it is 4:00 a.m. i'm aaron gilchrist. >> i'm molette green in for eun yang. we're looking at a much calmer morning right ow. here's a live look outside. the powerful storms that knocked over trees and pulled down power lines have moved out. right now, there are a stillbout 20,000 customers still without power in our region. >> we're going tokeep checking on that, tracking it all. melissa mollet also has an eye on theroads. storm team 4 meteorologist chuck skll has an eye on the >> improving weather picture is when i see. i think you're going to appreciate the way your friday afternoon finishes out and the way yourliday weekend gets started. that severe weather threat from yesterday came in here pretty much right on time betweenan 3:

5:00. now this morning, skies are starting to clear out a bit. thecooler air and the less humid air hasn't really settled yet. winds have not turned to the oonorthwest. l at the numbers, still 77 in leesburg. 72 washington. 72 prince george's county. ri74 in fredecksburg. it is still a very warm and somewhat humid start to the day. temperatures will continue to fall bween now and about 7:00 or 8:00 i the moeving. most erybody should end up below 70 degrees just after the sun comes up. there will b a nice recovery today. the northwe wind will push the humidity away. and other than a few fair weather clouds, it will be ar pectly sunny afternoon. daytime high around 80 to 86 degrees. the weekend, as i mentioned, goi to be a beautiful start. there's a whole lot of heat and humidity coming. we'll talk about that coming up. thank you. silver spring outer loop after georgia avenue, left shoulder blacked by a tractor-trailer crash. it was partially blocking the

area it had jackknifed. left shoulder is the only thing being impacted. you see on the map no major issues with the res of the beltway. 66 looks good, so does 95 in virginia, northbound, southbound, no worries. 270, nothing in your way. the bay bridge nice and clear. eastbound have a crash, westbound, though, on50. aaron? >> thank you. 4:02. we have continuing coverage onhose fast-moving storms that swept through the area yesterday. cleanup is underway in howard county where the national weather service confirmed a down.do did touch you can see some of the damage there on the area where 29 and 32 meet in columbia. a tree sliced rhht through t house from the roof to the ground floor. the good news is nobody the was hurt. the fast-moving storms leaving behind a trail of damage in the disteect. this ent down on to a home on 18th place in southeast. neighbors tell us the storms were so strong the building

began to shake. the woman who lives next door says she feared for her life. >> i didn't know whether it was going to take my life or not. very i was praying to god that i make it out of there. >> the homeowner said the tree had been leaned, and that she utlled d.c. officials abo it two weeks ago. no one lives in the home, but two merk were wog inside at the time. they were not hurt. not even the national mall could avoid damage. powerful wind kiscked over tree in west potomac park near the jefferson memorial. itrt blocked pa of the road for drivers there. joggers, walkers, and cyclists had to g around the damage, too. storm team 4 chief meteorologist doug kammerer says don't be surprised if you see weather officials on the mall today checking to see if a tornado touchede.own the the weather also shut down roads in arlington overnight. this is glebe road. power outages knocked out traffic lights in parts of this area. closures are also expected into this morning's commute between route 50 and henderson road. and on several spots throlehout e highway, including between

john marshall drive and no ingham. be sure to give yourself plenty of time onhe way into work this morndg. an that system already did some serious damage to other parts of the country before it hit us. billion two dozen people were hurt when a tornado hit jeffersocity, missour it was about this time yesterday when we were seeing our first glimpses of the devastation there. three peoe were killed in golden city, missouri. we'll have much more on the severe weather later thos here on "news4 today." this reminder, any time there is bad weathr in our area, have your nbc washington app -- i know i pulled mine out soon as my phone started screaming that emergency alert a little before 4:00. we'll send breaking news alerts as well as watches and warninge as the issued for your bo ood. today traffic could be worse than yesterday as people head out of town for memorial day weekend. a live look at the bay bridge. in a few hours, this will be nothing but ostand-go traffic. if you're heading outf town

today, you'll want to get on the road before 10:00 this moning. >> that's the magic time. maryland and virginia are lifting construction-related lane closures thrwegh the kend to free up space on the roads. the worst traffic will come on memorial day itself. that's as people head bck home. it could take you three times longer to get home than usual bause of the extra cars. if you plan to drive on monday, avoid leaving between 3:45 and 5:45 p.m. and follow first 4 traffic on twitter for the latest on accidentsndshutdowns. this morning, 11 people are indicted for thef murder o 10-year-old makiyah wson after four additional suspects were charged yesterday. wilson was killed in july of 2018 while going to buy i e cream her northeast d.c. neighborhood. we've also learned that wilson's murder has been linked to a second murder in27. surveillance video shows the scene where carl hardy was shoto and killedside the potomac gardens housing complex in

southeast. the indictment says all the co-defendants were part of a street gang, and both murders were related to gang disputes. all the defendants pleaded not guilty. this morning, new video of a man who police say is dangerouse and could striagain. police released video of a person of interest in two rape and burglary cases in northwest. the man's wearing a hoodie and riding a bike, as you can see. detectives say he is suspected of attacking two women in their homes on irvg and 16th streets on tuesday and thursday. police say in both cases the attacker broke in basement windows. in one case, an air conditioner was removed. in the other, a screen was removed. neighbors, they're now.rned >> we look around and see a lot of development happening. but our neighborhood is not completely safe. if you live in a basement unit, you need to make sure your doors are locked. you know, you got to be safe. got to makeourself a hard target. >> here's another look at the

person of interest. there is a,0 00 reward for informationhat is leads to an arrest andconviction. harvey weinstein has reached a alnttive de withom ten who accused him of sexual assmelt and harasst. the "wall street journal" first reduced that the disgraced hollywood producer is expected to pay up to $44 million. s.0 million will go to his alleged victim some of that money would also go to former employees of his production company before it ear.d bankruptcy last the deal comes more than a year and a half since women first started accusing him of sexual misconduct. weinstein denies all allegations of non- conseconsensual sex. away are about 24 hours from a majortr meo rail shutdown. that's expected to impact thousands of riders for months. you take a look, every station eagan national airport on the blue and yellow lines will be closed so that metro can repair platforms. metro will have free shuttles to move passengers between those closed metro stations.

the shutdown is expected to last until september. 8th for more options to get around, go to the nbc washington app ana sch "metro shutdown." there is a major shakeup on the metro board. d.c. councilman jack evans is epping down as the board's chair. he's been under scrutiny for potential ethics olations. ng's accused of sending business proposals offeri his experience as metro board chair and ward two council member to sector.ed in the private he did not say his resignation is related, only that it is time r a new board chair. more federal funding could be on the way for metro. senators from maryland and virginia introduced a new bill yesterday that would provide at ast $1.5 billion over the next ten years. it's the same commitment congress made ten years ago. but this year t money runs out. under the bill, the government would continue to provide $150 million a year as it has been. it also includes an additional

$50 million a year if metro meets certainly safety requirements. happening today, motorcycle riders wil kick off the final year of an annual memorial day weekend that division here in our region. this weekend, members of the rolling thunder will drive into the rict to honor military veterans and those missing in actio later toda bikers will gather at the washington national cathedral for the blessing of the bikes. the event's founder announced aast year that this would be the final national ry due to rising costs. several roads will be closed for the event. you can more more in the nbc washington app. only on news4, we've learned cracks are forming on the world war ii memorial in the district. site on the national mall is just 15 years old. a 20-foot crack formed on the main pillar on the atlantic half of the memorial. several -- several others have surfaced on the pillar for the district of columbia. the national parks service says it's not a safety hazard, but it

fixed. about -- but it must be fixed. about five million people visit a year. >> we want to see our agreement monuments to our people of sacrifice for so many years to keep going and be a beautiful place for team tope -- for ople to come and remember. >> the park service ordered an, is semt -- an assessment to dett how likely is to happen again. here's an end document to pay for structural -- endowment to pay for structural problems. learning more about the alleged racist attack against jussie smollett. plus, the long weekend is just about here. news4's tommy mcfly has the rundown of some wild fun in and around d.c. for the holiday. and good morning, everyone. finally some cooler, less humid

air is on the way. it hasn't arrived just yet, b i think you'll love your friday. the memorial day weekend holiday itself looks like heat and humidity are on the way. the five-day fo you know when yo..re at ross and you find.hmmm. ...at a price that has you, like... okay. that's yes for less. say yes to the latest spring trends at 20 to 60 percent off department store prices every day. at ross. yes for less.

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there's been an turn in actor jussie smollett's criminal case. to illinois judge is ordering the s case to be unsealed following oral arguments that the documents should be public recorwa. smollett arrested for filing a false police report claiming he was the victim of a hate crime back in january. all 16 charges against smollett weredater pped. and on the same day they were dropped, smollett's defense team asked that the recds be sealed. the district attorney says t ocuments will be released by june 3rd. many companies are testing out autonomous or driverless cars across the country. check this out from earlier thie k -- our news partners at wtop posted this video of a full-sized vehicle driving with a remote driver. this was along the i-95 express lane in virginia. wtop says the driver at trans urban in alexandria used cell phone data networks to monitor and operate the car and that the backup driver did not need to

take control at any point. aaron, at any point. >> no. >> still nervous about it. >> using cell phones -- you drop a call and suddenly nothing's driving the car. i'll pass. c>> from the wound to achieving an academifeat. twins who share everything will shouldn'ting sharing the -- will sooning sharing the story -- soon beharing t honor. the sisters were called to the principal's office, didn't know why. thas when they received the news they had matching gpas, the highest in the school. >> 4.31111. just a coincidence -- really crazy coincidce. >> yeah. we just took all the same classes andot good grades. >> the twinning doesn't stop there. they went to prom together, and the girls have scholarships for college, and are going to the same school. the universityf maryland.

alic alexis plans to study mechanical engineering and the same for makayla. w they're focused on writing their speech for graduation on tuesday. >> i love that. getting to a whole new level. >> good for them. if you're not among the many who hit -- who will be hitting the road for the holiday weekend, there's plenty to do around town. >> news4's tommy mcfly has some suggestions throughout the dmv for your weekend. >> reporter: wine, celebrities, and a.c. slater, we've got it allr your weekend. in montgomery county, tarara celebrating 30 years thisia memorl day weekend with live music, plenty of food, and tours inside their wine cave. >> this saturday we have the best cover band in the washington, d.c., area. the show starts at 6:00 p.m. gates open at 5:00 p.m. they'll be ready to rock it out. >> reporter: they open a chardonnay they've bee saving for just this occasion. tonight at decades, a.c. slater,

mario lopez of "saved by the bell" fame, will be hosting a flashback dance party. adults only. it starts late, begins at t10:0. on sunday more than 2,000 families will be lining up and hitting the course for the michael morbidity euro defeat dipg sprint and 6k. i'll be hosting as we try to fight childhood brain cancer. it's cool. if you time it right on the course, you're running over top of the beway as rolling thunde thundersmbers are making their way down beli'w. tommy mcfly with what's up for the weekend on news4. >> we put more in the nbc washington app. and can hear more from tommy on "thenommy show" the minneapolis that starts at 7:00 -- the that starts at 7:00 every

morning. >> quite terrifying storms. >>ot suddenly it dark. at 3:30, it was pitch black in my apartment. then i'm in the pitch black -- >> reallare? when my alarm screams, i don't -- >> you don't want to be near the doors or windows. don't want to be outside. ferocious wion gusts. natial airport had a 67 mile-per-hour gust.ts and gus measured or 60 miles per hour on the national mall,a well. quite the blast from mother nature. it was in and out of here i the blink of an eye. w itas storming as hard as it could between 3:30 and 4:00. at least we had aet qui finish to the day. it's been relatively quiet. a stray shower or two, but it's remained mild.ra temperes way up into the 60s and 70s this morning. i promise you a northwesterly breeze is on the way. it will take all humidity out of here which is the good news. your planner then for the long

holiday weekend, today breezy nd 83. great weather tomorrow. there will be buildng humidity monday.ay and that could lead to a chance for a shower and thunderstorm. the planner today, nothing to worry about. northwest winds increasing to about 15 to 25 mile-per-hour range during the middle of the afternoon. not really want to have to deal with the breeze, but you'll be able to feel the humidity t draining of the atmosphere. that will be nice. the big picture, rage of high pressure d-n to our a ridge of high pressure down to the south. he storminess and humidity is riding the top of the ridge. as the rege moves in, w get on the cool northwest side of it ytoday. todaeally nice. tonight super comfortable. tomorrow, as well. as the front settles down just to the south. however, that warm front comes back over us saturday night. that means a humidity more and enough of it on sunday. chance for a shower and thunderstorm. same story on monday. not quite a hot as it will be on sunday. tuesday may be the beginning of

a very hot stretch that will continue into the middle of flex week. more about that with the ten-day forecast coming up. for now, let's go to traffic. good morning. looking at the bay bridge. eastbhind, westbound, everytng nice and clear. if you're headed out, remember to travel really early in the morning or late at night. perhaps get the kiddos to sleep in the car.g, silver sprinouter loop after georgia avenue, left shoulder still blocked by the tractor-trailer crash from earlier. it was jackknifed an partial blocking some lanes there. they now have all of that on the shoulder. that, of course, is great. taking a look at merryfield, right lane gets by. 66 and 95 looking quite good. to 270 now, southbound, frederick down to the spur, 67 miles per hour gets you there in 27 minutes. aaron? >> all right. thank you. it 4:20 right now. just as millions get ready for a barbecue, a national meat company is issuing a massive recall. to know ls you need before stocking the fridge up

next. plus -- >> reporter: it's that time of year. the ticks are out in full force. coming up, i'll tell you what you can do to avoid them, and what you should do if you are bitn by a tick.

no4:23 we turn to a health alert that could affect what you cook over the memorial day weekend. the usda saro au packing

company is recalling thousands of raw beef products due to a possible e. coli contamination. the recalled products include short ribs, ribeyes, and brisket. all packaged on april 19th. they have an establishment number 788. you can find t number inside the usda mark of gypspection. we're told -- inspection. e're told there have been flow confirmed reports of people getting sick. it's a bug that can give you a life-changing disease withoutr you eveeally knowing anit. d as summer approaches, you really haveto watch >> we're talking about ticks here. they're so small, you probably rarely notice them. as megan mcgrath reports, you tiny never ignore these bugs. this area, this is where ticks are going to be questing. they're going to be up on the grasses. they're going to have their arms out, front legs, waiting for something to come by so they can latch on. >> reporter: yep, tick season is in full swing. and the pesky bugs can make you

sick. transmitting lyme disease and other infections. what can you do to protect yourself? well, first of all, try to avoid them. stick to the trail and avoid high grass and brush. wear long pants and >> if we're going to go into the weeds, the next thing we're going to do -- light colored clothing, we're going to take our pant leg, we're going to do the geek thing, put it down here intoe sock. >> reporter: be sure to use bug repellant. there are a lot of different kinds out there, but deet works best on skin. and use permethrin on clothing. if you spent time outdoors, check for ticks. i pull this one off myself last week. next to the dime you get a feel for how small it is. don't forget to inspect the dog. ticks canhitch aide on fido and end up in your house. if you do find a tick, remove it immediately. getting it off within 24 hours ontractingur risk of a disease. >> you've got a tick, you want

to take the forceps, get as close as you can, slow, gentle pull, out it comes, boom. >> repot,er: once ou save the tick and have it identified and tested. find a testing lab on line. the university of maryland has teamed up with the health department. you pay the postage, and they'll analyze your tick for free. megan mcgrath, "news4today." >> uh. >> i found a tick on me a few years ago. i pulled over to help somebody on the side of the road, the i next morn got it, it was on my chest. i freaked and yanked it.la ter you learn that you're get sed to make sure you the legs, the -- >> the head out. >> the head. >> yeah. >> i thout -- it was a rough day. >> and y?u're ok >> i'm still here. >> okay. that's true. >> i made it. >> terrified of that. i just stay outf the wooded areas. >> see, that's my new line of thinking. 4:26. new this morning, the future of the internet launched into outer space overnight. we'll tell yous what' inside

this spacex rock t. and as the memorial day weekend kicks off, the summer travel seon, we are working 4 you revealing the best days to book the flight for your next tri huck? time for your dog-walking forecast. this is sparkl three months old. cute puppy breath still. nways so nice. temperatures stillr 70 here this morning. so a mild and somewhat warm start to the day. urning breezy and falli humidity during the afternoon. going to be a spectacular friday evening for a nice long walk with yur pup. py

new this morning, a frightening robbery caught on camera. a man pulls a gun on a person trying to f l up hisr and then gets away. this is a live look at the bay bridge. not tooople headed to the beach just yet this morning. before you hit the road, we check trouble spots and gas priceon and a l day of cleanup awaits people across our region. at least one tornado touched down