danella? >> lots of action in london today.tarting with what could be the final showdown ever between michael phelps and ryan lochte. both men will look for their fourth medal of the games in the 200-meter individual medley. a gold for phelps would make him the first man to win an event at three different olympics. it's also likely the final time america's two best swimmers will face off, if phelps goes through with his retirement plans. this year's sweetheart in the pool, missy franklin, will also be back on the blocks today, looking for her fourth medal in the 100-meter free. turning to gymnastics, virginia native gabby douglas already has one gold, and today she'll look to use that momentum for individual glory in the women's all-around. the 16-year-old from virginia beach was the champ at the u.s. trials. she also has the 2011 world team gold under her belt. and douglas has also trained with shawn johnson, the 2008 silver medalist in the all-around. and how's this for a nickname, flying squirrel? it makes sense if you've se

actually, for more on what's going on with traffic, we're going to go now over to danella. danella? >> thank you, megan. well, still watching the situation on i-95 in virginia. we'll check travel speeds right now. a live look at lorton, still sluggish for you. speed out of prince william parkway, about 20 miles per hour to get to the beltway, that drive looking at 37 minutes right now. let's look passing i-66 at fairfax county parkway. not bad here. bring your sunglasses today. travel speeds here about 46 miles per hour. 13 minutes to get to the beltway. then, if you're traveling route 50 in maryland, we'll check that out. sluggish westbound as you make your way toward new york avenue. no accidents, just delays. eun, over to you. >> danella, thank you. >>> 6:54 now. breaking news in london. the british government is threatening to raid the ecuadorian embassy if they do not hand over wikileaks founder julian assange. assange has been taking refuge inside that embassy since june 19th. he is wanted in sweden to face trial for rape. today, ecuador's president is expected to announce whe

danella, how is traffic now?it's just been a tough commute if you're traveling i-66 this morning. right now looking at about a six-mile backup. here's a live look as you make your way past 50 eastbound. still have the accident as you make your way towards vienna metro. it's blooking the hov lane. was blocking the left lane. travel speeds on, i-66. as you make your way from fairfax county to the beltway. that drive is taking you 23 minutes. inside the beltway on i-66, sluggish from the beltway just as you approach glebe road. it really is stop and go for you. let's head over to 395. heavy on the brakes. seminary road. but to get to the 14th street bridge, average travel speed is 35 miles per hour. that drive is taking 18 minutes. let's talk about the good news, huh? travel along i-270. shady grove. in fact, from shady grove to the beltway, eun, no issues. over to you. >> thank you. >>> the youngest gold medal winner at the london games, katie ledecky is getting well-deserved sleep in her own bed this morning. the

how's traffic, danella? >>> good morning, tom. a report of an accident along telegraph road approaching franconia road. the right lane is blocked in the area. 395 is nice and clear, really from the beltway. i'll give you a live look as you pass washington boulevard. no issues southbound and northbound, crossing over the 14th bridge, a good drive time making your way northbound. you're at about 56 miles per hour and that drive taking just 12 minutes. over to i-66, as you make your way east and westbound at fairfax county parkway, seeing some patchy fog. i talked to tom about this. it shouldn't be too serious, but we'll talk travel speeds and see if it's slowing you down in exactly ten minutes. aaron and eun, over to you. >> thanks, danella. >>> 6:13. speculation confirmed. teachers at a d.c. school helped students cheat. one teacher explains how they did it without saying a word. >>> i still have a great deal to live for. >> and next, a local man's firsthand account of what it was like to survive >>> welcome back at 6:15. a pilot w

>> thank you, danella. >>> 4:42, 75 degrees out there. still to come, a warning from health officials in the district that could have you headed to the store for some insect repellent. >>> plus, when and who? mitt romney expected to announce his choice for vice president soon. what we know right now about that announcement. >>> we'll run down some of the must-see events in london today, some of the records expected to fall, plus the busy [ crows cawing ] [ male announcer ] strange things happen in the black forest. [ metallic bell toll ] [ car speeding down the road, lightning strikes ] where things aren't always what they seem. [ wolves howling ] because thrills hide in the shadows just waiting at every turn. [ coaster whoosh ] brave the black forest on verbolten. the all-new multi-launch coaster. only at busch gardens. >>> welcome back at 4:45. president obama will spend the day in colorado, trying to appeal to women voters. women, especially single women, supported the president overwhelmingly in 2008. in the latest nbc news/"wall stre

danella, how's traffic? >> checking things out on i-95 right now, and they look really good if you're traveling out of virginia right now making your way between the occoquan and across the bridge and heading to the beltway, really in both directions. northbound right now, obviously a little more volume than southbound, but no major delays yet and no road work to talk to you about. let's check travel speeds. about 64 miles per hour from the occoquan river bridge to the beltway, that drive taking just 11 minutes right now, not bad. let's head over to maryland, i-270 at father hurley boulevard, traveling northbound and southbound. you're clear as you make your way to the beltway. no issues to report at this time. back to you both. >> thanks, danella. it is now 5:12. >>> a break for george zimmerman in his murder trial, the ruling that could help his case. >>> also ahead, a disturbing scene as a young boy is bullied by his classmates. >>> leaving its mark on the gulf coast. coming up in 60 seconds, we're live i

here's danella. >>> good morning. report of a disabled vehicle as you travel your way northbound 295 at powder mill road. that's gone. nice and clear. let's head over to i-66. you're traveling along i-66, we'll take a live look as you make your way past the rest area. seeing your volume increase just a bit eastbound, but you're still all green as you make your way to the beltway, even inside the beltway on 66. no major volume just yet. a live look at leesburg pike and your travel speed from the beltway to gw parkway at 61 miles per hour, just an 11-minute drive. aaron and eun? >> thank you, danella. >>> 5:41 now, 71 degrees. bringing home the gold. the local swimmer that helped michael phelps make history at the olympic games. >>> and tom, danella, eun and i are making history of our own. which one of us has a better chance of medaling in discus, coming up. >>> and a live look at the torch this morning in london. we've got much more building pass, corporate card, verizon 4g lte phone. the global ready one ? yeah, but

good morning, danella. >>> good morning, tom. well, if you're traveling northbound, back lick road, trying to get on to i-95 northbound, that ramp has construction just blocking the right shoulder lane, be aware of that. slow down just a bit. traveling i-95 northbound, the usual suspect. at fairfax county parkway, you're hitting the brakes and you're sluggish making your way down. aaron and eun? >> thanks, danella. >>> 6:12 now. having trouble getting your kids to eat their veggies? cartoons may help you out. >>> also ahead, no calm before the storm as island nations race to prepare for isaac. >>> plus, the dangerous situation caused by this geyser that >>> breaking news now. just getting pictures of a major explosion near dallas. a freight train crashed into a fuel tanker. we understand this happened about 40 miles east of dallas. the explosion there rattled some nearby homes. everybody within about a two-block radius was evacuated. police are warning other people to stay inside their homes, stay away from the intense smoke and

danella, how's traffic? >> looking good. traveling on 50 in maryland from annapolis on 301, no issues for you. making your way to the beltway, a live look inside the beltway passing east-west highway, nice and clear inbound. outbound as well, no issues to report. in fact, clear as you connect to new york avenue. back in ten with another look at your traffic. aaron and eun, over to you. >> see you then, thank you. >> 5:12, 74 degrees. >>> new t-shirts at penn state are raising eyebrows this morning as the school tries to move past the sex abuse scandal. move past the sex abuse scandal. >>>[ male announcer ] in 1996, president clinton and a bi-partisan congress helped end welfare as we know it, by requiring work for welfare. but on july 12th, president obama quietly announced a plan to gut welfare reform by dropping work requirements. under obama's plan, you wouldn't have to work, and wouldn't have to train for a job -- they just send you your welfare check. and welfare to work goes back to being plain, old welfare. mitt romne

danella? >>> good morning.ight now if you're traveling i-95 in virginia, your "first 4 traffic" report will head down there right now. travel lanes are open. checking things out, looking for construction, not seeing anything. and i'll give you a live look as you make your way south at lorton. so, if you're traveling i-95 southbound or northbound, nice and clear at lorton. in fact, your travel speed from prince william parkway looks good, 62 miles per hour. that drive just taking 13 minutes. now, let's head over to 395 as you make your way southbound trying to get to exit 3b. that ramp still shut down by the road work there, but hopefully, it should be clearing any minute now. should be done by 5:00 p.m. also, i'll be back in ten minutes to let you know if that did clear and we'll check the rails. eun, over to you. >> danella, thank you. >>> the nationals are on their way home this morning with another win in their back pocket. stephen strasburg earned his 14th win of the season, struck out seven in the 6-4 win

danella has traffic now. good morning. >> thank you, good morning to you. first4 traffic report, kick it off with the rails. traveling on the metro. still seeing delays because of track work. now, you will be single tracking on the blue line between eastern market and stadium armory. on the orange lines, we will track between eastern market up to new carrollton. expect delays in both directions. over to the marc. 11-minute delay, brunswick east train 870 and also brunswick east, this time, train number 89 0. if you're traveling 395 northbound as you make your way to duke, accident in the right shoulder lane and starting to see some volume here northbound lanes of 39d 5. you're slow to seminary road. angie, back over to you. >>> new this morning, police are investigating a possible meth lab inside an arlington apartment building. this is just one block away from the virginia square metro station along north monroe street. firefighters and hazmat crews were called to the building just after 10:00 last night. residents were evacuated as a precaution. everyone

danella? >>> thanks, veronica. traveling to the roadways, we'll check things out in maryland. if you're taking 295 in maryland as well as i-95, travel lanes are open. earlier this morning, northbound i-95 at powder mill road, construction was blocking the right side of the roadway. that's gone, and so your travel lanes are open, looking good. let's head over to route 50. no issues along there. give y a live look at 424, davidsonville road. traffic is flowing without issue in this area as you make your way westbound and eastbound. in fact, on 50 in maryland, all the way from annapolis to new york avenue, not seeing any issues to warn you about. i'm back in ten minutes with another look at your traffic. aaron and eun? >> thank you, danella. >> it is 5:13, 68 degrees. ahead on "news4 today," the scam alert to young immigrants trying to apply for the government's new deportation program. >>> and bouncing back from sagging hous >>> is it time to start shopping for snow plows? >>> 17 after the hour

>> thanks, danella. >>> 5:43 now. just ahead, health officials tracking melons that make dozens of people sick. we now knowhere it came from. >>> and justin bieber's new job [ male announcer ] some think obamacare is the same as free health care. but nothing is free. obama is raiding $716 billion from medicare, changing the program forever. taxing wheelchairs and pacemakers. raising taxes on families making less than one hundred twenty thousand dollars. free healthcare comes at a very high price. the romney-ryan plan will restore medicare funding and protect and strengthen the program for the next generation. [ romney ] i'm mitt romney and i approve this message. >>> the fda says a farm in southwest indiana is connected to the recent deadly salmonella outbreak. officials say chamberland farms is one source of tainted cantaloupes that killed two people and infected more than 182 others. the infected fruit was shipped to seven different states. the fda looking into whether other possible sources of the outbreak exist. >

richard, back to you. >> danella, thanks. it's 6:04. >>> today, the former university of virginia lacrosse player convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend learns his sentence. george huguely's lawyers will ask the judge to reduce the jury's recommended sentence of 26 years, offering an appeal from his mother for leniency for her son. the chevy chase native was found guilty in february of killing yeardley love. huguely's sentencing is set for 1:00. we will be live in charlottesville. look for the latest on "news4 at 4:00" and on our website, nbcwashington.com. >>> 6:04 now. tonight the republican national convention will culminate with the biggest speech of mitt romney's political career. the former massachusetts governor will accept the party's nomination and attempt to introduce himself to millions of americans watching. the crowd will be primed by former florida governor jeb bush and rising star of the republican party, florida senator mark you rubio. and romney has a tough act to follow. his running mate, paul ryan, delivere

a look at traffic now with danella.ood morning. >> time right now, still tracking breaking news on the roadway. first, in virginia. franconia road at gum street, still all of your lanes are blocked due to the fatal crash in that area. let's head over to chopper 4 right now. there in maryland, and there is along democracy boulevard at the intersection of seven locks road. if you're traveling westbound democracy, police are still on the scene of the crash there. the left lane is blocked. you are able to pass on the right. a moment ago it was actually blocked in both directions and possibly still is because i see a flare there. i'm going do keep watching this for you. it seems like westbound lanes are blocked. back over to you both. >> danella, thank you. >>> right after the break, a shocking crime. what a bride is accuse of doing on her wedding day. >>> plus, the major accident that ripped a gaping hole in the side of a navy destroyer. ♪ >>> and girl power at the olympics. the return of the spice girls. the politician cau

danella, how's traffic? >>> good morning. well, traveling route 50 in maryland, heading out of annapolis, things look really good. a live look at 424, davidsonville radio. both directions on 50 in this area, nice and clear, no accidents. in fact, as you head to the beltway, inside the beltway connecting to new york avenue, no accidents. back to you. >> thank you. >>> 4:43 now, 73 degrees. still to come, big crowds at d.c.-area restaurants as the debate over gay marriage turns into a food fight. >> the epic showdown between ryan phelps and ryan lochte isn't the only event you won't want to miss today. >> a look at t [ crows cawing ] [ male announcer ] strange things happen in the black forest. [ metallic bell toll ] [ car speeding down the road, lightning strikes ] where things aren't always what they seem. [ wolves howling ] because thrills hide in the shadows just waiting at every turn. [ coaster whoosh ] brave the black forest on verbolten. the all-new multi-launch coaster. only at busch gardens. >>> 15 before the hour. the

danella? >> thanks, veronica. >>> checking out the roads. in the first4 traffic report, if you're traveling along yut 50 in maryland, head out and check our 2d map together. travel lanes are open in both directions. really as you make your way from annapolis to the beltway, you're clear. inside the beltway no, issues as you connect to new york avenue. i'll give you a live look as you make your way past east west highway. inbound and more volume than outbound. no major delays at all. you are nice and clear. coming back in ten minutes with a look at your rails and look at i-95 in virginia and i-66 as well. aaron, back over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> after months of a steady decline at the pump, the price of gasoline is apparently going up. it jumped 17 cents in july. right now the national average, $3.50. it is 15 cents more here in d.c. with the average for a gallon of regular is $3.75 right now. in maryland, it's going to cost you $3.53 on average. in virginia, gas is going for about $3.56 on average. >>> penn state suffered the firs

danella is here now with your first4 traffic. good morning. >> good morning to you if you're traveling around our area. let's check out some volume. hardly any. as well as i-95 between the baltimore beltway and down to the capital beltway in both directions, no major incidents. over to 50, things look good out of annapolis and closer to the beltway in both directions. no issue. inbound, a little bit more volume than outbound. but no major delays. in fact, nice and clear as you connect on to new york avenue. i'm back in ten minutes with a look at your rails. eun, over to you. >> thank you. >>> this morning we know more details about a man who shot and killed six people at a sikh temple in wisconsin. wade michael page, civil rights group that tracks hate crime reported the 40-year-old man was a trust traded neonazi who believed in the white supremacist movement. investigators say he played in two bands associated with racist skin heads. the army kicked him out in 1990s because of a drinking problem. he was also a fire truck driver.

danella, good morning. how is traffic?we're going to start your first 4 traffic report looking at the rhames. if you're planning on taking metro, the blue line m a train malfunction just outside of van dorn metro station. causing delay tons blue line as you make your way towards largo. let's head over to the roadways. some good news. we did have eastbound u street blocked at 15th street because of a house fire. that road has reopened. northbound 16th street. northbound lanes are reopened at t street. let's head over to the inner loop of the beltway. exit 27. as you make your way towards college park. a crash there blocking the right lane of the exit ramp as your heading towards route one. aaron and eun, over to you. >>> plan ahead if you use the metro this weekend. track work could set you back half an hour. on the red line, the medical center and bethesda stations will be closed. free shuttle buses will operate between grovener, and friendship heights. orange line, trains will single track between foggy bottom and cla cla

danella has a look at traffic now. good morning. >> good morning.f you're traveling the inner loop of the beltway. traveling the inner loop at university boulevard it's along the left side. just be aware of that. your volume is light. you can see green little cars going by, you are clear as far as volume goes. i-270 southbound from clarksburg, nice and clear. really in both directions. still right nowing looking at the gaithersburg area and rockville, even connecting to the lane divide and the beltway in this area, no accidents to report. if you're traveling along i-95 in virginia, we'll talk details in ten minutes. aaron and eun, back over to you. >>> 4:43. still to come, the world's fastest man hope for another golden performance today. >>> plus, a local olympic hero is welcomed home. what the teenager says about being treated like a movie star >>> security scare in the air. a show of force some residents caught on video. >>> we'll tell you what app will be missing from our next iphone. [ crows cawing ] [ male announcer ] strange things happen in

danella, how's traffic s? >> traffic lanes are open if you're traveling on 295 in maryland as well as i-95 in maryland between the baltimore beltway and capital beltway. heading over to i-270, again, travel lanes are open. live look as you make your commute in germantown. live look at father hurley boulevard. southbound lanes are open. northbound as well. no issues as you connect to the beltway. back in ten minutes with a live look at the beltway, as well as travel speeds. >> thank you. >>> it is 4:43 just about. still to come, the steps southwest airlines is taking today after a big promotion backfired. >>> live look from london where things are busy this morning at olympic stadium. we have a look at what to watch for today including a >>> take a look at this news 4 exclues i've. police are investigating a case of excessive force. a laurel police officer hit a man in hand quufs. the witness shot this video outside early yesterday morning. police were called out at a fight at the rest rant. as they were taking

>> i'm danella sealock with news 4 today. >> danella will be back in just a few minutes to check on some of the areas that traditionally back up on holiday weekends like southbound i-95 in virginia and, of course, the bay bridge. >>> well, the next question on our minds, what will the weather be like over the long weekend? right now sunny skies and rising temperatures. storm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein joins us with the weekend's forecast. hey, tom? >> hey, you have no problems weatherwise. if you're leaving now for the labor day weekend or for the rest of the day. just going to be getting hot and as we saw there in that live view from our city camera, a gorgeous blue sky. meanwhile, off to our west, storm team 4 radar showing the circulation of the remnants of isaac spinning over northwestern a arkansas. spreading rain from louisiana across arkansas and all the way into missouri and it does look like it will track our way as we get towards the holiday weekend continue to move towards our region as we get into saturday night and sunday. right now around the region, we have a beautif

danel danella, how is the traffic now?> big delay on 295 southbound heavy on the brakes because of the earlier crashes out of the roadway. you're slow from 197 down to riverdale road. >> thank you, danella. >>> that's "news4 today." thanks for starting your day with us. >> the "today" show is next.

now a look at our traffic, "first 4 traffic," danella sealock back. good morning. >>> good morning, and thanks, tom. still looking at road work. this time, head down i-95. if you're traveling in the northbound lanes making your way towards 234, road work is blocking the left lane and the left-center lane and you are slow as you approach. let's check your travel speeds, under speed at about 34. . that's not terrible, just a little slow. let's head up to 395, this time southbound lanes at edsall, left side and central lane blocked with road work there. just be aware of that, and it's alternating closures, so hopefully, it should be wrapping up shortly. and if you're traveling northbound 395, not seeing any issues for you. i'll give you a look as you make your way northbound crossing over that 14th street bridge heading into d.c., no issues to report, nice and clear. back in ten minutes with another look at your traffic. aaron and eun? >> we will see you then. thanks. >> 4:42 now, 69 degrees. >>> still to come, why health officials are warning it will on

aaron and eun, back over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> all right. tom kierein is here with a look at our forecast. >> it's turned humid overnight. it's going to stay steamy here throughout the day and actually for the next 72 hours. and then a break for the weekend. but right now streaks of high cloudiness coming in over the region from the southwest heading northeast. it will be with us throughout much of the day. clear in western maryland. temperatures there have dropped down to just near 60 degrees. farther east, it's a bit milder. 60s and 70s, shenandoah valley. fairfax, arlington, montgomery, mid 70s. upper 70s around the bay. day planner for this wednesday. 7:00 a.m. temperatures, mid 70s. noontime, mid 80s. mid afternoon, low 90s. late afternoon, early evening might get isolated showers and thunder showers. some produce brief, heavy down poor pours. i'll be back in ten minutes with another update. >>> 6:02. this morning an escalator at the l'enfant plaza escalator hurt five people. a witness tells news 4 the escalator was making noise moments

danella will be here with danella i got the chanceh to start my own business. i know what it's like to hire people and to make ends meet. from those experiences, i had the chance of running the olympics. the games were in real trouble. there'd been way too much spending. and in massachusetts i found a budget that was badly out of balance. our legislature was 85% democrat. and every one of the four years i was governor, we balanced the budget. i want to use those experiences to help americans have a better future. we believe in our future. we believe in ourselves. we believe the greatest days of america are ahead. i'm mitt romney and i approve this message. >>> can you remember missing the who concert back in the 1970s? well, you will finally get to see the british rock band. the group cancelled the 1979 tour after a deadly stampede. fans in rhode island who held on to their stubs all these years will get to use thet these tickets at the upcoming show. so far ten people traded in their old tickets for new tickets to see the who that comes to providence next febr

a look at traffic now with danella. good morning. >> good morning.irst 4 traffic report, going to start out in the oath, fire activity in between 13th street all of the way to congress street. please be aware of that and avoid the area. again, it's closed in both directions. now, utility work, still happening. as you make your way across the key bridge heading outbound. all the lanes are blocked. if you are able to get through, you will just have to follow directions in that area. checking the rails for you. no reported delays along the metro, marc, or vre. all are running on or close to schedule. aaron and eun? >> thank you, danella. >>> all eyes are on tropical storm isaac as it moves to the u.s. coast. the storm could impact parts of florida as early as sunday night. but its track seems to be taking it farther west. potentially making it a greater threat to the gulf coast. today haiti and the dominican republic are brace for isaac as a tropical storm could cause major damage. 4,000 haitians still live in tents and temporary shelters as the country

danella? >> good morning, veronica. let's start if you're planning to head up i-95 towards baltimore. still have a car fire, northbound lanes are blocked. just past 395. right now you're redistricted on to 695 to continue your commute. so for now those northbound lanes are still blocked. should not b blocked throughout your morning rush this morning. now, heading over to 295. no issues there. travel lanes are open in maryland. between the beltways. heading over to route 50. in fact, looks nice and clear. i'll give you a live look as you make your way past 301. heading from 301 to the beltway you're driving at about 64 miles per hour. that drive taking eight minutes. inside the beltway on 50, you're clear from new york avenue. if you're traveling in theth in the district, checking cameras there, no incidents to warn you about right now. aaron, over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> new this morning, police in thailand say four people died when a fire swept through a tourist hot spot. the flame

>> danella, thanks. >>> 66 degrees now at 5:42.urricane isaac is leaving its mark on the gulf coast right now. >>> straight ahead, the latest developments out of new orleans, plus how d.c. residents are plus how d.c. residents are feeling the storm's impact. anncr: it'll start out as concrete and steel... but it'll become so much more. a new world-class resort casino in prince george's county. two thousand construction jobs to build it. four thousand permanent, good-paying jobs when it's done. hundreds of millions for maryland schools... real oversight to make sure the money goes... where it's supposed to. but none of it will happen unless we vote for... question seven this november. vote for question seven. and help build a better future for maryland. >>> we're tracking hurricane isaac now. right now it is a category 1 hurricane. it may keep its strength for much of today. it is pummelling the gulf coast with 80-mile-per-hour winds with the rain and storm surge are the real concern. much of the area is getting drenched with more t

back to you. >> thank you, danella.aug nbcwashington.com for everything you need to know about the london games. there's a guide to local athletes as well and the day's big events. of course, climb in on the "news4 today" facebook page. we want to know if you think it's time to call michael phelps the greatest olympian ever. >>> all right. it is now just about 6:21. time to weather and traffic on the ones. meet wrol gist veronica johnson telling us about a humid start and possibly some rain. >> we've got clouds out there right now. in fact, struggling sun rise. at least it's struggling to give us some sunshine. 73, the temperature. you can see the sun peeking through right there as it comes up. light wind. six miles per hour. the showers on radar. those are moving out. we seeing a few, too, pop just up to the north of us. light showers left around clinton, right around wood bridge area and bethesda. the bigger stuff already out of here. it's afternoon time today. more showers and storms. it will become more numerous. th

richard, over to you. >> thanks, danella. it is 4:53. >>> the district installed new lights at sherman circle in the pentworth neighborhood. this comes two years after a catholic university graduate student was gunned down there. neil was riding his bike home from work when he was robbed, then shot. police arrested a 17-year-old boy. the petworth neighborhood is the first in the city to use more energy-efficient l.e.d. lights. >>> you might want to make sure you completely stop at stop signs in the district. the d.c. council task force is considering proposals to add traffic cameras at stop signs across the district. another proposal would add automated cameras at busy intersections to catch drirs who block the box during the morning and evening rush. d.c. council mayor chase says tougher traffic enforcement is needed because police can't be everywhere. >> people blow through crosswalks all the time and it's very, very dangerous. these rolling stops are dangerous. we're an urban jurisdiction. there are lots of things going on

here's danella. >> thanks, tom. that's right. if you're traveling in virginia, heading on i-95 northbound at the beltway. as you're trying to make your way towards tysons corner, that earlier crash was blocking all of your lanes. it's just now in that left shoulder lane. you're still seeing big delays, about a solid backup. as you make your way from lorton and heading to the back way. solid delays in this area but really underspeed on i-95 the entire way. let's see from occoquan and heading to the beltway. 28 miles per hour. it's taking you 22 minutes. give yourself extra time. i would still recommend route 1 because i-95 pretty slow. >>> 5:54. we could be on track to see record prices at the pump this year. analysts say gas prices typically begin to drop in the latter part of the summer. but that has nn't happened this year. it's the highest ever last year. for what you're paying today, new numbers just in from aaa say d.c., you're paying about $3.91 for a gallon of gas. down a penny from yesterday. in maryland, $3.69 this morni

danella has a look at traffic now. >> good morning.e's a live look from chopper 4 over the scene. the tanker crash still active at fairfax county parkway. the good news on i-95 though, travel lanes are now open. earlier you were missing your right lane but now that right lane has opened as chopper pans over to the delays along i-95. still out of dale city, northbound, it is a slow commute for you. giving your travel speed in this area looking about 43 minutes to get from prince william parkway to the beltway. very slow. but good news is your travel lanes are open. connecting on to 395 though northbound from the beltway slow to seminary. no accidents. 14 minutes to get to the 14th street bridge. richard, back over to you. >> thank you. >>> new this morning, police are investigating a double shooting along pond street in northeast d.c. the shooting happened around 2:00. police say two men were shot. one in the arm and one in the leg. both were taken to the hospital and are expected to be okay. so far, no arrests have been made. >>> this

look at traffic now with danella. good morning. >> good morning. >>> first 4 traffic report, head down i-95 right now. making your commute. we'll look live not bad travel lanes are open. here's a live look. n't coing on 395. no issues there. and clear on 395 as you crossover the 14th street bridge. really in both directions. no reported delays on the metro, marc, or vre. eun, over to you. >>> metro is trying to figure out what caused an escalator accident that injured five people at the l'enfant plaza metro station. that escalator is closed this morning. a witness stels news4 the escalator was already making noise yesterday morning. net meth tro officials say a passenger's bag or garment got caught at the base of the escalator causing her and others to lose their balance and fall. officials say the metal strip came off. that wasn't the first accident involving an escalator at l'enfant plaza. two years ago an el a later sped up and stopped suddenly leaving six people injured. the weight on the escalator caused that mal

now, danella, how's traffic? >>> if you're traveling from prince william parkway northbound, heading to i-95 in virginia, you're going to see police activity because of an accident. it's moved to your right shoulder lane. you're also just seeing delays. in fact, a slow ride from prince william parkway to the beltway right now. heading over to the dulles toll road. looks better in both directions. not seeing any major volume. i am seeing some wet roadways. going to slow you down. from now, from hunter mill road to the beltway, 54 miles per hour. that drive taking seven minutes. over to the rails, couple of delays. brunswick east train, 11-minute delay. six-minute delay, brunswick train east 72. >> thank you. >>> 6:42. it is shaping up to be a busy day in annapolis. maryland's house of delegates will take up a bill to expand gambling in the state and a final vote on the measure could come as earl laz tonight. house committee approved the legislation yesterday. it lowered the taxes of maryland live! and new casino i

a look at traffic now with danella. >>> thanks, tom.f you're traveling on 395 northbound, here's the view from chopper 4. heavy on the brakes. a little sluggish in this area. delays northbound 395 pretty much until seminary road right now. not seeing any accidents from seminary as you make your way to the 14th street bridge. here's a live look as you make your way into d.c. let's check our travel speed now. northbound 395 to the 14th street bridge, you're sluggish. stop and go. over to 50, inbound. past 202, you will start hitting the brakes. now, you're really heavy on the volume as you make your way of approaching new york avenue. no accidents here on route 50 here. it is pretty sluggish for you this morning. aaron, over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> new today. we know the name of the person burned to death while trying to rob a cab driver. police say 30-year-old jacqueline renay of lothian, maryland, got into a cab at a largo metro station and road to bowery friday afternoon. she then demanded money from the cab by and started d

danella has a look at your first 4 traffic now. >> thanks, tom. right now i'm tracking two separate incidents on i-95 in virginia causing delays. let's start with the accident making your way northbound approaching quantico. two of the right lanes are blocked. a vehicle is rolling over in solid delays, sol delays out of staffford. this time let's head southbound hitting the brakes from courthouse road and steady volume as we make your way to three. the situation here is paving. taking away the right lane and right center lane. when i say solid delays, this is what you're facing. hopefully they will get the road work up soon. but for now, this is what you are facing. heading over to the rails we have a delay. penn south 403 on the marc, just 12 minutes now, metro, vre, no delays. >>> time is 25g 32. today, contenders of the white house will visit virginia as their first day as official candidates. presidential hopeful mitt romney and running mate paul ryan will hold a victory rally at richmond international airport around 2:00 this afternoon. rich

how is traffic now, danella? you're taking metro, still seeing delays on the orange and blue line due to rail work and single tracking in this area. delays in both directions. over to the mark. 11-minute delay this time brunswick east train 870. the rain is coming down on i-270. definitely seeing it in germantown as well as delays. details in ten minutes. jim and angie? >>> thanks. time is 5:41. when we come back, people around the region preparing to honor the life of a fallen police officer. >>> plus, why it may soon be >>> plus, why it may soon be harder to find some of samsung' anncr: it'll start out as concrete and steel... but it'll become so much more. a new world-class resort casino in prince george's county. two thousand construction jobs to build it. four thousand permanent, good-paying jobs when it's done. hundreds of millions for maryland schools... real oversight to make sure the money goes... where it's supposed to. but none of it will happen unless we vote for... question seven this november. vote

here's a look at monday commute with danella. >>> thanks.irst four traffic report, start in virginia. still seeing all of your lanes of franconia road. blocked. this is near gum street. fatal crash in that area. chopper 4 is on the way there. and now here's a live look right now in maryland. democracy boulevard. police are on the scene of a crash in that area. and it's affecting, also, westbound democracy boulevard here. the intersection is open but please use caution because police are still on the scene. i'm back in ten minutes with an update on both of those accidents. back over the you both. >>> general motors is recalling 38,000 police cars because of a us a spengs problem. gm's recall affects shea i have impalas made for police stations between 2008 and 2012. there's a problem in the front suspension that could make the driver lose control and crash. there have not been any reports of accidents because of the issue. gm spokesperson says civilian cars do not suffer from the suspension problem. >>> price of gas is going up. the lundberg

danella, how is traffic? >> things look good. i-66 outside the beltway. not seeing road work or any delays. live look right now as you make your way past the rest station. heading eastbound towards the beltway. no issues here westbound. clear as well. travel speed they heading eastbound to the beltway. 60 miles per hour. that drive just taking 11 minutes. inside the beltway on i-66 heading westbound making your way past east falls church, metro, you can see road work just set up block that right shoulder lane as well as the right lane. stick to the left to get by. your volume nice and light inside the beltway. so no issues as you make your way past that work zone. traveling alone, i-270, your commute in ten minutes. aaron and eun? >> thank you. >>> it's 4:42. 68 degrees. still to come, pulled from deplorable conditions. how you can help one of these little guys get a second chance at a life. >>> plus, the comments made by rihanna about her relationship with chris b >>> wng back. 4:45. right now, diana yag id is going from sue ba to the florida see keys. n

danella has a look at traffic now. good morning. >> good morning. thanks, tom. watching road work, let's head to prince george's county around the beltway. use take the outer loop, first work zone we're going to talk about is one at i-95. that's two of your right lanes getting by. the second work zone here, just one right lane will get you by. both work zones should be out of the roadway by 5:00 a.m. route 50, heading out from annapolis and making your way towards 3 and the beltway, nice and clear. here's a live look as you travel along 50 inside the beltway. no issues in maryland as you make your way past east/west highway and outbound as well. as you head from east/west highway, you are looking nice and clear. i'm also checking cameras in the district. things are quiet right now. happy friday to you. aaron and eun, back to you. >> thank you. >>> 4:42. still to come, new found freedom for the florida woman once accused of killing her >>> for the first time in four years casey anthony can come and go as she pleases. her probation ended at midnight. she was acqui

danella, how is traffic? >> tom, right now i have my eye on an accident. i-95 northbound in virginia. just as you make your way past the weigh station. spotting the left side of the roadway. we are able to get bebe just be cautious and stick to the right. let's head over to i-66 and check things out. traveling on 66, tom says rain is coming. right now at suddenly, few moments of just dry road. take advantage of it because also it's nice and clear. as you head eastbound though we did have overnight road work. this was at fairfax county parkway. as you continue, it was blocking the left side of the roadway. that also looks to be gone. just want to give you a heads up in case they are still picking up cones in that area. back in ten minutes. back over to you. >>> today we get an indication of just how serious the nationwide drought really is. the agriculture department will release its report on the u.s. corn and soybean crop. the report will likely show production is way down thanks to this country's worst drought in a half century. corn prices now at a reco

danella, good morning. how is traffic? >> tom, right now, still tracking the accident in mill g millington involving a tractor trailer. it was on fire. the exit ramp at fairfax county. northbound i-95 two northbound lanes are still blocked. you cannot get on to the exit ramp or off to the exit ramp and get on to i-95 from that area while crews a s ars are working. going to keep tracking this for you all morning long. >>> also looking for overnight road work. inner loop of the beltway, cones were up blocking the right lane. now they're nice and clear. also clear, taking the beltway, in time at george town pike on the outer loop of the beltway, the righter lane was blocked but cones are up in this area was pell. i'm back in ten minutes with another look at your traffic. >> danella, thanks. >>> 4:53. today one of the most inspirational events in sports is set to begin. the paralympics will open tonight. it's making a 92-mile over night trip around the english countryside being carried by more than 580 people running in teams

for now, danella. >> right now, let's start out in virginia. traveling eastbound 66 trying to get to the outer loop of the beltway. that ramp you will find a multi-vehicle accident blocking the right lane as well as the right shoulder lane. delays on 66 as you approach the beltway you can see here, eastbound. starting to crowd up because a lot of people are trying to get on to the beltway outer loop and they're having a difficult time doing so. stick to the left of that ramp. also speaking of ramps. outer loop of the beltway new hampshire avenue trying to get on new hampshire avenue heading southbound of the outer loop. that accident still active here. car veered off of the roadway. they are blocking the right side of the roadway -- excuse me, the left side of the roadway. stick to the right of the exit ramp. you will be able to exit. it is slow at this time. eun, over to you. >>> this morning lance armstrong is in danger of losing his seven tour de france titles. armstrong is accused of using performance enhancing drugs. the u.s. ada will ban

danella has your first4 traffic now. >> thanks, tom. checking out your first4 traffic report, i-270, there northbound. in the local lanes at i-. 0. temporarily the northbound local lanes were blocked due to the crash in that area. now it's in your right shoulder lane. let's talk about southbound delays. still slow from 85, a slow trip for you as you make your way towards 109. i'll show you what that looks like. the good news is, though, once you pass 109, really clarksburg road, once you pass 121 the lanes open up for you. here's a live look as you make your way down southbound, shady grove, clear. all of the way to the beltway. back in ten minutes with another look at your traffic. jim, over to you. >> all right, danella, thanks so much. >>> another heads up for drivers this morning, you will be sharing the roads today. more school bus rest out on the roads. they head back to school today. officials are reminding drivers to be extra alert and slow down in those school zones. >>> well, d.c. public schools are beginning the year with new

danella, good morning. >> good morning. tom, right now your first4 traffic report, serious accident. this is on i-270 southbound at father hurley boulevard. the accident involves injury. right now looks like it's blocking the right side of the roadway. police are on the scene. delays are significant at this time. really right around father hurley when you approach it you're absolutely jammed. each lane is packed. i'm going to keep watching this for you and give you another update. but as it continues, delays are growing by the minute. let's head over to i-95 in virginia. things look better in this area. live look at lorton northbound. you can see getting a little bit of action but no major volume just yet. in fact, your travel speed from prince william parkway heading towards the beltway, 63 miles per hour. that drive taking 13 minutes. the you're taking the marc, camden south 841. aaron, they're looking at an 11-minute delay. over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> 5:24 is our time now. major disappointment for an american

back over to you, eun. >> danella, thank you. 4:33. the new republican ticket will spend their first day of official nominees in virginia. mitt romney and his running mate paul ryan will hold a victory rally at richmond international airport. martin air will be hosting the candidates. romney and ryan were last in the common wealth together about three weeks ago for ryan's introduction as vice presidential nominee. virginia has become a key battleground state after president obama's win there in 2008. the visit comes after an electric final night at the republican national convention. >> i accept your nomination as president of the united states. >> after accepting his party's nomination romney hit many of the points analysts said were needed for a successful speech. he was deeply personal at times, opening up about his family and faith. romney also attacked issues crucial to the campaign, economy, health care, and foreign policy. he also worked to paint himself as a polar opposite of president obama. >> to the majority of americans who

>> danella, thank you. >>> breaking news. at least three people were hurt in a bombing near a hotel in syria. that explosion rocked the hotel in damascus earlier today. u.n. observers were staying there but no u.n. staffers were hurt. >>> maryland governor martin o'malley will sign a hotly debated gambling expansion bill into law. the general assembly passed it early this morning after months at a stand still. that means table games and a new casino in prince george's county are one step closer to reality. but first, voters will have a say. news 4 ears melissa mollet is at national harbor with the details. >> reporter: that's right. the senate passed this bill, 71-58, late last night. excuse me, the the house did. early this morning the senate concurred. now, yes, this is in the hands of voters. the bill would allow table games like blackjack and roulette at some existing locations as well as new construction. voter here's in prince george's would need to approve the new casino site most likely where we are this morning at na

danella, how is our traffic now? >> tom, right now, checking out the situation, outer loop of the beltway at 355. report of an accident in that area. but not a lot of volume. things look good. now, let's head over to 29. really at 32 we'll look live if you're traveling along 29. light volume as you make your way southbound. and even northbound. clear and southbound is all of the way clear to the beltway. aaron and eun, over to you. >>> the very uncharacteristic mistake that cost one american the gold medal. >> first picture sent back from the surface of mars. detail tons two-year mission [ female announcer ] the power of green coffee extract is now in our new starbucks refreshers™ -- a breakthrough in natural energy. made with real fruit, starbucks refreshers™ are delicious low calorie drinks you can feel good about. ♪ rethink how you re-energize. ♪ get a boost of natural energy with a new starbucks refreshers™, in three ways. natural energy from green coffee extract, only from starbucks. >>> touchdown confirmed. >>

some problems early this morning, danella, right? >> right now what we're dealing with in the district is a house fire. the fire department is on the scene and in the northwest the 600 and 700 mrauk of sirveing street still closed at this time. closures between columbia road and kenyan street. please avoid the area while crews are working. let's head over to the american legion bridge and as you cross the american region bridge and also as you approach the american legion bridge the right lane is blocked, as well. barbara, back over to you. >> thank you, danella. >>> our time 19 minutes after 11:00. still ahead, we're talking to the others of the new book called "capital girls." the dynamic duo joins us first in the studio. first, here's a look at what's first, here's a look at what's hot on nbcwashington.com. but somewhere along the way, something went horribly wrong. george allen voted for trillions in debt while voting to raise his pay four times, then voted to keep special tax breaks for oil and gas companies and took over a half