your trip begins at michigan.org. good wednesday. i'm craig melvin in for tamron hall. there is a new threat of violent tornadoes facing the midwest today. forecasters are predicting a round of potentially fierce twisters, starting this afternoon and into the evening, at greatest risk, that area around northern texas, oklahoma and kansas and the area around oklahoma city where people of course are still cleaning up after last week's devastating twister that killed 24. forecasters say there is a 50% chance of tornado activity today. meanwhile, last night in kansas, storm chasers caught this video of a massive tornado, right as it touched down. luckily damage was minimal and there were no reports of injuries there.

nbc meteorologist dylan dreyer is here with me. what are we seeing right now? >> right now, random run of the mill thunderstorms, that's right, for right now. but this is one of those things that will get more and more active into the evening. that's when it is most unsettled and you can see there are a lot of showers and thunderstorms, mostly across the northern plains into minnesota and parts of iowa. but it is the area of kansas and nebraska and oklahoma and trk where we will see the chance of stronger storms today. so we are going to watch out for those this afternoon. you can see we have this moisture coming in off the gulf of mexico. combine that with a cold front and unfortunately, this is a very similar set-up to what we had last week. this is tornado alley for a reason. coming off of the week we had last week, this is the last thing this area needs. a closer look shows that area in red across parts of nebraska, down into western oklahoma and into the panhandle of texas, we

are looking at a very good chance, 50% chance of seeing the possibility of those tornadoes. but even when we don't have tornadoes, we're still looking at large hail. also damaging wind gusts that could create a lot of issues in that area as well. along with heavy downpours, possible flooding too. so it is going to get extremely activity this afternoon and something we will be tracking all afternoon long. >> dylan, thanks. i want it check in with weather channel's mike bettes. mike is with storm chasers in wichita, kansas. mike, what are you seeing right now? >> craig, we have moved further west of wichita. going to chase for some storms in western kansas. and western oklahoma as well. right now storms are firing up you a along the dry line. what you can see about this area, it is wide open countryside here. not a lot of homes to hit. that is good news. if there were a tornado to form out here in basically a wheat land, it is a great place for it

to be. but we do think we have a very high risk of tornadoes for this afternoon. we want to make sure everyone is staying safe. we will be out here, keeping you updated, but storm shelter is a great place for you to be on lookout. some of these tornadoes could be long, violent tornadoes, long track tornado as we call them. meaning, they could stay on the ground for 20, 30, 40, 50 miles at a time. when they are on the ground for that amount of time, they are likely to hit something. but we will keep an eye on it for you today. but tornado watching, as dylan was saying, for texas, oklahoma. >> a fascinating vantage point. thank you, sir. >> we are also following developing news in afghanistan on this wednesday afternoon. afghan officials now say that security forces that rescued seven foreign workers for the red cross. that's after insurgents stormed their guest house in jalalabad

east of kabul. that set off a raging gun battle. officials say the shootout went on for more than two hours before the red cross workers were rescued. nbc's atia bowie joins us from kabul. what can you tell us about what happened? >> reporter: hi, craig. what we know is it started around 5 okay p.m. in afghanistan. one of them detonated his suicide vest. letting two other attackers make their way into the building. an ongoing attack went on and attackers in the end, seven international workers were rescued by afghan security forces. this is a key point. though we are seeing spectacular

attacks. one thing the afghan officials as well as nato, and i want it point out, that the afghans are taking the lead in trying to secure the situation. but that's not to say the taliban still aren't fighting. those the taliban didn't claim responsibility for this attack, there was another attack further up north today. a similar attack where fighters tried to destroyed a government compound. in the end one afghan was killed. all of the attackers were killed as well. but today's attack with the icrc is very troubling. because the icrc is considered really neutral when it comes to afghanistan. they work with the afghan government. they work with the internationals and with insurgent groups. and that could be why the taliban haven't claimed responsibility for gentleman ja attack just yet. >> thank you, atia. meanwhile, russia announce told give more advanced anti-aircraft missiles to the assad regime in syria.

the u.s. state department is criticizing that move in part because missiles could be used to attack western plains if and when the united states or other o countries decide to create a no-fly zone. the new missiles could also be used if israel decides to launch another airstrike in syria to prevent armed shipments to hezbollah militant in lebanon. israel launched three such raids already this year. russi russia's decision was some response to an announcement that member countries are free to ship arms to syrian rebels. all of this comes as the united states and russia try to bring the assad regime and rebels to the table for peace talks next month. joining me now former state department spokesman pj crowley. pj, that u.s./russian peace effort, how much of a long shot is that at this point? >> well, there is still not agreement on the rebel side in particular as to whether they will attend a perspective piece

conference in geneva. the assad government said it would but the rebels have, the opposition, have preconditions including long standing precondition that as before you can have a negotiated settlement, assad has to step down. >> pj, now versus three months ago, are options in syria, are they better, worse or about the same? >> i think the most concerning aspect it is the spread of the concern to lebanon. hezbollah in recent days indicated that it is acknowledging openly that it is siding with assad and going to do whatever it can to keep assad in power. the opposition has indicated if that's the case, then hezbollah is basically fair game. that risks a spread of the conflict in lebanon. obviously you just reflect on

the fact that as israel protects its interest along its border, there is a risk of there. so i think the greatest challenge right now is keeping the status and keeping the fight largely between the assad government withity allies and obviously the opposition with its allies. how concerning is it that there will be u.s. allies in that part of the world. >> very concerning. the united states is contemplating increasing the level of weaponry it provides and that both has a danger inside of syria and intense fighting there and as we saw in the con o text of libya, arms that are intended for syria may end up in other placees a. >> we saw in the context of libya, ending up in places like mall mali. so there is a risk of intensification and that raises

the possibility that conflict will spread beyond syria's borders. >> see you. thank you for your insight. >> thank you. >> eric holder lied about investigating reporters, this as ag plans face-to-face meetinges with the media over the next few days. in case you haven't heard, michele bachmann backs out, minnesota congresswoman announcing she is not running for reelection. we have reaction to that decision. also, new video of the breaking news that we covered yesterday right here on "news nation." cameras capturing the explosion just moments after that train derailed in maryland. don't forget, you can always join the conversation. we are all over twitter. you can follow us @newsnation. one word. from home repair to healthcare

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aeb the chairman of the house judiciary committee has written a letter charging that eric holdinger was more involved in the search warrant after fox news reporter than he led the panel to believe. this comes as justice officials are reaching out to news organizations, including nbc news for a series of meetings over the next few days. they are talking about changing department guidelines that govern investigations involving reporters. just moments ago, white house press secretary jay carney said that the president, quote, absolutely stands behind it. holder an that the administration does not expect charges against him. >> every published report that i've read about the case and question says that it is completed. no further charges or prosecution is contemplated. >> jay carney there a short time

ago. national investigative correspondent michael isikoff joining me live from d.c. mike, what new evidence made authorities believe that holder was possibly misleading in his testimony? >> well, here is what happened. last thursday night, we reported that he had -- that attorney general holder personally approved this extremely controversial search warrant in 2010, that identified the fox news reporter, james rosen, as a potential co-conspirator for violations of the espionage act. the department later put out a statement saying that the search warrant was approved at the highest levels, including discussions with the attorney general. now, the week previous, attorney general holder had appeared before the house judiciary committee. at that point, the questions are focused on the ap subpoena, subpoena for phone records and

one of the members asked the attorney general about whether he contemplated scenarios by which reporters could be charged and he said, in his testimony at that point, with regard to potential prosecution for the press for the disclosure of material, that is not something i've ever been involved in, heard of or would think about as a wise policy. so what the committee is doing here, what chairman is doing, is saying, how do you square the testimony with the fact that you already approved a search warrant that identified a member of the press as a potential criminal for violations of the espionage act. we haven't heard responses directly from the attorney general or justice department on squaring this contradiction. most likely it'll be that the attorney general wasn't thinking about the rosen search warrant at the time he gave that testimony. but there is clearly, it is reported by the "daily beast"

yesterday, that there a sense of growing remorse that attorney general has about the search warrant involving rosen. and one indicator is that we have this meet awning friday. that justice department called with members of major news organizations, including nbc news, to discuss revising and updating justice department guidelines, governing members of the news media. >> nbc news national investigative correspondent, michael isikoff. mike, thanks. >> thank you. >> reaction today to the news that tea party fighter brand, michele bachmann will not be running again in 2014. as recent polling ipd indicates, the message is resonating and that bachmann must have recognized it would be an uphill battle for her going forward. bachmann barely won reelection against graves last year. beating him in the most heavily republican district in

minnesota. she is also facing fbi and fec probe into the financing of her 2012 presidential run. but in an eight-minute video on her website, bachmann insisted neither of those things had anything to do with her decision. >> be assured, my decision was not in any way influenced by any concerns about my being re-elected to congress. rest assured, this decision was not impacted in any way by the recent inquiries into the activity of my former presidential campaign or my former presidential staff. let's turn now to our "news nation" political panel washington post political reporter, democratic strategist chris cafinas. good to have you here. >> good to be here. >> bachmann's decision to not seek reelection is not because of inquiries or concerns about being re-elected. but how does that square with the fact that she already started running a tv ad just

this month for reelection campaign. >> i think when a candidate like michele bachmann says, i'm not quitting because of an investigation, i'm not quitting because i couldn't win, we can read the exact opposite. i'm quitting because of an investigation. i'm quitting because i can't win. it really is as simple as that. >> why even bring that up? if those aren't the reasons, why bother even is saying that. you know, why? >> you think you are going to get discipline from michele bachmann? it is not possible. there is good news and bad news here. good news, for democrats is there's a lot of other michele bachmanns. bad news is michele bachmann will no longer be with us after mid terms and we have to find another target. and there are a lot of them right now. >> we just heard from bachmann's democrat

democratic opponent. doesn't her decision to pull out, doesn't it make it harder for democrats to win that seat? >> that's right. if you saw that last election, she barely won. i think something about 4200 vote spread. so now republicans have a chance to get somebody in that heavily republican district that fit with what voters want. so i do think it'll be a harder climb for democrats and already sending out fund-raising appeals around this, around this announcement with subject line, this is crazy. certainly, sort of alluding to michele bachmann's low light and off color things she has been known to say. i think overall, for republicans, people are saying, is this the death of the tea party, what does this mean? i think we don't know yet where the tea party is going. we don't know what it looks like for a tea party leader. can they both be sort of grass roots evangelical but also hold leadership positions in the house? michele bachmann, i think she

had promise early on. very much populist, connected with voters in iowa. i traveled with her early on in south carolina. women especially liked her. but she, in the end, wasn't able to hold on. >> chris, malika just mentioned that the tea party part of this, she is just the latest tea party fire brand, if you will, to leave congress. there was jim demint, allen west, and then this new gallup poll that shows the number of americans who see themselves as economic conservatives, that number is down significantly since 2012 mid term elections, from 51 to 41%. and those identifying themselves as conservatives are also slightly down in the poll. what does this tell you about the tea party news trends. >> i think it remains kind of where it's been, which is on the fringe and pocket of support and certain states. it will have an influence and this is, i think, the most

damaging thing for the republican party and influence in primary system. you are seeing that for example in virginia. and so, i think, you know, michele bachmann and the other, you know, folks she mentioned that are leaving the republican party, if you will, the damage has been done. and until the republican party kind of figures out what kind of party want to be in the 21st century, i think it will continue to suffer this tea party hang over it is suffering with. >> what do we think is potentially next for michele bachmann? >> well, that's the thing, you have all of these people, people like sarah palin. people like allen west who have had their time in the sun and are trying to figure out what they are doing. allen west started a new venture. sarah palin is still active on facebook and twitter. she is not on fox any more. what does this mean for michele bachmann? can she have a fox gig? they don't seem it like her much over there.

do she have like a radio show? it is hard to know. but if you look, for instance, what jim demint is able to do, he was a conservative think tank, heritage foundation. you do see a lesson about entrepreneurialship in the political round and she able to grand herself, at least successfully for a while, and maybe she will have a lucrative post career. i think that's why she went out to say, it is not because i have ethics problems or because i could possibly lose. it is sort of nobler intentions about, not wanting to hold in that office longer than eight years. so we will just have to see. it'll be interesting to watch. >> it'll be. and chris, i will be honest, i would listen to a michele bachmann/chris kafinas pod cast. >> bachmann 2016, i can already envision it. >> on that note, chris kafinas,

malika hendricks, good to see you. >> chris christie, talking about the revelation around rutgers university new athletic director past. and in classic christie style, not holding back. in a live look at the markets. and they are, as they have been most of the day, down. dow down after yesterday's record close. but those say that is just a drop in the bucket with this year's gains. we look at how an improving economy could translate politically. i want to make things more secure. [ whirring ] [ dog barks ] i want to treat more dogs. ♪ our business needs more cases. [ male announcer ] where do you want to take your business? i need help selling art. [ male announcer ] from broadband to web hosting to mobile apps, small business solutions from at&t have the security you need to get you there. call us. we can show you how at&t solutions

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so it's there when plants need it. with the right soil, everyone grows with miracle-gro. to prove to you that aleve is the better choice for him, he's agreed to give it up. that's today? [ male announcer ] we'll be with him all day as he goes back to taking tylenol. i was okay, but after lunch my knee started to hurt again. and now i've got to take more pills. ♪ yup. another pill stop. can i get my aleve back yet? ♪ for my pain, i want my aleve. ♪ [ male announcer ] look for the easy-open red arthritis cap. there is new controversy today surrounding rutgers new athletic director julie herman. now the new york times reports herman was involved in a 2008 sex discrimination lawsuit in university of louisville.

in that case an assistant track coach went to herman, top athletic administrator at the time, complained of behavior by the head coach. the assistant coach was fired three weeks later. the lawsuit claims herman was responsible for that decision. that herman verbally abused players on the volley ball team show coached in the 1990s. critic went governor chris christie to get involved. but on his monthly radio show, christie says he has complete confidence in the president of rutgers. >> let rutgers handle this. and past mistakes by rutgers led to this media, and i understand it. i'm not going to be super chairman at rutgers. not my job. >> talk show host and msnbc

contributor michael smerconish is with us. is this not his job, or does he need to step in here pretty soon? >> well, he's got a few degrees of separation from it. he does appoint members at rutgers. he did not withhold judgment. when it was the basketball coach, mike rice, this time around he want to stay removed from it. what remains to be seen is whether rutgers will do anything about it. i think they have a real problem on their hands here and i think it's primarily a matter of integrity, craig. and here is how i guess there. have you this letter that you made reference to 16 years old, signed off by the members of that volley ball team who claim that they presented it to her face-to-face. if you were to say to me, 16 years ago, you were in a room with people who said you confronted them by saying that they were whores, learning disabled, and alcoholics, i think i would remember that

meeting. she claims not to. that's where her integrity is at stake. >> i'm glad you brought that up. all of this follows the firing of mike rice a few months ago. that video aired that showed him verbally and physically abusing players. now all of this involving julie herman. the letter you referenced as well. how much of this is perhaps about rutgers not doing their due diligence with this new hire? >> well, i think a lot of it, at a minimum, due diligence is lacking. apparently search firm that was involved that was retained for this process. some might say, well, you really don't go back and interview people who were playing for her 15 or 16 years ago. i think you do. i think that if you're replacing a coach with the sort of antics that mike rice had, as well as athletic director, anybody else you now hire, you make sure there are not similar skeletons in the closet. thank you.

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hey. whassup. guten tag. greetings earthlings. what's crackalackin? it's great we express ourselves differently. if we were all the same, life would be boring. so get to know people who aren't like you. you'll appreciate what makes us different. the more you know. available out there. i knew devry university would give me the skills that i needed to make one of those tech jobs mine. we teach cutting-edge engineering technology, computer information systems, networking

and communications management -- the things that our students need to know in the world today. our country needs more college grads to help fill all the open technology jobs. to help meet that need, here at devry university, we're offering $4 million dollars in tech scholarships for qualified new students. learn more at devry.edu. first concerns about cyber security at u.s. defense department, this after a new government report found that chinese hackers gained access and stole designs for more than two dozen major weapons systems. the compromise data includes designs for combat aircraft like the black hawk helicopters, the joint strike fighter as well as global missile defense systems, the pentagon is down playing the breach, saying the hacked information is quote, lower

sensitivity. huffington post technology, jerry smith, we have a list of some of the weapons in that report. the f/a-18 fighter jet, v-22 osprey, black hawk helicopters i just mentioned, the f-35 joint strike fighter. how does something like this even happen at dod? >> i think what this shows is how hacking really levelled the playing field between the u.s. and other countries. the u.s. clearly has a military advantage and economic advantage over the rest of the world. but other countries are hiring a team of hackers who can break into u.s. computer systems. steal intellectual property and catch up with the u.s. without spending billions of dollars on research and development. >> does this happen far more often than we think? >> absolutely. i mean, if you talk to expert, they say that there's two kinds of companies out there right now. those that have been hacked and those that have been hacked and just don't know it yet. this is more than just hackers going after the u.s. military.

chinese hackers have been going after major news organizations, like the new york times, oil and gas industry, banking sector has been targeted by hackers. companies that operate the power grid of -- have been targeted by hackers. so this is, you know, experts will say this is the largest transfer of wealth they have ever seen. and hackers are really going after every company that you can imagine. >> and why, to this point, have you not been able to o did a bet are job of stopping them? >> well, that's something that obama administration is now starting to actually focus on. they have been more and more vocal and have been pointing the finger at china for the first time this year. the president is supposed to meet with the president of china in a couple days. and hacking is supposed to be one of the topics of discussion. there is a report that couple out last week that was really interesting and it had a whole list of solutions and how to combat this problem of hacking that's coming from china, including -- it also mentioned, you know, the idea of hacking back. and not just sitting there and

trying to play defense. >> right now hacking back is illegal, is it not in. >> yes. it is illegal and very controversial idea. but it was one of the suggestions floated in this report by a private task force last week. and right now, it seems like it is a diplomatic situation between the u.s. and really all options are on the table. and of course the chai knows government says that they're not responsible for hacking. but they are actually victims of hacking themselves. >> jerry smith, huffington post technology reporter. thank you. >> thank you. >> now to wall street. sell-off is apparently under way on this wednesday, a day after the dow in its 25th record high this year. right now, as can you see there, dow down by, it looks like about 90. but it was at one point down by about 160 points. today's plunge is blamed on worries that yesterday's strong economic news could cause the fed to scale back its stimulus program a bit sooner than

expected. joining me live now, tyler mathisen, cohost of cnbc's "power lunch." tyler, news including home sales, including seven-year high, consumer confidence at five-year high, auto sales have also been quite strong. do you think that's enough to cause the fed to curtail its stimulus program? >> not right now, i don't. i don't think it'll curtailio i and it won't occur curtail the stimulus numbers until we see lower unemployment and great are job growth. those numbers have been lumpy and bumpy over the last few months. a bad month, so-so month. they will have to really dial back the stimulus that they put into the system. >> i think somewhere up close to

18%, about 18% this year. s&p up about 18%. is there anything to keep them from continuing their climb? >> i spoke with the chairman of pemco, really one of the best, mohamed alarian. in secentral japan and england, they did pour in all of the money they want and that temperizes things, for the word, and that is sustainable economic growth. so for in much of the developed world, europe and the united states, that growth has been very tepid at best and nonexistent for years in japan. if we don't get the follow-through of growth, then ultimately the stock prices will come back down to earth. there's a lot of anticipation built into stock prices.

not that they can't continue to go up from here. but if we don't get the growth ultimately, that will begin to take some of the air out of the bubble. >> tyler mathisen taking us inside the bubble. thank you, sir. do appreciate that. joining me now live, senior political editor mark murray. mark, good to see you as well. let's talk about political implications here as an improving economy. this is what you and the first reid team wrote today. the improving economy and improving economic confidence has a couple of consequences. first, it changes the oppositions issue matrix, after all, the gop's, where are the jobs, question has been replaced by what did the president know about this irs or benghazi. >> craig, the thing to note in the 2010 mid terms, the summer before elections wht republicans picked up so many house seats, a

lot of senate seats, they flipped a lost governor masks, unemployment rate was the 9.5%. that gets lost in the president's law and health cap legislation they are debating. if you are looking at 7% unemployment rate this summer, that gives democrats the chance to do better. certainly bet are than 2010. if we remain on this current projectry where most of the economic news is positive rather than negative. >> let's talk about the political news we learn bed a few hours ago. vermont's governor decided to switch. >> yeah. it was rhode island governor. >> i'm sorry, rhode island. >> yes. he went from independent to democrat. craig, this is all about giving him a better chance at winning reelection. it is a tough chance, however. there's going to be a crowded

democratic field, most likely. he will be battling just to win that nomination. this is all about knowing the difficulty it is and being an independent and trying to win reelection. when you're an democrat or republican, he is trying to make his bet with the democratic party but first he has to get through the democratic primary. >> mark, sounds like you are saying this is a political calculation and not change of heart. >> craig, it is often a lot about political calculations and that's what i'm covering. >> mark murray, always a pleasure. up next, family's nightmare. an american mom, of seven, seven kids, she is jailed in mexico. accused of smuggling drugs. she said she was framed. we will have the latest on the effort to free na mother. >> first, a lot going on today and here are some of the things that we thought you should know. from gridlock to the gridiron. ten members of congress are urging the washington redskins to change their name because it is offensive to many native

americans. the representatives say they have sent letters to redskins owner, to nfl commissioner, to the redskins sponsor, fedex. and the other 31 nfl franchises, all in an effort to further their cause. meanwhi meanwhile, anthony weiner made his first debate performance as a candidate for new york city mayor yesterday. this is on the heels of a new marist poll which shows weiner trailing city speaker christine quinn 19 percent esto quinn's 24%. quinn decided not to attend yesterday's debate. and one woman made her mark on president obama last night at the white house. and it was not michelle obama. jessica sanchez apparently accidentally left a bit of a lipstick stain on the president's collar, after gaming him a peck on the neck. the president quickly, very quickly, identified the woman behind the lipstick mark before

guests could draw their own conclusions. >> i have to say, i think i know the culprit. where is jessica sanchez? jessica, it wasn't jessica, it was her aunt. where is she? aunty, right there. look at this. look at this. i just want everybody to witness. so, i do not want to be in trouble with michelle. [ female announcer ] made just a little sweeter... because all these whole grains aren't healthy unless you actually eat them ♪ multigrain cheerios. also available in delicious peanut butter. healthy never tasted so sweet. also available in delicious peanut butter. what that's great. it won't take long, will it? nah. okay. this, won't take long will it? no, not at all. how many of these can we do on our budget? more than you think. didn't take very long, did it?

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there was this and this. she got a parking ticket... ♪ and she forgot to pay her credit card bill on time. good thing she's got the citi simplicity card. it doesn't charge late fees or a penalty rate. ever. as in never ever. now about that parking ticket. [ grunting ] [ male announcer ] the citi simplicity card is the only card that never has late fees, a penalty rate, or an annual fee, ever. go to citi.com/simplicity to apply. some breaking news right now. a disneyland employee is under arrest on suspicion of possessing a destructive device. this follows what officials are describing as a dry ice explosion at that theme park in anaheim, california yesterday afternoon. about 5:30 yesterday afternoon when anaheim police responded to reports of people hearing a small bang in a trash can inside toon town there.

the fellow who's booked is named christian barnes. he is 22 years old. an employee, we're told. he is booked at anaheim police department under suspicion of possessing a destructive device. he apparently is an outdoor vending cast member at the park. again, christian barnes, 22 years old, under arrest in connection with that dry ice explosion yesterday. we're going to continue to follow the story and we will pass along new information as it becomes available. we are told he is cooperating with authorities. meanwhile, the family of an arizona woman held in mexico on drug charges is fighting for her release this afternoon. a married mother of seven has been in custody for a week after being accused of trying to smuggle marijuana on a bus in northern mexico. nbc's miguel am almaguer has the

latest. >> on tuesday, the court heard testimony from witnesses that could help the mormon mother and now the accused drug runner win back her freedom. >> yanir ae and gary traveled from their phoenix area home to mexico for the funeral of yanir's aunt. they stopped at checkpoint and soldiers checked the vehicle saying they found 12 pound of marijuana strapped to the underside of her seat. her family says it isn't hers. >> she is a loving mom, great wife and grandma. she just add grand baby three weeks ago. so we were there for the birth. and then, actually our one-year anniversary was this last saturday. but we had -- she today spend it in prison. >> an american citizen, originally from mexico, moved to a jail in nogales. her family if the united states,

devout members of the latter day saint church, launched an all-out effort to clear her name. >> garrett says hang in there. don't give in. don't sign anything without the lawyer. >> the u.s. state department in arizona senator jeff flake say they are monitoring the situation. communicating with mexican authorities and the maldonado family. but with what the mother describes as difficult jailhouse conditions, everyday apart feels like an opportunity. >> it is just unbelievable, you know. i feel like it is a movie, a nightmare. i want to wake up. there is no way to. there is no way it escape. >> maldonado will be back in court today. she hasn't officially been charged with a crime. the hearing is to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial. the judge is expected to make that decision by friday. >> miguel, thanks. up next, "news nation" gut

check. >> i do not use crack cocaine nor am i an addict of crack cocaine. >> yikes! >> toronto's mayor trapped in a scandal. he was allegedly taped smoking crack. the efforts to make that tape public. will he be forced to step down? [ female announcer ] research suggests cell health

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out of toronto today where controversy is swirling around that city's mayor, rob ford. it has to do with a purported videotape seen by members of the media, that they say shows the mayor appearing to be smoking crack cocaine. three members have resigned or fired because of the scandal. here is nbc kevin tibbles. >> reporter: rob ford celebrated his 44th birthday on tuesday. handing out cake and trying to carry on business as usual at a city hall meeting.

>> that's all the items. i will review it quickly. >> reporter: but mounting trouble for ford elected in 20101 threatening to derail his administration. >> is this the worst allegation you've heard so far? >> reporter: ford is under fire following recent newspaper reports in the toronto star, that he has a substance abuse problem. and that there's a videotape appearing to show him smoking a crack pipe. allegations he strongly denies. >> i do not use crack cocaine. nor am i an addict of crack cocaine. i cannot comment on a video that i've never seen or does not exist. >> reporter: two reports for the toronto star say they saw the the 90-second cell phone video for themselves. >> the video which appears to be real, shows mayor ford in a room, shirt open, lulling back in his chair, and appears to be smoking a crack pipe. >> the man in the video who we believe is mayor rob ford,

appears stumbling. he seems incoherent. he rambles. >> reporter: those claims bring to mind another big city scandal, washington, d.c. mayor marion berry video taped smoking crack in 19 t90. he served six months in federal prison and was re-elected mayor in 1994. both the toronto star and website gawker claim that self-described drug dealers offered to sell the tape to them for $200,000. so far, however, it has not been shown publicly. ford's deputy mayor says real or not, he welcomes the release of the video. >> i think if we could just get the video then we could analyze the video and see if it's doctored or real and we can go from there. that would clear up a lot of things. >> gawker says it has now raised the $2 hun /* hun -- $200,000 to

buy the videotape. it still has not been released. >> what does your gut tell you? will this cause the mayor to resign? that does it for this edition of "news nation." "the cycle" is up next. [ woman ] we're taking downy to the streets. which shirt feels more expensive? that one's softer. it's the same t-shirt. really? but this one was washed in downy. why spend a lot of money when you can just use downy? [ woman ] downy's putting our money where our soft is. try downy softness. love it or your money back.

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fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. her long day of pick ups and drop offs begins with arthritis pain... and a choice. take up to 6 tylenol in a day or just 2 aleve for all day relief. all aboard. ♪ right now on the cycle, along the potomac, the capitol is quiet while players chris cross the country. >> i'm krystal ball. what's in a name in the redskins have the attention of congress, and not just because of rg3. that's your sports minute. let's low it over to toure. >> all right. this is a basketball krystal. maybe you're thinking of president obama who is in chicago tonight. home of the bulls and bears. s.e.? >> i'm s. e. cupp. how did i end up teasing the segment on revenge important?

is it a crime? >> it's wednesday. which means the work week is half over. unless you're congress. they are gone for the week and returning monday. tea party darling michele bachmann, as you might have heard, is quitting. she announced that decision in a pretty bizarre eight-minute youtube video last night. perhaps her stint as presidential candidate inflewened her decision. maybe she thought she won? >> the law limit anyone from serving as president of the united states for more than eight years. and in my opinion, well, eight years is also long enough for an individual to serve as a representative for a specific congressional district. be assured, my decision was not in any way influenced by any concerns about my being re-elected to congress.