reporting live from the ellipse, megan mcgrath, news4. bark to y back to you in the studio. >>> 17th street will be closed between constitution and new york avenues. the roads will reopen at 7:00. >>> this morning, there is some life changing news for some breast cancer patients. it turns out taking tomaxaphin can be a lifesaver. a study finds that women who took it for five years had a third less chance of dying from the disease, but the new study found their risk was cut in half if they took the drug for ten years. doctors say the finding is significant. >> it's highly significant, so it couldn't be a chance finding. the study had nearly 70,000 women from 36 countries so it's based on big numbers. >> it does have some possible side effects, including hot flashes, blood clots and an increase in endometrial cancer risk, but many doctors say the risks are not enough to offset the benefits. >>> no bond for the man police say shoved another man to his death at a new york subway station. police say security video shows davis moments before th

megan mcgrath, news4. >>> and our own doug kammerer will be on hand for tonight's lighting. you can watch his live reports later in this newscast. coming up on news4 at 5:00. >>> heads-up if you have to drive downtown tonight. two major roads are closed for the ceremony. 15th street, and 17th street between constitution and new york avenues. both those roadways will reopen tonight around 7 crock. >>> and here's a live look now outside. showers are on the way. but will they interfere with the tree lighting? >> let's head to storm team 4 meteorologist veronica johnson. >> hey there, barbara and pat. timing is everything, right? we just don't want any rain. not for the national christmas tree lighting, of course. it was a gorgeous day today. we had sunshine, and it was a little cool and crisp, but every bit like december which it's supposed to be. here's the forecast for the national christmas tree lighting down at the ellipse. 4:46 your sunset today. we're going to go ahead and zoom on in, right there to that tree, and watch the ornament come out, because there's your forecast

in green belt, megan mcgrath, news 4. >> doesn't get better than that.since sliced bread. a lot of success can be attributed to another rookie. alfred morris broke clinton portis's team record for most rushing yards in a season. he says he is happy they won. >> really wanted the win. as a team, redskins haven't been to the playoffs in some time. just to get back as a rookie to help contribute to our success is an amazing feeling. especially coming from where i came from. i'm thankful to be here. thankful we got the win. >> he finished the season with more than 1600 rushing yards. the redskins have their work cut out for them. the seahawks are one of the league's hottest teams. they are 11-5 this season which is one game better than the skins. rookie quarterback russell wilson tied the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie. they have one of the top ranked defenses in the nfl. if you hope to snag tickets, be near a computer in about 26 minutes. that's when tickets go on sale to the general public. the cheap seats are more than $58 including fees.

megan mcgrath is there where crews are getting ready for the ceremony.he tradition started in 1923 and never gets old. >> reporter: never gets old and it's ever changing. there are a lot of changes this year. you can see the national christmas tree, the lights are on, the ornaments are on. it didn't lit. it will happen later on tonight. shortly after 5:00, the president and his family will flip the switch. the performers are doing their thing. they are tweaking the stage lights. we have heard the singers and musicians practicing. getting in one last rehearsal to make sure it's perfect for today's big show. ♪ rue doll the red nosed reindeer ♪ >> reporter: one final performance before the show. phillip phillips, the "american idol" winner. also performing, the fray. ♪ >> reporter: the singer says he was stunned when president barack obama approached him about coming to washington. >> i was here for an event and the president said hey, we got to get you up here to play a song. i'm like okay. mikhail enradar is free. >> this is the 90th annual lighting of th

megan mcgrath, news 4.hard, back to you. >> robert griffin iii may not have had one of his best performances last night. but that doesn't seem to be bothering him. we'll have hisatake on the game a little later this hour. >>> tiffany alston was having financial issues before being stripped of her seat. the washington post reports that she filed for bankruptcy seven months before trying to use campaign money to pay for her wedding. she charged tens of thousands of dollars to a law firm. a jury found her guilty of misdemeanor theft in june for paying a law firm employee $800 in state money. >>> breaking news right now. iraq is on high alert for terrorist attacks as thousands of shiite pilgrims continue to march across the country. the pilgrims are on the way to celebrate at the end of a 40-day mourning period marking the death of prophet mohammed's grandson. they have staged attacks during this religious festival. so far police say a car bomb killed at least three people and wounded 21 others. >>> family, fri

reporting live in green belt, megan mcgrath, news 4.the studio. >> megan, thanks. >>> you can be sure that many 'skins fans will be at their computers at noon today when tickets go on sale to the general public. cheapest seats are a little more than $58 including fees. the most expensive tickets are about $485 if you feel like shelling out some cash. we also checked stub hub for you and found seats on sale. the cheapest tickets, were $132. just a reminder, next sunday's kickoff is set for 4:30. >> some people are willing to pay anything to see them. >> it's going to be an amazing game. they are a great team. the seahawks are phenomenal too. >> the redskins are. >> absolutely. it's going to be a hot, hot game. 5:37 is the time. putting speed cameras under the microscope. why maryland lawmakers may be ready to make some changes. >>> plus, who says it's cold? the people not letting winter weather keep them from enjoying a swim. >> want to try that this we're? >> no thanks. >>> chilly start to the morning as you get ready to >>> bone chilli

reporting live from the ellipse, megan mcgrath. >>> it could make a mess of traffic tonight. 15th street will be closed between constitution and pennsylvania avenues. 17th street will be closed between constitution and new york avenues. the roads will reopen at 7:00. >> it's going to be a nice night for that. chilly, though. >> yeah, you've got to bundle up. >>> still to come this morning, new findings that could change the way doctors treat breast cancer. >>> also ahead, help on the way to the district following superstorm sandy. >>> plus, the out of this world images that are giving us a new perspective on planet earth. >> it is really feeling like winter now. [ boy 1 ] hey! that's the last crescent. oh, did you want it? yea we'll split it. [ female announcer ] made fresh, so light, buttery and flakey. that's half that's not half! guys, i have more! thanks mom [ female announcer ] pillsbury crescents. let the making begin [ female announcer ] holiday cookies are a big job. everything has to be just right. perfection is in the details. ♪ get to holiday fun faster with pillsbury cookie d