that pot with that much dirt on it. >> reporter: but it's what is feeding the growth that is the worry. >> nutrient fed. tha

. >>> for more, log onto our website, wjz.com, and click on health watch. >>> time now for a quick look at the stories you'll find in the baltimore sun. >>> and a look at one raven's unconventional methods. for keeping in shape. and remember to look for the updated forecast on wjz's first warning weather team. >>> astronauts on board the space shuttle endeavour are finishing up on a marathon spacewalk today. that's because the space station needed some fresh batteries. remember, they replaced those fancy batteries before. they were cut short because of rising carbon dioxide levels. david cassidy is a navy seal in great shape. and his air supply didn't keep up. >>> meanwhile, the international space station will get a few more visitors soon. a russian soyuz carrier rocket blasted off this morning. now, that delays endeavour's space, arriving. pushing this back as well. >>> greater progress. m67 will deliver tons of cargo. >> urge loo, -- usually, married couples wait for the reception for the wedding dance. but a minnesota couple went dancing right on down the aisle. drew levinson has mo