, bao bao bao, there she goes,we s taking off on the panda express, or taken off at dullos airport just before 2:00 this afternoon, with giant panda bao bao aboard, onn 60-dollar flight to china, chi head today her ancester homeland part of the multi-million dollar deal that bridges giant panda's here tos the u.s. u >> bob barnard with more on bao bao voyage to the national zoo. >> the last hours at the only home she's ever known started routinely this morning, bao bao horsing around the trees in her yard, satisfying random itches in those hard to reach places. >> she is like her dad, you know, when they're born, like right, like all parent. she has a lot of traits like her dad. she lovers to climb trees and she lovers to play in the snow. so that comes from him.. >> looked sad whether wer we stopped by his indoor pen.en. at for bao bao, she dined onined bamboo for her last breakfastast in washington, doctor brandybran smith, associate director of animal care sciences at the national zoo,al car agrees, it s fascinating to watch. >> i think that's why

bao's departure, but don't bao's brother bei bei will take over her enclosure. here's one last look at bao bao. at least for tonight. we will be covering her big departure tomorrow, and if you were part of the massive crowd that said good-bye over the last few days, we would love to see your photos. tweet them and tag us. jan and mike will talk a lot about bao bao tomorrow morning on wake up washington. you will see how the zoo is preparing for the big good-bye, and a lot of you have enjoyed snapping a few photos of our beloved pandas at the zoo. tomorrow, we will look into a certain kind of picture that is a little more unusual to snap, and you will get another chance to win $1,000, and that's all tomorrow morning starting at 4:25. >>> february is american heart month. all month long we have been putting the focus on cardiac health. we are calling it heart love, and a key part of that is keeping an eye on your diet. we teamed up carminds for heart-healthy recipes and tips. two strategies for success, replacing salt with spices, and keeping an eye on the portions. plans ahead can help you

bao bao. back to you guys. >> all right. molette, thank you. >>> if you can't make it to the zoo today, you can see a gallery of bao bao's best moments on our nbc washington app. search bao bao. >> we could see protests like this one in washington today. yesterday. people protested against president trump. it is part of the not my president's day rallies. they're expected to happen in at least a dozen cities today. some of the biggest are taking place in philadelphia, new york, chicago, dallas, los angeles. the rally here in washington is expected to begin at 2:00 p.m. the protests are against president trump and the policies he's put in place since taking office. >>> any day now president trump could unveil his revised travel ban, a draft of the order obtained by the associated press targets the same seven muslim majority countries listed in the original order, iran, iraq, syria, yemen, somalia, sudan and libya. the a.p. reports that the order exempts travelers who already have a visa from traveling to the u.s., and it exempts green card holders and dual citizen holders of the u.s. and those countries. the president still se

bao bao three and a half years ago. next week chip reid tells us she'll be going to china, for good. >> reporter: from the day she was born millions of baoao's devoted fans have watched her grow up on the panda cam. they saw her first check-up. and her first birthday. they watched her fall in love with bamboo, her first encounter with a camera, her first tumble in the snow, her first game of hide and seek, or maybe pretending to be a turtle. and they watched her learn that when mom says, "get down," she means get down now." on every step of the way, trainer marty dearie was there. now he's preparing her for another first. >> hi, lady. come on, bao. good girl. >> reporter: he's getting her used to the crate that will take her to her new home in china next week. >> by giving her honey water, it continues to build this space as somewhere she wants to be. >> reporter: dearie will be traveling with her. >> i'm someone she knows really well. >> reporter: you hold her hand? >> not literally, but yes. >> reporter: part of the deal when china lent bao bao's mother to the zoo was any cubs would be sent to china to breed before they turned four. >>

bao bao. tonight a closer look at the ♪ ♪ >> reporter: that is part of the story. right now bao in her indoor enclosure for tonight. she has a big day ahead tomorrow. and she's definitely going to be missed, but we still have her family. it's all about bao bao at the national zoo. >> if it rolls over, everyone loses it. >> reporter: she's leaving for her new home tomorrow. but the pandas will go on at the zoo. the hope is that bao bao's parents will breed and have a panda cub or two this summer. and there's bao bao's brother. he's staying for two more years. >> super excited about that. we saw them before hanging out in the trees and sitting in their little piles of bamboo and eating and entertaining >> reporter: the bao bao only knew. >> we walked up here. it took so long, oh my gosh. >> we're probably eight blocks away. i'm hoping there's nothing on my car when we get back. >> we came here from jersey last night to come see bao bao. >> reporter: just to get a glimpse of the panda having one last treat. on a beautiful february day these are the panda lovers who wouldn't miss it

bao bao, 1 year old, what a cutie pie. as we go through the rest of the day, bao bao had an cake. by 4:00 p.m. it will be warm out there to see him. 67 degrees. feeling like spring. 10:00 tomorrow morning when bao bao leaves the zoo for china. the weather will be cooperative, upper 40s. president's day looking gorgeous, weather. no freezing forecasts so we'll stay unseasonably mild. 63 already in the district. 63 in quantico. frederick and gaithersburg, 59. we had 60s on the map and those will continue for the afternoon. if you're grilling out by happy hour time, around 67 degrees. dinner time, 63. staying dry. here's a look at future weather. we go through this afternoon nice and dry and sunny and more clouds tomorrow and stay dry. wednesday we'll start to increase the rain chance, especially south and there is a possibility that we could see showers early thursday morning. we'll be watching this closely but look at these numbers, thursday, 74 for a high temperature. that's about 25 degrees above normal and better rain chance as we start off the weekend. more details coming up. >>> a lot of fo

bao? >> reporter: indeed it. will be bao bao and a few of her closest hundred friends. she actually doesn't leave until the 21st. but folks are lining up now to say special good-byes. these are friends of the national zoo. take a look at the panda cam a panda hiding behind a tree there. i'm not sure if that's bao bao or not. but she is the panda of the hour. she was born back in 2013. and of course she's approaching 4 years old which is about the time pandas born in the u.s. are sent to china to breed. and that will help keep the captive population diversified genetically. it's a sad time and happy time here. friends of the national zoo today are having a special good-bye ceremony. with me now is the executive director of the friends of the national zoo. what are these folks going to be doing today? >> we're expecting 2,500 friends of the zoo members. they're going to be here. it's a special access time for thoem say good-bye to bao bao just for members. they'll get treats and sign postcards that can go along with bao bao on her trip to china. should be a wonderful event

bao's brother. and it was a run yesterday at the zoo and take a look at this. i got this a couple years ago for my kids after visiting bao bao and it's almost bigger than me. and we just can't get enough of her. eun, i'm not sharing. >> you read my mind. you know i was going to say, bring one for me. you read my mind. thank you. >> that zoo keeper really echoed my sentiments exactly. we're shedding a few tears. the 70s, that is when china gave the american people a pair of pandas as a gift. they arrived in 1972, but they never had a cub that survived more than a few days. nearly three decades passed before bao bao's parents came to the u.s. and they're really the ones who grew d.c.'s panda population. in 2005 they had their first shan and he went to china to participate in their breeding program. then it was 2013 when his sister bao bao was born. beibei came along two dyears later and he will stay at the national zoo before he heads to china as well. he's only 18 months old. if you haven't seen him, adorable. if you're having panda withdrawals, do not worry. we have a whole section dedicated to bao bao on the nbc washington

in china, bao bao will be part of a breeding par program as pat of a long-standing agreement with china to protect what is an endangered -- species. bao bao showing off today to her visitors. inside we will. m jummy: right now, you are taking a live look at the east wing at the white house. a few minutes ago, president trump is going to make his announcement for new labor secretary. abc news has reported that the president has chosen alex acosta. the special report beginning in three minutes. time for the forecast. afternoon, this sunshine, temperatures close to 40 degrees. there may be a few more flurries to deal with, but nothing more than that. clearing skies tonight. we drop into the 20's. as we head through the day tomorrow, plenty of sunshine. jummy: love it. love it. stay tuned at 4:00 for the latest on the forecast. have a great day. >> josh darrow is only 12 years old, but today he's on the cusp of doing what only a handful of people have ever done in "millionaire" history. he's about to play for a quarter of a million dollars, just two steps away from the million dollar question. can this whiz kid go all the way? let's find

bao bao leaving d.c. v no fear. georgetown's jack the bulldog trying to ease your pain. the bao bao cam is just grass now.re was a facebook live premier of panda jack today. >> he doesn't look too enthusiastic about it. >> that ain't right. >> creating a cleaner environment by using cleaner energy sources like solar, wind and natural gas. we've reduced carbon emissions by nearly 25%, which is the equivalent of taking close to two million cars off the road. cleaner air and cleaner water. it's good for all of us. dominion. depend on us for more than energy. >>> tonight, anti-semitism uproar. president trump condemns a wave of threats against jews. what he tells nbc news after criticism he didn't comment fast enough. >>> trump's deportation plan. new details on a much more aggressive effort to deport undocumented immigrants. >>> flood calamity, roads into rivers and dramatic rescues in california. officials warn a critical dam is not out of danger. >>> americans killed in a tragic crash in australia. what caused the plane to plunge exploding into a mall? >>> fighting dementia. after a former teen idol's deva

bao lan cloudy so not too bad for bao bao. >> a little sunshine for her as well. let's hope anyway and of course all that really matters is if the food is any good. does she like chinese food? >> she likes bamboo. a lot of that. >> it's hump day, it's wednesday. it's baby thursday? >> friday eve's best friend. >> a couple of rain drops this morning. if you can't find the umbrella it's going to be all right today. things are getting ready to warm back up. we should be in the 60s today and two or three more days dead ahead likely to be 70 or higher here. saturday's outdoor plans may be in serious trouble. pretty high chances for rain morning and afternoon. sunday is looking better. for more on your wednesday, rain drop chances let's go over to sheena. >> some showers on the radar right now. mostly south of the district towards la rea. it's this weather system and it's mostly sliding from west to east, not so much to the north, but on radar we do have the showers around culpepper. and this is mostly just light rain. it's nothing

bao bao. my son is crying saying he will miss you. kay wrote i cried when tyshon left. we'll miss bao bao also. from lisa, i'm going to you. watched you grow up. have a great life in china. i am so happy you gave the dmv the opportunity to make us smile. you can leave your messages on our facebook page. >>> one of virginia's most powerful politicians announced he's retiring. republican house speaker william howell of stafford will not seek reelection when his term ends next january. howell is 73. he wants to travel and spend more time with his family. he was first elected house speaker in 2003. >>> say so long to the 60s, at least for now. topper shutt is tracking something a little cooler on the terrace. >> it's a nice change. it isn't crazy cold. 58 tomorrow for a high downtown. 56 in gaithersburg. almost 60 in cumberland. 59 in tomorrow. we'll let you know if that's going to lead to showers tomorrow night and wednesday. >>> following a developing story in southeast right now. a family and friends are grieving the death of a man who was beaten to death with a bat. walter clark was 6

baos or bao bao jrs, whatever you want to call them and fulfill her destiny destiny of becoming a mom and adding to the population of pandas. >> reporter: bao bao will arrive in a crate that she's been getting used to at the zoo. no sedation. just food and her zoo keeper. we'll take 50 pounds of bamboo, apples, sweet potatoes and sugar cane and all that stuff. >> reporter: no shortage of panda hats at the zoo now or love for bao bao. >> i'm going to miss her. >> we just said in juunison, no sedation? we would want to be on a 16-hour bao to check them out during the break. >>> there's also a lot of reaction on social media about the departure of the panda. one person wrote she can't believe it's just a few days away now. another said, we're so fortunate to have had such a wonderful icon to share. >> we are. >>> up next, her brilliant mind played a big role in an historic space mission, inspired a new generation to reach for the stars. we'll meet the woman who inspired the film "hidden figures," as she

bao has grown up before our eyes, from that stick of butter to her very and third. but soon bao bao will be 4. that means it's time to go. >> we know she's going to go to china and hopefully have little bao baos or little bao bao junior, little babies, and fulfill her destiny of becoming a mom. >> reporter: it's a 16-hour direct flight. bao bao will ride in a crate she's been getting used to at the zoo. no sedation, just food and her zookeeper. >> we're going to be taking 50 pounds of bamboo, we're going to be taking apples and sweet potatoes and sugar cane and all that sort of stuff with us. >> reporter: no sortage of panda hats at the zoo now or love for bao bao. >> i'm going to miss her. >> reporter: at the national zoo, christian wright, news 4. >> i remember taking a picture of ling ling on my second grade field trip. >> ish >> i don't know. >> you've not kept track of her? >> i remember her fondly though. >> well, great day to get to the zoo and get outside and enjoy this incredibly mild springtime in february weather that we will continue to see here today. right now we've ha

bao, bid her farewell to an adoring nation. here is abc's matt gutman. >> reporter: bao bao born a star and grew up squeaking. the g smithsonian cameras watched by millions. but now she is 3. and it is time for the 200 pound bundle of cuteness, bao bao to take a bow from the american stage. the sole passenger aboard panda express to china. part of the deal. all pandas are technically on loan from the chinese. she left on the panda eared forklift to waves from fans. it is first-class travel for bao bao in her suite, 50 found of bamboo, apples, sweet potato, honey water and panda caviar. >> as a special treat. sugar cane. >> pandas in america get extraordinary care. met the twins at the zoo atlanta. where i learned they're not soft. criminally cute. and unfortunately threatened in the wild. which is why bao bao is going back to china to breed. the in flight movie might we suggest, kung fu angeles. >> oh, gosh. >> bao bao off to make babies. >> bye-bye. tear. ialmost everything. you know, ke 1 i n 10 houses could get hit by an expensive septic disaster. but for only $7 a month, rid-x helps break down waste. avoid

bao bao is still in the air - the panda's flight - now in chinese air space. taking a look at flightaware - the plane is expected to touch-down in about 90 minutes. bao bao left dulles airport yesterday afternoon after being transferred onto a fed-ex truck at the national zoo. we will let you know when bao bao arrives at her new home. coming up-- police officers jump into action to save a driver from a burning car. and the entire thing is captured on camera. what they are saying about the heart-stopping video.. coming up. trt 11 z2a0gz zi0z y2a0gy yi0y saturday with cold front (70) - cooler & breezy sunday (49) today: mostly cloudy. milder. stray shower/sprinkle, especially south. highs: 63-6 tonight: mostly cloudy and mild. patchy fog. lows: 46-50 winds: s 5 mph to calm thursday: am fog. partly sunny. even warmer. highs: 72-76 winds: s 5-10 mph coming up-- a short ride in a a short ride in a new boat takes a bad turn. how one man ended up stranded at sea for more than 12 hours. plus, a close call on a busy airport. now federal investigators are taking a closer look at the incident, and the pilot responsible. the details.. ahead. northeast d.c. body

bao bao will take part in china'si breeding program. and today we caught up with the first person in line at the zoo who plans to go to china to visit bao bao next year. >> they will fulfill their destiny by going to china and breeding. and i hope to see her cubs. >> well, not a lot of us will be able to make it to china. but you can take a stroll down memory lane right now. just open the nbc washington app to see all the best photos of bao bao through the wonderful -- three wonderful years we have been able to have her. just search bao bao. indeed, one of the most popular stories on social media right now. >>> police say a new york woman cleaned out some laundry machines. she stole more than $14,000 in coins, they say. alicia russell was a leasing agent at an apartment complex. and investigators say she swiped the money over the course of bo her with grand larceny. >>> and now, your storm team 4 forecast. >> i hope you had a nice saturday. we did have a huge range in temperatures today. we were forecasting around 60 in the district. that didn't happen. but you can head to my facebook and twitter pages to see how warm it was in your nei

bao. >> i like seeing her on tv, and commercials about them, and when they play around. >> the hope for bao bao is that she'll become a mother in a couple of years. the national zoo also hopes her parents will conceive another cub here as soon as this summer. >>> washington's obseio pandas dates all the way back to the '70s, which china gave the american people a pair of giant pandas as a gift. they arrived stateside in 1972 but they never had a cub that survived more than a few days. nearly three decades passed before bao bao's parents came to the u.s. they're really the ones who grew dc's panda population. in 2005, their first surviving cub went to china to participant in their breeding program. in 2013, bao bao was born. bei bei was born two years later. bei bei will stay at the national zoo for a few years before he heads back to china. a quiz before the end of the show. >>> one of the bills passed have allowed people to carry concealed switch blades. the other would have lowered the age for concealed handguns. the third bill rejected for the second year in a row is the so-called tebow bill

jonathan: bao bao will be getting to china at about 4:00 in the morning our time. for many, he said goodbye as bao bao starts a new life in a new country. she had to go back because of an agreement they had with china. alison: my daughter tonight said she was so sad that bao bao was leaving and could we go to china to see her. jonathan: your daughter is 3. just get straight a's until you are 15 and then we will go. alison: what's going on tonight, robert? robert: a potential wizard becomes a houston rocket, unfortunate, and news from matt (vo)have to happen?idn't i didn't see it. (vo) what if we could go back? what if our car... could stop itself? in iihs front-end crash prevention testing, nobody beats the subaru impreza. not toyota. not honda. not ford. the all-new subaru impreza. more than a car, it's a subaru. z2a0gz zi0z y2a0gy yi0y you feel every mountain we've ever conquered. in our sports cars, you feel every podium we've ever climbed. and now, they've come together to create something you've never felt before. introducing the glc