>> first of all, airtran brings us a number of things. they have a safe low cost high quality operation. they have a strong low fare brand. but most importantly, it provides us an opportunity to expand our route network. they fly places that we don't. we have very little overlapping routes. but notably, their largest operation is in atlanta. and we have no service to atlanta at all, as one example. it brings us more access to new york's laguardia airport, as well as first-time access for us to reagan national airport in washington d.c.. >> susie: where kelly, why did you do it now? >> i feel like we're ready now. first of all, things are so much better today than they were a year ago. our profit outlook is solid. we have plenty of cash on hand. we have a very strong balance sheet, with credit rating agencies affirming our credit rating today. so financially we're very well prepared for this. we also have a very strong leadership team. who is ready to add this major task to our list. and then we have the tools in place today that we just h

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 open at maryland's first casino. the hollywood casino

>> 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 process, plus says that banks will still fly for free. -- southwest says that a bad will still fly for free. >> its self-proclaimed white

southwest announced the plan to buy airtran for $1.4 billion. this means the airline will move into atlanta, the busiest airport in the nation gain an international market and expand in cities like new york, boston and baltimore. >> local travelers in the area will gain further access to the system. the airline indicates it plans to continue its growth across the nation. >> reporter: frequent flyers fear as the competition goes down fares will go up. >> my first thought when i heard they would merge. losing competition. i'm concerned about rates. >> reporter: we checked air fare watch dog.com. they said nonstop route that are served by both airtran and southwest will go up such as boston to baltimore and boston to orlando that sells for $39 each way lately. in general i don't believe fares will go up to unreasonable levels, end quote. one big change, airtran charges $20 for each first checked bag. southwest said it'll drop that fee. overall passengers fear their wallets will take a hit. >> i thought it was a good idea at first and now i'm worrie

it will absorb airtran. what that means for the traveling public who pay fees for baggage, it means you will not pay those fees. southwest has the least burdensome of all the airline's fees. it does not charge for bags. airtran is absorbed, you will no longer pay those fees. until that deal is done, each company will keep its policies, but when that deal is done, it will be southwest, logo and operating policies. >> two money issues to talk about here. usually consumer advocates fight mergers. don't answer it, is that likely to happen with southwest and number two, places like here in atlanta, maybe the fares will go down? >> that's the big question. when you have the public starting to fly again and there's more demand, that's what they're trying to grab ahold of. the very near term, you're going to see probably fewer fees because as i said, southwest is the least of the fee charging airlines and i want to show you flying costly skies for example, we talk about air fares and many say they'll probably be goi

we're talking about southwest and airtran. the $1.4 billion deal was announced yesterday and right now two airlines serve 70% of passengers flying in and out of bwi marshall. the deal will move southwest into 37 new cities including atlanta. the nation's largest airport. one big change, airtran charges $20 for the first checked bag. southwest says it will drop that fee. but overall passengers fear their wallets will take a hit. >> my first thought when i heard they were going to merge. i'm concerned about rates. >> the deal will not be final until 2012. >>> let's look for the fall getaway that won't break the bank. sands witched between -- sandwiched between summer vacations and holiday rush. karen kafa has details. >> reporter: more options, fewer crowds. airfares and hotel rates tend to fall in the autumn months, a slow season between the summer boom and holiday rush. and this fall easy to get to destinations with frequent flights top the list. >> younger couples are going to the u.s. virgin islands. it's very easy to get th

airtran about 138 aircraft. the vast majority of boeing 737s making it easy to have standard maintenance. if regulators and shareholders approve this will be the third major airline consolidation in two years. united and continental are due to close their merger days from now this week becoming the largest airline in america. today that title belongs to delta, which acquired northwest in 2008. enough with the facts and figures. what about fares and fees? time to bring in my q&a partner richard quest in london. from dallas, rick seaney, the ceo of faircompare.com. richard, start with you in europe. a lot of experience with discount airlines. generally speaking the merger of two airlines means, could mean -- could mean -- higher prices. not always the case. in this case what does it mean when it's two discount airlines? >> i think the thing to remember is why southwest is buying airtran and the reason they're buying it is to buy market share. by buying this carrier it is getting a hot roll straight into atlanta ha

over to the news desk. >> southwest plans to buy airtran airways. kim dacey joins us live with more on how this could affect baltimore. >> this merger would be a billion dollar deal. baltimore should expect to see some of facts as southwest already runs 140 flights out of bwi each day. this merger will mean more flights and more passengers for the airport. there will spend more money on things like parking and food. that translates into increased revenue for the airport, the city, and the state. no decisions have been made about eliminating employees. there could be more jobs coming here to baltimore. reporting live, kim dacey, wbal- tv 11 news. >> thank you. a station is being transformed into an art museum. santer shot explains. >> good morning. we are talking about -- sandra shaw explains. there are 18 different sculptures on display. a wide variety. it is all sponsored by the jlp gallery. we have some of the pieces behind this that are unique. >> if this is one of the artists showing with us. you can see this artist uses found objects, primarily

it's a good deal for airtran employees. airtran is one of the lowest- paying airlines out there and southwest is one of the highest- paying airlines out there. in two years, year and a half, those employees will likely be making more money. >> and they're probably celebrating. if you . would like to save some, if replacing your appliances, the virginia sales tax holiday starts and they must cost less than $2,500 include refrigerators, washing machines and you can see a full list of the appliances by going to our website, www.myfoxdc.com. >>> and we're following a developing story out of the midwest. the families forced out of their homes and some say it's the worst flooding they have seen. >> and that is emotional rollercoaster ride. >> reporter: people living in the western wisconsin town of arcadia are being allowed back into their home and it's been several days of waiting out the flood waters. about 100 southeast and all eyes are on a levee along the wisconsin river. >> and my main concern is how much are they going to

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 go

southwest airlines says it plans to buy airtran for a reported $1.4 billion. 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 gone some passengers fear the fares will eventually go up. >> we like southwest because they don't charge for the bags. we also fly airtran because of the price. >> it was my first thought when i thought they would merge, losing a competitor. i'm concerned about rates. >> reporter: this deal is expected not to be final until 2012. reporting live from bwi marshall, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> it's 5:05. this is not in the mail. the internal revenue service reportedly will not be mailing out tax forms to us this year. that is because more than 5 million individuals -- 95 million individuals filed returns for 2009 on-line. that is up about six million from the previous year. the irs hopes to save $10 million a year. taxpayers can still get forms at irs.gov or through yo

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 about consolidation of major carriers? later this week, united and continental airlines forma

southwest and airtran are getting hitched. it could mean lower fairs, but can anything stop those rising fees? five weeks before the midterms, the campaign ads are getting nasty. >> the taliban dan webster, hands off our bodies. >> couric: and everybody in the world has a story. but can steve hartman get him to tell it? captioning sponsored by cbs from cbs news world headquarters in new york, this is the "cbs evening news" with katie couric. >> couric: good evening, each. the future of the country will soon be in their hands but america's school children are not keeping up with the competition from overseas. today president obama said one answer is more school. he wants to extend the school year by as much as a month. the president also said he knows firsthand the challenges many schools are facing, including right in the nation's capital. here's our chief white house correspondent chip reid. >> reporter: president obama's daughters, seventh grader malia, and fourth grader sasha go to an elite private school where tuition is m

the 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 from atlanta. he she flies airtran often. >> i'm praying that the service will continue to be gre

southwest is by alan -- is buying airtran. we are live from reagan national airport with the details. >> right now, southwest has several flights out of dulles airport. after years of trying, southwest had not made its way to break a national airport. that is about to change. >> the surprise merger of the nation's largest carriers means that southwest airlines will move into 37 new cities and loses -- including washington's way the national airport. -- reagan national airport. >> there are a lot of fun to fly within the keep you entertained. >> this expert says that the merger would benefit bargain seekers at reagan national. >southwest is buying the company for $1.7 billion. >> we have continental and united emerging as well. >> southwest carries more passengers than any other airline. this family is looking forward to a completed merger. >> they keep the prices low and then you have to pay for bags on error trend. -- on airtran. airtran stockholders still have to sign off on the deal. bargain seekers may not fare as well. so

the merger between southwest and airtran will mean more flights for carriers. there will spend more time on parking and foods. that translates into more revenue. there are some unanswered questions. no decisions have been made about eliminating employees. there will likely be job cuts at the corporate levels. more jobs could be coming to baltimore. >> southwest gets bigger at bwi. there are more flights and more people needed to service those flights, including screening them through security. >> there are positives about the merger. there could be a decrease in local ad revenue and less competition between two local airlines would lead to lower advertising. >> baltimore county police are investigating a homicide in the cockeysville. there was a fight at stone gate port about 11:30 last night. a male was found with head trauma and he was pronounced dead at the scene. there was a stabbing at a small. police are trying to figure out why a man was stabbed inside security square mall in woodlawn. identify theg to suspect. >> somebody approached a student here at se

often and hopes southwest will improve on already great service she receives from airtran. >> i'm really praying that the service will continue to be great. our flights will be on time and most of all, we get very reasonable rates and air fare. >> reporter: what about ticket prices? will they go down because 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 tou

currently, airtran charges for bags. when they are absorbed by southwest airlines, they won't. >> that's a rock-hard pledge? the airline 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 boein

airtran currently charges $20 for passengers' first checked bag and $25 for the second. the merger is set for 2012. >>> tonight, hollywood is mourning the loss of actress gloria stewart nominated as an oscar for her role as a survivor in "titanic." she died last night in her los angeles home. she starred in b movies as well as mainstream ones like "the invisible man." she acted occasionally in later years and was picked to be the elderly survivor portrayed by kate winslet as a young woman. stewart was 100 years old. >>> some sad news tonight from the national aquarium in baltimore. shiloh, a 31-year-old atlantic bottle nose dolphin died following a yearlong illness. shiloh was euthanized at the aquarium where she lived since 1993. she was treated for an iron storage disease and series of illnesses. an aquarium spokesperson says shiloh was the second oldest dolphin at the aquarium behind manny, who was 38. shiloh gave birth to chesapeake and mia who are still at the aquarium and is the grandmother of 2-year-old bailey. >>> a 16-year-old is recovering after being struck in

southwest airs is planning to buy airtran. the $1.4 billion deal would move southwest into 37 new cities, including atlanta. and while southwest says it will drop airtran's baggage fees when they combine, the merger could mean fewer discounts. >>> and time, now, for a check of market activity, starting overseas. tokyo's nikkei average lost more than 100 points today. hong kong's hang seng is down in late trading. and in london, the ftse opened lower. on monday, the dow lost 48 points. meanwhile, the nasdaq dropped 11 points. >>> the irs will no longer send out tax forms via snail mail. that's because so many people download the files online. the move is expected to save about $10 million a year. paper forms will still be available to download or at irs offices. >>> ben & jerry's is dropping the phrase all-natural from its containers. the ice cream isn't changing any of its ingredients. a consumer watchdog group told the company it shouldn't use the phrase all-natural when putting certain ingredients in the ice cream. >>> a new

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 sto

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

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. 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

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 says yes, backs will still fly fleet and they will still have that open seating policy. >> will you change your airline preference? for a force of you say, no. you can vote on wbaltv.com. >> for the first time in decades, he did not have to cross maryland state lines to place slot. the first casino is open for business. >> a hollywood has come to cecil county. the hollywood casino. it is the state's first opened and it 8:00 this morning, there were plenty of people who could not wait to get in. >> i am kind of excited to see what is going on. >> she loves the casino. >> a hollywood famed casino has 34,000 square feet of floor space, two restaurants. you'll not find cable games here. the casino does have six large machines were five

. >> in the "consumer alert," southwest airlines has entered into an agreement to buy airtran. it was announced early this morning. the agreement has been unanimously approved by the board of directors, but needs the approval of airtran stockholders. if it goes through, the company will have nearly 43,000 employees and have more than 100 different airports in the u.s. and international destinations. experts tell us that passwords are all but worthless. >> before we shop, before we serve, before we checked stocks, which type in the computer password -- >> birthdays, addresses, a special dates. >> for every caller, a pet's name, a couple of numbers. -- a favorite color, a pet's name, a couple of numbers. >> i name of a dog or a place. >> my husband uses sometimes his initials, and be our child's name. >> but this man knows better. he says that regardless of your password, hackers can break into your machine one keystroke at time. he said over and e-mail posing as a screen saver. it is actually at hack. if i open it, he can follow my every online move, letter for letter, credit ca

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. they are preparing for a date to of education nation. the state school superintendent also was amon

southwest plans to purchase airtrans and to drop their luggage fees. >> southwest runs 140 flights per day out of baltimore. a merger would mean more flights and more passengers. the increase passengers would spend more money on things like parking and food. that translates into more money for the airport, the city and the state. >> it is good for the convention industry in our hotels. if baltimore is a more convenient destination because more flights are coming here, it is more likely that convention planners will choose baltimore. >> there are still unanswered questions about the deal. a southwest spokesperson said no decisions have been made about eliminating employees. while there would likely be job losses on the corporate level, the merger could bring more jobs to baltimore. >> there are more flights, not fewer flights. it to me, that means no -- that means more people needed to book the flights, to work the flights, and more. >> less competition between two strong airlines would likely mean less money spent on advertising. coming up, tense moments at a texas university after a s

southwest said it will buy airtran for a billion dollars if the deal goes through. for flyers, who prefer booking their ticket with a discount carrier, that could mean more routes and lower fares, but it could also mean less competition. >> we have the right team. we are at the right place. we have the right resources. we have the right momentum. >> reporter: the southwest president and ceo gary kelly says the company has courted airtran for years and now two of the country's low fare carriers are ready to seal the deal in a $1.4 billion merger. >> it has potential to add more than 20% to our annual revenues or more than $2 billion a year. >> now we are joined forces with southwest airlines the potential to spread low fares farther is even greater. >> reporter: those low fares could be a boom for flyers, too. southwest airlines, known as the king of the low cost carriers could extend its reach in to more northeast markets including reagan national airport. >> for the first time you have a strong low cost carrier flying out of national that may help reduce the rates.

southwest buying airtran. when it comes to bwi marshall airport southwest is the largest carrier, airtran is the second. >>> you guard your personal information as best you can. but tonight, find out how scammers are trying to get the most important piece of information that you have. day in and day out, parents pack their kids' lunch and admit it, sometimes it gets boring we've got tips to liven up your kids' lunch and have them begging for more good food. >> on the weather front, 77 at bwi marshall today. a warm day, more than an inch of rain there. many spots getting more than that. 72 is the guarantee. no weather winner today, but a lot of rain still coming up. >>> it's one of the most guarded pieces of information that you have. your social security number. in tonight's "scam alert" joce sterman reports on how scammers found a way to get you to give out that social security number. by posing as the agency that provides the numbers. >> reporter: scammers have no problem playing a role if it means they can

southwest plans to buy airtran in abillion-dollar deal. if it goes through, it will make more flights to logan national airport. passengers hope the new airline will keep southwest's popular bags fly free policy. >> it seems like most of the other airlines do charge, and southwest has always banked on that bags fly free, so we hope that continues. >> airtran stockholders ned to sign off on the agreement before it can happen. >>> coming up tonight and in passion protest outside the white house, more than 100 people arrested. >>> levees and dikes break across the northwest as last week's rain becomes this week's problem. >>> one of the most popular brands of ice cream will be getting a new look. not by choice, though. >>> lindsay, what's coming up in sports? >> the nationals tried to stop the phillies fr celebrating on their field. their field. clinton portis with an injury four years ago, bob ehrlich got fired as governor of maryland. for good reason. rst, he protected tax loopholes for giant cable cable companies. then, he let utilities jk

the discount carrier agreed to buy airtran airlines in a $1.4 billion deal. if this is approved, southwest will take over airtran flights, including 9 gates at reagan national. the deal is expected to take a year to 18 months before southwest starts flying in and out of reagan. >>> still ahead tonight on the news edge, controversial claims. >> are alien visitors paying visits to our nuclear missile sites? you may want to withhold judgement until you hear from a group of retired air force personnel. >>> and a jury reaches a verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing a major league baseball pitcher from maryland. >>> and a murder mystery, police search for clues after a man is gunned down in prince georges county. we'll be right back.   words alone aren't enough. my job is to listen to the needs and frustrations of the shrimpers and fishermen, hotel or restaurant workers who lost their jobs to the spill. i'm iris cross. bp has taken full responsibility for the clean up in the gulf and that includes keeping you informed. our job is to

airtran's shares rose nearly 4% following the news. if approved, the alliance could sees nearly 70% of passengers flying out of bwi. >>> police hope a driver's side mirror left at it the scene of a hit-and-run will help them catch the driver. a woman remains hospitalized in critical condition following a hit-and-run crash in silver spring. it happened saturday night. witnesses told 9news now what they saw. >> i looked under the truck, and her leg is up on the axle, and she's laying face-down. her flip flops are in the middle of the road, and her phone is broke. maybe she was bringing food for her family or something. >> at this point we only know that the victim is a 24-year- old woman. police are looking for a black sedan with a mission side-view mirror. >>> and an update to a story we first told you about on 9news now at noon. a second suspect is in custody in connection with with a robbery at canterbury shopping center. the man suffered stab wounds but is said to be okay. >>> new security measures in place at a busy metro station, a

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 the ones at 6:11. right here in this neighborhood, i grew u

airtran is the former value jet. they have over 100 aircraft and 270 scheduled daily departures. southwest rries more domestic passengers than any other u.s. airline on over 3,500 flights a day. this purchase would expand southwt into 37 more cities. it follows another big merger, continental and ited will formally join together later this week. >>> the pilot and crew of a delta commuter flight are getting high marks following an emergency landing over the weekend, all captured on a passenger's video camera. the flight out of atlanthad stuck right landg gear but the veteran pilot jock jackconroy brought it in safely at new york's jfk while out the window sparks were seen flying. 64 people aboard, not a scratch on one of them. when the pilot's mom was told the news, she appropriately called her son a hero. >>> when our broadcast continues in a moment on a monday night, more of "education nation." an update on president obama's so-called race to the top initiative. will it really accomplish the stated goal? plish the stated goal? we're part of nature, and as we destroy nature, we d

. >> southwest going to buy airtran. still has to be approved but both companies, their stock both shot up. iewrkly, the company being acquired, their stock will go up whereas the company doing the acquiring, that you are stock will go down because they have to come up with the cash. southwest stock went up, a signal that this merger is really liked. southwest did not have access to a left east coast and airtran does. now, southwest by merging with airtran will have access to those markets as well as mechanic owe and the caribbean. the plan is to have one company but still operate two different airlines. this deal still waiting regulatory approval but it looks lick all systems go, ready to take off. >> southwest has always been known for -- they preach low prices, no baggage fees. kind of like listen, we're your airline. does this hurt the whole competition thing though if they are bringing somebody el on board? i don't know if i'm qualified to say if it hurts competition. jetblue, which would be one of their competitors

the low fare airline is trying to buy airtran for $1.4 billion. if the deal is approved, southwest will fly to 37 new cities including lane. it means expanding service in boston and new york and moving in to reagan national airport. experts say it could be a win for consumers. >> that means, for the first time, you have a strong national low-cost carrier flying out of national, which may help reduce to the rate. >> reporter: southwest would take over airtran's slots at reagan national and offer 11 night flights in and out of deal. >>> wusa is getting you a free cup of coffee tomorrow. in honor of national coffee day i will be live at this coffee shop at 801 pleasant drive in rookville, maryland. come in until noon at that location and get a free cup of coffee. swing by. say hi and get a free cup of coffee. >> she will go anywhere for that coffee. >>> for more living smart headlines, log on to wusa9.com. and click on the living mart tab on the front page. >>> coming up the story of a woman dealing with a rare and mysterious disease. >>> plus, thous

airtran will adopt southwest's name and its no-fee policy. in return, southwest will gain a foot hold in airtran's major death nations like atlanta, washington and new york. >>> stay down! heads down! stay down! >> some very frightening moment as board a delta airlines jet on saturday night as it was forced to make an emergency landing at new york's jfk airport, all captured on that cell phone video. the flight originated in atlanta and was bound for white plains, new york, when it developed landing gear problems, despite the sparks from the right wing no one was injured and the pilot hailed as a hero for touching down safely. amazing someone has the presence of mind to take out their cell phone and record it instead of assuming the crash position. >> i assume they were in the crash position as well. >> maybe just holding it, there you go. >> lots more coming up, including big breaking news about the almost certain ke par sure of president obama's closest political confidant. >>> breaking news, president obama's right-hand man, chief of staff

airtran will adopt southwest's name and its no-fee policy. in return, southwest gains a foothold in airtran's major death nations like atlanta, washington and new york. >>> stay down! heads down! stay down! >>> some very frightening moments aboard a delta airlines jet on saturday night after it was forced to make an emergency landing at new york's jfk airport all captured on the cell phone video. it originated in atlanta and was bound for white plains new york when it developed landing problems.

southwest would actually have to pay $3 .4 billion including airtran's debt. that deal with need approval from federal regulators. >>> that city of san francisco has spent more than $1 billion on the homeless since mayor gavin newsom took office more than 7 years ago. this year the city has spent $150 million on healthcare and social services for more than 13,000 people who are homeless or living in city fund housing. city statistic show the current number of people living on the streets is about 2,000 less than in 2002. >>> it is 5:21. up next, free beer. doesn't get much better than that, right? why budweiser is giving away some of its brew. ♪ [ music ] >> and hundreds of strummers on a mission what they were hoping to accomplish in san francisco. ,, ♪ [ male announcer ] it's luxury with fire in its veins. bold. daring. capable of moving your soul. ♪ and that's even before you drop your foot on the pedal. ♪ the new 2011 cts coupe from cadillac. the new standard of the world. which would be great... if i was seven. i'm forty-six. and the tooth fairy d

---la adquisicÓn de "airtran" 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 tendra lugar ma#ana en "davis".---"antonio valverde" nos informa. ---e