the last-ditch effort to avoid a septa strike. influence this morning the return of sergeant bowe bergdahl to the u.s. we'll tell you what we know about the former taliban prisoner. taking a live look at the nbc 10 first alert radar. there's fog around this morning and we are tracking showers. good morning. this is "nbc 10 news today." i'm rosemary connors. right to the forecast with meteorologist bill henley. bill, another wet and sticky morning out there. >> yeah, with fog as you mentioned. it's a dreary start to this friday. we do have more wet weather the last couple mornings and areas

of fog. cape may seeing fog this morning. that's a live view from the marquis de lafayette hotel. the radar view looks damp. heavy downpours in the northern and western suburbs. it's northern chester county and upper montgomery county and parts of bucks county seeing some of the heavier downpours. the showers are moving to the north. we'll see showers to start with but not all day. 71 degrees right now. it's warmer this morning along with that humidity which is higher and a bit of fog too. so, the forecast calling for showers to start, then cloudy skies at 9:00. 72 degrees. may actually see breaks of sunshine but there is a good chance we'll get more storms this afternoon. the future weather hour by hour when i come back to show you when the storms are most likely. jillian has traffic. >> good friday morning to you. we're starting off with an accident blocking one lane on the pennsylvania turnpike eastbound past willow grove. the right lane is blocked in

that area. traffic can get by. 95 near girard, both directions good. 95 is quiet so. is the 42 freeway. in new jersey no serious accidents out there. this is 42 at creek road. the northbound side as drivers approach the bridges, bridges are in the clear. >> thank you. we are counting down the hours to a possible work stoppage by employees of septa's regional rail service. the deadline is just after midnight that's under 20 hours away. there is one final negotiation session with the federal mediator planned for later today. jesse gary is live in jenkintown, montgomery county. a strike could impact more of the riders of regional rails and others. >> reporter: rosemary, septa executives say 60,000 passengers ride this part of their system each day. a work stoppage would force the folks off the trains and into their vehicles. let's take a look at our video. last time the trains running along the 280 miles of track

between center city and the suburbs was 1983. the current contract expired months ago and septa is on the verge of imposing the same wage hikes on the regional rail workers it has negotiated with other unionized workers. the two unions say that's not going to work because it's not the same total compensation package. animosity threatens more to drive when there is a major construction project on i-95 and bridge closure in delaware. >> this is an enormous amount of traffic to be handling, diversions and detours and construction delays. >> reporter: aaa suggest work flex time to try to keep you off the roads during the peak of rush-hour traffic, maybe coming in 9:30, 10:00, instead of at 9:00. that might help some of the congestion. we'll tell you more about what some of the department of transportations around the

tri-state region are looking at as part of their plans. we'll investigate that coming up in the next 30 minutes and the subsequent hours. live in jenkintown, montgomery county, jesse gary, "nbc 10 news." >> new from overnight in the last half hour we have learned that sergeant bowe bergdahl is back in the u.s. the former taliban prisoner spent the last two weeks at a medical center in germany. tracy, where is sergeant bergdahl now? >> he is in san antonio, as you mentioned we got official confirmation from the pentagon that his plane has landed in texas. he will start his recovery, continue his recovery there, at a military medical facility, as you know he was held for five years in afghanistan. here is where bergdahl landed. this is lackland air force base in san antonio. officials say he was expected to be taken from there to brooke medical center. it was late last month when this video surfaced of sergeant

bergdahl being released by his taliban captors, part of a secret exchange. the swap has caused an uproar. some lawmakers in washington called bergdahl a deserter, president obama a law breaker for not telling congress about the swap in advance. defense secretary chuck hagel defended the swap at a house hearing on wednesday. sergeant bergdahl is expected to be reunited with family members at the hospital in san antonio. that return to life process takes a while after someone has been held in captivity for five years. we do know that the fbi and other authorities are looking into threats made against his parent who is have flown from their home in idaho to texas. we'll monitor information out of san antonio. tracy davidson, "nbc 10 news."

new this morning the american red cross is helping more than two dozen people after an apartment fire in bucks county. flames hit the building along cedar avenue in bensalem last night. crews managed to contain the blaze to a boiler room but there is smoke damage to several of the apartments. nobody was hurt. investigators are now looking for a cause. >> this morning philadelphia police are looking for a man and woman who they say shot someone outside after gun shop and took seven guns from their victims. this happened at the delaware valley sports center. this is last night. police tell us that the suspects rob add man and woman who were leaving the complex. they took their wallets, cell phones and guns. the man was shot during the holdup. he survived the attack but the now heavily armed suspects got away. >> not only were they both armed they stole additional seven handguns so they are considered extremely armed and dangerous. we know that they committed a shooting and a robbery, now they have additional seven weapons

for a total of nine guns. >> the victim of the shooting is believed to be in critical condition this morning. today there will abcourt hearing for the student accused of pulling a loaded gun on a classmate at the community college of philadelphia. ryan fitch is scheduled for a hearing later this morning charged with assault, weapons violations, and making terroristic threats. police say that fitch enter add classroom on may 28 and waved the gun at the student. he was upset about an argument involving a girlfriend. nobody was hurt while the school went into lockdown. fitch left campus but later turned himself in. >> to the latest on the i-495 bridge closure. today the u.s. transportation secretary will be in wilmington to take a tour of the site. secretary fox will join delaware governor markell and others to check on the working done. the bridge was closed last week after a massive amount of dirt was suspected of causing the

support pillars to tilt. officials secured federal funding for a fix. deldot has a plan in place for the project that could lead to some of the lanes on the bridge being back open by labor day. today hillary clinton's book tour will come to philadelphia. the former secretary of state will be signing copies of her book "huff choices" at the free library. observers observe the tour as a trial run for the 2016 campaign. she will be at the library today from 11:15 in the morning until 1:30 in the afternoon. if you can't beat 'em join 'em. that seemed to be governor christie's philosophy last night when he poked fun at the jersey jam scandal with jimmy fallon. take a look.

>> you had a little scandal happen. >> what are you talking about? >> i don't know if you heard about it. i know it's politics. you have a family. >> sure. believe me that wasn't as bad as them watching me dance out there with you. i guarantee you that. they are so much more humiliated by that because i actually did that. >> looks like governor christie had a haircut recently. he's headed to san francisco for political fundraising. that's a live view of cape may this morning. we're dealing with areas of fog and rain once again. that fog is starting to get thicker in some spots like yesterday we'll be watching it thicken up over the next couple hours. right now we're watching wet weather in the area. the threat of showers and thunderstorms are going to be

staying with us today. and into tomorrow. and we were going to see a possibility of some heavy downpours at times as we head into the afternoon. allentown, 69 degrees. northeast philadelphia is 70 with rain. and clouds are over atlantic city. and look at this eerie view atop the mellon bank building. the clouds producing some rain this morning and some areas of heavy downpours, it's light rain in the philadelphia area and scattered showers in south jersey and delaware. look at the heavier rainfall. upper chester, montgomery and berks counties and to the northeast some heavy downpours to the east of bedminster in bucks county. grab your rain gear. we've got showers to start with, and a possibility we'll see more storms this afternoon. this is 7:00 this morning. some spots on the radar but a steadier rain will move to the northeast by that hour. come noon time we may get some breaks in the cloud cover. not going to clear out completely but a little sun to

help fuel showers and thunderstorms later this afternoon. that's 4:00 today. and it may impact the phillies/cubs game. the forecast when i come back. >> one of the busiest women i know nbc 10's jillian mele was the emcee at a robotics demonstration in center city yesterday afternoon. three high school teams and robots turned out for the event. it encourages science, technology, engineering and math. the comcast foundation donated close to $100,000 to the first robotics program. see anything you have never seen before? >> all three of those robots, it took the students six weeks to complete. incredible. awesome. so definitely a fun thing to be part of and inspiring thing for the students. it was a fun time. let's get to the traffic and talk about what's going on on the pennsylvania turnpike eastbound approaching bensalem. the right lane is blocked in that area, it's past willow

grove. this is a live look at 76 near girard avenue. both directions of 76 clear, very quiet. and your drive time on 76 between the blue route and the vine that's going to take about 14 minutes. heading to delaware. rainy shot here. this is 495 at 12th street. can't tell but here in the corner this white area that you're seeing that's two crews out there blocking 495. it is still shut down and we'll bring that news again like on repeat the last few weeks. 495 closed between exits 2 and 3, again take 95, 295 or route 13 if you need to get around that. >> coming up next, how a lottery game could save philadelphia's struggling school system. plus, the war over one word. why five letters are making for such a mess. and poor planning a. crook who picked maybe the worst place to steal a car. those and much more ahead on "nbc 10 news today."

this morning philadelphia police are looking for the armed robber who hit a local deli for the second time this week. detectives tells us gunman demanded money from the register at the manayunk deli and food market yesterday afternoon. he was armed and carrying a macy's bag. he took off through a community center which was full of kids playing at the time. according to investigators he's the same man caught on video beating a store owner on tuesday. the owner of the food market was repeatedly punched until he was knocked unconscious. the robber got away with cigarettes and cash. a new idea for raising money for the struggling philadelphia school district. a city councilman is proposing a

lottery game. yesterday council extended the sales tax to raise about $120 million for the schools but the school board says that it needs more to raise the quality of education. jim kenny said that a local lottery would raise about $15 million a year. it's something but far from the 96 million needed next year. >> it's enough on a monthly base ties keep some art, music and sports programs going. >> it's sad we're at a point in time as it is funding for education we have to come up with these types of proposals. >> a lottery would have to be approved by state lawmakers, something that the councilman said is not likely to happen. >> this morning president obama is weighing military options in iraq after militants captured two cities and threatening to push toward baghdad. one of those include airstrikes but officials are ruling out putting american troops back on the ground in iraq. the president says we have to

make sure these militants do not gain a foothold. >> what we've seen over the last couple days indicate the degree to which iraq's going to need more help. it's going to need more help from us and from the international community. >> the u.s. military withdrew from iraq in 2011, since then violence has been on the rise. >> a bizarre mishap, that's what some call the end of a court case in california where a jury's mistake may have led to the death of a burglary defendant. a judge said he had no choice but to free bobby lee pierson. this after the deadlocked jury signed an official not guilty form by mistake. hours after his release pierson was stabbed to death after a fight with his sister's boyfriend. the boyfriend was booked on suspicion of murder. a man is facing murder charges for his wife's shooting death. their infant son remains missing. aaron justice you see here was arrested in georgia and flown back to detroit where he was charged yesterday.

his wife's 6-year-old daughter is also missing. authorities say they believe justice has information that can lead them to the two children. >> chicago mayor rahm emanuel and donald trump are clashing over a skyscraper sign in the city. the 20-foot tall letters spell out trump the mayor says she looking for a way to get rid what if he calls the tasteless sign. trump said he got approval from the city and has no plans to take down the sign. in mississippi an alleged car burglar is called bum not only for the crime but where he tried to pull it off. the suspect broke into a car and stole a purse a few feet from the police station. police arrested the man after look at video. look at this, the suspect had just come from court where he face add previous theft charge. >> very bold, unheard of i would almost say. extremely rare for something like this to happen. you get away with something like

this and falls under the dumb crook category. >> the girlfriend was also charged as an accessory to the break-in. listen to that. at least six people are hurt after softball size hail hit abile abilene, texas. cars and buildings were damaged. along with the hail severe thunderstorms and strong winds blew through the area. you could see thunderstorms this afternoon but this morning it is rain and some areas of fog. 71 degrees in philadelphia. the rain has tapered off at the airport but the humidity, it's right back on duty. and it is warmer this morning. we're up 8 degrees in philadelphia. compared to yesterday. ball game tonight, cubs, philles, might see showers. going to get more rainfall

before they take the field this evening. and more fog too. this is another foggy view. looks like it has the last couple mornings in cape may. beach avenue, will get some showers but there is a chance we'll see a little sunshine today. we didn't get that yesterday. the fog, not quite as thick as yesterday but it's getting thicker in coatesville. under a mile visibility. not as bad in the pocono mountains. light fog for wilmington, philadelphia international, trenton, the visibility is down to 2 1/2 miles, it's the shore where it's thicker and in central delaware half a mile visibility for atlantic city and dover at this time. it is getting thicker at this hou hour. you can see the rain that's tapered off in philadelphia. there are more showers that are lining up to our west so the threat of showers will be here through this afternoon. but, we're watching one more line of clouds right there,

behind this is cooler, drier air that is going to clear the way for sunshine for the weekend. for today though, no. rain gear on duty. showers, thunderstorms, but some breaks of sunshine and temperatures in the 80s this afternoon. the humidity stays high. and if you head for the ballpark tonight there is a chance they will get the game in. the philles and the cubs could see a shower to begin with but the threat will diminish during the game. 79 at game time. 7:0 time later in the evening 10:00 p.m. down to 75 degrees and mostly cloudy. dry weather ahead for the weekend. the seven-day forecast in the next half hour. >> the weather this morning certainly can't make things easy for the commute. let's check in now with nbc 10's first alert traffic reporter jillian mele. >> that's right. we already have an accident out there. it's on the pennsylvania turnpike eastbound as you approach bensalem. the right lane is blocked in that area. to the blue route a look at the mid county toll plaza. the roads are looking wet but there's only a few vehicles on the blue route so far so we're not reporting slowdowns there.

the drive times between 95 and 76, that's about an 18-minute trip right now. drivers in the lehigh valley, you can see wet roads on 22. a live look at 309 but the good news is it's still early so we're not reporting any problems on 22, 78, or the northeast extension. rosemary. >> appreciate it. coming up next, shore surprise, a group of teens get to spend the summer in wildwood. now nbc 10 confronts the landlord they claim is holding their cash.

there has been another bear sighting. this time this is in camden county. take a look. you can see the bear in front of that house, this video is from

waterford township police. this happened yesterday. police were able to guide the bear into the woods by driving beside him. they are blowing air horns at him. the department of fish and game says unless the bear becomes aggressive they have no plans to chase or tranquilize it. >> stranded at the jersey shore. a group of high school graduates is facing after trying to secure decent summer housing. the seven teens from northeast philadelphia say these are some of the roaches infesting the apartment that they rented in wildwood. after signing a lease and shelling out $14,000, the grads also learned that no more than three people could stay in the unit on spicer avenue. the group says that they want to leave but haven't been able to get their money back from the building owner. >> this has been our dream since we were in grade school to have fun or senior summer. all of that work is down the drain. >> nbc 10 was there when code enforcement officers confronted the owner about issues.

ted greenberg went further demanding answers from the owner. >> did you know that you rented to too many people? >> i have no more comment. go away now before i throw you out of here. thank you very much. >> code enforcement officers issued summons to the owner for violations. wildwood's mayor told nbc 10 he will push to have the owner's license revoked as soon as possible. clouds, rain and some fog this morning. and it's warmer. 71 degrees at 4:26. how's the traffic on friday morning? >> good friday. good to say that. good morning to you as well. a look in center city philadelphia. the vine street expressway, you'll notice a close shot of the roads. the roads are wet so you need to slow down and take your time. we're not reporting serious problems out there.

we still have one accident on the pennsylvania turnpike. i'll give you details coming up.

the last chance to avoid a septa strike. contract talks today will impact regional rail commuters one way or the other. >> new this morning sergeant bowe bergdahl is back in the u.s. we'll trace his journey and tell you what's next for former taliban prisoner. >> here is a look at the first alert weather radar. be careful as you head out. fog again. we're tracking showers, it's 71 degrees. good morning. i'm tracy davidson. >> and i'm rosemary connors. let's get to the forecast now with meteorologist bill henley. bill, driving in to work today,

a lot of heavy rain. >> there have been heavy downpours but it's starting to taper off in philadelphia and south jersey and delaware. it's north and west seeing the heavier rain. not as foggy as it was to start yesterday but there is fog developing right now. warmer start this morning, 71 degrees here. you can see the heavier rainfall off to the north and west. moving past chester and montgomery counties into berks county and the lehigh valley. the temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. that's warmer than yesterday. and the mugginess is going to produce some areas of fog to start with. look for clouds, some showers and 69 degrees at 7:00. by 9:00 mainly cloudy and some breaks in the clouds possible at lunch time 77 degrees. but that won't be the end of the rainfall. thunderstorms possible this afternoon. the future weather when i come back. first jillian mele has traffic. good morning. >> good morning to you, bill. we have one lane blocked on the pennsylvania turnpike because of an accident eastbound right as yopp