take a look at storm team 4 radar.a few showers already out. and there's a risk of storms later this afternoon. a weather alert day here at news 4. stay with us for frequent updates throughout ne. 13 years after the september 11th attack, president obama tells the families of the victims at the pen morning that we as a country draw strength from them. >> gordon m. -- >> in new york city, the names of those killed read out loud one by one. right now, the memorial plaza closed to the public, available

only to family members of those victims. the 40 passengers and crew who died when flight 93 crashed on september 11th also honored on this day of remembrance. good morning, everyone. welcome to news 4 midday. i'm barbara harrison. 13 years ago today, planes crashed into the twin towers. the pentagon and the field in shanksville, pennsylvania. thousands were killed. and our country was forever changed. there are memorials happening all across the country today to mark september 11th. we begin with news 4's megan mcgrath live at the pentagon with more on today's ceremony there. megan, good morning. >> good morning, barbara. 184 innocent people died when american airlines flight 77 crashed into the pentagon. those victims were remembered today during a special ceremony that just wrapped up a little

while ago. that ceremony included remarks from the president, as well as a moment of silence at 9:37. that's the moment that the plane made impact. at dawn, a large american flag was unfurled from the roof of the pentagon. it's an image we have seen before. the first time on september 12th, the day after the attack. the flag has become a symbol of american resolve. and it caught the eye of many as theyr way to work this morning. >> just brings to home the sacrifices that our service people, service men and women have made in this country. >> 13 years have passed since terrorists flew flight 77 into the pentagon. andy ledbetter was in high school when it happened. >> it was a tough day. i remember vividly. like i said, i'm just a humble worker here, just ready to serve. >> as workers went to their offices this morning, survivors and families of the victims

gathered at the memorial for a private remembrance ceremon during his remarks, president barack obama offered words of comfort to the families. saying their strength continues to defeat those who seek to bring terror. >> they have to do more than bring down buildings or murder our people. they sought to break our spirit and to prove to the world that their power to destroy was greater than our power to persevere and to build. but you and america prove them wrong. american endures in the strength of your families who, through your anguish, you kept alive and loved that no act of terror can ever ex extinguish.

>> the memorial in just the last few minutes has reopened to the general public. reporting live from the pentagon, megan mcgrath, news 4. barbara, back to you. >> thank you, megan. >> diora francis baudly. [ bell tolling ]. >> today, a bell tolled for each pers aboard flight 93 in shanksville, pennsylvania, on september 11th. family members and loved ones were there to mark 13 years since losing those loved ones. the congressional gold medal was also presented at the flight 93 memorial. the plane crashed in sharngsville after passengers battled the hijackers on board. in new york, family members read the names of victims out loud at a very emotional remembrance ceremony. this was a private ceremony at the memorial plaza.

at 11:15, we'll have more from the memorials and how this year will be the first for one thing at the 9/11 site. and keep it here on news 4 for coverage throughout the day. if you want to know more about today's memorial events in our area, they're posted on our website, nbcwashingty a nationa service. many across the country will take part in ser proj. there are a couple of service projects right here in washington. volen teerns will help restore volunteer fire station and the center in southeast. and volunteers will build a playground at a public charter school in northwest. the school lacks sufficient playground equipment for its 300 students. storm team 4 is keeping a close eye on our web tied. it's our weather alert day. storms are expected later this afternoon. storm team 4 meteorologist amelia seigel joins us. >> that's exactly right, it will be hot today, a little bit

humid, with that heat, humidity and a cold front moving through. we'll be tracking some scattered showers and thunderstorms. because of this, the weather having a low to maybe moderate impact on your day today. definitely feeling like summer out there. right now, the immediate area is dry. as we pull it out, look further back to the west you can see clouds, and then even further back some showers in west virginia. so the clouds move in during the early afternoon hours. those showers turn into some thunderstorms and we'll be tracking scattered showers and thunderstorms for the afternoon and evening hours. some storms later today, barbara, could contain some heavy rain. that's going to lower the visibility if you're out driving this afternoon. maybe some high winds with isolate wind damage. you do need to be weather ready. that's why it's weather alert day here at storm team 4. we're at 81 right now. the dew point talks about humidity above 65.

it's humid. so we're humid and we're looking for highs today near 90. i'm going to have the timing of these storms coming up, letting you know when they will be impacting your neighborhood. >> police are holding another news conference, asking for your help in finding a missing mom and her two children. police believe they all could still be in this area. concern is escalating because of catherine's diagnosis as a paranoid schizophrenic. this video shows her inside a chick-fil-a in german town monday evening right before she slipped out of a side door. she and the children's father had stopped there on their way to report their 2-year-old and 3-year-old missing. she was charged with child neglect yesterday. we'll bring you any new information as soon as it breaks. we're following a developing story out of south africa. a verdict has been reached in

the murder trial of former olympian oscar pistorius. what we know so far. >> if you threaten america, you will find no safe haven. >> and the president's plan to deal with the group isis. the steps already under way to carry ou

particularly, when we look up at the flags raised at half-staff today, we have to find ways to make sure that we carry on in the spirit of those we lost. and that we find some ways, big or small, to find lessons in terrible losses. >> speaking from saudi arabia today, u.s. secretary of state john kerry spoke about the 9/11 terror attacks and the 2012 attack on the u.s. consulate in benghazi. he urged americans to be public serbants. kerry is in the middle east attending meetings on terrorism and how to fight isis militants. news 4's richard jordan is here now with a developing story in south africa. >> this is the oscar pistorius murder trial. still no verdict. but we are getting some insight into where the judge is going. how she's leaning here. making this decision. she did say early today there's not enough evidence to convict business store ya of

premeditated murder. it also appears she has taken the murder ce table. so the double amputee now faces culpable homicide, in other words, manslaughter. the judge said pistorius acted negligently when he shot reeva steen camp in february of last year, but then she stopped and adjourned court for the rest of the day. on that culpable homicide charge, pistorius would face about five years in prison but it is up to the judge's discretion to determine. we'll watch this tomorrow morning. in new york city, police officers are, maing september 11th with a special tribute on up, more on our special coverage 13 years later. it's hot, humid, even a little breezy outside. little breezy outside. some storms are in the forecast

littin fairfax county. some storwe had to cut forecast a lot of waste. we consolidated offices. started sharing printers. we can walk a few feet. replaced computers, but kept the monitors. they still work fine. we even discovered that the phone company overcharged us by three million dollars! i approve this message because congress doesn't need another right winger. they need someone who can balance a budget. oh, and we definitely didn't need so many government studies.

hundreds of police officers sacrificed their lives 13 years ago on september 11th and the nypd is honoring their comrades in a unique way. they're tweeting those who died in the attacks and officers who died after due to related illnesses. they're using #neverforget. nbc's jim gray has more on the national remembrance from 1

world trade center. >> memorial tibing right now. a private ceremony. families and friends of loved ones who were lost 13 years ago. the names of nearly 3,000 vick tips being read aloud. being by surviy members. always a very emotional part of the annual remembrance service here. again, this is a private ceremony. on the plaza just outside the 9/11 museum and memorial. this evening, for the first time on 9/11, that same plaza will be open to the public from 6:00 in the evening until midnight, allowing thousands to gather to pay their respects. it's an important day, a very difficult day. but one that so many here will tell you is vital as they continue to try to recover 13 years after the trage also an posh note for those sending a message to the world. while they took quite a blow

with the terrorist attacks 13 years ago, they are back on their feet and they want to make sure that nothing like thisser happens again. that is the latest here in new york. i'm jay gray. now back to you. president obama was joined by the first lady and vice president biden for a silent moment at the white house. the president also laid a wreath at the pentagon memorial and later president and mrs. obama will participate in a service project so. in the next week, nearly 500 troops will deploy to iraq to stop the spread of isis. last night, president obama addressed the nation with a r approach to dismantle the terrorist organization. with the help of syrian opposition on the ground. the president said while isis poses no immediate threat to the u.s. now, that could quickly

change. >> and our own safety, our own security, depends upon our willingness to do what it takes to defend this nation and uphomd t upho values we stand for. >> air assaults will continue in iraq. the u.s. will also continue providing humanitarian support to isis victims. and for more on the president's speech and reaction that is pouring in this morning, we're joined by kerry dan, a political writer for nbc. good morning. we just heard some of what the president included in his speemp. what was not said in that speech last night? >> you did hear the president lay out mostly the case for intervention against isis. he didn't talk about things like the time line, how long is this going to take. how much is it going to cost. and most importantly, he didn't mention what does syria look like after this conflict is other. what does iraq look like. how much of a residual force will have to be there after we address this isis threat.

what will happen to bashar al assad, the president in syria, would has be has been so impres his people in that. we didn't see a lot of answers from the president on that. >> hard to put a time line on something like this, he said it's going to take a while. >> he prepared the nation for a long conflict. he said this would not be other quickly. >> a quote from senator mccain and one from senator bernie sanders. >> they're in a combat situation. to say they're not is obviously un. >> it will be with the support of the united states. >> so has reaction been generally positive from the hill? >> you saw in these very pol pozing times. you saw a lot of statements last night that said i'm glad the president's showing leadership on this issue.

republicans by and large said yes, this is what we want him to do. >> what about democrats? >> you saw democrats being more divided. think you still have democrats who are saying my constituents are still worried about a long ground war in iraq. we really want to know, how long is this conflict going to last, how much of america's blood going to be spent on this conflict. saying, we really want the congress to have authorized this. we want to vote on this. we want to say here's our th to come up with working with that strategy together. >> thank you so much, kerry. for more from the nbc news political team, check out first read on nbcnews.com. developing later today, this afternoon, doctors will release details about the ebola infected american being treated in nebraska. the facility released a new photo that shows him sitting up in the hospital bed and talking to his wife through a video monitor.

he is a doctor himself, you may remember. he contracted the virus while treating pregnant women in liberia. so far, doctors have said his condition is improving. a d.c. nonprofit group is joining the fight against ebola. they're sending specially made suits to africa. the group worked out of a garage to pack these suits. it's shipping hundreds of yellow hazmat suits to ebola treatment centers in liberia. trying to protect health care officials who work directly with ebola patients. since hazmat suits can only be worn one time, experts say more of them are needed. for the first time since ray rice was cut from the team, the video of him purnching a woman, of his soon to be wife, she was his fiance at the time. since that surfaced, his teammates will be taking the field tonight for the first time. coming up, what the nfl knew about that video and when.

plus, the problem the solar flare could cause. first, here's a look at what's hot on nbcwa. ring ring! progresso! it's ok that your soup tastes like my homemade. it's our slow simmered vegetables and tender white meat chicken. apology accepted. i'm watching you soup people. make it progresso or make it yourself. and now try new progresso chili. slow-simmered, homemade taste.

i'm richard jordan at the live desk following breaking news from the houston airport. george bush intercontinental around. there's a suspicious substance on a plane there. we've seen crews in hazmat gear

plane. no information as to what that substance could be. you can be sure that every precaution is being taken before any travelers are al plane. george bush intercontinental airport. a suspicious substance now found on that plane. now back to you. >> if your cell phones and radios are having a few issues in the coming days, the sun may be to blame. a new solar flare launched off the sun yesterday. scientists are still working to determine just how strongly the flare will impact earth. we should find that out later today. solar flares emit tons of electrical energy and cause disruptions to the magnetic balance on earth. the ravens take on the steelers tonight for the first time since the new ray rice assault tape surfaced. this morning, we're learning that a new independent investigation has been launched by the nfl. former fbi director robert mueller will try to figure out

whether the nfl had this tape and when it had the tape. nfl commissioner roger goodell says muller will have access to all league reports. the announcement comes after a law enforcement official told the a.p. that he sent the rice tape to an executive in april. also playing a second voice mail confirming it arrived. executives maintain they did not see the tape until earlier this week. the ravens owner spoke out on camera for the first time about why he didn't take things further. >> i was picturing -- i was picturing her waling on him and him smacking her and maybe her head was this far from the wall and with her inknee briation dropped. so why did i conclude all that? because i wanted to. because i loved him. because he had a stellar record. >> he went on to say that because he didn't see the video and because the courts allowed rice to enter a pretrial

probation it made him believe the incident wasn't as bad as the tape shows. honoring the victims of september 11th. right now, hundreds of motorcyclists are on the road in our area. coming up, where the group will gather and the meaning behind their ride. ple hea and humidity is building out there. we're going to g an update on the typing storms expected here this afternoon . and a new weight loss drug aproed by the fda.

it's a weather alert day. just a few showers showing up right now. but that's expected to change this afternoon. storm team 4 meteorologist amelia segal joins us with the news. >> we're going to be tracking some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. so you could make it through the entire day today and actually remain dry. a cold front moves through the area. what everybody's dealing with today, the heat and humidity. those storms moving through later today, well, they're with the cold front and they're going to dramatically cool us down tomorrow. wait until you see the numbers on the seven-day. about the timing of the storms in the d.c. metro area, i'm forecasting the timing between 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. right now. the latest information coming out, really continues to show that time period.

veronica's going to be providing updates right here. you can also find us on facebook and twitter too. we'll be posting the latest timing there. the strongest storms look to favor areas of southern maryland and the northern neck. before we talk about the weather this afternoon, i have to give a shoutout to the wonderful students at the stratford program in arlington. i had a fabulous afternoon with then yesterday talking to them about the weather. so here's this cold front on storm team 4 radar. just entering west virginia at this p. is, again, going to bring that hit or miss activity to the afternoon hours. some isolated showers potentially around the area. otherwise, the clouds have moved in. some heavy rain and potentially some strong winds. notice how our future weather model is favoring the heaviest activity here to be down around the northern neck and southern maryland. does that mean we can't see a strong thunderstorm in washington or even in frederick and leesburg? no. but i do think the most rain,

the heaviest rain, the strongest storms, will really be cells in washington this afternoon and evening. by about 9:00 p.m., we'll return to mainly dry conditions. it will turn more refreshing across the area. so rain intensity this afternoon. not widespread downpours, bub not drizzle either. what we're really looking at are some quick moving storms. have the umbrella handy. temperatures around 80. it's hot today. that high temperature of 90, we'll hit that about 4:00 this afternoon. it could be the last 90 of the year. the heaviest rain in d.c. potentially between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. but really tracking the potential for severe weather in maryland. so the evening commute potentially slow. 86. tomorrow morning, have the sunglasses. it will be refreshing with a temperature of 65 tomorrow morning. and it will be over 10 degrees

cooler overall toms with finish this workweek, a high of 78. really, a beautiful day. great evening for dining out. saturday, it could be a little bit rainy. no storms in the forecast. sunday will be the better just door day for the weekend with a high of 75. >> all right, we'll get ready for this afternoon. >> absolutely. >> well, as we mark 13 years since the september 11th attacks, we're hearing about security changes for some people who work at the capital. security police say they will have enhanced security measures in place around the district. according to "the hill" newspaper, some staffers have been told to prepare for the possibility of an evacuation. thousands of bikers are on their way to d.c. to honor the victims of the attacks. riding with the group 2 billion mi to d.c. we have a crew driving with the group.

ree tribute. tell us ways happening out there now. >> hey, barbara, good morning. we're here on the national mall. some of the first bikers have started to arrive on the scene. you can see them off in the distance behind me there. thousands of them have come from four separate staging areas around the dmz. this is the fort washington area staging area for the 2 million bikers to d.c. it's their way of showing patriotism on a day america never forgets. >> well worth the trip. >> a long ride to get here for some who rode in from the west, north and east coast, sporting their different bikes and american flags. >> an honor the country should be having flying a flag on their bike. >> bought his honda just two weeks ago and rolled 1200 plus

miles from wisconsin. >> having the honor to be part of this group and be just one of thousands of riders that will be here today that are honoring those who are no longer with us. >> red, white and blue can be seen everywhere, even in unique fashion. >> i'm dying of lupus but i'll rock 'n' roll until i can't go no more. >> everyone gets a name tag of at least one person would perished in the 9/11 attacks. matthew burke. over here, edward calderon. >> god bless 'em. you're goi to get us emotional now. i do know who they are right here, you know. >> the bikers are still coming in behind me. we're expecting thousands of

them. so it will take them some time to get set up here on the national mall for the rally that is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. it is free and open to the public so if you want to come down and take part, you still have plenty of time. we are live at the national mall. back to you. from the west, north, south and east coast, sporting their different bikes and their american flags, a lot people are here in washington today. a d.c. success story. the woman behind the beauty empire. plus, new information on a respiratory illness keeping hospitals across the country very busy. stay with us. detted&sáññghdexúv

> the some good news for folks who need help with tighting. a new weight loss pill is supposed to help people battle the bulge. this pill is unique in that it's made up of drugs used to treat addiction and depression, but don't get your hopes up just yet. today show contributor dr. raj says the pill is not for everyone. >> this isn't for the person who just wants to drop a few pounds. >> exactly. it's only approached for people with a bmi of 30 or over. that's considered obese. or a 27 bmi if they have a weight related condition such as

diabetes, high cholesterol. >> in trials, they lost about 5% of their body weight. this weekend, blue mercury celebrates 15 years in business. while its the fastest growing beauty spa in the country, it's still a neighborhood shop at heart. the business woman who built the brand. >> it started out as a little shop in georgetown. the found blue mercury into a $100 million brand with 55 stores across the country, including nine in the d.c. area. she joins us now to talk about the anniversary of blue mercury and the secret to her success. congratulations. i rememr when that store opened in d.c., in georgetown, it was so exciting. there's a treasure of beauty products. now r headquarters. how did you know the specialized

beauty boutiqueould do so well? >> when i graduated from business school, you could only bicosmetics at drugstores. i had to buy 30 minutes to a department store to buy my favorite brands. the whole idea was the friendly neighborhood store located near where you live. >> such a great storu opened yo. what is your business model that allowed you to grow so quickly? >> having the best beauty experts in the industry at our neighborhood store. so the customer walks in, she can have the best advice. she can get spa services, her make up done, all in a minute so you can move on to your next thing. >> you'r a mom of three so you're doing everything. we know how busy you are. you laumpled your own beauty line. tell me about that and how it's different. >> sure. we wanted to create a national brand that had the most natural

formulations possible. and so the whole idea was that you get instant results. in the minimum time possible. >> we know we can't let you go without talking about some your favorite products. >> so we have a best-seller's kit for our 15th anniversary. we have a beautiful, beautiful fall palette with blush and eye care. we have the hair care line. >> how does that help? >> it has oil to high trade. to deal with supper pigmentation, we have vita blast c. >> i tried that peel. it really does work almost instantl >> we know they make an array of makeup. tell m what you brought.

>> beautiful blue, the color i really love, and a beautiful smoky eye palette for fall. >> okay, very nice. do you change your beauty routine for fall in terms of skin care? >> i always do. i worry a little more about pigmentation and hydration. you want to use a glycolic peel and hydrator. as the seasons change, your skin needs more moisture. >> all right, terrific. congratulations once again. thanks for joining us. remember, the blue mercury is hosting anniversary parties at all the shops this saturday. there's going to be cupcakes, makeups and giveaways. it should be a lot fun. >> security questions coming up. why some g-mail users are being asked to change their passwords. and we continue to look at the day remembrance and service. earlier in the newscast, we showed you the public ceremony taking place at the white house today.

google is asking about 100,000 g-mail users to change their passward after they showed up on a russian forum. google says its network was not breached. it appears from data came from users who recycle passwards from multiple accounts or hackers who try to send a spam virus. fall is just around the corner now. with fall comes october fest and beer festivals.

now, a few of the festivals coming up in our area. there's a few coming up in the district. >> it is one of the biggest fast vals you're going to see in the district. it's set in a beautiful setting. it's cure rated by the folks who run blue jacket brewery. they're beer experts in town. they bring in all kinds of brewers locally. it's kind of a bargain if you think about it. you can trade in for about, you know, anywhere from 3 to 5 beer samples. >> that's called snalgasters? is that a german word? >> i don't know, we have to find out. you can mark your calendar for it. this is a dance to take all the maryland brewers, including everyone from brewer's art lots

of maryland food. it's going to be in baltimore. you'll see dangerous pies doing the foods. it should be a lot fun. >> where is that? >> september 20th. >> in virginia? >> virginia's of course has a brew festival twice a year. this is a really fun event because it brings in 64 brewers from across the country. we'll see a lot broader offerings. they're going to announce the actual brewers com. this is really fun because it's in t fall, in the mountains in virginia. >> a lot of folks can't wait for beer fests. >> beer is so trendy right now. for more ideas for your weekend, log on to nbcwashington.com for the going out guide on washington post.com. a talented 12-year-old who says she's hoping to find a caring adoptive family. keisha hopes to find a family to

encourage her many goals in life, one of which is to learn gymnastics and maybe go to the olympics one day. silver star gymnastics, are you excited? >> yeah, i'll really excited for today. >> what does that say? >> welcome. >> she was a little nervous but excited about meeting the gymnastics coach. she's an aspiring gymnast. she's dreamed of having gymnastic lessons but as a foster child moving from home to home, there's been no family to support and encourage that dream. those who know keisha say she's a bright girl with a terrific personality. >> she's so fun and so full of life and she is or tig late and she loves gymnastics. >> there was a warm welcome waiting us inside the gym. wow, you look like a gymnast now. keisha got ready for her first lesson. >> and then push, and then in.

and then push, and then in. good job. >> and she does well in school too. she recently started the sixth grade. what's your favorite subject of all your new subjects? >> i don't have one. i like them all. >> oh, good. so are you a good student? >> yeah, i get as. >> you do, that's wonderful. what do you like to do after school? >> i like to exercise. i like to do craft. read. >> keisha really wants to do well in all she tries. for years, she was afraid of adoption but now really wants a permanent loving home. >> i do want to be adopted now because i'm tired of getting tossed around in foster families. >> that's a good point. >> i want to have a permanent home and at least be cared for. >> and then do you have a forward roll? >> yeah. >> okay, show me that.

>> very good job. >> she's very excited to be adopted and to have a forever home and just think if she has the chance to get to know someone, she could really open up and show who she truly is. >> keisha wants a family who will truly embrace her as their own. >> actually take care of you like you were their own, like they always had you. >> if you have room in your home and your heart for keisha or another child who's waiting, call our special adoption hot line. lovely, lovely girl. coming up, the latest on a respiratory virus crowding some hospitals with extremely sick children. plus, meteorologist amelia plus, meteorologist amelia seeingal is back with

that's powerful. >> ej: so kate didn't try to sandbag me, or turn you further against me than she already has? >> sami: i'm not going to let anyone do that. when it comes to how i feel about you, or what's going to happen with us... i'm going to let my heart decide. i'm not going to listen to other people's opinions anymore. i promise you that. deal? >> ej: deal. absolutely. um, s-so... what is it that your heart is telling you now? about...me? about us? [phone rings]