Dangerous weather in just a bit. But first, we look at what is going on. Mainly areas of sleet falling. Those are raindrops that read froze into little ice chunks meet in with some snow. A little bit of everything out there. The areas of pink are generally areas of sleet and perfect and frozen precipitation. Green could indicate just rain but in Southern Maryland you could still have some frozen precipitation mixed in. Im expecting that to taper off as we go into the Late Afternoon hours. Rain later tonight into tomorrow. Sleet until about 3 00 or 4 00. And then mostly cloudy through the evening hours. Tonight, but sams body light rain, possibly some icy off to the west. Some spotty light rain, possibly some icing off to the west. The weather has already been blamed for at least two deaths. Here is more. Mother natures monster storm that left a mess in the west is now heading east, continuing to dump snow on several states. At chicago ohare this morning hundreds of flights were canceled. The storm could bring the windy city its biggest snowfall of its season. Michigan is also seen driving and treacherous conditions, where plows are working to keep up. The winter blanket already broke a record in iraq appeared parts of kansas are buried in nebraska. Parts of kansas are buried in 17 inches of powder. The storm has already blamed for two deaths. In the south eyes, thunder, and tornadoes. At least three tornadoes touched down in mississippi and louisiana and another tornado caused major damage in texas. And snow to new england for the Third Straight weekend in a row. We are now just one week away from hitting the sequestration deadline. If Congress Fails to reach a deal by next friday, that means billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts. Those cuts could hit multiple industries, including teachers, defense contractors and food inspectors. The sequestered also mean the loss of 3 billion from the federal relief bill to help victims of superstore and sandy, including thousands for rebuilding homes and small businesses. And federal furloughs affecting Airport Security and customs workers. That would mean more headaches and lumber waits for travelers trying to clear the Airport Security. And longer waits for travelers trying to clear Airport Security. Unless Congress Acts passed, the 5 billion in automatic spending cuts will kick in march 1. Consequently, both sides are using scare tactics and i think the average citizen is a really not sure what will the fact what the effect will be. Ahman forthmann agents could be off the job and 79,000 preschoolers could be dropped from their head start programs. What if we told you that the travel industry is also bracing for a major blow . It could create a bunch of havoc. I have short patience as it is, and if i stand in outline any longer than i have to, [ indiscernible] the president is showing signs of frustration. The automatic spending cuts that were put in place in 2011 were designed to get congress to actually avoid them by coming together with more sensible approach is. It could create a nightmare for travel, longueur security lines, flight delays, even problems that with customs after flying. That is one thing that everyone agrees on, this has to be solved. For the latest on the sequestration cuts and tuesday on top of Congress Oppose the latest efforts to and to stay on top of congresss latest efforts to reach a deal, go to wjla. Com. Prince georges county police say kimberly smiths stabbed 51 yearold charles lighter jr. In the chest after he began arguing with her mother. This happened just before midnight. He later died at a hospital. She is charged with Second Degree murder. Right now, a hearing is underway for the former d. C. All mine security director. The west is expected to plead guilty to tax fraud charges. Prosecutors say she filed false documents and stole money when she ran a Childrens Trust corporation. A rock fell elementary schoolteacher is scheduled to be in court this afternoon for a bond hearing. Two 11yearold students at the middle school told teachers that timothy krupicka of inappropriately touched them several times and also try to force them to touch him. Some parents are outraged. Others do not believe the claims. Many parents will be in court with him, standing behind him and standing up for him because of the person he is and the teacher he is. Krupicka has been placed on administrative leave. He faces two counts of sex with a minor and several other charges. Turning out to south africa, a judge has granted bail to oscar pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend. After four days of arguments the magistrate in this case and it is nearly twohour response with the adjudicated will be released on bail. He does not have to sit in jail for the six months before his trial begins, but his bail conditions are very expensive and extremely tight. He must remain in the south African Capital and has to get permission to leave the area. He is also not allowed near any airports or his own home. He must surrender all firearms and his passport. He is to have no communication with the prosecution witnesses and he cannot consume drugs or alcohol. When the judge asked him if he understood the terms he simply replied, yes, your worship the only words he uttered today. Hes greeting and i do not expect him to get over it any time soon he is grieving, and i do not expecting to get over any time soon. When the trial resumes prosecutors will try to argue that this was the case of planned murder. But his defense team and his family maintain the killing was accidental. They will start the preparations sooner rather than later. Oscar pistorius is scheduled to be inside the south African Court room on our around june 4. In the meantime, the runners expected to be back on the track and training as early as monday. Two people are dead and another wounded after a medical helicopter crashed in oklahoma city. The pilot and a nurse on board were both killed. Officials say no one on the ground was seriously on the track and hurt, and the only Person Injured was a patient being elected at the time. Investigators are still trying to determine if the Severe Weather blanketing the area had any role in this mornings crash. And investigators are trying to figure of what started this fire at the home of a popular Country Singer loretta lynn. Her ranch went up in flames last night. It is also a popular tourist destination. Several buildings on the property were destroyed or damaged, but no one was hurt. The Virginia House and senate are set to vote today on a transportation compromise. Under this plan, gas and sales tax would generate an additional 800 million a year to maintain virginia highways. House democrats and republicans are split. On the property were destroyed or if it passes it will be beaman first major reform to the virginia highway system and 20 it will be the first major reform to the virginia highway system in 20 years. Boeing will make take measures to deal with the battery problems. Airlines may be able to start flying the 787s again as soon as april if the faa and the Transportation Department accepted boeings plans. Use extra time if youre planning to use the metro to get around. This weekend, the orange line trains will not run. No service between vienna and boston until sunday. Shuttle trains will be single tracking. There will be no work on the blue yellow, or green lines. We have all of this information on our website wjla. Com. And as the world gets ready for an historic change, theres already one tangible sign of Pope Benedict xvi upcoming departure. His twitter account is on its final leg. The account will put out its last official tweet on february 27 the day before the pope resigned. When it officially closes on february 28, i will leave behind some 2 million online followers. It will leave behind some 2 million on my flowers. Online followers. We go back to those who knew her when she attended gw. And what one man is willing to do to see manned mission to mars. And were expecting a wintry mix headin you are watching abc7 news at noon on your side. Welcome back. Adam is joining us. The already getting a little bit of activity. Just outside our window here. Were looking at snow grains and sleet. They bounce a lot on contact. That is the difference between snow grains and sleet. The kind of look like what comes out of a beanbag chair. Yes, and they doubt somewhat. And they bounce balad. We will not see that much in terms of sleet or snow. Made may be minor accumulation. Heres a closer look northwest of d. C. The areas of peanut indicate some slightly to end a little bit of snow. The areas of pinkett indicates some sleet and a little bit of snow. We will see more through the day. A little bit of green is on the radar screen. That is when the radar thinks it is just rain, but im hearing reports of sleet mixing in as well. In Southern Maryland and south. A little bit of action south of washington. There is an advisory until 10 00 a. M. Tomorrow for areas of west of washington. Theres a slight chance, especially in the hills and the ridge tops where we could have some frozen precipitation with minor accumulations. For the most part, areas of light rain tonight. And then especially tomorrow morning into the early afternoon. 34 washington. 34 in culpepper. And read the freezing mark in gaithersburg. Round two will be coming later tonight, especially tomorrow morning after through the early afternoon. From 4 a. M. To 4 00 p. M. Tomorrow, there will be areas of rain. That will push north, just off of virginia beach. That is when it will strengthen a little bit and start to generate the range for the morning and midday. In terms of overall accumulation, it could be impressive especially east of 95. A rough estimate is little over an inch in parts of Southern Maryland. West of 95 possibly onethird to onehalf inch. Maybe its those a quarter of an inch out west. It will be heaviest east of i 95. A little bit of accumulation possibly on grassy services surfaces and even less so on the streets. Generally in the mid to upper 30s tonight. And then tomorrow, a good time from 4 a. M. To 4 00 p. M. For modest accumulation. The second half of the weekend sunshine and near 50 by sunday. The middle part of next week is looking rather cool. The average High Temperature for this time of year is right about 50 degrees. There is the forecast from minneapolis to chicago, rain today. Up and down the east coast mar precipitation as well. Sunday has something to look forward to. The glass is half full. Of course. A unique mission is in the works to put humans on mars. Robert is the president of the mars society and he says humans should have already settled the planet the red planet. That is where this man comes in. He said he is willing to probably find a manned trip to mars and he wants it off the ground by 2018. We will go beyond anything that we have ever dreamed. Plans for the mars mission are being addressed here in washington next week. The mission would be what is called a fast, free return. It would take 501 days to complete. No word yet on who would be going or how much it would cost. Coming up next, we take a look back at a star in the making. We sit down with those whose who taught carry [ harry umlaut ] hey you know what, i speak european. [ sally umlaut ] european isnt a language. I think they speak all kinds over there. Nah. Its basically one language with a few variations. My cousin has a passport. Uhhuh. Take this fascinating muller yogurt. Frut up. Means fruit up. As in creamy yogurt down below. And a delectable, aromatic layer of blended fru my, moussey uppiness on top. Frut up. As the europeans say. In their language. Wow. You really are bilingualal. Yeah, i dated a comma in high school. [ male announcer ] muller. The european for yummy. Coming up tonight at 5 00 p. M. , is oscar time. A live report coming up at 5 00 p. M. We talk to the cia spy played by ben affleck in the movie argo. Join us at 5 00 p. M. Before Kerry Washington blew up big on the abc show, she learned acting at George Washington university. We look back to see where her former professors say about her success. Kerry had that it factor. Her former professors say her success is no surprise. I just had that feeling. I did not know for sure, obviously, but i have that that feeling that she was. Be very successful. She is a 1998 graduate of gws department of theater and dance, where she was a standout student, scoring several roles in several productions. Even when she was a freshman, she was very serious in rehearsal hall. A wonderful collaborator. Kerry washington performed in place and production of every semester while she was here at gw. Her professors say they knew that the skills they saw this very stage would someday lead to an even bigger one. She has a lot of ability and tremendous self discipline. She and another professor have stayed in touch with her and have watched her rise to fame. I cried. The scandal came at the perfect time in her career. Watching her week to week developing this character gives us all a chance to see what she is made up. It is special. Both women say oscars, and knees, and other accolades are for sure in washingtons future. I think she could be president. [laughter] not just playing on stage, but the real stage. I guess it will just have to wait and see with that one. You can catch scandal people might want the dog days of summer but some dogs are enjoying these snow days. Take a look at this sledding pooch. A 75 pound english bulldog hitting the slopes. What do you think . In good form. Very good form, but youre all of could do much better. She would be flying down the slopes. I did not want to brag. Sunday will be the best day this weekend. Youll notice a little bit of a breeze. 50 degrees for the High Temperature on sunday and monday. And then a cutoff of the low pressure system, which basically means a relatively cool flow. Back below average temperature wise for a good job of next week. A good chunk of next week. Captioned by the National Captioning Institute www. Ncicap. Org