3 3 we're following breaking news out of georgia--atlanta area police and swat are working to resolve a stand-off this morning involving two adults and 11 children. children.police say they were called to a local inn and suites just off i-20 in decatur around 2:00 this morning.they say a man locked himself in a room after fighting with a woman. investigators believe the children may be in danger but we don't know if the man has any weapons.local media is in ages from 3 months to 17 years old. 3 3 this morning, the former north charleston police officer charged with killing an unarmed man is out of jail. jail.last night.. michael slager was released on a half-million dollar bond. slager's attorneys have tried several times to get him released since he was arrested last april.. but prosecutors claimed he was a flight risk. slager will stay on house arrest at an undisclosed location in south carolina until his trial.that is set for october. 3 he is charged with murder in the shooting death of walter scott.he was killed last april during a traffic stop. investigators filed charges after cell phone video surfaced.. that showed scott running away as slager fired his gun. gun.an attorney for walter scott's family says they're disappointed that slager was released.. but they also believe justice will prevail in the case. 3 3 later today president obama is expected to move forward with to reduce gun violence in america. 3 the reform focuses in part on stricter background checks. part of this reform is also loopholes in the system. 3 fox carolina's ashley minelli is liveat blue ridge shooting sports in greer.and ashley- gun owners we spoke with don't think "new" laws are the right course of action here 3 customers, owner here want to see tighter enforcement of "current" legislation but president is promising that... and attempting to close current loopholes in law law- currently: no background checks, id checks in private sales or at gun shows president's plan: - mandatory background checks for some private sales including *online sales*- 200 new alochol, tobacco and firearm agents enforcing *existing* gun laws- 230 *new* fbi agents dedicated to background checks 3 "what i asked my team to do is to see what more we can do to strengthen our enforcement// to make sure that criminals, people who are mentally unstable and those who could pose a danger to themselves or others are less likely to get a gun." 3 3 "i don't think any more regulations are going to help reduce crime and i think its a fool's folly." folly."plan:- encourages states to report people who should be kept from buying guns 3 - owner of blue ridge: background checks take almost a week- criminals turn to the black market for guns, not getting arrested plan - how does 3 - how does government plan to enforce *background* checks in private sales?- will gun collectors and hobbyists have to go through background checks as well? 3 3 new from overnight--greenville police are investigating an armed robbery at a restaurant. this happened at the pizza hut on augusta road just after 11 monday night.investigators say two men masked men held up the employees at gunpoint, and got away with cash.k-9s were brought out to search.. but no one was found.call 23-crime if you know anything about this case. 3 3 covering our counties-- investigators in greenville county want you to be on the lookout for a man they say is armed and dangerous. dangerous."dwight ferguson" is wanted for domestic violence, assault, and other charges. simpsonville police say he got into an argument at his ex- girlfriend's house on sunday. police say he started smashing things with a hammer.we're told he also fired a gun into the ceiling, while three kids were in the room.no one was could be driving a silver dodge charger.if you see him, call 9-1-1. 3 leaders in pickens county are asking d-hec to stop a proposed plan to dump coal ash in the area. area.last night, county council sided with concerned neighbors. they passed a resolution that opposes plans to bring thousands of tons of coal ash to a dump site near liberty.council says the proposal by "mmr pickens llc" does not meet the county's solid waste disposal plan.they are also concerned about the potential impact on the environment and people's health. 3 3 3 3 "this resolution states, very clearly, that we reject this, it defies of our laws, the state does not have the right to change the classification and they certainly don't have the right to do that with giving our citizens the right for public comment." comment."councilmembers tell us they are exploring their legal options in fighting this plan. 3 an upstate sheriff is supporting legislation that would make tougher penalties for people who kill k-9 officers. officers.two state representatives from our area would double the maximum punishment.. from five to 10 years in prison.this comes after two k-9s were shot and killed in the line of duty last year.one of them was anderson county officer "hyco." sheriff john skipper says he thinks a tougher punishment is the right idea. 3 3 3 "five years didn't seem appropriate to us, so we at the sheriffs office here, obviously, and i think across the state are on board with getting stiffer penalties." penalties.""these are not just tools for our law enforcement. they are living breathing beings." beings."we're told the bill, called "fargo and hyco's law," will be introduced next week when the legislative session begins. 3 3 time for weather and traffic every 10 minutes. minutes. 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. 3 3 now let's send it over to the traffic center. 3 we're watching: watching: 3 here's a live look at the s.c.d.o.t. cam on-- 3 it's ______.there could be big changes coming in the next season of pro football.we'll tell you which nfl teams are hoping to relocate. 3 here's a live look along woodruff road, greenville-- you're watching the morning news on fox carolina. 3 you're watching the morning there's something to be said for exploring the world around you. for seeking out the new; for trying the untried; for doing the undone. why should snacking be any different? discover all nine flavors of our creamy cheese and tap into your curiosity. the laughing cow. 3 you're watching the morning news with lauren elise, ben hill, meteorologist nicole papay, chris scott with pit crew traffic. 3 welcome back to 3 the morning news on fox carolina.we're back with a live look over greenville county 3 3 today marks day four of a standoff at a national wildlife refuge in oregon. oregon.a spokesman for the armed group that's occupying the land says they want authorities to look into claims that ranchers have been intimidated by the federal "citizens for constitutional freedom," took over the refuge to protest the sentences for two ranchers who set fire to federal land.the white house says president obama and the f-b-i are following the situation.they say none of the refuge's federal employees are in danger. 3 tomorrow, the wife of bill cosby will be forced to testify in a lawsuit filed against her husband. husband.a federal judge has denied a request from camille cosby that she not be subpoenaed in the e famation suit filed by seven women. those women are accusing bill cosby of sexually assaulting them years ago.camille cosby-- who's also her husband's business partner-- tried to claim that she didn't have any information that would be relevant to the case.. but a judge ruled against that argument. 3 3 volkswagen could be forced to pay billions of dollars to the u-s federal government, after the company admitted to cheating on emissions tests last year. year.the e-p-a and the justice department are now suing the german car company.they say environmental rules when they used software that would cheat on emissions tests.the lawsuit seeks up to 18 billion dollars. volkswagen has not commented. 3 three nfl teams are now putting their names in the hat to make the move to los angeles. angeles.on monday night.. the nfl confirmed it has requests from the san diego chargers.. the oakland raiders.. and the saint louis rams.officials say the teams' applications will be reviewed this week.nfl owners will take a vote during their meeting in houston next week.los angeles has not had an nfl team since 1994.. when the raiders returned to oakland and the rams moved to saint louis. 3 time for weather and traffic. 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. clouds increase thursday, with a slight chance for rain and highs in the mid-50s. soggy conditions return friday, with cloudy skies and highs in the mid-50s, and a chance for wet weather will linger into part of the weekend. teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be reaching near 50. clouds increase thursday, with a slight chance for rain and highs in the mid-50s. soggy conditions return friday, with cloudy skies and highs in the mid-50s, and a chance for wet weather will linger into part of the weekend. 3 let's send it over to chris. 3 3 3 we're watching: watching: 3 here's a live look at the s.c.d.o.t. cam on--pit crew traffic 3 sponsored by kevin whitaker chevrolet cadillac! 3 3 this morning, police in new mexico are searching for the person who stole a car with a little girl inside. inside.that child is safe.. and her rescue was all caught on police body cam. cam. 3 (voice of ofc. chris poccia, albuquerque police, body camera) "hey sweetheart, are here."three year old "caraline" was inside a car stolen from a parking lot after her mother briefly turned away.the car was soon found, but caraline wasn't. officers searched parking lots and street to street before they located her around 1:00 in the morning.caraline is ok after being taken to the hospital. 3 3 it's ______.it sounds like a movie--coming up: one family's search to find the person behind a message in a bottle. 3 here's a live look in hendersonville--thee morning news on fox carolina is back in minutes. 3 you're watching the morning when i lay in my tempur pedic contour- the next thing i know it's morning. with tempur-flex you've got the spring and bounce of a traditional mattress then it also adjusts to my body. my cloud feels like somebody's hugging you. how can a bed to that? 3 welcome back to the morning news on fox carolina.this is a live look at usc upstate in spartanburg 3 a family in california says they're looking for the owner of a note that was found in a bottle from 1988. 1988.heather baird says she was walking with her son on the coast to celebrate his fifth birthday.that's when he found a bottle with a message in it.the mother says it took some effort before they broke it open.she describes her first thoughts when they realized their was a note in the bottle. 3 "i definitely thought of pirates, and maybe even a treasure map." map.""it says, hi my name is chris. i am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. i live in sacramento. call me when you find this." this."the mother says the number that was listed is disconnected.a local media outlet tried searching turn up a successful name either.the family is hoping to meet the author of the note one day. 3 time for weather and traffic every 10 minutes. 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. 3 ((weather hit)) 3 let's send it over to the pit crew traffic center. 3 we're watching: watching: 3 here's a live look at the s.c.d.o.t. cam on-- 3 3 3 it's ______.its not something you see on the road every day-- but this morning deputies want you to be on the look out for this stolen vintage car. 3 we leave y y with a live look along woodruff road in greenville --thee morning news minutes. 3 3 good morning, i'm diana watson. and i'm cody alcorn.first at four .. a special way to commemorate a the tigers where you can find those specially marked two dollars bills.and tonight at ten, hear from the team and coach as they count down the days to in my business i can count on my i.t. guy bailing me out all the time... i'm not the i.t. guy. i'm the desktop support tech supervisor. and my customers knowing right when their packages arrive. introducing real-time delivery notifications. 3 you're watching the morning news on fox carolina. 3 3 the morning news starts now. now. 3 president obama announce on gun control today.greenville county with how local gun owners are reacting. reacting. 3 below freezing temps to start the morning.sunny skies will help things warm up by the afternoon. 3 good morning.... it's tuesday, january 5.i'm ben hill. hill.and i'm lauren elise . . here with nicole papay and chris scott.thanks for joining us on the morning news. news. 3 let's look live in 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. 3 let's send it over to chris. 3 we're watching: watching: 3 here's a live look at the s.c.d.o.t. cam on-- 3 3 11 kids and one adult are safe after a five hour standoff ended just minutes ago. ago.police say it all started around 2:00 a-m at a motel off i-20 in decatur.they say a man locked himself in a room after fighting with a woman.just after 7:00 this morning.. investigators say they were able to get inside the room and rescue all 11 kids and the woman.they say the suspect stabbed himself.. and is now being treated at the hospital. local media is reporting the children range in ages from 3 months to 17 years old.police say they are okay. 3 3 president obama is unveiling his plan to curb gun violence this morning-- and a big focus is on tighetning up backgroundnd checks in private sales. sales.ashley minelli is live at blue ridge shooting sports in greer.from what we've seen about the plan so far- will on gun retailers? 3 retailers:- already required to have a license, run background checks- big impact will be on private sales: online and in person personpresident's plan:- require background checks and licenses for *some* private sales- hobbyists and collectors still exempt from that- also encourages states to report people who *should* be kept from buying weaponsgun enthusiasts in our area: new regulation not the answerowner of blue ridge: background checks take up to a week, doesn't think new regulationsns will keep guns from getting into hands of criminals 3 lie on the forms and some of them say no, i didn't committ any crimes and they do. still, they don't get picked up, they don't get arrested." arrested." 3 "we have tens of thousands of people every single year who are killed by guns. we have suicides that are committed by firearms at a rate that far exceeds other countries." 3 along with tighter background checks:- 200 new alcohol, tobacco and firearms agents enforcing gun laws- 230 *new* fbi employees dedicated to background checks 3 - president expected to speak (11:40am)3 - is mental health funding included in plan? - what are critics saying about plan? 3 3 this morning.. sled and the greenville police department are investigating an excessive force complaint against a greenville officer. officer.we're told the allegations were first posted to social media. media.according to the post, the incident happened during a traffic stop december 15. during that stop.afterward, someone posted on social media claiming officers had slammed him into the ground and knocked out a tooth. 3 in response.. police released these pictures.. which they say were taken when wwliams was booked.police say williams' tooth is intact. officers also say williams was taken to the ground and cuffed because he resisted arrest after they found drugs in his car.they also say he was checked out by ems at the scene. scene.greenville police say the chief has committed to reviewing the officer's actions.. and will take appropriate measures. 3 3 covering our counties--the office needs your help finding a stolen antique car. car.this is a look at the red 19-32 ford model-b that investigators say was taken from a storage unit on beacon hill court in easley.the vehicle had a south carolina plate when it was taken. deputies say they're following leads in the case but are asking if you have any information about the theft-- or see this carcall crime stoppers at 1-888-crime-s-c. spartanburg county is out of jail after being accused of hitting an officer. officer."landon cohen" was arrested sunday.investigators say he didn't stop when wellford police tried to stop him for speeding on highway 29. we're told he eventually pulled over on blackstock road. police say cohen hit an officer who tried to get him out of the car.he's charged with resisting arrest and failure to stop.cohen was a star player for spartanburg high.. and has played for several nfl teams since 2008. 3 if you are near mission hospital in asheville today.. you may see a lot of police and first responders.we're told a simulated emergency training session is happening today.the asheville fire department and asheville police department will be taking part.we're told this is the first of several training events happening in the coming weeks. 3 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. 3 ((weather hit)) 3 chris is standing 3 chris is standing by in the traffic center: 3 we're watching: watching: 3 here's a live look at the 3 if you normally use the southern connector.. things will look a little different starting today. today.the company is supporting the american cancer society's relay for life.. by turning purple.each tuesday this month.. the toll booths will shine purple lights, and workers will be wearing purple. ten cents from each toll will go to the relay for life.this year's event in greenville is set for april 29. 3 we'll take a live look over greenville-- you're watching the morning news on fox what if the sweet stevia leaf was discovered... ...before the sugarcane. all our favorite sugary foods would be our favorite truvia-y foods. truvia. 3 you're watching the morning news with lauren elise, ben hill, meteorologist nicole papay, chris scott with pit crew traffic. 3 welcome back to the morning news on fox carolina.you're looking live in hendersonville. 3 3 investigators in muscogee trying to figure out who killed a woman, her granddaughter, and son. son.the coroner says the bodies of gloria and caleb short along with geonia lindsey were discovered by gloria's husband after he came home from work monday morning. the three died from blunt force trauma.investigators say they're processing two vehicles that were missing from the crime scene but there's no word if any arrests were made or if any suspects have been named. 3 we're working to see if charges will be filed.. after a two year old georgia girl was **shot inside an apartment. police say they were called out just before 4:30 monday afternoon to reports of a gun shot.they found 2 year old "calvinyanna sanders" with an injury.she was taken to the hospital -- but we don't know her condition.we're told three other children were in the house along with two adults -- including the child's mother -- when the shooting happened. 3 a north carolina man is accused of shooting a police officer.investigators say officer nicholas powell was shot at least twice early monday morning.according to the chief, powell and another officer pulled a speeding car from the car.the chief says three men got out but "gary lynn" jumped back in and dragged officer powell about a quarter mile while the two fought.police say the bullets were stopped by a protective vest and the officer ould be ok. 3 3 the mother of the 18 year old teen known for using "affluenza" as a defense against drunk driving is expected in court today. today."tonya couch" was extradited to l-a from mexico last week after she and her son ethan were arrested. prosecutors are expected to ask she be extradited to texas where she and ethan are from. the pair are suspected to leaving the country after being placed on probation following a deadly d-u-i crash. ethan remains in immigration offices south of the border. 3 3 the ride-hailing service "lyft" is getting a major endorsement. endorsement.general motors is investing 500 million dollars into lyft.g-m is working with lyft to develop an on-demand network for self-driving cars. short-term car rental hubs across the u-s.the hubs will allow neighbors who don't have cars to pick one up and work as lyft drivers.the investment allow's g-m's president to sit on the board of lyft. 3 pizza lovers have a chance to take advantage of some dueling deals from two chains this month. month.pizza hut and papa john's are offering lower prices to kick off the new year.pizza hut is offering a medium pizza with one topping for 5-dollars - as long as you buy at least one other item also for 5-dollars.papa john's is offering customers who buy a large pizza the chance to buy a second for only 50 cents. 3 time for weather and traffic every 10 minutes. minutes. 3 teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. clouds increase thursday, with a slight chance for rain and highs in the mid-50s. soggy conditions return friday, with cloudy skies and highs in the mid-50s, and a chance for wet weather will linger into part of the weekend. teens and 20s start the morning, but with sunny skies highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. clouds increase thursday, with a slight chance e r rain and highs in the mid-50s. soggy conditions return friday, with cloudy skies and highs in the mid-50s, and a chance for wet weather will linger into part of the weekend. 3 now time for traffic: 3 3 3 we're watching: harrison bridge rd @ harrison oaks dr woodruff rd @ park woodruff dr &; 385hwy 101 @ hwy 290 290 3 here's a live look at the traffic 3 sponsored by kevin whitaker chevrolet cadillac! 3 3 3 news you need to know..former north charleston police officer michael slager is out of jail this morning.he was released on a half-million dollar bond last night.slager will stay on house arrest at until his trial in october. slager is accused of killing walter scott as he ran from a traffic stop last year. 3 greenville county investigators are asking you to be on the lookout for "dwight ferguson".he's described as armed and dangerous.authorities think he could be driving a silver dodge charger.if you see him, call 9-1-1. 3 today president obama is expected to move forward with a series of executive actions to reduce gun violence in part on stricter background checks and closing loopholes in private sale online and at gun shows. 3 a 900 pound seal made famous for stopping traffic in california has a new baby. baby.the **elephant** seal tried to cross a busy highway several times lt week -- shutting down traffic for days. rescue crews tranquilized her wednesday and, according to local media outlets, she gave birth saturday.officials say they don't know why the seal was trying to leave the bay. 3 time for birthday shout-outs, sponsored by urban nirvana... -happy birthday jessica.-chris from laurens laurensif you'd like us to mention a birthday on the air, send the name, date, and hometown to *birthdays at fox carolina dot com.*and let us know if you'd like to see it in either the 7 or 8 o'clock hour. 3 we'll be right back, but first -- a look at yesterday's winning lottery numbers. numbers. 3 3 3 3 3 3 in my business i can count on my i.t. guy bailing me out all the time... i'm not the i.t. guyuy i'm the desktop support tech supervisor. and my customers knowing right when their packages arrive. introducing real-time delivery notifications. learn more at myusps.com (vo) what's your dog food's first ingredient? corn? wheat? in purina one true instinct grain free, real chicken is always #1. no corn, wheat or soy. support your active dog's whole body health when i l in my tempur pedic contour- the next thing i know it's morning. with tempur-flex you've got the spring and bounce of a traditional mattress then it also adjusts to my body. my cloud feels like somebody's hugging you. how can a bed to that? 3 we're back with a live look in hendersonville. 3 this morning, the "well walkers" program is back at the bon secours wellness arena. arena.each tuesday and thursday... everyone is invited to come walk the quarter-mile concourse of the arena.bon secours saint francis says this is a great chance for folks to get some exercise during the colder months."well walkers" happens tuesdays and thursdays from 9 a-m to 1:00 p-m.parking and admission are free. 3 leaders with polk county's only animal shelter say they need your help finding homes for their 4-legged friends. society says they're now a no-kill shelter.they take in strays and surrendered pets from across the area but need help finding homes for them. executive director "chris taylor" says funding from the county is not keeping up with the number of animals being brought in.if you're interested in adopting or volunteering--we've got a link to their website in the as seen on section of fox- carolina dot com. 3 now time for 3 weather and traffic 3 teens and 20s start the highs should be back to the low to mid-40s by the afternoon. expect a breeze from the ne between 5-10 mph. tonight stays clear and cold with lows back in the teens and 20s. wednesday will be sunny and cool, with highs reaching near 50. 3 3 chris is in the traffic center: 3 we're watching:harrison bridge rd @ harrison oaks drwoodruff rd @ park woodruff dr &; 385 hwy 101 @ hwy 290 290 3 here's a live look at the s.c.d.o.t. cam on-- 3 3 be sure to stay with fox carolina all morning long. we're bringing you the days top stories until nine o'clock. throughout our four hours of news you can catch live reports from the field, plus weather and traffic updates every 10 minutes. after trying brookside chocolate, people talk about it online. love at first taste. i would liquefy it and bathe in it. curse you, brookside! your nefarious plans have succeeded. nefarious? are we still talking about chocolate? brookside. the morning news starts now. now.after nearly nine months behind bars.. a former north charleston police officer accused of murder is out of jail.what's next for michael slager.. coming up up 3 president obama is set to announce executive action on gun control today.we're live in greenville county with how local gun owners are reacting. reacting. 3 below freezing temps to start the morning.sunny skies will help things warm up by the afternoon. 3 good morning.... it's tuesday, january 5.i'm lauren elise.... 3 and i'm ben hill.. here with nicole papay and chris scott. thanks for joining us on the morning news. 3 let's take a live look up in