. >>> less than 24 hours until police began moving campers from freedom plaza and mcpherson square. occupy d.c. sources say their ranks are growing with occupiers from other cities arriving here. matt jablow has the latest. >> reporter: 13 hours and counting until the national park service begins enforcing a ban on camping here at mcpherson square is and freedom plaza. will that mark the beginning of the end of the occupy d.c. movement? protesters here say absolutely not. nearly four months after beginning their well publicized occupation, mcpherson square and freedom plaza, protesters at both locations have apparently worn out their welcome with the national park service. >> what we're doing here is landfall. >> after numerous complaints about trash and rat problems, especially at mcpherson square, including a formal complaint from d.c. mayor vincent gray, the park service starting at noon tomorrow u.s. park police will begin enforcing the ban on camping and the use of temporary structures in mcpherson diswair square and freedom park. >> reporter: how long have you been out? >> i'v

that's the latest here at mcpherson square. back you to. >> thank you very much. >>> we do want to mention we're going to talk with mayor gray later this morning. he's going to join us at 9:00 straight up to talk about a new initiative called the one city summit. we'll also get an update on what's happening with his efforts to oust the occupy protesters from mcpherson square. >>> a look at this morning's other top stories. arrests in a gang rape near the greenbelt metro station. last month a woman was walking home from that station when a group of four men dragged her into the woods. 18-year-old sheldon snead and 18-year-old k'vaughn brandon hines are facing several charges including rape and assault. >>> new details this morning in a pair of montgomery county robberies. police still searching for the suspected robber who's been caught on tape using the victims' debit cards and pin numbers. meantime home security companies are visiting the targeted neighborhoods to offer extra protection. we're also learning that the woman who

that's the latest from mcpherson square. you for that. >>> a new twist in the harry thomas, jr. scandal. the head after nonprofit is expected to plead guilty today to a felony charge in connection with that money scheme. marshall banks is accused of knowing that thomas was stealing. a court document filed yesterday says banks was aware of the former d.c. council member was taking grant money but he never reported it. thomas pleaded guilty last week to embezzling more than $300,000 in city funds. >>> a d.c. police officer arrested during an internal sting operation has been sentenced to 90 days in jail. sylvester bah nelia pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to receive stolen property. he resigned from the department this week. he and two other officers were arrested last march for arranging to buy electronics they thought were stolen. one of the other officers pleaded guilty. the third was found guilty after a four-day trial. >>> monitoring metro now. the new fare hikes, metro's general manager laid out a new budget pro

of mcpherson square. that is the district of columbia of good gentlelady represents and i am honored to have oversight. i am afraid many of you did not give an answer but doctor, is that the problem legitimately the district has a responsibility to make sure it occurs that is not occurring today? >> i am not quite sure. with the issue of jurisdiction. >> i was talking about the rats. >> >> it is impacting the residence until it is cleaned up. >> that is what we are involved in the process nobody supports more the first amendment rights of the people than i do. i take the oath twice was becoming a citizen and then becoming the director of health for the city. we support that. but people must be healthy to be able to stand up and we heard and seen if they relive in the raft and distaste -- invested places it is not a demonstration of their first amendment rights to make you have made your point* very clearly. i might point* out that the ranking member represents the city that handcuffed occupied baltimore p

protests this morning in mcpherson square. >>> well people in d.c.'s au park neighborhood got a chance to find out how police plan to respond after a recent wave of muggings in their neighborhood. investigators suspect however it's a group of street thugs who are responsible for this. d.c. police chief cathy lanier assured residents there will be a stronger police presence in their neighborhoods. but she says the police need their help. >> the good thing about neighborhoods like that is that residents are very civic mined and they're very aware. and they'll start reporting suspicious activity. they'll give us the tips that we need. >> police have stepped up patrols and now have plain clothes officers in ward 2 as well. >>> we have a commuter alert a heads-up for riders on three separate metro lines this weekend. the blue and the orange lines, there will be no service between l'enfant plaza and eastern market. that begins tonight at 10:00 and goes through monday night. shuttle buses will get you around the closure but add 20 to 30 minutes for your trip

our reporter is live at mcpherson square with the latest. what do you know? >> reporter: let's let you take a look at what's going on right now. hundreds of occupy d.c. protester have massed around the statue and have put up a huge manner. it says, 99% dream of love. there is a tense atmosphere here in the park. protesters don't know exactly what will happen. the noon deadline has expired and park police will move in any moment and enforcing national park service regulations and those include no camping no sleeps and no equipment that can be construed as camping here. nothing yet no u.s. park police. just a lot of people and as you can see that sign, it's a tent of dream. let's look at what was happening earlier today. >> i -- >> a handful of u.s. park police officers conducted a sweep of the entire mcpherson square a few hours before the noon deadline. earlier this morning protestors began to load some. their possessions on a truck to haul it away. >> we were loading up people's personal belongings they don't want stolen by the police because apparently it's

is there sleeping going on in mcpherson square? >> yes, sir, we do believe there is. >> at noon on monday, u.s. park police will begin seizing camping equipment and or arresting violators. camping equipment includes bedding, storage gear, and anything used to make a fire. >>> trouble tonight with occupy protesters in oakland, california. police used tear gas and flash grenades to break up hundreds of demonstrations. officers say some protesters threw rocks and flairs, tore down fences, and ignored their orders to leave. three police officers were injured. 19 people arrested. police say the crowd moved through downtown oakland, disrupting traffic. >>> took nearly eight hours of excavation, but a body has been removed from a 20-foot well in fort washington, maryland. an unanimous tip on thursday led authorities to the site on old fort road near flagg ship avenue. the next step is trying to identify that body and determine just how it got there. >> it's trouble. >> the 20-foot deep well can be found along a winding dirt path far from

they have to get out of mcpherson square today. an officer used a taser on one who became aggressive. police are conducting an internal inquiry. >> in oakland, california, protesters clash with police. more than 400 people were arrested on saturday. the protesters broke into city hall and other buildings. police chased demonstrators around the city. rocks and bottles were thrown. the mayor of oakland says enough is enough. >> the occupy oakland has got to stop using oakland as a playground and that people in the community and people in the o being pie movement have to stop making excuses for this behavior. >> oakland is quiet this morning. the city estimates the demonstrations have cost of the city about $5 million. >>> salvage officials say it will take up to ten months to remove the capsized cruise ship. the search for more victims was called off because of rough seas. a 17th victim was removed saturday. >>> investigators say blinding fog and smoke are behind a chain reaction interstate pileup in florida. in gainesville, it kille

police have posted signs at mcpherson square and protesters ripped them down. we have video between police and one of those protesters. police had to wrestle the man to the ground. they tased him. a fellow protester captured its and posted it on youtube. after problems with rats and protesters building structures and glasses like the one you see there with police, now the park service has given a deadline of noon time to pack up and moved. the park service has said that the protesters can stay here. they can continue to the occupy dc movement, but they movementca -- they can continue the occupy dc movement but they cannot camp out. their property will be seized and violators are subject to rest. it will be interesting to see what happens by noon. >> we will keep an eye on all the developments. the west coast, officials will be ready for more mass demonstrations by occupy protesters. 400 people were arrested on saturday after a march led to a violent clash with police. at least three officers and protesters were hurt. authorities are looking for the people who b

so far, no attempts to move the people here at mcpherson square. last week the group did go to court seeking a court order to prevent them from being evicted and to make their point, some of the occupiers told me today, look, there have been rats here in this park before they arrived, and if you go to a four-star hotel in the city, you'll find rats outside. so why should they be any different. that's the latest from here in mcpherson square, back to you. >> sheri, thanks very much. >>> here to talk with us is mayor vincent gray. we'll talk about the one city summit taking place in february. mayor, thanks for joining us this morning. you were shaking your head during that report and one of the words we are hearing kind of bandied about is eviction. are you in fact trying to evict these protesters? >> no, we absolutely are not. we are looking at this from a health perspective. we know that the accumulation of trash and garbage down there has led to some additional rodent infestation. and what we're suggesting is that the two occupy movement areas be

protesters have camped out in mcpherson square. today, lawmakers on capitol hill wanted to know why they have been allowed to stay so long. >> this is bruce johnson. if you want us to leave, give us a place to go. federal laws has the occupy d.c. protesters can demonstrate with a permit. they cannot camp out in mcpherson square. >> camping is defined as sleeping or preparing to sleep at the site. is there sleeping going on in mcpherson square? >> yes, sir, we do believe there is. >> head of the national park service under tough questioning from republicans admitted he has been looking the other way and allowing occupy protesters to camp out in order to help keep the peace. >> if you want to change the rules, that's fine. just let me tell my constituents who want to visit d.c. this summer that they can come to any park they want to and they can bring their tent as long as they say they are protesting. >> national park service director says he'll begin to enforce the no camping law at mcpherson square, but won't say when or how. >> w

these protesters have been camping here at mcpherson square since the october. have until noon to pack up their tents. this came about last week when republican lawmakers questioned why the national park service has allowed these protesters to about overnight on federal land. hours after police posted signs throughout mcpherson square, protesters ripped them down. we have video to show you of one confrontation between police and one of those demonstrators. police had to physically wrestle the demonstrator to the ground and taze im . a fellow protester posted on youtube. after problems with rats and some protesters building structures and clashing with police, now the park service has given them a deadline of noon today to pick up all their stuff and a longer sleep here. >> i'm going to do what they ask, but i will still be here regardless. i don't after have a sweeping package -- -- a sleeping bag. >> the national park service fire that has been posted throughout this video clearly states that if these folks don't back up by noon, they could be subject to arrest

. >> the waiting game continues in mcpherson square as protesters wait for d.c.ark police to enforce a ban on camping. not camping. this is free speech. we have no other way to reach our government. corporations. >> there are plenty of tents in the park, despite yesterday's deadline. some protesters say they will if police move in, while others plan to abide by the rule. >> the occupy d.c. protesters there in the video has been released from police custody. ryan lash told the -- "the examiner" he argued with about an order to remove camping equipment. ordered to as perform community service and is banned from mcpherson square ntil sunday. >> wells fargo in hot water with the justice department. , here's he details linda bell. she's live from bloomberg head quarters in new york. recall last week president obama announced an investigation into the misconduct in mortgage loans. the justice department has subpoenaed 11 financial firms. that includes wells fargo, which biggest mortgage lender in the country. >> we may get closer to reaching settlement on that ongoing

they are keeping a close eye on mcpherson square.t of the tents are still up and some of them appear to be vacant. we can tell you that the protesters have not left. they are awake holding what they call a sleep strike. the protesters chanted, march, and talks to police, during a mass of tarp over major-general mcpherson statute. after the no-camping deadline came and went, police aborted but -- confrontation. >> this is our final stand in a way. >> last week, the park service said it would enforce all local camping but this morning, we still see sleeping gear at the park and no one has been arrested. >> this is not camping. this is free speech prayed we have no other way to reach our government. >> protesters have been told that tents can stay as long as no one is sleeping inside. the activists who have been living in solidarity since october are living among rats and holding a sleep strike. >> we have a right to be here. we are redressing our government. >> it appears police don't have a problem with that huge tent of dreams straig

>> coming up if vincent gray has his way mcpherson square protesters will have to find a new home. they might look to relocate to freedom plaza. >> and another misstep by a metro employee. it's all on tape. also -- collect it pandemonium in beijing. what caused dozens of customers to get so angry that they started throwing punches. good morning washington at 5:00 a.m. begins now. >> live and in hd, this is "good morning washington," on your side. >> it is 5:00 on this friday january 13. the rise and shine. i am cynne simpson. >> i am kris van cleve. we will be checking traffic and weather every ten minutes. lisa baden in a moment. first adam caskey. tell me about the weather. >> friday the 13th today. let's take a look at live super doppler 7 radar. areas of light rain this morning and a little snow in the upper left side of your screen. just a little. it is starting to stick on the cars, but the roads are just wet. that's coming to an end. the wind is picking up everywhere. the grain is moving out of town. still some in anne arundel county. there's a wind advisory today. the brief

campsite at mcpherson square. the graphic video was posted on youtube. >> we all know you're coming tomorrow! >> reporter: a news 4 photographer also captured these images of the man after he was tasered. witnesses say he was angry about the signs being posted warning protesters that after sunday night they couldn't sleep here anymore. >> but it did sound like it was -- could very well have been excessive. and i understand he is in the hospital and maybe charged as well. >> reporter: the incident comes as police plan to crack down on what they call camping here at mcpherson square and freedom plaza. national park land. occupy d.c. protesters have been conducting what they call a 24-hour-a-day vigil here since october. >> you know, people at the top who are krnd about where and how we may be sleeping in mcpherson square and meanwhile there are families throughout the country that are being forced out of their home and we're not having that same tough discussion. >> reporter: on friday park police and rangers began

over general mcpherson and his horse. they called it their tent of dreams. >> they see our numbers and they are scared of us basically. >> media was there from all over the country to memorialize it. the occupiers have been in our town now since october but now, now the rules have changed. no camping, no bedding, no cooking, no sleeping. the tents they can stay but only as symbols. it's not going over well. >> i'm going to stay as long as possible. >> you're going to sleep here? >> yeah. >> reporter: but you can't use any sleeping bag. >> well, i've got a sleeping bag in a friend of mine's car. i'll pull it out when i need to. >> reporter: the new rules supposed to go into effect at noon today. but in what turned out to be a journalistic scrum surrounded by report earns some protesters sergeant david schlosser tried to explain the strategy. do you plan to arrest anyone who doesn't comply with your orders? >> as far as arrests and compliance with the regulations, it's on a case by case basis. it's measured in incremental e

park police officers walked through mcpherson presumably looking for vie layings of the camping ban butbody has been arrested. meanwhile a few protesters could be seen rolling up their sleeping bags and blankets though it doesn't look like many tents have been taken down. in fact, protesters put up a large blue tarp, what they call the tent of dreams over the tat use of general james mcpherson, a civil war hero whose last name is now synonymous with d.c.'s so far peaceful occupy movement. >> we want to be able to sleep here so we can dream of a better world where everyone has

we go live to mcpherson square with a look at developments. >> good afternoon the deadline has expired but as you can see a number of tents are in place. the protesters are still here and they are marching and chanting. let's give you a live picture from our camera above where protesters are assembling what they are calling a sleep strike. they will stay here with banners without sleeping. police surrounded mcpherson square early and were followed by protesters as they surveyed the camp. >> we will be setup -- the right to assemble. >> some refuse to obey the law -- >> most of the gear is my dad's so i have to take care of it. >> the majority are refusing to leave their makeshift encampment which they have called their home since october. most people we spoke with who work downtown agree with the deadline. >> for security, cleanliness and the whole business, i think there needed to be a time frame. >> these type of confrontations we could see later today. u.s. park police yesterday russell policetased this activist. >> the eviction notice comes after republican legislators questioned w

hoy se realizaron inspecciones en los campamentos de los protestantes de ocupemos dc en mcpherson square.. nuestra companera silvana quiroz se encuentra en la plaza y nos trae los detalles..adelante.. "gracias norma, estamos en vivo desde la plaza mcpherson donde esta tarde se realizo una inspeccion exahustiva del campamento ya que vecinos denunciaron la presencia de roedores en el lugar. sin embargo esta es sola una inspeccion para determinar el destino de los manifestantes" los inconformes del grupo ocupemos dc que se encuentran acampando en esta plaza mcpherson desde el primero de octubre han pasado por muchos contratiempos entre el frÍo y la demoliciÓn de los precarios refugios que trataron de construir, ahora el departamento de salud del distrito de columbia quiere asegurarse de que el campamento este en condiciones sanitarias ya que segÚn afirmaron han recibido denuncias de la proliferaciÓ n de roedores. pero esta es solo una inspecciÓn que revelara recomendaciones para las mejoras del campamento segÚn aseguran personeros del departamento de salud. sin embargo, como informamos ayer

is there sleeping going on in mcpherson square? >> yes, we believe there is. >> ahead of the national park service under tough questioning from republicans admitted he has been looking the other way and allowing occupy protesters to camp out in order to help keep the peace. >> if you want to change the rules, that's fine. just let me tell my constituents who want to visit d.c. that they can come to any park they want to and bring their tent as long as they say they are protesting. >> national park service director says he'll begin to enforce the no camping law, but he won't say when or how. >> we are not evicting mcpherson, the occupiers under any circumstances. unless there's some sort of major health or emergency. you need to make a distinction here that camping is a violation on an individual person's case. >> bruce johnson, 9news now. >> a man charged with trying to assassinate president barack obama has pleaded not guilty. oscar ramiro hernandez is accused of firing shots at the white house last november. the president wasn't

. >>> tensions running high in mcpherson wear after police tase an occupy protestor and it was caught on tape. i'm maureen umeh. >> i'm will thomas. it happened as police handed out flyers warning the occupiers about tomorrow's noon deadline to pack up and leave. they say he was tased because he ignored their orders. >> audrey barnes is live at mcpherson square with the latest. >> reporter: things are quiet right now, but earlier today u.s. park police had their hands full with a protestor who as you said, refused their orders to stop tearing down signs about the no camping regulations. he was tased and taken to the hospital. many of the protestors who are still at mcpherson square say that incident, which was caught on tape, has set the stage for a showdown tomorrow. this is video of u.s. park police moving in to arrest an occupier who they say tore down flyers about the no camping regulations that take effect at noon monday. when he keeps backing away, things get ugly. >> i am doing nothing wrong! [ yelling] ] >> what the [bleep]! >> hands down! >> reporter: jake shot this video tha

could be forced to move out of mcpherson square. d.c. mayor gray sent a letter to the national parks service requesting officials to evict those at the square and move them to the camp at freedom plaza. gray says the health department found deplorable conditions at mcpherson squafeepherson square rat infestation. >>> this morning a baby found alone in a tent at that occupy camp is waking up with her mother. police arrested samuel mack wednesday after he left the 13-month-old baby alone in a tent in the cold and rain. news4 spoke exclusively with the baby's mother who did not want to be identified. she says mack is a friend who occasionally watch the little girl. she says she had no idea he was taking her to outfield d.c. >> my aunt said her clothes have been smelling like mildew when he's bringing her back and stuff like that. and it's rats down there. i'm thankful -- i thank god that she's here. that nothing happened to her. >> police say the child was left alone at least 30 minutes before someone noticed her alone. mack pled not guilty

is calling for police to remove protesters from mcpherson square. he says it's because of a rat problem. in a letter to the u.s. park police, the mayor said mcpherson is infested with rats and is worried people will get sick. the protesters say they can solve the problem themselves. >> we had several problems that came to a head and became a problem. we put our heads together and solved it. that's exactly what's happening with the rat problem. we're moving progressively forward, changing the way we do things in the kitchen, dealing with food being -- it's a problem that we are able to solve, that we're working to solve, and that if we're allowed to stay here at mcpherson, that problem will be solved. >> mayor gray is suggesting relocating the protesters from mcpherson square to another tent city at freedom plaza. >>> more fallout from the harry thomas, jr. scandal. the head of a nonprofit is expected to plead guilty today to a felony charge in connection to that money scheme. marshall banks is accused of knowing that thomas was stealing. a court doc

but now mayor gray has asked the park service to evict the occupiers from mcpherson square citing the health department concern of possible hypothermia, improper heating sources which could cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning or a major rat infestation. >> it increases the rats only by not a lot, but a little bit. we trying our best to get rid of the rats. we already got the food situation dealt with. we got no food here in the park. >> so we clean it up each and every day. you walk around and pick up trash. dispose whatever that needs to be disposed. it's up to the garbage people to pick the trash up, not us. >> reporter: okay, but besides that, that safety concern and the health concerns, there's a super concern that happened in a major -- well, a potential crime that happened here earlier this week. a man is now facing child cruelty charges. police say he left a 13-month- old baby inside one of these tents. she was just wearing a onesie and it was about 40 degrees outside. now the occupiers say he wasn't part of our movement but certainly this has raised lots of concerns about

. >>> the occupy protesters days are numbered at camping out at mcpherson square. today it was stated the in campment must be torn down. fox 5's bob barnard is live with the latest of. reporter: there is still question tonight as to what the national park service plans to do. is it going to clear out the park or simply enforce the prohibition against sleeping here? more on that in a moment. first, though, a look at what about 40 or so of the so-called 99%ers did a short time ago. they and some of their friends from freedom plaza marched over to lafayette square across from the white house and while president obama delivered his state of the union address they chanted their own knowing the nature of their 4-month-old demonstration may be about to change. the occupy d.c. encampment at mcpherson square looks like it's been here a while and going nowhere any time soon. that's also the attitude expressed by some who are living in these tents. >> i mean we're resilient people. we'll figure out a way to keep it going no matter. what. reporter: what about the sleeping situ

delia is live at mcpherson square. does it look like they are ready to get moving? >> reporter: no, it appears they are pretty comfortable so far take a look. just as many tents and tarps as we have seen for the past several months here. despite the chilly temperatures, folks haven't broken downey of these tents. we know by noon they will have to move them out here. we talked to folks who actually are looking forward to the deadline. the only difference we have seen so far is an increased police presence, patrolling the grounds here around the park. today's deadline comes after several complaints by dc's mayor and health director about rats and other health concerns. it wasn't until congress got involved that the park service said it will take action. admitting he has been ignoring the ban, the park director said he would enforce it today. at a hearing last week it said it will finally move to end then campment. >> what we are doing is lawful and not violent and a demonstration. the park service has a mandate to enforce and to keep the peace. i can't they said we ca

camps at freedom plaza and mcpherson square.s law the tents can stay as a symbol of the movement but protesters cannot live or sleep in them. if they do, they can be arrested. when the law went into effect at noon today protesters draped the large blue tarp over the statue at mcpherson square. >>> meanwhile in florida there is an all out battle in the republican presidential contest. mitt romney has taken off the gloves and he's pounding newt gingrich with a barrage of attack ads ahead of tomorrow's primary. the latest polls suggest romney remains in the lead but gingrich is closing the gap. >> reporter: trains were single tracking on metro's blue and orange lines earlier today after workers found cracks on the rails. the problem was centered near the roslyn station. crews finished a temporary fix around noon and will make permanent repairs after the system closes tonight. >>> a rally on wall street after early concerns about a debt deal in greece. stocks dropped sharply after the opening bell but climbed their way back up befor

. >> they are worried that rats are investing mcpherson square and freedom plaza. >> others say theybefore the protesters showed up. horace holmes is live with more. >> everyone agrees there are rats here, the dispute is over what attracted them in the first place and how big the problem really is. >> ask just about anyone who works or owns a business around the occupy d.c. camp about the rats. >> there in the basement, the trash can, everywhere. what they say there are plenty of them. "some city officials want to blame the protesters. >> it has nothing to do with those people. >> i have never seen this problem. >> the d.c. health department does not necessarily agree there are large concentrations at both mcpherson square and freedom plaza because of the unsanitary conditions since the camps have started several months ago. they say, nonsense. >> it's not too bad. if you go anywhere in this city there are rats everywhere. >> they run a food cart across the street for nearly a decade. >> they are everywhere. >> the business owners agree they say that it was here before the occupiers

with at mcpherson square said even if they are no long heir loud to camp out here the occupy dc movement will continue. >> reporter: is this the beginning of the end of the occupy dc movement? >> no of course not. it is just a continuation. this is just to let you know what is going to come in the spring and summer. >> this is a new chapter. we separate the boys from the men and the girls from the women. i'm right here. i'm not afraid of anything tomorrow. >> reporter: the national parks service says for protesters here at mcpherson square and freedom plaza to be in compliance with the law, we'll have to take down all camping gear. so far as you can see, that has not happened. >>> last night an officer used a stun gun on a protester who was tearing down flyers warning about the ban on camping in mcpherson square. this video posted shows the confront tation. police say the unidentified man was charged with disorderly conduct. they say the man ripped up the flyer when he received it and then began tearing it off of other tents. when police atried to a-- tried to arrest him, he became confr

over the statue of general mcpherson. >> the purpose of this is to ensure if they rye to arrest one of us, they'll have to arrest all of us or none of us. we believe they are going to enforce this selectively, pick us out bit by bit. take the most vulnerable first and a strategic attempt to prevent that from happening. >> the national park service is not saying when they intend to start enforcing the ban on camping here at mcpherson square and freedom plaza. the speculation is, whenever it happens, tonight, tomorrow, in a few weeks or in a few months, it will happen in the middle of the night. we shall see. derek. >> a lot of us waiting and watching. thank you for that one. now we have learned that an alexandria man who disappeared months ago was shot to death before the killer dumped his body down a well. that victim's name is lenny harris. he was a long time community activist and disappeared from an alexandria recreation center in september. within hour, cameras captured someone, but it wasn't until last week that an unanimous caller tipped off the police that they would find harris

arch campbell has the weekend movie guide. >> at mcpherson square, the mayor wants to put an end to itshing into town. the winds increasing as w here's your sausage and pancakes, sweetie. thanks, mom. who are you calling "mom"? dunkin' sausage pancake bites, delicious like mom's only easier to carry -- get three for $1.59. >> live and in hd, this is "good morning washington," on your side. >> straight ahead at 6:30, a rude awakening. temperatures drop almost 20 degrees almost night and are not done dropping. is the a nice start to 2012 gone for good? it's friday, january 13. i am cynne simpson. >> i am kris van cleve. lisa baden in a moment. first, adam caskey is watching the mercury drops. >> it is dropping quickly this morning and will level off for the rest of the day. we will not see a big jump and temperatures when the sun rises like we have the past couple days. not today, not with gusty wind out of the west pushing in colder air. there is a wind advisory in effect for locations west and the request of washington including howard county, loudoun county, and others shaded in san.

stacey cohan is live at mcpherson square with an update.g stacey. >> reporter: good morning we were out here yesterday we have been out here today in fact i have visited this occupy encampment and the one in freedom plaza since this began last fall here at mcpherson square is similar to the last three months folks have their tents pitched the tents are empty on some parts, and occupied on other parts they are unclear as to how many people have vacated this camp to comply with the new no camping rule, technically they are supposed to be permitted to have tents up but they are supposed to be devoid of any sleeping equipment, food, kitchen equipment it would be a symbol of their protest not a place to sustain life here at mcpherson square instead of sleeping several occupiers decided to stay up all night. >> if they are going to push us out we are going to make it their while. >>> if they can show me where in the first amendment it says can't sleep then i will agree with that. >>> similar tactics employed at the freedom plaza location r they w

this is a live look at mcpherson square. it is the first night since park police enforced the no-camping rule at mcpherson square and freedom plaza. the rule means protesters can have tents on the grounds, but they cannot sleep or cook inside of them. anyone who breaks the rule could be arrested. we are watching both camps, and everything is quiet right now. some protesters tweeted throughout the night documenting that everyone is staying awake. demonstrators are holding what they call a 24-hour vigil. stay with us. if anything happens at either location, we'll had the you know. >>> and good morning to you, welcome to "news4 today," i'm eun yang. >> good morning to you, i'm joe krebs. let's take a live look outside now. we have a new day dawning and a very nice day a-dawning. here's tom to tell us about it. tom? >>> yeah, starting off with a clear sky. that was a live view from the skywatcher camera. right now, past 6:00 this morning, we are cold in many of the suburbs just north and west of washington, in fairfax, arlington

there is word crack down on the mcpherson square campsite may be on the way. this follows the congressional hearing about the law's being enforced. the park service's say the ban on camping will soon be enforced. sam ford is live with today's testimony. >> the national park service admitted under questioning by house republicans that it has not been enforcing rules against camping and sleeping in parks, like mcpherson square and, citing concerns about the first amendment rights of the occupied protesters. on capitol hill, house republicans had national park this service director on the hot seat. >> to protect the rights under the first amendment, is it not also at your job to enforce the law? >> they are letting the protesters blflaunt the rules. >> is there sleeping going on? >> yes, sir. we believe there is. >> there have been issues of rat infestation, summer arrests for misconduct but have been allowed to stay. d.c. officials that the numbers have been dwindling from a height of 150 down to 30-40. 250 at mcpherson down to 25-50 many at the hearing today. >

occupy demonstrators are asking the courts to stop from revicting protestors at mcpherson square. bruce leshan is at the site with an update. there was a rumor that swept through this encampment that the park police were going to move in right now at this hour and clear out that tent. they call it the tent of dreams that is up there. that did not happen. but just a couple of minutes ago, an individual apparently an opponent, pulled on the tent hard and there was a loud ripping sound and mcferson popped out of the tent. and down there there are several park police officers who in the midst of the crowd talking to individuals there. at least one law enforcement source tells me there is not any intention today and perhaps for some period of time to do any kind of dramatic enforcement. park police officers are going through trying to convince people to comply with the court order about no camping here in mcpherson square or at freedom plaza. simultaneously, a hearing is going on in federal court. we can look at the video of the officers coming through the encampment. and we are hearin

despite eviction notices, the protesters have stayed in mcpherson square. wrestling come up flying kites as a small group of park police officers simply watch. >> almost all of us are not going anywhere unless the police evict us. >> they are drawing the line at this 10th and facing the park's name sake, general mcpherson. -- defacing the statue. >> the police came and been forced us that -- informed us to remove the tent of danger. a small mele broke out when he started to cut the strings to the tent. this around it and shoved him around until park police officers escorted him safely out of the square. we are back now live. this is the second time today that a regular by standard tried to take down the tents. it is still there despite the order by park police to take it down and it does by the eviction notice, people are planning to spend the night here. like in mcpherson square kendis gibson, abc7 news. >> a suspect is in custody in the murder of a activist from alexandria. prince george's county has charged 49-year-old linwood johnson with first-degree m

now reporter delia gonsalves is live at mcpherson square with a preview. good morning, delia. >> good morning, andrea. the folks have a permit. the occupiers here at mcpherson have been here for about three months without a permit. according to the d.c. government oversight committee, their free ride should be over. darrell issa chairs the committee. he has sent letters to the office of interior demanding answers as to why processers are still here. though park rules ban camping. the hearing comes week after the d.c. health inspector found a rat infestation and other violations. i've asked the national park service myself numerous times why they're calling this an on- going 24-hour vigil and not what it appears which is camping. they've never provided a good answer, telling me they're protecting the protestors' first amendment rights. for many, that's an answer that's good enough to allow the protestors to be here. congressman isa released a statement at the time saying "the city is trying its best to protect the health, welfare and safety of people in and

protesters camped out at mcpherson square. d.c. mayor vincent gray sent a letter to the national parks service asking officials to evict those at the square and move them to a camp at freedom plaza. gray says the health department found deplorable conditions at mcpherson square because of a rat infestation. the mayor also asked for reimbursement to keep the camps on federal lands safe. >>> this morning a baby found alone in a tent at that occupy camp is waking up with her mother. police arrested samuel mack wednesday after he left the 13-month-old girl alone in a tent in the cold and rain. news4 spoke exclusively with the baby's mother who done want to be identified. she says mak is a friend who occasionally watches the baby. she said she had no idea he was taking her to occupy d.c. but noticed some odd things. >> my aunt said her clothes have been smelling like mill tuesday when he's bringing -- mildew when he's bringing her back. and there's rats down there. i thank god that she's here, that nothing happened to her. >> police say

some are inside whereas others are right over here in the center of mcpherson square. many are gathering and discussing what to do if the u.s. park police come in. many are concerned that this is the calm before the storm, before the u.s. park police comes in, shuts them down. for those who are not violating the no camping rule. let me just tell you, it's important to point out that a lot of folks tell me they came out here. they're concerned about the u.s. park police coming. and many of them said, you know what? this is our right to be here. i called the park police, and they have not called me back. but here's what's interesting. many of the people out here said they'll continue to stay and see what's going to happen to see if police comes onto mcpherson square. the same rules apply to freedom plaza. here's what's interesting. you're not allowed to camp, sleep or have bedding within the tents. in fact, the doors have to be opened. we'll continue to bring you the latest updates on nbc washington. i'm shamari stone. back to you in the studio. >> thank you. >>> no dama

. >>> it's not just people taking over mcpherson square. apparently rats are making the occupy d.c.p home as with. the tent city kitchen has stopped serve -- as well. the tent city kitchen has stopped serving meals after a visit by a city health inspector this week. fox 5's john henrehan has more. reporter: even in this week's bitterly cold temperatures dozens of protesters at the two occupy sites in d.c. are staying put. about half of freedom has a remains covered with tents and most of mcpherson square in the heart of the city's business district remains wall to wall tents 'nearby mench amounts are growing weary of what they consider to be a now unclean park. >> you can't even cross the street. it smells. it's smoky. it's bad. reporter: so you want them gone? >> oh, yes. reporter: some neighbors have complained of an increasing rat population and even some of the demonstrators at mcpherson square concede the rodents are around. >> this is rats coming through here like crazy, you know. i don't want to get bit by a mice or a rat and get real sick. i mean this place is rat infested.

at one point draping a tarp over major mcpherson statue.ut police avoided confrontation and did not step in overnight. last week the park service announced it would 6 -- ban camping. >> this is free speech. we have no other way to reach our government. now protesters say will stay. some are now holding a sleep strike. here.have a right to be redressing our government. >> protesters are here this morning seeking to restrain park enforcing the camping ban. ny of the people that work e building cameic out around noon and they were visibly upset that the police did not move in and get these people to move their tents out of here. folks that of the definitely here are upset. they say enough is enough. we'll see what happens later today. >> all right, john. very interesting. remember that occupy d.c. protester that was tazed in a confrontation? e's now been released from custody. -- he said he was arguing with police. ordered to was perform community service and is now banned from mcpherson square until friday. >> it is 5:05 right now. 41 degrees

megan mcgrath live in mcpherson square.me to get one last out-the-door forecast from tom. >> sunrise in about 20 minutes. getting earlier and earlier. we'll have plenty of sunshine on this monday. right now, we're just in the 20s to low 30s. and later today, climbing into the 40s. tomorrow, even warmer after a cold start. up around 60 degrees. and they even hit mid 60s on wednesday with increasing clouds. >> whoa. >> then thursday, looks like rain moving through. and then chilly on friday into the weekend. danella, how's traffic? >>> you're hitting the brakes outer loop of the beltway as you approach new hampshire avenue. it's a slow trip for you. your delays continue as you head to georgia avenue. travel speed now looking like 30 miles per hour. back to you all. >> looks rough, too. thank you very much. >>> and that is "news4 today." thank you for starting your day with us. >>> the "today" show is next. we'll be back in 25 minutes with weather, traffic, and any breaking news. and we're back tomorrow starting at 4:30. hope

has been at mcpherson square since october. both sides are on park service land. >>> the head of a nonprofit in d.c. that deals with kids and sports is charged in connection with former d.c. councilman's harry thomas, jr.'s money scheme. court documents say marshall banks knew thomas was taking grant money and didn't report it. banks is due in court tomorrow morning. the felony charge carries a maximum of three years in prison. >>> a suspect arrested in a bank bomb scare in arkansas. paul bradley broke into an elderly couple's home earlier this week and forced 73-year- old betty davis to try to withdraw money from a bank as she wore on her ankle what she thought was a bank. police id-ed bradley through surveillance tape captured at a hardware store as he bought the duct tape used to tie up mr. davis. >>> shining a light on the gulf between the rich and the poor in america, what's creating the widening wealth gap? we're crunching new numbers and received some interesting answers. >>> later an art museum turned fashion show runwa

he came into mcpherson square and using a pair of scissors, he tried to cut down what the protesters call their tent of dreams. >> the police and park services have been ineptd at doing anything about this. >> he's not a cop. mind your business. leave us alone. leave us alone. >> get your hand off me. >> there was some name calling on both sides. and some pushing. >> back up. >> reporter: and finally the cops came in and led mr. mangus away. unclear as to whether charges were filed against anyone here. should it stay oar should it go? if it goes, who should take it down? all day long this was the center of controversy, this large blue tarp draped over the statue of general james mcpherson. the park police says it defaces the statue, they want it down. and earlier another man acting on his own tried to rip it off. but he made a bigger hole for the horse's head. >> well, the tarp's covering up a public statue, i thought it would be nice to see it. if the cops just let them sleep in the park and camp there they'll take the tent down themselves, that's not likely to happen. so what's goi

the mayor cited health concerns given the growing rat infestation at mcpherson square.arks service is responsible for both mcpherson square and freedom plaza because they are on federal property. the hearing is scheduled for next week. the movement says it is protesting economic disparities. >>> our time is now 6:37. ahead, the business giving away free food for a year. >>> also, a scare outside the white house during an occupy d.c. protest. d.c. protest. >>> hold on to your hat and we know everyone's looking for ways to save. why not save on car insurance? [ coin drops ] [ high-pitched voice ] thanks. [ normal voice ] you're welcome. get a free quote at progressive.com. >>> weather & traffic on the 1s. 6:41. we've had gusty winds since midnight. a couple of hours ago, gusts up to 40 miles per hour. winds are diminishing. temperatures in the 30s western and northern suburbs and point west. in the low to mid 40s closer to washington and south and east. and looking at the view from space, with the radar superimposed, getting snow showers out in allegheny county and the pa

calling for their removal from mcpherson square. this comes on the heels of a health report citing a rat infestation and other health cancers at the camp. fox 5's maureen umeh live at the square with details of reporter: more on the federal response in a minute, but locally mayor vincent gray sent a letter to the director of the national parks service in it calling the situation at the campsite dangerous and asking mcpherson square, the campsite here, be shut down immediately. let me read a portion of that letter. , at a minimum the occupy d.c. sites at mcpherson square and freedom plaza must be consolidated at freedom plaza to allow for the elimination of the rat infestation and clean- up of mcpherson square." gray kreutz a health report that raises concerns about the -- cites a health report that raises concerns about the square. there is an infestation of rats attributable to the improper disposal and containment of trash and human waste. it says rats have been seen in tents and the food prep area. there are concerns about the se

encampment in mcpherson square. u.s. park police say this child was left alone in a tent at the occupy d.c. encampment in mcpherson square in dangerous conditions. >> in the mid-40s, we have a light rain in the district of columbia and an unattended 13-month-old dressed in just a one i is. >> reporter: kelly says around 10 a.m. two other protesters called her over to this tent where she says she found the baby crying and then called police. >> her hands were like popsicles, she was only wearing very thin mitt and a one cism. >> reporter: detectives arrived and within a half hour, police say the man believed to be the baby's father came back to the tent where he had abandoned the child, however, police have not yet revealed why the man left the baby alone. she had never seen the man or the baby before and said the man is not a part of the occupy d.c. movement. >> everybody here is disgusted by this and fright bind it and just abhorred by what happened. the person is a horrible person. >> reporter: child was wrapped in bla

protesters out of mcpherson square and con sell date them in freedom plaza. he sent a letter today requesting that move. gray said the health department found deplorable conditions at mcpherson square recently, including a rat infestation. the mayor also requested reimbursement for keeping the camps on federal land safe. >> new tonight a baby found alone in the mcpherson square occupy camp is back with her mother now. police arrested samuel mack yesterday after he left the 13-month-old girl alone in a tent. news 4 spoke with the baby's mother tonight who said mack is is a friend who occasionally watches the little girl but she said she had no idea he was taking her to occupy d.c. >> he had no idea why he was going to occupy d.c., nor did this they have any idea he was there. >> she's here, nothing happened to her. >> mack has a hearing next month on child cruelty charges. >> there could be reason to celebrate for teachers and others in fairfax county schools. tonight proposed raises were unveiled as one piece of a spending spree you might call it. jackie bens