for our friends headed just about anywhere around the capital belt at this point. this is eastbound along 66 as you approach 50 fair oaks, accident activity off the road to the shoulder. vdot now on the scene. looks like they're trying to set up flares here. multi-vehicle crash off to the shoulder. it is in the backup forming out of centreville at this point as you guys travel eastbound on 66 towards fair oaks. you'll also find delays northbound on i-95 leaving the occuquan. van dorn street to telegraph road. southbound 270 out of germantown, definitely a slow right here. more delays in the beltway and the beltway outer loop slow out to georgia avenue. that's a check of your fox 5 on time traffic. >> julie, thank you. this morning's big story, jack johnson getting sentenced today. could be the former prince george's county executive's last day of freedom. >> he will learn his fate in court later this morning for a corruption scandal that rocked pblght. we get more now from fox 5's stacey cohan from the courthouse. reporter: it really does rock prince george's county. if you think about it, this man has been at the top of the county level of government for 16 years. he spent eight years as a top prosecutor, eight years as county executive and now it looks like he's heading to federal prison. quite a turn of events. it appears that federal authorities have been investigating him nearly since he took office as county executive under suspicion of bribery. of course, he is videotaped and autopsied accepting bribes from developers, exchanging favors. some reports have it almost to a million dollars in bribes accepted by jack johnson. they claim that it was a pay-to- play procedure in his government that he ran and just 24 days before his term ended he was taped exchanging cash, accepting a bribe from a laurel developer. he could be seen flipping through the cash and talking later that day about possible prosecution. >> he had a lot of political enemies and they called them various profiteers. profiteers always want to try to -- especially minorities, they like to try to put them in jail if one prosecutors able to bring somebody like me down, they brang their whole career. reporter: his wife leslie johnson was also pled guilty to evidence tampering when federal authorities moved into their home last year. she was caught flushing a $1,000 check down the toilet and stuffing cash into her undergarments. jack johnson's sentencing is set for 9:30 this morning. he could get up to 14 years in jail. his wife leslie will be sentenced later this week. reporting live from greenbelt, i'm stacey cohan, frox fossil fuel morning news. >> stacey, thank you. former illinois governor blagojevich goes for sentencing. it begins with the prosecution asking to imprison blagojevich for 15 to 20 years. he was convicted six months ago on multiple corruption counts including an attempt to sell president barack obama's old senate seat. the sentence is expected sometime tomorrow. d.c. council chair kwame brown says he plans to meet privately with embattled councilmember harry thomas. all the members of council except thomas had a closed-door meeting last night to discuss the options in the wake of the fbi raid on thomas' house on friday. he's accused of funneling $300,000 from the city for his own personal use. david kitanning has called on thomas to resign. >> my opinion has not changed since the disclosure of the settlement last summer which in my mind is an acknowledgement of guilt, i don't care if the settlement says this isn't an acknowledgement of guilt, no one hands over $300,000 if they're innocent. >> the scandal is just one reason why the council's government operations committee passed new ethics reform legislation yesterday. councilmember jack evans says there's not much the council can do, though, to punish thomas. jury deliberations resume in boston in the robo calls of bob erlick's aides. he has testified that an automated telephone call was meant to sper erlich supporters. le the call said o'malley already won the 2010 governor's race. taking a check of the other top stories this morning, the department of transportation trying to decide how to handle the weekend arrest of faa administrator randy babbity for allegedly driving drunk. he was placed on a leave of absence monday after fairfax city police spotted him driving on the wrong side of the street saturday night. he is about halfway through a five-year term. this was the scene of a house fire in mclean last night. about 100 firefighters battled this one in the 1800 block of massachusetts avenue. now so far no word on a cause or if there are any injuries. developing overseas this morning, the body count continues to rise from a bombing in the afghanistan capital this morning. now 54 people dead. a suicide bomber in kabul overnight, the deadliest of two dead on the holy day today. dozens more wounded. it's the first major religious attack since the fall of the taliban a decade ago. in russia thousands are protesting against russian prime minister vladimir putin pute in the biggest opposition rally in moscow since the 1990s. protestors took to the street accusing putin's party of rigging sunday's election. observers agree, including secretary of state hillary clinton. >> russian voters deserve a full investigation of all credible reports of electoral fraud and manipulation. we're also concerned by reports that independent russian election observers, including the nationwide golos network were harassed. >> hillary clinton also speaking out about the islamist winners of elections in egypt, ordering them to respect human and women's rights. thousands of people camped out on the the national mall for protests planning to march to the capitol today. this is the movement called our d.c. now, they're a part of the take back the capitol protests. they've been there for five days. demonstrators plan to push elected leaders to do something about unemployment. they also want to urge them to extend the unemployment insurance benefits for millions of americans who will loose them at the end of the year. the bottom line, they want congress to start representing 99% of the people, not the richest 1%. >> i'm just out here to support the 99% and those in need of jobs, you know, the unemployed. >> people still have belief and hope in themselves and one another. you know, the number one race in the world is what, the human race. this is really about the human race making a decision that we're going to provide for ourselves. if our representatives are forgot -- have forgotten, we're going to remind them. >> protestors plan to march to k street tomorrow where they will deliver their message to lobbyists. president obama making a campaign-style appearance in kansas today. as doug luzader reports, he'll be pushing for a payroll tax cut that affects nearly all working americans. reporter: president obama is trying to put more pressure on congress to renew the payroll tax cut. the white house is going to great lengths to show that the clock is ticking. this is the latest white house prop in the ongoing tax battle. in less than a month at the end of the year if congress doesn't act, the social security tax cut that almost all of us now enjoy will end. >> there aren't many folks either in the middle class or those trying to get into the middle class who can afford to give up $1,000, not right now. reporter: while there is a debate as to how much of that tax cut really finds its way back to stimulate the economy, the bigger issue for congress is paying for it. the democrats in congress are pushing back against the president's idea which pays for the one-year tax cut by permanently increasing taxes on the wealthy. instead they're proposing a 10- year program of other tax hikes, even targeting already beleaguered mortgage giants fannie mae and freddie mak. >> i don't see it at all being fair to put this kind of debt on our children or grandchildren and beur them under a mountain of debt. reporter: the tax cut would also mean the social security program itself would take a big hit. but the president may have a political argument here, turning the tables on republicans over something that has long been their strong suits, tax cuts. >> how can you fight tooth and nail to protect high-end tax breaks for the wealthiest americans and yet barely lift a finger to prevent taxes going up for 160 million americans who really need the help. it doesn't make sense. reporter: it's not just the payroll tax cut that expires at the end of the year. long-term unemployment benefits also come to an end at the end of the month. in washington, doug luzader, fox news. >> doug, thanks. 11 minutes past the hour now. good news if you drive on i-66 inside the beltway. more on that coming up. and finally some answers today a year after one of the deadliest mine blasts in u.s. history. next what families of victims say want to come out of this tragedy. also newt gingrich surging in the polls, but mitt romney could close the gap after a big endorsement today. details coming up after the break. break. and as we take you to break, a live look outside. we'll, of course, get the latest weather and traffic from tony and julie. it's 7:11. we'll be right here when we come back. to make a commitment is to see things through. confident that no matter what the obstacles we can build something better, together. with the planned combination of at&t and t-mobile, we're making a commitment, to create a stronger network for all our customers. we will invest an additional eight billion dollars and build out the next generation of mobile broadband to nearly everyone in america. that'll mean better coverage and call quality and faster downloads. but it will also create as many as ninety-six thousand american jobs. and we will begin bringing five thousand jobs to america from overseas. we're committed to investing in america now. why? well, we know it's good business. because america has always been and always will be a smart investment. at&t on the network they deserve. like the powerful droid charge by samsung, or get the samsung stratosphere, and for a limited time, get twice the data for the same low price. verizon. making headlines this morning, a big day for the families of the 29 men kill inside a coal mine blast last year in west virginia. in just a few hours federal prosecutors will announce what it calls significant developments in the criminal investigation. one victim's father said somebody should pay for what happened at the massey energy coal mine. a little later today the federal government will give the final report on the disaster. investigators have long blamed methane, coal dust and bad equipment for the blast. a potential coverup involving the nation's worst offshore oil spill. bp is accusing haliburton of destroying evidence about possible problems with its cement poured into the well that blew out in the gulf of mexico last year. now, an oil well must be cemented properly to avoid blowouts. the cleanup continues in southern california from one of the worst wind storms in years. power still out for thousands of people after days worth of winds up to 100 miles an hour ripped through the foothill communities just east of los angeles. the strong gusts caused millions of dollars in damage. all things considered, we're pretty mild. >> yeah. temperature going up and down this morning. we were in the upper 50s, mid- 50s, back into the upper 50s, mild start to the day. another mild today with above normal temperatures. it'll feel nice. we will have a lot of clouds and rain showers around. >> i brought my umbrella because i lirched to you. >> that's good. you'll need it at some point today. let's start with your main weather headline for the next few days. first of all, looks wet for a few days, unsettled weather today, i think especially tomorrow, maybe early thursday, but i think it's outta here for most of us for the bulk of the day thursday. colder by the time we get to thursday, friday and sunday. temps right now at the area airports, it's 58 degrees now at reagan national. that's nice. dulles international is at 57. bwi marshall is at 60 degrees. here's a look at the satellite radar. you can see we've got plenty of clouds across the region. got some rain showers moving through. they are mainly light. there's not much happening to our south or to our east, up to the north and to the west, that's where we have the rainfall. this rain is moving along a frontal boundary that is sinking through our area today and tonight. so as it sinks through from the north and west down to the south and east, these series of impulses will move along it and we'll continue to see more showers build in during the course of the day, tonight and tomorrow. your forecast for today, cloudy skies, periods of rain, some shower activity, a mild day. high about 60 degrees. that's a look at what's happening with the weather. more coming up in just a little bit. >> sounds good to me. let's check with julie and get a check of traffic. hi, july rhode julie. reporter: hey, you guys. a busy commutes you guys work your way inbound along 66 today. let's go to the crew in sky fox. as you work your way eastbound coming out of manassas, a good hour to hour five minute leaving business 24 through the capitol beltway and this crash before you reach 50 fair oaks, a four-car pileup already moor f moved over the to -- moved over to the shoulder. with the combination of wet pavement and rush hour, it's definitely below speed as you travel east of business 234 heading in towards centreville, fair oaks. the inner loop of the beltway on the brakes. we'll update your ride elsewhere. if you are traveling 395 here at the 14th street bridge, lanes open, no trouble spots to report crossing over the potomac. heavy and steady flow right now. 270 on the brakes at germantown headed out towards the lane divide. that's a check of your fox 5 on time traffic. >> julie, thank you. relief for drivers in northern virginia. a third lane is now open on westbound i-66 between fairfax drive and sycamore street. that's a two-mile stretch inside the beltway. the expansion is causing controversy because of promises to arlington county when the highway was built that it would be only two lanes in each direction. but advocates of widening the highway say that circumstances have changed and that those new lanes are needed. vdot will present other ideas for improving traffic flow on 66 at a public meeting tonight. that meeting is at henderson middle school on route 7 in falls church. it starts at 6:00. the man who has made headlines at the top of the republican presidential list is trying to get an endorsement from a man who's been chasing headlines for decades. newt gingrich went calling on donald trump. fox' carl cameron shows us what happened. reporter: trying to build on his frontrunner's momentum, newt gingrich met with donald trump in new york city. he dearly would love the backing. >> of course i want his endorsement. not yet. he's got to do this debate. reporter: trump is planning to moderate a debate in iowa a week before the caucuses between christmas and new year's. so far only gingrich has accepted. >> the debate is december 27th. i'm looking to endorse somebody after that debate. reporter: herman cain's support is up for grabs too since suspending his campaign. newt gingrich leads the des moines register poll. an nbc marrist poll has gingrich leading with romney second and paul third. gingrich directly challenged romney's efforts to run as a political outsider. >> i don't know if you ought to count running for the senate in 1994 running for governor, then running for president for six years and i don't know if that makes him a career politician or not. i'll let you decide. it's fair to say i have been a successful candidate a number of times. reporter: in washington, carl cameron, fox news. >> with the caucuses four weeks from today, gingrich has launched his first tv ad in iowa, making this the first time all the top-tier candidates are on air at once. ron paul has spent the most on tv commercials so far. he blasted gingrich for accepting the invitation. he says having a reality tv host as a debate is beneath the office of the presidency. former house speaker newt gingrich may be leading in the polls right now, nationally and in critical early states too, but mitt romney is right on his heels and about to get a major endorsement himself. former vice president dan quayle plans to announce his support for the republican presidential candidate this afternoon at an event in arizona. a gop official says that quayle is backing romney because he views him as the most credible candidate in the race. 7:21 right now on this tuesday morning. next why expecting mothers may want to stay away from rice. >> that's interesting. plus health alert for birth control users, why the fda is taking a closer look at the dangers of some brands. a little later a trip back in time to the 1800s, annie yu standing by this morning at the natural museum of american history, with the star spankled banner. all part of a brand new exhibit. we'll have the details. [ female announcer ] more people are using wireless devices... in more ways than ever. and our networks are getting crowded. but if congress frees up more wireless spectrum... we can empower more people to innovate... putting momentum behind our economy. and we can reduce the deficit... with more than thirty billion dollars paid by america's wireless companies. it's simple -- more spectrum means more freedom. for everyone. there is another warning about arsenic in what we eat and drink. a new study shows that rice may be a significant source of arsenic in the diets of pregnant women. researchers surveyed 229 pregnant women in new hampshire, a state where 40% of people get their water from wells. they also often have higher levels of arsenic than municipal water systems. even after accounting for arsenic in drinking water, women who had recently eaten rice had higher levels of inorganic arsenic than those who had not eaten rice. federal regulators say they will take a closer look this week at the safety of birth control pills that have gained popularity in the last decade. many were heavily promoted as having fewer side effects and the ability to clear up acne. but research suggests they are more likely to cause blood clots than older drugs. now the fda is considering new warning labels for several branding including bayer's popular pill yaz. the newest "twilight" movie may be giving some folks more than entertainment, it could give you seizures. according to the epilepsy foundation of america, the flashing white lights could trigger symptoms in those suffering from epilepsy. so far nine movie goers have reported having seizures during the film. theaters across the country are now letting ticket buyers know of this possibility. the movie, though, still number one at the box office for the third straight weekend. 7:26 right now on this tuesday morning. still ahead, a deep divide in congress has a number of bills on hold and one of them could hurt your wallet come next year. coming up next a closer look at the payroll tax. and it's time to check out today's my fox half off deal. it could come in handy for many of us who dress up for work, pay $10 to get $20 in dry cleaning services. this is through spotlessdryclean.com. they come to you. they pick up your clothes and bring them back clean and fresh, all pressed and starched, steve. to learn more about this deal go to our website, myfoxdc.com and look for the half off deal on the right-hand side of the home page. it's 7:26. we'll be right back. ♪ [ female announcer ] kleenex brand tissues are america's softest... no wonder people want to share them on and on.