500 times. steve handelsman is on capitol hill with the developments. >> reporter: chris, thanks. the consensus among u.s. officials seems to be the french intelligence could and should have done a lot more to prevent these attacks. but despite the reported death today of four hostages the government says were killed by a terrorist, not police. french forces looked impressive. it was a coordinated police assault, and it worked. at a printing plant, the couch kouachi brothers were cornered. the brothers had a hostage. another gunman took numerous hostages at a kosher grocery store in paris, and threatened to kill them if the kouachis weren't freed. missed said both were tax by one terror cell high at boumeddiene. they said they would execute if

the kouachis would attack so police hit both once. the brothers were killed. their hostage was unhurt. but police said hostages were killed in the supermarket, along with coulibaly. >> i want them to know the united states stands with you today. >> reporter: president obama watched from knoxville. >> we're hopeful the immediate threat is resolved. >> reporter: officials said said kouachi got military training from al qaeda of yemen, seen as the biggest threat to the much more dangerous than isis because isis has never plotted so far attacks against the homeland. >> reporter: but despite the boston marathon bombing, most experts agree, there is less of a threat here thanks to ouris slammic communities. >> after 9/11 wanted to take a more interactive role in solving the problem. >> reporter: but u.s. officials

still fear copy cat terror attacks now, like the french do in that nervous nation tonight. and right now say the experts because the french crisis has so dominated the news. i'm steve handelsman news4. >> thanks, steve. >> one suspect is still on the run in paris as we look beyond. >> joining us now to talk more about this threat is "meet the press" moderator chuck todd. when you look at the rap sheets all three long rap sheets what does this say about how countries like france and the u.s. handle known terror suspects differently? >> well look i think the after action report on this and what happened here were these, you know -- how known suspects. during the boston bombings there was some wondering would the tsarnaev brothers should we have known more should fbi have been tracking better, and after time you realize, no they were really small-time people before they did this and it was hard to imagine. in this case you have somebody going to yemen.

it's hard to imagine these two would have been successful in the united states given the aggressive intelligence tactics that we use in the united states to track these folks. that said you know in talking to some security officials, you know they -- the soft target is what they're most concerned about. this was a soft target. and in both cases. a couple of them. look at our -- look at our company. and it's only recently that we have upped the security in this building. you know over the last few years. and a lot of media organizations have done that. but a kosher butcher shop. i mean are we going to see -- what is -- and whose responsibility is it to up this security? i think and that -- >> the government? >> i think this is -- for instance those are the questions i have for our government. how responsible are they? the soft target like i said, government officials, this is their nightmare. soft target lolley grown. >> well congress is looking at funding homeland security. and then of course this -- now there is more anti immigration

fervor in france which had a problem with that. we're looking at that as well with this new congress. is this going to have an impact on that? >> well it could. and i think it's interesting the political football that is the homeland security budget because of the bordernd whole immigration. my guess is the paris incident sort of like makes it so it doesn't become the same political football. but i think that you know the immigration issue you just brought up with france that is one thing i had a security official say, look this is more of an acute issue in france. they have not integrated their muslim population. you go to -- we're going to have a story from dearborn, michigan on sunday. right outside detroit, one of the larger muslim populations. it's very middle class population. this is -- the muslim population in this country is very integrated. in general, america integrates its immigrants. we say it because it's true. and is by a second generation you see the assimilation starting to take hold. that's not happening in western europe. so in that sense, our security officials say, you know what

this is a problem that france and great britain are going to be dealing with for years, maybe the united states won't. not to say it won't happen. we had our own home-grown incidents, but not the effect they have in europe. >> thanks. >> you can watch "meet the press" sunday at 10:30 here on nbc 4. we encourage you to always do that. now to the dangers of this deep freeze gripping our region for the better part of a week. first responders in montgomery county are showing what can happen if you fall through the ice. emergency crews respond to a lot of calls this time of year to rescue people who venture out on to frozen rivers and ponds. of mark segraves has more on this threat but let's go first to veronica johnson with the conditions from storm center 4. hey, vj. >> hey, guys. today was pretty warm. we got up over 40 degrees. in fact 42 was our high temperature. so lots of melting snow across the area today. but now temperatures already falling off. they're going to fall fast, and they're going to fall deep tonight. those temperatures. let me show where we are right

now. already at 36 degrees in d.c. freezing most neighborhoods in the 20s already, up to the north. aspen hill rockville. you'll drop to 10 degrees tonight. 11 manassas. 17 degrees in d.c. and i think that after we pass the 9:00 p.m. hour that we are going to be dipping down. many neighborhoods to freezing and start to see some icy patches with refreeze. and black ice that will be out there. you have any driving to do late tonight or early tomorrow just a couple of minutes, i'll show you that next system that moves in late sunday night. i'll have that coming up. right now so many ponds and rivers are frozen over. but first responders say it's an accident waiting to happen if you venture on to that thin ice. montgomery county rescue teams went to a frozen pond in potomac today just to show you how dangerous this can be. news4's mark segraves was there. >> stay off the ice. you can't tell looking at it here. you can't tell how thick the ice is looking at it.

it might look pretty thick. when in fact it's really not. >> reporter: that's the warning from first responders across our region. there is no frozen lake pond or canal in our area that's ever 100% safe. >> very deceiving, yes. it's hard to tell. you look at it, it looks very strong in spots. some spots look very thick. usually can't tell the difference in the two. >> reporter: even in their protective wet suits, the cold water can be overwhelming. >> takes your breath away. it really does. you completely -- reflexes kick in and you fight for air. >> reporter: and you're geared for it. imagine, i guess, someone dressed like me in jeans -- >> wouldn't last very long. >> reporter: and it's that shock of the cold water that makes it so difficult to save yourself. >> typically, we see people get in trouble when they flail around too much and just that initial shock hitting that water that is so cold can cause you to have some pretty dramatic responses and can drowned you. so you want to just keep your head above water, whichever way

you can do to swim or whatever. and just find something to hang on to get a piece of ice to grip on to. and then you just need to conserve your energy. >> reporter: in montgomery county mark segraves news4. >> and here's another example of what can happen during a cold snap. a sprinkler pipe burst this afternoon in shut down the gatsby's tavern museum. the building is over 200 years old, and it's going to be closed through sunday. but the gatsby's restaurant on the complex was not affected. and welding at a construction site blamed for this massive fire in loudoun county this morning. as many as 100 firefighters had to battle these flames that erupted from a large data center that's under construction on smith swiss road in ashburn. investigators say the welding ignited some construction materials ask caused the fire to spread to the roof. damage is estimated at $100,000. tonight one of the most visible buildings in the area is lit up and is shining. it is honoring law enforcement officers at a time when police

around the country are facing high-profile criticism and high-profile danger. kristin wright is live at the national memorial in alexandria. what do they have planned, kristin? >> reporter: well chris, alexandria police and alexandria sheriffs deputies have activated their emergency lights red, white and blue here at the masonic national memorial. and the top of the masonic is lit up in a color that is symbolic to law enforcement. the masonic memorial in alexandria lit in blue. blue for the men and women in uniform who serve. the illumination in honor of national law enforcement appreciation day. >> somebody has finally taken the time to stop and say, on this particular day, let's say thank you to the men and women of law enforcement. >> reporter: alexandria sheriff set up blue lights for his neighbor. the sheriff has served this community 27 years, and has strong feelings about the recent protests against law enforcement. >> it is not indicative of what

we're about. and that conversation needs to change. hopefully, the temple being lit in all blue tonight will help us sort of change that conversation. >> being a mom of four i just appreciate all they do in protecting our community and protecting our children. >> reporter: the lights at the masonic are a tribute to the men and women of the alexandria police department and sheriff's office. >> and it's been lit in many different colors. and so for the first time to have it lit all blue my profession i have served for 36 years is going to be a rather -- a very significant and sort of emotional thing for me. >> reporter: the lights here at the masonic memorial will be lit up just tonight. in alexandria kristin wright news4. >> by now, you've seen the video. but tonight we're going to hear from the police officers nearly run over by a man behind the wheel of a dump truck. >> targeting victims in mourning where criminals are sinking it new lows stealing from people at cemeteries.

and all new at 6:00 we have a local city that wants to strip people of their driver's license if they're caught texting and driving. and we have got some breaking news now. we have a crew headed to oxon hill for reports of a child who fell through the ice. now, just a few minutes ago, we heard from mark segraves in montgomery county about just this kind of danger. now we're hearing from police officers that they have pulled the child out of the frozen water at south view drive in four seasons place. we're going to have a lot more as we get here and hopefully get out of that

when the flu hits, it's a really big deal. the aches. the chills. the fever. an even bigger deal? everything you miss out on... family pizza night. the big game. or date night. why lose out to the flu any longer than you have to? prescription tamiflu can help you get better 1.3 days faster. that's 30% sooner. call your doctor right away. and attack the flu virus at its source with prescription tamiflu. tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu in people 2 weeks and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. before taking tamiflu tell your doctor if you're pregnant, nursing, have serious health conditions or take other medicines. if you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion or abnormal behavior. the most common side effects

are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. call your doctor right away. don't lose another moment to the flu. when there's flu, tamiflu.

you're watching news4 at 6:00. well two cops were nearly run over by a dump truck, and tonight those officers are talking about what happened to them in prince george's county. they were in glen arden wednesday standing next to their cars in a parking lot. the trucker pulled up and one officer says the driver started accusing them of killing his brother. that gave the other officer a bad feeling. and a few minutes after he drove away the dump truck came speeding back as you see in this video, and smashed into their cruisers drove on top of one of them. the officers say the driver got out of his truck with his fist balled up but they managed to arrest him without anyone getting hurt. gene brandon jr. is now fatesing attempted murder charges. police officers had to beef up a local presence at a high school because of a threat

social media. this is flowers high school in prince george's county. police say they traced the threat back to a student who goes to the school. he confessed to investigators and could now face criminal charges. and the school system is also taking some disciplinary action. a letter went home to parents reminding them to monitor their kids' posts. but again, police say there was never a credible threat to the students. a former cia director in one of the nation's most prominent generals could face felony charges. jim handly at the live desk. >> attorney general eric holder is deciding whether to press charges that could land former four-star general david petraeus in prison. this stems from a highly publicized affair petraeus had while director of the cia. the "new york times" is reporting the cia and justice department are recommending petraeus be charged with providing classified information to his mistress. investigators say classified documents were found on paula brood

broodwell's computer. petraeus has said before that he never provided classified information to broadwell. broadwell and petraeus began their affair shortly after he took the lead at the cia and while broadwell was writing a book. at the live desk i'm jim handly. prosecutors are calling it one of the worst crimes they have ever seen. a husband who once served this country strangles his wife the mother of their two young children. today caleb crew learned he will be spending the rest of his life in prison. northern virginia bureau chief julie carey with that story. >> she used to call the little girl princess. that's how i remember andrea. she was just the best mom. >> reporter: angelica swan talking about her close friend andrea crew. why she came to court today, to see andrea's killer her husband, caleb crew receive his sentence. he called to report his wife missing. within days andrea's body was found in the occoquan river.

under questioning by fairfax county detectives crew confessed. the couple had gone to court on august 7th a previous domestic violence charge against him was dropped. but on the way home they argued. crew strangled her in their suv, wrapping his tie around her neck. here is some of his confession. >> first thing i said i said goodbye. but once i went down that path i didn't go back. she said please caleb. i started crying but i couldn't stop. >> andrea's family traveled from columbia for the sentencing. when his turn came to speak today, crew turned to them saying in spanish, i'm very sorry. later adding i hope you believe me when i tell you that i loved her. the judge's sentence life in prison. >> you never find happiness in any of these cases, in any murder case. my reaction initially to the sentence was that justice was found for andrea for her family. >> he's going to be locked up. but at the same time i will

miss andrea and i'm pretty sure her little girls won't have their mom with her. so that is the part of my heart that misses her every day. >> reporter: the victim's daughters are 2 and 6, being cared for by her sister in colombia. we check on the weather now, the weekend is upon us and more cold weather coming in. >> we do. today is a tease as folks were really loving the sunshine the warmth today. and, again, the melting snow is what we had. and that means refreeze tonight, and icy patches. and that's how i'm going to kick things off for you. it stays cold too, throughout the day tomorrow. as you'll see in just a moment. but watch it on bridges and overpasses. the speed, as well as on ramps and off-ramps. doesn't take much to send you skidding. all right. in terms of your evening planner forecast our temperatures the wind yes, there will be a little bit of wind. we're 36 degrees right now. by 9:00 we're at 29 degrees. and i do think it's after 9:00

temperatures continue on downward that we could see a lot of ice in locations. 15 to 20 degrees wind chills by your evening. meanwhile, here's what's going on. the reason the winds pick up there is a weak weather front that's just now stepping into our area. not much in the way of any cloud cover, and certainly nothing falling from the sky with it. but what it will do is take our temperatures down, and provide us with some wind here tonight and at times throughout the day tomorrow. behind that system. so clear and cold here 10:00, as we get into the early morning hours. and for the day tomorrow nothing but a clear sky. so it's sunshine for tomorrow afternoon. but again, still cold. we stay with sub freezing temperatures. under the 32 degree mark. by sunday early, a clear sky, yes. but watch this. with clouds we'll have clouds coming in already by lunch time. and then by 3:00 4:00 already turning partly sunny to mostly cloudy by sunday evening. that really is the setup for monday. and the chance for some freezing

rain. i'll talk about that a little later in the newscast. from 17 to 19 degrees at 11:00 a.m. your hourly forecast. we're at 22 by 1:00. 28 that's it for a high temperature tomorrow. so sunshine but pretty cold. some areas up north just 25 for a high. 31 around stafford and fredericksburg. and well we're all going to be inside. all of us. if you want to come down and see us at storm team 4 at the health and fitness expo at the convention center in d.c. tom, chuck and amelia at 12:30 and doug kammerer and myself will be there answering questions. so bring your hardest weather questions. dry and warmer sunday. so get moving. close to 40 degrees, a nice warmup then for the second half of the weekend. and while temperatures the early part of next week will stay in the upper 30s again, it's early monday morning where we could have some issues with freezing rain. when i come back later in the newscast i'm going to show where that freezing rain starts. i'll take you hour by hour through the day where we could

have that potential and talk about the possibility of delays for school. that's all in a few. >> all right. well he thought he hired a hit man. but it was really a cop. tonight, we're going to hear the audio from a maryland man who tried to kill his ex-wife and how it all backfired. we know this flu season has been rough but now numbers reveal just how bad it is. and rescued from certain death. how you can now help give these dogs a second chance after arriving here from south korea.

now that we're in the midst of a pretty nasty flu season the centers for disease control is pushing doctors to give drugs to flu patients in hospitals and to people at risk for pneumonia and other complications. right now, only one in five high-risk patients gets this medication. the the the the cdc says the number should be higher. we are only halfway through the flu season. >> yeah still a long ways to go. look it's only friday and we're already getting excited for the nbc 4 health and fitness expo this weekend. >> doreen gentzler at the washington convention center all day, getting a look at some of the new things you're going to find this year. doreen? >> hi wendy, chris. the setup is under way here at the d.c. convention center.

one of the new additions is the changing minds pavilion. changing minds is the name of our year-long project, focusing on mental health. and this pavilion is a place to learn more about mental illness. one of our exhibitors this year the green door an organization that provides services for 1,800 adults with mental illness in our d.c. area. this weekend at the expo the green door is bringing in a graffiti wall. take a look at this. we stopped by a few weeks ago as some clients started working on it. here people are using art as therapy, painting as a way to work through some of the trauma they have dealt with in their lives. >> through the art mud yum, allows them to access different parts of the experience and express different parts of the experience they wouldn't do just in language only. although the difference between just having people sit down and do art and art therapy has to do with the further processing of those experiences that they're expressing in one way or another through their art. >> art is a way to express

yourself. and, you know certain ways for me you know art is a stress relief. you know i take the stress and i apply it to the paint brush. and the paint. and try to come up with something that you know maybe i'm thinking of. >> everybody who comes to the expo this weekend will be able to contribute to the graffiti wall. it will be on display in the changing minds area here at the expo. other activities include mental health screenings for common conditions like depression and anxiety. and referrals for anyone who is dealing with mental illness. also lots of resources and information. and we've got several forums with experts talking about specific mental health issues people may be interested in. we know from your response to our changing minds project that a lot of you have a huge interest in the subject of mental health and this is an opportunity to come down and talk to the experts with your questions. coming up we're going to tell you about some of the free health screenings you'll be able to get here at the expo this

weekend. it all happens starting tomorrow 9:00 a.m. at the d.c. convention center. we'll here until 5:00 on saturday until 4:00 on sunday. look for more information on our website about all of the things available here. wendy and chris, looking forward to seeing you guys down here. and wendy, there is a very attractive new cardboard wendy that you'll have to check out when you get here. >> last year that, cardboard me broke in half. >> i heard. >> so i said i was going to try to keep it together this year. >> fighting over it to take it home. >> you know it was. you know it was. >> all right. >> i'll see you guys in a few minutes. >> looking forward to it doreen. also a murder for hire plot completely unravels. here the chilly audio as demands as a maryland man orders a hit on his ex-wife. >> reporter: i'm darcy spencer in prince george's county where thieves have been preying on people at local cemeteries. i'll tell how these thefts could be connected to other crimes.

and an effort to make college more affordable and why students could get free tuition under the president's plan as we learn about a local

first at 6:30 we're getting a break from the bitter cold but unfortunately, it's not going to last. veronica is tracking the threat of more dangerous weather overnight. >> that's right. and that is with ice, black ice,

particularly. we have seen temperatures today get over 40 degrees. and now we're going to see some refreeze tonight. look at this. 29 degrees by 9:00 p.m. with a few clouds around the area. there is a weak weather front coming through. we're at 26 by 11:00 p.m. so tomorrow morning could be an issue on some of the side streets. 28 for a high temperature saturday. and then sunday, look at this. we're close to 40 degrees again, and that means more issues as we head into monday morning. but that's with freezing rain. more coming up. >> all right. our first time hearing the audio as a local man tries to hire a hit man to kill his ex-wife. >> the tape we're about to show you led to a 20-year prison sentence today. and as chris gordon reports, that man had no idea the person he was talking to was an undercover cop wearing a wire. >> reporter: you are looking at a murder for hire scheme caught on camera. this is police video, given to news4 by montgomery county prosecutors. the man you see is ndoke enow

who thinks he is hiring a hit man to kill his ex-wife for $1,000. but the driver is just posing as a hit man, after police were notified that enow had solicited a friend trying to find a killer. the undercover officer is also wearing a wire recording enow's words. >> tell me your plan though. >> like okay. my plan is that -- no. i wish i could take her out. >> out like -- >> no more. >> no more as in done as in rest in peace. >> yeah. >> as in six feet under. >> yes. >> reporter: prosecutors say enow went to a money machine and withdrew $300 as a deposit on the $1,000 fee he offered to pay for murdering or disabling his ex-wife. >> so two things here. put her in a wheelchair. >> uh-huh. >> so she will never walk. she will never talk. she will walk -- those are two

things. six feet under or a wheelchair. >> so either/or. >> that you think that can be done. >> mr. enow will be brought back here to court at the end of february for sentencing which has already been agreed to. he will serve 20 years in prison. after admitting to soliciting first degree murder. at the montgomery county circuit courthouse chris gordon news4. >> thanks chris. you can hear the entire exchange on our website, just search murder for hire. we have new developments this afternoon in the jesse matthew case in fairfax county. that court ruled a short time ago that matthew is to be held at a fairfax jail until his trial in march. matthew is charged with attempted murder and two other felonies in a 2005 attack on a woman in fairfax. he is also accused of abducting uva student, hannah graham. this afternoon, the judge in the

fairfax case denied a gag order and granted money for the defense to hire a dna expert. targeted when they're most vulnerable. someone stealing from mourners as they pay their respects at a local cemetery. and now police are trying to figure out if this could be connected to some similar crimes. and they hope this surveillance image could lead to an arrest. get the latest from prince george's county bureau reporter darcy spencer. >> you don't get lower than that know. >> reporter: stealing from cars as victims visit graves or bury their loved ones. it's happening at the ft. lincoln cemetery in prince george's county. >> that is a disgrace and a sign of the times. because if you don't respect that what are you going to respect? >> reporter: county police are investigating whether the thefts could be connected to some similar break-ins at national and lincoln cemeteries in suitland last smotherummer. >> right now, we have no indication to believe there is an organized ring of sorts.

however, we are looking into this particular incident and all of the other cases. >> reporter: thieves have preyed on mourners here at ft. lincoln cemetery in brentwood more than a dozen times, just in the last year. stealing valuables at a time when people are already hurting. >> i think that's ludicrous. it just shows the lack of characteristics and character and diminishing attitudes of individuals today. >> reporter: the last theft happened december 14th. a woman who was here for burial services had her purse stolen from her car. take a look at this surveillance photo. police say this woman used the victim's credit card for a shopping spree. a spokeswoman for the cemetery tells me they have hired off-duty police officers to provide security. they have added surveillance cameras, and they're going to be posting signs in the cemetery warning people to keep their valuables with them. the spokeswoman called the

crimes despicable. those we spoke to agree. >> it's just sad. it's a sad situation. >> reporter: in brentwood, darcy spencer, news4. it could be a welcome change for parents in northern virginia. loudoun county's newly unveiled school budget proposal includes $3.5 million for full-day children. right now, loudoun is the only school district in northern virginia that doesn't offer it. the budget is asking for an additional $69 million over last year with an additional 340 staffers. but some 40 positions would also be cut. and president obama wants community college to be free. today in tennessee, he proposed the america's college promise initiative. the federal government will cover three quarters of the cost with participating states taking on the rest. students have to maintain however, a 2.5 gpa. >> i don't think i should have to be paying off my student loan by the time i'm 40. i think that's ridiculous.

>> and we found that some of our local high schools are already experimenting with similar programs. richard bland college is backing a physics course in loudoun county. you just heard from one of the students. 18 can get eight credits they can use at any state college in virginia and 200 other universities around the country. all it costs them is the $50 application fee, which students say will really help them stay out of debt. rock ridge hopes to expand the program soon. and a new push on social media to honor a local police officer who was killed in the line of duty. plus a local seventh grader on a mission. how he's helping hundreds of homeless kids through his

we want to update you on the breaking news in oxon hill where a child fell through the ice. we're hearing a police officer pulled the 7-year-old boy out of the frozen water at south view drive and four seasons place.

he is now in critical condition. we're going to have a lot more as we get it and hopefully that boy is okay. we'll be watching this story. we'll have more coming up. it's an effort to honor a virginia police officer killed in the line of beauty. and it's gaining traction online. it's a campaign launched yesterday to name the devlin road school in bristow after officer chris young. it now has about 800 likes on facebook. the school is under construction where a minivan hit and killed officer young in 2012. residents can voice their support for the name change at a community meeting with the prince william county school board monday night. hundreds of homeless kids in loudoun county could have access to a world of reading thanks to the efforts of a seventh grader. zack pracher loves to read but realized other kids don't have the same opportunity to do so. so for his bar mitzvah project, zack is trying to raise $3800 to buy 200 amazon kindles.

>> i want to give these homeless children the opportunity to read all the books they like too. and i guess what prompted me to do this was the opportunity to make a difference in my community. >> it's like having the entire library in one device. if you don't have a parent that's available to take you to and from the library on a regular basis, you can get it all there. in real-time. >> what an amazingly thoughtful and generous kid. if you want to help zack out, visit nbcwashington.com and just search kindles. the faces of these little dogs show nothing of the horrible fate that awaited them. but they're now safe in northern virginia. they were rescued from a dog meat farm in south korea. 23 dogs arrived here this week on flights to dulles. humane society international paid $2500 to rescue them. and they are being cared for at

shelters in loudoun, manassas alexandria arlington and washington, d.c. and they will soon be ready to be adopted and to head to their new homes. >> a lot of people will be lining up to do so. cracking down on distracted drivers. why you could lose your license if you're caught texting and driving.

we want to go back to breaking news in prince george's county. an officer pulls a 7-year-old who fell through the ice. this is in the area of south view drive and four seasons place in oxon hill. and that's where news4's jackie bensen has just arrived. >> reporter: this is just one of those terrible things that happens at this time of year when we have that ice on the water around here.

we understand that prince george's county police officer actually jumped into what i believe is some type pond down there in an effort to rescue the 7-year-old who is hospitalized in critical condition. you can see the officer still here on the scene. and take a look down here. this is a townhouse complex that has paths that go through a sort of wooded area. and that is the area down there, and i know it's dark that it's hard to see. that is the area where we believe this happened. it is unclear at this point, and i can see water down there now. this is my first look at it. it is unclear at this point how long the child may have been in that pond and that is the point that is critical right now, because that can make a huge difference in the outcome of this. again, a prince george's county police officer heroically jumped in that drainage pond this afternoon in an attempt to rescue a 7-year-old who is in critical condition at a local hospital. live in oxon hill jackie bensen news4.

>> a lot of folks will be praying for that little boy. here's a live traffic outside tonight. commuters should know the district is considering stiffer punishments for people who text while driving. in fact if you get busted on a third offense distracted drivers could lose their licenses. tonight, a review by scott macfarlane and the news4 i-team reveals d.c. cops have been stopping an alarming number of drivers who aren't watching the road. >> reporter: you see them when you drive and didn't take our i-team cameras long either. a city jammed with pedestrians, there are thousands of distracted drivers. a review of metropolitan police department records by the i-team shows cops have ticketed 27,000 distracted drivers in just the past three years. the agency still trying to determine whether the driver who hit and killed lisa at a capital hill crosswalk last year was texting at the time. the driver fled and hasn't been found, her mom says. >> but for that accident she would be here with us today.

>> reporter: members of the d.c. council tell news4, the city needs to stiffen the punishment for people who text and drive. >> the more you do it the more you pay. >> reporter: and they have just formally introduced new legislation, which would issue a $100 fine for a first time offense, and unlike current law, council members say, could double the fine for second and third violations and for a third offense, a driver loses his or her license for up to half a year. >> it's the same those persons who lose their license for driving while they're under the influence of alcohol. same thing. same concept. you're impaired you are not looking out for what else is on the road. >> reporter: this three strikes and lose your license law just became law in new jersey and among young drivers in new york. it still must pass the d.c. council but among the first pieces of legislation considered by the new d.c. council. scott macfarlane news4. scott also did a lot of reporting on how frequently police are stopping distracted drivers around the u.s. capital.

it has happened hundreds of times, and the i-team even caught some on camera. just check out nbcwashington.com/investigations . so we've got a ying and yang here. thawing and freezing. >> exactly, and freezing saturday and thawing taking place sunday. there could be some real issues on some area roads tonight with black ice. a lot of melting today, pushing that water back into the road. of course also melting on sidewalks. so it could become icy. watch for that tomorrow morning. and i think it could go late now into the morning, because we never get above the freezing mark tomorrow. look at this. the high around 28 degrees between 5:00 and 7:00 at 24. and yes, it will be breezy too tomorrow at times. so again, there could be issues on area roads. take a look at your saturday forecast. 7:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. hit 20 degrees at 11:00 a.m. 28 by around 3:00 p.m. sunshine for saturday. we'll see a few clouds creeping in on sunday.

but i like that it is again, a warmer day as we get up to 39 degrees. so if you're looking for a day to get out and get moving sunday is the one. by monday this patch here, that's freezing rain and could expand and become bigger over the weekend, as things start to change. but that means possible delays with freezing rain and some icy conditions on area roads as we go through the morning hours on monday. and some moderate rain too, that we may be dealing with as this next system comes into the area. as far as temperatures go most of next week at least we're not looking at any extreme cold. we stay in that pocket most of next week between 35 and 38 degrees. and another system for >> well all afternoon, doreen gentzler has been at the washington convention center getting a preview of the nbc health and fitness expo. ever heard of it? from health screenings to fitness classes, it is available for free tomorrow and sunday and doreen is going to be there, just waiting, right, doreen? >> that's right, wendy. i hope people have heard of it

by now. one of the best things about the expo is the free medical screenings. this is dr. jeffrey kop, medical chairman of the national kidney foundation. what will you be testing for? >> i represent the national kidney foundation and we're here screening people for kidney disease. approximately one in three americans are at risk for kidney disease. some of them will develop kidney disease, others won't. but it's important to identify if you have early kidney disease, because it's much better to prevent it from progressing than to stop it. and our screenings include blood pressure check, weight check, family history, and for those at risk a special test for urine protein called al bu minute in the urine. >> we have talked to people who have learned from your screenings information that saved their lives. and that's the kind of service you all are providing. >> that's right. over the years, we found people with kidney disease, severe hypertension in some cases sent people straight to the emergency room to begin treatment. >> we're very happy you and your organization are here and we

hope people will take advantage of these screenings. you can also get screened for dental prostate con certify, cholesterol and blood pressure issues along with hearing and vision checks. there is a lot more. there is a full list of the screenings along with all of the events this weekend on our expo to go app. and you can download it in the app store. it all starts tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. at the d.c. convention center. wendy and chris, i want to recommend if people are interested in the medical screenings come early, because the lines get long. i'll see you this weekend. >> all right. coming up next withit's a really big

deal. the aches. the chills. the fever. an even bigger deal? everything you miss out on... family pizza night. the big game. or date night. why lose out to the flu any longer than you have to? prescription tamiflu can help you get better 1.3 days faster. that's 30% sooner. call your doctor right away. and attack the flu virus at its source with prescription tamiflu. tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu in people 2 weeks and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. before taking tamiflu tell your doctor if you're pregnant, nursing, have serious health conditions or take other medicines. if you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion or abnormal behavior. the most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. call your doctor right away. don't lose another moment to the flu. when there's flu, tamiflu.

i know grandma's house isn't the most exciting, but it's only for a few hours. look what i've got. when you get verizon fios, you get beautiful hd picture quality; super fast internet, and america's most reliable network. so you won't miss a second of that movie, that game they love, or those moments with family. can we sleep over? please! come on! make your house the house when you get more guaranteed from verizon fios, with tv service rated #1 in hd picture quality and signal reliability based on customer satisfaction studies, plus america's fastest, most reliable internet. get a price quote in writing and professional installation from a highly trained verizon technician. hurry now to get an offer that can't be beat. last chance to get a fios triple play online for just 79.99 a month - a price guaranteed for two whole years, plus get all our premium channels included for two years, and a $400 bonus with a two year agreement. hurry, this great deal ends january 17th! visit verizon.com/worryfree to learn more. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v

this is the xfinity sports desk brought to you by xfinity, your home for the most live sports. >> redskins officials finally figured out they need some help with player personnel. >> i think they have got a lot of hope from the fans today. they needed it to warm their hearts. it's official the redskins have a new general manager and during his first day on the job, the skins' new boss answers a few questions about his position. the most important question answered today is that scott line has the power, and he will have the final say on all roster decisions. as for the quarterback position he says he will spend a lot of time studying game film of both robert griffin and kirk cousins before making any decisions. the coaches so mccloughan says it's jay gruden's call on hiring a defensive coordinator, and music to the fans' ears he emphasizes building through the draft, calling it the lifeline of the organization. jason pugh went one-on-one with

the hire that has everyone's hopes up. >> thanks carol. scott, how much did bruce allen being a part of this organization influence your decision to come here? >> quite a bit. i've known him for multiple years. i know him as a person i know him as a football guy. i know him about his honesty and loyalty. when he talks, people listen and there is no messing around about it no fluff about it. and then he told me he says i want you to meet with dan. and i was like okay really? and all of a sudden came out here and met dan and really saw the same kind of personality. >> 4-12 this past season 3-13 before that. i mean how much improvement, how much work needs to be done here? >> well i think it's quite a bit of work but it's not like it's a throw-away roster from the stand point of the nfl. sometimes it's injuries that hold you back sometimes it's not having a good year. you know i feel right now, after meeting the people in this building we're already stepping in the right direction. now it's -- and it's never a quick fix. as long as you go in the right

direction, you'll get a fix pretty soon. >> thanks so much scott. carol, back to you in studio. >> all right. pretty soon. that sounds pretty good. new information on defensive coordinator search. the redskins have been given permission to interview eric mangini as our own dianna russini reported. he's the coach for the 49ers. the 43-year-old is a former head coach of the jets and the browns. but before that he was a defensive coach under bill belichick with the patriots. wizards hosting the bulls. and you know that age-old adage to be the best you've got to beat the best? definitely on john wall's mind because without even being asked, he reminded us in his career he has never beaten derrick rose. 0-5 all-time head-to-head these two. the first meeting of this season for the teams, not too long, december 23 wall had 18 points 9 assists. the game went back and forth until derrick rose helps ignite a fourth quarter bulls rally. the rematch tonight at verizon

center. wall relishing another crack at him. >> it's great. it's fun. it's exciting. i know he's a competitive person just like me. he wants to do his best especially being on stage and i just go out and try to help the team get the win. he's beaten every time we have played in the match-up since we have been in the league so that's another thing to finally get a win. but just doing it in the right way and trying to help my team. >> and we have some great pregame news for you. the glasses have the night off. the wizards' paul pierce back on the floor. so distracting to many fans watching the game. i said it was a cross between harry carry and irkel. >> "nbc nightly news" is next. >> we'll see you at 11:00.

we thought our cable internet was fast. but, our uploads are half the speed of our downloads so our internet is really half-fast. so half-fast. someone did a half-fast job posting our vacation pics. stop living with half-fast internet. only verizon fios comes with speedmatch - uploads as fast as downloads. get a fios

triple play for just $79.99 a month online for two years and get a $400 bonus with a two year agreement! hurry! it's your last chance. this offer ends january 17th. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v on our broadcast tonight, under siege, dramatic standoffs today near paris.

terrorists take hostages in two different locations. the brothers accused in that awful massacre as police launch simultaneous attacks. also, the accomplice they're now looking for, a young woman who apparently escaped in the chaos. in this country a massive pileup in blinding snow well over 100 vehicles involved. a terrible scene on the highway as some areas brace for several feet of snow on the way. and free college for anyone who wants it. that's the offer from president obama, but how real is it? "nightly news" begins now. from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is "nbc nightly news" with brian williams.