"news4 midday" begins with breaking news. >> and that breaking news coming to us out of northwest washington. >> news4's pat collins is on the scene of a construction accident near fox hall road. and pat, we're hearing there is a worker trapped there. >> reporter: we're in the 4600 block of dexter street in spring valley. if you look behind me, you can see there are a number of firefighters and rescue workers deployed here because of a construction accident. a house that's under construction across the street here. there was some sort of a cave-in, and we're told that

joining now is deputy fire chief, john donnelly. chief, tell me what the situation is. >> so about 30 minutes ago, fire and ems arrived on the scene of a house under construction. in the foundation work, there was a collapse sort of accident. we don't know the cause. and right now we're working to make the scene safe so that we can go in there and try and get the injured person all the way out safely. >> reporter: there is a man trapped down there, right? >> sure. >> reporter: and he's up to his chest in dirt? >> up to his waist and shoulder in one side. >> reporter: and so what do you have to do to get to him? >> so we have to shore the walls with lumber and metal framework so that they don't collapse any more and nobody else gets hurt. >> reporter: and how long do you think this could take? >> the rule of thumb is that it's an hour for each foot you're digging out and it's going to be a little while before we can get to

diggi digging. so this could go on for the rest of the day. >> reporter: thank you very much, chief. good luck with this. that's deputy fire chief, john donnelly. again, what happened here, there was a construction accident, a house being built here on dexter street. there's a man trapped down there under some dirt. firefighters have to go down and shore it up before they really can move in to try to extricate him. it's going to take hours. we'll be here and keep you informed of the progress. again, 4600 block, dexter street. construction accident. one of the workers is trapped below. now back to you. >> thank you, pat. we are following two developing stories out of prince william county this morning, starting with a child who was hit by a car manassas. you can see chopper 4 over the scene as paramedics loaded the child this afternoon. it happened at ashland avenue

we're told the child was seriously injured. police blocked off the road around the school bus, but witnesses say the child was not getting off or on that bus. the sixth grader at stone wall jackson middle school was walking across the street when he was hit. northern virginia bureau chief julie carey will follow this story throughout the day. you can follow her on twitter at julie carey nbc. the other developing story, an explosion at this house that was under construction. it happened on cons road in manassas. still not clear what caused it. prince william county fire said someone was working on the house and was hurt and had to be flown to the hospital. it started out to be a beautiful day, but how is it going to end? storm team 4's lauren ricketts is here with the forecast. >> yes, and i think it's going to end a little bit on the wet side, unfortunately. because we have got some rain moving into the area. now, it's going to be dry as we continue over the next couple

but clouds already starting to move in, and they're going to continue to move east. not before our temperature tops out in the mid to upper 60s. right now we're already at the 60-degree mark and it's so nice out there. we're already above our daytime high for yesterday. so we're going to keep moving that mercury on up into the mid to upper 60s. again, we will have some rain showers moving in after 4:00 or 5:00. it will not fall too far. could we have 80s in the forecast? we'll have the ten-day forecast and maybe some severe weather on the ten-day all coming up in just about 15 minutes. jewish communities again on edge today after a round of bomb threats yesterday. the targets, children, schools and community centers. news4's justin finch is following this developing story. and how those places are responding. justin joins us live from rockville right now. good morning. >> reporter: angie, understandable concern this morning as teachers, stan

these threats to young children as they also work to protect them. on a bright tuesday morning, a return to routine at charles east smith jewish day school, a day after a dark threat of a bomb on its campuses. it was a hoax. >> we are here with a smile on our face. we, you know -- we remained calm yesterday. we didn't want to alarm anybody. and, you know, as far as today goes, today is just a normal day. >> reporter: the smith school in rockville, one of three area jewish day schools getting bomb threat calls monday morning. fairfax day school in annapolis did, too. both schools evacuated, returning after getting all-clears. montgomery county police swept the grounds as students remained inside. all clear there too. staff working to keep parents informed. >> there is obvious concern that we provided parents with updates as we receive them. and they felt very comfortable that their chen

hands with us. >> reporter: smith among 31 juish day schools and community centers threatened by bogus bomb hoaxes. smith, staff expecting students will want to talk. >> we encourage our students to ask questions and our teachers are prepared to answer and support our students in any way they can. >> reporter: and we can tell you these threats remain under local and federal investigation. the staff here at smith stepped up their standing security plans to further protect their students. live here in rockville, justin finch, news4. back to you. >> justin, thank you. similar threats happening across the country. just yesterday, hoax calls came in to jewish day schools and community centers in at least a dozen states. this has been happening since the new year. and virginia senator, tim kaine, addressed those threats at a conference last night in the district. the j stre c

largest gathering of american jews since president trump took office. anti-semitism, senator kaine says, cannot be tolerated. >> we cannot allow that to go unchallenged. as people who care deeply about our faiths, we have to speak out against the dimution of others. >> yesterday white house press secretary, sean spicer, said, quote, no one should feel afraid to follow their religion of their choosing freely and openly. end quote. president trump takes center stage tonight when he addresses a joint session of congress. it's a chance for the president to make a pitch to lawmakers about his legislative priorities. molette green has a look at what to expect tonight. molette? >> reporter: pat, good morning. a lot from lawmakers here inside the office building. those on both sides of the political aisle watching tonight

it is a critical speech for mr. trump. a reset, if you will, after a bumpy 40 days. this is being billed as the renewal of the american spirit. the president will go over his plans to overhaul the affordable care act. his most recent comments about it being a very difficult, complicated process. we're also going to hear him talk about beefing up the military and border security. and one of the critical points here that will come in his remarks, asking congress to okay $54 billion in defense spending. and also $54 billion in cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid. federal workers we have been talking to are very concerned about their job security. >> i'm worried about job cuts. i'm also worried about hiring future employees if they cut the salary and benefits too much. it could hurt future

concerns about job cuts everywhere else. but, you know, government people are people too, and they need jobs also. >> reporter: now mr. trump's full budget will not be an easy sell to even his fellow republicans. the full plan is expected out in may, and we do expect a lot of back and forth between the white house and congress. that is the latest, live from capitol hill. i'm molette green, news4. >> thanks, molette. you can watch the president's address live on nbc 4 right after "the voice" this evening. speech starts at 9:00 and look for live coverage and the analysis on news4 at 11:00. the most decorated olympian of all-time and baltimore native, michael phelps just testified before lawmakers on the hill. he was there to talk about doping, self-set athletes need to believe in their own talent. he also said the abundance of testing is necessary to

examine the current state of the international anti doping system. the challenges it faces and ways it can be improved. this hearing comes less than a year from the winter olympics in pyeongchang. new this morning -- prince george's schools or county schools should learn today if they get a waiver from the state to begin the 2017-'18 school year in august. the county school board chose to defy the executive order mandating maryland public schools have a post labor day start. multiple state officials told the i-team they received a formal request from prince george's school last night. a formal decision has been handed down this morning. prince george's case will be closely watched by other districts statewide. montgomery county schools voted last night for a school calendar that begins post labor day in

the board of education voting unanimously last night to up date the calendar. schools will start september 5th and end june 12th. schools will start after labor day and end before june 15th. the principal of wilton high school in the district is asking parents to talk to their children about what could have been a dangerous situation. yesterday a 16-year-old was arrested for taking a loaded gun to the school in northwest. that student was stopped at a security checkpoint on campus. the teen's name has not been released. now to a developing story. a man shot and killed in the district. d.c. police now just releasing his name. 31-year-old james mace, was shot just off of north capital street. that's about a block or so from dunbar high school. police do not have information about a suspect in this case so

morning for a maryland family searching for their missing 4-year-old. matthew carrington disappeared in maryland in october. the fbi says the 4-year-old was spotted over the weekend in birmingham, alabama. investigators believe he's been in that area since shortly after his disappearance. the fbi says carrington is with people who are considered armed and dangerous. we have already posted his picture on the nbc washington facebook page. you can share that from our page. there is still more to come on "news4 midday." >> we are checking in on the festivities in new orleans on this fat tuesday. a live look from t

it's going to be hard for you to find an affordable ticket to tonight's wizards game. that's because prince george's county native, hometown hero, kevin durant is here for the only time this season. not only that, he is on the best team in basketball. the golden state warriors. they have lost just nine times in almost 60 games so far. the least expensive tickets we found, the ones from the wizards are about $70 at the moment. on stub hub, they're going for more than 100 bucks. >> it's going to be an exciting game. >> you know his mom is going to be going, wanda. >> of course. mardi gras revelers taking to the streets

>> that's right. nbc's jay gray gives us look around the celebrations in the french quarter. ♪ >> reporter: parades and parties in a place that marches to its own beat. >> we're so unique here, we're like no other place in the world. the best place in the world, in our opinion. >> reporter: an opinion shared by hundreds of thousands in new orleans from mardi gras right now. some for the first time. >> fantastic. >> love it! >> yeah. having a great time. can't believe it. >> reporter: others who are carnival veterans. >> up on the river front, the parade. it's wonderful. ♪ >> reporter: and at least one who traveled all the way from france for this festival. >> really great. i love it. it's really fun. i have never seen something like this. >> reporter: there isn't really much like -- ♪ -- all of this. and so make sure it stays safe, an army of police are keeping a close watch over

>> we want people to know your limits, be aware of your surroundings. by all means, do not drink and drive. >> reporter: over the weekend, a drunk driver plowed into a parade crowd. 28 people are injured, but all expected to make a full recovery. roads around the french quarter are locked down now. closed to vehicle traffic as the crowds take over on a quest for beads, bobbles and all the other things that come with mardi gras. jay gray, nbc news, new orleans. today you can help the fight against human trafficking. all it takes is your bra. the loudoun county rotary club hosts its abdominnnual mardi br organization, it provides a source of income for women rescued from human trafficking. >> so the girls will take the bras donated and they will then donth

resell them and take that money to -- for their livelihood. and these are for -- the bras go to victims of human trafficking. >> the event takes place tonight from 6:00 to 9:00 at the black fin pub at loudoun station in ashburn. you can dress in costume if you like. there will be prizes given out. donations. search mardi bras in the nbc washington app. all this week, we are working on getting you less stressed. so this morning, we are heading back to class. >> and beyond with some specific tips on what you can do with your children at home. >> now breathe in and breathe out. >> reporter: at just meditate, young minds at work. it's a class just for kids. but their parents, not far behind. in fact, some share in the experience of exercises involving breath, sound and the

meditation experts say mindfulness gives kids an inner resource they can use in times of need. he adds, technology can be a good backup. >> so many different mindfulness apps from meditation timers to guided meditations, all kinds of different resources out there for parents and young ones. >> reporter: and getting a lot of positive response about some apps. these are some recommended. the first one is called stop, breathe and think. the second one, settle your glitter. and then there's a very simple one to remember, calm.com. and smiling minds. and we have listed these online for you, as well. tomorrow, though, we are focusing on stress management for high school students, and you can catch up on our series on less stress in our nbc washington app. all you have to do is search less stress. pat? >> alrighty. you

that major messup on live tv. you did see it. the biggest mistake in oscar history. "la la land" almost didn't win. we show exactly where everything went wrong. >> reporter: from the moment warren beatty opened the envelope, it seemed something was wrong. after reading the card, he even looked inside again, apparently puzzled by what he saw. >> the academy award -- [ laughter ] for best picture -- >> reporter: he then handed the envelope to faye dunaway. >> "la la land.." >> reporter: seconds later, you could faintly hear the duo whisper. look closely at the envelope the presenters were holding. it says actress in a leading role. two minutes later the plot thickened as the team from "la la land" delivered acceptance speeches. award show staff rushed the stage, grabbing the envelope

horowitz. >> when they opened the envelope, it was clear there was a problem. >> reporter: you could see stone's reaction when the correct envelope surfaced. also on stage, brian cullen and martha ruiz, the only two people who knew the results in advance. the accounting firm tells nbc news, it was cullen who mistakely handed out the wrong envelope. and there are new questions this morning about whether an ill-timed tweet could have been responsible. he tweeted this picture with emma stone with her oscar backstage. he has since deleted that tweet before the show, they were on the red carpet, each carrying a briefcase with a complete set of winning envelopes. they have both done this in previous years and in an interview said they stand on opposite ends of the stage and actually memorize the results in case the wrong win

we would go directly to the stage manager and let them know there is a problem. >> and they would make a correction, probably right then on stage and do it live. >> reporter: but pricewaterhouse scooper says on sunday once the error occurred, protocols were not followed through quickly enough. >> there is a mistake. "moonlight." you guys won best picture. >> reporter: "la la land" horowitz set the record straight. >> this is not a joke. "moonlight" has won. >> reporter: it's a black eye for pricewaterhousecoopers. the firm says we sincerely apologize for the error that was made. >> an error that may have been the result of a tweet. >> right? something as simple distraction like that. wow. well, it's been the warmest february on record, distracting and just nice. >> take a look at this. whates

blossoms? will they bloom early? de've got the

come up with your game plan now. get ready for the crowds. the cherry blossoms are just weeks away from blossoming. and tomorrow we are going to find out exactly when they're supposed to hit peak bloom. that is when at least

trees around the tidal basin are blossoming. it's a gorgeous sight but also means plenty of tourists in town. this year the festival begins on march 20th. i've got a bittersweet relationship when i see a lot of blooms like that. because they're so beautiful. but we talked about it -- people who battle severe allergies. >> it's awful. it's interesting to see when they actually peg that date. the earliest the cherry blossoms peaked was march 19 in 1990. we're going to be in the 80s tomorrow. well, some areas. >> where are we going today? >> today we're going mid to upper 60s. still very warm. we're going to be a good 10 degrees warmer than we were yesterday. tomorrow a good 10 to 15 degrees warmer than today. we keep moving the temperature up. we will have some cooler weather headed our way. now that's after we make a run at that 80-degree mark. and after we see some thunderstorms moving into the

march 1st? hard to believe. current temperatures out there right now, right around that 60-degree mark. it is mild out there. we're going to top out in the mid to upper 60s today. most of the day is going to be dry and then we get into the afternoon. that's when we see showers pushing in from the west and moving east. we're already starting to see a few in west virginia. you head over a little west through central-west virginia, it is hitting the ground. this will move over into our region and really spread into the east. shenandoahvillely will see some rain showers in the d.c. metro area. you can see 1:00, 2:00 here around i-81 and 270, just some light stuff. here it is after 4:00 or 5:00. it could be heavy at times and can't rule out a thunderstorm as well. we'll keep that chance through the late evening. the evening commute could be on the

we've got some severe weather tomorrow afternoon. and then we cool down. coming up in just about ten minutes, i'm going to be talking about tomorrow afternoon's threat. we could have damaging winds, maybe isolated tornado activity. so we'll talk about that. that's all coming up in ten minutes. >> all right. thank you. it looks like a scene out of a movie. a plane plummeting from the sky, crashing into homes. the latest details from this fiery scene.

"

>> just in to the news room, there has been an arrest in a georgetown kidnapping. back in january, d.c. police relieved surveillance images of a man they say forced a georgetown university student into a car. he then tried to make the man withdraw money from several atms. we have just learned that fbi agents in seattle, washington, have arrested the suspect. we're working to get more details about who he is and when he'll be brought back to the district. well, investigators from the ntsb now have the job of finding out why a plane crashed into this house in california. three people were killed in that crash. we know that at least two houses were destroyed in the flames. nbc's steve patterson shows us what happened. >> reporter: horror on the ground in riverside, california. when a small plane slammed into a residential neighborhood. the impact killing passengers, leveling homes and sending a fireball into the sky. the wreckage burning for hours,

billowing black smoke seen for miles. two women who were ejected from the plane survived. witnesses were shocked to see the victims pulled from the rubble. >> i heard the lady that was pulled out when i was rushed to the hospital. i heard her scream, "help me, help me." we didn't know where she was. it was very scary. >> reporter: fire officials say five people were in the cessna 3-10. the victims flying back to san jose after attending a cheerleading competition at disneyland. >> it's horrible. when you couple together they were going to a cheer competition, and this is supposedly a happy time and then just to have a tragic incident like this. >> reporter: the plane went down about a half mile away from their riverside municipal airport. president donald trump is just hours away from delivering his first address to a joint session of congress. it gets under way at 9:00

to what the president says with his legislative priorities. news4's edward lawrence has more. >> if the economy fails, then i'm right. >> reporter: president donald trump will focus on the economy, immigration and health care in his speech tonight. >> obamacare has been a disaster. it's way out of control. doesn't work. we're coming out with a health care plan that i think will be terrific. >> reporter: his budget director outlined broad brushes of mr. trump's first budget to congress. the most important item, the military. >> we're going to spend a lot more money on military. we really have to. we have no choice. >> reporter: while military homeland security and law enforcement will see increases, the cuts will come from other agencies, like the epa and state department. the president says social security, medicare and medicaid will be left alone. >> with this magnitude of cuts that once again middle class people, working families are going to be hurt. >> reporter: but it faces pushba pushback. 120 retired generals and admir

state department, saying the military will lead the fight on the battlefield, but strong civilian partners in the battle against the drivers of extremism are just as important. democrats, some republicans and watchdog groups caution against a huge increase in spending. >> the budget is going to do nothing to bring that debt back down to a manageable level. >> reporter: the president also makes the address, while questions swirl about what influence the russians may have with the administration and calls for a special prosecutor. what we really need to watch is how democrats are reacting during the speech. if there are many attacks in the address, some democrats may not follow the standard decorum for the room. edward lawrence, nbc news, washington. you can watch the president's address live after "the voice." the speech starts at 9:00 tonight and look for coverage and the analysis of the address to congress on news4 at 11:00. president

america great again is getting some competition. this couple launched a website called our liberal pride.org. they make and sell blue hats and t-shirts like this with messages like make hatred wrong again and make racism wrong again and make sexism wrong again. >> election night, we were -- my wife and i were just aghast. what we did was said to ourselves, we could either be upset and just gripe about it, or we could try to do something about it. >> well, the first batch went out to high-profile celebrities, including hamilton playwright, and russell simmons. half of the proceeds go to organizations like the eclu, planned parenthood and naacp. and buyers decide who gets the donation. this week, howard university turns 150. on march 2nd, 1867, president andrew johnson granted the ni

the president of the university is with us today. dr. wayne ai frederick. welcome to our program. to tell us more about the celebration, you've got a big week coming. >> sure. >> this is the charter day week. so tell us the highlights. >> yeah, so march 2nd, actually -- march 2 nd, 1867 was the day the charter was signed. so on march 2, we have an opening, where we will have a speaker, mark mason, at citigroup, also on our board and an alum. and then that night, we will be at the new african-american museum, smith seassonian museum. >> it's always a highlight for howard university. over the years, tell us what you have been able to make your flagship accomplishments at the university since you've been there. and highlight some of the school's accomplishments over

first, trying to close the gap. the financial need of our students is the biggest issue. our students are academically well prepared and excel. we have a recent road scholar as an example. however, closing that gap has been a big focus for me. so one of the things i started was called a grace grant, retention access for excellence. a grant we really focus on bringing students who have the academic fortitude, but don't have the definitefinancial mean. we pay the rest of their tuition, as long as they maintain a 2.5 gpa and above and are on track for on-time graduation. and if you graduate on time at howard, in your last semester, you get 50% of your direct payment back, as a matter of fact. we think that's important. of course, the history of the university, i think there have been several accomplishments. we sent the first african-american to the supreme court, in author good marshal. more importantly, we helpedth

case that helped with integration of schools. and segregation of our education system. there are several things i think howard university has participated in. probably the most significant of which is sending its alum into many diverse fields. >> the new education secretary, betsy devos, visited the school recently. and she got a lot of criticism on social media last month when she said historically black colleges are a pioneers when it comes to school choice. what's your response to that? >> yeah, i'm -- you know, i hate to second guess what people are trying to say in terms of sentiment. the reality is that howard university was founded 150 years ago to provide an opportunity for those who otherwise did not have an opportunity. and that clearly is a different context to where we are in 2017, among choice. back then, we did not have the opportunity to make choices freely. and it was -- it was an opportunity that was created so

were presented an opportunity in 1867 to attend an institution of higher ed learning. that's what we're still trying to do in 2017. >> so do you think her statement sort of overlooks the significance of why black colleges and universities were started in the first place? >> no, i don't think it necessarily overlooks it. i think it may have been -- like i said, i'm not clear what her sentiment was and so i don't want to second guess. but i think in the context of where these universities were created, i think that's obviously missed. the other thing is, just to make sure people are clear, the title of hbcu is a federal designation that occurred in '64 and looks at the historical nature of those institutions. there are some that have majority white populations today. so the other thing that we have to also put in context is that they weren't created only for that -- americans, but they also were created for just about anyone to attend. but to make sure that they do it in an excellent fashion, as well. >> congratulations on your 150th. >> thank you very much.

frederick. >> thank you, pat. the wssc is making an all-out push for young engineers and especially young girls. they met with a group of 7th, 8th and 9th graders hoping to get them interested in the world of engineering. they say holding seminars like these are critical to what the agency does. >> we're looking for our pipeline of new engineers, our future engineers, and what we want to do is we want to excite the girls about what the field of engineering is, what it does, the problems it solves. >> and the department of education says only 8% of ninth grade girls say they are interested in a career in engineering, science, technology or math. that is compared to 27% of boys who are the same age. well, it all

that original facebook post. now she's singing around the country. we will introduce you to

stronand restoringding a a father's faith.. it's standing tall after one surgery... not six. stronger is being a typical kid... despite a rare disorder. stronger is finding it earlier... and coming home sooner. stronger is seeking answers... and not giving up, until you find them. because we don't just want your kids to grow up. we want them to grow up stronger.

well, it's going to be a little rainy later, so i put my umbrella in the back. >> good. good for you. >> when am i going to need it? >> you're going to need it today, tomorrow, and maybe an umbrella and a snow jacket on friday. >> can you believe that? we're just going to move them all -- >> it's a see saw. and as we continue really through this week, temperatures are going to drop. and we will see temperatures fall as we go through this week. but we're going to take them up a couple notches before that actually happens so enjoy. my goodness, temperatures already in the 60s right now for this last day of february. yes, this is the warmest february on record since we have been keeping records here in d.c., since 1872. it's the warmest february d.c.

temperatures out there right now. this is why. 60s. we should be in the upper 40s for this time of year. right now 61 here in washington. 55 in frederick. 63 in leesburg. we're taking it into the mid to upp upper 60s today. showers moving in from the west to the east. we won't see them until 4:00 or 5:00. but we'll keep rain showers through the late evening. dry overnight, maybe a shower early tomorrow morning with a midday break. then rain chances increasing tomorrow afternoon through tomorrow evening. some of those storms could be strong to severe. so this is wednesday afternoon. we'll have a round of showers, maybe isolated thunderstorm. tonight. tomorrow, that's when we have that weather alert day. you can see some heavy rain rolling across the area right during your wednesday evening commute. it will be off to the eastern shore after about 7:00, 8:00. then we dry out. temperatures fall. in fact, by thursday, temperatures are only going to be in the low to mid 50s. that's about it. but we could have some high winds and hail. and even a smallo

so those are things we're going to be watching for, for your weather alert day for tomorrow. we have a few showers this afternoon. showers and thunderstorms tomorrow. breezy and colder on thursday and friday. but the weekend looking good. plenty of sunshine as temperatures go back up. >> all right. thank you! this black history month, nbc 4 is recognizing young african-americans, making history today. it took a single facebook post to turn the young woman we're about to introduce you to into gospel's newest sensation. this is brianna babineaux's story in her very own words. >> at the beginning of my career, people used to compare me to justin bieber. but i don't think i'm the justin bieber of gospel. i think i'm bri. ♪ whenever you're young and you're in church, the one thing you do

so that's what i did. i joined the choir. at my church. and found out i had a voice. a friend of mine posted a video of me on facebook. singing a song called "my hands are lifted up." 2014 was a rough year in my life. i was going through depression. i was very, very suicidal. i used to say, god, just take me. ♪ i woke up the next morning, and i had a ton of facebook machines from people all over the world. i asked them to make me over. i asked them to give me a brand new start. and in less than 24 hours, he did that. think god is good? god is good.

i share with young people that god is cool. and serving god is even cooler. >> news4 social media producer, brittney johnson, also introduces us to three black men paving the way in the community. they're fantastic young people who have got a lot of talent like brianna. what a voice! >> i know, wow. well, from activism to the arts, find out how they are building the next leaders. in the final part of the special series on the nbc washington app, you will meet brooklyn mac. this american dancer with the washington ballet is redefining what it means to be a black male dancer. to learn more, just search "making history today" in our app. also, want to remind you, in honor of black history month, the smithsonian national museum of african-american culture is taking over our instagram feed. all day long, we'll be celebrating a people's journey. follow us at nbc washington on instagram and check it out. we're in

it's a remarkable story of survival. a washington state man was able to survive after spending five days alone in his car. 69-year-old richard jones was driving along a remote road in washington state last week, when he lost control of the car and plunged 20 feet down an embankment. he couldn't get out of the car, because trees and heavy brush pinned his door shut. so he was forced to stay there in that car until monday when a man walking his dog spotted the wreckage and called police. jones says he didn't have food or water during that time, and he says he survived by drinking his own urine.

wow. well, shifting gears, 25 new plays in a decade in ten years. that's the goal of an ambitious project taking place right now at arena stage. and we are joined by two play rights who who are part of what is being called "power plays." john strand and mary kathryn nagel, good morning to you both. >> good morning. >> mary kathryn, i want to begin with you. this is really a great idea, especially for us history-lovers out there. tell me a little bit about your hand in it and your play. >> sure. my play is called "sovereignty," about the inherent sovereignty that connects us today. today native women are more likely to experience rape, sexual assault and murder than any other population. the supreme court stripped our tribal nations over nonindians who come on to our land and commit these crimes. the majority of the crimes committed against native women can't be prosecuted by the tribalgo

grandfather passed a law outlawing anyone from raping a cherokee woman. that applies, no matter race or citizenship. so the play connects those laws that inherent sovereignty our nation had before 1776 and still to the 1820s to today in 2017. >> fascinating. and your personal title, obviously a big inspiration in what you're doing. are you done yet? >> i've written it many times. i'm sure there are many more revisions to happen but there is a draft that i think is pretty good. >> you sound like every writer out there. and john, to you, tell me a little bit about your play, and the originalist. >> "the originalist" premiered in 2015 and actually concerns the late justice anthony scalia and his battle with a law clerk. and we ie

it before justice scalia passed away. >> and i have to ask this. it sounds like this is not just for pure entertainment. there is real educational value in what you're putting on stage here. is that the common theme we're seeing among these 25 plays? >> i would say, yeah. mary catherine's play, i think is enormously educational in the sense that many of us don't know the details of these stories. so, you know, i'm really interested in seeing "sovereignty" when it comes. and i think all of us as playwrights have been asked to participate in the power plays nic initiative, exploring history in theatre and on stage. also, very important, to be entertained at the same time. >> this is something you applied for, or were you chosen, in fact? >> we were chosen. and molly smith, who is the artistic director has in mind over the ten years,

>> she has excellent taste. >> and we should mention, a lot of these are -- have political ties to them, which is perfect for any washingtonian or anyone who lives around here, something we can relate to. >> that's the intent, i think is to explore the different decades, beginning from the revolutionary period all the way to the present day. >> and i think, you know, let's thank hamilton too, for giving us an extra boost. everybody wants to go to the theatre now and learn about history. mary kathryn, john, thank you so much for stopping in and telling more aboutus

let's get a final check on the weather now. >> lauren says have your flip flops, your umbrella, your parka. >> take everything in your closet, put it in your bag and you'll be ready for the rest of the week. that's what it is. you're going to have some rain showers later on this afternoon. moving into the shenandoah valley, 2:30. i don't expect it in the greater washington until after 4:00 or 5:00. so the evening commute could be messy. we'll have a chance of showers through the late evening and maybe an isolated thunderstorm possible, as well. and then tomorrow, we definitely have some thunderstorms in the forecast. storm team 4 weather alert day, temperatures nearing 80 degrees. tomorrow. so it is a storm team 4 weather alert day. could have some high winds, also hail, definitely heavy rain and we have to watch for the tornado threat. as we get into thursday, back in the 50s, e

friday, not making it out of the 40s. could have some snow showers. could be breezy on friday. good news, weekend going to be beautiful with warming temperatures. >> all right. thanks, lauren. and thank you. that's "news4 midday." we're back on the air this afternoon at 4:00. >> get your news and weather any stronger is blasting her tumors... without risking her bones. it's training her good cells... to fight the bad guys. stronger is less pain... new hope...

it's doing everything in your power... and everything in ours. stronger, is changing even faster than they do. because we don't just want your kids to grow up. we want them to grow up stronger.

♪ stand by, everyone. we're live in five, four, three, two, one. >> i feel like my heart is literally like never going to be repaired. ♪ >> i just want to feel love. the way it's supposed to be. you know what, i'm done. done. trying to show my man how much i worship and care and love and support them. >> she dried those tears quickly. hello bachelor in paradise. corrine goes home. on "the bachelor" last night. >> it is about time. we have with us a man with a lot of sense, bill bellamy. >> thank you. >> [ applause ] >> i am so