. >> account executive shows no sign of budging and will make his case to the state board. -- the county executive shows no sign of budging and will make his case to the state board. >> you have more children and less money. it puts a more difficult spin on how to work the budget. >> the state board of education may have the last word in this on again and off again money dispute. at our other a look top stories during this hour. police are real -- releasing surveillance photographs of men accused of shooting the barber of up close barbershop earlier this month. it happened a long hard for road in east baltimore. the victim suffered from critical injuries. anyone with any information is urged to call metro crime stoppers. closing arguments just wrapped up about an hour ago in the bullying case against baltimore city. now the outcome is in the hands of the jury. they claim that to baltimore city elementary schools verbally and physically abused their son and daughter. a surprising turn of events today the judge threw out most of the allegation. it is only a matter of time before the jury i

in a letter to the county executive, the state board of education has questions about how much money the school system received last year and how much it believes it deserves. >> the school system received $12 million. >> school systems received money from the state based on how any students are on the rolls. that is not always the case when it comes to money from that county. >> the county has not kept up with the number of students we had. they have decreased the amount of money. take of the county executive says the school systems are in getting its fair share of money, even when it does not appear to settle -- show up in the budget. >> what you're saying is really the money if there? >> in other words, that is being to help public education. that is part of the financing effort required -- we are required to do. >> it could be very devastating if we start losing programs and teachers especially. right now class sizes have been growing all over the county. parents are upset about that. >> school officials say because it is coming up short, it may be forced to give back $4,000 for t

the new requirements go into effect on december 31. a state appointed advisory panel helped draft the new proposal. the state board close to approving a new school suspension policy. heard from a panel made up of the national teacher of the year and maryland's teacher of the year. they both talked about how students are affected by long- term suspensions, especially when it comes to time lost in the classroom. the board is expected to approve a new policy sometime next month. the firm hired to help maryland select a new state school superintendent is ready to advertise that top job. it will take in permission from a statewide survey and public hearings to help fill the position. the goal is to fill the superintendent's job by july 1. tim tooten, wbal-tv 11 news. >> here is a look at some of the other stories of this hour. paul schurick has been found guilty on all four criminal counts related to the 2010 election robocalls. the call suggested martin o'malley had won the governor's race before the polls had actually closed. schurick was a former top aide to former governor bob ehrlich. he will be sentenced in febru

because those signatures, the certification was due today to the board of elections. december 27th. they've sent the results to the state board of elections. that part is over. but they're actually not in charge. they don't make the rules. this is the law of virginia. so the law would need to change. virginia as you know has one of the hardest most difficult processes to get on the ballot. and to change the general assembly, the legislature would have to change that. >> is there anything governor bob mcdonnell could do by executive order or legislature to get them to pass an emergency change? >> i don't think so. there's a lot of talk in richmond in these last few days about who could do what and what the legislature could do but even the legislators and both -- they are controls or will be in january by republicans who don't want to do that. the governor could ask them to do that. he could use his influence to do that but there are no signs the governor wants to do that. as far as i know no one has called him to ask him to do something. he has not indicated he doesn't want to do anything. he has not endorsed anyone. an

today a federal judge denied his request for an emergency order requiring the state's board of elections to place him on the ballot. instead the judge set a hearing for january 13th. that is four days after the ballots must be printed by law. >>> the edge on maryland now and the latest on that deadly metrobus crash from yesterday. the driver of a pickup truck was killed after crossing the median on rockville pike in bethesda and crashed into the bus. he was identified as 409-year- old knonou ayaovi edorh of silver spring. the bus driver and several passengers were taken to the hospital 6789. >>> in silver spring a vigil -- hospital. >>> in silver spring a vigil held for two young women killed and another seriously injured in the wreck early this morning. their suv ran off the road, smashed into a brick retaining wall outside a home. it's not known what caused that crash. >>> the news edge on d.c. now, a jung ordered the city to pay more than -- a judge ordered the city to pay more than a million dollars in attorney fees resulting from the historic gun right case ultimately decided by the

a federal judge denied his request requiring the state board of elects to place him on the ballot. instead, the judge set a hearing for january 13th but that is four days after the ballots must be printed by law. >>> a warning before voters in virginia head to the polls they could be turned away if this refuse to sign a piece of paper promising to vote for the republican presidential nominee come november. roz plater has the details on this story. >> reporter: before virginia voters cast their ballots in the republican primary in march, they can be asked to sign a so-called loyalty together promising to support the republican presidential nominee in november. sign the premier or you can't vote in the primary. it is part of a seldom-used state law that says political parties can set the primary requirements including, quote, the signing of a pledge by the voter of his intention to support the party's candidate when offering to vote in the primary. but republican delegate bob marshall of manassas says hold on a minute. >> you want to have mandatory voting for someone you've never hea

the state senate president is in favor of the merger. the board of regents is not taking sides. >> the board takes this very seriously. i think it will come to a conclusion of what is in the best interest of the system, the state, and quite frankly, all maryland. >> the final report is due out on december 15. it will be passed on to the maryland general assembly for review. >> now, your 11 insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> big temperature range from a very cold morning to a relatively cold afternoon. we see the pattern repeats for a couple of days ahead. the dry high-pressure system tracks its way through, we see a 33-degree temperature swing from 26 in the morning to 59 degrees in the afternoon. we actually hit 60 degrees at the inner harbor. a mild afternoon after a cold morning. normal high for this time of year is 50 degrees. the record low in the single digits, nine degrees on the second of december in 1967. east of the mountains temperatures are cooling off. mainly clear skies to be expected through the overn

the state. >> anne arundel's board of education is set to do more belt-tightening as it prepares for next year'sudget, one that could hit a snag. in a letter to the county executive, the state board of education has questions about how much money the school system receiver last year and how much it believed it deserved. >> that difference is -$12 million. >> school systems receive money on this -- from the state based on how many students are on the rolls. that is not always the case when it comes to money from the county. >> we gained 3000 students in the last couple of years and the count has not kept up with the number of students we had. they have decreased the amount of money. >> but the county executive says that the school system is already getting its fair share of money, even when it does not appear to show up in the budget. >> the classroom expenses are part of the education services. so as debt service on the construction. >> you say the money is there? >> in other words, that is being used for public education. that is maintaining the financing effort that we are required to do. >> p

he is suing the state board of to get his name on the republican primary ballot. perry and newt gingrich did not have enough signatures to get on the ballot. the voting is march 6, which is "super tuesday." a rare look inside of north korea. a memorial for dictator kim jong ill. people lined the streets. kim jong un, -- escorted his body. >>> coming up on abc 7 news at noon. been on a lot of airplanes and stuff. stuff is about to happen. a spare on the runway. a pilot aborted takeoff without a moment to spare. then, making a statement about breast feeding. off proteststing popular store in our area. watch on the tape. customers of barely a tate -- escape and out of control police cruiser. all of that, and adam is back with the forecast. bring back the new heartbreaking details fireeing released in the killed five family members connecticut. and twosters died adults died. the sisters were trying to escape the home but were drawn heat and smoke. here is the 911 call that was by frantic neighbors. please come quickly. >> survive in the fire is a friend and the childr

and local public it rigid political advocate is suing the state board of elections. >> but the dress is incomplete, eligible or missing, they threw them out. i think that is a mistake. >> that romney and ron paul are the only to be a gop candidates on the march ballot. gingrich is blaming the man that he and hired to collect signatures, accusing him of fraud. >>> this next week will focus on iowa, and abc 7 news will be all over iowa with complete coverage of the caucasus. scott thuman will be live there. >>> let's turn to the forecast. probably a mild night tonight? >> definitely much colder in iowa tonight. what will the weather be like if you are heading out new year's eve tomorrow? chief meteorologist doug hill has the preview. >> hello happy new year, early. >> happy new year to you as well. if you are heading out let's look at the temperatures late on friday night. 50 degrees east of annapolis 55 fredericksburg. 49 degrees reagan national, and washington dulles, showers and had not of the front. -- showers ahead of the front. that may affect portions of the area before sunrise,

. >> reporter: the petitions are submitted to a state board of elections. they have to be 10,000 of them. and they then immediately hand them over to the party, the republican party of virginia. and they then certify which qualify n. this case, mitt romney and ron paul, saying newt gingrich didn't submit enough ballots out of the 11,000, they disqualified many of the signatures. rick perry submitted 6,000. they certified mitt romney and ron paul as the candidates here in virginia for the march 6th primary. >> do you have time before the supertuesday? do you have time to get this looked at and get speaker gingrich on the ballot? do you feel optimistic about it? >> i'm not optimistic time wise. it's challenging but that is possible. they're going to print the ballots january 9th. rick perry's lawsuit is going to have a hearing on january 13th. they would be after, they would force them to print them late already if rick perry's lawsuit is successful. here, it's a simple question. i think they applied the wrong standard when they disqualified the ballot petitio

. >> the state has put more teeth into the average grade policy requirements for student athletes. today the state boardf education approved the recommendation which sets a 2.0 gpa as a minimum standard. student athletes must also be on track toward earning credits toward graduation. >> when it is all said and done after four years, we don't want just athletes. we want student athletes that can go to the next level and academically compete at the next level. >> the new requirement goes into effect on september -- on december 31. >> now, your insta-weather forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> unseasonably warm temperatures up and down the eastern seaboard, not only here in baltimore but all the way up in new england. rain all the way up to boston, and much of new england unseasonably warm. the wet weather continues, but all of this developing on a cold front. this could be the last day of unusually mild weather. tomorrow morning will be pretty mild, but the cold will be coming in. 62 degrees at b.w.i. marshall this afternoon. we hit a new high at the inner harbor, they are now up to 64 de

>>guest: and the state board of election, then, towns that over to the party and the party reviews thetures. >> thank you so much for your time today, sir, we ran out of time there but we appreciate it. have a happy new year. back to the race where it all starts and the rush before the crush with so many voters undecided the candidates are all over iowa today trying to close a deal. and carl cameron is in ames, iowa. >>guest: it is loud here in buffalo while wings in ames, iowa, the hometown of the iowa state cyclone, and there is something of a political metaphor because the man from person, the former senator, rick santorum is whipping across the hawkeye state with a lost wind at your back. will you win? >>guest: we have a shot. obviously, right now, you look at last week, we were in last place in met of the polls and now we moving up, and, we were very happy, and very happy that we are. we will see. i'm feeling good that, put it this way i didn't come to iowa to finish last and i came finish first and i think we have a shot. >> you have had a tremendous amount of support from pastor

. >> the state board of public words as the renovation of the terminal. they have more screening stations. it is saving people more time. >> that is appreciated. especially if you are on board with alec baldwin. >> a new tablets computer targets gamers. is changing its. connect and discover. you will see them first. this is a thin light weight android tablet that can change adding they optional external keyboard. they say it will appeal most to gamers. >> the ones i playbook quite spectacular. to theis some oomph machines. >> it retails for $500. keyboard is another 150. the dinner and closed only the part of northmall america. these are your tech bytes. but atwant to get a every 10nd weather minutes. >> it is one of the icy spots around. this year's for sculpture display is the mary's special. happening now through january 8. out and experience you chilly tradition if the dare. >> they are made out of ice. >> the detail in this is so impressive. is really cold and there. >> you want to not those are. it is really pretty. as we movecolder the upcoming wee

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 today after the worst storm in at least a decade. hurricane greatest costs were at 97 miles per hour blasting through the los angeles area at the height of the storm. >> i ask for a continued patience on the part of angelenos as we recover from what has been an incredible display of the power of mother nature. >> the storm left cities in a state of emergency after millions of dollars of damage. the worst of the storm is likely beh

the businesses i am involved with, there is reporting, the state board, part of the game of being inncisco and of being a business. i am just happy that we can sort of walk through this and bang it out and come to an agreement that hopefully the majority of people will be satisfied by. so thank you. president it o'neil: any other commissioners proved should be formalized kind of a recommendation that we will put forward? i think that the personal dog that the dog walker owens -- owns would probably be a dog that they know inside out and that they can have without a leash and control that done very well because it is a personal god, so i am inclined to agree that that dog would not take from the number of dogs that would be approved by whatever the arguments would say. i have not heard anybody talk a great deal of concern about exceeding the number of eight dogs. obviously, there is a strong presence of the group here that are from the dog walking industry. of course, they would like to see the number greater because the impact the bottom line. i have not heard anybody, to say that it

the state board of public works has approved $65 million so far for the renovation of the oldest part of the airport over the next two years. the renovations will create space for more security screening stations and add new concessions. it will also allow passengers to move between concourses a, b, and c without passing through security again. and still might regarding your paycheck on capitol hill. the senate rejecting plans to extend a payroll tax holiday on thursday. kate tells us what comes next. >> the standoff continues in washington, and it could delay congress' trip home for the holidays. >> get it done. if not, maybe we will have, you know, a white christmas here in washington. >> president obama says he will keep lawmakers here until the payroll tax cut is extended and unemployment benefits are renewed. this after two senate votes on rival tax plans resulted in stalemates on thursday. >> the motion is not agreed to. >> house republicans are planning to vote next week on a different tax proposal. >> this is a no-brainer. >> if the president is serious about his commitment to

. >> the state is fine tuning a new fee for rural firefighting that will affect thousands of bay area residents the state board was supposed to get final approval of the fee this month. the board made a few changes and will vote in january. taxpayer advocate section saithe will challenge the fee in court. >> after weeks of gridlock the president signed the payroll tax cut. he praised congress for coming through on that legislation and stressed the effect it'll have on american households. >> because of this agreement, every working american will keep their tax cut, about a thousand dollars for a typical family. that translates into another $40 in every paycheck. >> reporter: the president left washington on air force one to celebrate christmas with his family waiting for him in hawaii. >> also, new at six the new chapter in the life of a family we told you about earlier this month. they were homeless and seemed hopeless. now rob roth says things are looking up because of the christmas spirit. >> for them life is getting better, finally. >> people have been helping out. >> reporter: she is homeless. we met her

and that is because the state board of election says that all voters must be pledging their party support in writing before they could vote in the primary. the delegate, bob marshall, issued a statement saying that the ruling sends the wrong message. >>> well tonight at 9news now at 7:00, the d.c. handgun banned is back in the news again. the supreme court overturned it after the man sued the city saying they violated their rights to own the firearms. well now, the city will need to fork over more than $1 million in that case. and we'll tell you why. that's tonight at 7:00. >> yes, we'll see you then. >>> still ahead in this half hour, a new rule. we'll tell you about the in this case's largest wireless here. and what they plan to charge. but first, get the confetti ready to go. a look at some changes for the local new year's eve celebration that's coming up. >>> washington looks great here for them and the veteran center. and you can see them serving here this holiday season. >> yes. happy holidays. yes, that will be all for them to know. >>> nine traffic now is brought to you by geico.

the state board of elections says it is still verifying the names gathered by newt gingrich's campaignnew at 11:00, a panel of federal judges says maryland's congressional redistricting map does not discriminate against black voters. the three judges dismissed the lawsuit today. the nine plaintiffs didn't satisfy the burden of proof to make their case. >>> new information tonight about that arlington woman who's been fighting to keep a mural outside her business. we first introduced to the problem painting outside kim houghton's doggy day care back in january when the county told her it was really just an illegal sign and had to come down. but howton says it is a work of art and not an ad. she says the fourth u.s. circuit court of appeals has agreed to hear her case next year. >>> here's something to consider this busy travel season. in the last fiscal year, rail passengers took 217 million trips on metro trains. in that same period of time, metrobuses took 125 million trips. but just how safe is all of that public transportation? only on 9 tonight, andrea mccarren with a look at that

cal tran worker taking his complaint to the state personnel board. e allegation he falsified safety reports including one about the new bay bridge. >>> chris rene. >> the reaction from friends and family of santa cruz native chris rene big night. >>> good morning, right now 237 that traffic looks pretty good as you are driving around the bay area. we'll tell you more about your commute. >>> good morning. we have 20s, 30s, and 40s. very windy at some of the higher elevations. at the surface not too bad. it will be in the 50s and a few low 60s. >>> cal tran worker fired last month is appealing the decision. it's not the first time. last month dwayne was fired from cal tran for falsifying integrity test reports. he's now appealing the firing to the state board. back in 1998 that same board reinstated wiles. the board ruled that it expected wiles would never again mislead the public. >>> 5:26. he did it. santa cruz native chris rene is in the x-factor finals. >> last night the self- proclaimed former drug addict claimed he would compete for the $5 million

a federal judge denied his request for an emergency order requiring the state's board of elections to place him on the ballot. instead the judge set a hearing for january 13th. that's four days after the ballots must, printed by law. >>> a loyalty oath could lock virginia voters into who they choose in the state's march republican primary. fox's sherri ly is live in the newsroom why with some -- with why some of the g.o.p. politicians think it is a mistake. >> reporter: the loyalty oath is impossible to enforce and carries no legal weight. someone could sign that pledge and then vote for whoever they want in november but it is stirring up quite a bit of controversy inside and outside the virginia republican party. before virginia voters cast their ballots in the republican primary in march, they can be asked to sign a so-called loyalty oath promising to support the eventual republican nominee for president in november. sign the pledge or you can't vote in the primary. it's part of a seldom used state law that says political parties can set the primary requirements including the signag

. >>> changes are in store for bwi, the state board of public works has approved funds to renovate the airport's oldest terminal during the next two years. the $100 million in renovations will create space for more security stations and also new concessions for concourse c. it will also allow passengers to move from concourse a, d and c without having to pass through the security gate. >>> a lot of us don't think about the kinds of foods we put in our body, we just eat and we don't worry. we did that after that listeria outbreak with cantaloupe. the number of people killed from the outbreak in maryland and why there's now less concern this morning. >>> and if you're sipping on that cup of coffee right now, what you're drinking may have more health benefits than just helping you wake up. >>> justin. >> hopefully it's warm, though, this morning at 6:10, it's cold outside. we're clear, but we're sandwiched between clouds to our south, snow to our northwest. we'll talk about that weekend outlook and, of course, that important ravens game day forecast. reporter: and on the roadways this mor

. >> public officials, everybody, the mayor, the council, the agency, the boards, the state board of that's their first responsibility is to act responsibly and ethically. the law deters crime and makes sure it is punished. >> fox 5 news. >> by the way, that bill passed unanimously on the first reading today. a second reading is set for december 20. if that passes, it will become law. among other things, it will create a new board of ethics. >> a political aid for former maryland governor has been convicted of conspiring to keep black voters away from the polls. returned a guilty jerk this morning saying the message told voters to relax because he had already won. he will be sentenced in february. >>> with less than four weeks until the iowa caucuses, the republican air wars under attack tonight. his opponents are taking on his conservative credentials. as tom fitzgerald reports, it might be tougher to get that nomination. >> newt gingrich is hoping this is not as good as it gets. >> amazing how well he is doing. >> leading the iowa polls, the forme republican speaker is moving to av

. >> public officials, everybody, the mayor, the council, the agenc, the afc commissioners, the boards, the state board of education, that is their first responsibility is act responsibly and ethically. the laws in place are to deter crime and make sure it's punished if there is any wrongdoing. >> reporter: the ethics reform bill passed unanimously this afternoon. harry thomas voting in favor and there is going to be fine tuning done the next few weeks and then a second reading on december 20th if it passes then, shawn. it becomes law. >> bob bonnard reporting live. -- bob barnard reporting live. thank you, bob. >>> the fate of two of the redskins top players has hung in the balance since sunday. today, the nfl made its ruling. dave feldman is in the newsroom with the late-breaking details. what is going on? >> reporter: we knew what was going to happen but not when. now we do at 4:28 this afternoon. the redskins released a statement put out by the nfl making it official. tight-end fred davis, tackle trent williams are done for the season, suspended without pay. last sunday was the last time we w

in general, the closed session is confidential, and if the board has voted to not disclose, then the material, what was said, is confidential, and it is a violation of state law for individual board members to disclose the closed session discussion. president nolan: have you ever seen in 22 years someone disclose it? >> no, i had never seen the city go after someone. director: what is it that allows us to all go to something like the recent streetcar presentation? >> if it is open to the public, maybe a public meeting, but it is not your public meeting. it is the meeting of a state board or a federal board, it is a ceremonial gathering or other gatherings, or even a social gathering that is not put on by you, that is not, for example, a christmas party. it happened to be in your circle, and more than a majority showed up. the important thing to remember there is not using that gathering as an opportunity without thinking about it to talk about things that are under your jurisdiction. thank you. president nolan: not coming to my house for christmas. secretary boomer: some members of the public that when it to discuss with you, but seeing we have no closed

texas governor rick perry filing an emergency order in federal court to require the state's board of de him in the march 6 primary there. we're told a hearing is set for tomorrow. the governor failed to turn in the necessary number of signatures from virginia's registered voters. he sued the state republican party and elections board yesterday and former house speaker newt gingrich today claiming he came up short for virginia's primary because a worker his campaign hired committed fraud. the worker turned in 1500 names, some which have will fake. -- were fake. >>> the former egyptian president back in a cairo courtroom after three-month brake. state television showing hosni mubarak arriving on a hospital gurney with a green blanket covering him before taking his place in the defendant's cage. he is on trial in connection with the killing of more than 800 protesters during the violent uprising that eventually forced him to step down earlier this year. he's been in the hospital for an apparent heart condition since his arrest in april. if convicted, he could face the death penalty. >>>

and operators say that was finance for the state board of tax autos books are kept and showing this is a nonprofit and nobody is making money from this. and is actually losing money. officers are losing money. >> and in addition to that ongoing criminal investigation, the city has filed a civil case against the collective. that is going to court on january, january 12th. operators sfai a judge orders them to shut down, they'll comply because they say a court is the proper mechanism to deal with this situation. >> and the state filed a lawsuit against fannie mae and freddie mac in order to find out more about the role in-housing melt downs. the state attorney general filed a suit after claiming the company have thus far refused to answer questions. the agency own owns fanny and freddy and has not commented on the lawsuit. bank of america paid $335 kblinl today to settle a court case accusing it's former home loan subsidiariy, country wide of discrimination based on race. the federal government accused country wide of charging qualified african american and hispanic home buyers higher ra

states in the senate senate and house of delegates. maryland will spend more than $68 million to lease slot machines at a new casino. the state's boardf peb works approved the move yesterday. maryland has used nearly $100 million taxpayer dollars for slots at casinos in berlin. the new casino is set to open next june. >> it's one of the most iconic places in new york city and today it's celebrating its diamond anniversary. the rockefeller ice rink turns 75 years old today. it includes performances by the ice theater in new york. the rink opened in 1936 with state of the art amenities that included at the time night skating, a heated changing house and music being piped in. today is new york's most visited sights with more than 150,000 skaters taking to the ice every year. it's a beautiful location. >> it looked like christmas all over the place, but it doesn't feel like it. >> another unusually mild morning. right now around the region, we've got mild temperatures, a little fog and wet pavement. a few breaks in the clouds this morning. we may get sunshine breaking up. temperatures right now are in the upper 30s to near 40 degrees. cl

the legality of this, people are questioning this. you have to, in state code, talk about 90 days out from the primary. i talked with the state board of elections, they adopted this december 3. so they are well will be 90 days or outside of the 90 days, but delegate marshal says he is going to fight this. >> how would you ever enforce this? say i don't follow it, so what. >> that's something that you can't enforce this, but delegate marshall says when people sign something, those voters are going to think, we are going to be deterred or not deterred to follow what we signed. >> surae chin, thank you for that one. back to you in the studio. >>> thanks a lot, we have a 9news now commuter alert for you. if you plan to drive in the tyson's corner area tonight, very important. people traveling on spring hill road will not be able to cross route 7 because of construction there. connected to the dulles metro rail project. that roadwork will start at 11:00 tonight and last until 5:00 a.m. you can look for detour signs to get you around that road closure as we head into the weekend. anny. >> a pretty nice day today. temperatures getting int

primary ballot has failed a federal judge denied his request for an emergency order requiring the state's board of he elects to place him on the ballot. the judge set a hearing for january 13th. that is four days after the ballots must be printed by law. >>> the rise and fall in the republican presidential race continues with the iowa caucuses just days away. pollss show the race is as unpredictable as ever. mitt romney has tape the lead over ron paul while another gop contender appears to be surging from the back of the pack. >> reporter: it is not a huge surprise to emit romney edging head in the polls but a few week ago, rick santorum's name was hardly mentioned. now, he is among the top contenders. new polls show the former pennsylvania senator climbing into third. his visits to all 99 iowa counties now appears to be paying off. it comes at the expense of newt gingrich who has fallen into fourth despite being about even in national polls with mitt romney. now, leading up to the iowa caucuses, romney appears to be making his move, now the frontrunner. earlier in the week, it was ron paul who

to continue to educate the general public and board of health as we go through the next couple years. >> governor bob mcdonnell approved the new regulations yesterday after the state board of health voted for them earlier this year. >>> to politics now, with four days until the first caucus of the 2012 presidential race there is one candidate just four days to go before the first caucus of the 2012 race and one candidate in particular is taking the spotlight, but they're all on a media blitz frying to get every vote they can. we're following it -- trying to get every vote they can. we're following it tonight with fox 5's top to. reporter: if current polls prove correct, mitt romney could be on his way to the first win in this race for the republican nomination, but iowa is also known for surprises. so while he's leading right now, the romney campaign brought out the big guns today. >> we need mitt romney to bring us back. reporter: new jersey governor chris christie who had considered a white house run of his own before endorsing mitt romney is bringing a jersey attitude to the iowa caucus. >> you don't do what you're supposed to do tuesday for mitt romney, i will

a federal judge denied the request for an emergency court order that would have required the state board of elections to put his name on the ballot. the judge scheduled a january 13th court date to hear arguments in the case. perry and gingrich failed to get the 10,000 signatures required to get on the ballot. with the iowa caucuses less than a week away, the crazy ups and downs. romney picked up momentum. steve handelsman is live in des moines, iowa with more for us on this. good evening. >> reporter: good evening from des moines where not only is it unseasonably warm, the political climate is unusual, even for iowa. so many iowa republicans say they are upset at the federal government, upset at congress that the texas libertarian, ron paul, who made a career out of campaigning for smaller government surged to double the support of 2008 during the caucuses. polling second in one survey, first in another, ron paul is on a role, slamming big brother government. >> this idea of giving up your liberties to be safe is nonsense. >> reporter: hanging on every word were james, mark and chris. m

. >> reporter: still it got unanimous approval of the state election board. they voted 3-0 to implement it. it's interesting, newt gingrich that ron paul got the republican nomination he wouldn't be able to support him. since he is virginia resident he would be clashing to the prejudice to the state's gop but now we wait to see what happens on primary day. >> heather: peter, thanks. >> gregg: fox news alert. new reports coming in concerning a suspect detained for carrying explosives inside a texas airport. police say the man is on active military duty. he was trying to enter a terminal at mid land international airport carrying a bag filled with military grade explosives. he was apparently headed to a military base in north carolina along with his family. the suspect now in the custody of the f.b.i. in the meantime, the airport has reopened for normal operations. >> heather: more fires burning in l.a. today as police search for suspects. the string of arson attacks. at least nine cars were torched overnight after two dozen fires were reportedly placed early fr

and even though the state's board of election voted 3-zero to approve the pledge. one republican delegate doesn't think it is a good idea. >> you want mandatory voters for something you never heard of and don't know and might be running for office right now. for the republican party to depart from what the founders want, i think it is a mistake. >> back in the year 2000, 12 years ago. republican in virginia had to sign a different piece of paper that said they wouldn't participate in the nominating process . now they have to pledge the full support to the eventual republican nominee. and there is no consequence if you break the pledge and sign it and decide not to support the gop nominee you will not be arrested or go to jail. the idea is to keep the rift raft out of the gop process. wow. it is certainly provocative indeed. thank you very much. take -- a look. two youngsters in tampa got a late christmas present that was the best one yet. they were told their father had sent them a gift from afghanistan and had to be picked up in the airport. it was their dad. mari

governor mcdonald approved the regulations yesterday after the state board of health voted for them earlier this year. for more on this controversial issue, we're joined you in by tarina keen, the executive director of you in post choice in virginia. thank you for coming in and talking with us. >> thank you. >> let me reach your quote from your organization. the organization called the new rules by the board of health, quote politically motivated rules that fail to fully protect women's health and safety and they could create significant burdens for virginia women seeking first tremidwester abortion care. tell us -- trimester abortion care. tell us what you don't like about the new rules? >> first, we can't believe how this process has been. this administration has really gone over and beyond to politicize the process. this hadding in to do with women's health and safety but politics and certain legislator not approving of abortion care. what we're upset about is that the governor, the attorney and the board of health and the general assembly were all presented and medical expertise that sh

i was talking to the republican party today, and the democratic party and the state boards of elections and trying to get everyone's facts straight, just say i think it was a bad failure of both those parties, rick perry and gingrich, i believe, and michele bachmann and santorum, they didn't bother trying and we have the toughest requirements in the country but it comes down to people focusing on this is not a right, this is a right of the people. you have to look at right to choose. this is what we are supposed to give our citizens and this process just hasn't worked for the people of virginia and i think there is still team to change it and i am getting criticism from my own party but that's okay. >> are you going to help rick perry? >>guest: this is not candidate specific. we are trying to show that process has failed the public, and let's see what we can do. obviously, rick perry and gingrich tried, and they were not successful, and michele bachmann and santorum and huntsman, they didn't even try so maybe there is a different situation. >> why different for them? if you say the proc