Arrived the cold returning today and helping kick off a new season. Winter officialy starts at 11 28 this morning. Good morning washington. Im Autria Godfrey and im larry smith well get to that forecast in a minute. But first that breaking news out of australia. Two men are under arrest after plowing an suv into a crowd of pedestrians in melbourne. 14 people hurt. In what police are calling a deliberate act. Witnesses say the vehicle was going at least 60 miles an hour. Police say one of the men taken into custody was the driver. Its unclear if the second man was also in the vehicle. So far no word on a possible motive. Were also followi the race is on to save more than 200 people from a sinking ferry. One survivor says the weather was fine when they left port but about two hours into the trip the winds and thw waves picked up. Thats when passengers all rushed to one side. Fishermen are working with the coast guard, air force and navy in those rescues. We are staying on top of the situation in the phlippines and australia. Download the abc seven app to get breaking alerts sent right to your phone. Toss to vj today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s seven on your side is getting you ready for the holidays. Seven on your side is getting you ready for the holidays. Seven on your side is getting you ready for the holidays. Today will be the busiest travel day of the holiday season. More than seven Million People hitting the roads in the dmv. The best time to leave basically right now. The worst times between 3 and 6 tonight. Triplea says travel times could double even triple. And adding to problems for people flying a strike happening right now at Dulles Airport. For the second day, hundreds of wheelchair attendants, baggage to work. The strike is expected to end today. But there are concerns. It could go on longer. New overnight america s Big Christmas bonus. A number of companies. Spreading the wealth after republicans passed their tax reform bill which included Major Corporate tax reforms. Wells fargo says it intends to raise the minimum wage for its workers to 15 dollars an hour. Boeing says it will make up to a Million Dollars in new investments in the us. And at and t is pledging to give a one thousand dollar bonus to each of its more than 200thousand workers. That bonus had been in the works before the bill passed. But was Just Announced yesterday. We know corporations are saving but what about the average american . Coming up at 5 45 a closer look at the changes youll see on your paystub plus a looming government shutdown. The new deadline now less than 48 hours away, in a live report from capitol hill. Only on seven. New developments, after an iteam investigation into reports of grade fixing at d. C. Public schools. Seven on your side Ballou High School students graduated with more than 100 unexcused absences. That led some School Board Members to call for an independent review. But in an unexpected move last night, the school board delayed voting on the issue. Board member Laura Wilson Phelan requested the delay until after the office of the state superintendent of education completes its own investigation. The superintendents probe is expected to be completed next month. A new date for the vote on an independent investigation has not yet been announced. Seven on your side wants to hear from you. Email us about issues in dc schools at tips at wjladotcom. Or call 7033403170. Coming up secret settlement gold m suing usa gymnastics. How she says they tried to silence her allegations of abuse. And apple admits it is slowing down your phone but not why you might think. The truth behind the age old theory. But first heres your traffic watch on the go. At 5 xx time for a check on the forecast. Honey bunches of oats. Its crispy sweetened flakes, plus crunchy granola clusters, plus a touch of honey. It is mmmm, is good it all adds up to a mouthful of joy. Have you tried it yet . Saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s coming up an olympic gymnast. Suing the organization that helped her reach her dreams. The bombshell allegations in a new lawsuit filed by mckayla maroney. And business is almost too good for some stores this holiday season. The big shipping backlogs and mistakes next. An explosion overnight rocking the heart of hollywood. It happened at a restaurant on busy highland avenue. It sent shattered glass flying and shut down the street for hours. No one was injured. Right now authorities are investigating but they say it is possibly gas related. A gold medal winner now suing usa gymnastics accusing the organization of trying to silence sex abuse allegations with money. Mckayla maroney claims she was repeatedly assaulted by former team doctor larry nassar. She says she signed a confidential agreement with usa gymnastics late last year. The 21yearold broke her silence on twitter in october. Nasser is in prison after pleading and sexual misconduct. Hes being sued by more than 100 women. Democratic senator al franken is making it official hell officially leave the senate january second. The announcement ends recent speculation that franken might reverse his resignation. He announced earlier this month hell quit after eight women accused him of groping and unwanted kissing. New developments Venus Williams will not face any charges in a deadly crash last june. One man died after the crash in palm beach gardens, florida. Investigators found the tennis star was tboned while waiting at an intersection. And therefore was not in the wrong. The victims family had been suing williams for running a redlight and causing the accident. Seven on your side with a consumer alert during the Christmas Shopping crunch. Beware of a big scam going around. A fake email from the post office or a shipping company. It says you have an undelivered package and includes a link to click to pick it up. But dont fall for it the fake site could infect your comp steal your credit card information. Hopefully most of your Holiday Gifts have arrived by now. And you didnt end up with any long delays or incorrect orders. But it turns out, business is almost too good for some small web retailers that cant handle the crush of orders. Consumer reporter John Matarese shows what can go wrong if you dont check out an online seller carefully. So you dont waste your money. Time now for weather weather today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s gifs of 2017. Plus a new admission from have sworn for years. Tech company says it is slowing down your phones. But why may surprise you. First. Heres your stormwatch seven weather on the go. Today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight well its a perfect nespresso morning here, george. Mmm. [mel torme sings comin home baby] hey there. Want a lift . Where are we going . No dont tell me. Let me guess. Have a nice ride. How far would you go for coffee thats a cup above . I brought you nespresso. Nespresso. What else . Running a Small Business is demanding. Like internet thats up to the challenge. The gigspeed network from comcast business gives you more. With speeds up to 20 times faster than the average. That means powering more devices, more video conferencing, and more downloads in seconds, not minutes. Get fast internet and add phone and tv for only 24. 90 more per month. Comcast is building americas largest gigspeed network to give Small Businesses more. Call 18005016000 today. An attack in australia. An suv mowing down pedestrians on a busy shopping street. Lets get right to with more. Autria right now we know at least 14 people are hurt. And Police Say Two men are in custody, including the driver. This is in melbourne, australia witnesses say the vehicle was going at least 60 miles an hour when it rammmed into a crowd of christmas shoppers. Police say they believe this was deliberate act. Again we know the driver is in custody. Along with another man. Its unclear if the second man was also in the vehicle. So far no word on a possible motive. Australian officials are expected to hold a enws conference any minute now. Ill be listening in to update you. And video into the toss to vj possible travel problems across the country. Today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s happening now hundreds of the job at Dulles Airport for the second day in a row the wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers and other contract workers are demanding better wages from their employer, huntleigh usa. The strike comes as we kick off the busiest day of holiday travel. That christmas exodus happening at the airport and also on the roads. Ryan hughes is live at Dulles Airport with everything you need to know. Two christmas crime alerts this morning. Crime alerts this morning. A reallife grinch. Caught on surveillance cameras in the district. And in maryland incredible video as masked men target an armored truck. Suzanne kennedy is live in beltsville with who police are looking for this morning. A major tribute to the Bowie State University student the university of maryland in may. The Washington Post reports. Umd awarded lieutenant Richard Collins a posthumous Honorary Degree this week at the schools winter commencement. His parents accepted the degree, on his behalf. Collins was just days away from graduating, when he was killed in what police call an unprovoked attack. The man accused of killing him is charged with murder, and a hate crime. Happening today a hardearned graduation for one George Mason University student. Amira abdellaoui will walk the stage after battling bone cancer when she was eleven. And again when she was 21. But she says cancer she has a rare genetic disorder that increases her chances of developing the disease every 10 to 30 years. This morning shell graduate with a bachelors degree in anthropology. Shes looking toward law school next. And a steady job with health benefits. Coming up tax reform victory. But now a looming shutdown. New urgency to fund the government with a deadline 48 hours away. Whats at stake and the new details of high stakes talks happening now. Plus a new twist in that election shocker in virginia. The question now how do you decide a tie . But first. Heres your traffic watch on the go. Today coldest in mo saturday christmas chance for mildtomoderate eczema . It can be used almost everywhere on almost everybody. The face of a fisherman . The hand of a ranch hand . The knee of a needle pointer . Prescription eucrisa is a nose to toes eczema ointment. It blocks overactive pde4 enzymes within your skin. And its steroidfree. Do not use if you are allergic to eucrisa or its ingredients. Allergic reactions may occur at or near the application site. The most common side effect is application site pain. Ask your doctor about eucrisa. Z2momz zi0z y2momy yi0y new video just coming in the abc newsroom in the last ten minutes from the philippines. Thats where more than 200 people are being rescued from a sinking ferry. Survivors say the weather took a turn for the worst about two hours into their trip and passengers rushed to one side of the boat after some water came up over the rails. Posted as we get more information. Today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s plus Tonya Harding im a Small Business, but i have. Big dreams. And big plans. So how do i make the efforts of 8 employees. Feel like 50 . How can i share new plans virtually . How can i download an efile . Virtual tours . Zipfile . Really big files . In seconds, not minutes. Just like that. Like everything. The answer is simple. Ill do what ive always done. Dream more, dream faster, and above all. Now, ill dream gig. Now more businesses, in more places, can afford to dream gig. Comcast, building americas largest gigspeed network. Now more businesses, in more places, can afford to dream gig. Just became whatever whayoure about to dout to do after you get coffee. Nothing comes before coffee. Thats why were introducing a new line of cafequality espresso drinks from mccafe. Get a small peppermint mocha for just two dollars. His first major legislative victory since taking office. Congress passing the republican tax bill. Now all trump has to do is sign it. Adrianna hopkins has more on whos going to see the biggest cuts. And it may be january before he signs it the white house saying there is a process before it reaches his desk. On wednesday a scene we dont see very often. Republicans standing outside the white house cheering but while the white house calls the tax reform bill a middle class miracle critics insist it helps the wealthy a whole lot more. Republican insist that the money Corporate America saves will result in pay raises for the middle class. Tax cuts for individuals will expire in eight years while Corporate Americas cuts are permanent. And a new study Shows Americans making less than 75thousand a year will see a tax decade. President trump also says the bill essentially repeals the Affordable Care act. Hours after the big victory a new problem looming this morning. Republicans now scrambling to avoid a shutdown tomorrow at midnight. Right now the clock is ticking with less than 48 hours to go to fund the government. John gonzalez is live on capitol hill with whats at stake. This morning uncharted political virginia. We have a tie hours after a recount in the 94th district race republicans challenged it and won. Now, to determine a winner. The state board of elections will be basically picking a name out of hat but no date has been set yet for that to happen. And its possible we may see a second recount. Covering metro the system getting ready for the holidays with a holiday schedule. On Christmas Eve local bus routes and rail service will operate on a normal sunday schedule. But park and ride routes will not operate. Christmas day will be similiar with both buses and rails working on a sunday schedule. For new years eve buses will operate on a sunday schedule and rails will run on a saturday schedule. And metro will offer free rides on buses and the rails from 6 pm to 6 am new years day. A sevenyearold girl says christmas will be merrier than ever, now that her dog is back home. The dog, biscuit, escaped from the familys yard in southeast d. C. Yesterday devastated. Our reporter, jay korff, went to the home and interviewed her and her mother. As he was leaving, two strangers walked up with biscuit. They say they found him several blocks away, and saw the address on his tag. This time of year is especially meaningful for reagan, because biscuit was her surprise Christmas Present two years ago. Infamous ice skater Tonya Harding is speaking out in an exclusive new interview with abc news. It comes as a new biopic about her life. I, tonya hits theaters across the country. Most people of course remember harding not for figure skating but for the notorous 1992 attack on rival skater nancy kerrigan. Now 23 years later harding is trying to correct the record. She says shes done caring what ppl harding never skated again after the incident. Harding never skated again after the incident. Despite the attack, kerrigan managed to take silver at the 1994 winter olympics. Hear more of the interview coming up at seven am on good morning america. Then the full two hour abc news special. Truth and lies the Tonya Harding story airs january eleventh. Right here on abc seven. With the year winding down Food Delivery Service grubhub is out with its ra type of food was ordered the most in 2017. The most popular dish ordered . Poke. Thats a raw fish salad usually served as an appetizer in hawaiian cuisine. Soft pretzels came in at number two. Here in dc the most popular dish ordered this year was pho which is a vietnamese noodle soup. Its 5 and time for a check on weather. Today coldest in more than a week fog showers for saturday christmas chance Morning Light rain to flurries today lots of sun, but cool winter solstice 11 28 am highs mid 40s winds variable 5 mph overnight partly cloudy, cold lows 2532 winds northwest 510 mph friday mostly cloudy, mild highs lower 50s some Washington Wizards and mystics. Spreading wizards and mystics. Spreading holiday cheer. They came together to deliver gifts from their families to families in need. Its part of the annual family to family event put on by monumental sports. To make sure no one is left out during the holidays. Wizards star john wall says its one of the highlights of his year. From gifts to food for those who may not be able to get out of the house for the holidays. Meals on wheels helps mli country and here in our area. Molly cochran live in alexandria. Well its a perfect nespresso hold on a second. Orge. Mmm. [mel torme sings comin home baby] hey there. Want a lift . Where are we going . No dont tell me. Let me guess. Have a nice ride. How far would you go for coffee thats a cup above . I brought you nespresso. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] now, good morning washington, on your side. A breaking news alert. 14 people injured and several are critical. We believe it is a deliberate act. Autria chaos in the heart of australia. Larry people targeting a van plowing through a crowd of shoppers. Autria lets start with adrianna hopkins. Adrianna the question on everyones mind is this a terror attack