good morning. it's thursday, april 5th. 2012. as you just saw, two fighter jeters are flying over d.c. they're preparing for the space shuttle discovery being brought to the region from florida. we have more now from the national mall.

>> reporter: these are actually t-38 training jets often referred to as white rockets because of their appearance. often you see interesting things over the sky about d.c., but this was a particularly rare appearance over the skies, and this is, of course, in advance of what caused it to be later in the month. those two planes which have been in the sky over the nation's capitol flying about 1500 feet in what is normally restricted air space. there are several purposes to the mission. first of all, rare photos they've been able to get from up there. and also a training mission to map out the landmarks here. it's also with the arrival of the shuttle "discovery" later this month. "discovery" will make the final trip to the museum in chantilles. to do this they're going to fly piggy back on a 747. so that will only have one pass.

so they float these over the district area. they came out from andrews air force base, flew down to virginia, and came across the mall here to sort of map out the landmarks and what have you. these t-38s can be modified to mimic the characteristics with the shuttle piggy back. they're only going to get one pass. these t-38s, we think they're all rumored now. and weather permitting, later this month, when the shuttle does arrive, we'll see the fruits of their labor. now again, it's rare to see the t-38 over our area. if you've seen the shuttle launches, you've seen them on the tail end as it lands. and the astronauts will fly a couple of them around the launch pad before the actual shuttle flight. so we got a little bit of a taste of what they're used to down in florida. and hopefully we'll get a better taste of it come later this month when the "discovery"

arrives in our area for real. we're live in the mall. news 4. back to you. >> and it will be pretty spectacular to see that. nationals fans, the wait is finally over. the nationals opened the 2012 season in little more than three hours from now. now take on the chicago cubs in wrigley field. first pitch is scheduled for 2:20. the nationals entered the season with high expectations. some experts picked them to make the playoffs this season. manager davey johnson says he had high hopes for the team, too. >> everybody thinks they got a chance to win. that's the great thing about baseball. they're getting off to a good start. it was an exciting opening game. just always feel special. >> it's a huge honor. and to think where i was just a year ago at this time.

and really couldn't ask for much more. it's not what i played for. you want to play for the games in october. but at the same time, hopefully we can get the season started on the right foot and get the ball rolling. . don't be surprised if you're walking downtown today and happen to see a turkey hanging out in a tree. the little bird was spolted this morning in a tree outside the national restaurant association on 17th street. animal control apparently went, assessed the situation, and decided the turkey was no zang, and didn't pose a danger to the public either. hanging out in the tree. hur keys. they start the weather now. a lot of sunshine out there this morning. a cool start to the day, though. now a look at our first forecast.

hey, tom. >> what a change. yesterday we were in the 70s. this morning we went all the way down to the upper 30s to low and mid 40s. since then it hasn't warmed up a lot. with the sunshine we have a cold, high pressure system that's pushed in from the north. and all the areas in blue are still generally in the 40 rz. and that includes parts of west virginia, western maryland. and all those areas in west virginia, maryland, the easter shore, it's in the 50s. but areas from stafford county, all the way into washington have warmed now into the 50s. and there's the view from space. so over the last 12 hours we've had clouds on the increase. it's all bright and sunny. areas south and southwest. it's mostly cloudy now. the speckles of grain are a few sprinkles trying to reach the ground toward shar lotsville and from north of roanoke to southern west virginia. for the rest of the afternoon, we'll have clouds in and out.

a partly sunny afternoon. it will be cool. we'll have light breezes out of the north and northwest around 5 to 15. and a dramatic change from yesterday. highs reaching just the upper 50s and low 60s. it's going to get colder than it was this morning. we'll talk about that and the weekend as well. and a look at next week. that will all be coming up in just a couple of minutes. >> all right. see you then. thanks. this morning firefighters rescued a family of three for a burning home in the district. this happened in the 1300 block of northwest d.c. >> reporter: the emergency call came from inside the house around 6:30 this morning. three elderly residents were in the home when the fire broke out. all of them had to be rescued. >> we saw flames coming out of the window, and very dark, billowing smoke. >> the smoke billowing out of the shattered windows. >> the smoke was more impressive

than the flames. >> neighbors say an elderly woman and the the two sons have lived here for decades. firefighters believe it started in a second-floor bedroom. they had to rescue two people in the first floor for smoke inhalation. the third occupant works downstairs, but in the bedroom where they think the fire started. >> the patient was unconscious. and we were performing advanced life support on the person, trying to get that person alive to bring them to the hospital. >> looked like they got them out quickly. >> hours after the blaze in the 1300 block of locust road, firefighters still on the scene as investigators scour the house for clues. >> we've had some fires, you know. but nothing like this. this top floor was burned out. >> through the broken windows now you can see a charred upper floor, the slate roof cut in several spots for ventilation.

>> we have our fire investigation unit conducting a thorough analysis of what happened. >> reporter: investigators say it could be several weeks before they determine what caused the fire. in northwest washington, melissa malay, news 4. >> let's check on traffic now. >> hey, aaron. right now i'm watching d.c. you're going to see an balance blocking your right lane. this is in northwest at p 13th and "k" street. an accident involving a pedestrian. the pedestrian is okay, but look out. that road is blocked for you. now you are able to pass. just stick to the right. you are seeing delays as you make your way up to the road work there. now crossing over 14th street bridge is a breeze as you head into the city. really no issues on 95 northbound. you're at 58 miles an hour. aaron, back over to you. >> sounds good. thank you. this afternoon maryland lottery

officials will hold a press conference about the controversy surrounding the winning ticket bought in maryland. so far nobody has officially submitted the actual winning ticket. we do know it was sold at a 7-eleven in baltimore county. it's one of three winners bought for the record breaking $656 million prize. in the meantime, the lawyer for the baltimore woman who told news 4 she has one of the winning tickets says she wishes it was all over. she called a press conference yesterday. we all went to the press conference, and then she refused to talk or show anybody the tick. wilson's lawyer has not seen the ticket either. he asked reporters to give wilson her privacy. >> the deal is that, her blood pressure is up. her children are home on spring break. she needs a chance to get back to her routine, as do the children. >> maryland lottery commission says whoever the winner is, they have 182 days for the drawing to claim their prize.

police are investigating what they're calling two hate crimes at the university of maryland. in one, somebody wrote an anti-semitic message. in another area they found a noose hanging. that don't believe the two crimes are connected. the university president says hate crimes will not be tolerated. new today, former penn state assistant football coach jerry sandusky appeared in court in the child sex abuse case. the judge overseeing the case says a secret grand jury investigation is making it hard to prepare for sandusky's trial. san dadusky is expected to stan trial in two months for abusing boys. the 68-year-old faces 52 counts of child sex abuse. he denies the charges. right now he's on house arrest. your time is 11:10. coming up, what the captain of

the costa concordia was doing. plus, how people

today, president obama will sign a bill he says will help small businesses grow. he'll sign the jobs act later this afternoon. that stands for upstart our

business startups. it's designed to help startups get financing. opponents say it leaves investors vulnerable to get rich quick schemes. rick santorum is taking time off from campaigning. santorum is facing increased pressure to drop out of the republican presidential nomination race. he just lost the wisconsin, d.c. and maryland primaries to mitt romney on tuesday. romney is turning his attention to the general election and going after president obama. >> the president came here yesterday and railed agast arguments no one is making. it's one of miz favorite strategies. setting up strong man to distract us from the record. while i understand the president doesn't want to run on his

record, he can't run from his record either. his home state of pennsylvania runs its primary on the 4th. we're learning more about the deadly cruise ship accident off the coast of italy. vanity fair is reporting the captain made a serious of mistakes before and after the ship ran aground. according to the magazine, francesco was going too fast, navigating by site and talking on the phone when it happened. he tried to stabilize the ship by lowering two and schors. he released too much of the chain. that caused the ship to roll more and caused many passengers to drown. vanity fair also claims that he told the ship's officers to lie and say that everything was under control. is a montgomery county aid worker imprisoned in cuba one of the world east moes influential people? "time" magazine included allen gross in the poll of influential

figures. you can go to time.com and vote on who should be included in the time 100 issue. his story made headlines since his arrest more than a year and a half ago. cuba accused him of spying. he insists he was trying to provide internet access to the island's jewish community. now, i haven't been outside today. is it still cold out there? >> it really is. it's take an while to warm up. we had a dramatic drop overnight in the 70s yesterday down to the lower 40s and upper 30s this morning. it's really not warmed up much since then. we had cloudiness after quite a bit of sunshine. now there's capitol hill. the live view from the city camera. and it shows quite a bit of cloud cover over the capitol hill. the potairport is at 54 right n. there's a northeasterly breeze

around 10 miles an hour. it's rather dry as well. here's the pollen count. numbers over 1,000. it's mostly tree pollen, and it's oak, pine, sycamore. this is half of what it was last year. still enough to cause problems for allergy sufferers. it will be high for the next couple of days. now the last 12 hours. we've had cloud cover coming in from a rain system passing to the south, getting a few sprinkles now. the areas in green and up near charlottesville. those are well south of washington. north and east it's all sunny in maryland and on the eastern shore. but areas south and west, it's mostly cloudy as well as most of virginia. here's the close-up view showing the cloud cover slowly moving its way in. lots of sunshine. in howard counties, eastern shore. from washington, fairfax, prince william, getting a lot of cloud

cover now. a few sprinkles in charlottesville. that will pass well to the south in the next few hours. now temperatures locally around 50 degrees in northern parts of maryland and west virginia. closer to washington where the low to mid-50s now ch montgomery, prince georgia, arlington and fairfax. around the bay, eastern shore, northern neck, mid 50s there. fredricksburg to stafford in the mid 50s. and highs only reaching upper 50s near the pennsylvania border. it may get to the low 60s to mid 60s just south of washington from southern maryland, charles county into stafford and points west. all the areas there climbing in the low to mid-60s briefly. much of the region though, quite cool through the rest of the afternoon. breezes in the north/northwest around 5 to 15.

overnight we'll have cloud cover thinning out. we'll break up a bit. but we'll drop temperature wise to the mid 40s by midnight m then by down tomorrow all the way down to the 30s. tomorrow afternoon bright and sunny. a blustery wind. highs only reaching near 60 tomorrow. then on saturday a cold start. could have a freeze on saturday morning. afternoon highs with sunshine saturday into the mid 60s. easter sun, afternoon highs in the mid-60s. then the first part of next week we'll be off to a cool start back to work and school. some schools have next week off for spring break. it's going to be a cool week next week. and nationals opener today. not home opener. they take on the cubs. only near 50 degrees during the game with a blustery wind. >> is it football or baseball? >> i don't know. >> pretty cool out there. >> let's get another peak t at the roads this morning.

>> right now i'm looking at i-66 eastbound. i am seeing cones up blocking your left lane. you can still get by pretty easily. you're under speed at 46 miles per hour. taking 13 minutes from fairfax parkway to the beltway. aaron, over to you. >> all right. thank you, ma'am. still ahead on news 4 midday. it was designed for a woman, but steve haste takes his turn at this popular workout to let us know what he thinks. plus the dance theater ensemble is headed to d.c. i was paying too much with cable.

paying so much, you want better quality. it just got more frustrating and frustrating. for the amount of money that i'm paying, my cable company should take care of me. [ male announcer ] stop paying for second best. get verizon fios tv, internet and phone with our best price online: just $94.99 a month, guaranteed for two years. first time we saw tv on fios was amazing. i was just in a...trance watching it. i'm discovering new channels every day. [ male announcer ] sign up with no annual contract. or choose a two-year contract and pick your bonus: hbo and cinemax for 12 months... or $250 back. fios internet...the speed, you can't compare. i'm able to take care of things much faster now. [ male announcer ] get fios online: $94.99 a month, guaranteed for two years... plus your choice of bonuses with a two-year contract. is change good? in this case, change is very good. [ male announcer ] visit verizon.com/greatdeal. that's verizon.com/greatdeal. contact the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v.

fios. a network ahead. never in my lifetime did i think i could walk 60 miles in 3 days. 60 miles in 3 days is-- is huge. if my mom can fight and beat breast cancer, i can walk 60 miles. you just put one foot in front of the other, and you know that you're walking for such a great cause that you just keep going. (man) that you have all these people coming together for one common goal. (woman) the goal is to bring an end to breast cancer. (woman) the fund-raising was the easiest part. people were very giving. complete strangers wanting to help. if i can do this, you definitely can do this. (woman) i'll never stop walking, not till we find a cure. (woman) and it has to end, but it starts with us. i knew someday i was gonna do this walk. it is the most rewarding experience i have ever had in my entire life. we can do this. you can do this. we can all do this together. (man) register today for the... and receive $25 off your registration fee.

because everyone deserves a lifetime. welcome back. virginia johnson is artistic director of dance theater of harlem and a d.c. native. she joins us with more on what audiences can expect from the dance group. good morning. thanks for being here today. >> good morning. >> it's nice to have you back. we know you started in the d.c. area with the washington ballet,

right? >> absolute, i'm a washingtonian. it's great to be back. i started dancing with darrell smith. she was the first teacher who gave me the love of dance. i worked with mary day at the washington school of ballet. she gave ne the background and made it possible for me to become a dancer. what was that experience like? >> when i was about 1, i was ready to audition for companies, and somebody said to me, well, you know, you really should switch to modern dance, or you should really try jazz. there just aren't blackball r black ballerinas out there. to have this profession was something at that time, this is the 1960s, just not open. but i went to new york. at that point arthur mitchell was just founding the dance theater of harlem. so i joined that company. i was a founding member of dance theater harlem. i got a chance to have the

career i wanted to. danced there for 27 years. >> that's spectacular. how much have things changed for black dancers, black ballerinas? >> that's that tough thing. when i was young dancer and told i couldn't dance, dance theater of harlem made it possible for me. one thing i'm really excited about being artistic director for is i can again create that opportunity for young dancers. we will let this know this is the chance. >> tell us about the ensemble and the show coming to the theater. >> the dance theater ensemble is a group of talented young dancers who was put together about four years ago to begin to resenat restart the dance theater of harlem company.

they're talented people from the united states and around the world. they'll be doing a mixed group that shows ballet can be very classical and very contemporary. some of the clips are from a piece called contested space by donald byrd. it's very contemporary. very of the moment. it's using ballet technique on your tips of your toes. but the music is new. there's a very contemporary feel to it. it's going to be an exciting program. we also know it's a rare performance in southeastdc. >> dance theater of harlem has an important message. it's what classical ballet can look like and who can do it. it's important for us to perform in washington, d.c. where people will come to see the performance because they're excited about it. it's important for us to be here because people don't know the possibilities that are open to them.

so the arc is a fantastic art center over there. >> we appreciate you bringing this gift of dance for the entire community. i can only imagine how phenomenal of a performance this will be. we should also mention the art performance is actually sold out. there in southeast. but tickets are still available at the lincoln theater for that performance. thank you for being here. >> it was my pleasure. stay with us as news 4 midday continues. new information on the death of whitney houston. what police found in her hotel room and what doctors found in her system. plus the anger over the octomom's decision to go on welfare and why fear led to that i was paying too much with cable.

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or choose a two-year contract and pick your bonus: hbo and cinemax for 12 months... or $250 back. fios internet...the speed, you can't compare. i'm able to take care of things much faster now. [ male announcer ] get fios online: $94.99 a month, guaranteed for two years... plus your choice of bonuses with a two-year contract. is change good? in this case, change is very good. [ male announcer ] visit verizon.com/greatdeal. that's verizon.com/greatdeal. contact the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v. fios. a network ahead.

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this morning firefighters rescue an elderly woman and her two sons. all of them were taken to the hospital, one with serious injuries. the cause of the fire remains under investigation. and just a few minutes ago two t-38 fighter jets finished up their tour in the washington area in advance of the arrival of the space shuttle discovery. it will travel from florida to dulles airport will it will go into the smithsonian air and space museum out there. the shuttle is expected to leave florida in less than two weeks. the mystery surrounding whitney houston's death can now be put to rest. the late singer died with cocaine and drug paraphernalia around her hotel room. the final autopsy showed houston had cocaine throughout her system. her assistant found her face down in 13 inches of extremely hot water in the bathtub. the water was so hot it scalded part of her body.

she was wearing a tight wig and had signs of breast implant surgery. she died from an accidental drowning, heart disease and cocaine use were also contributing factors. today the people mind koni 2012 released a sequel. the ceo of invisible children says part two answers questions about who was behind the viral video that launched a global response. the african union sent 5,000 soldiers to hunt for rebel army leader joseph kony. police arrested jason rest sell in california for public drunkness and lewd conduct. nadya suleiman is back in the headlines, the woman known as octo-mom. she also admits she gets food stamps for her family. she appeared on the "today

show." >> it's unfortunate how prevalent it is, how many people do abuse the system. but if it is used temporarily -- >> you don't feel you're abusing it? >> i just started it. it's only food stamp. the you do it temporarily it's a resource. so pornography is absolutely off. >> $100 million, nothing. i would never, never accept anything. i will not stop my values. >> suleiman added she has received thousands of pieces of hate mail but also positive letters from people saying she has inspired them. temperatures really haven't climbed much this morning. let's check in with tom kierein for the latest on our forecast. >> hey, aaron. clouds are now closing in now. it's going to stop much heating from the sun anyway. we have a bit of a breeze. there's the cloud cover over washington. that's a live view that's all gray now after we had some blue

showing through. but it's sunny north and east of washington. across the bay and on the shore. those are clouds in virginia and just to the west. the areas where you see it's in the green, a few sprinkles t trying to reach the ground from charlottesville and further west and north towards the shenandoah valley. temperatures now only in the low to mid-50s throughout much of the region. it's 54 at reagan international. so quite a chill still in the air on this thursday. and for the rest of the afternoon, we'll have quite a bit of cloudiness. temperatures into the low 60s. overnight the clouds should break up. we'll be down to the low 30s tomorrow morning. sunny tomorrow. breezy and cool with highs near 60. over the weekend, both saturday and sunday, cold start into the 30s. afternoon highs mid-60s. and a cool pattern continues. maybe rain midweek next week. that's the way it looks now.

aaron? >> tom, thank you. the long and difficult recovery is under way across northern texas. more than a dozen tornadoes pummeled the dallas-ft. worth area. governor rick tour the area today. at least 800 homes were severely damaged by tuesday's storms. thousands of people are still without power. no one was killed. but about 20 people were hurt. ♪ where were you when the world stopped turning ♪ >> so you remember that free allen jackson benefit concert plan for virginia. the town is still recovering from august's 5.8 magnitude earthquake. the only people who can get in without paying are the 425 people who live in mineral. everybody else will have to pay at least $42 to see the show. alan jackson is not getting paid for that concert. the money raised will go to help rebuild the school. we are keeping an eye on the roads for you this morning.

>> hey. right now watching constructions on the inner loop of the belgian way, and it is slowing you down. you're going to look to see that right centered lane blocked as you make your way to i-95. big delays are slow. the travel speed is about 23 miles per hour from i-270 to i-95. that trip taking 25 minutes at this time. now i-95 and virginia. totally different story in this area. now back to you. health officials are still trying to find the source of a salmonella outbreak in several states including maryland and d.c. they say the people infected had eaten sushi the week before, becoming sick. eight cases were report sod far in maryland. none of those patients had to bo to the hospital. today is the start of four of the best days of the year as far as golf fans are concerned. the masters began early this morning.

thousands of people are at augusta national golf club in georgia to watch 96 of the world's top golfers tee off in the most prestigious tournament of the year. howard university students looking for answers after the school suspended several athletes. the university suspended the athletes as part of an internal investigation of possible ncaa rules investigations. one athlete told the "washington post" the suspensions were a result of students keeping money they got from selling their textbooks. university officials wouldn't say how many athletes they suspended or how long the investigation will last. acp college in northern virginia had some financial troubles with the department of education before it abruptly shut down. the school provided medical and health care training in arlington and fairfax county. a letter blamed the u.s. department of education for the problems. they denied the recertification to participate in a federal

student loan program, accusing the school of falsifying student records and not physicaling requirements that it pay the credit balances. waut warning the for profit college closed, leaving students without certification credits and teachers without pay. each week for the past several months our fit nks expert has been checking out the different types of fitness classes overed in the area from kick boxing to pilates to rock climbing. today steve looks at a gym geared to women a familiar name. let's say good morning to steve hayes. who do you have with us? >> this is amber. the manager and owner of curves. >> let's talk about the curves and the workout that you got to see there or take part in. >> as a matter of fact, it's a good workout. women who feel intimidated about going to a gym, when you go to curves, it's for women only. plus, they have it set up in such a way that you're going to get a workout.

you have 30 seconds to go between each piece of equipment. you get a good workout. she explained it better than me on this one. >> is this really just for women? >> it's designed for women. different places have different rules where you can have same sex. in mine in maryland, men would be allowed, but it's designed for women. >> meaning the routines, the equipment, it caters to women. >> steve, you don't have a woman's body by any stretch of the imagination. >> when i'm out traveling, everybody asks me about the fitness. the lord stevenson and rose hafrs, th harris, they work for verizon and take their lunch break at this time to watch the segment. we're able to show different places to go and different things to do. >> you got in there and tried

the exercises out. what's your analysis? i enjoyed it. you go from a strength training to aerobic workout. plus, it's very user friendly. that's the thing about it. >> do you get the full body workout? >> yes, they have a piece of equipment for each part of the body. so you cannot go wrong with it. i would recommend it. >> and you say stretching is very important to do. >> it helps increase the effectiveness of the workouts. >> we have members for as young as we had one that was 9 up to about 85. >> i melt the 85-year-old lady. >> she was in great shape. >> it's great for people of all ages and health and fitness levels. >> that's phenomenal. you get it all in for everybody. you have a wellness tip for today. >> for the last 20 years, april

has been national stress month. i think it's because of the income tax. but a great way to do that is nutrition is a great part. get a nice brisk walk to help alleviate stress. it sends in endorphins to the body and gives you a natural high. >> what do you feel for people who can't find the right motivation to do something to be effective in terms of a workout and in terms of the wellness aspect, too. >> the greatest thing anybody can do is a fast paced walk. >> we told the women we recommend at least three workouts a week. one is better than one. two. just try to get anything in when you can is going to help with the health benefits.

>> a fast-pace walk. you can't beat that we appreciate you all coming in today. >> thank you very much. >> still ahead on news 4 midday. why mary j. blige is apologizing for her burger king commercial. for her burger king commercial. doesn't look like much in this never in my lifetime did i think i could walk 60 miles in 3 days. 60 miles in 3 days is-- is huge. if my mom can fight and beat breast cancer, i can walk 60 miles. you just put one foot in front of the other, and you know that you're walking for such a great cause that you just keep going. (man) that you have all these people coming together for one common goal. (woman) the goal is to bring an end to breast cancer. (woman) the fund-raising was the easiest part.

people were very giving. complete strangers wanting to help. if i can do this, you definitely can do this. (woman) i'll never stop walking, not till we find a cure. (woman) and it has to end, but it starts with us. i knew someday i was gonna do this walk. it is the most rewarding experience i have ever had in my entire life. we can do this. you can do this. we can all do this together. (man) register today for the... and receive $25 off your registration fee. because everyone deserves a lifetime.

the new burger king ad that features mary j. blige was quickly pull after being criticize for being stereotypical. a lifestyle publication for black women wrote an open later about the ad saying it's beneath mary j. blige. she told tmz she did not sign off on this version of the ad. they say it was pulled over a licensing issue. it looks like google is

trying to get in your face. they come up with glasses that put the internet on your i-lids. it shows them checking the weather, getting directions, taking pictures and video chatting with friends. the pictures show a postage stamp sized the display mounted on a typical glasses frame. google has now announced when they would become commercially available. but the company is asking google plus users for ways to improve the technology. it would be cool if they make it happen. weekly unemployment benefit applications dropped to another four-year low last week. let's check in with courtney reagan, who joins us with more on that and the rest of the business headlines. good morning. >> hi. good morning to you. i never know if i say should good morning or afternoon. stocks are a little bit lower here. we we did briefly move to

positive territory. yesterday was one of the biggest losses for the day on stocks. good news on unemployment. the number of americans applying for jobless benefits fell by 6,000 to 357,000 for the week. that marks the lowest level in four years. and the four-week average that tells us about the trend fell as well. now planned layoffs have fallen to a ten-month low as well. there are signs that hope layoffs are slowing. tomorrow the government will release the monthly jobs report. the stock market will be closed. and retailers are posting strong same-store sales for the month of march thanks to warmer than normal weather.

they posted a 10% increase in sales last year. analysts expected stronger growth since they sell gasoline and prices have been on the rise. delta airlines may make a bid for the oil refinery in pennsylvania. the plant has capacity for 185,000 barrels per day was idled last year. it could be a very big boom for delta. it's con figured to produce a higher yield than other facilities and accounts for a third of the kerosene capacity. kate kelly from cnbc was the one who first broke the story. >> we'll listen for more on that. and you have a good afternoon. nchsz wel well, although she's deaf, today's wednesday's child expresses themselves in a certain way. they met at all fired up, where

they created some pottery. >> that's for you, barbara. first we dawned our aprons, then they showed a big wall of choices of things to make. i pointed out a plate with hand prints on it, and she indicated she thought that would be a good one, too. so he picked out her paint colors, and we were ready to get started. the more liz painted, the more it tickled richelle. she followed directions to pull it up quickly to leave a perfect impression. although she cannot hear or speak, she always manages to leave a wonderful impression with people who meet her. >> you can tell, she's this

wonderful, vivacious, very dramatic young lady. she is profoundly deaf. but she loves social interaction. she's incredible affectionate. >> she spent most of her 14 years in foster care. two years ago she was featured as a wednesday's child. richelle painted several pieces. they would all be fired up in the kiln. >> if you have room in your home and heart for richelle, please call our adoption hot line.

[ mom ] to me, chex is not just a little bowl of cereal, it's kind of a big deal. to find nutritious and gluten-free cereals my whole family actually loves? well, the word "wow" comes to mind. and then a friend told me chex has five flavors that are gluten-free. even a cinnamon one the kids love. a nutritious cereal that makes everybody happy? like i said, wow. [ male announcer ] chex cereal. five flavors. good and gluten free.

the historic theater gets set to reopen in the district. we have more on that and other creative ideas for things to do this weekend. thanks for being here. let's start talking about the theater. the howard theater. a lot of history there about to reopen.

>> the howard theater, a lot of people in the area will remember it was a historic black theater. one of the first in the nation and it's back, 30 years later after closing. it has a $29 million renovation that brought the space back. really fantastic inside. i got a little sneak peek. and it's going to open on monday with a community day that's free and open to the public. folks dying to check out the new ren kn renovation have got to go. >> and for u those of us new the town. >> this is and 7th and peace street. really exciting day. >> next up, a new twist on the classic rapunzel. >> that's right. most of us know her of having been kidnapped for a mean witch. for families this weekend, they're going to find a different rapunzel. she's so excited to play

princesses from disney. and also, she's really being kept by her mother. it's not the witch. the witch is actually her mom. so the last thing, something to give people a reason to get out on a sunday night. >> that's right. they've been hosting a famous new york drag queen. sings like billie holiday. really fantastic. if you want to go, you have to make reservations in advance. >> way in advance for that one. >> absolutely. >> we appreciate you coming in and sharing some ideas with us. thank you very much. >> thank you. >> and for more ideas for the weekend, log onto nbcwashington.com or the going out guide on washingtonpost.com. let's take a look now at the stories we're following on news

4 this afternoon. a pilot talks about making an emergency landing because there was a snake on the plane. and tonight at 5:00, 8th graders learning to budget, even handle mortgages. liz crenshaw sews us unique money managing system. time for a final check on the forecast. tom kierein joins us again. tom? >> there's the view. a little bit of sunshinie in sh through. there's the jefferson memorial. we have quite a bit of cloudiness breaking through. a little sun breaking through. quite a bit of cloudiness from a rain system way off to the west. but north and east of washington, all bright and sunny. right now it's in the low to mid-50s. 56 at reagan international. then the clouds clear out

tonight. we have a cold start to friday morning. down near freezing tomorrow morning. afternoon highs near 60. skould have a high freeze out of the mountains of western maryland. a lot of sun. and then another cold start on saturday morning, under a clear sky, near freezing, afternoon highs mid-60s. then for easter sunday in the morning. for those heading out for sunrise services, it will be cold, in the 30s. then remaining cool. small chance of sprinkles. see you tomorrow morning. >> normally you think baseball, rain, not a good mix. but ole miss and southern miss didn't let the bad weather ruin their fun. they put on a home run of a performance for fans riding out the rain. you saw the human roller

coaster. now human bowling. they still have a show out there at the diamond. after that there was a dance contest and pretty good moves there. the game was eventually called off. but if you're a fan at the game, you can't sate that you wasted any of your evening. it was well worth the money for that game. >> and that is news 4 midday. tune in this evening from 4:00 to 7:00 for all the day's news. and we're back tomorrow morning. we hope you will join us. until then, have a good day. i was paying too much with cable. paying so much, you want better quality. it just got more frustrating and frustrating. for the amount of money that i'm paying, my cable company should take care of me. [ male announcer ] stop paying for second best. get verizon fios tv, internet and phone with our best price online: just $94.99 a month, guaranteed for two years. first time we saw tv on fios was amazing.

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