the temperatures will be dropping throughout the afternoon. wintry mifnl possible for wednesday night into thursday. main some snow north and west of town but no major accumulations. here's monika with your traffic. >> thank you so much, anny. we're going to go to some video of an accident from last night in bowie on route 3 at route 450. this accident involves this tractor trailer carrying 9,000 gallons of fuel, a box truck and a car. luckily, there were no major injuries. the cleanup has taken all night. about 84 crew involved in the cleanup from overnight. again, the video from last night in bowie on route 3. let's take a live look now from sky 9. they have made progress. the good news is route 3 southbound was reopened at about 5:32 this morning at route 550. you're good to go there. northbound, they're still trying to open up the lanes between route 50 and route 450. i'll keep you posted on the situation here in bowie. this is a live look from sky 9.

let's go around town. here's what it looks like at the 14th street bridge on the eastbound side of the freeway at the third street tunnel, watch out for accident activity. it is not affecting the 14th street bridge as of yet trying to get on to the freeway. this goes from landmark up toward seminary road. 66 on the inbound side, your usual slowdowns in manassas, centreville, route 50 off and on to the beltway. andrea, back to you. thank you, monika. in just a few hours, jack johnson will learn his nate. the former prince george's county executive will be sentenced for taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. former prosecutor and now 9news now legal analyst jim shallick is here to tell us what we can expect. jim, good to see you here this morning. court at 9:30. judge peter massetti. johnson has pleaded guilty to extortion and witness and evidence tampering, faces the maximum of 14 years. will he get it?

>> i think he will. he has used prince george's county as his own private atm. the government says he's taken $400,000 to a million dollars in bribes from day one. he used his job as county executive to rip off the people to take bribes and to put money in his and his wife's pocket. he was the state's attorney. he was the prosecutor of prince george's county, prosecuting people for what he did. very offensive. >> very offensive. so, what will happen in court today? is this a proceeding where both sides have to make their case for the maximum sentence against getting the maximum sentence? >> the government will outline the corruption, the graph, the bribes and the defense will outline his history of 30 years as a lawyer, prosecutor, charitable work and they'll try to impress the judge about his background and he doesn't deserve all of this time

because he has led a very exemplary life. >> he was the county prosecutor. does that take into effect where he might be sentenced and sent to prison? because he did put away some bad guys. >> federal prison is not as harsh as maryland state prisons. but he will get a very lengthy sentence. that will put him in at least a medium security prison because of the length of the sentence. >> his wife is facing sentencing on friday before the same judge. how much time do you think she might get for her role? >> she faces 18 month bees in jail. i would expect she will get the maximum for hiding the money and destroying evidence and making his scheme work. she was a former federal administrative judge. she knew what she was doing. i would expect her to get the maximum. >> after he is sentenced, will he go directly to prison? >> yes. the defense may try to allow him to surrender at a later date but he's known this is coming so i would expect the judge to lock him up today.

>> jim shall he can, thank you for being here with us. sources tell 9 thus now that d.c. councilman harry thomas may be taking a leave of absence soon. his home was raided by the fbi last week. he's accused of taking nearly $300,000 in money that was meant for kids sports programs and then diverting it into an account for his personal use. he denies doing anything wrong but he says he will pay the money back. council chair kwame brown says he will have a face-to-face meeting with thomas. >> protestors calling for more jobs and unemployment benefits will be heading to capitol hill today. organizers are calling the event take back the capitol. but they're not part of the occupy movement. this group is called our d.c. they're on the national mall and they want more jobs here in the district. these protestors do not want to be confused with occupy protestors who are camping out at mcpherson square. >> we're not about balance.

you know. we're not about hurting anybody. >> the our d.c. group has a permit to be on the mall through the week. they have invited the people from the occupy d.c. protests to join them on their march on capitol hill today. in just a few hours, we'll get the final report on the 2010 west virginia mine disaster. it will say poor maintenance and a failed emergency system led to the tragedy. 29 men died last year when an explosion tore through the upper big branch coal mine. the mine safety administration says poorly maintained machines caused a spark and that spark ignited gas in the mine. and water sprayers which could have dampened the fire didn't work. >> 6:06. jessica doyle is here with another "your money" report. >> one of the hottest jobs in the country is one of the hardest to obtain. >> the unemployment rate for this job has been offering between 2% and 4%. if you can do the job, you can write your ticket. but at some schools around the

country, only a small percentage of student moss enter an engineering program actually graduate with a degree. the problem is the classes are really, really hard. 22% of students choose a stem major, science, technology, engineering or math at some point in their college career but only 14% finish school with the degree. but putting in the time and the hard work really has its advantages. "time" magazine says eight of the ten undergraduate degrees that pay out the most are engineering degrees. eight out of ten. the other two were math and computer science and pharmaceutical science and administration. well, we told you about all of the people who signed up with the credit union after the new debit card fees were revealed. there is an oops with some of the numbers. last month, the credit union national association reported credit unions had added 650,000 new members. turns out the numbers were more like 200,000. there is a survey problem. still looking at a couple of

factors that membership is at 75% through september and october. >> so, you know, still a lot of -- >> still enough to put some concern in the minds of traditional bankers. >> absolutely. >> i bet it continues. >> main not at that rate but i'll bet it continues. >> thanks, jess. >> we'll get a preview of some restoration work set for the main hall. the hall was damaged in last august's earthquake. some pieces of ceiling tile came down. you can see holes in the creeling from the main hall. project organizers say the hall is in need of other maintenance. they promise to minimize the work's impact on commuters. >> there is a hall but there is a mall there, too. in four minutes, president obama will be hitting the road today. we'll tell you about that and his case for extending the payroll tax cuts. >> details on what could be the start of a soggy middle of o our week.

mild, if not balmy start out there. light jack. currently, it is cloudy.

55 degrees. got some light, scattered showers on and off throughout the afternoon today. we'll talk more about your full forecast with howard. here is monika with your traffic. good morning. >> good morning, anny. we'll take a live look from sky 9 at an overnight accident over on route 3 at route 450 in bowie. right now, the southbound lanes have been reopened. northbound remains blocked. i'll keep you posted on this situation coming up in my next report. back to you, andrea and mike. >> thanks, monika. president obama is getting involved in a debate over whether to extend the payroll tax cuts. he's calling on republicans and democrats to extend the break. >> it is estimated to save the average american family $1,000 a year. as tara mergener reports, the big question, of course, is how to pay for it. >> reporter: president obama heads to america's heartland this morning to continue fighting for an extension of payroll tax cuts. he'll visit kansas where he's expected to call this a make-or- break moment for the middle

class. >> my message to congress is this. keep your word to the american people. and don't raise taxes on them right now. now is not the time to put on the brakes. now is the time to step on the gas. >> monday, the president urged republicans to extend the popular cuts before they expire at the end of the month. the white house says the average family would have to pay another $1,000 a year in taxes if congress doesn't act. >> there aren't many folks either in the middle class or those trying to get into the middle class who can afford to give up $1,000. >> president obama supports democrats who want to scale back part of the proposal but he still insists the nation's wealthiest americans should help pay for it. >> it is bad economic policy, it is bad tax policy. >> while some republicans back an extension, they argue a tax hike on millionaires wouldn't -- >> it would very much hurt small business and job creation. >> with time running out, the obama administration has put up

countdown clocks in the white house briefing room, at its web sites, ticking away the days until the cuts expire. tara mergener, 9news now. the president is also asking congress to extend long- term unemployment benefits. they're set to expire december 31st as well. all right. howard bernstein is standing by. we call this extra big weather today because word has a big coat on, too. >> where are you? >> i'm at the ice exhibit. this is the seasonal exhibit at the gaylord national. i'm in the nativity room. it is gorgeous. it is all clear. it is crystal clear ice here. as you look around the exhibit, the nativity scene, we have workers actually touching up the scene because this place is open how many days? >> through january 8th, over 50 days. >> the exhibit has to be maintained. >> right. it is on a show. this is one of our chinese ice

carvers. they do this daily. they'll come in and retouch the sculptures to keep them crisp looking. >> there is a word that happens. >> subligation. >> -- sublimation. over time, the sculptures will start to melt and evaporate into the air. they'll come every single morning before we open the attraction and retouch each of the carvings. >> i love here in the clear ice room, the blocks of ice how they're put on top of each other. that gives you an idea, they stack them and carve them and that's why it is so cold in here. hence, the big, blue parka. temperatures hover at about 10, 11 degrees. they give you the parkas, i would still bring gloves and earmuffs. it is a gorgeous thing to undertake. it is far from cold outside. it is balmy. we're well above our normal average already. average high is above 50. low 60s this afternoon.

it won't be raining all day. we'll have showers here and there. main some will pick up this afternoon. this morning, we're looking at the activity north and west of washington. northern fairfax county over to great falls up around the potomac and frederick counties. you see it there from winchester across through barryville and route 7 headed into northern loudoun county and up around frederick. scattered light showers, a couple inside the beltway. let's show you what's happening with temperatures. they're warm. 55. we dropped a little bit in town. 61 in fredericksburg. 54 winchester. gaithersburg, 58. storm system is coming in several waves. heavier showers in southwestern virginia, extreme southern west virginia. those will roll over the next few hours. while we may get lulls, may get a heavy shower pushing through. definitely see how we're going to have the activity coming in waves at times. here we are this morning. waves of moisture and rain.

later this afternoon, a lull as we put the first wave past us. tomorrow, stronger area of low pressure comes with rain which will change to a little bit of snow north and west by tomorrow night. main as we get into wednesday night, you might be seeing some of that west of 81. conversational flake or two closer to home here before this thing pulls away. let's show you the seven-day forecast with temperatures which are going to be in the 60s today are. they'll cool into the 50s tomorrow. i expect temperatures. thursday, clearing. breezy, colder in the mid-40s. by friday, we're near 50 degrees. chilly with temperatures in the 40s. should be sunny and dry. absolutely gorgeous to look at the home of the crystal clear ice here of the nativity scene. carver just brushes it up and makes sure it is good to go for the next set of visitors. monika samtani, is it as pretty on the roads this morning? >> no. i think you're at the prettier

spot this morning. we'll take a live look at an overnight accident here in bowie on route 3 at route 450. as you can see, southbound lanes are getting through. that reopens at about 5:32 this morning. it was closed since 9:30 last night. northbound lanes remain blocked between route 50 and route 450 on the northbound side of route 3. keep that in mind for your travel plans traveling here into bowie. we'll keep you posted on this situation. let's take a look at a map to give you some perspective of where this is. route 3 northbound remains blocked between route 450 here and route 450. let's take you outside live. route 4, pennsylvania avenue at the beltway. everything is fine but getting to that point, northbound on route 4 at dour house road. beltway at the american legion bridge, everything is fine across the bridge span. on the outer loop of the parkway, word of a car fire in

the left lane. we'll take another look around the area at 6:25. >> thank you, monika. time to show off some of the morning lights. your morning lights! all month long, we're highlighting your displays. we're going inside to the home of phyllis and glen. they have a christmas village of get this, 162 of those houses and that's not even half of them. i would like to take special note of glen's face in this picture. he doesn't look as if he's very happy to be there. they live in walkersville, maryland. i joke, i think that will be maggie and me in years to come. >> he's happy because phyllis is happy. >> we want to show off your holiday spirit. send us a photo or video. the e mail address is lights at wusa9.com. you can post photos and videos to our facebook page. be sure to include your name and where you live and go ahead, it is ok to smile in the picture. >> we're glad you par took,

glen. >> next in sports, two redskins are about to get suspended. the capitals are about to get new rivals. >> it is time for another check on our question of the morning. people who do each of these activities every day get better sleep. >> is it a, work out. b, clean their bedroom or c, watch little to no tv. >> our facebook friend says clean nonclutterred room will help you relax and wake up to a clean and nonclutterred mind.

and even though you do what you can to take care of it,

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good morning. time now, 6:23 on your truce morning. grab your umbrella as you're heading out the door. no need for the winter coat. it is a mild if not warm start to the tuesday morning. here's a look at your doppler radar. areas of scattered showers

going through gaithersburg, leesburg, generally north and west of town. even out toward winchester, again, it is scattered. we'll see some lulls in the rain activity today. should be fairly light. day planner for the rest of today, low 60s to mid-60s for your highs. here's andrea. >> the capitals showed some fight last night but in the end, same old result. >> yes, another one goal loss for washington. caps were visiting the division-leading panthers last night. florida scored early and often. taking a 3-0 lead 16 minutes into the game. the caps fought back. from a four goal deficit with less than 2:00 remaining. jason scored but that's as close as it would get. caps have lost five of their last six. nhl, the realignment would

put the capitals in the same group with the hurricanes, the devils, the islanders, the flyers and the penguins. the new set-up should begin next fall. >> the 'skins lorenzo alexander may have said it best. the suspected suspension of two players for drug use adds to the redskins drama. the league is expected to -- expected to suspend tight end davis and williams for the remainder of the season. espn reports the two failed tests for recreational drug use right after the lockout ended. they're considered repeat offenders so this will get four game bans which means the rest of the season. monday night football, san diego visiting jacksonville. chargers quarterback rivers made fantasy owners happy. he threw for three touchdown passes and 298 yards. chargers win and they stay close in the afc west race. up next, it is about a mile and a half long and 12 feet wide. and it means relief for drivers

on i-66. >> one local community's holiday display includes a santa skeleton on a crucifix? learn how some people are reacting. >> quick check on the commute. >> we've been updating you all morning long about an accident on bowie at route 3 at 450. northbound lanes remain closed between route 50 and 450. i'll update you again coming up. you're watching 9news now. stay with us. [ screaming ]

[ zapping ] there goes dwayne's car. oh, man. there goes dwayne's house. whoa! whoa! and there goes dwayne. man, that thing does not like dwayne. [ male announcer ] state farm's got you covered. nice landing. it was. [ male announcer ] get to a better state.

>> i'm at the ice exhibit at the gaylord national here at national harbor. inside, madagascar on ice. it is 10 degrees inside this exhibit at 6:43, i'll take a ride on the ice slide. we'll have the full seven-day forecast. right now, we go over to anny hong to tell you about what you can expect for today. >> mild start out here. we're seeing some light rain falling. i've got my umbrella out. you'll need it all day today. we're expecting some off and on showers throughout the afternoon. here is a look at your live doppler 9000 hd. got some light rain going through right now. it is not widespread. you can see around gaithersburg and leesburg into charlestown getting some light, scattered showers. what can you expect for the

rest of today? well, temperatures will start out mild. right now, 55 degrees. we'll see temperatures topping out in the low to mid-60s. monika has your traffic. good morning, monica. >> good morning, anny. we'll take a live look from sky 9 at an accident in bowie. we've been telling you about the accident all morning long at 9:30 on route 3 at route 450 here in bowie. right now, only the southbound lanes are getting by. they reopened. northbound remains blocked between route 50 and route 450 trying to get into bowie. keep that in mind for your travel plans. we'll take a quick look at the map. on route 3 northbound, you'll be diverted at route 50. you won't be able to get up toward bowie using route 3. also, let me take you around town. this is what it looks like on the inner loop of the beltway at connecticut avenue. there are reports of two separate accidents on the beltway on the inner and outer

loops near connecticut avenue out of the camera shot. we'll take you over to route 4, pennsylvania avenue at the beltway, this is fine. northbound at dourhouse road, an accident has been causing problems. beware of that. that will take you over to your trains. if you're planning to head on metro, marc or vre, everything is running on time this morning. no worries at least using public transportation. now, before i go, i have a commuter alert. finally, a little relief for drivers on 66 inside the beltway. a third lane is finally open on westbound 66 between fairfax drive and sycamore street in the arlington area. vdot is calling this a spots improvement. it is essentially one big on and off-ramp. the price tag on this is $14 million. two more spot improvements are planned from hay corn road to westmoreland street and from hay to glebe road.

that's the arlington and falls church areas. this will help with congestion and especially with stop-and-go traffic that often causes accidents as well. that's the goal to improve the safety of the roads. >> i drove it yesterday. >> it is a big bottleneck, that area. >> it is. >> thanks, monika. >> more information for commuters. tonight, d.c. mayor vincent gray and vdot project managers will give an update on the streetcar. it will run along 8th street connecting to union station. tonight's meeting begins at 7:00. it will be at the performing arts center at 1333h street northeast. the story of corruption, scheming and that infamous cash in the bra situation, that whole story entersity final chapter. >> the sentencing begins for former prince george's county executive jack johnson and his punishment could be a harsh

one. >> surae has a preview of today's proceedings. >> reporter: good morning. how far he's fallen from county prosecutor and county exec to convict and prosecutors are asking and calling for the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. >> they're banging. what do you want me to do? >> put it in your panties and walk out of the house. >> no, i mean all of this cash, jack. i got the one -- >> put it in your panties. >> oh, my god, ok. >> stuff it in your panties. >> lesli and jack johnson on fbi wiretap trying to hide $80,000 in cash. today's sentencing could potentially finally close one of the most embarrassing chapters in prince george's county. the case is far from over. it doesn't end just with johnson. but johnson, 62 years old, accepted up to a million dollars in bribes in a pay to play scheme. and sentencing is expected at

9:30 this morning. in a recent memorandum by the way, johnson went to great lengths to secure his financial status after he left office from 2002 to 2010. so, that's all in a court document. that most likely will be again displayed in court today during sentencing proceedings. again, we'll be here in the courtroom today and bring you all of the very latest at noon on 9news now. >> surae is live in greenbelt. we'll have the latest on wusa9.com today. >> it is also decision time for rod blagojevich. sentencing hearing gets underway in chicago today for the disgraced illinois governor. the former illinois governor. the democrat is facing the prospect of ten or more years behind bars on 18 corruption counts including trying to auction off president barack obama's old senate seat. the judge says he will be issuening his decision in the case tomorrow. it wouldn't be christmas in leesburg without a dispute over holiday symbols on the courthouse lawn.

this year's controversy, a skeleton santa crucified on a cross. many found the display offensive. one woman was so incensed yesterday, she went right over to skeleton santa and took it down. >> what are you doing? >> i'm taking this down. >> why? >> it is offensive. >> i just did what i needed to do and i tried to not destroy any property and laid it there where whoever owned it could retrieve it. >> the person behind the crucified skeleton santa says it is meant to depict the materialism he says kills the holiday spirit of peace, love and kindness. the loudoun county board held a meeting last night on the dispute. the board chairman told 9news what's going on now is getting out of hand and it is just absurd. party politics heading to court in virginia. democrats in the state senate are suing republicans over control of the senate. after last month's election,

there are 20 republicans and 20 democrats. bill bolling, a republican, gets the tie-breaking vote. democrats say he doesn't get a vote on the organization of the senate meaning committee appointments should be split evenly. g.o.p. says the democrats are just sore losers. >> 6:37. jessica doyle is here with another "your money" report. >> she's talking about a big scam. >> a new scam is making the rounds. this one is targeting seniors and here's what you need to know to keep your family safe. the better business bureau says that someone pretending to be a grandchild calls a senior asking for money because he or she is having an emergency. in the latest twist in the scam, the caller not only knows the name of the person he or she is pretending to be but also has other information about real family members. it is not known exactly how the scam artists get the detailed information but it is suspected they're using social media in order to get it. now, "consumer reports" says if you or your family member gets

a call from a suspected member of the family begging for money, you should call someone else in the family to verify the problem before you take any further action. we're back to using our credit cards again. during the recession, more and more people used their debit cards instead. the trend is reversing itself. first data says purchases made with credit cards rose 8% in the first quarter. 9% in the second. almost 11% in the third. debit card usage fell. toyota is ramping up exports from the united states to asia. the strengthening japanese currency made it more cost- effective to ship cars from kentucky to south korea than to export them from japan. plans to ship 6,000 camrys made here in the u.s. to south korea a year. nearly 100,000 u.s.-made toyotas are exported every year. >> that's pretty neat. >> very good.

>> thanks, jess. capitol hill is usually home to grinches but tonight, some holiday spirit. the u.s. capitol christmas tree will be lit tonight at 5:00. you can see crews spent monday putting on the decorations. a 7-year-old boy from california named johnny crawford will flip the switch. this year's tree is from the golden state. it is a 60 foot red fir. how long do you think you could go without your cell phone or your ipod or your laptop? do we'll tell you why a group of teenagers has decided to go low tech. >> it will be a mild day with showers most of the day. highs in the 60s. up next, we go back to howard at national harbor to see how long the rain will last and if he can stand the chill at the gaylord national. we'll be back.

sounds windy, doesn't it? >> it is cold out there. let's go to howard at national harbor. hi, howard. >> hey, hi, everybody. i know you guys are enjoying temps well into the 50s. wind chill is about minus 6. i'm in the ice exhibit. we're going to hit this at the end of weather. with me all morning is amy with from the gaylord nark. this thing is going on until january. >> january 8th. >> you have some events coming up. for people to help the community. >> today is toys for tots tuesday. if you bring a new unwrapped toy, will you get in with a

free v.i.p. pass. give you a great cup of hot chocolate and you can meet the penguins of madagascar. you can help out toys for tots. >> don't you have a redskins day coming up next week? >> we do. a redskins rally event on our web site. we have lots of coupons out in the market place at subway, costco stores, check us out. >> lots of great stuff to see here. that looks like the kremlin. let's talk about weather because while it is cold in here, it is balmy outside. continues will shoot into the low 60s with some showers on and off. today will be less wet than tomorrow. another area of low pressure heads this way. this morning on live doppler 9000 hd, we've been watching the action north and west of town. you can see in montgomery and howard counties extending down into parts of northern, fauquier through warrenton over toward luray, even around winchester up around frederick

moving northeast. we have wet streets out there with temperatures way above normal. they're running in the 50s to low 60s down in fredericksburg and pax river. cumberland is the only spot in the 40s. a very warm day for this time of year. we've got an area of low pressure, one passing to the north now. trailing a front to the west. some heavier showers moving in toward the roanoke area. those could be here in the next few hours. a break this afternoon. more rain tomorrow. the future cast, watch out for the showers, the wet streets, especially north and west. they'll come through the region here midday. it looks like everybody is going to see some of the wet weather. this afternoon, less activity. then as we head into tomorrow, another wave of low pressure heads this way with rain moderate to heavy at times. tomorrow night, the rain will likely switch to a little bit of snow west of 81 to pick up some minor accumulations. nothing much more than conversational snow expected here. looking at the seven-day forecast, temperatures today in

the low 60s. tomorrow, low 50s, temperatures will be dropping. 40s by the time we head into thursday. i'm on the ice slide right now. molly is next to me. here we go down the middle. this is one of the reasons people come to enjoy the fun. ice slide. here at the gaylord national. monika samtani, top that. >> howard, are you so smooth! that's why you get paid the big bucks. you're having too much fun. >> if you're traveling out on the road, it has not been that much fun. bowie, we've been telling you about the accident on route 3. the northbound lanes remain blocked between route 50 and 450. authorities tell us they're still tying up things. it will take another 30 minutes before they can reopen the lanes, southbound you can get through through bowie. we'll take you over to -- this is a live picture from sky 9 in langley park where there is an accident westbound on university boulevard right before new hampshire avenue.

you can see crews are on the scene. it is a tough situation here as well in langley park westbound on university boulevard here at new hampshire avenue. back over the map on the bw parkway, southbound before the beltway, there had been an accident causing delays. out of the roadway, very heavy through that area and inside the beltway as well. a quick look at the beltway, both loops of connecticut avenue, watch out for accident activity on the left side of the road. cobbling up in my next -- coming up in my next report, another look at the area. in tennessee, it was a no tweet, no text challenge. >> high school students were offered extra credit in exchange for giving up their high tech lifestyles. no cell phones, no computer, no ipod, not even a rayio in the -- not even a radio in the car. going old school for a week was the goal of the exercise. as you might have predicted, most students didn't make it. >> i got halfway through it and

it wasn't worth it. >> i didn't even make it a day. >> the teacher said in all of the years he's presented the no tech challenge, many students have tried but only three have successfully reached the one week goal and i can't say i'm surprised. >> i might have a better shot because i usually can't find my phone anyhow. >> the radio in the car would be tough. >> we're glad everyone who used their computer or phone checked on facebook and chimed in on our question of the morning. now, it is time for the answer. people who do which of these activities every day gets better sleep. is it a, work out. b, clean their bedroom or c, watch little or no television. >> i'm surprised. i thought it was going to be little or no television but the answer is b, clean their bedroom. if you clean your bedroom, you'll wake up with an uncluttered mind. >> i like that. >> exercise a little and turn down the tv. >> a check on the news before you go is up next.

>> gotta clean my bedroom.

grab the umbrella. cloudy, 55. expecting a scattered, light shower the rest of the day. highs reaching into the low to mid-60s. a mild one. mike, over to you. thanks, anny. today is tuesday, december 6th. here is a check of the news before you go. faa administrator jerome babbitt is taking a leave of absence. he was pulled over in fairfax county last weekend on suspicion of drunk driving. police say he was driving on the wrong side of the road. authorities let him go a short while later. >> a debate today between the two front-runners in virginia's 2012 senate race. democrat tim kaine and republican george allen will square off in a 90-minute debate in richmond. both are trying to replace senator jim webb. the democrat is leaving the senate after one term. word is expected from the

nfl at any moment on the suspensions of trent williams and fred davis, the two redskins reportedly violated the league's ban on recreational drug use. they will soon be forced to sit out the rest of the season. >> "the early show" begins in just six minutes. >> chris wragge is back with a preview of what's coming up at the top of the hour. >> mike, andrea, good morning. we'll have the latest on campaign 2012. in a cbs news poll out this morning, iowa voters say newt gingrich has the best chance to beat president obama next year and we'll have the latest from iowa and also congresswoman michele bachmann will talk about her chances for the republican nomination. she joins us here in studio. we may not be alone. nasa scientists said they found a planet that has ideal conditions to hold life. are there others out there? we'll talk with neil tyson about the new findings coming up on "the early show." mike, andrea, back to you. it is 6:54. >> we'll have one more check of

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one more thing, howard bernstein with you live from the ice show here in the gaylord national. it has been a mild fall so far. if you want the cold air, temperatures running about so with wind chills running about 6. ice slide one more time as we do it here on this tuesday morning. boy, a lot of fun here and it is a great exhibit. it is colorful. it is neat. this is going on again until january. enjoy yourself. it is going to be a lot warmer outside. here's anny hong with more. >> hey, howard, yeah. mild day today.

temperatures low to mid-60s with some light, scattered showers. wetter tomorrow and then we're going to cool down. we may see a mixture of some snow, wintry mix changing in wednesday night to thursday. not in the immediate d.c. area but north and west. here's monika with your traffic. >> since 9:30 last night, crews have been dealing with an accident in bowie, northbound route 3 remains blocked between route 50 and route 450. let's take you over to a live shot from sky 9. slows 95 to georgia avenue. 395 will take a live look slowing from edsall road to king. an accident inbound 66 at route 50. >> wall street is looking touch and go. anybody want to guess the big concern today? >> europe! >> howard gets a fix from the group. >> early show begins next. they're counting down to the iowa caulk bouses four weeks away from today flt. >> anny and i will be back with a live update on weather. >> our mobile site is wusa9.com

or download our free news and apps on your phone. >> have a great day. good morning. in afghanistan, a rare and unprecedented attack on shiite worshippers celebrating a holy day. many of the casualties are children. we'll have the latest from afghanistan's capital. good news for newt gingerich, the latest iowa polls say he has the best chance to beat president obama. we'll have more on his popularity. congresswoman michele bachmann has campaigned more in iowa than anywhere else. but our latest poll shows all that hard