[cheers and applause] from the station that is on your side, you are watching [ music ] >> it has been very cold day here in the midlands and temperatures are going to drop tonight. good afternoon. thank you so much for joining us for friends @ five. we begin friends @ five with a quick look at your forecast. with meteorologist daniel bonds. >> that's right match very cold day all across the midlands.

especially in some areas, hit the mid and lower tetes. seeder creek -- cedar creek 14 degrees. saluda 17. 18 degrees in winnsboro as well. temperatures this afternoon in the upper 30s, low 40s. that is where we are currently. right now 41 degrees in columbia. 40 degrees in orangeburg. and winnsboro 36 degrees. 37 newberry and camden. for tonight we expect these are drop into the lower 20s. we will go 22 degrees in columbia. maybe passing clouds. and then for tomorrow, it will be warmer than today. 47 degrees our high. but the clouds increase and we will make a mention of a sprinkle or two. maybe a sprinkle or two. 50 degrees by thursday. rain chances begin to increase. rain likely on friday. 53 degrees. and may see lingering precipitation into saturday. high temperatures around 49 degrees.

in the mid-50s. that is your forecast. as far as traffic is concerned on. good news there. more traffic than yesterday, obvious with the holiday. afternoon. if you are heading out over the next while no major issues. still no problems being reported. downtown to blythewood 23 minutes to make that commute. downtown to the villain 30 minutes. we will look -- village 30 minutes. we will look at the seven-day forecast coming up. >> thank you so much. lawmakers talk about the roads plan, one group is lobbying against a gas tax, they are trying to reach a compromise.

department of transportation reform and they say they want to focus on reforming the transportation system in the state. they are calling on lawmakers to remove the joint transportation committee, move the d.o.t. under the governor. >> south carolina -- >> revenue and tax reform are not included. this bill has no chance to become law. what people are hearing about is only about they want to raise your gas tax which isn't true anyways. that is where they are going. >> we are opposed to any plans that include a gas tax hike. we need to reform the system. the transportation system is corrupt. it is dysfunctional. it is out of control. we oppose sending more of our hard earned dollars to this corrupt system to feed the corrupt system.

will voice their thoughts tomorrow. as they pay for drivers gas taxes. gallon. starting at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. the state d.o.t. awarded crashes to replace october's nads. they expect the -- floods. they expect the bridge to be completed by june 1 of this year. in richland county it is 15. pine grove road, 25-mile creek will be complete by august. and if you were effected by the october flood you are invited to share your story at county. the project is a series of six meetings to gather feed back from neighbors. the first is held at st. andrew park. it starts at 5:30 p.m.

that is going on today. that kicks off in a half hour from now. public input from the meeting will compile a report that is specific to the county and will include strategies for mitigating or lessening the effects of future flooding. to see a full list of the meetings and find out where you would like to participant just go to www.wltx.com. lexington stopped using the waste water plant. it is part of the plan to process and treat water at the city regional treatment plant. the closing eliminates discharge to the river and provides cleaner outflow. the city of west columbia experienced a water line break on sunset boulevard. drivers should anticipate slower traffic in the area while crews are working to fix the leak.

is a boil water advisory in effect in the 300 block. regulators want more money to monitor the water quality. dhec is asking law makers for $950,000 more in the budget. the money would be used to hire 16 more employees and buy more equipment to test water. budget cuts forced the agency to reduce the frequency of water sampling and the number of stations. water quality issues have been making national headlines with the crisis in michigan. the governor will deliver his state of the city speech tonight as anger builds over the state's response. in 2014 flint's water supply was tainted with led after they switched the water source from detroit to the flint triver

national guard troops are now handing out waters. ground breaking was held company. they are building manufacturing plant in spartanburg. governor nikki haley was on hand for the ceremony. they will hire 500 employees. and the internal revenue service is accepting tax returns starting today. taxpayers are advised to check their mail for important documents. meanwhile scammers are trying to take advantage of taxpayers. the biggest phone fraud in irs history is growing. con artists threaten to arrest people for not paying their taxes. the scam raked in $20 million. if you get a call like that the irs says hang up. [ music ] authorities in georgia say

husband. the 86-years-old was in a wheelchair going down a walk way when he ran off the walk way and fell out of the chair. his wife tried to help him but she fell leaving both of them helpless. investigators say the husband survived because he was wearing fleece and his wife was only wearing a dress. officialinizecourage everyone to check on elderly neighbors regularly. . the price of gas briefly dropped to below a dollar a gallon in un-michigan town during gas quar-- in michigan during a gas war. 47 cents a gallon. incredible. the national average is $1.89. in the midlands we are paying less than that, $1.64 a gallon. there are reports that today

in the store. the race for the gop nomination ted cruz and donald trump set their sights on each other. they are in a tight race for the lead in iowa where the iowa caucus will be held in two weeks. iowa governor may have put himself in a position to make a mark when new hampshire votes next month. meanwhile the democratic vase tightening in iowa. bernie sanders is sweeping through the state today. he appears to have an edge over hillary clinton in new which votes second. hillary clinton received an endorsement from the human rights campaign, campaign, the largest lgbt organization. the supreme court agreed a review of president obama's

the court will consider a challenge to his move to alalw 5 million immigrants to work in the u.s. they will consider undoing rulings that block the plan from taking effect. it will be argue in april and decided in -- argued in april and decided in august. . the court rejected another challenge to president obama's healthcare over haul. this morning they left in place rulings that dismissed the lawsuit against the national healthcare law. the court has twice turned back challelees to the law. the court has allowed family owned businesses with religious objections to opt out of contraceptives for women. still ahead on friends @ five a huge honor for women's

find out what l more honors for star a'ja wilson. named the sec player of the week. this is the 4th time she earned the. [ discussion ] -- earned the distincttion. she scored 26 points and blocked 8 shots. she averaged 10-1/2 rebounds for the week. the gamecocks hit the road for their next game, they take on sec rival auburn on thursday night. meanwhile let's talk about the men. the mens basketball team take on ole miss tonight. the team is hoping to get their 17th win of the season, matching last year's win total. they look to add to the win column as they hope to make the ncaa playoff this year.

p.m. super bowl 50 is just weeks away. the biggest game of the year will air right here on wltx and we are getting excited already so we want you to be excited too so we came up with a game. we are playing 19 golden foothills. starting today our marketing team went all over the midlands and placed 19 different foothills at public land marks and then -- footballs at public land marks and then every day we will post the pictures on facebook. so follow us on twitter, on well. these people were fast. they got out and they will wane $50 dash win -- win a $50 gift card and they will be entered to win the grant prize, the

tuesday, january 26. so if you are not doing anything -- they must have just come in -- [ talking at the same time ] >> we have had 5 balls found. 5 out of 19. 14 balls still looking for you. get on social media. it is cold. bundle up. check out where we placed the balls and head out and go find them. >> they are in public places. they are in obvious places. [ laughter ] >> put in a a lot of -- in a lot of hard work. it is in plain sight. and it is golden. >> not in the back of a shed -- no. [ laughter ] >> this is not your excuse to find out if your neighbor has your weed wacker -- [ talking at the same time ] >> here i was adjust just -- [ talking at the same time ] [ laughter ] h i am going to tell. >> i am going to tell you what,

>> it was. 20 degrees this mourning columbia. -- morning klum. it will be warmer tomorrow --tic -- morning in columbia. it will be warmer tomorrow -- [ talking at the same time ] >> 41 degrees columbia. we have been stuck at 41 so far for the afternoon. 38 degrees sumpter. 39 degrees greenwood and anderson. still a breeze. coming out of the north, 6 orangeburg. breeze, cold air, you have the wind. it feels a little colder than the air temperature. these are wind chill values right now at 5:00 p.m. 37 close columbia. 34 sumpter. -- 37 degrees columbia. 34 sumpter. across the state mid-30s.

for tonight we expect clear skies. a few clouds may roll into the picture over night. that may help temperatures. and then into tomorrow a stem will approach the area producing snow in the upstate. for us as the system swings through, it is very dry so we are not expecting rain. as we mentioned earlier maybe a sprinkle or two late tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow evening. not going to be a big deal whatsoever. but the clouds increase on thursday. we expect showers to continue to increase as well as a low- pressure system approaches and rain is likely on friday. you can see the showers spreading across the area friday afternoon. north, along the north carolina, south carolina boarder mixed precipitation there, along i-77. for us in the midlands friday a rain event. you could see a good amount of rain. 20 degrees tonight. 21 camden.

slightly better than this morning. and then highs tomorrow afternoon topping off in the mid- to upper 40s. for the next 7 days, a chance 50 degrees. breezy too. 53 degrees. and as the low moves up to the coast, a chance for well. 49 degrees our high on saturday. looking ahead towards sunday, 54 degrees and finally we may be back into the 60 monday and tuesday. and a chance for rain tuesday as well. a small chance for rain tomorrow and then rain chances increase towards the end of the work week. >> if i had to pick i will take a rainy friday over a rainy monday any day. that is fine. >> never thought about it.

[ talking at the same time ] [ laughter ] [ talking at the same time ] >> sunshine on monday. >> thank you. all right. coming up next on friends @ five today do you like french fries?

are you ready to combine (phone ringing) you can't deal with something, by ignoring it. but that's how some presidential candidates seem to o dealing with social security. americans work hard, and pay into it. so our next president needs a real plan to keep it strong. (elephant noise) (donkey noise)

the president of the academy of motion pictures is promising changes and quickly but it may not be enough to quiet calls for people to boycott the academy awards over its all white nominees. the report from new york. >> i will not be at the academy awards and i won't be watching. >> reporter: hours after jada pinkett-smith announced she is boycotting the oscars the academy president addressed the issue monday night. >> i hope everybody understands

to turning this around. >> the nominees are -- >> reporter: oscar nomanies are -- nominees are chosen by a voting body, 93% white and 74% male. >> the academy has the right to acknowledge whoever they choose. [ indiscernible ] >> reporter: jada pinkett- smith's husband will smith was considered a strong contender for his role in concussion but didn't get enough votes from academy members. beast of no nation despite rave reviews. along with the cast of straight out of compton.

screen play. >> these writers. [ laughter ] >> i don't think it is some smoke filled room where people are saying we are go to block the black actors, that is not it at all, it is a historical issue. >> chris rock who is scheduled to host the academy awards is facing pressure to bow out. he poked fun that ceremony awards. eagles guitarist glenn frey passed away. he formed the band with the drummer back in the 1970s. they scored with their big hits like hotel california and life in the fast lane. the eagles broke up in 1980s

he was battling multiple ailments at this time of his death -- at the time of his death. daviddavid bowie's album topped charts in the u.s. black star was released two days before he died of cancer on january 10. so far it sold 174,000 copies. caitlyn jenner has a book deal. year. it will following the kaitlyn. okay. fast food fans in japan always get the most unique items and i am jealous of this one. i like french fries and chocolate. mcdonalds creates what they

french fries drizzle with two types of chocolate sauce. the mccocoa potatoes are only available a limited time and only in japan. i like the salty -- i think of this like a chocolate dorffed pretzel. -- covered pretzel.l. not buying it? >> no. nothing about that sounds appealing. . >> really? >> chocolate on my french fries -- >> we could get fries and get some syrup and make it ourselves. >> i feel like they do it different in japan -- >> more special? >> i don't know. like a pregnant woman's favorite food. >> a dream. >> no, no thanks on the french fries and chocolate together.

[ talking at the same time ] >> not buying that. we want to know your favorite foods, craziest things you put together. tweet us. coming up next a long and heated meeting day for the e

find out you are watching news 19 friends @ five with andrea mock and darci strickland. >> thank you for sticking with us for friends @ five. richland county took up the penny tax again. news 19's sonia gutierrez was there during the exchange and she spoke to those along the front lines of this controversy and she joins us with what happened. >> reporter: today's transportation committee

after two others were taken off. if you remember jackson is the one being investigate -- washington is the one being investigated for not paying his taxes. rose proposed four motions today. one to repeal the purchase ordinance that was referred to committee. to give the chairman more power and to have reports from them as well as a yearly audit. this was also referred back to committee. to have the small local business enterprises funded from the general fund and not the penny tax that was sent to budget and to reconsider the public relations scope of the problem that is to cut it off or scale back. as well. now rose is staying positive. >> i would like to see the program get on track and for

>> we will get staff to give their input on the affordability of it and how we do it, if we could do it and take it from there. >> reporter: we will bring you a deeper look at 7:00 p.m.. >> a lot of people concerned about making sure the money goes where it is supposed to. that's right. that is why these meetings seem like they just continue but it is because it is a big issue. >> thank you so much. some state senators are listening to proposals that would limit refugees in south carolina. one bill would require a public database of refugees resettled in the state and hold their sponsors liability for damage if they commit an act of terrorism. a second resolution calls for a ban on state agencies taking in new refugees till the federal government can establish new procedures. in december officials said two

our state against governor nikki haley's wishes. activists at the state house today, the voice of the unborn held a pro family rally. they were gathered outside the governor's office. now the -- now, the midlands most accurate forecast with meteorologist daniel bonds. >> a chilly day across the midlands. we made it into the upper 30s and lofters. that is where we are right now. 41 degrees in the city. that is the high temperatures today. 37 degrees in greenville. 27 asheville. and 28 degrees in knoxville. warmer towards the south. 46 degrees savannah and 50 degrees in albany. we have a breeze out of the north. making it feel colder out there. wind chill values, 37 columbia. 15 degrees in asheville. 19 in knoxville. again, tonight will be cold. a breeze out there.

the air temperatures are. as far as the air temperatures, lows around 22 in columbia. wind chill valuesoom in the middle -- tomorrow in the middle -- values tomorrow in the middle teens. 33 degrees tomorrow night. clouds increase. a chance for rain on thursday. 50 degrees. and rain will be likely on friday as a low-pressure system develops off the coast and still expect precipitation on saturday with high temperatures around 49 degrees. by sunday we dry up and clear out with highs in the middle 50s. that is your forecast. as far as traffic is concerned, no major problems reported by the highway parole. slow down -- patrol. slow down. 2 notch, an accident with injuries reported on that one. heading up and down 2 notch

if you are traveling from downtown to i-20, i-277, 27 minutes. fort jackson 42 minutes over the sumpter. a cold night today. we will look that forecast coming up tonight at 6:00 p.m. >> all right. thank you so much. we have a traffic note we need to pass along. d.o.t. is closing the eastbound interstate 26 exit -- or 26, exit ramp 26 off ramp tomorrow night and thursday night to head sign. closed from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. two right lanes will be closed and do d tour signs -- and detours signs will be in place then. the united way association of south carolina and their

state house highlighting the wages needed. the group presented a standard for the state, shows a single working parent with two children need to make $45,000 a year to support their families. organizers say this is often not made by working adults and many preme struggling to get -- people are struggling to get what they need. many jobs don't pay the bills. >> most of those jobs tend to be at the lower end of the wage skill so we are plugging the hole with the job loss with jobs that pay less money and that is where jobs tend to pay significantly less than other jobs. >> tomorrow the members of the united way of south carolina

decision on matters that effect people in poverty. the mission received a big donation today. lazy boy of lexington dropped off a truck load of furniture this morning. they were collected during a trade in event. it will be sold at the thrift store on two notch road and that money funds the mission. >> once we got involved and found out all the money from the sales of the furniture goes into the mission and goes back to funding the program, we enjoy being part of that. >> we are told each donation generates $5,000 in revenue for the charity. good job to the folks at lazy boy. >> good for everyone who thought about giving back. you know? that is huge. >> we hope you are tweeting with us.

>> can i give lawrence -- wait. [ talking at the same time ] >> lawrence says since it was a no go with the mcdonalds fries, i should dip the fries in a vanilla milkshake and i will love it. >> okay. she says i love a honey bun and pringles ranch chips together. i don't get that. my combo, i dip pretzels in strubarry jam. -- strawberry jam. still ahead on friends @ five the new school finally

we if you have tried to learn

takes discipline, passion and persistence. and the result is something beautiful. news 19's savannah levins the week. [ music ] >> you need music in your life. it gets you going. >> reporter: in the halls of music. made by children. 6th graders. >> you can make a sound with and play. radio. you can make your own stuff. >> followed by a note. >> reporter: miss carol. member of the south carolina philharmonic by night. middle school teacher by day. >> ready go. >> it is cool when i am

and they are not sure about it it. it is just -- that is cool. we see that ever day. that is what is neat about it. >> reporter: whililshe might not be leading a symphony at carnegie hall she leading. >> she is a good teacher. she is one of the best teachers. >> reporter: that say that is the week. [ music ] >> reporter: close your eyes and you might forget where you are but in her class you will never forget where you started. >> i just think that is one of the best parts. taking something they don't know and going to something they feel proud of. >> reporter: savannah levins, news 19 wltx. >> well, if you would like to nominate an educator for teacher of the week visit www.wltx.com. and a new catholic high

the school opened at the new location this morning. today was the first day of class for the kids. now on alpine road. today media was invited intoto the school for a tour. the principal says it was a very exciting day for the students and the faculty. >> i shed many teals i will tell you and especially over the past two weeks as we actually move things in and started to get settled but when i stood that door to welcome students coming in this morning the reality hit that here we are today with what we have been waiting for for such a long, long time. >> well, the school moved from its location on forest driving and the move has been in the works for more than a decade. all right. coming upupext on friends @ five are you a person that has heart problems?

your feet you like being picture perfect. you should want your banking to be too. stop into td bank and we'll help set you up with picture perfect banking. new customers, open a checking and savings account and you can get a polaroid cube+

on the 19th of every month we remind you of the importance of performing your self-breast exam. >> reporter: there is something special about the relationship they have. they can talk about anything including the excitement of family. >> i can't wait. >> reporter: not only are they close friends they share the cancer. a two year survivor, six and a half month pregnant and diagnosed with breast cancer. >> i have been having chemotherapy once every two weeks.

four, four and a half hours. during treatment days. for fluid replacement. >> reporter: it has been three months since she received the news that changed her life and how she is preparing to be a mother again. >> it is hard but, you know, i know i will get through this. i will get through this. i have been through worse. >> reporter: they are finding humor in things like when your two-year-old turns the wall into an artist canvas. >> i don't know where he found the red sharpy but he -- that is not the worse wall. let's just say that. >> god knows i don't take breast cancer for granted. >> reporter: they say they found strength in their faith, family and friendship. >> just pray. pray on it. you know? got to give it back to him.

>> i am a tough cookie. i will get through it. >> reporter: it has been a tough time for this family. before she was diagnosed he got hit by a backhoe at work and broke his people toker and hip. he hasn't been able to work for . >> take it one day at a time and know that you are not the the last. everything will be okay. >> my fight is just starting. i try to let other people see i am getting through this okay. please don't act like i am i am not. >> reporter: more alive today time. 5 days go they welcomed their baby girl to the world. born at 36 weeks, 4 pounds and 15-ounces. small but healthy.

i am not going to be able to nurse this one but she will be all right. >> my family is most important. everything else can wait. just got to keep my eye on the family right now. >> well, we know that early detection is the key to saving your life. go to our website to www.wltx.com. scientists in europe say they have fine tuned an ultrasound test that could determine whether or not ovarian tumors are cancerous. they found the techniques improved diagnosis accuracy. this is important as there is no known way to prevent it. a study suggest the higher a person lives the lower their chances of surviving cardiac arrest.

the best chance of survival. despite recommendations fewer than one in four high school students who had sex tested for hiv. scenes are encouraged for high risk people. -- screenings are encouraged for high risk people. officials say many people under estimate their risk and some doctors are unaware of the recommendations. two california lawmakers say it is time to end the tampon tax. this law could classify tampons and other projects as -- products as medical necessities. maryland and new jersey don't impose a sales tax on these products. it gained support from republicans and democrats. supporters say the tax is hard

need the products but they are not easily accessed or afforded afforded and women pay tax on these products in our state. >> you find out who your lawmaker is -- [ talking at the same time ] >> get the tax taken away. >> if we have to buy them might as well not pay tax on them. [ talking at the same time ] coming up next one airline is making it harder for you to

friends, no typically airlines require carry on pets to fit under the seat in front of you but delta will no longer allow larger

instead they will be handled as freight. pets will have to arrive 3 hours before the flight time and dropped off at & picked -- off and picked up at the cargo facility. and the pooch could flyoon separate -- fly on a separate fly that may arrive at a different time than you do. news 19 learned there will be no elephant walk for the circus. circuit act. it would have been the last one to reacher the ringling bros. circus elephants. they are being requiring. officials say it is canceled because of a timing issue. the show kicks off thursday and runs through sunday. still tickets available. the efants are retiring so come

we are tonight on news 19 at 6:00 p.m. a chilly start to the morning and in for another cold night. there is even a mention of snow for the upstate. daniel will have the true view forecast. how much money is needed to support a family in south carolina without assistance. we will break down the numbers and at the state house a law maker proposing a bill to make all journalists registered before they could work for a news organization. we will tell you more as news 19 at 6:00 p.m. starts now. from the station that is on your side, you are watching news 19 at 6:00 p.m. >> it was a pretty cold morning across the midlands and a cold day as well. temperatures will drop below freezing once again tonight. good evening.