fake news and the rus an witchhunt. >> new at midday praise for paul manafort. attacks on michaeln. co heesident trump making his silence after verdict. right now drivers in our area are working around problems like this caused by last night'y he .ra a closer look at the damage and the issue keeping kids out of school. we do have nice weather on the way regardless of all theds clou around. i'll show you when the dry air and low humidity finally arrives, coming up.

good morning and welcome to news 4 midday. right now our area is recovering from heavy rain and flooding. this is a loot a collapsed portion. we g c aser look at the damage. >> reporter: that rainn came dow so hard, so fast. it literally washed away parof ome roads. take a look a what it did here. you can see the asphalt just completely collapsed. look how deep down that goes. we're in the waterford area. it's been closed in both directions. if you think this is bad, look at wt the rain did to the other side of the road. look that the. a complete collapse with the rain so heavy that it literally warwa ed away pieces of that road. you can imagine how dangerous this could have been if someone came up on this anotheright in

the dark. the heavy rain has stopped. that will give crews chance to get out here. road c in both directions. taking a look at this damage, you can see it may be quite a while for the crews to get this cleaned up. here in the district, all of that heavy rain forcing a school to close today. several areas inside elliot hine middle school is flooded. justin finch has more on what students can expect to return to teclass. >> rep still too soon to say just when classes will be i did reach out to d.c. public schools to sort out whathe sue is. it turns out that heavy rain we saw yesterday was the issue here and thatn the afternoon they could see water trickle into areas of the building. they had to move students to ier spaces.

as the rain continues throughout the day, the flooding inside got rse. d.c. schools haed to make the call to cancel classes today. from the outside it's hard t tell anything's wrong. that there's any reason at all that eliot-hine middle school was closed. flooding in several areas of the northeast rced the d.c. school to close its doors, at least for toy. outside school staff stood by to break the news to student who is may have missed the alerts. on twitter tuesday nighis update from the eliot-hine middle school, special notice, ehms will be closed tomorrow. the district's office says taking student safety and security seriously and working with the department of general orvices. contractors aren site assessing wat damage and making repairs. their hope is to have it finished soon to closes can

resume as quickly as possible. we're awaiting word onhe what expanse of that damage isbuildi. once we know that we'll bring that to you. >> let me ask y this one separate question. we know a lot of students depend on school meals where ever they may be. what happens in this case when the school is clo gd? >> reported news for those schools, about 10:45, they did beginerving thoseeals to students. the question now is will that be the routine tomorrow. they are still deciding based on the damage and repairs b nng ma to see if it will be safe to resume classes on thursday.

we're talking about this wet weather and whether or not we'll get anymore of rain. we get a look at what we can expect and hopefully you'll tell us we are drying out. >> we are eventually drying out. i don't want to promise anything. believer it or no believe it or not we have a couple of showers. most of us are dry. 81 degrees i washington. the clouds are still out there. we'll keep the cloudy skies in forecast until later on today. then we'll see more sunshine. there's the rain. it's near down aund culpepper. seeing some steady, light rain. itould organize a bit more as it approaches fredericksburg.

late in theheay is you'll notice the humidity dropping. here is a t look peratures as we go through our suburbs this afternoon. about the mid to low 80s. it will feel way more comfortable later tonight. you'll love tomorrow. i'll show you that forecast, coming up. switching gears. a guilty plea and a guilty verdict. two men, one forr main states of donald trump'campaign would face time if federalprison. michael cohen pleaded guilty. now we're hearing from his attorney. >> reporter: president trump' former attorney pleaded guilty to eight charges of financial fraud including two campaign finance violation. >> worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016

idate.gn and for the ca >> reporter: cohen admitted to making hush money payments to karen mccdougal and stormi danielles. >> thisredent is in trouble and we're coming for him. >> reporter: cohen admitted the president directed him to do so. >> the president of the united h states directe to commit a crime, meaning the president committed the crime and covered it up because he didn't sign the check to keep quiet the affairs with thewo women. >> reporter: the president's attorney said in a statement there's no allegation of wrong doing against the president and the government's charges against mr. also former trump campaign paul manafort was found guilty on eight o 18 counts of bank and tax fraud facing him. on the other tencharges, a hung jury. >> mr. manafort dispinted of not getting acquittals all the way through. >> reporter: ahead of a rally hoesday night in west virginia,

president trumpd support for manafort. >> it involved me but i feel it's a very sad thing that happened. >> reporter: the president avoided talk of cohen. paul manafort could avoid jailm f he receives a presidential pardon. michael cohen doesn't notpe onl or a presidential pardon, he would not accept one. >> president trump firing off tweets. he called the case witch hunt couldinted out ten counts not be decided. he tweeted he felt badly for manafort's family a called him a brave man. the president shrugged o cohen's plea pleading campaign vie laolations are not a crime. he also warned everybody t not seek cohen services if they are looking for a good attorney. s

cohens he's on a mission to tell the truth and needs the puic's help to do it. his attorney made the announcement this morning. >> we have set up a website, michael cohen truth fund.com o hilp him and his family get through thisle they wills the truth about donald trump. >> the fund-raiser goal is set $500,000. so far the campaign has raised $30,000. there isru conion today. this is considered to be one of the busiest sectionsf 95 in the area. project will cost $132 million and the new lanes will open in may of 2022. all right. let's have a little fun. break out the confetti.

ben's chili bowl is turning 60 today. it's getting ready to make a special announcement ahead of a pretty big event. good morning to you. i hope you have the heartburn, the tums with you. i'm sure you're in for a good treat today. >> reporter: absolutely. this is exciting. the ceremony just began. you can s city leaders. it's live so people are all over. all over the celebrate ben's chili bowl. the two new faces that will be added seated upn the stage. that will be media mogul kathy hues and jesseth jackson. ther big thing is the

unveiling of the new name of this stretch of u street. you can see the sign is covered up there. we have lots to celebrate throughout the hour first, we want to take you down the road of ben' 60 years. six decades sizzling on the grill. still in high demand. properly dressed original chili half smoked at the u street location. >> think of the all the things that's happened overehe cou of these six decades. we have been here through looking out. >> reporter: his parents opened 1958. during the 1968 riots, many nsinesses here were left ruins. ben's was the only place to remain open during a three day curfew. it a survived that other turmoil including the heroin and rack cocaine epidemic in the

city and deep economic slump in part of town. ben's customers kept ordering mose half smoked on u street prompting ae to now change the street name on this stretch. >> we have to change it because ben's has been here all these ars and taken care of people through my time. >> mom will be 85 this year. it's really special for us to celebrate her. >> reporter: 60 years at this location serving up history as a d.c. legend. >> reporter: all right. there you see the matriarche of th family. this i all about celebrating the family, this historic institution and wha it all means in the city. after this event there wille a block party and the gala later tonight celebrating 60 years. we have much more u comingp throughout the hour >> party all day at ben's.

thank you soch switching gears, we have new gom developments on the arrest of an undocumented immigrantli k a high iowa college student. >> northeathis morning, the sin accused of fight on an airpla. we'llne h

a tragic ending in if search for missing iowa college student. mollie tibbetts found more than month afthe was missing. an undocumented immigrants charged with the murder. his connection remains a mystery. >> reporter: for more than a month family and friends of mollie tibbetts held out hope s alive. this morning they are grieving >> utter disbelief. just in shock. >> reporter: a 24-year-old rgundocumented immigrant c with first-degree. >> how did he get op youn yrada? >> we came across an individual with security cameras. a vehicable to iify that we believe belong to mr.

rivera. >> reporter: he came to the u.s. from mexico, he said he pursued her during her run last month. at one point parking a and unning alongside and behin her. >> mollie grabbeder phone and said i'm going to call the police. she took off running. he chased her down. he says at some poi and time he blacked out. >> reporter: officials said he was driving and realized heut her in the trunk. he then dragged her into a corn field. no motive was given forhe killing. >> it seems he followed her and seemed to be drawn to her o that particular day and far whatever, he chose to abduct her. >> reporter: this tragicin e won they hoped they'd never have to face. ristian is being held on a $1 million bond. during the autopsy that was found tuesday.

theyaid they employed him for four years and he was an employee in good standing and hefhe vetted.perly a dramatic scene inside a colorado courtroom as the man accused o killing his entire family herd har his charges. the father whom you just saw sobbed as charges were read against his son-in-law. re's charged with nine koupcoun include first-d murder. he denies that. he says he killed his waife in rage whed he discovehe strangled their two daughters after learning he wanted to separat separate. ought caught in the act. it's happening with so many more homes and businesses.

>> reporter: the security cameras have only captured what u might call a minor crime. >> we had mebody go to the bathroom on the side of the wall and we figured out wep that was. >>ter: it's not uncommon to see home and business cameras documenting thefts or even worse. that's why the stafford's sheriff office is a making new pitch asking businesses and residents to register their security camera. deputi will immediately know where to find camera video that might quickly identify a suspect or get away vehicle. >> the dpogoal is we'll see the crimes on a tape get the look out out quickly and get the suspects in custody. >> reporter: the new program is called scope. enter your name, address, mai-l

and phone number. emphasis announ4 in the firs24 hours, 19 people had signed up. >> i feel it's going to help the we ce and it's another way with help them out and something ever happens around here it would help us out too. >> reporter: the sheriff's office is hoping the new program will notnly pay off with quicker arrests but will also create a stronger relationship with the community. > >> d.c. operates a similar program. it was launched two years ago. it offers rebates to district residents and businesses who purchase security meras. e city has approved more an 4200 rebates. tomorrow rublican congressman duncan hunter of san diego and his wife will be arraigned on corruption charges. the hunters allegedly used more

than $250,000 in campaign money for vacations, dental work school tuition and other personal expenses. hunter is running for re-election. deadlineor changes just past. he will remain on the ballot for now. a bipartisan group of senators are hoping to pay their own respect to the late queen of soul. they have introduced legislation to award aaretha franklin the congressional gold medal. she stled hope, unlifted generations and changed the lives of millions. thepassed way last week at age of 76. today a chance for you to lear more about a plan to expand arlington national. cemete we'll tell you about the pub plie --

public meeting and the call for road changes. bpeople in hawaii are bracig for the category 5 storm. noa look ather what is being doing to protect islanders, you wanted to save on prescriptions... so you went online... and got so lost in a mumbo-jumbo of co-pays, coupons and codes that your brain went offline. next time ask your cvs pharmacist. our proprietary search tool analyzes ways to help lower your prescription costs. just drop in.... before you conk out... see what you might save at cvs pharmacy.

visitors are being kept out ofl arlington natio cemetery. emergency services are responded

to a bomb threatt the cemetery. all families, visitors, employees have been evacuated as you see there from audiotall pu buildings. we'll keep you updat on the threat on air and through our nbc washington app. a category 5urricane is heading toward hawaii. people spent yesterday stocking up on supplies. you can see the long lines at grocery stores and gas stations. the powerful storm named hurricane lane could bring toential rain, high wind, tornadoes, lhtning and flooding. the american red cross is preparing to open shelters even as we speak. a lot of people who don't pay attention to the pacific and what's happening over there might think a hurricane in hawaii, that's not normal. it is normal. their hurricane season is the same as our hurricane season. obviously, category 5 huge

storm. it's hurricanes and tropical storms head there. >> for us,nt very diffe picture. finally what we've all been waiting for. on today you'll feel the changes but very comfortable outside. it's not too hot. ity feels pre good. still a little muggy. the cold front will drop our humidity that's not moved through yet. we're waiting for it to mover through. still far back off to our west. lator on y, humidity will drop. perfect weather tomorrow. by perfect, i mean really perfect. i don't see anyone come plplaing about tomorrow'swet p weather. some suburbs are still in the 70s. here is a look another the dr . radar. we see a few showers. we'll zoom down around those showers appaching culpepper.

these will continue moving mainly main ly to the east and southeast. there's the cold front.mainly t southeast. there's the cold front. the dry air is behind it. it will drop the humidity. for today, mostlydy cl passing shower possible. not a big deal. highs will be in the mid-80s. couple showers mainly in the southern portion of our viewing area early this afternoon. then we finally clear out ov night. tomorrow sunny, beautiful. take a look at what's going to happen tomorrow g. there's 7:00 a.m. we'll be sunny andlear. someuburbs will be in the upper 50s. that's going to feel nice. thursday, absolutely beautiful. 82, l humidity throughout the day after those morning hours usd so far the weekend just looks gorg we'll look at your ten days and see how long this will last, coming up. thank you. country mus star arrested. the airplane fight that landed her in big trouble.

plus h facebook is fighting misinformation. the steps the social media site is taking, but you probably not noticed. more from ben's chili bowl celebrating its 60th anniversary. there's the unveiling of the nen you've got the mayor, donny

facebook is cracking down on fake accounts. some of the fake accounts are originated in iran, some in russia. here is andrea mitchell. >> reporter: the social media giant acknowledging foceign interf. well funded efforts to trick users i the u.s., uk, middle east and across latin america. 652 pagero gups and accounts taken down. facebook ceo telling reporters

the company is committed stopping abuses including from nation states. >> we need to make sure we contin strengthening the operations we have. we're committed to doing that. >> reporter: zuckerberg has been under fire in congress for not doing more for protecting privacy. >> one of my greatest regrets is we were slow to idenssfying the ofoperations in 2016. >> reporter: micr said it discovered russia's military intelligence was hacking u.s. think tanks. >> this is a problem that's not going to go away. russians were successful in to16. they're trying be successful in 2018 the red lights are flashing. >> twitter announcing it's

deleted almost 300 iranian based accounts that it believes were engaged in coordinated manipulation. the senate intelligence committee will be holding hearings with facebook, twitter and google. the grammy winning music star has been arrested and charged with breac of peace. gretchen wilson wases ad last night in connecticut. this is a look at her mugshot. state police say wilson was arrested after allegedly becoming belligerent and caused a disturbaede. she was sed to perform another a show today but instead she'll be appearing in aco troom. three people are in jail after d.c. police say they recorded themselves destroying a poli cruiser and while they were recording themselves, police say they were caught in e act by an off duty police officer. take a look. this happenedhtast light r outside of that off duty

officer's home. these are pictures that police tweeted out. one of the pictures shows what appears to be a dent on the roofer of thatcr ser. the names of the suspects have noted been rele it's been one year since the uss john mccain crash into a container ship tilling ten sailors including timmy echolso maryland. we spoke with his grandparents about how much joy timothy brought to their lives. >> he was my only grandson. i loved him very much. he loved me. >> reporter: he bond with his 21-year-old grands unbreakable. tim was his best friend. >> he's still gave me a lot of life. >> reporter: irvin served in the army. when timothy enlistedn the navy, he says their greatest joy was betting on the big gave. >> though he owe me $50.

>> reporter: it was their dream to attend the game together day but irvin's life changed on august 21st of last year. >> he was presume ed missing. >> reporter: it was headed to singapore when it collided with a merchant vessel trapping tens sailinside. >> i got up at in5:30 in this g because that's when we got the meage. i just got on me knees and said a prayer. >> reporter: the pain and emptiness still lingers a year later but his grandparents say they feel closer to tim here at arlington national cemetery where he was burie with full annors. >> i wt to go over there and tell me him that then washingto capitals finally won the stanley cup. >> reporter: it hasn't been easy. >> everywhere go, i wear it in his honor. >> reporter: his grandparents know that one day they'll seem

again. >> he's always with us. always. >> beautiful piece. beautiful people. >> timothy's mother was in japan where they held a special ceremony toonor the ten fallen sailors. here is a look at the drawings for the expansion. the cemetery wanted to add 70 acres. several roads will have to be closed or realigned. tonight's meeting begins at 6:00 at the sheraton city hotel. we'll gettl a l vacation from our summer midity. d.c. loses a popular gas sign ofbut is it a

something bigger? at least one district leader says yes. we'll talk about this, coming up. you know when you're at ross shopping for backpacks... ...and mom also gets a back-to-school bag? that's yes for less. ross has the brands you want for back to school. and it feels even better when you find them for less. at ross. yes for less. (announcer) there's a freedom about asheville. an unspoken invitation to discover who you really are. here, the world is a big, beautiful place filled with adventure. take it in. come up for air. asheville. discovery, inside and out.

...and you suddenly realizes you're really into art? that's yes for less. every trend. every room. on any budget.

it feels even better when you find it for less. at ross. yes for less. out into left center. herrera goes back. see you later. >> that's andrew stevenson. he drove six houn i the pouring rain. hec he didn't arrive until the third inning and was ready to go in the sixth. the nationals went on tb beto be phlies. onee positive not heading into

today's game. pitcher stephen strausberg is back. this is just pfect weather.av you just to be outside. if you sit outside, you're doing something wrong. the clouds around and a couple of showers. the cold front that will lower our humidity has not moved through. we have the cloud and a few showers out there. we did tell you yesterday we have a couple of showers in today's forecast. it's not thestormy weather like it was.

you will notice it tomorrow morning. think you'll be pleasantly surprised. temperatures right now around 80 degrees. many in the upper 70s. tomorrow for the kids heading out to the bus stop, it's going to feel cool. we're talking about morning lows. by recess just perfect. a little breezy. then the clouds clear out for morrow's full day of sunshine. heading into the weekend also lookingeay good. this is great weather. mid-80s on saturday. upper 80s sunday. you'll net sunday getting

hotter. a little more humid. look at these temperatures friday. saturday, sunny. sunday, 83. great stretch of weather into the weekend. look atextweek. now we have the 90s coming back. now we have humidity coming. ba it really is going to feel like the dog days of summer. >> i'mooking forward to it. i'm looking forward to having a clean car. it's been so long.ha you. a celebration at the national zoo this morning. we'll tell you about the birthday surprise. coming up at 5:00, we're still getting you reid for school. we'll show you the svices that deliver clothes right to your front door selected just for your ds. how they work and is it worth your time and money.

the con amphetamifet >>the con amphetaminfeti was fl when this sign was vealed. we want to go back out to the party happening on u street this morning. wlcome to ben's chili bowl way. it's a sectionre the original ben stands has officially been renamed.s the restaurant marking a major milestone. 60 years in existence. molett greenve is or us in

the middle of the celebration. talk to us about the celebration going downright there where you are. >> reporter: there were big cheers when tunveiling happened renaming this stretch ben ben's chili bowl way. it's been declared ben's chili bowl day. i want to talk about the two new faces going up on theamous ben's mural. that of the reverend jesse hy jackson and k hughes. we were here. look at the image for first . time he's very excited. he had a big old smile across his face. here is what he hado y right after he saw his image. >> ingenuity. good service and recycle

clientele.e people come h and come back. it's t watering hole in the desert. >> reporter: the reverend jesse jackson. everybody is here. even news 4 jim hanley. hanley, wave. he can't hear me now. we had his attention. you're on live television. l right. i ju wast want to tell you as we still on that there will be a block party right after the ceremony. back into you. >> what a fun day o there. thank you so very much. i'm sure we will see photos of hanley somewhere. thanks. we'reorking for your health.

we want to let you know about some new guidelines when it comes to screening women for cervicalcancer. traditional tests could become a thing of the past. the u.s. preventative task force p working on a method that doesn't include a smear. women change 30 and 65 who are not at high risk can opt to be screened with the hpv test eve fiyears. women younger than 30 still need a pap test every three years.e recommendation based on evidence showing that almost all cases o cervical cancer are caused by the hpv. if you're epi pen is about to expire, you may be able to use it few months longer. the food andrug administration are extending expiration dates by four months. this applies to the .3 milligram

doe the fda says it's reviewed data shows that certain batches are still effective beyond t expiration date. when it comes to gas statio, you probably have a favorite. one of the most recognizable ones in this area is now gone. the key bridge exxon is shut and ated for redevelopment. we marhear what c res next. orter: this is the key bridge exxon. condos are supposed toobo here. the m is nobody knows when the project will break ground. that's causing some concern. when is a gas station more than a gas station. when it sits on prime real estate. iconic may be too strong of aut

word it has had plenty of recognition and views. the fact it's gone has some drivers concerned. >> in this location, i think it's a big deal. >> reporter: new condos slated to go in. as you enter or levave the district, no place to fuel up. >> you nd some place to stop for gas. >>eporter: it's such an issue that d.c. council member who represents gegetown says the property needs to be close watched. >> people will listen to me when it's too late. we're running out of gas stations in this city. we'll be manhattan soon where you won't be able to buy gas in the city. you'llav to leave this town in order to buy gas. >> reporter: literally at the base of the exorcist step, this plot of lands draws tourists. >> i wanted to geter down and take a picture. >> reporter: this was the focal point for a potomac river

gandala. it's not clear when it will be torn down but nevertheless, gas station is now gone. special birthday wishes for one of d.c.'s most beloved residents. bei bei the panda turns three. he's very much still a cub. playing around and having fun like back in may when he went viral when he was seen here climbing on the tree. tumble.ttle he's all right. the national zoo gave him a nda friendly birthday cake this morning. youe heard of maternity leave, paternity leave but what about paw ternity leave. the c

in companies haveffered maternity leave, paternity leave. there's a new paid off that's gaining popularityor a different member of the family. new pets. some companed isy. >> i was able to bond with him,

get to know his personality. it was very critical in building my relationship with my dog. >> is it literally called pawternity leave. >> he likes that too. >> reporter: you heard that right. paidarime off to not for a newborn but for a furrier family member. meredith took two weeks paid leav to bond with her newly adopteds are cue dog, bodie. >> we're able to walk around, go to the park i did his like vet. n make sure he had his shots. >> reporter: meredith works at a new york city based pet company that says pet friendly policies including bringing pets to work help them attract the best employees. >> i want to make sure that people who work here feel like hey have a good work lifee. balanc if we can find people who are passionate about animals and animal welfare and passionate

about technology, we should be at the very top of their list. >> reporter: it's the latest in a trend of companies looking for ways to stand out in an cr singly come pet tipetitive plac. >> reporter: just last year more than 70% of organizations increased their benefit packages all in an effort to retain employees. that means perks for pet owners too. just like meredith's workplace, more countries are offering pet care benefits. >> it's not enough to pay people well. they have to feel like they belong. an environment where you're welcomed and in fact you feel included at work. >> what's the reaction you get when you talk about'm off t get to know my dog. >> reporter: >> my husbandsk laughed and if it's a real job because it sounds ridiculous. >>eporter: in 2013, only 13%

had access to paid parental leave for children. for company's like mereth, pet friendly policies are paying off. >> it's a dream come true. i have to t a step back and said my company offered this. because i work there and in the moment all the time i maybe take it for granted. now if we could only bsng our p to work, it would make things so mu more enjoyable. what you're going to enjoy is the weather. lower humidity later today.to rrow, perfect friday. the weekend just gorgeous. beautiful if you're heading to e beach. 90s and humid next week. >> all right. thank u. that's it for news 4 midday. thank you for joining us. we're back on the air first at 4:00 this aftern gn. have aat day. see you back here tomorrow morning.

we are live in five, four, three, two, one. >> why did you let go >> two hands! oh yes. oh yes. >> scream baby jesus. >> incredible. >> i bet everybody was on pins and needles last night watching that. that married coupleelered last night on agt. they were with us last week. welcome to "access live." so nice to have y here.