winter wallop. the midwest continues to take a direct hit from a massive winter storm that's already dumped more than a foot of snow in some places. going free. a south african judge may rule on whether oscar pistorius will be granted bail before he goes to trial in the death of his girlfriend. and chasing history. danica patrick is the first woman to grab a poll position at the daytona 500 and has her sights set on winning nascar's biggest race. >> and i always feel like i have more to proving. i feel like i have to keep earning my respect and earning my keep and showing people that i belong. captioning funded by cbs this is the "cbs morning news" for friday, february 22nd, 2013.

good morning. good to be with you. i'm anne-marie green. well, this morning a large part of the midwest is digging out after a massive winter storm dumped up to 17 inches of snow in some areas. the storm shut down governments, schools, and transportation. travel in some areas is impossible. hundreds of flights have been canceled this morning, and at least two traffic deaths are blamed on the storm. some of the largest accumulations were in kansas where the national guard is patrolling roadways. one meteorologist said it was pouring snow there. at one point a 200-mile stretch of interstate 70 was shut down. iowa is one of at least 15 states under a winter storm warning or watch this morning. heavy blinding snow fell there overnight and is not expected to end until this afternoon. the heavy snow and freezing rain made for slick roads everywhere. in illinois a minivan slid right through an intersection and hit a light pole. residents are being urged to stay home.

cbs news weather consultant david bernard has the latest on the blockbuster storm. >> our winter storm in the midwest is finally beginning to wind down. this is how much snow we're expecting the remainder of the day, generally 3 to 6 inches possible especially across portions of iowa, wisconsin. chicago, we're looking at 3 to 5 inches of snow by this evening, but not anything where we saw yesterday where we were measuring the snow well over a foot. now the second form for the weekend is developing over the southeast. thunderstorms possible in north florida this afternoon. we just don't know how low that coastal low will be over the weekend. the meantime new england pretty quiet. 40 for new york, 42 for philadelphia and this afternoon 37 in boston. here's what's left of the big midwest storm center near chicago this afternoon. 35 and the snow will gradually

be entering the windy city. but kansas city and omaha, highs only in the 20s as they begin to dig out. i'm david bernard, cbs news, miami. now to south africa where the judge is expected to decide today whether to grant olympic sprinter oscar pistorius bail. pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend. prosecutors say the man known as a blade runner is a flight risk. tina kraus is following the proceedings from london. tina, good morning. >> good morning. pistorius spent an eighth night sleeping in a holding cell at a police station in south africa's capital, and he hopes it was his last. his lawyers say the athlete is not a flight risk and should be released from jail until his murder trial. track star oscar pistorius rode back to court in a police van, hoping this will be the day he learns his fate. a south african judge is weighing several days of testimony to decide whether to grant the athlete bail or keep him locked up until his murder trial. prosecutors claim pistorius

intended to kill his girlfriend reeva steenkamp when he pumped four bullets through his bathroom door. defense lawyering say the former olympian acted on instinct when he saw an intruder was in his upscale home. an unexpected twist happened yesterday. police dropped hilton botha from the case itself because he himself is facing several attempted murder charges from a shooting in 2011. defense accuse botha of sloppy police work, saying he contaminated the crime scene and kept changing his story. pistorius's lawyers told the judge the athlete known as the blade runner for his prosthetic racing legs is too famous to flee bail but prosecutors say the paralympic star o who is a national hero should not expect special treatment. the trial is less than a month away, but south africans have

already made up their minds. >> oscar, step up to the placement take your responsibility. >> i think he was just trying to protect himself. >> reporter: the judge asked pistorius's lawyer if he would be shocked if he was released. defense says he would be shocked if he wasn't. they're waiting to hear what the judge decides. if he does get out of jail, the 26-year-old said he will start training again next week, even though his future competitions have been canceled. anne-marie? >> tina kraus in london. thank you. well president obama called republican congressional leaders to discuss the budget crisis. the white house said the conversations were good, but cbs news has learned no progress was made. it was the first time the president had reached out to gop leaders since late december and time is running out. the dramatic federal cuts known as sequestration kick in one week from today. susan mcginnis is in washington. good morning, susan. >> good morning, anne-marie. with this deadline coming next friday, congress went on recess

this week and to many that's making the massive budget cuts inevitable and more americans are realizing they will feel the pain. with congress out of town, president obama called republican leaders thursday to talk about the sequester. it's the first time the three men have talked since the start of the year. >> both sides, i think, aren't really making a move and both sides, i think, look bad in the process. >> reporter: both sides look bad to seaside heights, new jersey, mayor bill acre. he's trying to get his town ready for the summer town tourist season after hurricane sandy devastated the resort town and now it faces another blow. this one from washington. the budget cuts called sequestration could result in a drop of sandy-related assistance. >> where do i have to cut the services? is it going to be in protection? is it going to be in garbage pickup? is it maybe we don't do a road this year? you know, where does it end?

>> from the jersey shore to alaska, the cuts here in washington will be felt across the country. >> the parks are economic engines throughout much of our country. >> tom kiernan is head of the national parks. the parks will also see budget cuts beginning in march. >> you'd better believe there's going to be fewer going to the bed and breakfast or going to restaurants or staying at hotels. >> reporter: and those who do show up may have a less majestic view in places like owe sem it. >> the bathrooms will probably not be cleaned up as often, the trash not picked up as often. >> washington has one week to pick up its own mess. and this is not the only deadline that lawmakers make. in late march, a resolution on federal spending budget expires and congress takes up the debt ceiling again. anne-marie? >> susan mcginnis in washington. thank you. well, it now appears that former senator chuck hagel will

get the votes he needs to be confirmed as the next defense secretary. his colleagues have been stalling his nomination but yesterday alabama's richard shelby said he would vote for hagel, putting the vote over the top. al vote is expected next week. oopz and it turns out that the flu vaccine is doing a dismal job of protect older people against this year's harshest strain of the flu. the centers for disease control says the vaccine is only 9% effective in patients 65 and older against the toughest strain of flu causing more than three-quarters of this year's illness. senior citizens are in this age group most vulnerable to the flu. coming up on the "cbs morning news" a shoot-out on the strip. it ends up with a shooting and fiery crash on las vegas's most famous boulevard. this is the "cbs morning news." fiery crash on las vegas's most famous boulevard. this is the "cbs morning news." s is bob a regular guy with an irregular heartbeat. the usual, bob? not today. [ male announcer ] bob has afib: atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem a condition that puts him at greater risk for a stroke. [ gps ] turn left. i don't

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summer from a spacecraft launched three years ago. nasa described this solar storm as moderate, but more severe storms could occur this year, possibly disrupting airplane navigation systems, cell phone service, and weather here on earth. drew peterson, a former police sergeant in a chicago suburb, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for murder. peterson lashed out in court on thursday saying, quote, i did not kill kathleen, referring to kathleen savio, his third wife. for years he dismissed allegations that he killed savio nine years ago in 2004. prosecutors said his motive for killing his former wife was the fear that a pending divorce settlement would wipe him out financially. >> we all got an opportunity to see a psychopath reveal himself in open court. we don't normally get that chance. >> peterson is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth

wife stacy but has never been charged. and police in las vegas are searching for at least one gunman who was involved in a deadly shooting on the las vegas strip that ended in a car crash. edward lawrence has more on thursday's wild scene. >> reporter: cell phone video shows the las vegas strip moments after a shooting. a multi-car accident sent a fireball into the sky. police say what started as an argument as a casino hotel ended in bullets and flames leaving three people dead. >> what happened is not just tragic but underscores the level of violence that we see sometimes here in las vegas as well as across america. >> reporter: the trouble began at the valet area at one of the strip's casinos. police say words were exchanged. then two cars, an suv and a maserati fled north on las vegas boulevard. that's when somebody in the suv opened fire on the other car. >> the maserati driver having been shot sped through the intersection of flamingo and las vegas boulevard, colliding with

a taxi cab and causing a six-car accident. >> reporter: the taxi exploded into a fireball. >> there was a loud boom and then i heard two other booms. >> reporter: the driver and a passenger were killed as was the driver of the maserati identified as an aspiring rapper kenneth cherry jr. who goes by the name of clutch. those in the suv got away. >> reporter: police are reviewing surveillance videos not just from the casinos along las vegas boulevard but also from other taxis. the strip, police say, is safe. edward lawrence, "cbs morning news," las vegas. coming up on this morning's "cbs moneywatch," the possibility of rising food costs. and later in sports a cheerleader makes the play of the day. this is the "cbs morning news." m clean. quilted northern ultra plush with the innerlux layer. for a comfortable, confident clean, or your money back.

here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. new york, cloudy, 38 the high. miami, flip those numbers around, 83 the high there. chicago, light snow, 37 degrees. dallas, sunny with a high of 50. los angeles, 66 degrees. on the "moneywatch," walmart predicts a slowdown plus pumping up gas prices. ines ferre is here with more. good morning, ines. >> good morning, anne-marie. stoxx were mixed in asia ahead a u.s. summit in washington later today. tokyo's nikkei lost half a

percent. hong kong's hang seng lost half a percent. wall street's stock tumbled for a second day after the announcement of the weak data. the dow jones industrial average ended 46 points lower on thursday. the nasdaq was off 32 points. in what may be a sign of things to come for the nation's economy, walmart says it expects business to slow down in the coming months. the world's largest retailer reported higher than expected fourth quarter profits on thursday, but walmart said sales are weakening as customers battle rising gasoline prices delayed income tax refunds, and higher payroll taxes. the gasoline prices are at their highest level for this time of year. aaa says the average price for a gone of regular is $3.78 nation wide. that's up 47 cents in the past month. aaa says the higher prices are due to seasonal maintenance at refineries. analysts expect gas prices to rise further in the coming weeks. and the outlook is no better at

the supermarket. the u.s. department of agriculture says food prices will rise by as much as 3.5% this year. that's nearly double the rate of inflation. the steep rise is blamed on the severe drought that's gripping farmers and cattle ranchers in the nation's midsection. anne-marie? >> ines ferre here in new york. thank you, ines. when we return, driving in the fast lane. danica patrick talks about racing into history this sunday at the daytona 500. talks about racing into history this sunday at the daytona 500.

here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. washington, expect snow and rain, 39 degrees. atlanta, also rain and thunderstorms. st. louis, cloudy, 38 the high. denver, 39 the high. seattle, a lot of rain, 48 degrees. in sports danica patrick makes history this sunday when she becomes the first woman to start the daytona 500 at the poll position.

but as mark strassmann reports the race car driver is more concerned about where she finishes in nascar's biggest race. >> ready to race. >> reporter: danica patrick in the lime green number 10 car had the fastest qualifying time for nascar's biggest race. more than 196 miles per hour. >> that's a great lap, guys. >> reporter: the 30-year-old who gained fame for racing against the boys and for her racy tv commercials says she wants more. >> reporter: so is winning the pole enough or to establish yourself as a nascar driver do you have to win one of these things? >> i feel like i have more to prove. i feel like i have to keep earning my respect and earning my keep and showing i belong. >> reporter: even as a go-cart racer in illinois, she said she was not raised to be the fastest girl, but the fastest driver. >> what are you going to do today? >> i'm going to win today. >> reporter: in 2009 she finished fourth in the

indianapolis 500. >> this is absolutely amazing. >> reporter: then switched to the more rough-and-tumble nascar circuit for a new challenge. >> danica's sideways. oh, no. into the wall. >> reporter: but she crashed into two of her first ten races last year and her average finish was 28. still nascar is heavily promoting patrick. >> for every good ol' boy, a good ol' girl. >> reporter: the sport hopes she can grow and diversify its fan base, two thirds of who are men. do you feel welcome in your first full nascar season in what is one of the world's great testosterone pits? >> i love the people, i love the pits. they made me feel welcome and they were embracing of my difference. there was a time 40 years ago women weren't even allowed in the garage area, so we've come a long way and i'm fortunate enough to be here in a time where it's embraced. >> reporter: only nine of daytona's 54 polye winners have

gone on to take the checkered flag, about one in five. but defying odds and expectations is what drives danica patrick. mark strassmann, cbs news, daytona beach, florida. in the nba now, two of the best western conference teams go head to head. san antonio traveling to l.a. to face the clippers. and the spurs would have their way with los angeles. tony parker scores 31 points, and san antonio wins easily, 116-90. finally, the best shot of the night was made by a cheerleader. check out this shot by ashlee arnau from william carey university in mississippi. is that amazing or what? she made the shot during a halftime show -- halftime rather at william carey's game last night. too bad the shot didn't count on the scoreboard, but you know what? they want to try to recruit her. they may need her. coming up on your local news on "cbs this morning," behind the scenes of the "vanity fair"

oscars party. i'm anne-marie green. this is the "cbs morning news." "vanity fair" oscars party. i'm anne-marie green. this is the "cbs morning news." [ male announcer ] when you wear dentures you may not know that your mouth is under attack, from food particles and bacteria. try fixodent. it helps create a food seal defense for a clean mouth and kills bacteria for fresh breath. ♪ ♪ fixodent, and forget it. [ female announcer ] total effects user kim scott still looks amazing. but with kids growing up fast fighting seven signs of aging gets harder. introducing total effects moisturizer plus serum. for the ninety-two practices two proms, and one driving test yet to come. she'll need our most concentrated total effects ever.

4 minutes before 5:00 on this friday morning. the week's end is starting cloudy and cold. marty is over at first warning weather. >> it's going to get wet real soon. you're going to need an umbrella for school and work, familiarly coming home.

in between that clouds and rain we're going to have some mixed precipitation during the day. should not be a big deal. i'll fill you in on the details shortly. 30 now, 36 at lunch and the high is going to be around 37. here's what we have our eye on today maryland general assembly holding a joint suffer in anniversary of the women's suffrage march. >> can you recall the anderson has introduced a bill to legally marijuana. >> hundreds of people are expected to gather for a harlem shake flash mob. >> a suicide note, pen camera and whistle blower. the new information we're learning about a john hopkins gynecologist who videotaped his patients exams. >> a new county executive. anne arundel county re places john leopold who resigned after being convicted of misconduct in office. wjz will be live with last night's vote.

>> the case of oscar pistorius the investigation is under fire. for news, first warning weather and the first traffic report of the week's end in a couple of minutes. [ anouncer ] ihop is in time square to compare new griddle-melts to your usual breakfast sandwich. a lot more flavor. [ anouncer ] ihop's new griddle melts... made fresh and hot! hand crafted just for you. it's like a sexy sandwich. [ anouncer ] compare new griddle melts yourself. just $4.99. it's an epic breakfast sandwich.

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