>> tonight defense spending cut drastically by the president, why that may be a good thing for some in our area. harry thomas junior resigns a downward spiral that may have just begun. this is 9 news now > days after our bruce johnson first reported dc councilman harry thomas junior was telling

colleagues he would be stepping down tonight he made it official hours ago he made a statement saying his resignation was effective immediately. he said i made serious mistakes and exhibited inadequate, flawed judgment i am truly sorry. harry thomas will plead guilty tomorrow to stealing more than $350,000 in government funding and filing false tax returns he allegedly used that money to buy an suv, motorcycle and pay for lavish vacations and spending sprees. he first broke this story tuesday night and joins us with kwame brown. bruce. >> thanks a lot. thank for coming in i know this has been a very difficult day for you and residents of the city. some people tonight are giving harry thomas credit for stepping down from office i think they need to be corrected it is my understanding this is part of the plea bargain okay just like the two felonies he will plead guilty to. having said that i want to ask

you, your reaction to him stepping down. >> devastating, i was absolutely devastated i have known harry for a long time, and what he did was wrong, it was absolutely wrong, something that should not have taken place, and he has admitted to it being wrong he has taken full responsibility and at the end of day it is time the move this city forward >> he also said he expects to go to prison for this. looking back in hind sight, last year, some of your colleagues, came out and said after he agreed to pay back the $300,000 he was accused of stealing he agreed to pay it back in $50,000 increments he paid one $50,000 back but still owes that second installment, you chose not to call for his resignation back then. looking back in hind sight was that a mistake or you stand by that now. >> the legal process itself was playing itself out clearly he said he was absolutely positively innocent and he would fight these charges and

there would be more information that would prove he was innocent. when we found out with his statement he has admitted what he is charged with, i was floored, absolutely devastated and really, it is absolutely wrong this is not a good day for the city. >> you have known harry thomas many years has he called you at any point? has he called you today? said he is store sorry. >> we had -- sorry. >> we had communications earlier, clearly he is devastated, himself, i think he is absolutely sorry like he mentioned in his letter, and i think that he is taking full responsibility, but that doesn't mean that it was right, what has taken place. he has admitted that it wasn't right and we shouldn't do that and we should not participate in that type of activity. >> realistically, can we move on? there are still two big federal investigations going on i want to ask you about the

investigation of the mayors campaign, one has the name of your campaign on it. can you talk to residents out there tonight? can you as sure them what the could you tell come of this federal investigation into the campaign spending what the outcome will be. >> i think it will be positive, run its course look forward to closure, so we can get back to working every single day to prove to the residents, of the district of columbia, to earn back their trust. we will work hard as a council to pull the city back together and i know it will take a lot of hard work. clearly 18,000 residents moved to the city, city services are doing better we have the strongest financial sheet of any jurisdiction in america, highest school reform and highest commercial real estate property but that is not the important thing the important thing is to move forward, spending our energy, making sure residents understand -- >> a lot of people will agree with you we got to be clear when you says the going to be a positive outcome does that mean there will be nothing in kwame

brown's doing how he handles his campaign that will have you standing before you know, a judge or something like that, you are innocent of wrong doing other members of your campaign have done nothing wrong >> i have done absolutely nothing wrong bruce. >> other members of your campaign, your father your brother. >> absolutely no. we want to let the investigation run its course i have all the confidence in the justice department to carry out their mission and we look forward to closure. >> one more question then we will close this, your estimation of the credibility of the council right now where do you guys stand? what does the public think? your poll numbers are not good, they are equal to those of congress but where do you see the council right now? moving forward, working and earning the trust of the residents of the district of columbia, we passed a conference we have a new code of conduct for the council and new training manuals, nothing can take the place of having

good ethical standards and i think the commitment from all of my colleagues is to continue to move forward to earn that trust from the residents of the district of columbia and work hard to make sure not only we increase our numbers but let people know what we are doing and what we are going to continue to fight for. >> council chairman brown, thanks for coming in. >> thank you. >> thank you bruce now just 30 minutes ago the monthly meeting of the dc democratic state committee wrapped up at the wilson building where matt got reaction and continues our team coverage live to tonight's announcement of this resignation. matt. >> anita, most of the people i talked to tonight all long time members of the dc democratic party and long time friends and or associates of harry thomas junior declined the talk publicly about thomas out of respect for thomas and his family but one city councilman agreed to be interviewed and summed up as far as i can tell the feelings of the dc political establishment tonight. >> today is just a sad day for

the city, for the thomas family, residents of ward 5, but at the same time, seems like it is a chapter that is on its way to closing and city needs closure, and for us to start the healing process and move forward. a time to heal and a time to move forward first a time for harry thomas junior to plead guilty we now know that will happen, tomorrow morning anita. >> thanks for that part of the story. >> now on to another big event today president obama announced a restructuring of the american military, changing its focus in many ways and cutting the defense budget in today's move alone by 5% or half a trillion dollars over the next five years, it will effect washington area businesses that rely on spending. it is likely to mean job loss and potential job gains. >> reporter: the new direction for the military, and the 487 billion in cuts over the next ten years are a response to

congressionally mandated spending reductions and draw down from iraq and afghanistan. >> now we are turning the page on a decade of war. defense spending is our strength one of our cottage industries if you will we will see that cool quickly because of these cuts we will probably see job losses. >> reporter: the new strategy means fewer soldiers and marinea change from mid-20th century thinking. >> we will continue to get rid of out dated cold war era systems so we can invest in capabilities we need for the future. >> reporter: that could mean job growth in dc >> i think there will be a lot of increases in our area, because we are more technology based, than ground force based, the technology areas are in cyberspace, cyber warfare, missile defense, intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, the kind of things that allow us to operate globally, without using a lot of people. >> but less money is less

money,. >> these are the dollars that get spent in the clothing stores, food stores entertainment around this region and this will have a chilling effect as it relates to consumer spending into the future. >> remember though, it is washington after all, we are a cut -- where a cut is some times defined as more money being spent. >> over the next ten years, the growth in the defense budget will slow, but the fact of the matter is this, it will still grow. the spending cuts anouned amount to less than 10% what was planned spending the so called congressional super committee has to come up with a plan to cut the deficit if they don't get a deal, automatic cuts kick in costing the pentagon another 500 million over the next ten yearcosting the dc area more jobs. certainly an intensive to get things done. new at 11 it is hard to hold your liquor if you are

only 12, six students from jane michael lundstrom middle school are accused of drinking at school the students ranging in age from 12 to 14 drank alcohol before their classes started one of the kids got sick, and went to the school clinic leading to the discovery. a judge orders a 20-year- old man to spend his next 20 years behind bars. this was sentencing day for kevin coffee of maryland the drunk drive whore crashed his car last -- driver who crashed his car last may and ran away leaving three friends to die in the wreckage. >> there is no winners in this the whole community is hurting >> he told the judge, quote words cannot do justice to the shame and guilt i feel every day this is doing nothing but eating me alive inside. those who died in the crash were johnny hoover, spencer datt and haley maguire who languished in the wreckage for four hours. >> when something like this happens, it is not an accident, it is a crime.

under the law, coffee could be eligible for parole after serving only 5 years of his sentence. they crossed the line into cruelty by shooting a puppy not once but three times. >> i am sorry we have to go through this. >> that is lynette she helps run a rescue operation for abused or unwanted golden retrievers, these animals have the run of the place on a fenced in farm and yesterday, lynette went looking for little heidi and found her body. now she fears for the other pets as well as the staff. >> i am no longer feeling safe. we took the dogs out and i was petary fied someone would take a shot at us. >> lots of people are investigating this case frederick animal county control, sheriff department and they have a key piece of evidence that could lead to the

culprit one of the bullets fired at the little dog. it appears occupy dc protestors need the clean up their act today the district's health director personally inspected the protest zone in mcpherson square and found clear signs rats are thriving on the food and garbage from the protestors outdoor kitchen the group's unofficial chef said he is shutting down the kitchen until he can lay down ground rules. >> on a regular basis people sneak into the kitchen after i have washed the dishes and went to bed and make messes. >> they say rats were in the park long before the protestors, the health director's inspection is no prelude to kicking them out he just wants safe and sanitary conditions. >> good or bad investment, $600 for the chance at winning a million for one maryland man the gamble paid off.

warner asby won virginia's new years millionaire raffle thanksgiving day he bought 30 some tickets for $20 each from a 7 eleven in great falls he says he didn't even know he had won until he saw an online article that a winning ticket had been bought from that same store so he decided he better check. i looked through my numbers there it was, i mean, you know, i was grabber gassed i looked orit a few times made a few copies of the ticket and said oh, by gosh. >> yeah, i think i would make some copies too. he said he will keep his job as a chauffeur for at least a year. topper. >> well, 34 yesterday, 50 today, not bad here is your wake up weather you still need a coat in the morning, mid-20s. low 30s to start, everybody gets back if the 30s by 9:00 a.m., a mild finish to friday

let you know how long it will last, if it can last through the weekend and talk about flakes on the 7 day. >> coming up after the break pgh >> so this is my first video diary, it is october 13th, which is a thursday, 2011. accused but never convicted, the mother acquitted of killing her little girl is making headlines again. what casey anthony is saying today. first local reaction tonight gingrich's latest comments on african americans why the gop presidential hopeful is coming under serious fire that story is next.

newt gingrich causing controversy, it may sound familiar this times the for incendiary comments he made addressing a crowd in new hampshire. why councilman marion barry is so upset. >> reporter: night gingrich is in hot water with the afterry -- newt gingrich is in hot water with the african american community. there is no neighbourhood in america, you asked do you want your children to have food stamps or pay checks they wouldn't say i want a pay check

if naacp invites me i will go to their convention and tell them why african american community would prefer pay checks than food stamps. it is a racial slur, i have known newt 40 years what newt doesn't realize, people had to get food stamps, if they don't have jobs. >> barry doesn't believe gingrich is racist but returned fire the black community leader issued a challenge. >> what newt ought to be doing is promising millions of jobs to all americans and african americans. >> it is unclear how his recent comments may reflect in the polls it likely won't help he finished if fourth place out of the iowa caucuses if he does make it to speak at an naacp convention marion barry has a few words for him. >> if he goes to nacp

convention and says that, i bet he will be run out of there. marion barry wasn't the only person to voice out their opposition to his comments, mark morial the president of the national urban league put out a statement, saying gingrich suggesting the african american community would prefer food stamps than jobs is insulting, 70% of food stamp recipients are white. there is a lot of campaigning left we will watch everything these candidates say. >> thank you after months in hiding casey anthony is spotted on youtube, recording a video diary this is the first time the world has heard from her since she made headlines accused of killing her little girl caylee and being akitted of that crime -- acquitted of that crime in july. >> how much things have changed since july and how many things

haven't changed, but the good thing is things are starting to look up and change. >> anthony also changed her look as you can see cutting her dark hair dying it blond she is wearing glasses back in august a judge ordered her to stay in florida to serve out a yearlong probation for check fraud her attorney released the following statement, casey maintained notes and memoirs for her personal counselling she did not upload or release this to youtube it has been obtained illegally. >> 54 victims, 70 cars one highway drivers in jefferson county texas say police should have warned them about the dangerous weather brewing a mixture of fog and smoke from recent marsh wild fires caused such bad vidsability leading to all those wrecks, deputies believe the first crash started the chain reaction it kept going emergency crews treated most victims for broken bones

and trauma thankfully no one was killed it is hard to imagine that many cars one after another. >> seriously, a lot of swapping numberlicenses. unbelievable. >> poke is not really a weather thing but -- smoke is not really a weather thing but that combined with fog. >> yeah >> we were 50 today, we were 34 yesterday, temps are going. >> i remember. >> believe it or not we are looking at mid-50s tomorrow and probably continue that on through saturday. the graph of temps this is fascinating at least to me milder air is on the way more like march by tomorrow and also by saturday we started out 49, this week, and then we had a pair of 34s on tuesday and wednesday. 50 today, and we are going to be in the mid-50s tomorrow, probably hold mid-50s. on saturday, our average high is 43, all right here is the deal, breezy and milder friday, that is a good thing now you are still going the need a light coat and sunglasses, it is not going to be total warmth

for that southwest wind still mild saturday, cold front will go through late saturday we will still keep temps mid-50s and it will be cooler on sunday but nothing crazy cool, i mean there is no arctic air in sight for really us, or for any part of the 40 continuous states. >> cold, maybe a one, two blanket night, low temps, mid- 20s suburbs, around freezing downtown winds southwest at 10. by morning partly breezy, cloudy cold grab a coat and sunglasses, 20s and 30s to start winds start to pick up southwesterly at 10, to 15. by afternoon, partly cloudy, breezy and milder, highs 55, winds increasing now southwest 10 to 20, if you do golf take an extra club or two for the wind. look at the sunset, finally a 5 instead of a 4. >> let's break it down in the morning it will be cold to start, 24 to 32 but then milder by noon, 49 to 54, and by

evening, 51 to 56 under partly cloudy skies. >> the next three days we will keep it mild saturday, still talking mid-50s we have clouds coming in with a cold front okay it drops temps but only drops temperatures into the upper 40s sunday which is still well above average next 7 days, we are going the hang on to that little drop and snow flake monday. 43, a little colder on monday and then, boom, we are right back in the low 50s tuesday, looks like a big time rain wednesday with temperatures back into the mid-50s it may rain as far north as maine and mid-50s thursday behind the storm >> i love how everything is golfable. >> funny day in scotland always. kristin is up next with sports, stay with us >> get a home for free? it is possible in prince georges county. >> do you lie to your insurance company? why 10% of us do. >> see you friday morning

now is the time of the nfl season where rumors begin and that coaching carousel start, red skins haven't made any changes to their coaching staff yet but still interviewed former buccaneers head coach morris about a possible assistant coaching job. morris has a lot of defensive coaching experience and knows kyle shanahan and bruce alan from his tampa bay days.

good news for the cavs, back from practice, with the team two days after taking an elbow to the head and being evaluated for concussion and joined them on their trip to san jose the guy responsible, algariry's renee -- algary's renee bork suspended for two games. they are creating new traditions just not good ones, wizards are 0 and 6 the only nba team without a win and worst start to a season in franchise history after getting embarrassed in orlando veteran evans had enough he held a players only meeting today after practice basically telling everyone there is one too many egos in this locker room. >> terms have rebounded heading into acc play. finally on the court those guys have been big producers for the terps so far but it wasn't easy for some adding more players to

the mix >> playing together as a team it was hard getting pichon and alex back it made everybody just confused you know what i mean, but i think everybody is getting better. >> we have a whole team now it is great to have alex and pichon back they give us scoring opportunities. george mason in action tonight, hosting old doe pinion, ryan -- dominion. ryan pearson, pearson was a double double, 16 points, 14 rebounds, mike morrison with the dunk put patriot, 19-10, george mason stays perfect in conference play with a 63-54 win over old dominion. >> time the announce our winner of this week's high school game of the week you all chose blare at sherwood a girl's basketball match up in montgomery county, highlights will lead our coverage tomorrow night. >> dcs eddie goldman shined he

is being recruited by over a dozen of the country's top colleges but this guy, wes brian from baltimore he will be a terp next year he is ranked 27th in country at tail back. >> some great players coming out of here, eddie goldman is being recruited by auburn, alabama, clemson i don't think he is coming to maryland. >> we will be right back

>> thanks for joining us good night ♪

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