there tracking how long rain and chilly temperatures are going to be sticking around. racial tension at american university. the new response for students as the issue raises national attention. they call it the fastest two minutes in sports. the favorite and the added challenge for jockeys this year as the kentucky derby races off from churchill downs. >> a lot of excitement to get to. this is the channel you will be want to go tune into all day from the derby to the caps, we have it all. >> people like a good story line. >> for sure. >> i put this out on the social sphere this morning and a lot of people pulling for patch. >> we will tell you about patch as we welcome you in on "news 4 today" on this saturday morning. i'm david culver alongside angie goff. starting out a little chillier for some. >> you saw derrick ward's live shot out there, tom kierein, a breeze at the flower mart. >> clouds around as well likely producing rain over the next couple hours. got the virginia cup gold races going on, great meadows in the ai

funk festival and parade later today, we've got the broccoli city festival. a lot of outdoor things going on and as a result you need to keep an eye on the sky, keep an eye on the nbc washington app and look for the storm team 4 radar which right now is showing a little bit of light rain panhandle of west virginia, loudoun county, our suburbs shortly. light rain showers starting to develop from these new clouds. i have the new timing on that coming up this half hour. right now the new york city area preparing for knows batch of rain this afternoon. check out what it did yesterday throughout new york city as well as parts of new jersey. this is some video inside of grand central station. water just poured and dripped in from the ceiling flooding the interior. the flooding also submerged some cars, temporarily closed some roads as well. the west side highway had to shut down for a short time because of rising water there. flash flooding also suspended transiter

closer to home the first african-american woman to be president of student government at american university is now under police protection. au says a white supremacist posted threats against taylor dumpson online. this happened during the same week that bananas were found hanging from nooses on campus marked with the letters aka which is the abbreviation for the historically black sore front alpha cap at that alpha. students who say au administration isn't doing enough to protect students of color, they staged a sit in on friday and got their face to face with the provost. >> i think that we were really excited because it was the first time we collectively as a community got to engage with him. so i think that we are excited in the sense of like, wow, we're actually finally getting a seat at the table. >> au says it's opening a center for anti-racism in the fall. there is a reward being offered concerning whoever hung those nooses on campus. charges have been dropped in

that received international attention. a 14-year-old girl accused the boys of attacking her inside of a rockville high school bathroom last month. the prosecutors say the evidence did not support the rape charges against the two students who are both immigrants. both are now being charged with possession and distribution of pornography. one of the boys' attorneys says these charges are unfair because the sent the explicit videos and photos of herself to them. >> if they're going to charge which they have our clients, then they should also charge her because she was the maker of this and the distributor. >> well, we also know that the boys will not return to the school. federal deportation proceedings against them have already begun. a former marine is going to face a judge once again next week. this time on federal gun charges. clark clark calloway was indi indicted for dying an ak-47 from an fbi informant. clark calloway also tea

police station in d.c. the fbi said he made a racist facebook post, supported isis and wanted to start a race war. as a marine clark calloway received weapons and explosives training. the fbi disabled the gun before clark calloway picked it up. this morning corrections officers who lost their lives in the line of duty will be honored here in d.c. wreaths will be laid at the national law enforcement officers memorial. it begins in a couple hours at 10:00 a.m. the ceremony recognizes corrections officers from across the country and then following this tribute a competition of local corrections honor guards will take place. the cold water of washington reality thrown over the house republicans healthcare bill celebration this week by senate republicans who are wasting no time showing they have little use for the new healthcare bill. as nbc's peter alexander reports key republicans are not only saying slow down but also planning to go back to square

healthcare plan going under the knife. >> you will have better healthcare at a lower cost and now i'm calling on the senate to take action. >> reporter: but the house health bill faces an even tougher slog in the senate where republicans can only afford to lose two votes. >> the senate will write it's on bill. my goals will be to rescue the people who are likely not to be able to buy insurance next year. >> reporter: among the flash points whether to end the expansion of medicaid that could cost consumers their coverage and funding for planned parenthood. heading home for a week long break house members are likely to face backlash for their votes. punctuated by that rose garden celebration. >> it's kind of like george bush going up on top of the aircraft carrier and saying mission accomplished. >> the idea of high-fiving and spiking the ball in the end zone i think is dangerous. >> reporter: republicans now facing the same line of attack they once logged at democrats. >> i don't think we should pass bills that we haven't read that we don't know what

>> reporter: political forecasters predicting as many as 20 house seats could sway in democrats favor after the vote with liberal groups touting $2.5 million raised. >> republicans were set up for a tough republican election but this bill throws gasoline on the fire of a volatile cycle. >> reporter: the president praising australia's health funded system. >> i shouldn't say this to migrate gentleman and friend from australia, you have better healthcare than i do. his explanation, of course the australians have better healthcare than we do. everybody does. >> nbc's peter alexander reporting. healthcare going to be the big topic on this week's mooet the dress. andrea mitchell will sit down with tom price and she will speak with senator dianne feinstein and rory blunt. that's all happening on nbc 4 at 10:30 tomorrow morning. so this is pretty cool, it's a rare opportunity being offered here in d.c. today. >> if

really should. passport d.c. is offering an event and it let's you get a taste of more than 40 different countries without having to board a plane, stamp your passport, any of that. the around the world embassy tour starts this morning at 10:00, it's going to last until 4:00 in the afternoon. if you go you will get to experience different foods, martial arts, dance, fashion, part and music. the free journey is one of events being offered during the month long passport d.c. celebration. >> you mentioned one of the events because there is also the wash nl national cathedral, it will be detected out in flowers for the flower mart event. >> derrick ward is live there this morning with a preview of the 78th annual market. i bet it smells real nice out there. >> reporter: it does indeed despite my presence. come on up the hill a little bit from the embassy tour after you're done and look at some of these flowers. this is an annual event here at the national cathedral and with meow

actually a board member of one of the groups that control this. give me your name again. >> vicki long goe. >> reporter: you have a lot of varieties here. >> we have about 137 varieties of plants. we have grasses and ferns, perennials, annals and herbs and 17 varieties of tomatoes. >> reporter: there's something for everybody. we talked about these a little bit. these -- >> these are injury ain't yums. they're lovely for mother's day coming up. >> reporter: exactly. also there is more than just flowers here. you are talking about things that you do with kids, there's gifts and things like that as well. >> right. we have a children's game section, so if the kids want to do a tower climb or they want to do a cake walk, you know, lots of games like that. but we do have a lovely antique carousel. >> reporter: that's worth coming by itself. >> the kids will love that. we only bring it out once a year, it's a historic carousel, we are one

carousels in america. >> reporter: excellent. so this goes on from 10:00 until 6:00. so come on out, rain or shine they will be here. we are live on the grounds of the national cathedral, derrick ward, news 4. >> i expect a carousel ride coming up next. thanks to you and vicki. election hacking and some big concerns. we are going to tell you about the fallout in france a day before a presidential election as millions there prepare to head to the polls. he is not the odds on favorite but he is a fan favorite. the one eyed horse with a big obstacle to overtime

all of loretta lynn's upcoming shows have been canceled for now after she suffered that stroke on thursday. doctors are watching the 85-year-old country

at a nashville hospital. a statement on her website says she should make a full recovery so that's some great news. in november lynn performed to a sold out crowd here in d.c. at the lincoln theater. she even has a new album set to be released in august. it may sound a bit of an election déjà vu. france election officials planning to hold a meeting today, they are going to discuss a hacking attack on candidate emanuel ma drone. macron is seen as the favorite against marine le pen. officials are calling the effort an effort to destabilize a democratic election and specifically mentioned reports of russia inserting itself into the u.s. presidential election campaign. you heard the rain perhaps last night and the showers not done with us yet. we have tom tracking them as they're moving on through. win or go home, the caps have a big challenge ahead as the team looks to keep its

well it's a perfect nespresso hold on a second.orge. mmm. ♪ [mel torme sings "comin' home baby"] hey there. want a lift? ♪ where are we going? no don't tell me. let me guess. ♪ have a nice ride. ♪ how far would you go for coffee that's a cup above? i brought you nespresso. nespresso. what else? good morning. cloudy, breezy and cool on this saturday morning. we are only in the 50s right now. storm team 4 radar showing the rain starting to spread across central virginia as well as the panhandle of west virginia, coming into parts of northern virginia, loudoun county now getting a few sprinkles. we will see this through much of the day i

between 9:00, 10:00 this morning until around 3:00, 4:00 this afternoon a little bit of light rain hovering near 60 degrees. a look at other chances for rain over the next ten days in just a few minutes. >> tom has the weather here but the weather also going to play a factor when it comes to churchill downs today and the kentucky derby. it's known as the most exciting two minutes in sports. also horse racing's premiere event. >> 20 horses will compete for the top prize today. as jay gray reports the horses are not the only spectacle of the derby. >> reporter: after a soggy start to derby weekend jockeys are counting on a break in the louds before the run for the roses. >> this is a highly sand-based racetrack so it can flood by noon and be fabulous by 6:00 when we race the kentucky derby. >> reporter: it's not just the horses that are a part of the derby hype. >> the horse racing part is just secondary. it's a place to see and be seen and you see

just soak up the whole environment here at churchill downs. >> reporter: an environment that is bright, bold and big. especially when it comes to the hats. >> you need something that's larger than life. whether it's like the size of it or, you know, or like the color of it, you need something that's going to pop above like your normal every day. >> reporter: normal and every day aren't words that come to mind when you talk about the derby. >> there's so much paneling entry and tradition. >> reporter: especially for those out on the track. >> the it's the history of it all. it's a magical event. it's our super bowl. >> reporter: and it kicks off this evening at churchill downs. jay gray. we're going to stay on the derby and talk about the favorites. the favorites have won the past four years, that is the longest such streak since the 1970s. >> but the winner did nothing to establish a clear favorite in year. a few horses haveod

mccraken, patch, irish war cry, always dreaming which has the highest wagers around at $149, 177. >> you mentioned irish war dry might race with the most wagers amount, but patch going to be racing with one eye. he lost his left eye to an infection last summer and his trainer is no stranger to horses with eye issues. >> he also trained 2004 derby contender pollard's invention which is blind in one eye as well. we will have to wait and see exactly what happens but it's going to be exciting. it always is. >> and the excitement is going to continue today. if you're tuning in just leave it on the same channel the whole day. even the capitals we're going to see some of them later today, they will be fighting today in game five, this of course the nhl playoffs. >> action on the tracks, action on the

they say desperate times calls for desperate measures and the caps made adjustments. they moved alex ovechkin to the third line with lars eller and tom wilson. he's hoping for a win tonight against those pittsburgh penguins. >> i don't think we have success as of three in that game, so i hope it's going to work. i hope it's going to work well, we're going to produce and then we're going to score and we're going to win. >> you can watch all of the action right here on nbc 4 starting with the derby at 2:30. the gates shoot opens at 6:34 then the caps fight for their playoffs live at 7:15. we are streaming both events live on our nbc washington app. click watch live tv now. correct me if i'm wrong but i think they have to get -- they have to win three in a row, the caps, right? >> and this is one of those days that you could probably stay in and not miss too much outdoors, tom. >> but t i

outdoors today. >> there really is. >> don't let a little light rain scare you off. if you're planning any outdoor events just have an umbrella with you or maybe a porch cho as we will have a little bit of off and on light rain starting in another hour or two in the metro area. right now we are seeing the low grade clouds covering our sky. you will need a light jacket this morning and then a windbreaker for the afternoon. the winds will be gusting 25, 30 miles an hour and then you will need a coat this evening as it's going to be getting rather cool. all this area in green is light rain, few sprinkles north and west of leesburg, also getting some rain now in central virginia. you can see how this is blooming along with the flowers, the rain is blooming there and that's going to be moving its way up in. by 9:00, 10:00 this morning all this area in green is that rain arriving coming up from the south and with us through noontime or so. later this afternoon it breaks up a littl

scattered sprinkles of light rain in virginia, maryland and west virginia in the midafternoon, but after 5:00 we dry out, we will get a little sunshine breaking out right before sunset which today is at 8:06. the good news all that rain yesterday washed out the pollen out of the air so that has improved things for allergy sufferers. these areas in green, creeks and streams out of their banks from yesterday's rain in parts of virginia, west virginia, high tide also high water. got the d.c. funk parade and music festival going on. yeah, have a poncho with you for the events early on. this evening for the music concerts on u street we will be hovering in the 50s as we dry out and a little bit of a blustery wind this evening. temperatures right now in the 50s. reagan national at 58 degrees. by dawn tomorrow will be in the low 50s by 8:00, 9:00 in the morning we will be hovering into the mid r50s and then a bit milder on sunday afternoon into the low to mid 60s. a little sun tomorrow

then light rain is possible tomorrow afternoon, a few sprinkles, monday, tuesday, wednesday we dry out but chilly mornings and cool afternoons, maybe more rain coming in thursday evening and into friday, but dry next weekend. partly sunny next saturday and sunday with highs upper 60s to near 70. >> thanks, tom. a lifetime of knowledge and a valuable lesson. we will show you the unique opportunity for students that's quickly growing in one major school district.

if yit's usually because you were driving too fast or you didn't look before you turned or you didn't stop for someone in the crosswalk. always be alert. pedestrians don't come with airbags.

grandparents offer a lifetime of knowledge and a local school is using that to their advantage. >> we're talking about fairfax county and it's their older adults are going back to class, in some cases going to kindergarten, all this to give their young neighbors a boost. >> we're excited to work with the volunteers. >> adult volunteers sharing their lifetime of knowledge with students at crest wood elementary school in springfield. four years ago some residents of green spring retirement home paired up with the school to mentor students. a grant-involved program helped the students do well and the volunteers contribute to the community. >> there are volunteers who come into school, build relationships with our students, mentor our students, tutor our students, provide after school activities for our students and volunteer for our evening events we have throughout the year. >> they just love it when you can pay special attention to them and the

a big job and so many children that need special attention. it's just wonderful to be able to contribute that. >> well, i like to work at their level. i can't stand over them and tell them what to do, i'm down with them looking into their eyes, telling them eye to eye what it's all about. >> thank you for helping us with our math and our reading. >> and thank you for taking the time with us and helping us have a growth mindset. >> they're helping us to learning and to also pass all of the tests. >> the program is in several fairfax county schools with plans to expand to all elementary schools in the coming years. so it's a soggy saturday and you can see that on storm team 4 radar. showers may dampen your plans but we have tom tracking a big cool down as well. a

parents without answers, the frat house death and the major changes several students -- or charges several students are now facing.

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we do business where you do business. ♪ ♪ as we approach 8:30 on this saturday morning we are tracking rain. you can see that quite visible on storm team 4 radar. tom kierein is going to tell us the impact for your weekend plans and how you can avoid getting soaked out there.

two events today, the around the world embassy tour and the annual flower mart at washington national cathedral. both events are totally free and you can find more information on them in our nbc washington app. after a morning of walking around d.c. tune into nbc 4, you can catch the kentucky derby, known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, also horse racing's premiere event. at last check always dreaming has the highest wagers of the 20, we do like this one, $149,000 and then some. "news 4 today" starts now. >> a lot of money going in on those races. >> too bad i don't know how to bet. >> i don't know how to follow it, either, but i like watching the racing. you can do that here on nbc 4. it will be later this afternoon. >> a lot of great story lines, a lot of fantastic hats. i'm angie goff alongside my friend david culver here. a lot to get to. but the one question on many people's minds is the weather. >> and for that we can t

tom kierein. tom is tracking that. >> good morning. we are dry so far around much of the metro area, but to our south, west and north and west there is some light rain now falling on this saturday morning. it's showing up on storm team 4 radar, all this area in green, you can see over the last three hours it is literally blooming like flowers across much of the shenandoah valley down from lorraine 81 south, and 81 from front royal through winchester, panhandle of west virginia that's tracking to the east and this area of rain to our south and west is coming up our way, too. so both of those areas are closing in on us, so light rain is likely by 10:00, continuing through around midafternoon, hovering in the 50s. then by sunset we dry out, cool and breezy this evening. a look at our rain chances next ten days coming up this half hour. 8:31. cleanup after the storm, businesses in virginia beach are trying to clean up the damage fo

storm that passed through. it brought heavy rain and wind to beach front hotels and restaurants, so strong at times that it actually ripped off -- take a look at this -- the siding of one building and tore down the awning on another. at the height of the storm thousands were also left in the dark. this is a heartbreaking story coming out of the district this morning. police now involved in the death of a baby girl. they are looking into this and they have made arrests including the parents, trischelle jabore and jay crowder both charged with murder. investigators say their seven week old baby trinity died of malnutrition and trauma. court documents show that the parents lived on public assistance but didn't have any formula for the baby and police say the girl had multiple rib fractures when she died. neighbors are just heartbroken. >> you can go without eelgt batt not my child. that's my first priority, they are going to eat. >>

he tried to be a good parent and her mom said she knew her daughter wasn't getting enough food but claimed crowder controlled the money and wouldn't buy formula. a texas police officer is now charged with murder. roy oliver turned himself in yesterday after he shot and killed an unarmed black teenager last week. oliver shot into a car that was driving away from a party and a bullet hit 15-year-old jordan edwards who was riding in that car. the dallas county sheriff's office said that the evidence suggested oliver intended to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life. a deadly hazing incident has a slue of fraternity brothers in a lot of trouble. 18 students at penn state university now charged in connection with one student's death. stephanie gosk he is plains what happens next. >> reporter: timothy piazza was just 19 years old, a sophomore at penn state doing what so many college students do, pledging a

be brothers run from station to station an drink enormous amounts of alcohol in different phases. >> reporter: with a blood alcohol level of .4 authorities say piazza took a terrible fall that the fraternity brothers witnessed. >> these brothers gathered around timothy where he -- some of them described that he looked dead. some of them googled things like what to do with a head injury. >> reporter: no one called 911 until the next morning. piazza died several days later in the hospital. 18 extra ternt brothers from beta theta pi and the fraternity itself are facing criminal charges. among them involuntary manslaughter and furnishing alcohol to minors. piazza's parents are heartbroken and ages ri. >> -- angry. >> i've said this before. this didn't have to happen. this is the result of a feeling of entitlement, flagrant disobedience of the law and disregard for

>> reporter: beta theta pi has disbanded the chapter and says it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse in any form by its members. penn state has now put other fraternities on notice, banning all social activities with alcohol for for the rest of the semester. in a statement the university president called the charges heart wrenching and incomprehensible. nine fraternity members will be arraigned while the university warns that all greek life on campus could soon come to an end. stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. almost one in four college students said that they have hesitated to report their nationality or religion because they believe that someone might judge them harshly. that is a result of a survey of campuses across the nation. just published by students at american university. journalism students surveyed more than 700 students for this project. 20% of the students surveyed said undocumented students should not be allowed to

half, 60% said they should. we have a link to the students' work in our nbc washington app. it's a story many of you parents will want to pay attention to. we are talking about one of the most popular products in millions of bathrooms and the baby powder payoff that follows. it comes after a virginia woman filed a lawsuit. dangerous water, with an interesting benefit. why veterans are getting up close with sharks and the surprising results helping them recover. good satday morning. ur narrator: "the time is always right to do what is right. ralph northam. army doctor during the gulf war. volunteer director of a pediatric hospice. progressive democrat. in the senate, he passed the smoking ban in restaurants, stopped the transvaginal ultrasound anti-choice law,

as lieutenant governor, dr. northam is fighting to expand access to affordable healthcare. ralph northam believes in making progress every day. and he won't let donald trump stop us.

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who says decades of using johnson and johnson's baby powder caused her to get cancer. the woman says she used the company's products containing talcum for more than 40 years. she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. this is the fourth case a consumer has won involving similar claims. the american cancer society says any risk from talcum powder is small. johnson and johnson plans to appeal the case. it's a sensitive subject in schools nationwide. how our area's largest school district is addressing transgender students and the impact the decision could have on other schools. and timing is everything, especially today. if you want to stay out of the rain for the weekend, tom is closely updating your forecast so you can plan ahead. .tay with us

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good morning. this saturday morning cloudy, breezy and cool in the metro area. those areas in green that's where we are getting rain now in central and northwestern virginia as well as the panhandle of washington, shenandoah valley will be closing in on us as the morning progresses and we will have light rain in the metro area off and on. if you're planning outdoor exercise be prepared for a little light rain through midafternoon and drying out through early evening. that will be the best time to get in a run or bike ride. a look at rain chances over the next ten days in a few minutes. we have a lot of military families around here so this might be something you can relate to. u

might be trying to deal with the scars of war. now the military is using an unconventional kind of therapy to help wounded warriors heal. nbc's joe fryer explains what operation shark dive is all about. >> reporter: at the point defiant zoo and aquarium a thick pane of glass separates the sharks from the humans. well, most of the humans. >> are you anxious at all? >> anxious to get in. i'm probably not going to want to come back out at all. >> reporter: alexandria mcintyre better known as mack is jumping into the aquarium shark cage, a different kind of mission for this young soldier. >> what made you decide to join the military? >> i wanted to be part of something that was bigger than me. >> but after enlisting in the army two years ago mack suffered a hip injury and with the physical pain came emotional pain. >> it hits you hard when they tell you that you're losin

life. >> reporter: step by step she's working to regain her confidence and her identity. on this day that means going eye to eye with these guys. this year the aquarium teamed up with joint base louis mccord offering the dives to wounded warriors. >> once they can handle the emotional surge that they get here they feel like they can handle a lot of different things. >> reporter: for mack the stresses of the world seem to float away. >> there's so much peace and almost like a weird comforting feeling being down there. i feel a lot better coming out of the water than i did going into the water. >> reporter: often our biggest fears don't actually have teeth, they're buried deep inside our inner jaws. gradually mack is winning her toughest battle yet. she's finding herself. >> things get better and you've just got to find the things that make you better. >> reporter: joe fryer, nbc news,

and here at home a program to help wounded veterans is celebrating a milestone. the warrior transition brigade celebrating it's tebt anniversary yesterday. it takes place at walter reed national medical center. it has transformed the way veterans get the support they need. >> to receive help is definitely a challenge, learning to ask for help when you need it can be a challenge, too. >> you have to never stop and never give up and just keep running. >> some of those wounded warriors were able to join family and other military members at the d.c. national guard armory to celebrate that milestone. this next story is one that i'm still hearing from folks about, it's a polarizing issue. you hear folks from both sides reaching out. it's in fairfax county and has to do with schools there when they're trying to work through what is a sensitive subject. it all centers around the rights of transgender

to gender policies and gender identity could impact other school districts. >> as lauren miller took the mic you could tell in her voice this is an emotional issue. >> i think it is so dangerous and i need help from national calorie people because right now we're just like a little ragtag band, militia, holding out in fairfax county, but we're getting run over. >> a mom to three fairfax county school students laura told those gathered at the conservative family research council that she fears the fcps nondiscrimination policy. she worries it could confuse some kids questioning their gender identity. >> and yet our schools are going to affirm in a thousand different ways that you're ready to make life altering choices to your bodies. >> the question of how to accommodate transgender students not just a local issue. >> this is really a national issue, it's happening all over the country, fairfax is an example of one school system where this is happening. >> fairfax county school board member elizabeth schultz tells

policy is being carried out in schools. >> how is half handling it? is there professional development for staff? what accommodations are being made? what accommodation right side not being made? it's almost as if we've come full circle back to where we started. >> listening in from the audience robert rig bee a fairfax county teacher who founded fcps pride understands the matter can get complicated but adds -- >> people are coming up with solutions. people are answering that. as far as kids go, you call them by the pronouns they want to be called by. >> as for laura she thinks it could be too much for kids to deal with. >> even introducing all this information to them already at such a young age and i just think it's unfair to the young children. >> an incredibly controversial issue. folks are passionate about it understandably. it's one that most school leaders hope the supreme court would have helped them solve but in march the high court declined hearing a case regarding a transgender student. some school systems trying

big out best practices as they're going forward. a lot more to come on that. >> not going to be the last story. >> for sure. the kentucky derby, well known of course for its -- sounds effects, please. some horse racing. >> thank you, tom. >> also the really big hats and the big prices especially when it comes to what's in the cup. >> you've got coffee in there. we're talking about mint juleps. derby goers going to pay from $10 to $2,500 for one mint julep. >> the $2,500 wood ford reserve mint julep will be as rare as its price tag. only ten are made. it's with wood ford reserve double oaked coconut palm sugar syrup, chocolate mint spriggs, candied orange and lemon slices and powdered sugar. >> okay. that's quite a tab. >> i know. >> even though we are not at churchill downs this morning someone who is very good at predicti t

dylan dreyer is at churchill downs with a preview and her predictions. >> good morning from churchill downs here in louisville, kentucky. things are finally drying out. man, yesterday we saw so much rain the track was a sloppy mess, but for today's kentucky derby while it's not raining right now we might see a little more rain move in later on this morning and into early this afternoon, but it's giving the chance -- the track a chance to dry out right now because the winds are a little strong, i'd say they are up to 5, 10 miles per hour and we're also starting to cool things off a bit, but we are looking at a much better day today so for all the horses that are racing later on this afternoon we are going to see i'd say about 60 degrees, we're also looking for the rain to come to an end by 2:00, 3:00 or so, right in time for post time later on today at about 6:45 and of course some of the horses we're watching are classic empire, i'd say that's probably the best chance of a front runner although it's a wide open field this year, always drein

lot of people talking about mccraken. of course all of us on the weather department are voting for thundersnow. the excitement is building, people were out yesterday, celebrities were at the parties yesterday and we are going to see i'm sure a good selection of hats and fashion and all things kentucky derby coming up here from churchill downs. guys. >> dylan dreyer, wow, with giet the hat on. >> i have to share this comment from one of our viewers, puzzle head he said all these names seem so grandiose. it would be awesome to hear the winner is jeff. >> that would be nice. >> or tom. >> it takes a lot of the fun out. >> yeah. >> they're unique names. >> my money is on gum shoes this year. i'm just kidding. >> tom, you are 0 for 2 when it comes to naming the right horses today. >> that's for sure. for the weather, though, be prepared, have an umbrella handy

be getting some rain in the metro area. if you're going to virginia gold cup to see the -- and the great meadows there may be some light rain there. >> you've got the real deal. >> these clouds are galloping over us right now and that's a live view from the storm team 4 rockville camera looking down rockville pike and it is raining lightly, this area seeing green, panhandle of west virginia, northern shenandoah valley and this area of rain that is coming into west central virginia is advancing off to the north and east, going to be closing into the metro area in another couple hours. here is the hour by hour timing on that. this area in the green is this rain, 9:00, 10:00 this morning we will see a few sprinkles and then off and on rain continuing. it's not going to be widespread, not going to be constant, just off and on scattered light rain into the middle part of the afternoon. this is as of 3:00 p.m. you can see that in west virginia, virginia and maryland. after that the cloud cover breaks up and we will see a little sunshine right before

and the good news is the pollen got washed out of the air from all that rain we had yesterday so much better for allergy sufferers. and that rain we had yesterday is causing creeks and streams out of their banks these areas in the green, coastal -- well, areas around the bay, there may be some tidal flooding, high tides later today and this evening. d.c. funk parade and music festival, maybe a little light rain, a chance of sprinkles through midafternoon and then we will be hovering notice upper 50s. a blustery wind, too, gusting around 25, 30 miles an hour. temperatures are in the 50s all around the region now, we will stay that way throughout the day. tomorrow morning a little sun, who is in the suburbs, near 50 in town, mid 60s in the afternoon. a few more sprinkles sunday afternoon. cold mornings next few mornings after that, dry weather until thursday into next friday, more rain, dry next weekend. >> tom, you like to dance. this is a good day to break out your dancing shoes. the big parade and

unique way to celebrate the arts. we will tell you all about it. i ain't lookin' to compete with you ♪ ♪ beat or cheat or mistreat you ♪

♪ deny, defy or crucify you ♪ ♪ all i really wanna do ♪ ♪ is, baby, be friends with you ♪

this is all you, angie. you've got this. you might want to get out your dancing shoes because the annual u street funk parade will hit the streets this afternoon. the event is expected to draw at least 75,000 people for the celebration of funk music and

the parade is going to start at 3:00 this afternoon, it begins in front of the howard theater, it will end at the lincoln theater, but a music and arts festival will get under way at noon today through that u street area. >> rain or shine it's one of those events you will have a good time no matter what. also a reminder there is a music festival in the district happening today called broccoli city. it is back. i had the pleasure of moderating an event yesterday it focused on social entrepreneurship and overcoming financial challenges. the idea behind broccoli city is building these driving urban communities that sustain future generations. we have more on the festival in our nbc washington app. also head lining the big show solange, so queen b's sister. guardian of the blacksy, wonder woman and avatar are just a few of the comics that will be given away for free today. >> you are not going to pay a thing. if you are a fan of comic books you want to head to one of your favorite comic book stores.

what's called free comic book day. publishers print special editions, hand them out no charge. a lot of fans say it's a great way to get kids interested in comics and reading all together. you can head over to the nbc washington app to find a local shop that's going to be celebrating the day. >> i grew up with comics. >> did you? >> yeah, with the superheroes and archie. do you remember archie? >> i do. much more ahead for you on "news 4 today." it includes an hour by hour look at your draft. we will check in with storm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. flowers and a lot more on the grounds of the national cathedral. it's the 2017 flower market.

ntene doesn't just wash your hair, it fuels it. making every strand stronger. so tangles don't stand a chance. because strong is beautiful. "news 4 today" starts now. starting you off a bit soggy as we look live at steam team 4 radar, you can see a lot of activity there. to the right of your screen a live look at union station, a light breeze in the foreground with the american flag. tom, though, tracking chilly temperatures ahead. racial tension at american university, the new response for students as the issue raises national attention. they call it the fastest two minutes in sports. we will tell you the favorites and the added challenge for jock geez this year as the kentucky derby races off from churchill downs. and that's our topic on the facebook live chat this morning. a lot of folks joining us the.