another big name airline merger, this time it's southwest buying airtran. tom, today's deal comes just days before united airlines and continental close on their merger creating the world's largest airline. susie, southwest will pay $1.4 billion in cash and stock for its smaller rival. but, it's a premium of about 70% over airtran's friday stock price. >> susie: investors loved the deal, shares of both companies were up sharply today. erika miller has more on what's behind the merger, and what it will mean for consumers. >> reporter: for southwest, a big reason for the merger is the southeast. the discount airline carries more passengers in the united states than any other, including the big boys. but analyst jim corridore says southwest has been missing one key, lucrative market. >> airtran presents a very compelling opportunity, because they have a big foothold in atlanta, which is a market southwest doesn't serve. that's a great business market, and southwest is focusing on attracting more business travelers, so that's a nice fit for them. >> reporter: in

as southwest airline. that means less travel to los angeles, milwaukee, new orleans, and tampa. >> to have fewer competitors, the tendency is i'm going to raise prices because i can. >> reporter: economist predicts more major mergers mergers this year. >> you don't do these mergers and everybody keeps a job. you do these mergers where 2 and 2 make 5. there will be some gates given up if the acquisition goes through. >> reporter: they still need the approval of government regulate ors and stockholders. if it goes through the new would begin operations in 2012. >>> now the maryland aviation administration said it was too early to. >>> wounded in a hospital room shooting is resting in a home tonight. where he's been treated for the last 10 days. for a gunshot to the abdomen. say the son ever a patient shot koe en before taking his own life. you can read more in tomorrow's edition of the baltimore sun. >>> a -- house crumples to the ground in just seconds leaving firefighters searching for anyone who may be in

this is considered a huge deal for southwest if it is approved. the airlineas been trying to get in to bigger airports like ours here in washington for years. >>> here's a deal you may find hard to pass up. buy an energy star appliance in virginia and you don't have to pay the sales tax. governor mcdonnell declared an emergency star sales tax holiday. the products must cost $2,500 or less and be bought for personal use. >>> a belove independent captiol hill hardware store is celebrating 90 years in business. they plan a week long festivity gala including daily raffles and give aways special bargain prizes, live -- bargain prices and free gas. it started when a cabinet maker was laid off by the navy yard and went in to business for himself. >> hardware stores to me smell so good i don't know what it is. old wood floors an stuff. >> i think that is a topper thing. >> it is lumber, new stuff. we are looking at a respite in the immediate metro area. but don't let you guard down. flood watch until 8:00 tomorrow. show you titan. you can see there is a ton of moistu

the ceo of southwest airlines says it could lead to reduced fairs. but some economists say it could be the opposite and it could cost marylanders jobs. >> reporter: the biggest airline serving vwi thurgood marshall announces a second large merger. >> it's a merger, i don't know how it'll affect me. >> i always try to fly southwest. >> i love it the way it is. >> reporter: gary kelly says the new airline will serve 150 million customers. >> customers will benefit as we bring great fares and better customer service. >> reporter: air tran flies to 22 cities, nine of those destinations are the same as southwest. that means less options to indianapolis, jacksonville, los angeles, milwaukee, new orleans, orlando, san antonio, seattle and tampa. >> you have fewer competitors, the tendency is that i'm going to raise taxes because i can. >> economists morris segore predicts more major mergers because of the economy. >> you don't do these mergers and everybody keeps their job. you do these mergers and two plus plus two equals five. >> reporter: now the deal sti

. >> and let us look as southwest airlines. what you think of the purchase today? >> i love that really bertrair n the love southwest, most beloved southwest. you do not have to pay for baggage, or your not going to be nickled and dimed can, and they're usually on time. i would not invest in their stock. >> you would not? >> no! >> and warren buffett said that he would never invest in a airline. and if it is good enough warren buffett? it is good enough for me. and if they had issues with compensation, pilots, compensation? mechanics? >> the fuecost of fuel? >> exactly. and if you and i want to the caribbean, and perhaps not together a lot however, with southwest airlines. pamela okay.. >> and now, with campaign ads. and with media companies. >> yes, but an all-time high. as far as ad spending. that trounce the presidential. to tfifth2202 daugh 20 million. for 220 million. to order 20 million. and it is good for companies like a cvscbs. and wih political spending. not to change the channel pala bu [laughter] >> and how was the upcoming election affecting the market,

in a deal that could lead to higher air fares across the country, southwest airlines announced they will spend billions of dollars to acquire airtran. >> it will expand southwest market. >> bwi has already -- is already considered a hub airports for southwest. despite the company says, will the deal hike fares? >> the talk to low-cost carriers announced monday that they plan to merge under the name and colors of southwest. dallas-based southwest airlines bought its competitor in a $3.4 billion deal. >> now that we have joined forces, the potential to spread low-fare is is even greater. >> pending a government regulatory approval, the deal gives southwest a neighbor -- and even tighter grip on the baltimore washington travel market. southwest would no longer have to compete with airtran for low fares. >> are you concerned that southwest has a stranglehold on the market? >> i expect that low-fare phenomenon will continue. >> the next low-cost carrier competitor is jet blue. >> a could be months before this deal is approved and much longer before airtran is officially out of fear. southwest

>> the deal means southwest airlines can tighten their grip it already has over the md. travel market. with little low-cost carrier competition, the question becomes, will southwest air fares go up? >> airtran or southwest? these to florida friends often disagree which went to choose. >> i do not like the lining up system of southwest. her friend prefers airtran. >> they may get the best or worst of both worlds. southwest plans to buy out airtran for $3.4 billion. >> i like southwest. i am excited about it. it is a good marriage. >> southwest would serve about 70% of the passengers at bwi . the next low-cost carrier competitor is jet blue. >> if you look at it, southwest and have been cheaper because you do not pay for the bags. >> interestingly enough, airtran, as we drank our competitors, we compete with them less than anybody else. >> the department of justice has to do an antitrust review before the deal is official. if approved, all of their fleet will be painted southwest colors. it will put the low-cost carrier in 37 cities. >> if the deal gets to the regulatory pr

southwest airlines, the airport's largest carrier, played a role in that. economists predict that a merger between southwest and airtran will mean more floods, more passengers and more money for the airport. >> the fact that its role is an increasing means -- makes it that much more well-positioned for the future. >> increase passengers will spend more money on things like parking and food. >> by the way, it will be benefits for our convention industry and hotels. that is good news, too. >> there are still lot of unanswered questions about the deal. a southwest spokesman said that no decisions had been made about eliminating employees. will there will likely be job losses on the corporate level, the merger would bring more jobs to baltimore. >> the notion here is that southwest gets bigger at bwi. there are more flights, not fewer flights. there are more people needed to service those flights. >> while there are a lot of positives about the merger, one- could be a decrease in local ad revenue. >> some of the state's top educators are in new york city tonight

airline. two years ago, america had six major carriers. today with mergers there are four. plus southwestr smaller airlines. air travelers are finding fewer seats and higher prices. on average about $43 higher than last year. >> they've worked real hard to make flying not fun. >> reporter: not fun, but the industry is making money again. and the critical profit center, those pesky fees that airlines love to add. an average $25 for a checked bag. up to $35 for phone reservations, up to $300 to change your reservation. todd chansy flew from l.a. to orlando today. various fees hiked his ticket from $329 to $399. >> there's just a certain limit i'll hit i will not pay. i'll drive. >> reporter: from april to june of this year major airlines made $2.4 billion in profits. $1.3 billion came from add-on fees. clearly the profit center. $745 million from checked bags alone. southwest charges no fees for changing flights or for the first two checked bags. >> take my bag, not my money! >> reporter: and its merger with air tran may help lower ticket prices all over. >> wherever southwest goes, it's go

southwest airlines has anounced plans to buy air-tran airlines in a deal worth almost $1.5 billion. >> if tt happens, that move would get southwest a presence at national airport. chris gordon has our report. >>reporter: business analysts say that will increase bwi's international importance. for the first time southwest will begin to play a role at reagan national airport acquiring 11 daily flights and expand its presence at dulles international airport as well. transportation economist professor bob windell at the university of maryland's robert h. smith school of business says southwest will increase its reach to new york and boston by acquiringing air-tran hubs. >> southwest doesn't have a big presence in atlan. air-tran has a presence in atlanta, in milwaukee. i think in those situations you will have more service essentially by a l cost carrier to more destinations. that will be very helpful for consumers. >> reporter: passengers tell us southwest airlines is known for being iendly, having good customer service and -- somethinging about the bags. something about checking bags. u

>>> the southwest airlines buy out of air tran. i'm adam may at vwi, the real story blind potential air fare increases. >>> a stormy thursday headed our way. i'll have your complete warning forecast coming up next. just drive, we'll get there! adventure runs on dunkin', with our lineup of oven-toasted breakfast sandwiches. grab your favorite, just the way you like it. bob ehrlich pretends to be for the working guy... but he's not on our side. i thought i knew bob ehrlich, but then i found out... he raised property taxes on every maryland family... and business. he increased college tuition... by 40%. 40%. and i thought i knew bob ehrlich. he was against raising the minimum wage. made $2.5 million... working for a lobbying firm. $2.5 million? he's not really on my side. with this tough economy, we really need a governor on our side. >>> it is 66 degrees, partly cloudy in central maryland right now. the complete first warning forecast is coming up. but first, in southern mexico hundreds of people were evacuated. at least three people

no hidden fees and for having no first or second checked bag fee and that will continue at southwest airlinesre regards an a model employer, everyone loves southwest and you have a wonderful reputation. and here face health care reform and sharply higher costs of insuring workers. what will you do? >>guest: well, we enjoy, our employees enjoy industry-leading pay at southwest airlines already; industry-leading benefits. so we have strong health care coverage. so think we will do fine. >> lots of employers are charging their employees more for the health coverage they provide. will you have to do that like everyone else? >>guest: the main challenge we face with or without the legislation is the ongoing inflation. we do expect our employees to share some of the health care costs burden as the costs continue to rise. we do ask our employees to do that but, over all, again, they have, among the best health care coverage certainly in the airline industry, if not among corporate america so we have strong health care coverage in place already. >> i fly southwest a lot and i see a lot of small busine

margaret warner has the story. >> warner: in the 1980s, southwest airlines was the scrappy upstart, pioneering a new type of low-cost, low-fare, low-frills flying experience. southwest stole market share from the major carriers by offering low and predictable prices to fliers willing to give up reserved seats and in-flight refreshments. today southwest announced it's going to grow still more by buying a smaller low-cost rival, air tran airways, for $1.4 billion. for more about this deal and where the industry is going, we turn to ben mutzabaugh of "u.s.a. today." he joins us from pittsburgh. i ben welcome, thanks for joining us. 1.4 billion is a lot of money and what's been tough times for the airlines, why is southwest doing this, what is driving this? >> there are ray couple of things. first of all, as you mentioned sot west has been at there for a while now. while they were the scrappy upstart in the '80s and even into the 9 0s. their business model is pretty mature at this point and there aren't many misses left for them to expand that are flarl fits are for their business model. one of th

>> well, southwest actually, some people look at southwest as a small airline. d their merger, southwest was the biggest u.s. airline. they carried more u.s. passengers than any of the legacy airlines, and with this acquisition now they'll still be the king and queen of traveling more u.s. passengers than the new continental and united or the delta-northwest. they are a force to be reckoned with, and if there's anything i think the legacy airlines did on the way to work this morning is, they emptied it their suitcase and filled them up with excedrin because they'll have a major headache dealing with this new southwest-airtran acquisition. >> do you anticipate problems from federal regulators or anybody who's going to challenge this saying that we're reducing the competition in the market? >> well, you know, when you look at southwest today, they probably compete more on routes served by the legacy than airtran. airtran is probably one of the smaller airlines they don't overlap. there is some problems like maybe in baltimore or southwest doesn't go to atlanta. the

when they are absorbed by southwest airlines, they won't. >> that's a rock-hard pledge? rline is not going to charge for bags? >> once it is merged into southwest airlines, we will not charge for bags. it is uncertain what airtran will do between now and that time. but southwest won't charge. >> how difficult is that going to be for southwest? you've had a very successful business model. built on always using the same plane. you only use your own website. as you get bigger, will you be able to maintain your standards of service? >> well, you know, george, i think people have wondered whether we could maintain our culture, maintain our customer service, our low cost. and after 40 years, again, we've proven that. so, airtran is about a 20% expansion for southwest airlines. while that is ambitious, it is manageable. it still allows us to operate an all-boeing fleet. it will be compatible with the fleet we have. one difference is, there is an aircraft type. we'll be adding the boeing 717. but there's 86 of those units. we're well prepared. now that it's public, we can begin o

southwest airlines is the largest carrier, running some 140 flights a day out of baltimore. a merger between southwest and airtran will mean more flights and more passengers. those increased passengers will spend more money on things like parking and food. that means more money for the airport, the city, and the state. >> there could be spin-off benefits for the conventions and hotels. more flights coming here and more people will choose baltimore-area hotels. >> there are still some unanswered questions about the deal. no decision has been made about eliminating employees. there will likely be job losses on the corporate level. >> the notion is that southwest gets bigger at bwi. there are more flights and that means more people needed to service those flights and to help passengers and screening them through security. >> there are positives about the merger, one possible negative could be a decrease in local ad revenue, less competition would spend less money on advertising here. kim dacey, wbal-tv 11 news. >> one person is dead and three others injured in a crash in anne ar

southwest airlines plans to buy airtran for a reported $1.4 billion. bwi marshall is the airline's largest east coast hub and the two carriers serve 70% of the passengers flying in and out of bwi marshall. the deal will move southwest into 37 new cities. and with the competition of airtran gone some passengers fear the fares will eventually go up. >> local travelers in this region will gain further access to the southwest system. the airline indicates that it plans to continue its growth across the nation. >> i thought it was good at first but now i'm worried about the competition because in might drive up the -- now because it might drive up the prices. >> reporter: the deal won't be final until 2012. sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >> what do you think? the story is on facebook. you can leave your comments on how you think this will affect airline prices. head to abc2news.com and click at the bottom of the home page. go to facebook. >>> a look now at the stories making headlines around the nation. justin, listen up. anyone living in the city of angels got

southwest airlines may be coming to reagan national airport. the airline announced it is trying to buy airtran airline. if approved the deal is valued to be $1.4 billion southwest says it would drop airtran's baggage fees and let bags buy free as it does on its current airline. >> i enjoy not paying for bags. seems like mostther airlines do charge. southwest has always banked on that bags fly free. so we hope that coinues. >> analysts say the deal could raise fares in the northeast as fare wars disappear and airlines continue to mee. >> today, former alaska senator ted stevens will be laid to rest at arlington national cemetery. he was one of five people killed in a plane crash last month in southwest alaska. the 86-year-old was the longest serving republican in senate history. four people survived the crash, including former nasa chief sean o'keefe, who lives in the area. the group was on its w to a fishing trip. >>> when white chief of staff rahm emael may quit his job. >>> rain throughout the region. when will it end? weather and traffic on t

. >>> if you like travelling on southwest airlines, you may not have to travel all the way to bwi or dulles airports anymore. southwest is flying out airtran airways if the deal is approved. the airline will be flying out of reagan national and matt ackland is live at the airport. i know a lot of people are excited this one. >> reporter: i know i am excited, sean and -- shawn. we all like to fly southwest. you can't beat the customer service, no bag fees or change of flight fees and a lot of folks don't want to travel and go of yet a year, year and a half and those planes will be landing and taking off here at reagan national. and it already carries more passengers. with a $1.4 billion tentitive deal, southwest airlines will take over another low-cost airline, increasing the presence in the northeast and atlanta. >> we were surprised and this caught us off. >> reporter: this airline expert said that southwest went after airtran because of its presence in airs that are nearly impossible to acquire new gates and reagan national, new york's laguardia and boston's logan airport to name a

southwest airlines plans to buy airtran for a reported $1.4 billion. hall is the airline's largest east coast hub. the two carriers serve 70% of the passengers flying in and out of bwi marshall. the deal will move southwest into 37 new cities and with the competition of airtran gone some passengers worry that the fares will eventually go up. >> local travelers in this region will gain further access to the the southwest system. the airline indicates it plans to continue its growth across the nation. >> i thought it was a good idea at first. now i'm worried about the competition. this might drive up the prices. >> reporter: the deal will not be final until 2012. reporting live from bwi marshall. sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> 5:49. you saw sherrie johnson out there taking her fashion advice. the rain jacket. you'll need an umbrella today. we have wet weather now but a muggy one, 72 degrees. and the trifecta of 72 crossing the delmarva from easton to ocean city. 73 towards the south and pax river, 60s to the west. that is where the boundary is. this is t

. >>> southwest airlines could soon be flying out of reagan national airport. discount carrier agreed to a billion dollar deal to buy airtran airlines securing its nine gates at reagan. matt ackland breaks done what this means. >> reporter: it already caries more passengers than any american airline and now with this deal, southwest airlines will take over another low-cost airline, increasing its presence in the northeast and atlanta. >> we are all viced. this one kind of caught us off balance. it had been rumored if a long time. >> reporter: airline expert darryl jenkins says southwest went after airtran because of its presence in airports that are nearly impossible to acquire new gates. reagan national, new york's la guardia and boston's logan airports to name a few. plus, now, southwest can go head to head with delta in atlanta where airtran has its hub. >> so sth's a huge deal for them. not only do you have that but you have it going to the caribbean. they are getting 10 years worth of grow out of this merger. >> reporter: louella rhodes is on her way back f

hoy la empresa "southwest airlines" informo que compraÁ "air-tran".creaÁ una compaÍa que opera desde Ás de 100 aeropuertos y prestaÁ servicios a Ás de 100 millones de pasaeros.-- adeÁ s, southwest tendÁ acceso a mercados lucrativos como nueva york y boston.-- el anuncio se produjo a una semana de que continental y united se consolidaran. pasemos con bernardo osuna quien nos tiene un adelanto de la accion deportiva. tomas! sigue tond no te detengas... fantástico! [música triste] (narrador) algunas veces no es fácil hacer lo correcto... pero siempre estarás contento de haberlo hecho. la honestidad... pásala. ya esta listo bernardo osuna y los deportes. aqui esta guillermo quiroz con el clima... ---mas adelante en noticias univision 14.......las personas no tienen que gastar una fortuna para llevar una dieta saludable.. x ---ya tenemos listo el reportaje que intentamos mostrarle hace unos minutos, sobre el primer debate entre los prinicipales candidatos a gobernador de california, el democrata "jerry brown" y la republicana "meg whitman"... el debate ten

southwest airlines is buying airtran.ome analysts say the merger could hit air travelers in higher flares. what will it mean for you? gary kelly, ceo, joins us from dallas. good morning, mr. kelly. thank you for joining us. let's get right to it. it seems like economics 101. less competition should mean higher fares. and analysts are pointing to routes to big cities like boston, new york, and baltimore, and says fliers to those cities are going to face higher fares. >> i don't think there's any reason to worry here. this is about more low fares. southwest and airtran, overlap very, very little. so, we're going to be expanding our route map, by adding all the new cities that airtran provides. especially atlanta, new york, laguardia. we have more flights in that airport. and also, washington, reagan airport. it's really more competition, more low fares, more flights. and especially, for our economy and our country, more jobs. >> we looked at some of the places you do overlap. and in those cases, in some cases, southwest or

southwest airlines is buying airtran. the cost $1.4 billion. that will give southwest a larger hold of the market by expanding its service in to 37 stu cities including atlanta. >> it has the potential to add more than 20% to our annual revenues or $2 billion a year. >> reporter: southwest is expected to take over airtran's slots at reagan national offering at least 11 flights in and out of the airport. of course none of that may happen for months because the deal has to be approved by the regulator and stockholders. >>> work to extend metro to dulles means a commuter alert this week. in two hours the eastbound lanes of the dulles toll road will close just east of the beltway. that means drivers will have to take the beltway to route 123 and then back to the toll road as a detour. the work will go on every night this week between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. come friday you will need one of those hands free devices if you want to make a call while you are driving in the state of maryland that's when the cell phone ban gets started and one of the stor

in other news, this country's airlines have decided bigger is better-- at least for them. southwest announced today it's buying airtran for about $1.5 billion, just the latest in a series of airline mergers. when this marriage of discount carriers is completed, southwest will serve more than 100 million customers a year at more than 100 airports. airtran gives southwest a foothold in atlanta, the busiest airport in the country, and allows it to expand its operations in new york, boston, and the washington, d.c. area. the question for travelers is what will this mean for fares and fees which have been reaches new heights. mark strassmann tried to land some answers. >> reporter: whenever susan buckles flies, price means everything. she's the target traveler for today's announced merger of southwest and airtran, the new discount carrier juggernaut in america's skies. >> now that we've joined forces with southwest airlines, the potential to spread low fares fartherrer is even greater. >> reporter: discount carriers typically stimulate competition and can help lower airfares. but what ab

southwest is at reagan? jenkins says don't bet on it. remember airtran is already a low cost airline. >> smart move on the part of southwest and i think you're going to see some southwest come out of this that's just incredible. >> reporter: matt ackland, fox 5 news. >>> time to go hands free or hang up. why some say maryland's new cell phone law won't make much difference on the roads. >>> plus a frantic search in maryland after a house comes tumbling down. and government watchdogs sounding the alarm. the government could soon be spying on your private e-mails, even your facebook messages.  right here in this neighborhood, i grew up learning strong families and hard work means opportunity. and that starts with good schools. it's a tradition here in maryland-- and why in these tough times i've put education first. we've made record investments in our classrooms... doubled the number of charter schools... and we've frozen college tuition for four years in a row. and it's working. experts say we now have the number one schools in the nation. when it comes to expanding opportunity in

one economist says the announcement will mean good things for baltimore and bwi southwest airlines is the largest carrier for bwi, running 140 flights out of baltimore. a merger between southwest and airtran will mean more flights and more passengers. passengers will spend more money on things like parking and a food. that translates into more money for the city and state. >> there could be benefits for hotels if baltimore is a more convenient destination. convention planners will choose hotels here. that is good news. >> there are still some unanswered questions about the deal. no decisions have been made about eliminating employees. there will likely be job losses on the corporate level. more jobs could come to baltimore. >> southwest gets bigger at bwi. there are more flights. more flights mean more people needed to book the flights, to help passengers, including screening them through security. >> there are positives about the merger, there could be revenue. revend kim dacey, wbal-tv 11 news. >> a building tumbles to the ground in northwest baltimore triggered a frantic search for

southwest airlines announced a big deal, a $1.4 billion deal to expand into several new markets. southwest is buying airtran, which mostly serves the east coast. southwest executives say the deal gives the airline more access to major markets, including new york city and boston, as well as airports where it does not operate now. >>> a leading highway safety group won't campaign -- won't join the campaign for a total ban on cell phone use while driving. the governor's highway safety association was considering calling for a ban on all cell phone use while on the highway. that would include hands-free cell phones. members were alarmed by a major new study showing fatal accidents the type of cell phone accidents have caused. but the group doubts a total ban could be effectively enforced. >>> after a dismal start to the regular season, the san francisco 49ers this morning fired the team's offensive coordinator, jimmy ray. the decision followed san francisco's 31-10 loss to the kansas city chiefs yesterday. mike johnson will move from quarterback coach to offensive coordinator. the 9er

>> reporter: southwest is coming to dca so for local travelers more convenience and choice without having todrive a the way to baltimore. southwes airlines flies more than 50% of all passengers at thurgood marshall bwi airport making it the largest carrier here. by merging with air-tran, southwest for the first time will start seing passengers at reagan national airport with 11 flights daily. it will also increase the number of flights at dulles international airport. i asked professor bob windell from robert h. smith's school of business what the merger will mean to passengers. >> i think the likely impact is that you will have higher fares and somewhat less service in the areas where they compete with each other. both southwe and air-tran are low cost carriers. they tend to compete for the se passenger group. i think over the long run you will see higher fares as a result. >> reporter: passengers on southwest say the service is friendly but the best feature they say is bags fly free. >> we checked two bags. i didn't have to pay for them. areyou hopeful when they acquire air tran that it continues? >> absolutely. that's one of the many

new this morning southwest airlines is buying air transfer $1.4 billion the new southwest operation wouldperate for more than a hundred airports. the deal is worth 3.4 billion when you include eritreans debt. southwest gets more exposure and could get into smaller markets that it does not already surf. the announcement comes a week after continental and united said they were teaming up. 5:16 a.m. the word on whether with police up. >> the heat is on today james lick we are free of fog but we are getting ready for those temperatures that are getting into the triple digits and some of the warmer inland spot spirit currently is in francisco temperatures in the '50s, 55 by noontime upper 70's and high temperature today downtown san francisco 82. back down into 72 by the in o'clock hour. hot spots for you in case you won a maybe step outside for a lunch break headed to jack london square. jim return to the upper 80s plenty of sunshine. santa cruz made you're playing hooky and headed to the beach 90 in san accrues, golden gate park 82 degrees. everywhere feeling a warm-up. currently in the '60s

two major airlines plan to merge. that's right. southwest plans to buy airtran for a reported $1.4 billion. and bwi marshall is the airline's largest east coast hub. the two carriers serve 70% of the passengers flying in and out of bwi marshall. the deal will move southwest into 37 new cities. and with the competition of airtran now gone some passengers fear that the fares will eventually go up. >> we like southwest because they don't charge for bags. we usually also fly airtran because of the price. >> it was my first thought when i heard of the merger. we're losing a competitor. i'm concerned about rates. >> reporter: we are told that this deal will not be finalized until 2012. reporting live at bwi marshall, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> we want to know what you think. the story is posted on facebook. leave your comments on how you think this is going to affect airline prices. you may see your comments on the air. just head to abc2news.com. then click on the bottom of the home page to go to our facebook page. >>> 6:05. the doors are ope

airline. if approved the deal is valued to be $1.4 billion. southwestit would drop airtran's baggage fees and let bags buy free as it does on its current airline. but faresn the northeast will go up as fare wars disappear. >>> a local poison control center reported calls regarding synthetic marijuana have more than tripled in the last month. store is selling the new product called k2. >> the convenience store is just a few hundred feet from the main gates. the flyer advertising a new product called k2, synthetic mayor fwhan that sells for $35 to 5 a gram. we went in to talk. >> don't touch me. >> reporter: this what happened. >> i told you to get out. >> and we are. 'am, i wouldn't do that. ma'am. while no student would speak specifically on cera, a few did say they did not see a problem with it being sold so close to campus. >> we're all adults making our own decisions. if it's gal, don't see any problem with it. >> it's probably just as bad as cigarettes, to be honest. >> not , says dr. kathleen clansy with the national poison city. >> we educate teen

. >>> this morning southwest airlines said it is expanding into lots of new markets but it is going to cost $1.4 billion, the discount carrier is buying airtran which mostly serves the east coast. southwest executives say the deal gives the airline more access to major markets including new york city and boston as well as into airports where it does not operate right now. >>> earlier this morning uni lever announced it is paying $1.7 billion to buy the culver company. it includes knock sema, trey acceptable may, is a good fit for the personal care line. they make under the dove and other panels. >>> a panel appointed by president obama will begin a 2 take meeting today. the presidential oil spill commission will look at several things including the controversial use of chemical disperse ants, a moratorium on deep water drilling and how the government officials responded to that oil spill disaster. >>> 7:19. a levee in wisconsin is on the verge of collapse and many nearby residents have evacuated their homes. the wiz river is cresting this mornings about 4 feet over the flood level and

that helps southwest airlines add atlanta, largest u.s. market it doesn't already serve and allows southwest to expand its presence at many u.s. airports including new york's laguardia and boston's logan airport. in the consumer product sector u.n. leaver has aglowed to buy illinois consumer products company for more than $3.5 billion. in cash. the purchase if approved will make uni leaver the biggest maker of hair conditioning products in the world and the second large. >> cham pooh. at wal-mart, well, it's making its biggest deem in more than a decade. wal-mart-- $4.6billion. the purchase of south africa's second largest retailer would give wal-mart access to africa's biggest economy on the continent. lastly am consulting here in chicago that if companies want to recruit employee and move staff head over to toronto in canada. deemed best in the world when it comes to the lowest risk for employers. consulting people risk index considered demographics, government, education, talent and development toronto ranking top as city with the lowest

southwest is currently the no. 1 airline, there. the other airline is no. 2. we are live at reagan national airport. >> new at 5:00 p.m., the verdict is in for the man charged for murder in the 2009 murder of a loss angeles angels pitcher. his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he crashed in california. he faces from 50 years to life in prison. >> new details tonight about the embattled wisconsin prosecutor who would mets to sending a rep. -- sending receive text messages to a defendant. it was revealed that he is sent the text messages while he was prosecuting her boyfriend on domestic violence charges. tonight, as many as 100 homes can be in danger. the levees and near wisconsin have cost the government to call a state of emergency. the river is expected to reach flood stage until wednesday. we are happy to see a little wet stuff. >> the metro area to howard county and mcgovern county will see more heavy rain tonight. another system will bring rain on thursday. let's get started. doppler radar shows most of the rain is west of th

southwest airlines is purchasing air tran for about $1.4 billion. this will include expansion to washington, d.c. the deal is expected to close early next year. still ahead, adamas back with much more on the severe weather. >>> we are monitoring severe weather in our region, specifically howard county. >> this intersection in howard county just west of interstate 95, this line is interstate 70. this is a tornado warning issued by the national weather service at 12:11 p.m. which is valid until 12:45 p.m. this is not a very impressive looking sell. i am surprised to see a tornado warning on it. let me switch to this over. doocy the greens and the red lining up like this side by side in their orientation? that is where it indicates a green shows the wind's going toward the radar and read going away. this is right along highway 108 and 144. that is the potential tornado right there. that is expiring at 12:45 p.m. afternoon sunshine after more potential storms. the look of the weekend. sunday, down in the 50's and more sunshine. >> is the velocity tracke

dallas based southwest airlines bought airtran for $1.4 billion. despite the rumblings of higher ticket prices, airtran soared 61% while southwest shot up nearly 9%. >>> more ma action on the streets. alberta shares jumped after unilever discussed adding v05 to its lineup. >>> elsewhere, overseas, walmart is looking to expand oversees to buy south african retailer mass mart. research in motion is hoping its blackberry playbook will be a game changer in the market. a seven inch screen and adobe access. no word yet on a release date or price point, but experts expect the notebook to start around $500. >>> ice cream kings ben & jerry's have agreed to drop the phrase "all natural" from their offerings since there are certain they are not all natural ingredients. >>> meanwhile, the federal trade commission says there is no evidence to backup makers of palm wonderful. that's a pricey pomegranate juice that suggests specific health benefits. >>> and on the street, the great pumpkin shortage of 2009 is over. the country's top producer says this year's crop

southwest airlines is making a deal to take the carrier to mexico and the caribbean. they announced they will buy another budget carrier, air trends for $4.4 billion. southwest will add 37 new cities to its schedule and beef up its presence in the northeast for the first time southwest will serve stations in mexico and the caribbean. >>> on wall street stocks that are gathered momentum today created the dow was down 40 points and nasdaq lost 11. >>> jaycee dugard is writing a memoir about her 18 year kidnapping ordeal. she is writing the book by herself and the as yet untitled memoir will cover dugard's life starting with her abduction when she was 11 years old to a reunion with her family. the men and women are charged with kidnapping dugard from her antioch home. >>> be pipeline explosion picks up steam at. >> reporter: pg&e is looking for answers. i am consumer editor tom vacar. are the answers inside the pipe? >> and where u.s. military bases visited by aliens? claims made by former service record to. >> coming up, i will show you what cities will be hot this tomor