capitol hill. >> reporter: good morning, everyone. we are in the fourth hour officially of a government shutdown. this morning you may see thousands of federal workers headed into the office. they get half a day to wind things down. then they head home unpaid waiting for congress to work this out. starting this morning national parks are clinical trials on hold. food inspections scaled back. and many head start preschools shut down. lawmakers left capitol hill early this morning thoroughly frustrated. >> this is ridiculous. >> i think it's a disgrace. >> this is nuts. >> this is a very sad day for our country. >> back to square one. >> speaker john boehner named eight people to negotiate a plan to reopen the government. >> i would hope that the senate would accept our offer to go to conference and discuss this so that we can resolve this for the american people. >> we'll come back and try again. >> hope we'll be able to open it

tomorrow. >> thank you. >> my hope. >> i would prefer to be at work. i would prefer to be contributing to my household. >> reporter: president obama had a midnight message for u.s. troops. they'll get paid, but civilians face furloughs. >> you and your families deserve better than the dysfunction we're seeing in congress. >> reporter: democrats and republicans are disagreeing about whether to put the brakes on. signup for health insurance begins today as 800,000 federal workers show up to close their offices. the last time we saw this happen, it was in the mid 90s. that shutdown lasted three weeks. if that happens this time, we'd be right in the middle of washington's next big debate over raising the debt ceiling. we're watching it all for you live from capitol hill this morning. i'm tracie potts, back to you. >> tracie, question for you. the health care exchanges went into effect this morning. if that is a sticking point on

all of this, how do we move forward knowing that's already happened and already rolling? >> reporter: that's a good question, aaron. what we're going to need to see is some disconnect here with both sides really sort of digging in on that issue. democrats are refusing to roll back on it at all. republicans insisting that it's not working and that's why we need to take another look at it. the question becomes can they at least have some sort of temporary budget to get people back to work while they work this out? at this hour, we just don't know. >> all right. tracie potts on capitol hill for us. thank you, tracie. this morning all 33,000 d.c. city employees will report to work. d.c. mayor vincent gray declared all city workers essential personnel. all emergency services in the district including 911 service will operate as normal. the trash will be picked up as well. d.c. parking rules will be enforced. unemployment checks, food stamps, tax filings and social

security benefits will continue to go out. gray says the city should not face a shutdown because of the federal government. >> we're just like another state in that regard. we raise our own money. the federal money that comes into the city comes in the way that it comes through other states and we shouldn't be treated like an agency. >> the mayor will use reserve funds already approved by congress to pay for operations. pepco says it has resources available for individuals who have trouble paying their electricity bill due to this shutdown. pepco says they can make special payment arrangements and there's energy assistance and extended payment. call 202-833-7500. stay with news 4 all morning for team coverage of the shutdown showdown as we learn more about how the government closure will affect you and get the latest any time on nbcwashington.com. to our other headlines now at 4:35. at least 40 apartments on

capitol hill are without water this morning. a water main broke near 2 ntd and maryland avenue. it was about 10:00. no federal buildings affected by this water issue. a family in northern virginia are in mourning after they were in an accident and their baby died. the child survived but only for a few hours. the parents are expected to be physically fine in a few days. the other driver in that accident was driving the wrong way down the parkway and he was killed on impact. 4:35. now happening today, israel's prime minister will address the international committee at the u.n. benjamin netanyahu is set to take center stage issuing a warning against iran's possible quest for nuclear weapons. although iran adopted a calmer tone, the israeli government doesn't believe the attitude. president obama expressed hope the world could find a peaceful

solution to iran's nuclear solution. >> will let green at the live desk with news. >> a grim recovery effort in south central colorado after five hikers were killed by a rock slide monday. officials say it was totally unexpected. boulders came crashing. rescuers have located all of the bodies but they need to wait until engineers deem the area safe to recover them. one survivor, a 13-year-old girl who suffered a broken leg. back to you. power is back on to about half of the university of california's berkeley campus after a massive explosion there. police are blaming that blast on a copper thief who stole from an underground utility closet. the power outage stranded 20 people in elevators. one person was hospitalized and

is expected to be okay. new controversy on the purple line. why a deal to reroute that line has some upset. also ahead, warning for new drivers. the new laws you need to know before getting behind the wheel this morning. it is the first day of october. you might think it's summer's return though. the warmer weather in store for [ female announcer ] these are the crescents you love on a holiday.

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maryland state fire department is still trying to find out what caused this fire under the deck of the chesapeake bridge. local firefighters say a generator may be to blame. the bridge was closed for about two hours. the fire did not damage the bridge. there is concern this morning that certain businesses along the proposed purple line in maryland are being given preferential treatment. last week it was announced that a deal was struck with the columbia country club and chevy chase to shift it on club property. in return the club is dropping its opposition to this project. in a letter to isaiah leg get, two council members says that gives the impression powerful private groups are getting special attention. they are working with multiple groups to address the concerns but the state has the final say. today the virginia department of transportation will hold a public meeting about the bi-county parkway project.

the new ten-mile highway would relocate route 234 out of the heart of the manassas national battlefield park. it is linking loudon and prince william counties. the meeting is happening on john champe high school. it runs from 6:00 to 9:00 tonight. 4:41 is our time. get you up to speed on the forecast. begin with the live look outside. little warmer than yesterday. >> let's check in with tom kierein. weather and traffic on the ones. 4:41. temperatures in the mid to upper 50s, near 60 right by the bay waters. through the morning hours we will have a few clouds coming and going. by noontime we should be into the upper 70s. by mid afternoon we should be peaking in the low 80s. coming up at 4:51 your seven day outlook we'll address your weekend and the strangely tranquil tropics. that's coming in ten minutes.

how's the traffic, danella. >> good morning, tom. light in our area. if you're traveling northbound, 395 at edsel, you'll see the right lane blocked. it should be just now clear. this time southbound as you make your way past duke street, the earlier work zone was blocking the right lane. >> danella, thank you. health care is the key sticking point at the center of the government shutdown. that controversial law took effect today. coming up, what you need to know to find an insurance policy to fit you and what the white house is doing to clear up confusion. >> new traffic fine rules are now in place in the district. why the changes could end up costing

if you don't have health insurance, can you start shopping for a plan today. insurance exchanges that are part of the affordable care act are open. the obama administration expecting about 7 million people to sign up for those plans during the first year. it hopes about 25 million uninsured americans will eventually sign up. even though the affordable care act passed 3 1/2 years ago, most americans are confused about what it means. according to a new kaiser family foundation, more than half the people say they're worried about the new law. the chief medical reporter kathy snyderman has the story. >> reporter: with all the runup time to the eve of this, why the confusion today and why not more

enthusiasm? >> i think it still isn't real for a lot of people, and there is a lot of confusion. >> reporter: is that your fault? >> i think we bear part of the responsibility of not being able to get through a lot of the noise. >> almost 1/3 of people surveyed say they're angry about the affordable care act. here are the important dates to remember about the health care law. you can start enrolling today. coverage will not begin until the first of next year. enrollment closes at the end of next march. most americans must have some type of health insurance by the start of next year. they will be fined if they don't. you probably have anymore questions about the new health care law and we've tried to answer as many of those questions on nbcwashington.com. search affordable care act. here's what you need to know before you hit the roads in maryland this morning. starting today, talking on a hand held cell phone is a primary offense. that means police can pull you over and slap you with an $83

fine. everybody in any vehicle will be required to wear a seat belt now. children under 4'9" will be required to be in a safety seat. also, drivers will be required to move over if emergency vehicles are on the side of the road. today in maryland the state is cracking down on synthetic marijuana as well. the drug also known as k-2 or spice is now illegal to sell anywhere in that state. it is already illegal in virginia or the district. any retailers will face jail time. maryland's new gun law goes into effect. they ban 45 different kinds of assault rifles and magazines that hold more than ten rounds. you will also have to be fink ger printed when you buy a gun now. >> today a group of gun shops and private citizens will be in federal court. they're trying to stop the law from being enforced. they filed a lawsuit last week challenging parts of the law on constitutional grounds. 4:47. today new traffic fines and

rules go into effect in the district. the fine for speeding 11-15 miles per hour over the limit will now be $100. the fine for speeding 16-20 miles over the limit will go up $50 to $150. the fine for going 21-25 miles per hour will increase $50 to $200. the fine for failing to make a complete stop before turning will drop to $50. street sweeping violations will be $45. owners will now need to pay all fines and fees before getting a boot removed or getting their car released from the impound lot. before owners would only have to pay for penalties connected to the tag number. also today, the district eliminates the 23.5 cent gas tax. they replace it with an 8.3 whole tax on gas and diesel fuel. virginia eliminated the state's gas task. analysts from aaa mid-atlantic

say it's unlikely they'll feel less pain. 11 minutes before the hour. grabbing a cab in alexandria could be a little bit harder. last night they staged a walkout on the fees they have to pay to work. most are not striking yet but say it is a possibility. one said it is not that they're not heard being, their wants aren't being taken seriously. >> the driver isn't in a force when their agenda is not part of the discussion. >> each taxi cab driver says he or she starts the day in the red. the drivers won't get to take any money home until after they pay all of their weekly dues, which could be as high as $300. this morning fairfax city police are looking for children who may have come in contact with a rabbid bat. the animal was euthanized.

it did test positive for rabies. anybody who came in contact with the bat should call animal control. 4:501 o is our time. 50 degrees outside of the studio. >> little bit of a warmup. >> autumn is a battle between summer and winter. now summer is kind of winning out again. >> i prefer that. >> it's going to be warming up nicely. the view from space is showing a few clouds drifting in from the west. meanwhile, out in the atlantic we have a new tropical system developing. the latest on that and how strangely tranquil it's been we go to chuck bell. good morning. >> good morning, tom. we have been talking about the feel of summertime around here feels like it's going to essentially extend hurricane season. it goes until the end of november. typically as we get into october things begin to wind down. high pressure has been protecting the eastern seaboard, not just for this season but for quite some time as well. there's jerry way out in the middle of the atlantic ocean.

because this area of high pressure will be steered back out to the east. it will make the recur va tur and back out to the eastern atlantic. the azores. we've not had a major hurricane hit the united states since will ma back in 2005. >> wow. it's been a long time. as we look here this morning, off to a warmer start. we're in the 50s across most of virginia. west virginia, maryland, the eastern shore. we have most areas in the 40s. we are already off to a warmer start. right now we are in the 50s but look at the afternoon highs expected around the metro area. we should be in the low 80s across most of fairfax county, much of montgomery county, high near 80. low 80s in prince gorges county and the district. much of the region will have a very light wind coming in out of the southwest and west. we'll have a few clouds around this afternoon. overall, quite a bit of sunshine. then after we reach those highs

near 80 degrees, the temperatures will be dropping back down into the 60s and bottom out near 60 tomorrow morning. during the day on wednesday another beautiful day. afternoon highs reaching the mid 80s. then on thursday up into the 80s again as well as on friday. we're going to keep this string of warmer than average weather going all of the way into the weekend. saturday looks to be partly cloudy. highs, mid 80s. sunday, increasing clouds. we'll have a front coming through that may give us showers late on sunday and perhaps into monday when it will be cooling back down into the 70s. for a high i'm back in ten minutes with a hometown forecast. danella looks at traffic. >> checking on a couple of work zones around the beltway. they've just cleared. good news there. inner loop at central avenue. the right lanes were blocked. gone. also gone as you travel the beltway in maryland, this time outer loop. that work zone is completely

clear. now as we head down to charles countries county, local roads check out. the travel lanes are open. not seeing any accidents. i want to give you a heads up for folks traveling along 301. this is northbound near shortcut road before the split for 5. an accident is off to your shoulder lane. the travel lanes are open. you may see a tiny delay as folks stop to see what's going on. i'm back in ten minutes and checking then. aaron and eun, back to you. we are 4:53 into this government shutdown. many things around town will be closed. any minute now that includes the panda cam. you see the baby girl right there. we are checking around town to see what's open and what's closed. this could be our last look for a while. gallaudet university sued. who's accusing the school about discrimination. the new tool you can use to ♪

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gallaudet university's chief diversity officer filed a lawsuit against the school. angela new castle accused the university of violating the discrimination law. the school demoted her when she was reinstated. she was suspended last october for signing a petition for opposing gay marriage in maryland. problems with d.c.'s employment agency have apparently cost the city more than $1 million from the federal

government. the "washington post" is saying the labor department rejected a request for $1.4 million. the city's department of employment services hasn't done enough to address the problems from last year. 100 city workers received unemployment benefits while they were still working. the district wanted the $1.4 million to crack down on fraud. 4:57 now. terry mccaauliffe will explain what he will do. >> today you can make sure you are a registered voter. election workers will be positioned throughout virginia. you can check the status of your registration. we put a link on our "news 4 today" facebook page. if you have not registered yet, you have exactly two weeks to do that if you want to vote in next

month's election. 4:58. now happening today montgomery county. a new bill could raise the minimum wage. a bill will be introduced to raise the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour. this is a joint effort with d.c. and prince gorges county. the current minimum wage is $7.25. parents can keep up with their child's school work with a mobile app. features include the latest news, calendars, lunch men use, emergency alerts and contact information for members of the fairfax county school board. the app is available in the itunes store and on google play. stay with us. news 4 continues right now at 5:00 a.m >> announcer: "news 4 today" starts now. >> this law is not ready for primetime. the house has done its work.

>> stand up for america! stand with us this evening and keep this government going. >> tensions reaching a boiling point on capitol hill as the government is grinding to a halt for the first time in nearly 18 years. right now we're tracking the impact the government shutdown is already having on our region and the changes ahead for us. good morning, everybody. i'm aaron gilcrist. >> and i'm eun yang. the federal government is shut down. right now here's a look at the national mall. you won't see the effects of the shutdown just yet. everything is normal for now. later today the national park service is expected to barricade the national memorials and monuments. our news crew 4 drove around and they haven't seen any barricades yet. federal workers will report to work for four hours. here's how the political situation is shaking down at this hour.

house republicans sent three resolutions to the senate yesterday. two of which have already been rejected. senate democrats promising to reject the third one this morning. the latest one passed after 1:00 a.m. it includes a one year tee lay of the mandated health care law. ironically, those exchanges which prompted this whole fight, they will still open today. president obama also sent a video message to the troops last night promising they would continue to be paid. let's get your weather and traffic on the 1s starting with storm meteorologist tom kierein. >> good morning. temperatures around most of the region in the 50s. that includes frederick county, maryland, and virginia. panhandle of western virginia and maryland, and a little bit of patchy fog. a few clouds passing through. prince gorges county now generally in the mid and upper 50s. low to