letters, so -- but they're working very well and we an 'tis bait going through probably monday. >> all of the letters appear to be mailed from the dallas area. investigators say the letters include references to the fbi and al qaeda. the fbi is now working to identify a suspect and a motive. president obama is at fort campbell, kentucky, right now a about to address soldiers that have returned from deployment in afghanistan. these are pictures of fort campbell. it's home to the 101st airborne and the 160th special aviation regiment. heightly specialized helicopter teams are nicknamed the night stalkers. they routinely fly navy s.e.a.l.s and army delta force soldiers on sensitive missions. there was word that the president would meet at fort campbell with some of the special operations forces who took part on that raid on osama bin laden's compound. live pictures that afternoon from fort campbell. the president is en route and will be speaking there in a few minutes. today al qaeda confirmed the death of bin laden. meanwhile, some pakistanis took to the streets to protest what they see as a u.s. invasion of their country. stephanie gosk has the latest from the town where bin laden hid and died. >> reporter: it seems al qaeda did not need graphic photos to prove to them that osama bin laden was killed by u.s. navy s.e.a.l.s. online today they released a statement where they confirmed that the al qaeda leader was killed. it was also a rallying cry, a kind of call to arms for its supporters to call on all muslims to avenge his death and to continue to attack americans. they also call on pakistanis in particular to rise up and avenge his death. >> we need to protest against and the american assault. >> here in this country there have been a number of protests around the country today. people in the streets here and abbottabad as well as other cities. they're making two points. they say their sof renvereignty violated by the united states and they're merely puppets of the united states. stephanie gosk, nbc news, abbottabad. authorities across the country are more vigilent after documents reveal that he may have been planning to attack the u.s. they indicate he considered attacks on u.s. trains on september 11th. the plans did not appear to have gotten past the initial phases. the u.s. government sent an advisory to the rail industry informing officials of the information. at this point, the fbi and homeland security are not planning to issue a terror alert. communities along the mississippi river from illinois to louisiana are facing the threat of severe flooding this weekend. the river is already overflowing in memphis where 1,000 people have been evacuated. jay gray has more now from tennessee. >> reporter: as the water moves in, emergency officials in memphis are urging residents in low-lying areas to move out and up to higher ground. >> no need to panic. this is not a flash flood. this, again, is progressive. it will rise, still, about a foot a day on average and so you can -- you still have time to plan. >> reporter: part of the plan now includes stopping barge traffic along a major section of the river in tennessee because lakes are pushing over and into communities along the mississippi. >> when you close the mississippi river it has an impact on the economy nationwide. >> reporter: but the most significant impact is in business parks and neighborhoods like these that have already taken in several feet of water. >> i've never been in nothing like this. this is all new to me. >> reporter: karen sutton's home in the back of the neighborhood has been swallowed by the floodwaters. >> i don't know what i'm going to do. i have to wait until the water goes down to see what i can do. >> reporter: it will be a long and anxious wait as the water continues to climb. >> 46.5 at 7:00 p.m. on may 8th. 47.1. right now the fight against that water and concern over what it will do next is rising just as fast. >> reporter: crews continue to prepare and use thousands of sandbags here, but the water is climbing so quickly that officials are now considering using prison labor to help in that process as they try to keep pace. in memphis, jay gray, news 4. >> all right, there could be some spotty showers here tonight. >> meteorologist veronica johnson is here with the first forecast. >> thanks a lot, guys. from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m., there is the possibility of spotty showers and maybe thunder coming through the area. outside right now you can see the building hues. you can see the skies have gone from sunny to partly sunny and take a visible satellite loop, see those clouds building in from west to east, all part of a weather system passing through the area during the overnight area. it's 70 degrees. and it's also 70 degrees just to the north around ashton and olney, and fran conia. so not a bad day out there. showers and thorjs where are they right now? they're down to the south in the rest of the area. pretty quiet. they're in southern faulkner county and a little bit of thunder now with some thunder showers coming across charlottesville, i-66 right now. so i think between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. as this disturbance comes into the area and passes on through. our temperature will drop to 60 degrees by 9:00, 57 by 11:00 p.m. and while we have clouds and showers around here for the evening. do i not think that it's looking very overcast at all for the early part of the day tomorrow. so it is going to be a nice one and yes, we've got to talk about mother's day right now. a better-looking forecast and more optimistic and definitely not a washout. >> thanks, veronica. >> maryland's head basketball coach gary williams officially announced his retirement this afternoon. after 22 seasons at maryland, williams says this is the right time to step down. his record includes 461 wins, 14 ncaa tournament appearance, two final fours and the national championship title in 2002. williams isn't entirely leaving the program. he's going stay on as an assistant athletic director. today he answered the big question. why now? >> i've seen coaches. you're always looking at other coaches to learn and steal things from to use to help your program and i've seen coaches where they just stay too long. so if you leave a little early, it's better than leaving late. it really is. >> the basketball court where maryland plays could soon be renamed in williams' honor. no word yet on his successor as has coach. lindsay czarniak will have more on the changes coming up on news 4 at 5:00. if you're taking metro this weekend be prepared for more delays because of track work. starting tonight at 9:30, they will have work between the -- on the orange line every other train headed to vienna and end in the ballston station and every other line from frankonya and everything will be back to normal for your commute by monday morning. let's hit the highway now and find out how the rush is going on the road. >> backups on the beltway. hi, ash. >> hi, guys. delays, we certainly do have them this friday. it's not very fun out there, but a lot of drivers trying to get home early. capital beltway, inner loop. you'll thit first out of virginia and a bit of a breather across the american legion and then this. this is the pace just prior to river road. we'll follow the inner loop that's headed away from us now. both sides of the beltway will be hef there and past georgetown and the inner loop turned to sit and wait and tried to make it over toward silver spring. these persist around the mormon temple past coalsville and then it's the outer loop that will be heavy coming off of 95 and this is the pace off 270. here ate pace at montgomery village. that's just congestion and you hit the brakes around father hurley and that's due to a vehicle fire. here's the pace at clarksburg where you have the three into two merge and there's a vehicle fire on route 80 and that is blocking the right lane. jim, back to you. >> thanks, ashley. animal control officers removed 95 dogs from a home in maryland. they were taken to a shelter for e valuation. one dog was found dead and another was put down after being examined. they appeared to be suffering from weight loss and skin conditions. police are still deciding whether to press charges against the homeowners. stay right there, we're just getting started on news 4 at 4:00, when we continue, lady gaga's new video causing controversy. coming up, an exclusive interview with ga ga about the real meaning behind the video. liz crenshaw. bubbles are supposed to be good, clean fun, but some parents are calling a new line of bubbles a disaster. my story is coming up. plus, a major scare for people attending a horse race. - ( music playing ) - we know technology can make you more connected. but now it can make you more connected to your doctor through e-mail. test results from home. check records. change appointments. now doctors, nurses, techs, pharmacists are all digitally connected to each other. and ultimately connected to you. at kaiser permanente, we believe that if knowledge is power, shared knowledge is even more powerful. kaiser permanente. thrive. made with only premium cuts of pork since 1945. johnsonville. sausage is all we do. i'm youraww. you're the best, you know thamr. snuggles. 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[ male announcer ] sweet tea and the mcdonald's dollar menu. the simple joy of being smart. ♪ blowing bubbles is one of the oldest past times for kids. >> but one kid-friendly company are giving bubbles a new look that some are calling a disaster. >> liz crenshaw is here to explain this to us all. >> it's easy and inexpensive. blowing bubbles are good, clean fun, but now crayola has unleashed a new kind of bubble that some parents say is anything, but clean fun. ♪ ♪ >> crayola presents, a symphony of bubbles in bright, beautiful colors. they're new, they're washable. they'll leave you wanting an encore. >> the last thing sarah lafounds an wants is her kids playing with these bubble again. >> they're beautiful for the seconds they're in the sky, but they will stain everything. after the fact, not so fun. >> oh, my god, my hands. >> i never thought that they would make a stain on the clothes. >> reporter: in just minutes lafountain's kids and friends are covered from head to toe in sticky color. this bubble solution is gooey, a thicker texture than traditional bubbles. >> i like bubbles, but not when they're messy and goopy. >> and lafountain's sticky bubble mess is being echoed across the country. on yahoo! , more than 1800 comments on crayola bubbles with parents saying things like what a disaster, stains even grass, what a total mess and it's not just hands and faces. clothes get cover happened. >> we're wearing old clothes so nothing was ruined. we washed the clothes and the stains came out of the clothe, not the sneakers, the sneakers are still blue. >> it stained the concrete patio and the deck, too, does a quick spray clean the kids up? not really. better with a bit of soap added. >> bubbles should be fun and the kids should be able to take them, enjoy them and have not to worry about the aftermath. >> so many parents are worrying about the aftermath and contacting crayola that the company produced the four-minute video on the website. >> we understand colored bubbles are outdoor, messy fun, but we want you to know that the color they leave behind is temporary. >> the video warns parents to only use the bubbles outdoors, wear play clothes, blow the bubbles on the grass and don't blow bubbles at dressy, ventses and don't use bubbles near decks or patios. >> if these marx just plain stubborn try deck cleaner. if marks don't come out, rain or sunshine will eventually do the job. >> we contacted crayola and it told us it sold more than 1 million bottles of scombubls less than 1% of consumers have asked for tips on cleanup. it recommends people review the guidance on the bottle before using the bubbles. >> think my hands are a rainbow. >> there are too many rules. you don't want rules and disclaimers and long clean up processes. this is just bubbles. >> just bubbles. >> there is one more warning crayola gives. on the bottle it says, by the way, do not use at weddings. take that advice. for more consumer information go to nbc washington point com and search liz crenshaw and search liz crenshaw's consumer watch. >> when i'm blowing bubbles i don't want to have to think. >> you don't want to carry instructions with you? >> the colors are pretty. >> yes, beautiful bubbles. >> not on sidewalks or decks. >> in the air they're quite lovely. that's what the mom said. >> thank you, liz. >> for paul mccartney all you need is love. >> the beatle legend is engaged again. he popped the question to girlfriend nancy chevelle. the two met in the hamptons about four years ago. >> a source close to the couple says despite their 17-year age difference they're a perfect pair. mccartney is 68, she is 51. this will be mccartney's third marriage and her second. well, lady gaga's new music video "judas" is drawing the ire of the religious community. the singer says there's nothing controversial about it, but she does know how to cause a ruckus. lady gaga sat down with e news. >> julianna rancic with e news. lady gaga is opening up about her new video "judas." how does she feel about the buzz? >> believe i was put on the earth to cause a ruckus. >> the music video, judas, may have religious groups up in arms, but i learned in my exclusive interview with the singer gaga has a side that may shock them and you. >> love the shoes. >> thank you. >> look past the outlandish outfit and towering footwear and you will find a girl who really is down to earth. >> how are you? how's your husband? >> he's good, thank you. >> the 25-year-old fashion sensation had to battle to the top of the music world. >> could never explain to you, julian julianna, the amazing life-changing experience that's been my life and i am so grateful. i want to push forward and make stuff that's great and thought-provoking. >> jesus is my virtue. >> what do you think of the new video. it came out more incredible than i ever thought it would. it is so beautiful. it's like a fresco come to life. >> i'm sure you're not blind or deaf to all the buzz that surrounds a video like this. are you prepared for that sort of reaction that comes from people before they even see the video they start passing judgment? >> in my opinion the only controversial thing about this video is that i'm wearing christian lacrois and chanel. this is not an attack on religion. i consider myself a strong and devoted catholic and a spiritual person who is obsessed with religious art. i'm obsessed with it. the song "judas" is essentially about me going back to an ex-boyfriend or still being in love with someone that's betrayed me. >> is it based on someone specific in the past or different guys? >> different guys. >> there were more than one. >> there have been more than one. >> do they know who they are? >> i'm sure they do. i'm sure their judas bells are ringing. >> to be sure to tune in to e. news at 7:00 and 11:30 on e. the pop star tells us her biggest fear. you don't want to miss it. >> all right then. there you have it. coming up on news 4 at 4:00, a pit bull becomes a lifesaver for a california family. a piece of movie history is now on the market. so, what happens if i'm in an accident and need to get my car fixed? progressive makes it easy because we give you choices. you can pick where to get your car fixed. we can cut you a check. or, at our service center, we take care of everything for you. ♪ [nervous laugh] whoo! so many choices. take your time. the service center. okay. giving you choices. now, that's progressive. call or click today. well, we had a lot of sunshine earlier today. >> now we're getting a little rain. >> just a little. and do i mean a little. only some neighborhoods are getting some rain. a chance here this evening and then we'll have another chance coming late saturday to get a little bit in the way of some showers and mainly during the evening. let's take a look outside. you can see what we're talking about earlier, the building cue there and the temperature right now at reagan national airport is at 70 degrees and we have a wind that's out of the south at 16 miles per hour. know that the type of warm thath we have today is what's going to be around this weekend. in fact, tomorrow may be just a few degrees higher, and back to sunday on mother's day we'll be back to 71 degrees. it's 61 in sterling, manassas and 69 in quantico and 71 around quantico as well as waldorf. throughout the area, we're doing just fine with the fact that the cloud cover has moved in. spotty showers up until 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. this evening and we'll start clearing out and a mostly clear sky for tomorrow morning and we'll drop to 57 by 11:00 and 49 degrees to start the day tomorrow so not quite as chilly as where we've been. there's a look at a spotty shower in damascus and we have more around martinsburg and thunder showers in this batch that's down to the south around charlottesville and yes, it's all moving to the northeast. again, just a few shotty showers with the little disturbance that's moving through during our evening hours. over the next 48 hours and let me show you what's going to happen and there's early tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. and mostly sunny sky. so by noon time we'll see clouds move back into the area and there could be some spotty showers off to the south and west of our area and it's for saturday evening and for early part of the day on sunday when we could have a few showers coming through. right now, it looks like most of mother's day will be dry. no washout, but no, it is going to be a fair amount of clouds early on and a few showers coming through and some showers late with a weak system coming through the area. your forecast here for the evening. we are expecting again a little bit of wetness coming through. some neighborhoods, the temperature will drop from the mid-60s to the low 60s. with temperatures starting out in the 40s, mid and upper 40s. the high again like today between 71 and 74 degrees. that is certainly nice and it is definitely mild. the best day out of the weekend is still saturday. no washout for mother's day. a 30% chance of some passing showers mainly early and again, late on saturday and the early part of next week is looking much better. remember we had the northeasterly wind and how cool it would be. we think it will be further south and more sunshine and in the mid-07s. >> mother's day more in the morning. >> more in the morning and then in the evening and we should be fine for heading to brunch. >> exactly. >> thanks, veronica. >> you bet. still to come on news 4 at 4:00, critics blast a new anti-obesity campaign. >> plus children are injured when a horse jumps into the crowd. can't m hello and welcome back to news 4 at 4:00. i'm pat lawson muse. >> and i'm jim handly. here's what's making news. today al qaeda confirmed that president obama has what he's been saying since sunday that bin laden is dead. the terror network called on muslims to avenge the death of their leader. >> police say they have recovered an additional ten suspicious letters sent to d.c. public schools this morning. they're all similar to the 29 letters delivered yesterday. investigators say they contain a white poweder that turned out to be harmless. all of them appear to be postmarked from dallas, texas. the fbi is working to identify a suspect.