they are trying to lift the ban, but the judge says he is rejecting the defense's motionandrew leavey says although it is an unusual ruling, they have a reason behind it. >> he wants to make certain that witnesses are only testifying from their own knowledge and not what they heard some other witness testified to. >> the trial will take place in february of next year. the state report on a possible merger between the university of maryland college park and the baltimore campus is due out in the next week or so. the state board of regents is reviewing testimony from two public hearings. the merger report is being compiled at the request of the maryland general assembly. the mayor believes it will hurt west side development. the chancellor says the board of regents is not taking any sides. the once in a decade when storm that blew through the west coast has calmed down, at least for the time being. not before leaving behind serious damage that is affecting thousands of people. thousands are still without power and many school buses and businesses remain closed in southern california tod