>> announcer: right now on "news4 this week," the big di the new year means new road construction across our area. we'll tell yous how the project could impact your commute. the last straw. big changes coming to how you enjoy your favorite drink in the district and rising tolls. a major road will cost more tou this year. why some people are angry over the reason for the increase.nc >> ann: welcome to "news4 this week." hello, everyone. the holidays, they are now in the rear viewroview mirror and year is upon us. as 2019 gets rolling,ome major transportation projects are going to be taking shape across our spgion. trtation reporter adam

tutz is looking at impacts you uld be facing. >> reporter: all we want is a better commute but could we get it? crew are working o fixes, but first the construction. let's start in virginia along the entire length of i-66 where work is now ongoing inside and outside the beltway, the most disruptive work will absolutely be outside the beltway, though, where new toll lanes are being addedre in each ion. and all of this intense work is happening right next to free-flowing traffic. >> we really want drivers to be award, you know, to take their time when traveling through these areas. >> reportery over in nd, tunnels being built. the earth is moving as the purple line continues to reshape montgomery andn prince george's counties. remember, this line will connect the bethesda and new carrollton metro stations but there's plenty ofoeavy lifting do. >> we vibrate. have majornfrastructure to build. >> reporter: in the district, you'll soon see a lot of new no right turn on red signs.

as first reported by news4, downtown core of the city will get no right on red signs. that's designed to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety as the city continu to grow >> we really think that the mayor has finally heard the calls from the public, that we are at a crisis for traffic safety. >> reporter: and on meao, still ot to figure out, but lots of construction on tap. most notably, sta oons southf reagan national airport will bed shutn during the summero rebuild platforms. we're focusing now on a plan to ease traffic jams and possibly expand the beltway in thi-270 corridor in maryland. the state department of transportation asked f public comments. they got more than 2,000 of them. scott macfarlane has a look ate what res are saying and the fight against widening the highways at all. >> reporter: sam el oh witch's townhouse sits in the shadow of i-270? rose farms neighborhood. perhaps no one is more closely

watching the's govern proposal to ease traffic on one of the nation's most clogged highways. >> i'm really grateful that governor hogan is on record saying that no homes or property will be demolished. we intend to hold himha to pledge. >> reporter: more than a year ago, the governor announced the state wouldnnounce ambitious plans to ease gridlock on the montgomery stretch of the beltway. 15 alternatives have been considered including reversibl lanes and widening the highways. hundreds of people have sent comments to the state trying to sway the decision. using the freedom of information act, we asked for those e-mails and received them. we found an overwhelming number ex those notes in opposition to any lane nsion, including dozens from people in rockville. one writing, major tffic ngestion won't be solved by any widening. another, i have many neighbors and favorite restaurants and stores that would baffected. more saying, please don't ruin rockville. supporters wrote, it's okay if it doesn't affect the property values. another says, i support

expansion. present routes are too crowded. at his home today with his sons just a few hundred feet from the highway, eric lyons says he's tired of battling the brutal congestion and is glad the state is considering something big. >> everywhere youwork, you have to get on a highway to get somewhere. so, you know, people get up in the morning and their days are built off of their commute. reporter: montgomery county council transportation chair tom hucker says the state woulde wise t listen to local drivers and homeowners. this proposal in particular has generated an awful lot of public concern, and i think it's both because of the nature of it, expanding the beltway, a the process. >> reporter: state leaders tell news4 they welcome more feedback and are expected to narrow theie list of possihanges to the highways by spring. scott macrlane, news4. to an urgent health warning. the flu is beginning to ramp up in our area. right now the cdc says that flu activity is high in, maryla virginia is seeing moderate flu activity. and d.c. right now only has ani

l number of flu cases. flu season usually peaks between december and february, and the od news is y can still protect yourself and your family by getting that flu shot. you know, straws may look a little different the next time you go out in the district, and that's because plastic and stirrers are now banned. bars and restaurants will have to give o compostable or reusable straws. businesses will start facing fines for non-compliance with this rule starting in july. other cities have already banned stenws in a mov nationwide to curb plastic waste. another football season has come and gone, and it was more disappointment for redskins fans. we've been down this road before, and that medisappoi now being evidenced by the thousands and thousands of empty seats at fedex field. according to "the washingtul post," reg season attendance was down 24%, and game day revenue was down by $18 million. but big buttonsng rea "thank you fans" could be seen

throughout stadium during the team's final home igame. kind of indifferent. i'm still here to support the team and have fun, but other than at, it's kin of normal. >> we need new ownership completely. >> it's sad when disappointment is noal. "the new york times" is also reporting dysfunction from a business standpoint as well as team dismissals, additions, and trades. thank you,new york times," for telling us what we've already been seeing here for years. when we come back, the new year means a costlier commute. we'll tell you how much tolls are rising on a major road in our region. and a local beauty queen is h has a platform top others. has a platform top others. the inspiring story of mi people aren't talking about giant's has a platform top others. the inspiring story of mi easy grab and go chicken wings, perfect for game day. they're not talking, because they're eating. oh, hello. at giant, it's the little things that make entertaining easy, leaving more time for those closest to you.

fresh grab and golking salads and sandwiches. they're not talking, because they're eating. oh, hello. at giant, it's the little things that make mealtime easy, so you have more time with the people you love. no matter where you live, the new year comes with a new round of laws you need to know about. in maryland, health care providers must cover some new conditions. your insurance company has to help pay for high blood sugar

treatment and tests. and procedures related to a crtain kind of swelling. expanded medicaierage begins in virginia. around 200,000 people have already efn r led in the program in the first two days of the year. and d.c. has the longest list of neaws going into effect, including a local health care mandate, that straw ban we told you about earlier, and a slew of new traffic laws, incluerng la fines and laws designed to protect pedet'rians. now costing a little bit more to use the dulles toll road. you'll have to pay an extra 75 the when you go through main toll plaza now. the toll on the off ramps jumped 50 cents. that's an increase of $1.25 each way. that extra money is going to he maintai the toll road and nd metro's silver line expansion. that's the part that seems to bother people, though. >> so if i wand my money to go to metro, i would get on the metro. >> the last increase on the dulles toll road, that was back

in 2014. the next one is scheduled for four years from now. when we come ckba a story showcasing cooperation between the communityhe and police. why a woman from prince george's county nominated her neighbor to be this week's hero. and miss d.c. opens up about her painful past see how the beauty queen beat the odds and is giving back in a the odds and is giving back in a major way. eggo thick and fluffy waffles

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18 women recently vied for e title of miss district of columbia u.s. all of them showing off their winning smile to the judges. but one contestant sai smiling didn't always come easy for her because for much of her life, her mothe was in and out of jail, and she was in and out of foster care. news4's barbara harris introduces us to cordelia cranshaw and has her story of pageantry and perseverance. >> reporter: on the edge of our

seats, wrelived the final seconds. >> ctestant number 13! >> reporter: winning would be nice, but simply havinnf ence to compete was cordelia cranshaw's goal. >> growing up, i really felt like i didn't have much confidence. my mother, after her being incarcerated, in and out of my life and sentenced to 10 years in prison, my dad being an alcoholic. >> reporter: corerlia and sister were in and out of foster care throughout honor young lives. at one point she was actually homeless. >> i was homeless. of the courta ward again after actually trying to commit suicide. so i called 911. >> reporter: that marked a new beginning, trying to build self-confidence. she worked hard in school, and at 16 she even competed in a beauty paant. >> when competed in my first pageant, i had no idea what i was getting myself into. >> reporter: she didn't win. she says when you don't feel good about yourself, it's hard

to be a winner. >> growing up, was always told that i would end up pregnant, that i would never be anything, that i would end up in jail, that i'd be homeless. and i just didn't want to end up >> reporter: she was determined to stay in school. >> so what iid was i persevered, and i was motivated. >> reporter: after graduating fromtigh school, she w to college. >> i got a scholarship, and f the e i was a ward state, they helped pay for it as well. >> reporter: cordelia graduated from george mason university, moved intoashington to pursue a master's in social work, and was encouraged by friends to run for miss district of columbia. she lost. >> i just went in there thinking that i was going to win, and i was humbled. and then i went back the last two years, and i placed fourth runner up two years in a row. >> reporter: but she made good friends in those package eants. chelsea rogers, a former miss d.c., encouraged her to try again. >> i am miss district of columbia usa 2008. i have to do the math nowus bee it's been around 11

years. >> she really took me under her wing. >> i felt like she had a story that everyone needs to hear, not just in thedistrict, but nationally and internationally. you know, thesysa em, but especially miss district of columbia usa is really big on that. they want someone who canake positive change. >> reporter: she says people are wrong who think it's allg about evenowns and swimsuit. >> those kinds of things are laughable to me. im a supreme court licensed, barred attorney. each and every one of these girls that come and compete, this is just one stepping stone in their life. they all have stories. they are social workers, doctors, lawyers, musicians, writers. >> reporter: cordelia cranshaw has anmaster'social work from the university of maryland. she's an education specialist for d.c.'s child and famil service agency. she's earned her confidence. everything else is just icing on the cake. [ cheers and applause ]

>> just looking back a looking at all the things that i was able to overcome, i was just thrilled that i'm where i am today. >> look at that smile. cordelia uses her master's in social work as an education specialist at d.c.'s child and family services agency, and she helps foster kids use the of learning to realize their dreams. great stuff there. all right. aighbors helping neighbors. that's who we rely on, and nowhere is it more on display than in a princegeorge's county community. dr. hurley had a story she just couldn't wait to tell me about. it's about a law enforcement officer, a 12-year-old boy, and a handyman who all come together to do their part to lend a helping hand.d she shat's happening on her street should be a model every neighborhood everywhere. captain sean davenport, his son cody, and milton bunch were picked toe harris' heroes.

>> reporter: wavipaving drivewa and replacing shutters isn't the kind of thing most kid their résume. >> you did a nice job on this driveway. >> reporter: but 12-year-old cody davenport does, and he's already making a name for himself on this street. just ask his name,gu dr. y hurley. >> like when it's trash day and than trash are out, the next thing i know, the trash cans are back up against thegarage. then i have to call over there, and i said, was cody here? >> reporter: helping others is something he learned from his dad. prince george county sheriff captain sean davenport. >> my son and i, we would start at our house andou walk throu the neighborhood with the snow blower, then come up and make paths for people t get in and out of their cars. >> reporter: from shoveling snow to taking on some big phejects for hurleys. >> they have some storm damage from the windy and storms and things we had. >> reporter: mrs. hurley told us about these heroes because she said she felt it was important to share a good story about law

enforcement officers and african-americans. i would not igine that anybody would think that automatically would think that it's normal for a white cop to be coming o hr anping out a black family. >> i think it's important for all of us, especially those in law enforcement, to get out of our cars, walk up to t doors,alk to people, have that interaction. >> reporter: they aren't the only blessings in her life. two also installed the ront lamps that's on the front entry door. >> reporter: milton bunch drives more than 100 miles just to come and help the hurley family out with odd jobs. mrs. hurley met milton whiwa he working on a different neighbor's house. >> when you have someone that's older and you know they need a helping hand, take that time to give them a helping hand. >> reporter: it's cle to see there's a lot of love on this street. what do you want people to take away from experience and from this story? >> we can all live together, and he're really kindred. this is what world could be like. this is an example of what it could be like.

so why not try it? when we come back, special delivery. the sweet story behind a little girl's arrival just seconds into girl's arrival just seconds into the new year. people aren't talking about how much girl's arrival just seconds into the new year. money they saved buying giant brand chicken.

they're not talking about how our pre-chopped veggies are perfect time-savers. they're also not talking about our unique assortment of over 1,300 nature's promise items. or our fresh grab and go salads and sandwiches. they're not talking, because they're eating. oh hello, that looks so good. at giant, it's the little things that make meal time easy, so you have more time with the people you love.

tell the truth.dy have you alr broken that new year's resolution? well, we've got some apps that could help you get back on for getting healthy, try a new fitbit. the latest models, the cha e 3 and the versa don't just count step they also track your heart rate and your calorie burn. many offer personalized coaching for you. and for those of you feeling holiday spending hangover, there's an app for that too. >> one of those i like about working with apps in terms of financial goal setting is your data is saves and you can keep using it year after year. >> apps like nerd wallet, inorn, and all provide easy tools to set a budget and to track your spending. good luck with all that. now, while the rest of the world welcomed the new year with reworks displays and champagne

toasts, one local family was rushing tohe hospital. for them, the new year means a new family member. news4's nicoleacobs introduces us to one of the first babies of 2019 born in the orv. >> rr: when a baby says it's time -- >> she was in aush to come for some reason. >> reporter: -- theonctual reasakes a back seat. >> she was just coming too quick. he reporter: and in this case, ringing in new year becomes a party at the hospital. >> this is a blessing. my new year's gift. >> reporter: little malani morales, gracing the world and blessing her parents just 34 seconds after midnht, a little earlier than expected. >> my due date was january 13the >> rep but just in time. >> it's pretty cool that she maf be thest in the dmv area. >> reporter: mom julie and dadl welcomes this tiny miracle. >> she weighed 5 pnds and 15 ounces, 19 inches long. >> reporter: her early arrival surprisinglmost everyone.

>> my mother knew i was going to have her tonight. >> reporter: up unt now, there's been a few sneezes and -- >> mhe's sleepingt of the time. >> reporter: except wran our came were rolling. just a few hours old and already alert,curious, missing not a moment of her 2019 debut. >> special, just finally she's here. >> reporter: she'll join her big sister, who just turned 1 two days before christtts. >> it's p amazing. it's incredible. we're just very happy and blessed, and just really happy that she's healthy. >> reporter: healthy and all of this attention, maybe even a b tired. not surprising after a big new year's day party of sorts. nicole jacobs. news >> now that's how you get things started. that's all for "news4 this week." i'm leon harri we're going to leave you with pictures of new year's celebrations all around the worl thanks for joining us. have a great week.

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a woman says her attempt to escape domestic t violenceurned into a sexual assault at the hands of police. now a local officer is off the job. the government utdown enters the third week today and the president says the shutdown could las months or even years if he doesn't get money for a border wall andore than 500 days away from casting your next presidential llot, the race to the white house seems to be getting underway in iowa. 'm aaron gilchrist. we're looking at one-half of the weekend forecast. it looks pretty nice. it's not the half of the