Eric weisfeld. And im rochelle dean. Were live times now 5 00. Its another warmer start to the day. And more good news, were halfway through the work week. Thats right. Things should be nice as you head out your door this morning. Lets turn things over to meteorologist Jonathan Kennedy for more on remainder of todays forecast. 33 we want to give you a quick traffic update as you about this and good news. There are no trouble spots to report on the roads in or around the capital city. But well be sure to keep and eye on the roads and keep you updated for your morning commute. Abc columbia wants to help you jump start your day. We have a quick rundown of your top morning back town halls for the republican president ial hopefuls. Ahead of saturdays gop primary. Tonight. Marco rubio, ted cruz and ben carson will gather in greenville for a town hall. Thats at eight tonight on cnn. And tomorrow. Donald trump, jeb bush and john kasich will take part in their own town hall. Right here in columbia. Ahead of tonights town hall. Gop president ial hopefuls ben carson will be right here in the capital city. Carson will be at cromers. Right off huger street. This morning at nine. After that, hell be attending a veterans roundtable. Thats set for 1030 this morning. Ben carson will also be campaigning in the upstate today. Carson and ted cruz will both be attending the faith and freedom rally in spartanburg tonight. Cruz will also has stops planned in seneca later today. All of the gop president ial hopefuls will be busy vying for votes across the palmetto state today. Marco rubio has town halls planned in chapin, aiken and mount pleasant. Following his bush is set to make stops in beaufort, summerville and myrtle beach. John kasich will be in bluffton. And donald trump will be in walterboro and sumter today. Speaking of trump. He still finds himself leading the pack. Among the republican president ial candidates. A new cnnorc poll shows in the republican race, trump is leading with 38percent support from likely voters. Texas senator ted cruz hold second place with just 22 percent. South carolina gop voters say trump is the best candidate to handle the economy, immigration and isis. And on the democratic side, Hillary Clinton is 18points ahead of Bernie Sanders among likely voters. Still, anything is possible come saturday. As about half of South Carolinas expected primary voters say theyre still undecided. Bernie sanders was in columbia yesterday. Hoping to grow his support here in the capital city. Sanders spoke on criminal Justice Reform and Higher Education and decreasing student debt. Meanwhile, 33 Hillary Clinton. Is also determined to win votes with youth and minorities. Clinton spent yesterday in new york speaking with civil rights leaders about breaking barriers. And former president bill clinton was in greenville conveying that same message. The South Carolina democratic primary is february 27th. It looks like governor nikki haleys mind still isnt made up. Going into saturdays primary. Governor haley says shes not ready to endorse any of the gop president ial candidates. In fact, haley told abc columbia news. Haley went 33 on to say that it would be very unlikely that she would endorse trump. Abc columbia is your home for South Carolinas first in the south primary. As the results come in saturday night. Well have live reports from the top candidates. And up to the minute coverage on air. During the news at 11. And online at abc columbia dot com, twitter, and facebook. Still to 33 come. Our coverage of vote 2016 continues. Were taking a closer look at the growing feud between donald trump and the bush family. Off your wednesday. Expect sunshine and 60s later this 33 heres a quick look at stories that are making headlines across the country. Its a fight for votes. And over family ties between donald trump and jeb bush. Ahead of saturdays primary here in South Carolina. Abcs megan hughes has the all good 33 things must come to an end. Its a hard reality gamecock fans are facing this morning. Eric, what can you tell us . Quite a run for carolina basketball comes to an end. For the first time this season, the gamecocks are dealing with two losses in a row. Tim hill explains in to win it. 33 still to come. Were headed out to the ballpark. But its not just a home for the Columbia Fireflies. Why the ballpark is glowing. Over giving back. Stay with gervais. Clinic. The expansion allows staff to double the capacity of patients served in lexington, fairfield, richland and sumter counties. A tour of the newly renovated adult eye and dental space will be available after the Ribbon Cutting ceremony. This will take place on the third floor atrium of the Richland County health department. It begins at 11 this morning. And thymca of 2016 annual campaign. Thats right. The chair of this Years Campaign is, jerri spurrier. Steve spurriers wife. The goal of the campaign is to raise 400 thousand dollars to ensure that everyone in the midlands has access to Vital Community programs and resources that support youth development. Healthy living and social responsibility. To learn more about how you can support the ys cause. You can visit columbiaymc adotorgslashgive. Theres also a new headquarters coming to the capital city. For this years midlands gives. The 24hour giving challenge hosted by Central Carolina community foundation. Will be headquarted at the new Spirit Communications park. This is the new park. Home to the Columbia Fireflies baseball team. And midlands gives organizers are also spreading the word that local nonprofit organizations have until february 29th to register to midlands gives day 33 33 were checking out what will be making headlines later look ahead. For Small Business owners still picking up the pieces following octobers historic flood. The citys office of Business Opportunities is giving you a chance for a loan. Eligible applicants must be located in the city of columbia. Have applied to fema for assistance. And have been in business for a minimum of two years. To apply. You can call the number 803 545 3259 or visit their website at columbia sc dot net slash obo. But you better hurry. The application deadline is today columbia mayor Steve Benjamin is calling a unanimous vote by city council. A proud moment for all of us. The council has voted to end the process of transferring money out of the citys water and sewer fund to support other projects. Mayor Steve Benjamin says the city will commit to finding a source of funding. That would offset any previous transfers from the fund. Last september the state Supreme Court issued a ruling prohibiting the city from using the water and sewer fund for unrelated projects. A Community Meeting regarding a new Zoning Ordinance today. Theyre rewriting the citys zoning and Land Development ordinance to ensure regulations are aligned with those plans, reflect contemporary zoning practices, and are more userfriendly. To learn about the effort and share your thoughts. You can join the city of columbias planning and Development Services at the Earlwood ParkCommunity Room at six tonight. Still to 33 come. And the oscar goes to. Well have to wait to find out. But were taking the time to take a closer look at the nominations for best picture. Stay with gervais. And more good news, were halfway through the work week. Thats right. Things should be nice as you head out your door this morning. Lets turn things over to meteorologist Jonathan Kennedy for more on remainder of todays forecast 33 we want to give you a quick traffic head out and about this morning. And good news. There are no trouble spots to report on the roads in or around the capital city. But well be sure to keep and eye on the roads and keep you updated for your morning commute. Abc columbia wants to help you jump start your day. We have a quick rundown of your top morning so, lets get started. The republican president ial candidates have the chance to answer questions from palmetto state voters. Tonight. Marco rubio, ted cruz and ben carson will gather in greenville for a town hall. Thats at eight tonight on cnn. Ahead of tonights town hall, cruz has been busy speaking to voters on rebuilding the military and president to benefit south carolinians. Our profile of the gop candidates continues. Abcs texas senator. 33 thanks jennifer. Well be profiling the gop republican candidates all week. Abc columbia is your home for South Carolinas first in the south primary. As the results come in saturday night. We will have live reports from the top candides. And up to the during the news at 11. And online at abc columbia dot com, twitter, and facebook. Out of the state house. South carolina senators are set to start their extensive debate on road funding today. Among the proposals being debated to fix states roads. Raising the gas tax by 12 cents a gallon over three years. Senators may have a long way to go this week to find more money for roads. They spent nearly five weeks in session already discussing the issue. Out of the state house. A resolution declaring june 17th as mother emanuel nine day is advancing in the senate. It encourages south carolinians to reflect on Race Relations on the oneyear anniversary of the massacre at emanuel ame. The house approved the resolution three weeks ago. Police say confessed shooter dylann roof. Wanted to start a race war. The resolution states the community instead. Responded with an more of South Carolinas motherstobe. Will get parenting help through a statewide collaboration. Governor nikki haley unveiled more details of the the Nurse Family Program during a press conference yesterday. Under the program. More than 12 hundred families on medicaid will be paired with registered nurses. The nurses will make home visits from a mothers pregnancy through the childs second birthday. The goal is to reduce preterm births and child hospitalizatio ns. 33 still to come. Things are warming up here in the midlands. But it looks like our neighbors to the north partly cloudy and mild to kick off your wednesday. Expect sunshine and 60s later this afternoon. Details next. Live from main and gervais. Were good morning. Topping americas money commercial flights to cuba may start this fall. Nearly emajor u. S. Airline plans to apply for them now that two countries. It allows for 110 daily flights to cubas ten major airports. Be ware what youre sprinkling on your pasta. The fda discovered lower quality cheeses made from wood pulp in one brand of grated parmesan. Ploomberg found oh brands had it in levels that exceeded legal amounts. Just in time for easter, hersheys new carrot cake kisses. Theyll be sold eggsxclusively at walmart. Remember, folks. They dont count as vegetables. A lot of kids will be sad about that. Thats americas money. If youre looking to save money on your Medicare Part d prescriptions, walgreens says, carpe med diem. Just switch to walgreens for savings thatll be the highlight of your day. Now preview the cost of your copay before you fill. You can even get onedollar copays on select plans. Vo you get used to pet odors in your car. You think it smells fine, but your passengers smell this. Eliminate odors youve gone noseblind to for up to 30 days with the febreze car vent clip. Female passenger wow. Smells good in here. 33 finally seeing a sunny forecast here in the midlands. But for those up north, its a mix of stormy winds and heavy rains. Yeah. Rockingham county, north carolina, experienced a damaging storm that swept across the area. Emergency crews had to rescue one woman and her dog after a fallen tree trappethem in their home. The storm also left about fivethousand dukes Energy Customers in the dark. Crews have since been working to restore power to those customers. 33 were now going to turn our attention to your health. Rochelle dean has a look at what is making headlines in the medical community. Autism is a condition thought to affect one in 68 children. But new Research Shows it may not always be easy for doctors to recognize the signs of autism in healthy toddlers. Doctor timothy johnson. 33 still to come. Its a sweet ride up for sale. And you may recognize it from a popular movie that just hit the big screen. Stay with gervais. Million dollars. Youll have to keep this beauty as a looker though. Thats because it doesnt actually have any necessary road certifications to be driviv on the roads. Its becoming a symbol of vancouvers outofreach real estate market. This tiny, tear down home. Is andahalf Million Dollars thats 80thousand dollars more than the asking price. Its missing a few shingles, some of the walls are rotting, and it needs a paint job. But none of that really matters since it will likely be torn down, and a new home built in its place and these jewels arent cheap either but theyre definitely better looking. The Philippine Government has given the goahead to auction a jewelry set worth 21Million Dollars. The jewelry once belonged to the former first lady of the philippines. Imelda marcos. The collection includes a rare pink diamond said to be the size of a grape. The collection will go on public exhibition before the auction. Looks like a romantic getaway gone bad for one famous couple. Eric what can you tell us . Actress Vanessa Hudgens may be in some legal hot water. The High School Musical star and boyfriend actor, Austin Butler are being investigated for allegedly happened during a valentines getaway to sedona, arizona, according to tmz. Hudgens posted a photo on her instagram of a heart carved into one of the areas rare red rocks near the Coconino National forest. That prompted an investigation since federal law prohibits anyone from defacing Natural Surfaces on federal property. Hudgens and butler could face a fine of up to fivethousandd dollars or six months in jail. Homer simpson is going live from springfield. Fox says the iconic animated dad is staring in a live segment at the conclusion of the may 15th episode of the simpsons homer will appear for about three minutes, discussing the news of the day and possibly answering social m mia ququtions. This will be the first time a live segment has appeared on the show in its 27year history. And if you didnt notice during monday nights Grammy Awards show. Rihanna was m ia. Billboard confirms that the singer had to cancel her performance due to bronchitis. Singers doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours. Rihanna took to twitter. Posting so sorry i couldnt be there. Thanks grammys and cbs for your support tonight. Still to come. Were spreading the act of kindness on this hump day. Its a National Holiday to bring others some cheer. Next in your day in history. From main and gervais. 33 out the day in history. Senate passes the missouri compromise in 1820shermans army ransack columbia, South Carolina during the civil war in 1865. The opera, madame butterfly premiers in 1904. Day. Y. 33 and random acts of kindness day. 33 thats all the time that we have for the first hour of good morning columbia. But were coming right back. So be sure to stay with us. Gervais. Good morning, columbia. Today is wednesday, february 17. Its a chance for your questions to be answered by the president ial hopefuls. More on backtoback republican town halls ahead of saturdays gop primary. Plus a chance to honor the victims of the Charleston Church shooting. The latest on a resolution that would declare june 17th as mother emanuel nine day. And were finding out where the gop president ial hopefuls stand on the issues. A closer look at the candidates stance on the Second Amendment. Good morning, columbia starts right now. Captioning provided by www. Captionassociates. Com. Eric good morning, columbia. Thanks for joining us. Im eric weisfeld. Rochelle and im rochelle dean. Were live from main and gervais. The times now 6 00. Eric if it is tough for you to get outside, you should know it is warmer than yesterday. Rochelle not tough to get out of bed, the temperatures arent freezing where you dont want to get out of bed. It is warmer but you still need a jacket. Lets turn things over to Jonathan Kennedy for what you can expect. Good morning, jonathan. Jonathan maybe a sweat shirt, knock the chill off, you may not need it later today depending on what you consider warm. We will see a warmer day this afternoon than we have been seeing, right in the 60s. The good news is this morning we are seeing cooler air, drier air to woror about at the moment. Temperatures in the mid to upper 30s for a few spot. St. Matthews, 41 downtown, 43 orangeburg. Saluda is one of our warmer spots. 24 hour change its 10 to 20 degrees colder because we saw such a warm start yesterday. Temperatures in the 40 degree range depending where you are but should see a nice start to your day today. Cloud cover moving in that should stablize the temperatures for the time being. Rain fall for the last 24 hours, most of ours coming in early, a solid total. Saw nice sunshine yesterday, got that evaporated process go