righted now, city and business lead rz are waiting to break ground on a project to bring millions to the district. what is it? who fired it? this image was caught on tae. and in the shadow of the u.s. capitol, hundreds are gathering for the ground breing of a new memorial. "news4 midday" begins right now. good morning and welcome to "news4 midday" i am barbara harrison it is wednesday,

november 10, 2010. today, the city is finally breaking ground on a new hotel near the washington convention center. the washingtoninariot marquis, in northwest washington. kimberly is there with details. >> reporter: good moing, how many hotel ground breakings that you know of, bring out two mayors, a member of ngress, j.w. marriott himself, from a band to an oyster bar, to a chse spread it. is the district marriott marquis. this is the actual dirt for shoveling in the photo op. this is the historic building to fold into the hotel. and ninth, one of the hottest places in d.c. real estate. >> for us, it gives us an opportunity to bring more conventions to washington. >> reporter: there hasn't been

an official convention hotel. >> i think it is great. it gives them the ability to host more events. the convenience of ving to stay in virginia and maryland. >> reporter: case in point, the lady from california. >> i stayed in fairfax. >> reporter: the convention center ceo. >> it has been a long time coming. the city's leadership, everyone has pitched in to try to make this work. >> reporter: marriott has wanted this space since 2003, when the new convention center opened. the cost to build th hotel, with 1,100 plus rooms and underground tunnel, $520

million. our californ friend is ready to book it for 2014. >> it would be great. if i had a long-term convi, that would be the place i would want to stay. >> reporter: here is the rendering of the marriott marquis. the fitness center alone is said to be 6,000 square feet large. it is expected to bring in money in tax revenue and many more conventions. >> amazing how much more important a fitness center is to a hotel, that wasn't the case 25 years ago, i'm sure. >> you can see how excite the city is. they will break the ground breaking in the new few minutes. >> we will follow is. we will be excited when it opens. take a look outside in washington. great time to be

visiting this city. seeing all the monuments already here. tom. be. >> it is the chamber of commerce day. gorgeous for visitors and residents alike. we are reveling in the autumn weather, temperatures in the upr 50s, and later today, ty may get into the low to mid 60s, through central virginia and southern virginia, they may hit upper 60s this afternoon. and out of the mountains right now, 40s, most locations there. earlier this morning, right now, around the bay. low to mid 50s there. over the last 12 hours we see the storm system swirl away, it continues to drift east and pulling away. lighter winds from that system, gusting to 20 miles an hour. plenty of sunshine on tap for

the rest of the afternoon, and breezes, 5 to 15 out of the north. low 60s in the metro, and higher temperatures likely through advertently. upper 60s there. gorgeous weather on the way for veterans day. we will look at tomorrow, friday d the weekend in a couple of minutes. sgler he is a story i will be interested in. everyone is talking about this mysterious thing in the sky out catlina island. the latest and the local reaction. >> reporter:hat on earth was that? what a lot of people are asking, after a statutory raper trail was caught on tape off the coast of california. many are wochding if it was some kind of missile launch. a strange statutory raper trail,

seemingly rising off the california coast. what was it? caught on video, the unusual trail has people talking. >> i couldn't believe it. what do you think when you see something like that? right away,ou hav an idea. it isn't from outer space. >> wasn't a ufo, not sure if it was a missile, maybe a statutory rapetrail. okay, what does this mean? >> the odd sight toany it looked like a missile launch. to jim oburg, a former nasa control specialist said it was likely an optical illusion. the trail likely came from an airline traveling toward the came. he said the trail appeared vertical, in fact, it was horizontal. >> you most commonly see a

rocket flying away. it is a proper interimitation of the geom tree. turns out it was wrong. if it is coming closer, you can't tell if it is getting bither, all you see is the cloud. >> reporter: the pentagon released a statement saying they are investigating. that it was not a u.s. military launch. no other pilots in the area reported anything strange, and norad said, no military launcs have been detected. >> officials say it was not them. missile tests are common in that area, they are preceded by a t of warnings. they reviewed the radar image, and didn't find anything unusual. >> checking on the traffic. going to jerry edwards.

>> good morning, it was a terrible accident in howard county that tied things up. a head-on crash, 175 at ta mar drive, investigators have en investigating for some me. 175 was reopened minutes ago. the investigation is continue. over on i-270, southbound at the beginning of the spur, accident with a car fire. fire department is on the scene. two right lanes are closed. the back up through rockville already. 355, a better altnarkts southbound. and over to virginia, 395 northbound. construction crews are in place. and for hours this morning,he bridge was a nightmare because of a truck with a broken axel. they have reopened.

busy morning. hundreds of disabled veterans are gathered for the ground breaking for a new memorial dedicated to them, the day before veterans day. the memorialill be south of waington avenue southwest. the 4 acre site will recognize the veterans' sacrifice. also actor gary siniese, the spokesperson. >> they are hoping the internet will help to find a person who killed a student this yea they gained access to vanessa's e-mail accounts. she was found stabbed in june. she just finished her freshman yeart the college of art.

the man accused of killing chandra levy. inmates say ingmar guandique confessed. a campus comes together. sue marcum was found murdered in her bethesda home. police believe she interrupted a burglary in progress and was beaten to taeth. her car was recovered by a police chief in d.c. so far, no arrests have been made in the murder case. everyone who attended said she was always up beat,no matter

the situation. >> always had a laugh in her. >> it will be a good se off. a good ending, closure to the whole thing. >> professor marcum in 2006 used her own money for a sholarship in her name. >> president obama is in south korea this morning. what he had to say about job creation in our country. how it will help the world economy. >> the cruiseship and what the passengers will have to deal with. we

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right now, the president is in sooul, south korea. he said a strong economy in the united states would be help.

>> and the president left jakarta sooner than planned, because of concerns offer an ash cloud from a vo canno. no charges will be filed for the deruction of tapes showing water boarding of terror suspects. it comes in an investigation. it simulates drowning. they siged no legal reason to keep them. they are still determining if the interrogation was legal. gop officialare pressuring steele not to run for re-election when his term ends in january. they are unhappy with fundraising with other things. john boehne rmr.

would like to see awe nigh leadership should a challenger emerge. >> 30,000 ballots prt of the review in aska is to check the spelling of lisa merkowski's name. she can only win as a write-in candidate. >> a cruise ship is slowly making its way back to shore after being stranded for two days. carnival splendoradn engine room caught fire. 4500 people on board have been without air conditioning, water and telephone access >> reporter: dead in the water.

now, the focus of an extensive rescue operation. a monday morning fire left the splendor without power and hot water for two days now, a situation where the passengers and crew on board will have to endure for at least another full day. >> they are safe. it is a matter of discomfort, primarily. >> maybe helicopters from the uss ronald reagan have been sending supplies to the ship. including pop tarts and spam. no telephone service leaves people worried about their familiesn board. >> my dad has a bit of a heart problem. just to know that everything is being taken care of and they are safe to, hear the voipss would be reassuring.

>> it left sunday to be a seven-day cruise in the riveria. in a statement, carnival cruise line said we apologize for is unfortate siation, and thanks for their cooperation during this challenging time. >> the ship is only being towed at four miles an hour, it will be thursday before passengers can set foot on dry land. pop tarts and spamoesn't sound like cruise ship fare. ie is our cruise ship aficionado. >> they are lucky not have to storms there. settled weather in that part of the pacific ocean. we have had this awesome pattern, continuing on this wednesday. bright blue sky, northst washington in the november

sunshine. we will get above the average here in the next couple of hours. low 60s. elsewher it is well into the 50s from around the chesapeake bay to central virginia. charltsville may hit upper 6 here, already in the mid to upper 50s, a cold start in the mountains, western virginia, they are back into the upper 40s to nr 50 and a large area of high presse that is ridging down from canada. it stretches all the way from eastern canada, all the way down the eastern third of the nation, down toward the gulf coast.

the storm system giving us wind away from the new england coast, as a result, the winds diminish, a few high clouds later thnchlt a clear night tonight, high pressure continues from eastern canada. will be in place for verans day and for friday and saturday, too. now, for the forecast for th wednesday afternoon. afternoon highs in the low 60s, southern virginia may get near 70 down into the north carolina, virginia border region. elsewhere, the right sunshine throughout the region. not as warm in the moups. and tonight, 40s by late evening. 4:59, hard to get used to.

sunrise at 6:46. we should be in the upper 30s by then. starting off veterans day, bright and sunny. mid and upper 50s on thursday. on friday, more of the same. highs in the 50s with bright sunshine. morning lows, near 40, great weather for all outdoor activities, high school and college games, and all the activities going on on saturday should beterrific with bright sunshine. now, for sunday. we will have a weak front that may give us clouds. afternoon highos sunday, 60 or so, perhaps low 60s in a few spots. then it does appear we will have a system coming our way, with increasing clouds on monday into tuesday. much-needed rain on monday, on tuesday, near 40 degrees in the

morning, afternoon highs in the 50s. that is the way it looks right no heading to jerry now. you heard that story about the spam on e cruise ship. ever see it on the menu on the luxly trips that you have been on? >> i prefer snickers and mohittos. thats my favorite. >> the spam on wonder bread with sandwich spread. >> spam, spam, spam. we wish those folks luc they get a free cruise. it is a busy mid-way. look at this. the beltway in maryland. the inner loop at georgia avenue, two right lanes are blocked. coming to a halt quickly. and 270 southbound, the back up

begins near rockville, down to montroesz road. two right lanes are blocked. now, a new problem. this is 95 northbound, it looks like all lanes of 95 northbound are now closed due to an accident. don't have details on what is going on, i believe they are diverting everyone of there at this hour. >> still ahead. the achievement gap in america's public schools between black and white students. black males, bleaker than first reported. is it normal for children to tell white lies? how should you react when they do? make your christmas story unforgettable!

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bay lightning tomorrow at the verizon center. do the clothes make the man? the nationals hope so. they unveil new uniforms with the fashion show they are holding with players. they will be selling the jerseys tomorrow. and this week, the end of an era, jean shallot is leaving after 40 years, he said he is not retiring, he will do commercials and work on the internet. his final day will be tomorrow. executives they they will. >> fey, the youngest ever recipient receives the twain award. she thanked former alaska governor palin that she

impersonated. she thanked her in part for her success. and one of the most popular attractions will be free. the annual celebration will have no charge as a gift to the city. there will be a charge for parking after 6:00. each year, the zoo decorates for the holiday season. zoo lights friday through sunday night, december 3-12, and then, every night, except for christmas eve and christmas day. >> we are learning more as to death of a teen. may have been a

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right now, on "news4 midday," city leaders are breaking ground on a new hotel new the washington convention center, the marriott marquis hotel will cost $520 million to build. the four-star hotel will have 1,100 rooms and slated to open in 2014.

the carnival cruise ship stranded at sea is on the way back to dry land now. two tug boats are slowly pulling it to san diego. engine room fire knocked out power to the ship. 4400 passengers and crew have been without power, air conditioning or phone seice during this time. there is a fight brewing on whether or not you can be fired for posting not so nice things about your bosonline. e connecticut woman, who is putting companies on notice. >> she worked for american medical response, an delinquency company. someone complained about her work. shesaid they denied her. and s went on face book, and complained. and the company fired her. >> it makes it unlawful for

employers to interfere with that situation. >> employees who talk about work conditions in person or onle are protected. >> it was her own time, own resources. that is really what makes the case different. >> amr policy prohibits employees om making negative remarks about the company. on facebook, everyone is listening. >> now, we are going to think twice, they saw this twitter or facebook posting. >> a hearing is set for january 25th. >> reporter: the board grees that the company has a right to protect their business. they say n this case, the policy

was too broad. >> we are enjoying abeautiful day. both wishing we were outside right now. >> mild afternoons and clear, cool evening, great for outdoor recreation and exercise. good color in northwest washington, the cathederal, where massachusetts meets wisconsin. you can see the potomac. there is the horizon. and temperatures in the 50s, feat at national airport, and as theday progresses, with the sunshine iplace, we should take it into the low 60s perhaps another couple of hours or so. it will chill down quickly. back down into the mid 50s.

by dawn, upper 30s. and not much wind. we have had winds gusting 15 to 20 today. lighter tomorrow. partly cloudy, up near 60 in the afternoon. cooler in the first pa of next week. may get rain on tuesday. a simple misunderstanding may have provoked a double shooting that took the life of a high school senior. 17 year-d joseph sharp jr. was a senior at sharps high school. he and a fellow student were joking with each other on monday night, when they ran into three other men. ey thought the laughter was directed at them, and shot and

kill kill killed him. >> the lord has him now. i am happy for that part. >> the second teen that was shot remains in the hospital, is expected to surviv >> the pilgrimage is to their spiritual homeland, that trip almost didn't happen. the visas wer intercepted by federal inveigators. now, the local xhint is saying the mens' rights were violated. >> reporter: before and after evening prayers in the mque, they are talking about the fellow muslims that almost didn't make it. >> i believe they were target e.

>> the group was set to fly out. >> friday evening, found out that package was being held by one of the government agents. >> ahmed is vice president of the muslim association of virginia. >> we didn't get an explanation as to why the package was seized. >> reporter: homeland security, and the department of justice to find out what happened. custom and border release released a statement to say, safe and rejit mate travel. it is still unclear whether or

not cvp flagged it or the united parcel service. ups admitted they inform the consumer. quote, we cooperate with them. >> john smith written on there, i don't think they would be under the situation they were put n. >> craig melvip, "news4 midday." >> everyone in the group had missed their flight. customs and border control footed the entire bill, and buying all of them replacement airline tickets. the final cost for the mistake, $34,000. >> we will see if the traffic is getting better out there.

northbound, blocked nir route one. the report of an accident can confirm, i didn't see anything in the roadway. nevertheless, the authorities stopped all the traffic on 95 northbound. nobody is getting y. maybe more than just an accident. heading over elsewhere, 270, that accident over on the shoulder. and the right lane is tied up here, inner and outer loops are open. >> it seems more and more people are taking advantage of a program that pays you to car pool in the d.c. region it is used by more than 700.

the director said commuters are savi time and money in hofr lanes, and sending ss on gas. >> we have a few travel alerts, there will be no dre service, only trains with the sunder the train number will be operating. metro bus will run on a limited schedule. righters, check with metro to see if their bus will be on time. arnie dunn is at the universi to encourage them to become teacherers. the achievement gap between african american stents and white students. a new study suggests a bleaker

picture thanany of us realized. >> reporter: this year, the entire senior class gruated. 107 students, all african american men. while at the same time, according to a new report, most brack students performed worse. by eighth grade, only 12% of black male students are proficient in math. less than half of all black students graduate from high school. far below the 78%. of the graduates, 5% are black men. >> they are not gettinghe instructions, the qualified

teachers, resources. black families, higher unemployment. a thirdof the families have high school diplomas. urban prep, a public charter school we set high. >> come prepared every day. >> we know that great schools can in fact, fix the problems that these children come to school with. we are sending them to schools that are failing to meet the basic educational needs. >> education secretary duncan

said that education shod be a nonpartisan issue. one new senat, tea party senator paul wants to disban the education department all together. >> a look the at a 3q

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we are following a breaking news story 8200 block in clinton, maryland. a two-story house fire coming from the roof, no report of injuries at this time. this is in clinton, maryland. happening as we are seeing it in prince george's county. we will bring you more news as it comes in to us. you tell your children that honesty is the best policy. psychiatrist winer joins us, lcome back. we started this conversation last week, interrupted by breaking news and didn't get a chance to get all the

information that we need to know, especially parents who are concerned. sometimes, they are just white lies. sometimes they are whoppers. remind us now, why is lying considered a natural part of twemt? development? >> kids will start lying at 4 years of age. almost everybody lies. and it continues through adulthood. ing requires cognitive developments. in order to lie, you need to know what the truth s, try to cell a story. >> what is the mote vague for a 4-year-old not to tell a lie? >> usually to avoid punishment or because they want to impress

somebody. >> sometimes, kids on it thinking they are fooling the parents? >> i don't think there is a licious intent, i do think that parents need to be are. >> you are telling me the truth? should you assault that the child is telling the truth? >> the first thing, parents need to stop setting their kids up. if you know for sure that your child is about to lie about something, don't ask them the question. if you know the kid didn't brush your teeth, don't say, did you brush your teeth. say, brush your teeth. tell your child it is important anmakes you happy when you tell them the truth. that has has been said to

decrease lying. >> i think there needs to be a consequence for the misbehavior and the lying. you have to have some sort of punishment. it shouldn't be excessive. if the child thinks that punishment is severe, they will be more prone to lie weigh things out and be reasonable about your punishment. >> my wos to my children used to be, "the truth will set you free." once they tell you the truth, how do you react? who spill thad on the rug, if they say, i did. do you punish them, if they are being honest? >> whatever your normal behavior would be, scale it down.

you could sea, this is what your consequence would have been. i appreciate that you told me the truth, less time in time-out. one thing, like everyone start young. one thing i found interesting, they did a study where they compared the effectiveness of telling children, if they lie, just like the story of th boy who crime cries wolf. his dad said, i am glad you told me the truth, it is more important than a thousand cherry trees. telling the story of georgia washington decreased lying.

>> my parents to it to me, we know that george washington. >> later this morning, "ewell,

some good economic news today, applications for unemployment benits dropped sharply to the lowest level since july. courtney joins us with that and e business headlines. >> reporter: good morning, stocks are lowering, the dow is down by 18 points or so. nasdaq did fall slightly. investors are worri about your debt problems. whether the feds' new program will spur runaway inflation. if that happens, it will be unintended. there is caution going forward

we got that a day early, tomorrow is a veterans day, officers and businesses will be closed, the markets will be open. general motors earned $2 billion, reversing a loss. coming in advance of the november 18th ipo. >> working together to prevent 20 million to be hit by an additional tax aimed at the wex y -- wealthy. it is altered each year.

>> google's 23,000 workers, the aim is to keep them in the fold. for instance, 10% of facebook staff used to work at google. >> i wond if they are getting a 10% raise. >> good economic news. >> yes, it is. >> talk to you tomorrow. pat join us with a preview of things to come. >> good morning, coming up on news 4 at 4:00, the government is rolling out the tough eest o smokers. there is more to th spin class that meets the eye.

>> and warmer in central virginia and the carolinas, we will have a lot of sun today. clear and chilly night tonight. highs in the upper 50s, and more of the same on the weekend. again, up around 60 or so, cooler in the first part of nxt week. that is the way it looks. see you tomorrow. >> some have the day off. a holiday with a nice day to enjoy. a goose that is one lucky duck. someone shot it with an arrow in montana. amazingly, vets imagined to remove the arrow. the bird is expected to survive.

the owner is said to have dealt with vandalism in the past. he never expected to have a goose shot there on the pond where he lives. that is "news4 midday." thanks for joining us. tune in at four, five, six and 11. i will be back tomorrow at 11:00. see you in the morning.