vortex that's been gripping us all. lauryn ricketts is tracking a warmup for the weekend. good morningoo lauryn. >>d morning, meghan. it is a great morning outeth ie. patches, so i want to go ahead and tell you right now, a youz mas you make out the door, driveways, sidewalks, icy, especially if you didn't treat it. travel on the roadways could be stret treacherous, especially bridges and overpasses. alread morning according to our news partners at wtop due to some of the slick spots out there. just be careful. it is a beautiful morning. we also have a little bit of fog out there, as well. that's starting to burn off. 20 here in d.c. outside the beltway, we have single digitshi mightyy out there. we're warming up today. yesterday, we were in the low to mid 20s. g today, we'ng to be in the low 40s. even by 1:00, we're already in the 30s. a good deal of the morning spent below the freezing mark. again, we'll have some icy

patches out there throughout thf day, especiall those areas that don't get some sunshine. theyro may be stickingd throughout the overnight. nothing on the radar right now. high pressure in chge. if you'r traveling, looking good, at least through our area and downo lanta. in case you're traveling to the super bowl. e have more on our weekend forecast we're warming things up quite a bit. a heat wave coming o a way in few minutes. >> lauryn, thank you. we continue to follow a developing story out of virginia this morning. b majorklash and calls for governor ralph northam to resign over a photo you're about to see. it was taken more than 30 years ago and has suddenly .resurfac the governor admits he is in one of the two pictures here, one of the people you see there. one painted in blackface, the other in a kkk hood and robe. the picture appears in northam's medical school yearbook from 1984. now, he is apologizeor it. >> that photo and the racist and offensive attitudes it

represents does not reflect that person i am today or the way that i have conducted myself as a soldier, a doctor, and a public servant. i am deeply sorry. >> northam gave no sign that he intends to resign. now, many people are questioning the timing of the photo's release, as jackie benson explains, the picture comes out as northam was tching heat from recent comments on abortion. reporter: loudoun count residents and others gathered at the claude moore recreation center isterling for a program titled, a play and conversation on race relations. many learned before 00 p.m. program that ralph noham had become the focus of a national conversation on the same top. >> i think because of his ou ts and ideas on abortion, perhaps interfered with some folks, and somebody let the cat

out of the bag. >> reporter: some we spoke to questioned the timing of the story about the image from 1984 that appeared on northam's p of his medical school yearbook. picture shows one man in blackfac the other in a ku klux klan robes and hood. thstory appeared on "big league politics," founded by former breitbart employees. wo was published days after northam's comments on late-term abortion during a interview on wtop radio, answering a question from news 4's julie carey, provoked a strong backlash from onservative lawmakers and others >> we want the government not to be involved in these types of decisions. we want e decision to be made by the mothers and their providers. this is why, julie, that gislators, most of whom are men, by the way, shouldn't be telling a woman what she shod and shouldn't be doing with her body. >> i'm really interestedo hear more about it, to try to find out, why did this come out now? who is actually in the picture?

what was the reason for this to suddenly get all kinds of attention? is it really tied to what went on down in the legislature this week? >> reporter: chuck todd is nbc's political director and moderator of "meethe press." >> in this environment, in this state, justin fairfax just sitting as the lieutenant governor, w ust walked out on a commemative ceremony for robert e. lee a few weeks back. the meetings of the democratic party are going to struggle to find a wayo stand behind him. >> colleagues to presidential a candidat reacting. virginia democratic senator mark warner and tim kaine called t photo shocking and offensive and said northam should listen to the people he' hurt. they stopped short of calling for his resignation. california democratic senator kamala harris, who is running for president, tweeted,e leader alled to a higher standard. the, quote, stain of racism has no place in government.

she urged the governor to step aside. legislativeinia black caucus really went after mr. northam. the groupccused him of a betrayal and said the pho rips off th skrcabs of the painful history and are, quote,g pierc reminders of america's sin. stay up to date on our coverage of this developing story in our nbc washington app. search northam. s> and new this morning, rescue workersamble to find a woman who drove into the potomac overnight. she was f pulledm the water and rushed to the hospital. sheexpected t eed to be okay. we're told rescuers were set up on columbia island to go out and get the div4: after this morning. police are investigating the crash. right now, they don't know what could have caused the driver to go into the water. and this morning, a woman is recovering after she while holding a child in prince george's county. this was the scene last night in strict heights. police say a man drove with a

oup to this house on senator avenue to b wak upith his girlfriend. th two started fighting. suddenly, someone fired a gun towards the girlfriend. the bullet missed her and struck a relative who was holding a child. they were both rushed to the hospital and are expected to okay. this still is not exactly clear who fired the shot. anyone with information is being asked to call police. meanwhile, police are investigating a suspicious i murd oxon hill. a man was found shot to death side his car, and his killer still on the loose this morning. detectives were called o the scene along deal drive yesterday afternoon. they found the manuffering from gunshot wounds. he was pronounced dead at the scene. police have not released his identity. as the district grapples with a growing homicide rate, mayor bowr announced a new initiative to fight violent crimes. erday, bowser said that washington gas is givingci the $6 million to help in the

fight. she says the money will be used to provide job training to people at high risk. they will also be -- there will also be a new community outreach to stop g vlence before it starts. >> when we connect people to good paying jobs, w can steer them away from crimes of opportunity o economic crimes. >> the money comes from a settlement agreement with the city related to washington gas's recent merger. > and bundling up before heading out is the good idea there.e it is cold out you have to remember, of course, there are people who don't have warm coats. the non-profit cornerstones is partnering with fairfax county supervisor cathy hutchens to distribute free winter wear twice a week. coats, scarves, and gloves are available tuesdayda and thu from 4:00 to 7:00 at the community cente in reston.

>> we have men's, women's, and kids coats available of all sizes at the coat closet.d clients no bring their government id and fill out the forms. the forms collect data for u we can keep our programs running. >> by the way, the group is well ocked, so no additional donations are needed. ithe looks like caps just needed a break to get back to their winning ways. did you see the game last night? game since won a january 10th. that chaooed when they tk the ice against the calvary flames at the cap it wi one arena last night. it was a tight ge at the en w but the caere able to get a goal with,ne minute le to go ahead and win, 4-3, ending a seven-game losing streak, in overtime. gwas there. it was aat game. we're taking a live look at the state capitol in richmond, where controversy is swirling androwing cal for governor ralph northam to resign are growing louder. we are all over this story. we'll have the latght after thbreak. staye w

. we continue to follow t controversy swirling around virginia governor ralph northams long-time n political reporter tom sherwood is here for a closer look at the political fallou of course, we thank tom for joining us. always good to have you on set. good morning. >> a wealth of knowledge you have. >> amazing story. >> it is. just breing lastnight. i think the big question that a lot of people are asking is,lp n northam weather the storm, or does he have to resign? is there any way out for him? >> it looks like it is over for ralph northam. i have my phoneere. i' watching my feed from richmond. i've been talking to people there. it looks lik ralph northam's career is over. will he resign this morning? this afternoon? people were thinking monday morning. i think that's too late.

everyone i've spoken to, elected officials, community leaders, who were more ralph northam when he was elected in 2017, say he nnot overcome this. he can't overcome it. the democratic party is up for election this year. all 140 seats of the legislature, 40n the senate, 40 in the house -- 100 in the house, are all up. all the democrats are within votes of takinover the legislatu legislature. they depend on african-american voters. they cannot have ralph northam leading the charge to take over the legislature. we have -- you've seen all the democratic presidential candidates saying he should resign. >> sure. >> even the former governor. >> right. >> here's the problem, they're not going to campaign in virginia. virginia is a crucial state for the democrats in 2020. al, you have to know why this hurts so much. at is the racist, segregated history of virginia. it was the center of the civil war. in the '50s, massive resistance

again against separation in schools. we have the death of the womuy from the driving the car in charlottesville. there is a terriblehistory. republicans, democrats, all have been trying to overcome. that's why cory stert did so badly in the senate race last year. >> sure. ov >> he didn'tcome that. he stood on history, on the wrong side. all these thing get together and say, ralph northam can't survive this. even though it was 30 something years ago. >> and we've seen tim kaine come out. we've seen mark warner come out. >> that's right, and the attorney genera all democrats. >> we've not heard from the lieutenant governor, justi fairfax. >> this is why -- >> now -- >> yes. th -- should ralph northam not be able to w the storm and he does resign, obviously, lieutenant governor justin fairfax would become the next governor. >> yes. he would serve out the term. wouldn't be temporar >> does he -- how does he handle

this? i mean, does he come out? he has a close relationship with ralph northam. they have a friendship. to this moment, we have not ard fro justin fairfax. what does this mean for him moving forward? how does he have to handle this? >> this is part speculation. the reason you haven't heard from justi fairfax is because, as the lieutenant governor who is going to succeed ralph northam, he is talking,'m sure, to the people he needs to talk to about how he will assume the governorship. we should note, if he does, in fact, beco the governor, he can finish the entire term for ralphnd northam, will still be eligible. there is no succession in virginia. you can only serve one term. in in case, justin fairfax, just elected lieutenant governor a year ago, will be able to serve out the rest of northam's term and run own in 2021.rm on his you wouldn't expect justin -- the lieutenant governor to say

anything. yord also haven't h from somebody else who is very important. that is dougwilder, the first african-american elected governor in the country. he didn't endorse northam in the democratic primary. in hasn't said any either. he advices the lieutenant governor. we haven't heard from someone else, as well, and that ng ssman bobby scott, who is a former state senator. he is very influential around the state. he hasn't saiditanything. says to me, this is, essentially, over. the question is, how is the transition going to occur? >> sure. so many questions. we are running out o time. the other question that a lot of people are wondering is how is this just now coming out, when he ran against, you know, ed gillespie. race.s a contentious be it as it may, it is out there. it looks like northam's time is running out. >> when he was statese tor,

ran for lieutenant governor, when he's done all these things, how the opposition fromoris own partopponents, how was this not known? >> >> it's remarkable. i'm sure we're not far from an announcement. >> e have crews inrichmond, virginia, standing by, when and should an announcement come out. of course, we uncouraencourage stay with us on news 4. we'll have the latest for you as it breaks. tom sherwood, thank you for oining us. always good the syou. live look outside. good news, lauryn ricketts says temperatures are rising. she'll have a detailed forecast she'll have a detailed forecast for you c om switch to fios and get entertainment delivered to your home like no one els because fios is a 100% fiber-optic network.

that means you'll get the fastest internet available and fios tv one with amazing 4k capability, and an advanced voice remote. and now we'll give you a netflix premium plan for a full year. so you can stream your favorite netflix shows and movies in 4k on 4 devices at once. already have netflix? we'll cover the cost for one year. just switch for 79.99 a month with a two-year agreement and get fios gigabit connection with tv and phone with a 2-year price guarantee. and not only will you get a netflix premium plan on us for a year, you'll be able to find netflix in the fios channel guide and use the advanced voice remote to launch netflix and easily find all the channels,movies and shows you love. when you think about it, there are so many entertaining reasons to switch to fios. 100% fiber-optic network. 100% phenomenal. go to getfios.com today.

d.c.the chairman of the council says he wants to toughen the district's laws to mak it easier for renters to get relief from problems with mold. the i-team began digging into the lack of enforcement against landlords. shows us theer problem and potential fix. >> it's been difficu for my ildren to understand this. >> mold was found on the the ceiling. >> parts look like a petri dish. >> she had to move her children and their dog out of their

northwest apartment and into this hotel, as they for repairs. >> we're at the mercy of people doing their job. >> reporter: d.c. officials said mold is one of the top rental concerns. in014, they passed a law requiring landlords to send a licensed inspector. when mold spreads more than 10 square feet, it gives them 30 days to get it fixed. the i-team found there is little lyforcement of the law when landlords don't co >> hundreds of individuals walk in to legal aid with housing conditions inkues. i t it is fair to say that half of them have some concern about mold or mildew in their unit. >> reporter: harrison oversees the housing law unit for legal aid of washington. while d.c. has done more than most when it comes to requiring landlords to address mold, it should require an agency t enforce the law. right now, the only remedy for tony people is to go to court. >> that's very haro if you don't have the money to get access to a lawyer. gy reporter: plus, the department of ennd

environment licenses mold inspectors but doesn't conduct inspections.f the departmentnsumer and regulatory affairs which oversees violations cites ha problemscause mold, not for mold itself. >> it should be an easier process fotenants. >> reporter: after the i-team contacted d.c. council chairman phil mendelson, he promised to introduce legislation to make it required that inspectors become mold certifie ndlords would have to submit reports, proving the mold is gone, and the district would ha the power to fine landlords who don't. >> in any view, courts are the last resort. courts are the hammer forhen the administrative process doesn't work. >> reporter: monique was eventually able to find a new a apartmen she hopes the new law will help keep other tenants from going through what she did. >> it is a situation where people are really left in limbo. >> repter: there is so much expense for renters stuck in this situation. th cost of moving, replacin all your contaminated furniture, the cost of an attorney. the council chairman hopes the new law will force landlords to

fix the problem before it comes to that.in he plans toduce his new bill next week. jodie fleischer, news 4 i-team. >> is this story started with a tip to the i-team. if you havehe something should be checking into, visit our nbc washington app and send them the details. you can send your story there. they're always looking for new stories to follow.t. all ri we need some good news, i think. >> yes. >> we've had a lot going on this morning. it looks like, while it is chilly now, things are going to warm up in. >> finally good news in the weather department. we got the snow yesterday. we had anywhere from a coating up to 3 inches of snow. it's crazy. >> it was crazy. >> the snow showers that weren't supposed to produce much proded a lot over the area. finally, quiet conditions. >> thank goodness. the polar vortex, neverngeen anytike that. >> yeah. you know, little pieces of it can just kind of, once it becomes unstable, can sink right down into the region. that'st we got.

it sunk from the north to the south and allowedhe cold air to spill right across the united states. we tapped into it. of wcourse, weren't as cold as areas to the midwest. there.e still chilly out now, we are warming up. look, it is a beautiful view out there. early this morning, the sun came up just about an hour and a half ago. we'll have plenty of sunshine out there today. s howevell going to need the snow boots out there today. gear.nte tomorrow, just a light jacket. by monday, no jacket. by tuesy, break out the shorts, the flip-flops, . sunglass it is going to be rather warm as we get into early next week. not warm out there right now. eens and res in the 20s at this point. headed to around 40 degrees today. watchut for icypots out there. my friends at wtop are telling me there are icy spots oth e. be careful. listen, with the icy spots, with the salt wead out this week, go ahead, no rain is coming until wednesday, so i'd go ahead and wash that car. as for your radar, nothing

happening. no rain today. no rain tomorrow. we are dry this weekend, thank goodness. temperatures tomorrow, 10 degrees above where we are today. we'll be in the low 50s for daytime highs tomorrow. mid 50s by monday. could have p.m. sprinkles. by tuesday, we're dry again. ok at the temperature on tuesday, low 60s. wednesday will be ourransition day. only in the 40s with rain possible wednesday night. chances of rain on thursday and friday. we warm back up. back in the 40s for saturday a sunday. we've got more news on the other side of this bak. side of this bak. we'll rese geico makes it easy to get help when you need it. with licensed agents available 24/7. it's not just easy. it's having-a-walrus-in-goal easy! roooaaaar!

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he's known as the french spiderman. he is especially famous with police. hi this happened earlier week in the philippines. that's alain robert, cembing up ide of a 47-story building, with no safety eqpepment. le in this building, of course, they were, like, what the heck is happening here? robert rarely gets permission to make these claims. he was quickly arrested aft climbing down from the building. was it worth it, robert? anyway, even if you're not that into football, there is something for you on super bowl sunday, like the sup by bowl xv. one dog from here in alexandria willele taking the pirate is a 19-week-old english spaniel. the puppy bowl airs at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon on animal

planet. if you want to get inthethe spiritre is a viewing party at wag and brew in al saexandri: from 2:00 to00 p.m. a halftime show will be performed by cats. i'm a cat girl. live look outside, yeah, it is chilly temperatures are going to be rising. we might be talking 60s. lauryn ricketts will be back to let us know. stay wh us.it