they wish they could have done more for the victims. now one of the big questions that remains is will katherine knott serve jail time. sentencing guidelines call for probation but jail time is not off the table. 25-year-old katherine knott left court today without comment convicted on four misdemeanor accounts in an attack on a gay couple in center city last year. she was acquitted of the most serious charges including aggravated assault. >> we're pleased with the verdict. overall she was acquitted of all felonies. she received more acquittals than she did convictions so these are misdemeanors so her life has the ability to go on. >> reporter: knott was convicted of simple assault two counts of reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit simple assault. assistant district attorney mike berry says the victims are satisfied. >> what they want is for miss not noknott to not claim she dit

do anything. >> reporter: back in september 2014 knott was walking in a group of 15 people when the attack took place that left one plan with a broken jaw. two co-defendants pleaded guilty and not probation. knott said she never threw a punch we he spoke to several jurors who said debate was heated at times during deliberation but said they did the best for the victims. >> i just felt so bad for them. felt so bad for them and this is so unnecessary. it just never should have happened. it never should have happened everything about it was wrong. >> we wanted to do so much more for them but unfortunately we couldn't so. >> based on the evidence we wanted to do so much more for them. >> reporter: and knott remains free on bail until her sentencing in february. we're live in center city, katherine scott, channel6 "action news." sharrie. >> okay, katherine, thank you. a pennsylvania teenager is accused of trying to help isis and threatening to kill

president obama. today we got new details about the 19-year-old who invest gators say may have been planning an attack. john rawlins has the story from harrisburg. >> reporter: not much is known about the 19-year-old who supposedly lived with his parents in the house behind me. he is charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. government agents raided the harrisburg home of the suspect jalil ibn ameer aziz for the second time. the feds say the 19-year-old suspect aided and abetted isis. they allege in a long list of social media posts aziz urged violence against what he referred to as infiddles. he offered help and aid to other would be jihadists to get to isis controlled lands. in one tweet authorities say he threatened president obama. "no o obama that we are coming to america and know that we he

will sever are head in the white house. in an earlier raid of the house the fbi said it recovered a backpack with five loaded m4 style high capacity magazines, a knife and head covering. there was no mention of a gun. marcus brown, pennsylvania's homeland security director was asked was it thought aziz was planning an attack. >> obviously the weapon wasn't found at this be point. but it's those type of things and the rhetoric that he's using that draws concern and that's why we're law enforcement and the joint terrorism task force isn't going wait until it gets to a point where that action would be too late. >> reporter:. >> reporter: the suspect is an american sit sent brown wouldn't say if he was born here. brown said he converted to islam is that believed was radicalized via the internet. he did not say if he attended local schools or attended a local mosque. aziz seemed to be something of a ghost. some neighbors said they didn't know he even lived here. no one appeared to be at home at the family house today. there was a hastilily written

note that said no comment, no news, no trespassing. in harrisburg, john rawlins, channel6 "action news. >> and terrorism was one of the topics as president barack obama gave his annual year end news conference at the white house. he talked about continuing threats from the islamic state both at home and abroad. amid widespread fears about terrorism and extremists the president added there's only so much bombing you can do but insisted "we will defeat isis." he touted accomplishments from this yea year to diplomacy with iran and cuban the 6 million people who have signed up for healthcare so far this year under the affordable carely act. he says he isn't done yet and that in 2016 his final year in office he's going to leave it all out on the field. >> in short for all very real progress america has made over the past seven years we still have some unfinished business

and i plan on doing everything i can with every minute of every day that i have left as president to deliver on behalf american people. >> the president now heads to san bernadino to meet with the families of the 14 victims of the mass shooting and from there he heads t hawaii to spend two weeks in vacation in what has become their christmas tradition. >> thank you alicia. time for the accuweather forecast on your friday afternoon. >> all right. >> let's head outside to meteorologist melissa magee in for adam on this friday. hey, melissa. >> hi, sharrie, hi, rick. you guys definitely felt the difference today, right. extra layers are needed before you step out for the rest of the afternoon into the evening hours. check out the numbers. it's 46 in philadelphia, 47 in new york city but off to the west only 31 in pittsburgh. at the freezing mark in charleston, west virginia v if you're stepping out on the town bundle up. it's mostly clear at 7:00 p.m., we're at 42. we drop down 41 at 8:00 p.m.

at 9 o'clock tonight 40 and only 39 at 10:00 p.m. underneath a mostly clear sky. but dress for wind chills especially with that north to northwesterly breeze. it feels like 40 currently in the city, feeling like just 28 in above low. the current wind chill in pittsburgh at this hour at 22. so we'll talk about what's ahead. we are fighting whipping winds especially as we get into the weekend on saturday and with there in mind wind chills especially tomorrow morning will be in the 20's and 30's. so, we go down this weekend but then we're coming up next week because we're also track something christmas warmth. we'll let you know how high those numbers will go by then. those details coming up in the full and exclusive accuweather forecast. rick. >> melissa thank you. pennsylvania governor tom wolf said today that he has the votes to pass his tax plan in the statehouse which could finally cause a break through toward a budget. wolf's press secretary says the tax plan has enough support in the republican controlled legislature. the bill would increase public school aid and provide money to close a long term budget

deficit. the agreement would reportedly involve an income tax increase and if it passes, a vote on the main spending bill would follow potentially bringing an end to the state's six month budget stalemate. >> convicted cop killer mumia abu jamal appeared in court today to tell a judge that his medical care has not been adequate. abu jamaal has hepatitis c and other health problems. he has filed a lawsuit over the quality of his care. a lawyer for the state department of corrections said today she wants the case thrown out because abu jamaal did not go through the proper appeals process. abu jamaal spent nearly 30 years on death row for the 1981 murder of philadelphia police officer daniel faulkner. he's now serving a life sentence. >> we want to tell you about a special live facebook chat we're hosting today starting at 4:30. ali gorman will be taking questions from anyone trying to quit smoking and she'll be joined by ryan kauffman from the philadelphia department of

public health so head to the "action news" facebook page to ask your questions and join the conversation. again, that starts at 4:30 in just about 22 minutes from now sharrie. >> hopefully it can be helpful to people. time for the "action news" traffic report. >> matt matt pelman in the "action news" traffic center on a friday night. how is the ride home looking this evening, matt. >> not too great. we're pretty much parked on 45. >> sorry i asked. >> i bet you are. after 4 o'clock already parked rick and sharrie in the southbound lanes from past penn's landing through this point right underneath the walt whitman bridge on down to the girard point double decker bridge on the southbound bridge headed toward the airport there's an accident mostly blocking the bridge. that's why you're looking at such heavy delays along 95 southbound. that 46 minute travel time should be about 18 minutes. there was also a crash on the northbound side of 95 just north of the airport. that's mostly cleared out of the way but you still have a little bit of slowing as you come away from philadelphia international airport so we'll keep watching those situations.

we have been watching a very slow go on the westbound side of the schuylkill the whole way from the roosevelt boulevard on out to 202 headed toward the king of prussia mall which a lot of people are doing these days. there was a broken down vehicle that was blocking one of the two westbound lanes on the schuylkill. gone now but extra heavy delays the whole way from the boulevard on out to 202 this afternoon. and we're watching a crash in bristol bucks county along beaver street at 13 the bristol bypass. a little westbound slowing on the turnpike through the ongoing work zone. let's grab the ipad do the commuter report on this friday afternoon. happy friday everybody. and already slow going on 295 as well through cherry hill in the southbound lanes past 70. we had a crash in the northbound lanes of 295 in camden county but that has cleared out. we'll check it again, rick and sharrie, coming up in the next half hour. >> all right, see you then. thank you matt. much more still ahead on "action news at 4:00 congress makes a decision on whether or not to renew health benefits for 9/11 first responders. >> plus, a campaign controversy for the two top democrats in the race. what bernie sanders admits his

campaign did and now why he's promising to take the dnc to court. >> and you may have noticed an army of trucks rolling through philadelphia today. the caravan that came together to make some special deliveries just in time for the holidays. >> ♪

>> democratic presidential candidate bernie sanders is firing back at his own party claiming they're trying to undermine his campaign. a sanders spokesman says a software glitch gave the campaign access to part of a dnc voter database with confidential information on hillary clinton's camp. a staff from sanders' camp then accessed the information. the staff who is from philadelphia told abc news he was not trying to steal information and said, "we did not take anything out of the system that it was in and did not gain anything out of it" but sanders fired that staff

immediately. now the dnc has suspended sander's access to the database completely. the senator's campaign says they'll go to court get that access back. they also accused the democratic party of playing favorites. >> individual leaders of the dnc can support hillary clinton in any way they want but they are not going to sabotage our campaign. >> in the meantime the democratic candidates are getting ready for their next debate. they'll face off tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. and you can see it all right here on 6abc. world news tonight anchor david muir and abc's chief global affairs correspondent martha raddatz will serve as moderators. >> in washington congress passed a bipartisan deal today to fund the government through september of next year. president obama is expected to sign the bill which includes a $1.4 trillion in spending they can year. it also includes $680 billion in tax cuts over the next

decade. republicans got increases for the military and an end to the ban on u.s. oil exports. democrats are touting the higher domestic budget as well as tax breaks for working families and renewable energy. the bill also renews health benefits for 9/11 first responder who's got sick as a result of their work at ground zero. if you still have some holiday shopping to do today might be a great day to get it done. some of america's biggest retail ertz including wal-mart target j. c. penney and nordstrom are offering free shipping forline purchases today. the free shipping day promotion started back in 2007 as a way for retailers to try to lure last minute shoppers. we'll have much more on this as well as other holiday shopping deals an in freebie friday at 4:30. everything was down unfortunate. the dow 17,128, down almost 370 points. nasdaq also down almost 80

points. the s & p 500 down almost 37 points to finish at 2005 to end the work week. a diet company is eating up its competition. nutri system which is based in fort washington pennsylvania says it is buying the south beach diet brand for $15 million. the florida cardiologist who created the diet back in 2003 will join nutri system's science advisory board. nutri system also says it will expand the diet through a meal delivery program. the company told investors the move will dilute its earnings next year as it plans to relaunch south beach in 2017. >> pope francis has recognized a second miracle attributed to mother teresa which paves the way tabor her to become a saint. the pontiff ratified a miracle attributed to her after her death. that's one of the qualifications for sainthood. a spokesman for the vatican said mother teresa will likely be officially named a and saint in september. mother teresa was known around

the world for her efforts to care for the poor in the slums of calcutta india. >> 'tis the season to give back to help our neighbors in need. in south philadelphia maybe you caught a glimpse of this, one massive event that really puts the drive in food drive. >> this year we have 250,000 pounds of food and 80 trucks. >> a record breaking donation and this morning a pretty impressive caravan of 80 toyota tundras carrying food for our 750,000 neighbors in need arrived at citizens bank park with the philly phanatic there to greet the generous donations collected part of toyota's 9:00 a.m. annual haul away hunger event. >> we all live and work in this area so anything we can do to give back we're thrilled to do. >> it was loaded in the trailer for philadbundance. the tri-state toyota dealers association worked with 26 business partners including us here at 6abc and while this

donation was the largest yet, they remind us this is a year round need. >> this food 250,000 pounds of food philadbundance is going to go through in a little more than a week so this is a need that needs to be met 52 weeks a year, not just the week before christmas. >> some of the donations will be used now. but philadbundance tells us it's also saving some to spread the generosity throughout the year. >> we have hunger all year round 365 days a year in every zip code in the delaware valley and so a lot of the food that they'll be giving us will actually be used throughout the year including the summertime when we see a lot of children who are out of school for the summer and they lose their school meals. >> and so toyota and all of those business partners will begin raising money for next year's drive. you can donate at any time because as you just heard the need is real all year long. rick and sharrie. >> that's for sure. thank you leash sharon time

for the accuweather forecast and the end work. >> let's check back in with meteorologist melissa magee and we're talking a cooler day across-the-board. >> it really was sharrie and rick and looks who that trend will continue even as we head into our week. we'll show you the picture outside. sky6 live in hk from our temple university camera looking north up broad street and you can see we've got a partly cloudy sky overhead. we did have some sun break out although it was pretty cloudy early this morning in the wake of that frontal boundary moving through. currently with that northwesterly wind you could see the wind are sustained anywhere from 13 miles per hour in allentown to as high as 15 in the city, 18 there in wilmington. it's drying out the atmosphere with that northerly wind but it's also cooling us down. wind chill number in the city, 40 degrees. just 36 in allentown, the lehigh valley, 31 out to the west in lancaster. along the coast in beach haven current wind chill number in beach haven also in the lower 40's. the call from accuweather for the rest of tonight, 28 in allentown. we've got those chilly winds so the winds aren't too bad at

this hour but they will continue to increase tonight and even as we go throughout the overnight hours. dropping down to the treatment em ifreezingmark treatment in p. we've got a partly cloudy across the region. you could see the moisture we had yesterday moving out along the atlantic but focus your attention to the west and we're still tracking this trough of low pressure moving across the great lakes and the ohio valley. later tonight there could be some snow showers down wind of the lakes. we'll show it to you. future tracker6 taking new time. 7 o'clock tomorrow with that northwesterly wind you can see the snow showers setting up across upstate new york and also portions of interior new england but it's also affecting our temperatures. the wind chill at 7 o'clock in the morning just 21 degrees in philadelphia. extra layers. you're still going need them by the afternoon. at 3 o'clock, the temperature only reading at 32 in philadelphia. the teens north and west of our region and it looks like this pattern will continue as

we head into our sunday although we start to tap into a southerly wind by then so temperatures around 39. call from accuweather speaking of sunday, the eagles at home at the linc in a prime time matchup against the cardinals, chilly winds south to southwest. 38 is that kickoff temperature and once we get into the fourth quarter we're down 37. here is your four day at 4:00 showing you tomorrow it is blustery and cold, a high of 42 but dress for wind chills in the 20's and 30's. sunny and chilly on sunday and at 45. on monday, winter begins at 11:48. it's not going to feel like it. up to 56. showers on tuesday, it's mild with a high of 60. so coming up in the next half hour we'll talk about what christmas eve and christmas are looking like right now. >> the weather looks so delightful. >> i mean it's cold right now but it gets better. just hang around. >> exactly. >> melissa thank you. >> you got it. >> up next a delaware state trooper opens fire on a suspect. what police are saying about the confrontation that led to that shooting. >> also we have the latest on

the death of a college student in montgomery county. what we know about who she was and the investigation into the accident that killed her. >> and coming up in big talkers, researchers say they have unlocked a big clue that could lend some information about a treatment, a cause and a cure for autism. we'll break it down for you. >> ♪ ok, we're here.

here's dad. mom. the twins. aunt alice... you didn't tell me aunt alice was coming. of course. don't forget grandpa. can the test drive be over now? maybe just head back to the dealership?

don't you want to meet my family? yep, totally. it's practically yours, but we still need your signature. the volkswagen sign then drive event. zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first months payment on a new jetta and other select models. >> we learned today the name of the ursinus college student who died after she was hit by a car near cam pulls. the school says 19-year-old michelle buck of herndon virginia was a member of the dean's list at the montgomery county school. she also played in the band as a string member. she was hit by a car and killed on main street in collegeville last night. investigators say she was in a crosswalk when this all happened. the driver did stay at the scene and is cooperating with police. from our delaware news room a state trooper shot at a suspect while responding to a home invasion.

police got the call around 10:30 last night on salem church road in newark. when they showed up they say they found a man inside with a gun. a trooper shot him in the chest when he refused to put his gun down. he's in serious condition in the hospital. police also arrested a second suspect who was not armed. the officers and the family who live in the home were not hurt. >> well, young and old were on a full on holiday mission today in chester delaware county. santa himself showed up at the chester community charter school for the 16th annual santa brigade. volunteers handed out more than $18,000 in gifts for each student at the school. organizers say it's important that the boys and girls feel included in the celebration. they even got to deliver their christmas wish lists to the big man in red. there was also a party, plenty of treats, smiles and surprises all around. why not? more than two dozen kids in wilmington are getting a new bike for christmas this year thanks to a local charity.

mayor dennis williams joined the group ch2m hill to present 25 bicycles to local kids here at the city county building on north front street. the group raises money for the event all year long. they've 98ed more than 400 bikes -- donated more than 400 bikes over the last decade. still ahead an upper darby police officer finds himself on the wrong side of the law. what he's accused of doing inside of the evidence room. >> and three local mothers wanted to teach their toddlers the true meaning of christmas so they armed their little elves with dozens of presents and sent them to the willow grove mall. the video you need to see as strangers reacted to the surprise gifts.

>> ♪ >> "action news" continues with meteorologist adam joseph, alicia vitarelli, sharrie williams and brian taff. >> ♪ >> well, it's 4:30 and "action news" continues with some sweet deals that are 100 percent off where you can get cinnamon buns and cookies for free. >> for free. >> you heard it. >> on one side a suspect brandishing a shot gun on the other a shop owner way slipper. surprisingly the man with the shoe was victorious. why he wasn't scared coming up. >> plus, brain break through. for the first time scientists reveal they have uncovered a direct link between a specific chemical and autism.

what the study could mean for millions impacted by the disorder. >> but we begin in delaware county with new details in the arrest of a veteran police officer. investigators say brad ross used the upper darby evidence room like his own personal stash house. stealing drugs and cash. for more on how ross was caught and what his motive may have been, we turn to "action news" reporter greg hall who is live outside of police headquarters. greg. >> reporter: well, rick the district attorney tells me that the police officers here at this police department they are upset and disappointed by the actions of their former fellow officers and tonight he is being treated like any other suspect. walking out of district court former upper darby township police officer brad ross didn't have anything to say. the 17 year veteran was once charged with upholding the law and now is accused of being a criminal. >> nobody expected him to be a thief. nobody expected him to commit criminal activity. he was a respected officer.

>> reporter: delaware county district attorney jack whelan says ross was arrested for stealing from an evidence room and tampering with evidence. investigators believe the crime date back to 2012 but caught onto the criminal activity in january after items were misplaced in the evidence room. >> there was approximately 3,700 pills and drips that were taken as well as over $14,000 in cash, eight cell phones, gift cards and jewelry. >> reporter: ross is charged with 203 counts of theft. investigators say they found some of the stolen items in his home. district attorney whelan says the former officer broke the trust of the department and the community. >> kept a shadow -- cast a shadow on the entire department as well as police officers and we have so many great officers in delaware county. >> reporter: investigators say ross had a drug problem and eventually entered rehab. he resigned from the force in march and detectives believe his battle with drugs led to

the thefts. they say it's no excuse and like any other suspect he must face the consequences. >> with 203 counts some of them felony counts the tampering we're allege regular felony counts he'll do substantial time. >> reporter: the district attorney said he had to throw at at least three criminal cases because of all of this. we've also learned that former officer has a preliminary hearing december 23rd. live tonight in upper darby, greg hall channel6 "action news." sharrie. >> greg thank you. a north philadelphia day care has been shuttered two days after the suspicious death of a baby girl. "action news" returned to the sisters child care center on the 3500 block of germantown avenue today. a small memorial sits outside in tribute to a 10 month old girl found unresponsive there wednesday. investigators say a staff member tried to perform cpr on the way to the hospital but never called 911.

the baby was pronounced dead a short time later. though the cause of death has not been determined, the state department of human services shut down the day care to ensure the safety of other children. today atf investigators were back at the site of a devastating church fire in wilmington. they pulled up floor boards and brought in dogs to find clues into the cause of the blaze at the new jerusalem missionary baptist church on pine street. the entire structure was destroyed by fire earlier this week. church members were in the process of rebuilding from a fire two weeks ago when this latest one started. >> well, if you have room in your heart and your home this christmas, well a gloucester county animal shelter has a perfect deal for you. last night 43 cats were rescued from a hortter's home in pitman new jersey. today another 25 were saved bringing the grand total to 73 cats now in need of a forever

family. in order to find a home for all of the feline the county animal shelter is offering a buy one get one free deal for as long as it takes to place them all. if you would like to preregister adopt a cat or two head to 6abc.com and we'll provide a link to the shelter's web site. >> turning now to a box office force to be reckoned with and by that we mean "the force awakens." the newest film in the star wars franchise is now playing in packed theaters across the country. abc's brandi hitt she is live in hollywood with more on the movie that is already breaking records, brandi. >> reporter: oh, that's right, sharrie so many records already set this is one of more than 4,000 theaters showing the film. that's a record for december. fans have their light sabres, popcorn, many of them very happy leaving the theater and already getting back in line to buy more tickets. >> ♪ >> finish what you started. >> reporter: star wars fans are feeling the force.

>> clear cheer. >> reporter[cheers and applauses lining up to be the first to see it. >> it was an 11 on the 10 scale. >> thank god. >> it was amazing. >> reporter: and the seventh movie in the franchise is already breaking records earning 57 million thursday night alone. and selling the most presale tickets online in fandango's history. >> we're really excited. >> reporter: a new generation of loyal jedis celebrating with the first. >> ♪ >> reporter: and some are taking their love to the extreme. yes, this is a star wars themed wedding. >> stands together to face the galaxy reporter: the couple camping out for 12 days before seeing the film in hollywood. after one of the largest hollywood premiers in history, the cast is now jetting around the world. >> it's a very, very proud moment. >> reporter: and while some venues are adding extra

security many faithful fans plan on standing in line again. >> we have tickets for saturday. >> we have tickets for tomorrow at 1 o'clock. >> reporter: the big question now of course is will "star wars the force awakens" break the biggest box office record here at home for an opening weekend. the top spot is currently held by jurassic world at 208 million. reporting live in hollywood brandi hitt channel6 "action news. back to you. >> all right, brandy it's a big deal. >> people buying tickets and getting back in line. melissa are you back in line or have you seen it for the first time. >> i'm going to be in line. right behind me. >> yes, i will. >> make him buy your ticket. [laughter] >> hey, how about the forecast out there. >> you may want to see a movie inside because the numbers are going to be cold enough guys. we'll show you the picture outside philadelphia international airport. we're can coming in at 46 degrees. the dewpoint at 25. the winds out of the northwest at 15 miles per hour but that wind chill and at 40 degrees. up in camelback the temperature is at 34 and they

like these numbers because probably this weekend and finally they can start to make at least some man-made snow here. the dewpoint at 21. the winds out of the northwest at 13 miles per hour. that wind chill just 25. here is the bigger story, though. as we head into the weekend it's going to get even colder. look at the numbers. the current off temperatures across the great lakes, international falls in the single digits, sue saint marie 27, 29 in detroit. we'll tap into a piece of that at least as it relates to our wind chill numbers. a closer look coming up with the accuweather 7-day forecast guys. >> okay. >> santa has a lot of stops to make this season but today he brought joy to kids in delaware. >> ho-ho-ho. >> the big guy in red visited with tiny little ones this afternoon with the help of the wilmington police department santa made stops at two day cares there today. there were smiles excitement but also some crying. santa and mrs. claus were actually escorted by a sleigh

of cadillacs and police patrol cars. >> wow. not bad. >> a german shepherd named rookie made history today at the university of pennsylvania. he is now a graduate sort of. this is video of rookie who spent several weeks in training at the new penn vet working dog center sort of a canine patrol school on campus. the penn vet center has been opened since 2012 studying canines and their talents for crime prevention but rookie was the first pooch to be trained at the center instead of attending k-9 schools at other facilities. the cohansey zoo introduced its newest members. they're 12 months old. they were can kept in quarantine. the zoo can which is free to visit was opened back in 1934

and houses dozens of different animals. >> they're adorable at least right now. >> not kidding. that's right. >> still ahead, if you love cookies and cinnamon buns stay tunedly you'll love them even more when we tell you ho to you get them for free. >> wow. and it could be the key to cracking the autism code. why scientists are now linking a specific chemical in the brain to the disorder. >> plus, charitable children. three toddlers spend a day delivering presents to complete strangers at a local mall. also learn the true meaning of the season. >> and right now you're looking live at our facebook web chat about helping people quit smoking. that's ryan kauffman from the philadelphia department -- hi, ryan, philadelphia department public health. he's answering your questions up until 6 o'clock this evening. just led to our 6abc page on facebook to join in on the conversation.

>> ♪

>> a new york convenience store owner proved he has nerves of steel when confronted with an armed robber this week. surveillance video shows a masked man walking into the business monday evening armed with a shot gun right there. at first he complies and begins to fill a plastic bag with cash but when the robber starts to get a little handsy. he describes he's had enough. he grabs a slipper and hurls it at the gunman's head. that suspect runs out the door with him in hot pursuit. he says he should have been afraid but instead he was angry. >> i tell you honest i'm not scared. i don't know what happened. nothing scared for me. >> the suspect did fire a shot at him in the parking lot but it hit the ground. he says despite the robbery he has no plans to upgrade the security at the store joking that he'll just stick with the slipper. >> a video 83 is havin individus having many people do a double

take. it looks look an adult was behind the wheel. the man who took the video says the van had its hazard lights on and was going about 10 to 15 miles per hour while looking at christmas lights. he added that children who appeared to be nine or 10 years old were not secured on top of that van. well, no one in the neighborhood recognized the vehicle or the kids or the adults. authorities admit that it will be tough to pursue the case because it's impossible to tell who the people are. but they add that the adults were clearly breaking the law. >> ♪ >> big talkers now and university in florida is making a move to find a way to fire a tenured professor who publically claimed that every major mass shooting or terror attack in the u.s. including the most recent in san bernadino, california, was fake. this is james tracy the tenured professor at florida atlantic university in boca

rabocaraton. tracy claims that every tragedy from 9/11 to sandy look to the boston marathon was staged. so far he's kept his job but this week the school says he may have gone too far. after the parents of one of the children killed in the sandy hook school shooting accused him of harassment. so the school has now begun the process of revoking tracy's tenure and firing him. he now has 10 days to respond but says that he intends to fight on the grounds of free speech. that's got a lot of people talking today. and so does this. now to what scientists believe is a big break into what causing autism. researchers say they discovered a specific chemical in the brain there they believe is a key clue. they believe autistic behavior has to do with a signal break down of a neurotransmitter called gaba. they say this is the first time that in humans they've linked the disorder to a neurotransmitter. in the study the team used brain imaging and a visual test known to trigger

different reactions in the brains of people with autism. so they now say these tests could be used to screen young children for autism. they say this new research is just part of the puzzle. as the medical community works to come up were i was cause an cure of course it's not the end of it but it is an exciting move they say. finally we bring you the true meaning of christmas through the eyes and good deeds of two-year-olds in this viral video we see bryce callie and casey learning the gift of giving. >> ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪ their mom sent the cousins around the willow grove mall in montgomery county to surprise random people with thoughtful presents. here's a look at just some of the inspirational little signs books for kids, socks by and slippers for older folks. there was even a mug that says believe in yourself.

the family says the kids and the parents, too, were so touched by the reactions they planned to make it a yearly tradition. they now plan to go to nursing homes, hospitals, women's shelters so that the kids know what giving is truly about and hey why not start them out as toddlers. how special is that you guys? great lesson for these little ones. >> sometimes that's even more fun than getting a gift watching someone's face when you hand them something. >> i like that idea. >> thanks. >> let's give a gift to matt pelman right now by saying do you a great job matt and how we looking on 95? >> you want a present. >> yes. >> you're my secret santa. >> i don't know about that, rick. that's a secret. good afternoon to you rick and sharrie. i'm giving you all sorts of things you probably don't want this afternoon a whole bunch of undesirable delays like here on 95 southbound side. still a very slow go from penn's landing on down to the girard point bridge where there's been an accident early this afternoon. if you're coming out of center city, it's not going to be a

perfect ride but i real wolf use the eastbound schuylkill to 26th street to the platt bridge to get down to the airport neff 95 southbound where speeds are in the teens. also a crash on 95 northbound just past the airport but that one is not causing a big delay. watch out for a wreck in upper darby this afternoon along state road at collin brook avenue and there was one on the roosevelt boulevard northbound side just north of the ridge avenue off-ramp. still out here on the shoulder causing a little extra slowing as you come north of the schuylkill expressway. in milford township watch out for a crash along allentown road near grant road. fire police helping you around in. new britain bucks county a crash along county line road at richardson road. still have one near the burger king in bristol along beaver street at 13, the bristol bypass and they're still working to make repairs from that big accident this morning in delran. it's on the northbound side of 130 approaching creek road where the home depot is on the southbound side. they still have the right lane blocked there as they make those repairs. we'll check it again, rick and sharrie, coming up in the 5 o'clock hour. >> all right. >> okay. >> thank you secret santa.

>> meteorologist melissa magee she's coming up with that exclusive accuweather 7-day forecast. >> okay. >> ♪ oh remotes, you've had it tough.

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>> ♪ >> meteorologist melissa magee is back now with a closer look at the weekend and haven't had the winter coat on for awhile but definitely this weekend. >> especially tonight and even as we head into the weekend. these wind chills guys we haven't seen them. >> no. >> not that we missed them. >> they're coming either way. we'll show you what's going on outside the action cam was outside earlier today looking in fairmount park. we've got a partly cloudy sky. you notice some breaks in those clouds, a few peeks of blue. unfortunately our temperatures aren't responding too much because we're getting a little closer to average and it will feel colder as we head into our weekend. here's storm tracker6 live double scan raid today.

it's dry and quiet in the wake of the showers we had across south jersey this morning and that cold front that moved through last night. currently in philadelphia 46 degrees and throughout the majority of the day temperatures have been holding in the 40's. 43 in wilmington, up in the poconos 34. out the to the west in lancaster 40. 45 in sea isle city but those winds are coming in out of the northwest so definitely a colder day. when you look at the 24 hour temperature change it is 11 degrees colder in the city than it was the same time yesterday. 16 degrees colder for atlantic city and wildwood and 14 degrees colder than it was just 24 hours ago in the poconos. here is satellite six along with action radar. there's our cold front along the atlantic. we've got a partly cloudy sky but off to the west we're tracking this low pressure across the great lakes where you notice that lake effect snow showers segment up down wind of the lakes and that's going to be the case tomorrow as well but here's the other story for our region. a little closer to home we're tapping into there west to northwesterly wind so if you're stepping out tonight

10:00 p.m. extra layers. it's going to feel like just 31 in philadelphia, 20 the current wind chill number in the poconos by then. 7:30 tomorrow morning, most spots will be in the lower 20's if not the teens north and west of town. and it looks like we don't have much in the way of improvement as we get into tomorrow afternoon. 4:00 p.m. you can see that wind chill number only at the freezing mark and at 32 the upper 20's north and west and just 17 in the poconos by then. so we've got a brief cold shot of air on the way a the dip in the jet stream allows all of that cold air to spill out of canada but just in time for the holiday next week for christmas eve we're back to the warmth with that jet stream moving up to the north. you tap into those mild southwesterly wind. it's warm. records are likely once again by christmas eve and christmas day not looking too bad either so if you are dreaming of a white christmas, well, the percentages pretty low across the region. 0 percent chance in the delaware valley, lehigh valley, not looking too good. we get the goose egg at the shore and the poconos

1 percent chance of finding a flurry by christmas day. here's the exclusive accuweather 7-day forecast it's blustery and cold tomorrow, high up to 42. sunny and chilly for the eagles at home at the linc. high temperature of 45. kickoff temperature will be in the upper 30's. winter begins on monday at 11:48, 56. 60 with showers tuesday. wednesday 64. christmas eve 70 and for christmas day, a high of just 59 degrees. guys, a bit of a rollercoaste rollercoaster. >> keep riding it. >> it's a nice ride, that's for sure. >> what are you humming? i'm dream of a white christmas. >> keep dreaming. >> it may not happen. >> freebie friday coming up next when we come right back. stay with us.

>> happy freebie friday everyone and 'tis the season

for yummy freebies. join the club. this you is fun for the kids. farmers road drive through in chadds ford hosting a free cookie decorating workshop o on the eve of christmas eve. hey, get this for all my fellow procrastinators out there sometime it pays to wait. today is the eighth annual free shipping day. more than 900 stores including wal-mart target and harry and david offering free shipping on all orders with delivery by christmas eve. we have a link to the web site with participating retailers on 6abc.com. and there are a lot of them. and finally enjoy 12 days of christmas movies at the lodge at blue cross river rink winter fest. there's a film every night through christmas day. every night at 6 o'clock. tonight's movie is christmas with the cranks. full details and more deals for you on 6abc.com.

have a great weekend you guys. >> you do the same. >> you, too alicia. >> thank you alicia. that's going to do it for "action news" at 4:00 join us for "action news" at 5:00 can coming up. >> an inspirational story to help you keep up with new years resolutions especially if quitting smoking is on your to do list. >> some residents complaining about the amount of dust coming from the demolition of trenton's central high school. i'm nora muchanic i'll have that story coming up. >> "action news" i at 5:00 is next. see you then.

>> ♪ >> "action news." delaware valleys leading news program. with jaime apody, meteorologist cecily tynan, rick williams and monica malpass. >> ♪ >> colder temperatures are on the way and you'll definitely need to bundle up this week as we look live from sky6 hd at the center city skyline it is a chilly evening and temperatures only made it into the upper 40's today and tomorrow will feel even colder. it is friday night and the big story on "action news" is the dropping temperatures. >> and you'll definitely be able to feel the difference. this is the first time this month that temperatures will be below normal. meteorologist cecily tynan is at the big board with a closer look at the accuweather forecast. hi, cecily. >> hi, sharrie and rick.

it will be a bit of a shock to the system tomorrow. earlier in there week we had the record warmth. today it's finally feeling like december. the average high for this time of the year is 44 degrees so still slightly above normal but i want to show you the air mass that will be moving in over the weekend. here it is. this is with temperatures in the teens. it will be modifying as it moves in. so it will be warming up a little bit but the winds are going to be a big factor through the day tomorrow. tonight if you're heading out out on the town a friday night you definitely do want a winter coat. at 7 o'clock 42 in philadelphia. 41 by 8:00 40 by 9:00 and by 10:00, 39 degrees with the same time the temperatures are dropping, the winds will actually be picking up so future tracker showing 11 o'clock tonight it's going to feel like winter. wind chills already below freezing and wind chills tomorrow morning in parts of our region will actually be dropping down into the teens