good afternoon. i'm pat lawson muse. >> i'm wendy rieger. we'll begin with the skins' shakeup. the team has hired bruce allen as general manager following the resignation of vinny cerrato. >> allen becomes the fst person to hold the general manager's title. lindsay czarniak is live now with us. what's the latest? >> i was just downstairs where jim zorn was holding court and he was saying he feels like he's got a three-week audition. they've got three games left. he does have time to prove and see if he might have a shot at holding on to his job. but the feeling across the board here is surprise. not only that they've got a new gm, but that vinny cerrato is out. vinny cerrato has been with this organization for the past ten seasons. he's really been known as dan snyder's right-hand man, but he's drawn much public frustration for what some see as poor personnel decisions. so that led the redskins to make a change. they brought in 53-year-old bruce allen to take over the general manager role. he's led teams that have won five division championships since 2000. his father, george allen. bruce allen spent many years here as a child. he says it's a dream to be back. >> if you told me 35 years ago i'd be standing here in new redskin park, i don't think i would have bet on that. but it's exciting because of the history, the tradition, the comfort about coming home. everybody who knows me and hopefully you'll get to know me better knows that the principals of football in my mind are simple. it's a team. it's 53 men, the entire staff, everybody in the building, going in the same direction for one common purpose and that's to win. >> bruce allen will begin his evaluating process as soon as today. and when asked what the work-up would be between him and dan snyder as far as how the work load would be separated, dan snyder said he felt like people have thought that he's had more of a role than he actually has. it will be interesting to see. we'll have much more coming up later in sports. >> thanks, lindsay. background on the skins' new general manager. allen was the general mablger for the buccaneers from '04 until last year. before the bucs, he was with the oakland raiders. he is the son of former redskins' head coach and hall of famer george allen. he is the brother of former virginia governor and senator george allen. long-time fans may be more familiar with bruce alen and his father than younger fans, but regardless of age, plenty of fans have a lot to say about the changes. in the midst of this controversial season. our team coverage continues now with megan mcgrath who has more on the reaction of fans. >> reporter: at the silver diner, the talk over breakfast turned to the redskins and the resignation of the team's vice presidt of football operations, vinny cerrato. the news of his departure didn't seem to surprise too many. >> wasn't getting it done. >> if he's going to make the decisions that he's making, then i think it's the time for a change because the decisions that are being made are kind of conflicting with the team. >> really did need to move on. >> reporter: it's been a disappointing season for the skins. while some individual performances have given rise to hope, most fans say some kind of major shake-up needs to happen. >> it's for the good of the redskins. to the degree that thhis decisis have not led to the effective team that the redskins have been over the years. >> we don't have any guards and tackles on the offensive line that is capable enough to protect the backfield so that the guys can get the job done. >> reporter: as the organization bids farewell to cerrato, there are those who say the blame needs to be spread around. that even more changes are needed. and some are taking aim at owner daniel snyder and coach jim zorn. >> everybody has problems with zorn. zorn is -- he holds it down if he can, but we might need a veteran coach. a veteran coach would be good. >> there needs to be a change somehow. but maybe dan snyder needs to stay out of things more and let the coaches do their coaching. >> reporter: megan mcgrath, news4. >> while some fans want to see more changes, others tell news4 this is enough. they say the team is starting to gel now so they want to wait and see what happens. be sure to stay with news4 on air and online for the latest developmen developments concerning this shake-up. we're continuing to follow some breaking news in baltimore. a water main break causing massive flooding in a residential area. this happened in the 1600 block of argone drive in the northeast part of baltimore. a four-foot main broke around 12:30 this afternoon. the crews are checking to see if there are any gas leaks there. residents are being second to stay away from the area. officials do not know how long it's going to take to stop this break. this is a third water main break in baltimore this month. well, now to the weather. there are some big changes headed our way, and now a winter storm watch is in effect for the washington region. bob ryan is tracking all of this from the storm center. bob, what's the word the. >> pat, a watch is in effect because it's looking more and more likely in my mind that we are in for a significant winter event, a winter snow event. already a few high clouds beginning to show up. we've got plenty of cold air. look how the temperatures are only into the 30s. we are not only around here but the entire area now is under the winter storm watch for late tonight and tomorrow. look at the morning low temperatures, into the 20s. right now, temperatures are still even with all that sunshine, around freezing. plenty of very, very cold, really arctic air. look at to our south. it's cold. now there are already winter storm warnings out for the mountains of southwestern virginia, western north carolina, some areas could be seeing well over a foot of snow. an extraordinary event for this early in the season. right now, so far only high clouds. no problems tomorrow overnight tonight, our temperatures will dip into the 20s. then as we head into tomorrow, that's when the clouds will be coming in. i'll tell you the timeline. bob's odds, i think there's a 50/50 chance or better now that we'll be seeing some areas six inches of snow or more. i'll join you in a few minutes. >> thanks, bob. an undercover storefront sting led to a cache of guns and drugs being taken off the streets. the washington examiner reports d.c. police ran the sting out of a fake autobody shop. police used informants to get the word out they were interested in drugs and black-market guns. 123 guns were sold to the cops. police also seized millions of dollars worth of heroin and cocaine. it was being smuggled in by a ring that ran all the way to canada. the number of cases of swine flu is decreasing, but there is an increase in the opportunity to spread the virus. that's why health officls are taking every effort to prevent a third wave of an outbreak. erica edwards reports. >> reporter: supply of the 2009 h1n1 vaccine is finally meeting demand. by the end of this week, the government reports will have 100 million doses, opening the door to pretty much anyone who wants to get the vaccine. >> take advantage of the increased supply and get vaccinated as soon as you can. >> reporter: what government health officials do not want to see is apathy. >> it's easy to say it's over, cases are going down, we're tired of the story, time to move on. but actually, we don't know what the ture will hold. >> reporter: experts think a third wave of swine flu is a very real possibility. also on thursday, health officials discussed the future of the flu shot, including the possibility of a universal vaccine, which would target the part of the flu virus that replicates and infects. it would be effective from season to season and pandemic to pandemic. >> that is a realistic goal. it is going to be several years before we get there. >> reporter: until then, doctors and nurses are standing by. >> now is your turn. there is enough vaccine. >> reporter: and reminding folks mid-december into january is traditionally just the beginning of flu season. erica edwards, nbc news. so far the number of children and young adults who have died from swine flu is five times higher than the average flu season. starting this evening, the district is offering the vaccine to anyone who wants it. large shipments have arrived. so officials can provide the vaccine outside of those priority groups. the first free clinic begins in less than an hour, 5:00, in ward 7. the vaccine is also available at vaccines and doctors' offices. turning now to your commute and to news involving the intercounty connector. when it's finished, it will have the highest tolls in the region and one of the highest inhe nation. the maryland transportation board approved the toll rates today. they will range from 20 to 30 cents per mile. that means the maximum charge for cars would be just over $6 each way. the toll for trucks could be nearly $37 each way. ere would be slightly higher rates during the morning and evening rush hours. tolls would be cheaper during overnight hours when there's less traffic. no other maryland highway has variable toll prices like this. >> again, the ranges are fairly broad. and, frankly, we will -- i think verylearly our goal is to make sure we're operating the facility as intended. it will be a price facility with the purpose of having a road that is free of congestion. so once the facility opens, obviously then the ranges will be set with that goal in mind. >> officials say the pricing plan reflects comments received during recent public hearings. the 18-mile highway is being built between the cities of gaithersburg and montgomery county and laurel in prince georges. the first seven miles are expected to be completed by next fall. traffic patterns are changing at a busy area of montgomery county. it's the interchange of rockville pike and randolph road. it could start as soon as tomorrow, weather permitting. drivers going west on randolph have to use montrose parkway. anyway heading to i-270 shoul just continue on to the parkway. drivers on randolph road will not be able to turn left or right on to the pike. they're going to have to use old georgetown and montrose road to get there. those heading north on the pike will not be able to turn left on montrose road. they'll have to use a new exit ramp on montrose parkway. officials are working on the new ramp in that area. bad weather, of course, could delay the changes. for now, they're scheduled to good gin at 7:00 tomorrow night. cuts in funding to prince georges county schools could lead to cuts that impact students in the classroom. the scule superintendent has proposed a new budget for the 2010 school year. the budget calls for $110 million in cuts and it calls for the elimination of 490 jobs. at least 150 of those are teaching jobs. under the plan, middle school and high school classes could also grow by at least one student per class. maintenance and road building projects in virginia have hit a major speed bump. today, transportation officials in the commonwealth voted to slash nearly $900 million from the state's six-year transportation funding plan. those cuts were forced by declining revenues from fuel and car sales taxes. it's the fifth time spending has been slashed since june of last year. we're just getting started on "news4 at 4." coming up, divided they stand. >> next at 4:15, what senate leaders are now saying about a pledge to get health care reform passed by christmas. at 4:30, what an appeals court has decided in an american father's five-year-long custody battle and the cosmetic cures that becoming all the rage. even doctors are giving them a thumbs-up. democratic leaders are now looking toward christmas eve for passage of a landmark health care reform bill, but a whole lot would have to happen before then. they still don't have the 60 votes needed for passage, and they're still taking fire from both sides. steve handelsman is live now on capitol hill with the latest. hey, steve. >> hi, pat. good evening. the longer this takes, the less support there seems to be for obama-care. and so democrats here on capitol hill are in a hurry. senate democratic leader harry reid wants a vote by christmas. >> we're going to finish whether the other side cooperates or not. >> reporter: but reid and president obama don't yet have the votes to win and republicans know it. >> they want to jam the public before christmas. >> reporter: delay helps the republicans. >> this health care plan is like a mackerel in the moonlight. the longer it's out there, the worse it stinks. >> reporter: in the new nbc news poll, only 32% of americans now say the obama plan is a good idea. democrat howard dean says bad idea because there's no public tion. republicans love it. >> go back to the beginning and have an overall bipartisan agreement. dr. dean, i am with you. >> reporter: still undecided is nebraska democrat ben nelson. but illinois democrat roland burris said today he's a yes. >> we've come too far and worked too hard to turn back now. >> reporter: still pushing the public option, big unions are focusing on the next step, combining the senate bill with the house version. >> i think the senate missed the mark. i think the house hit it right. i think we all need to push to get the maximum level of affordability in this bill and the public option would be a great step, but not the only step. >> reporter: the same could be said of the senate fight, just a step. but if president obama and harry reid can't nail down 60 votes by ne week, the senate won't take the step. and won't vote. live from the hill, i'm steve handelsman, news4. president obama leaves the white house in a couple of hours, traveling to copenhagen for the united nations climate change summit. so far, no major agreements. but there is some forward motion. today, secretary of state hillary clinton announced the u.s. would team with other nations to help poor countries cope with the change in the climate. >> the united states is prepared to work with other countries toward a goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion a year by 2020. >> the u.s. today butted heads yet again with china. a main sticking point is transparency. the u.s. wants to know how china plans to cut its carbon dioxide emissions and how those cuts will be verified. still ahead on "news4 at 4," so where is susan? what neighbors are now saying about the disappearance of that missing mom. what we're now learning following the investigation into the deadly air france plane crash. wait until you hear about the big change and what you won't be seeing at next year's super bowl. it's day nine of the 12 days of giving. today we take you tol leah's house, it's where women and children turn when they fall victim to domestic violence or other circumstances that leave them old in the cold and down on their luck. leah's house provides a home for them as well as healing for them. and leah's house needs a new home because they've outgrown the home they're in. and that's where you can come in this afternoon. our volunteers are waiting for your calls at 202-686-nbc4. this is the founder of leah's house. tell us about leah's house. >> leah's house is a shelter for homeless women and children. we provided thousands of safe, warm bed nights to women and children that need it. we provide a structured program. and we're in crisis with funding like everybody else. we do need a miracle. >> okay. and courtney, you're a mother of two. you've got your beautiful daughters with you. tell us about your story. >> i had some problems back in the past. when i was released from incarceration, i had nowhere to go. none of the shelters would take me, but leah's house took me and it really changed my life. >> what have they done for you there? >> they made by life more structured, made me happy, gave just -- it's more than just a shelter. it's a family and a whole new life. >> what is the need regarding your house? >> well, at the moment it is financial. day-to-day operating funds as well as building a new home. we have construction needs. we need an upgraded security system, perimeter fencing. i'm hearing my workers say a paved driveway. our need is crucial and critical at the moment. >> okay. well, we hope that our viewers will hear and help if they can. the number to call, if you can, 202-686-nbc4 to help leah's house. back to you. >> all right. thank you, pat. winter storm, what are we looking at? >> i think looking it more and more confident it will be a big, big storm. a major storm. certainly more than four inches of snow. outside now, we've got beautiful -- and no problems tomorrow morning rush hour nor tomorrow evening's rush hour. when the snow starts, it should be well after 7:00, 8:00 tomorrow night. really pick up the way it's looking more and more tomorrow night into saturday. outside right now, our temperature, boy, look at how dry -- not only is it cold, but this is arctic air with the dew point of 12. look at the morning low temperatures around the country. temperatures into the single digits. even the cold down into atlanta today. right now, temperatures are into the 30s. here's the other ingredient. look at the moisture right now. down into texas, this is real tropical moisture with the jet stream dipping to the south. by later on tomorrow, it looks like more and me that will be the pattern. that area of storminess moving through the carolina coast. it's looking more and more that it will be holding closer to the coast and as a result, producing a lot of snow. especially from washington south and east. already showers, thunder showers to our south. that's the one ingredient. this storm really gets going and thunderstorms develop off the carolina coast out to the gulfstream, it may shut off some of the moisture. but already there are winter storm warnings, as you can see, out in southern parts of virginia. so overnight tonight, there's the cold air. some high clouds giing to come in. as we get into tomorrow, there's the storm into georgia. the cold air in around us. the storm watch, it moves to the carolina coast and then begins to move up the coast and the snows come in here tomorrow, tomorrow night, tomorrow night, that is, on into saturday and likely continue with some increase in winds also. so here are my odds. 90% to 100% chance that we'll see snow tomorrow night. right now, right now, better 50/50 chance of six inches of snow or more. the last time we had six inches of snow in december was 1982. 1982. and we've never had a 12-inch snowstorm in december here in washington. nonetheless, the high clouds come in. is that possible? it's an outside chance. i'd say there's a 10%, 20% chance that some areas may be seeing some snow that could be up to close to 12 inches. increasing clouds tomorrow. then the snow comes in tomorrow night, on into saturday. i'll tell you more as w go through the next couple of hours. we're looking ahead to "news4 at 5." i've got three words for you. hot holiday gadgets. liz crenshaw is doing it one more time. we always love this segment. >> we do. the electronics association always shows up with what's hot for this year. a couple of things surprising me right off the top. you know the electronic books that we all thought i'm never going to read? the kindle is big. there's one called the ez-reader. that's kind of cool. he's going to talk about the new digital cameras that are getting smaller but the view that you look at is getting bigger. >> yeah, because our eyes are getting worse. >> love that. >> could be that 40 to 50-year-old problem. the camcorders are more exciting. they're more compact. they're shooting hd now. so we're going to cover that kind of stuff. also, cool ways to charge your electronics for cheap. so we're going to run