this earthquake death toll rose in japan the government working curiously to avoid in meltdown may damage power plant could afternoon and steve. >> 9 dina coming our viewers on wgn america and watching us on the web. did the national police agency reports over 5400 rat confirmed dead and more than 2400 listed as injured and more than 9000 people reported missing japan use helicopters fire trucks and water cannons to or water on the no. 3 reactor at the fukushima power plant. efforts will continue throughout the night to keep the reactor and a pool of spent fuel rods from overheating. officials working to resolve cooling

problems at four of the six reactors ever since there were damaged by the earthquake. >> based on the operations we believe that it will help to cool down and based on the data we will receive from the government task force will be able to verify whether the mission has been met with success. >> international atomic energy commission says at least 20 people have fallen ill because of possible radiation poisoning in addition to 19 injured and two missing at the fukushima power plant them up boosting american citizens removing them from the aftermath of the tsunami. the state department will be making charter flights available to about 600 animals of u.s. government personnel and japan and the pentagon will assist in the departures and the u.s. expanding its recommended evacuation zone around the

nuclear plant to a radius of 50 mi.. president obama speaking this afternoon about the situation the president called japan's prime minister to express his sympathy in a 30 minute phone call on wednesday president obama assured them that we will help them rebuild the devastated nation and our president emphasized the u.s. will do everything support possible to support japan. white house officials say that kan brief the president on efforts to contain the nuclear emergency. the aftermath of the earthquake in tsunami especially painful for one chicago woman her 25 year-old son has been missing for one week in japan now. we have been talking with the mother in life and the west side. >> a very sad one the last time this cynthia spoke with their son was on march 10th a message on line that he let her know that despite earthquake warnings that he was fine. cynthia has

not heard since. a message that seems ordinary cynthia did not imagine that she would pour over it so many hundreds of times with recent pictures posted on his face but page while in japan. >> saying he is not accounted for and then where is he? if he was in a shelter that who told them?. >> the 25 year-old has been teaching english in japan for three years the city they live in was the hardest hit from the earthquake as well as the tsunami. initially she was told her son was safe in a shelter only to here days later that he'd never been located. >> it enjoyed working with the kids enjoyed the culture. >> with little to go one she waited. scouring news videos for his face in waiting for the phone rang. >> i'm waiting for the phone call. i know it is coming. i

know it's coming. he was a high- school graduate locally and one on to u of i and graduated the school that he taught that was completely destroyed and several of his fellow teachers remain missing. back to you. >> thank you. for complete coverage of the disaster in japan stay with wgn in the mud at our web site wgntv.com/japan in a high-school student pleaded guilty this morning of five counts of sexual assault the 18 year-old charged with raping a 15 year-old girl in a parking lot of a church back in january of 2010. after the rape he and his friend were involved in a car accident and he was injured by his friend died from his injuries. . >> saving the chicago sun-times that man has died. tyree said

of the company that took over in 2009. the sun-times in bankruptcy court and bought the paper for $26 million. dying after a five month battle with some stomach cancer. . >> a catholic priest may be leading one church for leo catholic high school. amy is live outside on the south side with all the details very controversial. >> de paris here definitely up in arms about the possibility of losing one of its pastors holding a meeting with members tonight to discuss it. also the room and destination leo catholic high school many parents told me that there would very much welcome his presence in their committee. . >> i will not accept silence? i will not accept our children dying!. >> he could be a fiery and at times controversial. parishioners and the clergy do

not want to see him leave. releasing a statement saying that we realize that the father will not serve as pastor for ever however considering the currency of the economy we believe that removing him at this time would be devastating to our parish and the community. he has led this church since 1981 in an unprecedented 10 year when most pastors only serve for less than a domestic ticket. unconfirmed reports say he could be heading to a local high- school to boost declining enrollment and parents would like to see that. . >> he has done a lot for the community i think it would be great. i know the pressures are not happy but i do think it would be great. >> of nothing but the best something to aspire to hold your position and keep your confidence wonderful inspiration for a young man coming out of high-school band of it would help the school enrollment and reopen so it

could look for the future for him. >> the principal says enrollment is already up as a school prepares for its largest class of incoming freshmen this fall but he would also welcome any new support. >> anyone who wants to come to rio and help leo just like our alumni association and our parents or the father anyone who wants to come here and help our schools succeed i am very happy with it. . >> the father has not returned my calls for comment saying any discussion regarding his future or a private personnel matter. thank you. >> air strikes in libya continues opposition rebels shoot down planes by probe gaddafi forces. >> f. is for funding and public television could be without it. the votes that could cause public broadcasting its government dollars. >> his final trip to china as

the city leader, mayor daley and deals a business partnership with the region. ve oar [ female announcer ] there's a new way to let go of some of the annoying symptoms menopause brings. it's one a day menopause formula. the only complete multivitamin with soy isoflavones to help address hot flashes and mild mood changes. one a day menopause formula.

four journalists from the new york times missing in libya a pulitzer prize winner us reporter into photographers all missing. editors of the newspaper says they've not heard from them since tuesday morning they've heard some reporters may have been taken by government forces in one port city. the paper has not been able to confirm that and the libyan government says it does not know where the reporters are but is trying to track them down. libya's military drive east against rebel fighters and diplomatic sources say the u.s. is pushing united stations to consider air strikes against the forces. america's ambassador to the u.n. says the security

council looking at a range of options going beyond opposing the no-fly zone susan rice says the no-fly zone may not be going far enough to protect civilians hoping the u.n. security council can help with the resolution as early as today. libyan state tv says government forces are closing in on the rebel stronghold of benghazi them up excessive force being used in bahrain s citizens attack doctors and protesters. the head of amnesty international says forces used shotguns rubber bullets and tear gas to subdue demonstrators. led to the killing of eight people. calling the tactic deeply in violation of an international not lobby bahrain government to deny cs first accountancy the responded after being attacked by firebombs. >> a controversial postal to be

fond of public broadcasting and cable on this live today. national public radio the funding bill was started told 30 this afternoon the debate should begin about 1230 chicago time and pilot boats go until 2:00 p.m.. c-span will contain the entire of and broadcasters responded to the debate setting some of their least controversial candidates. the people behind sesame street said cutting federal aid to public cpb could her children's programming. >> frank jr. helped the fbi bring down chicago mobsters including his own father and know he is telling what is really like to be part of the crime family in his new crime" operation: family secrets" he talked about his relationship with his mob boss father and how we turned against them. >> he knew me and i knew him. it was overwhelming. when i walked in that courtroom i wanted to start crying i felt love and

anger are wanted to hug him i wanted to go over and punched him. i was overwhelmed. my father brought it into the house and i made the same mistake is him because i brought drugs into my house. . >> when you do you risk tearing your family apart. . >> operation family secrets is in stores now. . >> today's top business stories coming up them up trying to lose some weight hill like that could undermine your efforts, later in lunch break and easy infilling dinner any day of the week. >> making shepherd's pie. nobody in my family ever had a heart attack. if anything, i thought i'd get hit by a bus, but not a heart. my doctor put me on an aspirin regimen

to help protect my life. [ male announcer ] be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. check with your doctor because it can happen to anybody.

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climbs more than forecast in february led by the highest good price surge since 2008 and rising fuel costs the companies are starting to pass along to us. the main focus on wall street today in japan the spread of radiation many countries including the u.s. getting its citizens to consider leaving tokyo and cure are flying in japan. united continental airlines reporting that a measurable decline in demand bound flights and british airways is the latest carrier to pullout. testing japanese food imports for radiation exposure. in response to the nuclear threat. chicago-based exelon says the most elite nuclear power plants of the country of reassessing of its $4 billion plan to raise output because of

radiation concerns. on a brighter note in time for st. patrick's day even if you are not in ireland today or are irish still making it possible for you to come up with a convincing as it offers a free online trial of the irish language. right now one wall street seeing green across the board on saint patrick's day stocks rising because investors are speculating that japan will be able to avoid a nuclear crisis also learning that president obama will make a statement on the situation later this afternoon at 2:30 central. . >> mayor daley preparing for this final visit to china as it is as mayor. bringing more investments into the city. >> we are live with details. >> good afternoon. mayor daley

and a delegation of chicago city business leaders heading for china tomorrow they will be visiting five cities in 12 days and it will be launching a new chicago china friendship initiative campaign to bring more chinese investments to the chicago region. the mayor says that chicago already has a strong relationship with china as evidenced by china's president's hu jintao visit to chicago. the only city visited by the present. the latest initiative in the heart of america to further expand the relationship with a multimedia approach that includes commercials coupled with one-on- one contact. crating jobs the future of our residents that only in chicago in the region but in the midwest and at the same time having a strong relationship with china to build

their economy as well. a two-way street. . >> further development of our friendship and big success and let us try together to port our efforts together. the mayor will also only the office a few weeks as you know and when asked if he felt that rahm emanuel would be on board he indicated that he probably would be. back to you. >> after concern grows from potential radiation fallout do we need to worry?. >> we'll put things in perspective and under the lamp cast members from the hit musical jersey boys giving us a preview of under the street lamp all one night only performance this saturday in

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dizziness upon standing, seizures, trouble swallowing, and impaired judgment or motor skills. depression used to define me, then my doctor added abilify to my antidepressant. now, i feel better. [ male announcer ] if you're still struggling with depression talk to your doctor to see if the option of adding abilify is right for you. and be sure to ask about the free trial offer. some radiation from a reactor in japan floating towards california experts say the region should arrive there sometime tomorrow and will hang around for about a week or so but they warned that it the male is a very small and not harmful. the federal government operates

100 monitors across the country and international agency with ties to united nations has 63 other sensors. >> irradiations care at o'hare. travelers from tokyo passed through customs. the department of aviation says it cannot confirm the incident but is looking into it. a report that their low levels of radiation aboard a plane that landed in dallas. . >> look of the irish on our side with weather today will our look continue? tom skilling as the warm forecast at least for now coming up next. coming up next.

time for sports the bulls and celtics are tied for first

place. the celtics owned the tiebreakers but these bulls can take the top spot again tonight. in new jersey and note boozer but this should play. . >> the cats go wanna run and drew mixed a 15. north western lead in the second half the panthers did in the six and thomson three of his 24 making a nine. came. then he told point team. scored 20 with eight rebounds and went 70-51 breaking a 14 postseason losing streak. hawks started in dallas it will be without brian bud they jumble together in the western conference and to point back the hawks are in sixth place they

were as high as fourth place recently. a great matchup even in spring training five and one moonball three strikeouts and here is the from alex getting a triple and shipping it to run home run still lose to the giants' five to three. . >> it almost feels like baseball weather today. . >> isn't it beautiful? this will be won the st. patrick's day and two years only two years ago we set the record for the day 74 degrees. living quite well. 70 degree temperatures this time of year which is possible this afternoon fairly rare. only one in three years have we managed a 70 this early in the year coming just a day after our warmest temperature yesterday. a

lot sunshine but clouds of come in and we will see a fair amount of cloud cover normally this would defeat warming but we will show you a powerful jet stream inducing sinking in the air on a broad scale we also have powerful southwest winds which originated from eastern texas and arkansas where temperatures yesterday were in the upper '70's b.c. clouds bake out to the west coast and a couple of overturns from the clouds as well. a local store will pop up and iowa and almost faded away. the air is sinking under the jet stream and any attempt to rise to make clouds this is not been working. it look at the radar at the moment nothing in our neighborhood but up north we're getting some showers and thunderstorms. on the leading edge of cooler air coming in the next few days some showers also in northern wisconsin. for the moment pretty quiet as showers fadeaway encountering the

sinking of the jet. you want to hear rise in cool jets from pushing air down. 62 and o'hare and 63 as st. louis. if you check or the air came from it was down here near dallas and down to about san antonio tx winds are so strong this year has managed to move all of this way and in those areas mid to upper 70's and low 80s. you could see the general movement of the air here were the source of the war marius' downstate 73 at this hour in st. louis. much of the center of the country warmer than 24 hours ago things to these powerful winds blowing across the region. 21 mi. per hour sustained winds gusting over 30 mi. per hour. we warm up in the center of the country when flows pumping warm air appear. windsor stated 18

committee 63% to points in the '30's are up to 50 right now here is the survey of temperatures across the weather but that work 195 sensors to route built in the anna eleanor wisconsin our immediate chicago area and 67 at buffalo grove or 86467 it mchenry and there you see the wind gusts blowing into the area. 63 and zero air within 18 mi. per hour sustained when from the southwest 64 midway and 60 at mchenry. if paramount cloud cover as you can see from this camera. it to move down to cantus that is where the air is coming from. this is it in the past hour to with lots of sunshine there. here is the jet stream is a powerful 170 m.p.h.

winds and air shoots out of this speed max it slows down six yet this large-scale sinking that compresses the air but is a compressed gas to warm up. and trump tower warming and coming in tonight. as if this seems remote wind proposed 30 mi. per hour gusts it will be windy afternoon at here is the front in the truck line here. a glowing cooler tomorrow will still be above know. this is where the air is coming up from the gulf and so we may work a shower of these clouds yet but we do not expect a big deal there. for degrees shy of the record which is above the 47

that is normal. in early may date. our leprechaun is as happy as he can beat 70 degrees is not happen every time on saint patrick's our in-house models show readings 69 at o'hare 71 midway 72 lansing joliet its 71 and aurora at 70 even amid wait we're cooling off in the morning northwest winds will blow cooler air in and will still not be all that bad tomorrow. an active set of storms coming in early next week so it will get wet. one of those could push another 60 degree loraine next week. as it cools down over the weekend is always a chilly development who saint patrick's day here in two years the level temperatures 22 degrees above normal and i knew

seven days they did. wendy with temperature readings expected to drop down about 50 tonight. some upper '40's in the suburbs and to more partly sunny and cooler with clouds and rain coming in night 57 during the day and following lake shore '40's when the northeast winds, and but still not a bad day. cooler than today is still about 66 degrees below normal. >> march can be very finicky. . >> cbs later. . >> time for our trivia question in what country did the first st. patrick's day parade take place? was in england ireland or place? was in england ireland or the united

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there are concerns. >> a run and some products but other pit years are the warranted? the thing to many americans are making a big deal out of this?. >> i think so. i touch base this week with deerfield based walgreen's which the nation's largest pharmacy and they're giving some inquiries about iodide which is a drug that people can take to ease their fears about radiation but they do not carry and if there was a serious issue in times but said the swine flu and things like that the retailers in providers stocking up on things that are necessary you would see a sign but if the promise he wanted to get people to woodstock it to getting queries from the west coast and the government has said it is not necessary one thing i learned in found out is people who live near nuclear

reactors the government has a stockpile for them and are even some people who are mailed by died from time to time because they do live nuclear reactors so i think that there are plans in place in the event it becomes a serious situation clearly is not there yet. >> people are going to help food stores but they don't realize that it doesn't even make a difference. >> the other thing is if you take it let's say zero i'm going to go and get a hold of this and i'm going to take it there are actually side effects from it. for taking the drug or really any drug. people should clearly not be taking any of this stuff. only if you're told to buy health professional so otherwise you'll have other facts. we have seen we're blessed the chicago area with a huge help companies and also high filtration masks

puc in their cells of spike the usually do with hospitals and big health care providers across the country and they have not really seen a spike some people interested in it the highest attrition masks like to see people in japan where and and they have not seen in spite of this may be a little overblown. >> i'm not sure if you're familiar with the story on our web site but the reporting that some passengers getting up international flights are testing higher for radiation a little confusing i did not even know the detested people to put into scanners. >> i have heard that i think it is a little too early for us to make any real calls on whether it is dangerous or not. people would have to know what the locals are but i do know that there will be testing on the

west coast and the u.s. will be doing some testing in japan just to see where things are at this were getting conflicting stories but i think we will know more with that and i have heard people talk on conference calls and so forth that the was radiation to reach the u.s. after the chernobyl incident in 1986 but it was such a small amount it was not anything that is actually a health risk in any way. you'll recall hearing about any problems from that. i obviously japan is a bit closer but any radiation at this point to come here will be so minimal that it is not going to have any impact. . >> it dilutes it travels thousands of miles thank you for being with us. . >> allied illinois lottery drawing is up next.

live from wgn tv chicago the official drawing of the illinois lottery. here are the midday numbers for thursday march 17, 2011. here are the pick three numbers. join us tomorrow night for a mega millions that jackpot is $101 million. the lotto on saturday night will be 7 million. your depict four

numbers. tomorrow mega millions is 201 million dollars. have a good afternoon. . >> today's lottery drawing was brought to you by wgn tv and has been supervised by the looking for a simple way to help lower your cholesterol? try benecol spread - a heart healthy alternative to butter. benecol contains an ingredient that helps block cholesterol absorption and has a delicious, buttery taste. make benecol part of your healthy lifestyle.

paying more for groceries these days? climbing 4% between january and february the biggest spiking 36 years. the labor department says the price of close 10% and coffee jumped about 5% under jumped more than 19%. citrus fruit is up about 11%. winter freezes in the south

but that's apprises been the price of animal feed brought up beef and dairy products prices could keep climbing because of higher gasoline. . >> the medical watch a new study treating parkinson's disease, it cannot be successful for the first time. causes uncontrolled shaking stiffness and slow movement and part of the brain dies. richard found that creating a virus to infect brain cells with jeans actually reduced sentence roughly 50 percent of the time a significant improvement and motor functions other neurological disorders as well but for the research is needed. >> americans living longer than ever before the center of disease control and prevention said the death rate dropped and 20094 could have thrown their broker to two and a half million the war debts and 70.2 years is

now the life expectancy in the u.s.. lower rates for 10 of the leading causes of death. take a minute to close our eyes and imagine moments that make you fat and do not rely on willpower alone but plan ahead. experts suggest that sharing food with others while on vacation or in said appearing your sorrows in food find other ways to distract yourself and meet new people. heat a small proteins that shack before going to a party and the mythical and take. eat healthy snacks like grapes big cheese or yogurt all watching tv. talking about dieting will go on our own diet eating making shepherd's pie.

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to help address hot flashes and mild mood changes. one a day menopause formula. and for lunch break out irish restaurant and pub here with us today. a saint patrick's day celebration. >> we're making some shepherd's pie a traditional irish dish. . >> i was checking on the origin and it did in fact star in england. it was called cottage pie and then shepherd's traditionally used lamb or mutton and we took it over. >> and here we are. . >> the other thing i was mistaken it out as it thought it would take a long time but you say it is quick and easy. . >> i have three boys at home and i make this for them as well and this is one of the dishes you

can have on the menu. peggy's is celebrating their tenure anniversary this weekend. . >> yeah a couple of dance. >> 83 day festival right in downtown arlington heights from the free parking and a 38 special. all kinds of good things them up we will grind to this beef and to the onions until their translucent. >> we want to drain the fat off of the beef and and we will take some and add this to the pan. we will have concentrated any beef gravy will do as well. we will traditionally cooked this down

for about three or four minutes and have the consistency look like a soup. . >> lead taken up a bit and your vegetables peas and carrots and fresh or frozen which ever you prefer. blanching them off a little bit ahead of time you do not want them to get too mushy before it is already cooked. " this town and we have done that before so. >> you got this all plotted out. i love this. this is what it looks like after the fact. . >> yes. you take your cooking vessel and we will fill this in. >> i love that term. it is not a dish it is a cooking vessel. >> yes this is an individual portion in you could do this at home and in nine by 13 glass

pan. >> depending on the size of your family. . >> we will put this in here and kill this about three-quarters of the way and then this piece on top becomes mass potatoes and it hires-some sort of potato in there. . >> did you put yours and send that to us as well?. >> i believe it is on the web site as well. yukon gold potatoes and to be sweeter and will be a nice yellow color. . >> we will take these and place them on top. when you do your mashed potatoes if you use your own recipe and home you want to make sure their little bit less that the normal you do not want any lumps is hard to get them through this. if you don't have any.

>> i'm sorry. . >> if you do not have a pastry bag and home you can take a spoon and make some on there and spread it around. . >> it you can do flat?. >> absolutely. . >> debate this and that is what will take more time. after you take this about a celebration at peggy's. 10th anniversary the three day music festival starts tonight and runs through saturday at the corner in downtown arlington heights for more information directions and for the recipe including the mashed potatoes that to make log on to our web page wgntv.com on to our web page wgntv.com /midday. [ sniffing ]

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united states. irish soldiers in the english military marched through new york city and march 17, 1762 that was the first one we have been celebrating ever since them up warmups' running out of steam? doubt it will be after today. temperatures will go down but it's certainly nice now. 64 at both airports we of local areas that are going up to 70 including st. louis to the south of us. from this warm air from you could see cold air pulling away to the north getting us out of the area. a look at the weather advisor is out to the west and responsible for the warm-up look at the flow and how broad it is the whole red area an area of gusty 20 m.p.h. winds but they fade away as northeast winds brocton tomorrow and saturday: off a

little high pressure in the area when a pickup from the southeast slicing off the lake on sunday a day with clouds coming in in showers later in the day here the storms and to conceive is ready area coming from the gulf northward in the storm that takes place in colorado and rain and thunderstorms. by the time we did monday night and tuesday looks like a heavy strain concentration and behind some very cool air you can see the low pass in south los endorsed the says it happens to bring some cold air over the late and some snow showers. all light sprinkles this morning and early tonight as the front approaches and passes through. we will be dry and baltimore night a few showers on sunday we will see how the main rain's coming right there and that will begin to it through wednesday rain continuously or rather it will not ring continuously through that. but there will be some

thunderstorms potentially mixed in. 53 tomorrow 44 ice sunday and keeping the lake shore areas in the upper 30's. 47 on sunday and then 62 and 55 on monday and tuesday. colder air will come in again on wednesday we could even have some mix sun and clouds or potentially snow showers by thursday of next week. >> not again!. >> technically on sunday we will be in the spring. . >> thank you for joining us. >> have a great afternoon we will leave you one last performance from michael you could catch him and his group under the street lamp for a special performance of this saturday in a laura.aurora. (music)