Police are specking to the mother of two toddlers killed after they were left alone in an apartment that went up in flames. We are five days away from the New York Primary and the stage is set for tonights democratic president ial debate in brooklyn. And mixed martial arts is getting uncaged. What governor question apollo is set to do today with the combat sport. Good morning im lori stokes. And you are never more than 7 minutes away from weather and traffic. Heres meteorologist bill evans. Reporter 45 degrees around the five boroughs. Clear to partly cloudy skies, cooler across long island 37 eastern end there, 42 from river head to montauk and 34 toward monticello. A freeze warning until 8 00 this morning in western and northwestern new jersey. Western ocean county for temperatures at freezing and below. But it will warm up fast today. Sunshine this afternoon and a high of 60. And it only gets warmer. Well talk about that. Debby in for heather today. How is it going out there . Reporter we have a problem already this morning. Good morning. 87 northbound in Franklin Township. An accident out there some type of investigation. Well keep an eye on that for you as well. If you are heading over to 19 southbound an accident blocking one lane there. Service changes on the 3, 4 and 6. And a stalled car going out to the web cam on the l. I. E. Westbound construction just cleared. Alternate sides in effect. New details this morning in the deadly fire that killed two little girls in the bronx. The toddlers were sisters. The youngest only 18 mose old, and they were 18 months old and they were home alone. Diana . Reporter good morning, we have just Learned Police are talking to the 26yearold mother of those two toddlers. A heartbreaking situation out here this morning as neighbors say multiple attempts were made to get inside apartment 3 fwhen they saw smoke coming from the apartment. Firefighters worked through much of the night trying to determine how the fire started yesterday at about 6 30. Smoke could be seen coming from the third floor of the building at the butler houses on webster avenue. 2yearold jean and her 18 monthold sister amanda were be heard crying for help. The girls mother was across the street at the laundromat when the fire started. Firefighters were eventually able to get inside. The girls were taken to the hospital but were pronounced ged there late last night. Pronounced dead there late last night. Relatives and the girls mother were overcome. I went upstairs to see if there was anybody in the hallway or anybody who needed help and we heard kids crying, but it was too black, we couldnt breathe. Reporter a single candle is lit outside the building here for those two little girls. Seven other people were injured in this fire and three firefighters. Again we have just learned that police are now talking to the 26yearold mother of the two toddlers. That is the latest from the bronx this morning. Diana rocco, channel 7news. Now Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are getting ready to debate in brooklyn. The stage is set for a debate tonight and the location holds significance. Sanders was born in brooklyn and clinton has her Campaign Headquarters there. Good morning. Reporter good morning ken. This will be the first faceto face meeting between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders since sanders said clinton is unqualified to be president. Clinton has a 10point lead but both sides know they have to do well because this is a high stakes debate. Bernie sanders and Hillary Clinton staged dueling rallies at the Brooklyn Navy yard. Sanders, a brooklyn native wowed his crowd at Washington Square park and the surrounding streets, which were packed with thousands of people. Jane and i left new york it is great to be back. Thank you. Reporter sanders vowed to reform wall street and that brought up Hillary Clintons private speeches for goldman sachs. I kind of think if that 220,000 speech was so extraordinary, she should release the transcripts and share it with all of us. Reporter Hillary Clinton was in the bronx at the Community Center in coop city. Sanders has cut her lead in half but clinton stuck to targeting donald trump and ted cruz. One of them denigrates new york values. I think new york values are at the core of american values, thats why im proud to be a new yorker. Reporter mayor de blasio and governor cuomo, both Hillary Clinton supporters will be at the debate and the time is set for 9 00. Channel 7 Eyewitness News. All three republican candidates will be in manhattan tonight at the annual new york state republican gala in midtown. Prosecutors are drooping the charge against Donald TrumpsCampaign Manager saying it simply doesnt merit criminal charges. John kasich is being endorsed by the daily news. The front page features kasich along with the headlines, never trump and never cruz. We are also hearing marco rubios name mentioned again. Ted cruz said he is looking at possible running mates and said marco rubio would be a terrific person to consider. And a fifth high ranking nypd commander is being disciplined in connection with deputy chief andrew ca paul has been reassigned to an administrative position. The fbi is looking to see if special favors were traded for cash or for gifts. A man with ties to former new York City Police commissioner Bernard Kerrick is awaiting arraignment in manhattan. Frank toms so is charged with assault. The alleged victim is an fbi informant who exposed corruption with regard to kerrick. 4 38. New york will take off the gloves and approve professional mixed martial arts. Ceremony scheduled at Madison Square garden. Ultimate fighting wants to hold an event there late this year. You are never more than 7 minutes away from weather and traffic and meteorologist bill evans. Reporter this morning our camera on the roof looks toward central park south. That is the plaza hotel and midtown manhattan all looking good here this morning. We look from our camera here toward times square, all the way out toward sandy hook. Great visibility this morning. The temperature 45 degrees, it will drop down to 42 this morning. That is normal for this time of year. A few clouds to our west, but this is great isnt it . High pressure across the great we are going to get to 60. Weather and traffic together every 7 minutes. What is going on this morning . Reporter a couple of problems. Well go outside and get out toward haynes avenue in newark. Moving along smoothly. As we go to the maps. An accident blocking one lane there. Also heading to 287, 287 northbound exit 12 in Franklin Township an accident involving a pedestrian. Watch for an investigation. Service changes on the 2, 3, 4 and 6. Taking a ride to the westbound belt a stalled car to watch out for. Grand central okay out toward the rfk. 59th street bridge and the battery tunnel construction. George construction wrapping up. Lincoln construction wrapping holland moving smoothly. Alternate side of the street today. Wrong man in new jersey. The victim used his work van to take down his attackers. Now he is speaking out and it is a story youll only see on Eyewitness News. Russian jets zip by a u. S. Warship. The dangerously Close Encounter that caught the attention of the pentagon this morning. We have all been told to but if youre told you have cancer, explore your Treatment Options with specialists who treat only cancer. Every stage. Every day. At Cancer Treatment centers of america. Learn more at cancercenter. Com experts theyre one of the wall street banks that triggered the financial meltdown goldman sachs. That put seven million out of work and millions out of their homes. How does wall street get away with it . Millions in Campaign Contributions and speaking fees. Our economy works for wall street because its rigged by wall street. And thats the problem. As long as washington is bought and paid for, we cant build an economy that works for people. Sanders im Bernie Sanders, and i approve this message. 4 43. New this morning the amateur boxer accused of beating his girlfriend is now facing charges. Josh lutheran was taken to custody. The 30yearold boxer punched his girlfriend in the head. The 38yearold woman was left seriously hurt she is now in a medically induced coma. Bronx river has been identified as a missing father from the bronx. 34yearold javier was last seen while out with friends on march 25th. He was the father of a 3year old girl and worked as an assistant at the new york public library. The medical examiner is trying to determine the cause of death. The pentagon is working up a response to the russian government after several of the nations fighter jets flew dangerously close to a u. S. Destroyer in the baltic sea. In fact they caused wake in the water around the ship. The commander of the uss donald cook said the acts were unsafe and unprofessional. That would be your russian tom cruise going by the permission tofully by the tower. Roosevelt island over toward fdr, there is 42 park and one world trade. Great visibility this morning, looking at very cool temperatures, 45 around the park here, the humidity dry, looking right down the beach here, northerly wind pressure 30. 41. Yesterdays lie normal was 48. Normal 61 now. Frosty suburbs this morning and again tomorrow morning overnight tonight. Gradual warm up into the weekend, 70s by sunday. Those are your head lines. 39 headlines. 28 around lake hurst allows the temperatures to dropoff, calm wind. With the clear sky and the beach the warmth from yesterday freeze warning until 8 00 in the suburbs, morris county, monmouth and toward philly. Mercer county and cumberland. We are looking at High Pressure building in and warming up things very fast today. Youll see by 7 00 it is 43 in the park. We drop a little bit by afternoon, right at 60 degrees. Tomorrow we start out about the same spot but it warms up tomorrow into the low 60s. We gradually warm up each day. Sunny and nice today, 60 degrees. Clear and chilly tonight with areas of frosting outside the city, tomorrow pleasant sunshine and the high is 63. Now heres your accuweather 7 day forecast. Nice tomorrow 63, saturday 66. Beautiful sunshine on sunday, we are looking at great weather as we go into the weekend. We are going to be looking at a breeze on saturday, a sea breeze, so south facing shores, shore of long island, going to feel like the mid50s up to around 60 and then sunday, we have a lot of sunshine and beautiful weather sunday. The 22nd annual walkathon on that day. Then look at next week. Sunshine 76 on monday, and then tuesday is primary day. And personally, i enjoyed primary education for a very long time. For a very long time . Oh im sorry it is a primary election. How many years were you in first through eighth grade . Lets see, eight, nine, ten maybe. Love that. Good weather for election day on tuesday though. Get out. Get the vote. Whats going on . Reporter first of all on deFranklin Township watch for an investigation there. Also 109, in newark, a collision. Heres a look at the westbound belt, out toward Kennedy Airport at this point okay but getting reports of a serious accident at least two lanes blocked. Over on sixth avenue at 57th is the ongoing Fire Department activity. Well keep an eye on that. Subway is okay, Service Changes on the 2, 3, 4 and 6. 59th street bridge construction queens battery tunnel construction still wrapping up. Moving okay, alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today. Back over to you ken, lori. Debby thank you. 4 48. Now to an Eyewitness News exclusive. A man in new jersey turns the tables on three people who tried to rob him. He takes down two suspects and holds them until police show up. A third suspect is, though, still on the loose. Went through his mind when he decided to take such action. Heres Eyewitness News reporter jim dolan. Reporter this is how he chased down one of the men he said tried to rob him. Exclusive video obtained by Eyewitness News considering the man who got punched suffered only minor injuries. The rear window is all over the parking lot in the darkened parking lot, three men wielding hammers approached the van as assad sat inside. I heard my back window shatter. As soon as i turn my head the spanish guy shattered my drivers window. Reporter he hit two of the suspects against this wall. Then he saw the third suspect running off in that direction and that is when the Surveillance Video picks up. He drove at him as he crossed slamming him against the wall. Then he got out and started kicking the suspect, who was still down on the ground. You coming at me with a hammer. You intend to cause serious harm. Reporter later the suspect got up but not for very long as assad knocked him down with a single punch. Soon another suspect was on the ground. He punches one and kicks the other and eventually made both men take their pants off so they couldnt run. It was the only way i could think of subduing them. Guys attempted to rob somebody in a parking lot and they picked the wrong guy. Reporter assad uses his van for work so he is out of a job for awhile. Deworry about running down the suspect . At that point i didnt care. Because of what he just tried to do to me at that point i didnt care. Reporter jim dolan channel 7 Eyewitness News. The trial against the man accused of a deadly shooting South Carolina is now delayed until the beginning of next year. Dylann roofs attorneys told a judge they need two to six more months for a doctor to complete a psychiatric test. Roof is facing the Death Penalty after opening fire inside a charleston church, killing 9 people. The trial was scheduled to start in july, but will now begin in january with jury selection starting in early december. 4 50. Get this story. A womans love of potato chips may have saved her life. Christine moore has eaten a bag a day, packing it with her lunch. But recently her chips hurt her throat. The potato clip was a blessing in disguise. I wouldnt have found out for another year. Moore says her husband shared her story with treat dough lay. The company sent her a tshirt and coupons of course for free she was hoping for a life frito lay. The company sent her a tshirt and coupons, of course for free chips. She was hoping for a lifetime supply. The mamba goes out like a champ. Kobe bryant plays his final game. After 20 years as he says we should punish women who have abortions. There has to be some form of punishment. Theyre rapists. And that we should ban muslims from coming here at all. Total and complete shut down. Donald trump says we can solve americas problems by turning against each other. Its wrong and it goes against everything new york and america stand for. With so much at stake, shes the one tough enough to stop trump. Hillary clinton. Im Hillary Clinton and i approve this message. There are those who say we cannot defeat a corrupt political system but i believe we need to lift our vision above the obstacles in place and look to the american horizon. To a nation where every child can not only dream of going to college, but attend one. Where quality healthcare will be a birthright of every citizen. Where a good job is not a wish, but a reality. Where women receive equal pay and a living wage is paid to all. An america where after a lifetime of labor, there is time for rest and grandchildren. A nation that defends our people and our values, but no longer carries so much of that burden alone. I know we can create that america if we listen to our conscience and our hearts and not to the pundits and the naysayers. Im Bernie Sanders. I approve this message, weather and traffic together every 7 minutes. Looking down the beach here, looks good visibility all the way down to point pleasant, new jersey. 4 monticello, looking at the next 7 hours temperature dropping a little more. Then right back up to around 50 degrees here at noon, upper 50s do near 60 later on to near 60 later on. Winds out of the southeast weekend which well talk about next. Weather and traffic together every 7 minutes. Did i already say that . Yes. I say that ordering at the deli. Reporter good morning bill, good morning everybody. Problems on the belt parkway westbound belt an accident blocking two lanes. Expect delays to build quickly here right past Kennedy Airport. Sixth avenue by 57th ongoing Fire Department activity. Inbound bqe traffic moving along smoothly. 287 north exit 12 in Franklin Township an accident involving appends. Subways running involving a pedestrian. Subways running on time. Will smith was shot eight times in the back and in the chest. New orleans. Police say it appears smith rearended cardell hayess car and drove off. Hayes is accused of opening fire on smith and his wife. A loaded gun was also found inside smiths suv. A former beauty queen is accused of swindling macys out of 5000. Jennifer klein was crowned mrs. America in 199. 1989. She bought 5500 worth of clothes from macys, and then months later returned the clothes. But the clothes she returned were not the ones she bought there. Instead she put the tags on older clothes in order to get the refund. Harrison ford is a force the actors trademark star wars jacket was sold to find a cure for epilepsy and seizures. Police are talking to the mother of two youngsters killed in a fire in the bronx. Where was she when the flames broke out . Also a delay in the sentencing of the former nypd officer who killed a brooklyn man sparks outrage among the victims family members. Gallon, it is 5 00 a. M. Now in the deadly fire that claimed the good morning, it is 5 00 a. M. And new details unfolding right now in the deadly fire that claimed the lives of two little girls in the bronx. President ial candidates fan out across the area ahead of next weeks primary. Today the democratic contenders face off in brooklyn. Good morning im lori stokes. And im ken ken rosato. We look down the east river here Chrysler Building all the way down to one world trade. A morning starting out 5 00 a. M. , 45 degrees clear skies light northerly wind. 35 at long branch, 31 toms river, 3 bridgeport, and 42 out toward the east end. Freeze warning in jersey, you northwestern jersey down toward not really the jersey shore but interior monmouth and ocean county. We warm up into the upper 50s to 60 by afternoon. Only gets warmer. Debby busy in the Traffic Center in for heather. What is going on . Reporter the belt parkway bill an accident blocking two lanes so watch for delays here westbound belt. Lets see what is happening on the eastbound bqe, stop and go toward the brooklyn bridge. Battery tunnel overnight construction wrapping up at this point. 57th the ongoing Fire Department activity and delays here on 287 northbound just a minor delay but 287 north by exit 12 in Franklin Township an accident involving a pedestrian. Lets go camera, ills show you a look at the williamsburg bridge heading into town. Parking rules are in effect for today. Back over to you ken, lori. Debby thank you. It is 5 02 and we are learning more about the two youngsters killed in a devastating fire in the bronx. Police believe they were home alone and now police are talking with their mother. Eyewitness News Reporter diana rocco is in the clairmont section of the bronx. Reporter good morning. It appears the 26yearold mother of the two little girls was across the street at the laundromat yesterday night when the fire started. It has been a very difficult morning here for neighbors and friends who have been devastated by the death of these two toddlers. A single candle is lit outside this building here at the butler houses and the windows remain boarded this morning. The girls were left alone while their mother was at the laundromat across the street when the fire started at 6 30 last night. Fire investigators worked through the night trying to determine what happened. The third floor of the building of the butler houses. The 2yearold and her 18month old sister were inside apartment 3 f. They could be heard crying and screaming. Neighbors tried to get to them but were overcome by thick, black smoke. The firefighters found a heavy fire condition and heavy smoke condition in the apartment, in the living room area, maybe two couches were on fire. The two little girls were pronounced dead late last night at bronx lebanon hospital. Im diana rocco channel 7 Eyewitness News. Diana thank you. 5 04. New this morning a man is in Police Custody after a deadly stabbing inside a brooklyn homeless shelter. This happened last night at the institute for Community Living the 21yearold victim was stabbed once in the chest. He died at the hospital. Another 21yearold man living in the facility was taken into custody but has not yet been charged. The two apparently had an ongoing dispute. The family of khai gurley is outraged in the sentencing of peter yang. Family members plan to protest outside brooklyn supreme court. A hearing will resume because of a juror who failed to say his father had gone to prison. His attorneys now want a new trial. I think this is a juror who wasnt honest. I think this was a juror who had an antipolice bias, a strong one. Sentenced today but it has now been put off until next tuesday. A battle for the burrows and beyond intensifies for the boroughs intensifies. Hillary clinton and Bernie Sanders will debate in brooklyn. Dray clark is live at the brooklyn yard here today. Reporter Bernie Sanders was born here and clinton maintains her Campaign Headquarters here. Both sides know they have to do well tonight, because a bad performance could be a very damaging one. The stage is set for tonights debate at the Brooklyn Navy yard. Hillary clinton was tuning up last night at coop city. Vote for yourselves, vote for your children, your grandchildren, vote for the future of the bronx. Reporter Bernie Sanders was packed into Washington Square park, wowing thousands of supporters. We do not represent the billionaire class, we do not represent corporate america, we do not represent wall street, we do not want their money. Reporter donald trump is set to speak later today. But many in the towns Hispanic Community are calling on Suffolk County republicans to cancel trump. Ted cruz had a more gracious welcome on cnn with his family. He spent the first minutes knocking trump but then praised new york values sort of. Both heidi and i have lived in new york. It is a city that attracts the best and the brightest. When i talk about new york values, what im talking about are the liberal democrats who frankly have been hurting the people of new york over and donald trump will attend a fundraiser at 5 00, then take a lot back to midtown to attend the a helicopter back to midtown to attend the gala at the high hyatt hotel. We will cover both events, you can get the latest at abc 7 ny and on our mobile app. Cracked down on speeding drivers near the scene of a crash that killed a young mother. Over the course of at least four hours yesterday officers issued 39 summonses to drivers in east islip, most of them for speeding where a car jumped a she put her son on a school bus. Verizon workers went on strike yesterday and will join todays rally. They are expected to march from the times Square Mcdonalds to the gala where president ial candidates donald trump and john kasich and ted cruz will be. 5 08. Never more than 7 minutes away from weather and traffic. Bill evans. Reporter lets look from our camera at 4 times square looking south. Way down there is one world trade. Staten island on the right. And way in the distance, that is sandy hook, new jersey. Heres whats going on this morning. We look from our camera in astoria, south from the 59th street bridge. Great visibility. 23mile visibility, 45 degrees, clear skies. A light to a calm northerly wind. Is called the axis of this High Pressure ridge. Moves clockwise, get inside the middle of one. It is like a mountain ridge, the top of the High Pressure system these weather, winds are calm and the skies are clear. 56 at 1 00, 60 by 3 00 right at normal for there time of the year. A little cool this morning kiddos. Moms and dads, taking care of the kids, getting them off to school. After school it is sunny and 60, that is our normal high temperature. Im not sure what debby is rating the traffic at today . Reporter well maybe a c. Because of a cup of belt couple of problems. Bill, an accident blocking two lanes. The belt moving okay by kennedy boulevard. New Jersey Transit, running on time. 287 north an accident by exit 12 in Franklin Township, that involves an investigation of a pedestrian that was struck. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today back over to you lori, ken . Debby thank you. 5 10. Developing right now a texas deputy is shot six times and the gunman is still on the loose. Also ahead nba superstar kobe bryant ends his career on a high note. His emotional goodbye to his fans. laughing theres nothing like making their day. Except making sure their tomorrow is taken care of too. Financial guidance while youre mastering life. From chase. So you can. vo you were born. You live in westchester. You live in the hudson valley. You live in the bronx. Youre more than one person. Youre many people. Youre a community. You know what you want when it comes to medical care. You want the care of a top manhattan hospital without having to travel for it. You have it in montefiore. With a history of firsts were nationally recognized for medical excellence, and with our Albert Einstein college of medicine, academic and research excellence. Responsible for the worlds first transvenous cardiac pacemaker, and now, with our expansion into westchester and the hudson valley, stateoftheart healthcare is just down the road from you. Developing now in houston a Deputy Constable has been rushed to the hospital after a suspect approached him from this is new video, the ambush happened just after midnight. The constable is expected to survive. He was wearing his protective vest. The gunfire erupted while the officer was leaning into his patrol car talking to a trainee after a traffic stop. Police are searching for the shoot sneer tonight the game one against the panthers. Last nights game in pittsburgh turned quickly in the first period when goalie lundquist got a stick to the face. He didnt come back. The penguins won 52. Game two is saturday. Nba superstar kobe bryant finished his epic 20 season career with a win, playing in his final game for the lakers. For the final time number 24 five times world champion, kobe bryant. What a flight. Bryant dropped 60 points. In their victory against the jazz last night. Then number 24 said goodbye to the team and the fans that stood by him for his two decade long career. I cant believe this comes to an end. You guys will always be in my heart, and i sin serially appreciate it. No words can describe sincerely appreciate it. No words can describe how i feel about it in my heart. After the game the team celebrated with an emotional farewell to the five time nba champ. The warriors took the record for most wins in the season. The team beat the grizzlies last night for win number 73 and with it what was thought to be an unbeatable record by Michael Jordan and the bulls. The bulls tweeted your historic season with the hashtag respect. 5 15 lets check in with meteorologist bill evans. Reporter Michael Jordan didnt tweet. The bulls did. I think he ran out on the Court Last Night and tried to block a couple of shots. Reporter here we go a look across the hudson river this morning. A beautiful sunrise. We are going to have what is going to be an absolute gorgeous day again. 47 is the temperature. Humidity 60 the pressurizing. Looking at 58 as the high yesterday. Normal is 61. 30 around brooke haven to 23 in west hampton. Always a cold spot. 43 around monticello. 43 around newark. Light northerly to a calm wind, so wind is not much of a factor at all this morning. Freeze warning across jersey until 8 00 this morning because of from the and the temperatures are at or below freezing. Should be a freeze warning toward west hampton, where it is 29. Once again well have that same situation tonight. Later on 59 around the park. And we are looking at whats got to be 42 tomorrow morning and low 60s for tomorrow we are going to deep getting warmer and keep getting warmer and warmer as we head into the weekend. This slides eastward and we see the jet stream ride to the north and we are going to be looking at warmer air surging up from the southwest. The High Pressure ridge going eastward puts us into what the weather pattern should be in line for. Jet stream to the north, warm air surging up. Tomorrow sunshine a pleasant day the high is 63. 66 on saturday, we are looking that is going to be very nice. Because that is going degrees warmer than normal for this time of the year. That is awesome. Finally. There you go. That reminds me of the song. Finally. All right ill stop right there what song is that . I know what he is talking about. I want to hear ken sing it. Lori can sing it much better than me. Lets check in with debby. Reporter looking over to the traffic right now, we are going to held over to the belt parkway, westbound moving so much better now out toward kennedy. An accident was cleared out of the way. Subways on or close to schedule no problems there. New Jersey Transit metro north off to a nice start. 287 northbound exit 12 an Ongoing Investigation of a pedestrian accident. Moving smoothly construction all cleared. Sixth avenue at 57th a Fire Department diversion. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today. Back to you lori ken. Thank you very much. Sounded like debby was about to sing there too. I know right . Another rock legend uses at stop shop, shoppers are discovering low prices by the thousands, plus a thousand more that just dropped. All these low prices what are you trying to do, get me to feed the whole neighborhood . [ laughter ] thousands of blue tags, thousands of low prices. My stop shop. If youre doing everything right but find it harder and harder to get by, youre not alone. While our people work longer hours for lower wages, almost all new income goes to the top 1 . My plan make wall street banks and the ultrarich pay their fair share of taxes, provide living wages for working people, ensure equal pay for women. Im Bernie Sanders. I approve this message because together, we can make a Political Revolution and create an economy and democracy that works for all into a large piece of concrete that may have broken off an expressway in queens. The 200pound concrete slab was found in a parking lot near the van wyck expressway in flushing. There was no damage to the asphalt parking lot where it was found. Officials have closed off the area until the slab could be removed. Ringo starr has joined Bruce Springsteen and others in canceling his show to protest north carolinas new transgender law. The star says he was sorry to disappoint fans but he needed to take a stand against what he calls hatred and to spread peace and love. 5 22. And you are never more than 7 minutes away from weather and traffic. Heres meteorologist bill evans with the accuweather forecast. This morning we are watching the temperatures because they are right around 45 degrees. We have clear skies down the beach this morning and 39 around new city. Newark, 38 jamaica, queens and jfk. The temperature has been dropping off. Taking the ferry from Staten Island or from jersey city or brooklyn, light wind, very nice. The next 7 hours temperatures rising 54 by noon, a lot of sunshine and a light southeast wind. Going to warm to 70 by sunday, we talk about that next. Debby has her hands full in for heather. Reporter a new problem on 17 out toward monroe. 17 eastbound exit 130 at monroe, accident blocking one lane. A problem on 287 north exit 12 in Franklin Township, an accident involving a pedestrian, subways on or close. New Jersey Transit, metro north close to schedule. Going outside taking a look at the l. I. E. Moving okay toward lakeville road. Parking rules are in effect for today. Back over to you ken, lori. 5 23. Still ahead on Eyewitness News this morning, millions of drivers may be riding around with a dangerous and potentially in new york state, we believe tomorrow starts today. All across the state, the economy is growing, with creative new business incentives, the lowest taxes in decades, attracting the talent and companies of tomorrow. Like in rochester, with worldclass botox. And in buffalo, where medicine meets the future. Let us help grow your companys tomorrow on the money this morning, asian markets are up. Japan grew 3 hong kong posted a slight gain. And more recalls down the road for takata. Reporter good morning. The largest automotive recall in u. S. History may be expanding. Federal regulators say 85 million vehicles with takata airbags may need to be recalled. They can explode with too much norse and injure people in the vehicle force and injure people in the vehicle. Yesterdays rally fueled by bank stocks the dow gained 187, nasdaq 75. S p gaining 20. If you suffer withdrawals because you cant text in a amc is considering creating texting sections in some theaters. Expecting millennials to shut off their phones for two hours is not realistic. What about their mouth . That might also not be realistic. Have a great day. Oh boy. It is 5 27. Coming up in our next half hour Police Questioning the mother of two youngsters sadly killed in a tragic fire in the bronx. A construction executive with ties to former Police CommissionerBernard Kerrick awaits arraignment on a felony assault at angies list, we guarantee a fair price, quality service, and that horrible smells are really good at hiding. Oh, boy. There it is. Ohh. Ooh. 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And im lori stokes. You are never more than 7 minutes away from weather and traffic. Bill . Reporter this morning we have skies that are clear. Our temperature here is 45 degrees, just a little bit warmer than normal for the overnight hours. 33 in monmouth county. There might be a little frost. Sunshine and 45 degrees by 10 00. 60 this afternoon. A calm wind, not much of a big deal with the wind. Going to warm into the 70s this weekend. Debby how is it going out there . Reporter a problem as you head to 17 toward monroe. 17 east, exit 130 an accident blocking a lane. No problems at the Tappan Zee Bridge at this point. 287 in jersey, exit 12 Franklin Township police investigation, one lane blocked. Subways on or close to schedule. New Jersey Transit metro north all on time. Hudson river crossings George Lincoln and the holland moving smoothly and a look at the Southern State moving fine through nassau county. Alternate side in effect. Back over to you, lori, ken . 5 31. Right now police are talking to the mother of two youngsters killed in a horrible bronx fire. They believe her daughters were home alone when the smoke and flames broke out. Reporter ken it is a heartbreaking morning here, especially for neighbors and this family who played several attempts to try to get to these little girls when started. It appears the mother was across the street at the laundromat and left the girls home alone, unsupervised. Investigators tried to determine how the fire started. Yesterday at about 6 30 smoke could be seen coming from the third floor of of this building of the butler houses. The 2yearold and 18monthold could be heard crying and screaming. Neighbors were trying to get to them but were overcome by the thick, black smoke. Firefighters were able to get to the girls and they were taken to the hospital but late last night they were pronounced dead. Relatives, the girls mother and neighbors could not save them. We saw flames burst from the then i went upstairs to see about there was anybody in the hallway or anybody who needed help and we heard kids crying. But it was too black, we couldnt breathe. Really a sad situation out here this morning. A single candle is building outside the building for the girls. Their 26yearold mother being talked to by police. There were seven others injured firefighters. Im diana rocco channel 7 Eyewitness News. President ial hopefuls will spread across the area today in their bid to win votes ahead of the New York Primary. While republican candidates plan to meet at a gop gam la in midtown, democratic rivals Bernie Sanders and gala in midtown, democratic rivals Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton will meet in brooklyn. Reporter this is the first meeting since Bernie Sanders said Hillary Clinton is unqualified. Both sides know they have to do well, because tonights debate is a high stakes one. Reporter Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton staged dueling rallies on the eve of tonights debate at the Brooklyn Navy yard. Sanders, a brooklyn native, wowed his cheering crowd at Washington Square park with the streets packed with thousands of people. Jane and i left new york city when we were kids it is great to be back. Reporter sanders vowed to reform wall street and that brought up Hillary Clintons private speeches for goldman sachs. I kind of think if that 225,000 speech was so extraordinary, she should release the transcripts and share it with all of us. Reporter Hillary ClintonCommunity Center in coop city. Sanders has cut her lead in half but clinton stuck to targeting donald trump and ted cruz. One of them denigrates new york values. I think new york values are at the core of american values, thats why im proud to be a new yorker. Reporter and there are Great Expectations tonights debate will be a very lively one between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile the debate time is set for 9 00. Dray clark channel 7 Eyewitness News. Dray thank you. All three republican candidates will be in manhattan tonight at an annual new york state republican gala in midtown. Florida prosecutors are dropping the battery charges against Donald TrumpsCampaign Corey had been charged. Bernard kerricks corruption was exposed by thomas. Deputy chief Andrew Coppell has been reassigned to an administrative position. The fbi is looking into the action of four nypd commanders from brooklyn to see if they traded special favors for cash or gifts. Two businessmen are at the center of this investigation. Minutes away from traffic and weather. Meteorologist bill evans, how is it going . Reporter it is going great. We have a beautiful sunrise on the way. Times square south you see the Empire State Building all the way down to one world trade. 23mile visibility. Looking toward the sunrise, going to be gorgeous. And sunset will be beautiful too, for that matter. Starting off around 45 degrees. Clear skies, calm wind, High Pressure swinging across, and the temperatures warm up nicely. 47 by 9 00, 54 at noon. 60 by 3 00. At the bus stop kiddos, cool this morning, grab a jacket or sweater. Temperature 45. After school it will be beautiful for after school sports, we are looking at 60 degrees. Weather and traffic together every 7 minutes. Debby . Reporter good morning bill, good morning everybody. Exit 130 in monroe, an accident blocking the lane. No problems at the Tappan Zee Bridge. Exit 29 in bridgeport over in connecticut construction there you may see a slight delay there. And in new jersey 287 north exit 12 Franklin Township, it is an Ongoing Police investigation. Looks like a pedestrian accident. Heres a look at the new jersey turnpike toward elizabeth and newark, no problems to report. Subways on or close to schedule. Metro north running smoothly. George lincoln and holland off to a very nice start. Sixth avenue at 57th an ongoing problem with a steam pipe issue. Diversions on the m5, and m7 bus. The l. I. E. Still moving smoothly. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today back over to you. Debby thank you. Still ahead on Eyewitness News an Eyewitness News exclusive. The wrong man topless with from new jersey. When a rear hatch remembers your height. When systems can help sense your surroundings. And when cameras change your perspective. Thats the more human side of engineering. Experience what a lincoln can do for you assad was inside a van in a parking lot in patterson when the men threatened him with hammers. One broke the rear window, another broke the drivers side window and assad took matters into his own hands. You coming at me with a hammer. You intend to case somebody serious harm. At that point i didnt care. Because of what he just tried to do to me, i didnt care. The suspect was not seriously hurt. Punch when he tried to run. He had a way to make sure the suspect didnt leave the scene. He forced him to take his pants off while they waited for police. The pentagon is working up a response for the russian government after several of the nations fighter jets flew dangerously close to a also navy destroyer. Video shows unarmed russian jets coming within 30 feet of the destroyer in the baltic sea. The attack got so close they caused wake in the water around the ship. Commander of the uss donald cook said the actions were unsafe and unprofessional. 5 42. Meteorologist bill heavens joins us now with the accu weather forecast. Reporter a beautiful sunrise this morning. First off a look at the Chrysler Building brought to you by chrysler jeep. Today is another great day to across Roosevelt Island toward flushing queens. A beautiful morning. Here comes the sun. A beautiful sunrise. Sunrise around 6 30. We are done. Little bits of high thin cirrus clouds sunshine and a beautiful day. Humidity is dry, wind is north, pressure 30. 32 and rising. We are right at normal today, sun officially up 6 18 a half hour from now. Frosty in the suburbs. A lot of sun and big warm up into the weekend with 70s by sunday. Look at northport, 46. A clear skies, the sandy soils of the coastal section toms river 35. The heating is lost from the atmosphere. Clear skies and a calm wind. So we have been looking at a little bit of a freeze warning. Well have that again tomorrow and some spots might get frosty and cool air out of canada. That is going to moderate, warming up. Temperature 41 down the shore, connecticut long island by 9 00. The afternoon 60. We are going to start the same tomorrow morning, close to freezing. But by afternoon low 60s tomorrow. 63 around morristown and the urban areas of new jersey. Kiddos the bus stop a little cool this morning. A jacket or sweater will do it. After school 60 degrees, going to feel great. It will be nice and sunny. Tonight is going to be clear and chilly. 40 in the city, 41 is the normal overnight low. That is fine. Outside the city maybe a little frost. Sunshine and pleasant tomorrow the high 63. Beautiful weather going into the weekend. 63 friday, 66 saturday. It is just that on saturday it is possible on saturday there could be an area where there is some winds that come up out of the south and southwest and it might leave the temperatures to around the mid and upper 50s to but we are sunshine on sunday. 72 and then 76 trombones for monday. What a great day on monday. A front moves through on monday night, virtually unnoticed with no rain, so primary tuesday 65 degrees. New york primary on tuesday, you guys registered to vote . Yeah not in the state of new york. Why not . Bill. You can register here. You did Something Special yesterday . I do. Really big honors for people fighting serious illness and making the difference. I had the joy of hosting the crohns and colitis luncheon. Honors were given for philanthropy and journalism and design. They were giving out awards, more than 2 million was raised the event which started in has raised upwards of 25 million. There were 900 people there yesterday and Amazing Stories of courage and hopefulness and cutting edge medicine and research. I told you crohns runs in my family, so we have had it. My uncle had it. Good for you. Hopefully theyll invite you back. Im sure theyll want you back. Why not . They are good folks. Lets check in on the morning commute. Reporter good morning to everybody. A couple of problems to warn you about this morning. First of all 78 eastbound heading out toward exit 74 an exit in the center lane. Watch for this investigation on 287 north exit 12 Franklin Township, a police investigation. Over on 17 east into 130 and monroe a truck separated from the cab. And on 95 northbound in connecticut that construction over on sixth avenue and 57th, some ongoing Fire Department activity, you may see some diversions the m5 and m7 buses. Truck route 109 earlier problems cleared in newark. Our web cam ill show you the approach to the holland tunnel, some volume, minor delay at the lincoln and george. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today. Back over to you. Lori, ken . Debby thank you. At 5 46 new this morning new clues in the search for a missing florida priest. Plus maybe uncle sam owes you some money. New york taxpayers still have a once if your family outing is magical for all the wrong reasons. You may be muddling through allergies. Try zyrtec for powerful allergy relief. And zyrtec is different than claritin. Because it starts working faster on the first day you take it. The man linked to the disappearance of a florida priest is now in custody. Steven james murray was arrested in akin, South Carolina not far from where police found an abandoned car belonging to father robert. The priest knew murray from his ministry and was trying to help him. New details former nfl player will smith was shot eight times in a deadly road rage incident. The former new orleans saint was shot in the back and the chest. It happened saturday night in new orleans, and police say it appears smith rearended cardell hayess car and then drove off. And that is when hayes is accused of opening fire on smith and his wife. A legal gun was also found inside smiths suv. 5 50. Newly released studies are giving con kloossive evidence definitively cause severe brain defects in newborns. The cdc confirmed what doctors in brazil suspected. 2billion in funding and research and virus prevention are being pushed for. Senator chuck shumer says the irs estimates more than 57,000 new yorkers have not filed their returns for 2012. And the april 18th filing deadline is right around the corner. All those nonfilers will be giving up millions of dollars in refunds. Ouch that hurts. Send some this way. 5 51. Still ahead, put on your boxing gloves or take them off as the case might be in mixed martial arts. Madison square garden gets ready to welcome mixed martial arts. Bill evans will be back with American Workers know how to fight back and rebuild an economy. So does she. We need jobs that provide dignity and a bright future. New penalties to stop companies from moving profits and jobs overseas. For businesses that create manufacturing jobs, a new tax credit. And lets invest in clean energy jobs, her first term. A real plan to create new jobs and industries of the future. Hillary clinton. Im Hillary Clinton and i approve this message. If youre told you have cancer, explore your Treatment Options with specialists who treat only cancer. Every stage. Every day. At Cancer Treatment centers of america. A discovery at the site of what was the first cathedral in mexico city. Archaeologists uncovered a massive stone slab, covering what appears to be a tomb of one of the first priests in mexico. The grave is sunk into the floor of an aztec temple, suggesting the cathedral was built over the temple even using the same floor. They do that in europe all the the tomb was built in the early 16th century. Pretty cool. In mexico city they have one cathedral right next to the other. One is sort of syncing. The other is of sinking. Beautiful. Asbury park. All the way down that way is point pleasant. 33 down the shore. Progress here. Looking out for the next 7 hours, warming into the mid50s by noon time and looking at a lot of sunshine today and a light wind. It will warm up nicely here with a little wind out of the south southeast, 60. And warmer into the 70s, we talk about that next. How is it going out there . Good morning to everybody. 78 eastbound into exit 24, an accident blocking one lane. Do watch for slowdowns. Over on 287 north exit 12 investigation. 17 east into monroe a disabled connecticut 95 northbound exit still being cleared. Heres a look at the westbound side of the Southern State, alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect for today. Back over to you ken, lori . Debby thank you. Happening today new york has approved professional mixed martial arts. Governor cuomo is set to sign to put the state Athletic Commission in charge of the sport. Madison square garden is one of the sites for big locations, like the ultimate fighting championship, that wants to year. Atlantic city would be given 130 days to fix finances. The proposal made by president Steve Sweeney said the state would take over Atlantic City. The states asem brea speaker had propose a different bill giving Atlantic City up to two years to make improvements. Just ahead on Eyewitness News this morning, we are live in the bronx, where two toddlers were killed in a fast moving apartment fire. We have also learned overnight detectives are questioning their mother right now. And the juror at the center of the controversy in the peter yang sentencing trial. Bill evans has your exclusive accuweather forecast as we head a little bit closer back at the top of the hour. I solemnly swear that my kfc 20 fill up will fill your family of four up, with eight pieces of delicious original recipe chicken and sides. Its a meal thats freshly prepared every day. Court adjourned colonel quality, guaranteed. Thats not fair, he should give you your rollerblades back. Anddddd, shes back. Storm coming . A very dangerous cheese storm. So you have 20 more bags. Mhm. My Yoga Instructor calls it the death spiral. I call it living the dream. American express presents the blue cash everyday card with no annual fee. Cash back on purchases. See you tomorrow. Good morning it is 6 00 and we have new information overnight on a fast moving fire that trapped and killed two toddlers in their home. Why detectives are questioning their mother. And it is another very busy day ahead in new york for the democrats and republicans looking to gain the delegates up for grabs in next weeks primary. A final farewell for a legend. Nba great kobe bryant ended his 20 year career with a season high 60 points