as for the movie's title? do you remember what you told me? >> yeah. >> what should they call it? >> "hot as a pistol." >> what a great story. good to see him again. >> mumm >> the end of the line for agent 0. gilbert arenas will be sentenced on felony gun charges. we will have a live report. >> it is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain. >> a busy weekend marks the start of the annual cherry blossom festival. "good morning washinton" begins right now. >> live, and in high definition, this is good morning washinton, on your side. >> good friday morning. i'm doug mcelway. >> i'm alison starling. welcome back, everybody. friday sounds great. we are ready for a nice weekend. this morning is not so nice. what is the latest on the rain? >> it's coming down. there are heavy pockets that will lived through the area. temperatures will be falling. let's look at the doppler 7 radar. the showers are intermittent in the immediate metro area. out of the south there are have ur pockets from southern maryland. heavy rains from lexington park. temperatures this morning in the 50's, but they will drop. mid 40's at lunchtime. low 30's this afteron. through the afternoon some cooler air will build and we could see an isolated sprinkle or what snowflakes. sundown at 7:26. we have big news on the traffic front. >> there's been an accident for drivers going north on 270 away from the beltway towards river to. let's show you the crash near 28, wes montgomery ave. it's a serious crash in the rain. traffic is able to get by slowly. this will start to build in volume leaving falls road headed towards germantown. these headlights are southbound. it is going down at the scene. more on this in less than 10 minutes. >> thank you. our top story this morning, sentencing date for former wizard's star. gilbert arenas: his punishment today for the locker room fight that turned into a felony gun charge. it could mean the postseason in prison for him. courtney robinson is at the courthouse. >> gilbert arenas is already sentenced -- suspended by the wizard's since the beginning of january after he got into a locker room incident. gilbert arenas said the whole thing was a joke. will the judge to spare him from jail? today the star guard of the wizards will once again have his day in court. do you think he deserves jail time? >> probation. >> a federal judge broke determine which sentence he will serve for felony count of possessing a gun in the district. prosecutors are asking for three months of jail. gilbert arenas had four firearms in the verizon center. they say he tried to cover it up and the text message proves it. they also point to a picture of him in a volatile in what seems to be mocking the incident. >> three months, that is up to them. my opinion is he should've taken it seriously. >> his attorneys as probation is enough, is a public apology, and his suspension proves that. but he should get probation. >> 2 wilcott 30 today is when we expect him in court. by th-- 2:30 today. they said they would not ask for more than six months jail time in exchange for the guilty plea on one felony count of a gun charge despite him having four guns in the wizards of a room. courtney robinson reporting. >> thank you. stay with us on abc 7 for continuing coverage throughout the day. another live report in our next half hour. >> we have a story out of prince george's county. investigators are trying to figure out what caused a deadly car crash that happened just before midnight on james farmer way near addison road. four people in the car when it hit a telephone pole. two in the car or killed, two others injured. a scary landing for pilot after his small plane went down in anne arundel county near solomons island road in edgewater yesterday. 76 year-old richard drewyer of annapolis was the only person on board. his plane experienced mechanical failure just after taking off from lee airport. nobody was hurt. >> the obama administration is set to unveil a new plan to help homeowners who owe more than their homes forth. homeowners would reduce the amount they owe with new loans backed by the federal housing administration and it provides incentives to lenders reducing the amount boroughs of. the plan includes he homeowners who lost their jobs. another senate stand off. tom coburn says he'll block a stopgap bill that would extend the amount of time some americans get the benefits. he says the cost should not be added to the national debt. >> congress has completed an overhaul of the nation's health- care system. the house and senate have approved a bill, making changes to allow the president signed on tuesday. it includes better benefits for seniors and lower-income and middle-class americans antics the government direct lender for all student loans. the president is expected to sign it next week. congress may have finished healthcare reform, but the fallout has intensified. >> it is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain. >> virginia republican congressman eric cantor says his office in richmond was pierced by bullet. he said this disproves attention from some democrats say the threats of violence was only to one party. some have received telephone threats and some have had their offices vandalized. >> we have 52 degrees outside and it's raining. >> marion darian tax trouble. we will tell you why he owes big money to the irs again. -- marion barry. >> end of the start of the cherry blossom festival kicks off in the nation's capital. >> will be other holdout for the opening weekend? brian van de graaff will have the full forecast. also, an accident on interstate 270. looks like it's blocking >> good morning. brian van de graaff on this friday. we have some rain this morning. even have the pockets. south and east of southern maryland some heavy pockets. we will see off and on rain through the midday. in the midafternoon the cold air arrives. we are in the 50's currently. before the day is over, we will be in the 40's. 52 degrees in hunting down. temperatures falling through the afternoon. showers should taper off. a sprinkle or as snow flurry cannot be ruled out this afternoon. clearing tonight. we are in the 20's. >> on the web page, we start with the crash on 270. it's against the rush hour flow. it's northbound leaving the belt way to get to a germantown. at west montgomery ave. that's northbound 270 at 28. no delays there. the headlights are southbound. they are more curious than ything else. the next camera shows a good drive across the potomac river. >> a big crowds are expected at the tidal basin th weekend to see the famous cherry blossoms. it kicks off tomorrow and will run through the 11th of april. the blossoms are expected to be in peak bloom from april 1 through april 4. it's expected to bring $82 million to the d.c. area. metro will have eight-car trains in service to help handle the crowds. one of the best times of year. >> absolutely. people wilwe have not dropped m. it's 53 degrees. >> coming up, a major changes to the military don't ask don't tell policy. we have details on that. >> former mayor marion barry is in the hot seat again with the fe >> your watching "good morning washinton" with doug mcely, alison starling, brian van de graaff, and lisa baden. this is good morning washinton on your side. in our top stories, washington wizard's point guard gilbert arenas will find out today whether he will spend time in jail for breaking gun laws. he pled guilty in january to bringing four guns off into the locker room. in december prosecutors asked for three months in jail. his lawyers are asking for probation. florida international university shocked by the stabbing death of a football player. kendall was stabbed at an incident at the main campus in miami. police are searching for several suspects. defense secretary gates has announced new guidelines that are intended to make it more difficult to kick gaze out of the military. he says the new rules are meant to keep the "don't ask, don't tell" off from being used to have which tons or so grudges. -- to kick gays out. >> former mayor marion barry owes $15,000 in unpaid taxes. the irs is taking action. pamela brown has details. >> good morning. seems like a never-ending saga between him and the federal government. now the irs is demanding the pay up $15,000 or else there will be serious consequences. he has been in and out of the courtroom over tax troubles. prosecutors tried to put him behind bars, and steady waput on probation for failing to file a 2007 tax returns. >> it paints the worst picture. >> now the government is knocking on his door again, with a leien,, claiming that he owes $15,000 in taxes from 2005 through 2008. it's issuing a lien on all of its properties and rights to properties in the amounts that deals. he's had earlier troubles with the irs. they've been taking $1,350 from his salary every two weeks to repay the debt. a spokesperson says he's already paid his 2008 taxes in full and will continue to make payments to clear his debt. this is not the only scandal that he's facing. he was stripped of a committee chairmanship after an independent investigation found that he took a cut of 15,000 parcels servpersonal services ct thate had with a former girlfriend. >> thank you. it's time for the traffic and weather. >> its friday morning. let's see how the weekend is shaping up with brian van de graaff. what a difference a day makes after yesterday. >> temperatures will be going down today. this morning we are in the 50's. not bad. 52 degrees at andrews. 52 degrees in gaithersburg. are taking a breere are showersn calvert county and other spots. there's a lot of heavy rain in thrichmond area,, that area. this is working from the southwest to northeast. there will be a lull in action. rain off and on through the mid- end afternoon. a little sunshine could peek through before sundown tonight. the storm system is going over there right now. a couple of what snowflakes cannot be ruled out this afternoon when temperatures fall. it's going to be in the 40's at lunchtime. low 40's this evening. the wind will ease up tonight. 20's arnott out of the question. saturday looks nice, 52. 55 on sunday. increasing clouds and another shot of rain. monday morning still raining, clearing out next week. temperatures will warm up again. back to you. >> thank you. let's look at the situation breaking. 270 @ qwest montgomery ave. -- west montgomery ave. we will have the latest in a moment with lisa baden on that. >> you have an update? >> traffic is getting by. no disruption really. southbound on 270 there is a slowdown because people are looking at what's happening. not much happening on the virginia side. in good standing. metrorail reporting they are having normal service. >> the change could mean big bucks for wisconsin shalit. a new way to watch your favorite movies these days as well. now those stories from vinita nair. >> netflix arrives on the nintendo wii. it will ship disks that will activate its instant streaming service on the gaming council. it sent this to a limited number of people wh requestso to them so they could get feedback and work out any bugs. the xbox 360 and playstation 3 are capable of playing netbooks movies on demand. tevo will combine a dvr, movies, and the web altogether. the new features are a good, but they may not be enough to turn on the company's slumping business. >> better navigation, improved search, broad capability. but it's a little slow. there's no integrated wi-fi. for a box that is opposed the internet centered, you want integrated wi-fi. it's better, but the improvements are marginal. it's not a game changer. >> kissel review is on usa today.com live nation is testing new digital wristbands' that feature a smart ship -- chip to cut n paper tickets. the university of wisconsin found switching from erroll to sensory graphics saves in, which saves money. the new font uses 30% less incomk. for more, log on to the technology page @ abcnews.com. those are your "tech bytes" and i'm vinita nair. >> its about $50 for those printer cartridges. >> they're cheaper on line. 5:22 is the time. it's raining and it's 53 degrees. >> still ahead, we have the latest on some work with the wizards coming up in sports. >> on "oprah" today, ryan seacrest dishes all the big changes on "american idol" and that's at 4:00 on abc 7. >> good morning. the cats found themselves in a shootout in carolina. slesnick the hurricanes prevailed 3-two the capitals scored first in the shootout. then carolina went ahead at the top of the fifth. chad liv rose scored. the tide turned. then mike green sced. carolina beats the cats. the final three-two in the shootout. the cats pick a point. $550 million for the verizon center. an arbitrator was used. they have gotten past the issues. leonidas will be the owner of the washinton wizard's most likely. have a great day. >> we appreciate it. it's 53 degrees. the news continues at 5:30. >> still ahead, a shocking report about hiv rates in the nation's capital. fy city leaders say it's a wake- up call. >> lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are receiving violent threats in the wake of passing health care reform. more coming up in a live rert. >> we are live in the weather center, where the rain is coming down. the question is will it leave in time for the weekend? the question is will it leave in time for the weekend? >> live and in hd, this is good morning washinton, on your side. >> welcome back, everybody. looking live outside in roslyn. it's a cold sweat morning -- cold, wet. we could get a snowflake before it's over. good morning, washington. it's friday, march 26. i am alison starling. >> i am doug mcelway. we are on storm watch this morning. rain mov through the metro region. let's get to brian. a 30-degree drop today. >> it was 74 yesterday. cooler air this afternoon. temperatures will be well below freezing. that's why may be an isolated snowflake could fall. this morning the heavy showers are there. showers in southern maryland and in lexington park. falling temperatures today. in the 40's this afternoon. the main rain focus is this morning. a flurry or sprinkle this afternoon. >> we are running in the stream this morning and no major accidents. a couple fender benders. one guy manage to spin out on 95, but it's on the shoulder. be careful on 66 with the wet pavement. it has potential. 270 southbound getting out of frederik into montgomery county, uneventful. an earlier crash on 270 northbound at 28 is completely gone. we are fabulous right now moving out of baltimore. on 95 or 295 and coming out of southern maryland, no problems. no problems on route 4 or route 5. >> thank you. it's been a long fall from grace for gilbert arenas. today the former wizard star will face a judge to find out what is next. courtney robinson is outside the court. we understand prosecutors what three months in jail. >> at least three months. his attorneys as probation would be sufficient. he struck a plea deal with prosecutors in january, agreeing to a plea guilty in exchange for prosecutors not seeking the more than six months jail time. today washinton wizards guard lbert arenas will have his day in court again. does he deserve jail time? >> probation. >> some say jail time. a federal judge will determine what sentence he will serve for a felony count of possessing a gun in the district. prosecurs are asking for three months in jail time. because he gave conflicting self-serving accounts as to why he had four firearmin the verizon center. they say he tried to cover it up at a text message proves it. they also point to a picture of him in a huddle in what seems to be him walking the incident. >> three months, that's up to them. i think he should get probation. >> his attorneys as probation is enough. his community service, public apology, and suspension proves that. but he should get probation. >> we will see what the judge decides later today. he's expected at u.s. superior court around 2:30 for the sentencing. he's admitted all this was a joke. you'll see if that spares him from jail. courtney robinson reporting. >> thank you. be sure to stay with abc 7 for continuing coverage of the story throughout the day. a live report in the next half- hour. >> in other news on this friday, the obama administration will unveil a new plan to help homeowners owing more than their house is worth. home owners would be able to reduce the amount they of with new loans backed by the federal housing administration. it provides incentives for lenders reducing the amount of the borrowers owe. some unemployed americans will temporarily lose their jobs as benefit checks because oklahoma senator says he will block a $9 billion stopgap bill tt would fund an extension for the program. he says the cost should not be added to the national debt. >> congress has completed an overhaul of the nation's health- care system. the house and senate have approved a bill that includes better benefits for seniors, low income, and middle-class americans. and it makes the government to the direct lender for student loans. the president is expected to sign it next week. more lawmakers say there are other victims of violent threats over health care. no party is safe from that. two republicans say they have been targeted. both sides are calling for calm. >> in the wake of passing health care reform, the public reaction has taken a very nasty turn. violent threats are not going away. a few republicans nationwide are also feeling the heat. the health care controversy appears to be the trigger behind a growing number of threats against democrats and now republicans. listen to this message received this week by representative gene schmidt. >> when you got hit by that car, you should of broken your back. but the caller continues with a profanity-laced matt. the house minority whip eric cantor also said he has fallen victim to a recent threats. he said someone fired a gun at his office in richmond, disproving the notion made by democrats that the gop is barring ander from the public. >> its reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain. ->> the two cases of broken windows in district offices. >> it's not clear who is being targeted. but both parties are denouncing violence but still playing politics with the situation. >> both sides are trying to be seen as condemning the behavior, but also trying to figure out a way they can ge some political benefit from it. >> threats and property damage have led to stepped-up security for some members of congress. they have been briefed on ways to stay safe. kathy park reporting. >> thank you. we already know that the sea has the highest hiv rate in the nation. more than 3%. new details are being released. a study funded by the cdc finds more than 14% of gay men in d.c. are hiv-positive. 40% were not aware of the diagnosis before the study. d.c. health officials are recommending men having sex with men get tested twice a year for hiv. >> we have 53 degrees. >> still ahead on this friday, the salahis are back in the headlines. this time the white house party crashers are trying to take over your tv. >> i feel blessed. i want to thank the metropolitan police department for finding my son. >> of families relief. father speaks out hours after thieves steal a car with a baby inside. >> the check on your traffic and weather every 10 minutes. it's raining on this friday. it's about to get really cold on it's raining on this friday. it's about to get really cold on announcer: the shortest distance between 2 ints is a straight line, so why does the journey from where you are to where you want to be have to go through a claroom? it doesn't. from correspondence courses to online platforms, like the graduate school's gs connect, distance education has always helped people on the go, gourther. the courses you need, available on your schedule, anytime, anywhere. great moments begin at the graduate school. learn more. visit... >> under assistant principal at st. peter's catholic schl in maryland. >> good morning, washington. >> welcome back. 5:40 on a friday morning. we've made it to the end of the week. a little dary. 74 degrees yesterday. it was a pretty nice day. today is a different story. schauer is coming down and the cold front. temperatures plummet to this afternoon. -- showers coming down. little sporadic from dc points north and west. the storm system proles overhead. the temperature this morning in the 50's. they will fall through the 40's through the afternoon, wet and windy. the rain will taper off. but a stray shower and gets no at what snowflake cannot be ruled out. in the 20's tonight. >> if that's a stark contrast. run inside and dry off. i'm going to show everyone what to expect with the traffic. in rockville, md., such a great camera will show you the light volume traffic and a wet road race. -- roadway. 395 northbound leaving the belt way to get to the pentagon, headlights and northbound direction, so far so good. back to you. >> thank you. 54 degrees outside on this friday. 5:42. but the white house party crashers have booked their next >> this is good morning washinton on your side. with doug mcelway, alison starling, brian van de graaff, and lisa baden. >> checking out the top stories. washinton wizards point guard gilbert and is will find out today if he will spend time in jail for breaking dc gun laws. in january pleaded guilty to bringing four guns to the locker room if in december. prosecutors are now asking for three months in jail. his lawyers are asking for probation. the state of california wants a piece of michael jackson poses a state. the california tax board has filed a claim against is a state for more than $1,600. officials say the money is to because it said it had to file his income tax return. pope benedict is accused of covering up a sexual abuse scandal at a milwaukee school. the new york times reports father lawrence murphy was protected by the vatican office once led by the current cardinal. he may have molested more than 200 boards. -- boys. >> the father of a boy is speaking with us after someone stole the suv with the child inside. it was at north capitol near peace street. >> police believe these are the young suspects that stolen suv with a 1-year-old baby inside. >> i feel blessed. i really want to thank the metropolitan police department for finding my son. >> the young father still too shaken to show his face. his family is safe at home. but the baby was smiling. >> it was a team effort. >> octomom put the baby in a car seat and went back in the house to get her two other small children. seconds later the honda pilot was gone. >> she approached the door and hea tires squealing and saw her vehicle driving off. >> but the neighbors as it's a sad reality when you're not surprised this could happen. >> if people walking up and down the street getting robbed. this neighborhood is becoming overpopulated, so we need more enforcement. >> abc 7 news. >> loudoun county police looking for two men who attacked the woman whose car broke down outside leesburg. wednesday night she became stranded. she accepted a ride from two men in a dark pickup truck with west virginia tax. she says they tried to sexually assault her and then physically assaulted her. she fought back. we know the identity of the woman shot and killed wednesday in a car in alexandra. she was 23 arrowed morgan myer'' of northwest d.c. the gunman is identified as 25 year-old antoine avery. police believe he killed himself and that the two world acquainted. >> a criminal probe betweregardg the montgomery county twitchell assistance program. accounting reports as lax oversight allowed 216 montgomery law-enforcement authority to purchase rifles or semiautomatic pistols, after taking expensive classes paid for with county tuition assistance money. >> this friday is john k cato's last day on the job. his announcement came after a series of accidents, some of them deadly. after taking a lot of criticism the past two years, he said he because in the next general manager to have a very thick skin. >> life has challenges and experiences that you wish you did not have. obviously, i don't need to go into the specifics. but no regrets. >> richard sals will take over until a permanent replacement is found. >> 54 degrees right now. sounds like it's going to get cooler as the day goes on. >> the cold air is arriving this afternoon. with it to the temperature is will fall. today's highs in the 40's. it was in the 50's when i arrived. the difference between yesterday afternoon and this afternoon is more than 30 degrees. sunshine on saturday and a system most through on sunday. in woodbridge, there is rain. about a half-inch of rain in ellicott city. if you are in the 40's, a steady temperature spirit in the 50's, we call it falling temperatures. heavy band of rain down to the south from fredericksburg area towards southern maryland. quantico and up to 95 corridor, of the pocket in dale city. heavy rain in southern calvert county and san mary's county. today's forecast, falling to steady temperatures in the 40's. mainly rain in the morning. sprinkle or flory cannot be ruled out this afternoon. maybe a little sunshine around sunset tonight. 20 degrees or so in the suburbs tonight. showers into monday morning for the commute. next week things will warm up and we dryout and were back to 70 degrees. what's going on outside? >> it's about the springtime traffic patterns. i've noticed during this time of year we tend to have more fatal accidents than any other time of the year. the carefree attitude. when the weather is inclement, you tend to focus on what's happening. when things start to become nice, you just want to get the cabin fever out of your system, that is when you really need to start paying attention. be careful. nothing major happening on the highway right now. that is a good thing. it's raining. we are showing you the wet pavement. 110 on 395. we will look at maryland at traffic on 270. the far side of the screened for the beltway, the headlights heading north towards frederik. >> it's been a few weeks since we spoke about the salahis. >> remember them? >> they thought it was time for another story. the white house party crashers are back. this time they could be coming to your tv. >> they will beat on the d.c. edition of "real housewives." we don't know when it will air. their legal trouble has raised issues for producers. there are still under investigation by state and federal authorities. a representative for ruffalo says no casting announcements have been made -- representative from bravo. >> i went to a party in d.c. and they were filming for that show what a dope. a lot of camera there that were soldiers of. >> i wonder if she is approaching strangers and saying, "darling, so good to see you." >> are you famous now? >> i tried to be a wallflower as much as possible. >> she outshines the mall. >> that's true in real life, not a reality show. >> 5 >> and a monument coming the nation's capital. >> this will honor former president dwight eisenhower. plans were unveiled yesterday. the monument was designed by noted architect named frank gehry. hiddink youths unique outdoor tapestries made from woven -- supported by 60-foot columns. >> you will see the tapestry. you'll think, what is that? >> it's a wonderful enhancement for the district. >> the $100 million memorial will be built near the air and space museum, but sll need to be approved by several agencies before construction can begin. the eisenhower memorial should be complete by the year 2015, if everything's go according to plan. >> these the most creative architects in the world. i'm looking forward to that building. >> sounds interesting. creative. 5:57 is the time. a lot more in the next hour. >> coming up, congress completed work on health care. what is next for the president's domestic agenda? >> star guard gilbert arenas, will he spend time behind bars or get off on probation? later today and we will learn his fate. later today and we will learn his fate. i will have details coming up christopher columbus sailed the ocean blue... in 14 hundred and 92. nice! follow me, the missouri river is this way! lewis and clark expedition of 1804. ohhe'll never get this. magellan, 1520. awww, my 8 layers must've given it away. help keep your kid full and focused with 8 filling layers... of whole grain fiber found in kellogg's® frosted mini-wheats® cereal. this is one giant leap for mini-kind™. keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. hoo hooo! >> coming up, the end of the line for agent zero. gilbert arenas will be sentenced on felony gun charges today. >> more tax troubles for former mayor marion barry purity owes the money to the irs. mayor marion barry purity owes the money to the irs. >>