Right now, lauren scala is here with the commute. Hey, lauren. Hey, raphael. Good morning everyone. We have two accidents on the roads. Overall, lots of green and neither of them causing too much of a problem. Over on the belt parkway, two lanes are shut down before cross bay boulevard on the westbound side of the roadway. Its still quiet out there. Its not causing much of a problem. 287 northbound, you have an accident by westin canal road. Thats in the right lane. Things moving along okay. More weather and traffic coming up on the 4s. Lauren, thank you very much. Happening right now, police are questioning the mother of two little girls who died in a fire in the bronx. Witnesses say the mom was across the street when the flames spread. She just couldnt get back to her children in time. Tracie strahan is in morrisania. Its a heartbreaking story. Reporter absolutely, michael. So many people are learning about this. The question authorities are likely asking that mother in the precinct house behind me, where the mother was at a laundromat across the street when the fire broke out. Became upset when she saw what happened. She passed out. Well show you cell phone video taken when the fire erupted just after 6 30 last night. Firefighters rushed to the third floor apartment on webster avenue. Rushing to pull those two little girls out. Scrambling to resuscitate them. Weve learned that 2yearold and an 18monthold were both pronounced dead late last night at bronx lebanon hospital. Witnesses say that was an intense fire. Including a man who tried to rescue the children. I tried to get the door open. Eventually, i couldnt breathe. I had to get air. I watched them carry the two children out just lifeless. Its horrible. Reporter fire officials tell us the main fire as in the living room area. A couch was actually burning and then being spread. Fire department that 12 other people suffered minor injuries, including three firefighters, fire marshals are expected back at the scene this morning. Back to you. Tracie, thank you very much. Happening today, a hearing resumes for the former nypd officer convicted of killing an unarmed man. A judge is deciding whether or not to throw out peter liangs manslaughter conviction. At the center of the case, a juror from the trial cuesed of not telling the truth during jury selection. Hes expected back on the stand today. Pushed back until next week. A man wanted for nine knifepoint robberies on long island may have robbed a tenth store now. Nassau county police are holding the suspect for a robbery that happened in carvel. They believe this is the same person who robbed a am 7eleven, Surveillance Video shows the person outside a Dunkin Donuts from back an march 1st. Hes usually armed with a 6inch kitchen knife. Nobody has been hurt so far. Theyre looking for a different suspect in several other robberies in nassau county. The first time was last friday night in willis ton. Hillside avenue rather. The suspect used the knife to hold up the same location again yesterday. Police say he had a mask on and told an employee to empty the register. Suspect getting away with cash. Nobody was hurt. In an hour, minimum wage workers will begin a series of rallies in the city. Including one near the gop president ial candidates. Members of the fight for 15 movement, call it their biggest ever oneday event. Theyll start at a times square mcdonalds. Theyll rally for higher wages near Grand Central terminal. Time for weather and traffic raphi, the president ial candidates are calling and want to know what the re weather will be like for the new york appearances. Its sweater weather for the candidates. I would recommend that. Similar to yesterday, a chilly start in the morning, temperatures moderating throughout the afternoon. We have the cold to deal with. Freeze warnings are in effect for all the counties shaded in purple across new jersey. Thats until 8 00. Take the plants inside if they cant take the freezing temperatures. Thats what were seeing right now. We are tracking temperatures below freezing in morristown and bridgewater. Monticello at 32 degrees. 37 in newburgh. 35 down the shore in long brfianch. Starting at 40 degrees in white plains. The school day forecast shows temperatures gradually rising. After work, it looks great. Temperatures in the 50s. Lots of sunshine. It gets much warmer. The sevenday forecast. Some 70s coming up. Lauren scala is here with the commute. Good morning. If youre getting on the buses, quite a few detours this morning. Ill let you know when they clear for the city. The saw mill parkway, this is closed between route 120 and marble avenue. Im happy to remind you every day thats a spot to avoid. You need to move your car. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules are in effect. 5 06 right now. Now to the press depgs race. Every candidate is in our state today. The biggest debate is the brooklyn debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Today in new yorks Katherine Creag is in ft. Green with a look ahead. Kat, good morning. Reporter good morning, darlene. The brooklyn neighborhood is where we are where the big debate will be. All eyes on the debate. The debate between clinton and sanders we want to show you where he was taking the stage with the borough president. Also hundreds of supporters in the audience. Bernie sanders and his supporters also seemed like they with thousands of people there at a massive rally. Sanders received the endorsement of the Communications Workers of america. Both candidates talked about what they can do for new york city residents. When it comes to affordable housing, income equality and higher wages for workers. This campaign is sending a message to corporate america. You cannot have it all. Thats why ive said were going to continue to make improvements. I am so proud at whats happening here in the bronx. But it can be even better if we work together. If you have a president in the white house who actually knows where coop city is. Bernie sanders is scheduled to be with the reverend al sharpton and the National ActionNetwork Today. Darlene, were waiting to find out the schedule from mrs. Clinton. A little bit loud already at the Brooklyn Navy yard. An ambulance passing by us here. Darlene, a lot of people can go the audience. Security, they expect a lot of people around here, hundreds of people gathering here along the outskirts of the Brooklyn Navy yard supporting clinton and sanders. Katherine creag, thank you. Meanwhile in long island tonight, donald trump may face protesters outside of his speech at a gop fundraiser. One group vowing to rally in patchogue. They say its too close to where a murder hate crime happened. The Suffolk County gop chairman rejected calls to cancel the event. The motives of the group, those who oppose it are suspect in his words. On long island, Governor John Kasich of ohio will be interviewed today for an msnbc town hall. That event is happening in jericho. Its going to air tonight. Yesterday the governor visited an ice cream shop in maryland looking for votes ahead of that states primary. Thats after new york on april 26th. Senator ted cruz taped an later, hes on nbcs tonight show starring jimmy fallon. They add that mayor de blasio is sparking an ad is sparking controversy. Murders were up last year. Were told the second line about the murder rate had to be changed. Originally, it said murders are up 10 . Theyre actually down. The nypd tells us there were more murders last year than the year before. We should learn today whether Donald TrumpsCampaign Manager will be prosecuted in florida. You may remember that video showing Cory Lewandowski touching a reporter. Lewandowski was then arrested reports say that he will not be prosecuted. Today, members of the nypd will take their longrunning pay dispute to the streets of the city. The pba plans to hand out flyers calling for fair pay raises. We showed you the flyers on tuesday. Claiming the police force is becoming more poorly paid as its more diverse. The de Blasio Administration says the door is open for the pba to discuss a longterm contract. The school buses are up and running in one Hudson Valley town after the School District avoided a strike. School bus drivers and mechanics were preparing to walk off the job in middletown, new york. Luckily, Union Officials say contract negotiations went well this week. Teamsters deciding to postpone any strike until the next bargain session set for april 25th. Late tax filers, a mobile command center in the bronx and queens helping eligible taxpayers file free of charge. Its staffed by Tax Department employees for anyone with an income under 62,000 help to file their taxes. The command center will be up and run through this saturday. The deadline is april 18th. In the cnbc money report, airbags on the roads. Takata airbags can throw shrapnel at drivers. The rest of the 85 millionaire bags may need to be recalled unless takata can prove theyre safe. So far 11 people have died in incidents linked to those inflay tors. The fly by that was dangerously close to a u. S. Naval destroyer. Why officials fear the move was no accident. There are growing fears over the effects of the zika virus in newborns. The new information that has experts issuing a new warning. Plus, weather and traffic on the 4s is coming up. Youre watching today in new york. I want to show you some cutting edge technology. This is a vhs tape. Push that tape in and hit play. This is a flip phone. Have you seen these before . Its called a compact disc. Oh. Looks like were getting a facsimile. What year is it to you . Its old. Youd rather use Newer Technology . Definitely. Well, ive got something to show you. This is the 2016 chevy volt. It uses extended range electric technology. The prius hybrid developed 15 years ago. Chevy expects volt drivers to get over a thousand miles between fill ups. Its got every technology there is. At stop shop, shoppers are discovering lo,w prices by the thousands, plus a thousand more that just dropped. All these low prices what are you trying to do, get me to feed the whole neighborhood . No. Just trying to save you a whole lot of bread. [ laughter ] thousands of blue tags, thousands of low prices. Its now 5 14. Good morning. Everyone time for a check of your forecast. A sweater morning. Another chilly morning. Temperatures starting out in the 20s and 30s. A bit of a wintry feel or spring feel. Sunshine also continues like yesterday. Blue skies and sun dominates our weather for the next few days. Were fine lip looking forward to warmer weather heading into the weekend. Youll see that in the sevenday forecast. Right now, still feeling chilly in jersey city. 42 for you. 43 sheepshead bay. These are some of the warmer spots. Tribeca 45 degrees. Heading away from the city, temperatures are cooler. Especially as you head west out of town. 30 in morristown. Bundle up morning in danbury. 33 degrees. 23 in westhampton. Sunshine later on today. Were at 45 at this hour, temperatures jump quickly back into the 50s by lunch. Similar to yesterday, were adding on a couple of degrees. A bit milder, especially by 2 00, 3 00. Near 60 in many spots. For your evening commute, looking very nice. 57 degrees and sunshine. So as we head into the weekend, Everyone Wants to know when does it get warm . It starts on saturday. Back to 65. A touch milder but breezy. Maybe it doesnt feel as mild. Sunday and monday are the days, back into the 70s. Especially away from the water. If you live along the coast, long island, connects connect, jersey shore, it may not get quite as warm there. Thats how spring works around here. Youre used to it. Takes a little longer. Storm tracker, mostly clear down the jersey shore. High pressure dominating our weather. Its camped out across eastern canada. Its not going anywhere the next few days. Future tracker, looking good. This is 6 00. No weather problems for you. The sevenday forecast, were troublefree heading into the weekend. Loads of sunshine day after day. Looking at 75. Thats when temperatures peak. Were dipping back to the 60s on tuesday and wednesday with more clouds. All right, lets see what the commute has for us this thursday morning. Lauren scala has a look at that. Hey, raphael. Good morning. We had an accident thats cleared and the roads look good. Still this accident on 287 northbound before weston canal road in the right lane. Roadwork on the garden state parkway this morning. Southbound from exit 144 to 143, two lanes will be shut down until 6 00 a. M. Right now, delays are not out there. They will be soon. Ill keep you posted. More on the garden state parkway northbound from union tolls up to 78. Two lanes closed there. A quick live look outside at the brooklyn bridge. Everything is moving nicely at your lower east river crossings. Alternate side of the Street Parking rules in effect. More weather and traffic on the 4s. Thanks, lauren. 5 17 right now. Theres no longer any doubt about the effects of zika, the zika virus on newborns. The centers for Disease Control made it official. Releasing startling Research Just yesterday. Tracie potts joins us with the new push for funding. Tracie, good morning. Hi darlene. Good morning. Theyve been looking for nearly 2 billion from capitol hill and this new research could help the cdc is now saying theres absolutely no doubt that the zika virus contributes to microcephaly, a birth defect resulting in unusually small heads, skulls and brain defects in children. That has been the big focus. Women who could become pregnant. They evaluated all of the evidence out there while it was presumed that this link wag there and a new article in the new england journal of medicine, the cdc, says they can now officially make that link. There are also other studies going on, examining things like neurological problems and paralysis in adults and m. S. Like condition that may result from the zika virus. All of it now pointing at a definite link with birth defects. We saw a tweet from Hillary Clinton on this saying that this is urgent that we need to invest in a vaccine and invest in treatment now. Again, that nearly 2 billion on capitol hill, it has not been approved yet. Republicans in charge here has urged the administration to use the money thats left over from ebola. Were told that they may not see that new money until september. Obviously, well after the warm season when mosquitoes could carry the virus this way. Some are approaching. Tracie potts, thank you very much. 5 19. Russia is denying they did anything wrong when the warplanes came close to a u. S. Knave i have destroyer in the baltic sea. The Navy Released this video. That russian plane buzzing past the ship multiple times monday and tuesday. The ships commander called the maneuvers unsafe and unprofessional. Russias defense minister says they complied with all safety regulations. Officials say they dont understand what they call americas distrust reaction to the flights. Today we expect to hear from a survivor of februarys deadly Tina Caruthers plans to speak at the hospital where she was treated. She was shot when an uber driver sprayed bullets around kalamazoo. Six people were killed. Caruthers is considered a hero because she shielded four children from the gunfire. Music lovers will be able to return to that concert hall struck during the paris terror rampage. Yesterday the bataclan announced a lineup of bands who will resume performance that will start in november, in the fall. It will be a year after dozens of people were killed inside that venue. Were told the theater itself, the bataclan still undergoing renovations. 5 20 right now. Still ahead, the music legend coming to met life stadium. Later, why singer katy perry is in a fight over a convent in live look at the inbound lanes of the tunnel. Happening today, the tribeca Film Festival begins a first full day. Rocker patty smith will sit down with actor ethan hawk in the storytellers series. The red carpet was rolled out last night. The documentary the first monday in may was shown taking a look at the making of the gala. The festival has something for everyone. Whether or not it is a environment or whether its Virtual Reality, its experiencing the best thats out there. Among todays films, a documentary highlighting the inaugural season of the new York City Football Club called win. Nbc new york is a proud sponsor of the festival. For everything to know about the festival from film previews to ticket information, head to nbcnewyork. Com nbcnewyork. Com. I directed it. And started it. The beautiful weather for the Film Festival for anything outside, another sunny day. As you head out this morning, you need to bundle up. Maybe a jacket or sweater. You can see on storm tracker, another High Pressure day. By the afternoon, you lose a layer. Back to 60. Thats your High Temperature. A little warmer than yesterday. Up to 62 in ramsey. Look at the sunset time. Later 58 in holbrook. Overnight, down to the 40s in the city. 30s north and west intown. Rinse and repeat forecast over the next few days. Its a very quiet weather pattern. Temperatures gradually getting warmer day by day. Michael, do you i rinse and repeat in these conditions. Of course. Whats happening, lauren . We do have an accident reported in out by route 208. Keep you posted on that. A live look outside. Well show you the roads. The fdr drive normally backed up at this hour. This is heading southbound in midtown. Things moving along nicely for a change. Enjoy your commute on the fdr drive right now. As i said new york city big problems for this thursday morning commute. Thanks very much. Sir Paul Mccartney will be heating things up in new jersey this summer. Officials confirmed the pop music icon, the rocknroll icon, the legend an