but as jeff goldberg reports, he is fighting the time behind bars. and a new cotton's from apple >> developing news from richmond, where a judge sentenced former virginia governor bob mcdonnell to two years in prison, but that sentence may not stand. jeff goldberg tells us what's next. >> the two-year sentence comes weeks after the u.s. probation office recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison. following the decision, bob mcdonnell embraced his children in the courtroom, then walked outside looking call men composed. following the decision in court bob mcdonnell thanked judge spencer for showing mercy while maintaining his own innocence. >> i know some of the judgments i have made during the course of my governorship affect it myself, my family, and the beloved people of virginia. >> the defense called 11 character witnesses in court tuesday, all of whom spoke fairly highly -- very highly of the former governor, most noticeably douglas wilder. he said mcdonnell has been hurt and wounded almost permanently asking the judge to give mercy. the

live in richmond jeff goldberg abc 7 news. >> thank you, jeff. developing news out of baltimore tonight where a 15-month-old boy has died following a crash involving a maryland transit administration bus and an s.u.v. police report the s.u.v. ran into the back of the bus at about 6:00 monday night. a woman was in the s.u.v. with the toddler was taken to the hospital. she's expected to survive and the crash is under investigation. next at 6:00 what is the future of the smartphone? new patents obtained by apple give us a clue of what's in store. power outages and inches of snow in the district. what the new mayor is saying about it. and we're keeping a close eye on temperatures across the area. how cold it will get. >> breaking news out of fairfax county tonight. moments ago, school officials announced school will open two hours late on wednesday. central office will open at 10:00 in the morning. this is the only delay at this hour. stay with abc 7 for updates as we get them. the white house issued its first veto threat on the first day of the 114t

live in the newsroom jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> thank you, jeff. developing right now in afghanistan, three american contractors and a local afghan national were shot to death in kabul. the shooting happened at the north kabul international airport complex. at this point, there are few details about the shooter or whether he was a member of the afghan security forces. there's no word on the fates of a jordanian air force pilot or a japanese journalist held hostage by isil terrorists. a deadline set by the group for a prisoner swap has come and gone. isil gave jordan until sundown local time today to free a bomber on death row. jordan demanded proof its pilot was still alive before making a trade. for the first time 911 calls from the deadly mansion fire in annapolis have been released. the first call was from the company that installed the smoke alarm in the home of don and sandra pyle. the operator said he wasn't able to reach anyone inside the mansion. >> calling with a fire alarm. >> two minutes later, a neighbor called 911 describing flames sho

live in leesburg, jeff goldberg abc 7 news. >> thanks jeff. you can get up-to-the-minute information about the weather on our website at wjla.com. you can also see what the weather looks like in your neighborhood on the abc 7 stormwatch weather app on your smartphone. a news conference begins in just a few minutes with new information about the investigation into the metro smoke incident at the l'enfant plaza station. we expect to hear from lawmakers and the ntsb. roz slater is live at the capitol tonight with more. >> we expect that briefing to start in a couple of minutes or so after a closed door meeting between the ntsb and 12 members of the national capital delegation. that's all our lawmakers. what they've been talking about, of course is that deadly metro incident last week where smoke filled the tunnel at the l'enfant plaza station. it trapped some 200 passengers on that yellow line train. one passenger died. as a result it was, and dozens of others were hospitalized. now, these investigations usually take time. but -- and they are in

jeff goldberg is live in richmond to explain. jeff? >> well, maureen, in less than an hour the governor will be delivering his state of the commonwealth speech. economic issues will be at the forefront. job creation reducing a budget deficit and medicaid expansion. but during this session, the agenda is filled with many other issues that go beyond the economy. >> republicans who control both the house and senate may not be happy about it. the democratic governor is pushing forward with a left leaning agenda. >> i got to tell you, i'm absolutely stunned by how many social issues the governor has put forward. >> he is proposing a handful of measures on gun control in addition to gay rights. he wants to change state code by removing references to husband and wife in exchange for the term "spouse". >> this is not an easy battle even for code adjustments but we've got to move forward. it's 2015. >> but republicans are pushing back including one bill allowing licensed businesses to refuse service to same sex couples on moral or religious obj

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is live in richmond. jeff, what is happening there today? >> well we are at the jefferson hotel in downtown richmond where just moments ago, i spoke with bob mcdonnell's sister who is also named maureen. she tells me that the governor spent a lot of time today in prayer and preparing with his lawyers as well as spending time with his children and close friends. his sister maureen telling us that he has done everything possible to try to keep a normal routine these past several months and of course going into tomorrow's sentencing. that's been a big priority for the former governor many now, going into tomorrow the u.s. probation office has recommended that this former governor face between 10 years and a month to 12 years and seven months in prison. the defense, meanwhile, is asking for 6,000 hours of community service and no prison time. bob mcdonnell has been living on his own since last summer at this rectory in richmond. he and his wife maureen were found guilty in accepting gifts in exchange for grant

live in falls church jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> thank you, jeff. coming out about the terrifying attack on a woman in columbia maryland. it's happened at the columbia landing apartments on taymar drive wednesday morning. victim told police that a man who she believes she saw days before the attack pulled her into an apartment and raped her. the suspect is described as an african-american man in his 30's with a medium build and two to three inch long dread locks or braids. howard county police are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. >> and it's time now for a look at the day's other top stories. metro is now promising safetyprovements after last week's deadly incident on the yellow line. some recommendations include allowing train operators the power to turn off erin take systems. metro also plans to add signs on the outside of trains to show emergency doors and access points. one passenger, of course was killed. dozens of others were sick. due to that thick smoke. >> a judge is ordering the man accused of three a

jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> thank you, jeff. it's supposed to help you get around town, but authorities say it with lives in danger. >> why this is under the microscope. >> and an unbelievable crash caught on camera. >> >> letting out fuel hundreds of miles from land over the ocean is usually disastrous. this pilot deployed a special parachute, landing the plane in the ocean. he was picked up by a nearby cruiseship. he is now on dry land, but his half million dollar plane is at the bottom of the pacific ocean. >> there is good news tonight about senate minority leader harry reid. he is doing well. he and surgery today on his right eye. he is with his wife, cracking jokes, and talking about the vote on the keystone pipeline. he lost vision in his right eye during an exercise accident new year's day. doctors are optimistic about his prospects of regaining his vision. >> 7 on your side with a consumer alert about a popular traffic-tracking smartphone app that allows drivers to avoids need traps. officers are being -- officers are p

jeff goldberg is live at the scene in shirlgiington. >> the cause of the fire will be determined by the fire marshal. we know that it started either in the basement or on the first floor. that is all we know in terms of the start of the fire. the fire sent to people to the hospital with nonlife threatening injuries. the cleanup is far from done. on the kind of night when people generally stay inside -- >> i saw the flames. >> people living on south wakefield street could not help but rush outside. >> the fire truck came by the back door. >> the call came in at 6:40 followed by a massive response from the arlington and alexandria fire departments crews descending upon one home. >> there was a fire in the basement and first floor. >> there was tons of smoke. >> thankfully, it did not take long for firefighters to get inside and get control. >> the units were on the scene quickly and got the fire knock-down. >> two people inside the home were transported to an alexandria hospital as the crews continued cleaning up a fire that neighbors cannot believe. >> the most spectacular kind of event

live in alexandria, jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> coming up on abc 7 news at 6:00 the story changes. a best-selling author who they say part of his book was untrue. and tragedy on the tracks. the bizarre accident that killed a baltimore native and celebrity fitness instructor. >> i'm rebecca cooper at the anacostia river. we'll tell you why public officials and students are here to honor dr. king's legacy. that's coming up on abc 7 news. >> and i'm doug hill in the storm watch weather 7 center. six of the next seven days look great. the one that doesn't is wednesday. i'll tell you what to expect still to come here on abc 7 news >> prominent north korean defector admits he changed parts of his life story. it was the base for the 2012 bestseller "escape from camp 14." he now admits some of the details in the book were not true. he says he and his family were actually transferred from camp 14 to a less restrictive facility when he was 6 years old. he also says his torture including being lowered from a hook over a fire took place when he was 20 not 13. an investigation is happening now

until then live in richmond jeff goldberg abc 7 news. >> thank you. the maryland general assembly meanwhile, began its 435th session today in annapolis. larry hogan and state lawmakers are starting this year's legislative session by emphasizing bipartisanship. one big issue they'll have to tackle is finding a way to deal with the state's estimated $750 million budget shortfall for the 2016 fiscal year. hogan says he also wants to look at lowering tolls once he takes office. he will be sworn in next week. and coming up on abc 7 news at 5:00 the double dose of problems you can face when you file your taxes this year. >> plus a case of whooping cough in a local elementary school. what's being done about it. >> a woman found guilty of stealing $80,000 in jewelry from luxury homes and this d.v.d. has a clip of her caught in the act. i'm kevin lewis in rockville and after the >> time now for a look at the day's other top stories. three people are hospitalized with nonlife threatening injuries after an explosion at a shopping center in falls church. that exp

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is live in alexandria with more on this plan. hi, jeff. >> hi alison. good afternoon. yeah that plan is certainly in doubt right now. 11-3, that was the vote today tabling that measure that democrats really trying to make a big push to get minimum wage moving forward. you know we asked some businesses here along mount vernon avenue in alexandria in del ray they say they're paying more than the minimum wage anyway many of them. it appears a change on the state level does not look like it's going to happen at least for the moment. minimum wage in virginia currently sits at $7.25 an hour. that's also the federal minimum wage. at least five different bills set to be introduced this session to increase the minimum wage by at least a dollar. the measure defeated today would have increased it by a dollar each in the next three years. many business groups and republicans are fighting the increase while democrats and workers' groups are pushing for a change. >> at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. so if you want to have that y

until then live in leesburg jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> jeff thank you very much. let's go now from northern virginia to maryland where chris has been driving around in mobile track 7 checking out the roads there and he joins us now. what are you seeing chris? >> well alison much like what jeff said the news for drivers right now is pretty good. you can see we're traveling about 60 65 miles an hour here on route 270 heading north through maryland. there isn't any snow. doesn't appear to be any ice on the roads right now. traffic is moving really well. if you look on the side this is the type of snow that is a little bit heavier, a little bit wet and makes for very pretty driving. trees are covered in this type of snow. since it's not on the roads, you can appreciate it a little bit more. now, we are heading towards frederick. we hear that there are some roads in frederick that did get a little bit more snow on them. perhaps, didn't get as well driven as this one. a little bit warmer to melt that snow. so once we get there, we'll let you know what we see. also, as w

until live in sterling jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> thank you very much. meanwhile, a coroner in ohio has ruled the death of a frederick county maryland toddler a homicide. the coroner said cameron beckford died from blunt force trauma to his upper body. wednesday, columbus police found his body in a bag in a creek. his mother originally told police she left the boy at a stranger's house because she could no longer care for him. denisha stevens later admit that was a lie. stevens is charged with child endangerment and tampering with evidence. and federal prosecutors will not be charging john hinckley in the death of james brady. the former white house press secretary died in august from injuries related to a is the 81 assassination attempt on president reagan. a jury found hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity and because of this the department of justice said the government is precluded from now arguing hinckley was sane at the time of that shooting. hinckley has of course spent the past three decades in a mental hospital. >> now, d.c. officially has

jeff goldberg explains why the plan is moving once again. >> the metro passes through potomac greens without stopping all the time. many people living here hope it stays that way. >> behind townhomes? no it should not go there. >> he said all the congestion would cause problems. >> it could risk the neighborhoods. >> but the project is taking a major step forward after governor terry mcauliffe announce the state has improved -- approved a $50 million low-interest loan to the city of alexandria to help build the station that will serve the yellow and blue lines. it is good news for city staffers working on the project as it would cover about 25% of the total cost. without the loan it would be harder to do. it is a very flexible loan. >> another option is just north of the neighborhood next to the gw parkway. the other two and less likely possibilities are behind the potomac yard shopping center, using existing csx and amtrak train tracks. >> it's a phenomenal idea. >> she hopes that planners will take a closer look at this side of the track. >> i'm a big fan of public transportation i

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg explains. >> many people watching them are wanted debate believe that laws are bound to loosen. not if but when. >> it will happen. >> i was thought that do criminalizing marijuana was a good idea. >> it is a whole new world. we have to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol the same. >> attitudes appear to be shifting across virginia. 71% of virginians support do criminalizing small amounts of pot while 69% support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. tucker martin who served as the communication director for bob mcdonald recently wrote an op-ed urging the gop to support reforming marijuana laws as a way to connect with a broader base of voters. all of this is not mean the republican majority in the house and senate enrichment is ready to move on the issues -- in richmond is ready to move on the issue. >> it is not a priority for the party that controls the legislature. >> i would not want to be living in a state where it is widespread like colorado. >> jennifer weaver believes that looser laws would only lead to problems like abuse. >

jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> coming up -- the inspector has come and gone. we check to see if the heat is on at an apartment building that was without it for months. >> plus, a massive explosion of fireworks. what caused this pilot? >> and hear from the officers who escaped the dump truck that was heading for there's a place online where you always get more than you pay for tjmaxx.com. better brands at better prices to help you maxx what matters most to you... anytime. maxx life. shop tjmaxx.com. we thought our cable internet was fast. but, our uploads are half the speed of our downloads so our internet is really half-fast. so half-fast. someone did a half-fast job posting our vacation pics. stop living with half-fast internet. only verizon fios comes with speedmatch - uploads as fast as downloads. get a fios triple play for just $79.99 a month online for two years and get a $400 bonus with a two year agreement! hurry! it's your last chance. this offer ends january 17th. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v >> we firs

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg reports there's a new push to curb those numbers. >> my son had all of life's blessing. >> don flattery says there's a very clear reason why he talks about the death of his son kevin. a native of alexandria and graduate of gonzaga child high school and u.v.a. who died last september of a prescription overdose. >> critically important to personalize these stories. these are real people. these are tragic lost lives that can never be recovered. >> today, in richmond he was joining political leaders to make a push to battle the statewide epidemic of prescription drug and heroin addiction. >> we're all fighting a losing battle. >> this attorney general is proposing several different bills on the issue including one that encourages reporting overdoses and progress penalties against drug dealers and expanding use of a prescription drug that counteracts doses. >> the goal of these bills is to save lives. >> between 2011 and 2013 heroin overdose deaths increased in every region of virginia including a 164% increase in northern virginia. >> every da

live in alexandria jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> good deal. thanks jeff. sounds good. that's it nu now for abc 7 news at 5:00. >> one of the riders sickened by that smoke at l'enfant plaza plans to file a lawsuit. what he thought his last words were to his family. >> new details on the plot to bomb the u.s. capitol. learn what's being credited with foiling that attack. >> big changes when it comes to americans traveling to cuba. details on what takes effect tomorrow. abc 7 news at 6:00 starts now! >> d.c. officials have released a timeline of the emergency response to monday's smoke incident at l'enfant plaza metro station. it confirms the reports of passengers who said they waited more than 30 minutes for help. d.c. mayor muriel bowser has ordered a review of the response and she expects a preliminary report in about two days. a second report will be released next week. >> there are still questions that remain that i want answers to including i mentioned earlier that we did not know the time that the train actually became disabled on the tracks when the time that the

jeff goldberg will be in the courtroom and will bring updates through the afternoon. more legal problems for a virginia lawmaker tonight. delegate joe morrissey surrendered to the sheriff after a grand jury indicted him on four felony counts including forgery and injury. he had resigned among accusations he had sex with a 17 ural secretary. voters reelected him in a special election. he for the charges come he was nights in jail for contributing to the latency of a minor. the washington nationals signed max scherzer for $210 million. tim is here with more. you talked to him today? >> max said there is only one reason came to washington -- he wants to win. i submit there are 210 million other reasons. max yoursscherzer is 6'3", he has one blue eye, one brown eye, and he can flat out pitch. he won the cy young award. besides the mone max says it's all about winning. >> at the end of the day, we were concerned about the organization. what we want to a copley's from free agency, and that's why we hear. >> everybody assumes there will be trades. jordan zimmermann, doug fis

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is there with more on the investigation. jeff? >> alison this was an all night effort to get the suspect into custody. alexandria mendez. police say she did not want to go into custody but eventually they arrested her at her home in fairfax city yesterday. it started yesterday at 4:45 in this lot. mendez drove in here and tried to get out by doing a three point turn. hit two men one that was injured critically before fleeing. eventually going through this fence and taking off. turning into an all night man hunt. here's a photo of the suspect, taken into custody early this morning charged with multiple crimes including hit and run and driving with a suspended license. you'll look at surveillance video right now showing her video striking two other cars before leaving this lot. police say 40-year-old noormustafa shaikh who owns this lot stood in front and she ran over him. a crowd gathered to try to stop her. at which point mendez stepped on the gas ran off the foot of one man and ran over shaika who was laying on the ground. witnes

jeff goldberg will be in richmond for tuesday's sentencing. look for complete coverage on air and online at wjla.com. president obama back at the white house tonight after a two-week vacation in hawaii with his family. the obama's were joined at joint base andrews today after an overnight flight. on tuesday, the new republican-led congress reconvenes. d.c. mayor muriel bowser made one of her first national appearances in her new position. earlier she appeared on "meet the press." mayor bowser said she will continue the fight for statehood. >> we are washington, d.c.. the residents of the district of columbia really want to forge a new path towards statehood. we can start with budget autonomy, unhooking our government from the federal government. >> mayor bowser also says she wants congress to focus on the big issues of the nation, including immigration and working together to get things done on the hill. >>coming up, eileen is backa forecast. how low >> eileen, your forecast is encouraging us to stay in bed a few extra minutes tomorrow morning

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is covering this scandal involving the former governor since the beginning. jeff, what is mcdonnell saying tonight? >> scott, the former governor certainly seems composed after this decision. not smiling or celebratory but certainly not shaking like he was after the verdict last september. in court this morning, judge james spencer knocking down the sentencing guidelines from 10 to 12 years to 6 1/2 to eight years based on some discrepancies he had with the conviction. but the actual decision was far less than the guidelines had suggested. it is impossible to say what punishment bob mcdonnell was expecting before court today. but he thanked judge james spencer afterwards for showing mercy. >> i've made the mistakes in my life and i try to put the best interest of the people first as governor. >> the defense calling 11 witnesses in court, all of whom spoke of the unquestionably solid and honest character of the former governor. mcdonnell continues to maintain his innocence but expressed regret for his choices. >> i have failed at times in some o

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is live there tonight with new information that he just learned about the victim. jeff? >> alison, in the last hour, i spoke with a close friend of the victim noormustafa s tells me that shaikh has opened his eyes and he's responding to a nurse. but he still cannot breathe on his own and is soon going into another surgery at g.w. hospital in d.c. investigators took the suspect into custody at 6:00 this morning. and now they're trying to figure out exactly why this happened. >> this surveillance video shows the beginning of an incident that would leave 40-year-old noormustafa shaikh, a fear of three. >> he is a fabulous guy! i mean -- >> struggling to stay alive. >> i saw the body the ground laying there. >> she works with shaika. police say yesterday at 4:45 39-year-old alexandria mendez drove in the lot. while trying to turn around and get out hit two other cars but kept moving. shaika ran to stop her at which point she ran over him and stopped. >> now we have a crowd forming. please don't leave this, guy is on the ground in front of her.

abc 7 northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg was in the courtroom when it happened. he joins us live from richmond with reaction. jeff? >> this was an unexpected verdict based on the day began. they recommended guidelines of 10 to 12 years. earlier today, the judge knocking that down to 6 1/2 to eight years as the guidelines based on questions about perjury and bribery. before the judge finally committed to a decision of a sentence of two years in prison for former governor bob mcdonnell. here is footage of the former governor walking into court this morning. he did not make a comment. during the hearing today, defense calling 11 character witnesses speaking very highly of the former governor including former virginia governor doug wilder who seemed to be very affected. defense attorneys said so and thought so. he actually called out star witness for the prosecution johnny williams for having no punishment at all. that drew a big applause from the courtroom. judge james spencer spoke before issuing his sentence and seemed to be very moved by the nearly 450 letters wri

until then in richmond, jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> and a federal court will hear another challengegun control law. the fourth u.s. circuit court of appeals will decide the constitutionality of that ban on 45 assault weapons and high capacity opponents of the law say a federal judge in baltimore erred when she upheld that law last year. oral arguments are scheduled for march 24th and the montgomery county council has banned the use and sale of foam food and drink containers. unanimous vote requires the use of compostable or recyclable alternatives by the county government and its contractors. the county must make the change by january 1s of next year and private businesses must switch by january of 2017. d.c. approved a similar measure last year citing environmental concerns. >> nasa probe is closing in on the dwarf planet. the spacecraft sent back images as it approaches the dwarf. it is the largest object in the asteroid belt between mars and jupiter, in case you didn't know that. dawn is expected to enter orbit in march. nasa launched dawn eight years ago. love those pictures. 13

in maclean jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> all right, jeff. thank you. well, washington nationals outfielder jason werth will spend five days in jail for reckless driving. werth was convicted for driving over 105 miles an hour on the beltway. he was originally sentenced to 10 days in jail but appealed. after pleading guilty today, his sentence was cut in half and werth will serve his sentence on the weekends. >> just released 911 calls are giving some perspective on how fast that fire consumed a waterfront mansion in annapolis for a couple and their four grandchildren were killed. first call came from the alarm company reported that smoke alarms were sounding and then two minutes later, a neighbor called. >> i mean the whole house is engulfed. >> is anybody inside? >> i have no idea. >> investigators revealed yesterday that a dry christmas tree fuelled those flames and that cut off escape routes for those people who were inside. tonight, we're learning more about things you can do to protect your own home. maryland bureau chief brad bell live at the scen

live in sterling jeff goldberg abc 7 news. >> ok thank you. a couple is dead. two police officers injured after a multistate crime spree. and it came to an end yesterday in lewisburg, west virginia, when police arrested edward campbell and his 21-year-old son! this was after a shootout. police say they found the bodies of jerome faulkner and his wife dora inside one of the campbells' vehicles. investigators believe the campbells killed the faulkners and then set their north carolina home on fire. >> this is west virginia police had not stopped them this crime spree would have continued on. >> police said the injured officers were both wearing body armor and their injuries are not life threatening. one of the suspects was also wounded in that exchange of gunfire. >> three people were injured at an underaged drinking party at a hotel. this happened at the hilton hotel on seminary road early this morning. police say several underaged people were drinking inside of a hotel room there when the argument turned violent. one 18-year-old man is hospitalized in serious c

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg live in richmond tonight on the story and jeff, i understand that you spoke with the former governor's sister. >> that's right, leon. i spoke with her about 15 minutes ago. the governor's sister whose name is also maureen says that bob mcdonnell is doing as well as can be expected at the moment. she tells me that the past few months he has really just tried to keep a routine and tried to keep things as normal as possible. the former governor spending today preparing with attorneys as well as spending time with his children and close friends. walk the streets of richmond and you will find many people pulling for former governor bob mcdonnell. >> i think they should have more on him. i don't think he should go to prison. >> while predicting that judge james spencer will deliver a harsh sentence. >> i think they're going to put him in the pokey. >> the u.s. probation office has recommended that mcdonnell face between 10 years and a month to 12 years and search months in prison. they are asking for 6,000 hours of community service and no prison tim

but first, heats go to our jeff goldberg live outside medstar washington hospital center where they just updated the condition of those hospitalized. jeff? >> they certainly did, alison. a few hours ago i did speak with a family member of carol gruber. she was devastated by what had happened. not really family members said to comment much more on this situation. but doctors here at medstar washington medical center certainly dealing with patients not only physically dealing with a very difficult situation but also emotionally, psychologically after what happened yesterday. a truly traumatic experience. here now some footage of what we saw yesterday. just these amazing pictures after this incident taking place at l'enfant plaza and of the many passengers that suffered injuries many were treated on the scene or nearby hospitals later released smoke inhalation being the primary cause of concern. here at medstar washington medical center 18 patients were admitted and 12 treated and released and six patients remained hospitalized today. four of whom have either been released or will soon be r

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg live in leesburg with what he's seeing right now. hi jeff. >> hi alison. good way of putting it. when the snow was falling, it was heavy. it was consistent. really coming down. now this is what we're left with to clear sidewalks, the clear roads and a lot of snow on the grass. this is the kind of snow we're dealing with, hard packed snow. wet, good for making snowballs and probably what a lot of kids are doing out here today as schools were closed in loudoun county. when the snow was falling, plenty of people made the most of the opportunity. for some in leesburg the falling snow was a sight of calm beauty. >> it's calm you know. i like it though. not bad. >> for scott harshman. >> been a slow year. >> seeing lights means green. after what has been a winter mostly without snow, harshman is finally busy plowing parking lots all over town. >> just got my truck out of the $3500 transmission bill. need to put it to work. >> vdot trucks also getting a workout. 800 of them across northern virginia as the fast falling snow led to some challe

live in the newsroom jeff goldberg, abc 7 news. >> jeff thank you. and still ahead on abc 7 news at 5:00 tracking the roadways. we'll check in with tom roussey for where the problem areas are for tonight's commute. >> plus, caught on camera. what happened after this heart stopping momentum a propeller stops in the ocean. >> and a firefighter arrested. the cache of weapons that they found in his car and the smell that led to the arrest. >> and what travelers are doing to get to their final destination ahead of this historic storm. i'm suzanne kennedy. i'll have that story when >> take a look at this. a fire at a california marina destroys more than a dozen boats. officials say the fire at the walnut grove marina this morning took several hours to contain. some of the destroyed boats were 60 feet long. the cause of that fire, under investigation. >> travel across the region now is being affected by a ripple effect from the blizzard in the northeastern u.s. it's not just air travelers feeling the pain tonight. suzanne kennedy is live at reagan national

northern virginia chief jeff goldberg explains what the protesters say has to change. >> justice! >> most of them never knew john geer and don't know his family. for protesters like this -- >> is there frustration? >> the fight to publicize more information about the case is personal. >> even though you didn't know john geer why are you out here today on this cold day? >> it could be my family member one day and somebody i know that's close to me and i would hope there would be people that want to get justice for my family. >> in august of 2013 a fairfax police officer shot and killed geer following a stand-off at his townhome in springfield. just this week 16 months later fairfax police identified the officer who pulled the trigger as private first class adam torres. police say he fired a single shot after geer began lowering his hands while standing in the doorway. >> he was an unarmed man. why didn't they deal with him as an unarmed man? >> geer threatened to use a firearm in the stand-off a claim that the geer family attorney denies. >> we want an independent investigation. we

jeff goldberg will be in richmond for tuesday's sentencing. more than 10 dozen people lined new york city streets today to pay their final respects to a slain police officer. detective liu was laid to rest today two weeks after he and his partner were shot to death in an ambush in brooklyn. the ad been a police officer seven years. among those painter be it, new york city -- among those paying tribute, new york city mayor bill de blasio. >> he was everything we aspire to be. we lost two individuals who were showing us the way. >> as the mayor spoke him hundreds of new york city police officers turned their backs. but he officers are upset with him for supporting demonstrators who took to the streets to protest what they call police brutality. the nba and nfl were just some of the professional sports organizations paying tribute today too late espn sports anchor stuart scott. the 49-year-old father of two died this morning after a long battle with cancer. today we are hearing from local sports fans about the man who graced tv screens for decade

abc 7's got team coverage on northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg as well as the reporter suzanne kennedy will be hmond for tomorrow's sentencing and we will have complete coverage on air as well as on line at wjla.com. a memorial will be held today for a virginia yoga instructor who died while in mexico. hari simran's body was found friday on a mountainous area south of mexico city. he disappeared during a hike. investigators believe he tripped and hit his head on a rock. the memorial will be held at the sikh place of worship in sterling at 3:00 in the afternoon. coming up here on abc 7 news at noon, from housewife to inmate. the reality show star who got her prison sentence today. >> plus tracking your every move. alarming new threat that could put your home at risk. >> and winter weather is headed our way. jackie is in next to tell us how this >> welcome back. jury selection is under way in the trial of the man charged with killing 6-year-old etan pates. he disappeared in 1979 while he was on his way to school. pedro hernandez wasn't a suspect until police received a tip in 201

jeff goldberg is in the courtroom today and he'll have much more from today's hearing starting here on abc 7 news tonight. irginia man is in the hospital this noon after an early morning fire in arlington. that fire broke out aroun this morning on the 2100 block of south randolph street in the shirlington section of the county. firefighters rescued the man from the burning home. he was taken to the virginia hospital center in unknown condition. still no word of what caused the fire. and investigators continue trying to identify the two bodies found at the scene of monday's mansion fire in annapolis. the medical examiner's office in baltimore is conducting autopsies autopsies. four other people are unaccounted for. relatives believe don and sandra pyle and their four grandkids were in this huge waterfront home when it caught fire. and the pyle and boone families issued a statement today thanking the community and investigators. in part it says "we wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for the love and support being shared with us during this tragic event. we are blessed that so

and abc 7's jeff goldberg will be in the courtroom as the judge reads his decision. you can look for immediate updates as soon as that decision comes down on wjla.com, facebook and our twitter pages. >> coming up on abc 7 news at noon, our live team coverage of this winter weather alert continues. we'll check in with johnny g who is monitoring the roadways in maryland and jacqui and doug are >> all right. welcome back. right now, a live look at 95 the beltway right there on the u.s. 1, college park area. you can see it's a slow go. we have cars out there. but still plenty of wet roads out there. definitely want to stay safe if you are headed out on this tuesday afternoon. in the meantime, in maryland, the snow may be finishing up but the effects are still being felt. >> our john gonzalez is taking a look at the wintry conditions in carroll county, maryland right now. john, how are things in your neck of the woods? >> well, good afternoon, ladies. i have to tell you some good news and bad news. good news is we finally see some pavement on the roads which hasn't been t

live in the news room, jeff goldberg. abc seven news. >> new at four mormon church is calling for new measures protecting gay rights. it's for legal protection for church members who object to the behaviors of others. it still oppose gay marriages but calling for a kpwaled approach between gay rights and religious freedom. >> they say he just walked out but will the man at the heart controversial prisoner exchange face charges. we'll get the latest on sergeant bow bow bo bergdahl. >> where this boat was found and where it has been for the last four years. >> a local community center but doesn't bother taking the computers inside. find out what they were after that as a small business owner you wouldn't deliver just half of what you have to offer to your customers. so why are you settling for half only verizon fios comes with speedmatch. upload speeds as fast as your download speeds. so large files go out in a snap and your video conferences with customers are seamless. it's verizon's 100% fiber-opticc network that gives y

jeff goldberg abc 7 news. >> thank you jeff. we're also learning more tonight about the fight for life inside that metro train. >> she was just kind of keeping to herself but was having probably the hardest time of anyone. >> you want to hear this. still ahead in our coverage tonight, hear from jonathan rogers who talks about his 30 minute struggle to save a woman's life on board that train. and what he says he still doesn't know more than 24 hours later. >> leon the response to yesterday's crisis in the metro tunnel is raising questions about metro and how it responds to problems. d.c. bureau chief sam ford continues our coverage with what witnesses and d.c.'s new mayor are saying about this tonight. sam? >> yes alison. in a news conference that just ended here at city hall, mayor muriel bowser said repeatedly that the ntsb is conducting a deep investigation into this case and she wanted to reserve comment that was not an easy task. a day after the incident in the tunnel, reporters peppered the mayor and fire chief with questio

i am jeff goldberg taking a look at some of the top stories in our region.der from ashburn who died from complications of the flu. joshua justin died after spending several days in thespital. joshua had a bright smile and a caring attitude. grief counselors will be on hand at the school monday. the celebration in d.c. continues for the inauguration of the latest mayor, muriel bowser. she will wrap up her activities with an all bureau kids party -- and all bureau kids partner c -- inaugural kids party. now for the weather, david zarin. >> for the most part, it has been all rain, cold rain. that is what you see in bethesda. temperatures generally above freezing. in chantilly, right at the freezing point. wind is calm across the area. heavier rain west of the district and toward the bay. in the pink areas we see frozen precipitation, but for the most part this moisture coming our way from the ohio valley will be rain. we have a winter weather advisory in effect. tomorrow temperatures 55 to 65 and look how cold it gets by the end of next week. >> "jack hanna's w

northern virginia bureau jeff goldberg will talk with a close friend of the family of how they're coping on this tragedy. >> "7 on your side" now with new research that's bringing hope to parents of children with peanut allergies. but doctors warn the study is just another step in the right direction. not an immediate tour. >> 9-year-old noelle thomas has severe peanut allergies. >> peanut butter. >> her mother amy says it's terrifying. to the restaurants that you eat at to traveling to you know, it's always a constant constant worry. >> now a new study is providing a glimmer of hope. >> i read that and it was like oh, god this is amazing. >> australian researchers at murdoch children's research institute studied 60 children with peanut allergies. half the children were given a daily dose of probiotics and increasing amounts of peanut protein. the other half received a placebo. after 18 months, 80% of the children who received the oral immunotherapy could tolerate peanuts. that's compared to just 4% in the placebo group. >> i think it's an exciting study in looking at how probiotics migh

jeff goldberg just back from paris, thank you as always.ight now, an ohio man is in federal custody arrested for an alleged plot to attack the u.s. capitol. christopher cornell was taken down after purchasing two assault-type rifles and 600 rounds of ammunition. investigators say he was inspired by isis and shared his plan and views with another person who was an fbi informer. the government first tracked him after he posted pro-isis posts on twitter. the subject's father was shocked by the arrest and in disbelief that his son had plans with bombs and gun down civilians as they attack the capitol. >> i know chris and know he's a good guy. i don't think -- like i said i was completely blindsided by this. this came as a complete surprise. chris -- he never leaves the house. he's a mommy's boy. he never showed any -- any signs of any kind of violence or anything. i mean quiet, shy. good kid. >> remarkable. starting tomorrow sweeping changes on how americans are going to trade and travel to cuba in many ways shattering congress's embargo. we'll

northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is in richmond today for us and we'll have a live report on that coming up at 5:00. now this morning's session began with a disgraced delegate back in attendance. delegate joseph morissey. you see him there. he was re-elected by his constituents in a special election yesterday. the county lawmaker is serving a six month prison sentence right now as a matter of fact. he's behind bars serving that sentence after prosecutors claimed that he had sex with a 17-year-old employee and yet he will serve in the house of delegates as well at the same time. a maryland governor-elect says that he wants to take a look in lowering polls once he takes office. larry hogan will be sworn in next week. a look at how hogan may mesh with the general assembly. >> all eyes this session will be on governor-elect larry hogan the republican who won in november in a surprise upset over the democratic lieutenant governor anthony brown. hogan won by hammering away on the issue of taxing and spending. and he comes into office at a time when the state is facing a $400 mil

jeff goldberg will have more on what protesters had to say today. more coming up at 5:00 right here. in the last two hours we learned the outcome of that independent investigation into how the nfl handled the ray rice case. >> that's right. our sports director is here with more on this outcome. tim? >> very controversial. the report was more than 100 pages long. the report by the former f.b.i. director robert mueller indicates that the nfl had substantial information about the ray rice incident and should have done more with the information it had. but according to the report the nfl knew nothing of the infamous video of former ravens running back ray rice punching his then fiancee in the atlantic city hotel elevator. mueller's report is based on millions of documents, e-mails, text messages and electronic data logs. now, mueller also said the results of the four-month investigation found no proof that a woman at the nfl acknowledged receipt of the video in a voicemail recording. that had been previously reported. the report concludes that there is

jeff goldberg will have more from today's hearing on abc 7 news at 5:00. the ohio man accused of plotting an attack on u.s. capitol pleaded not guilty to new charges today. christopher cornell is now charged with attempting to murder u.s. officials and employees. and with solicitation to commit a crime of violence. the f.b.i. says cornell was plotting to bomb u.s. capitol building and shoot at people as they evacuated. he was arrested last week. a federal judge will soon deliberate after hearing closing arguments in the trial of a former c.i.a. officer. jeffrey sterling is accused of leaking details about a botched c.i.a. operation in iran to a "new york times" journalist. prosecutors say he leaked that to a reporter to get back at the agency for perceived mistreatment. sterling denies the charge. >> we're moving on now to this. the national football league investigating exactly what happened to the footballs during last weekend's game between the patriots and the colts. >> today, the patriots coach and quarterback are talking about those claims. robert bu

i'm jeff goldberg coming up at 5:00 live from richmond we'll get some insight as to what the governor could say tomorrow that may help or hurt his case. >> all right, thank you very much. back here in d.c. the race for the district's ward eight council seat. just got a bit more interesting today. that's because christopher barry picked up the paperwork to run for his late father's job. d.c. bureau chief sam ford was at the wilson building when barry ended the speculation and joined the race. sam? >> actually that happened today, alison as you said 34-year-old marion "christopher" barry has decided to take the plunge and to run for his father's vacated because of his death, his late father's council seat in a special april 28th election. christopher barry came to the d.c. board of election this afternoon to pick up his petitions. he must get 500 registered voters in ward eight to sign his petition so that he can get his name on the ballot. the deadline for signatures is january 28th. he said he was inspired by all the encouragement he received from voters after marion barry's death. >>

i'm jeff goldberg. to us this morning. things were certainly a mess earlier, but they are getting better? >> slow and steady at this point. they treated king street, which has been completely reopened. what is left? park center drive will be closed for the or seeable future. take a look at the red line from springfield to and across the 14th street bridge. this is just solid traffic moving into downtown. the third street tunnel blocking the left lane, southbound on palmer road you have a left turn lane in the right shoulder getting by. northbound wants to take a peek at it. a closure on seminary road has a crash there in a protected lane, which is not great. i think the weather is better than my traffic, for what. >> not too much to complain about today. we working on it in the temperature department. 30 downtown, windchill of 21. a cold front trying to sneak through across the corridor gusting winds will be the big thing the notice today. special east on sunday. >> we will take it. thank you for watchi

jeff goldberg says europe is under siege. talk about that.allenge all across europe. >> look you know the issue has been brewing for a long time long before this particular attack, and i think we have to be just as worried about the reaction to the attack from nationalists, from right-wingers, from people who have sought to drive this wedge as it was described earlier between the islamic communities and the mainstream communities in europe because that's the tinder that could spark a fire that could go far, far beyond anything in these attacks. even listening to the conversation here it's very important that we recognize the value of restraint in response to these things. these are terrifying horrifying attacks but they are conducted by just a few people. they are conducted by people who are radicalized by overreaction. one of the reports has it that one of these guys who led this attack was radicalized by reading about abu ghraib. prior to that he was not an extremist and after that he moved into this vein of thought. we have to really keep