FOX 5 News at 11: November 05, 2026

...design for President Trump's arch approved moments ago by the National Capital Planning Commission. The vote, 8-4 from the majority Trump-appointed body. The public hearing went all day into the night. More than 130 people signed up, most speaking out against the project. The 250-foot-tall structure would sit in memorial circle between the Lincoln Memorial and the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Right now, legal challenges from D.C. and Virginia are trying to stop the project, arguing a lack of congressional approval. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to give notice before breaking ground while she considers requests to block it. Stay with Fox 5 for the latest. All right, first check of your forecast at 11. A live look outside tonight across the DMV. Our driest stretch of weather in nine months coming to an end today. Can we expect more rain as we head into Friday? The sky is falling. The sky is falling, Mike Thomas. Oh, my goodness, raindrops. I mean, it's an active radar screen, something I haven't had to track for, what, the better part of almost three weeks now here in Washington. Were you excited? Oh, my gosh. I mean, in the back, Caitlin and I were cheering. Popping bottles of champagne, it was an exciting winter weather outlook day, and we had some rain showers on the radar for the first time in the better part of half a month here in Washington. Now, none of those rain showers are snow, but might they be this winter? We'll talk a little bit about that coming up in a bit here, but let's start you with a live look at our radar screen, which is showing you where the showers are right now, mostly to the north of town, northern Baltimore, up towards Harford County. They're dealing with a little bit of that here at this hour. Down to the south across the northern neck of Virginia, you do see a bit more. More activity, very small but locally heavy showers starting to fire down towards King George and Westmoreland counties down that way. So heads up for folks down in the northern neck. Big picture showing you we are still out ahead of this line here, this multicolored one, what we call a stalled front, sitting out over the mountains. It will get on the move overnight as it gets a little closer to D.C. It's expected to trigger a few more showers as we head through the middle part of the overnight, probably between about 2 and 4 a.m. here in D.C. See, it will then slowly. slowly shift eastward throughout the course of your Friday and bring that shower activity along with it. Now, behind it, this guy right here coming through Chicago, about to come through St. Louis. That's a kicker front, secondary cold front behind it. Colder air, drier air, more November-like air that will come in for the weekend. So your Saturday and Sunday will be on the cooler side of things. Let's go through Futurecast again as we head beyond the midnight hour, get into the overnight. There's Futurecast showing you all those showers trying to fire along the I-95. our best chance to pick up maybe a quarter inch of rain here overnight before it starts to push eastward, heading into the morning commute tomorrow morning. Still a cloudy start, and there may be a little bit of light rain or drizzle, particularly if you're down in, say, Charles, St. Mary's, northern neck of Virginia. Those areas could certainly see a little bit of shower activity that could linger into the afternoon, but some sun expected mid-afternoon, late in the day here in the D.C. area before that secondary front comes through, cools us down into the weekend. We'll talk more about that. And we'll talk a little winter coming up in just a bit. Canada's favorite season. Definitely. All right, Mike, see you in a bit. The head coach of our Prince William County Girls High School basketball team is behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting a player. Oksana Chervenkov has the latest from Woodbridge. A disturbing case involving a 15-year-old girl and a coach she was supposed to trust. Police say that the alleged assault happened off campus while the coach was transporting the girl in his car. And tonight we're learning more about how the allegations came to light. The head coach of the basketball team picked up the victim from her house, drove her to a location within Prince William County and sexually assaulted her before driving her back to the house. We were notified of the incident on October 20th. When the victim made a disclosure to a staff member at the school, at that point, our detectives got involved. Police say that first alleged assault happened back in June. The student also reported a second incident of inappropriate touching while the coach was driving her home from basketball practice. The accused is 47-year-old Demetrius Felder, the head coach of the girls' high school basketball team at Garfield, and who also was a teacher's assistant at Beville Middle School. Tonight, both schools have notified families about his arrest. In a letter to parents, Garfield's principal says administrators took immediate action when they learned of the allegations. Felder is now on administrative leave and the school has appointed an interim basketball coach. This is a very concerning case. It involves a trusted member of the community. I know parents have entrusted this person, you know, with their daughters during basketball practice, with their students. I know he was an assistant teacher at the middle school, like we talked about. So I just want to reassure parents, let them know that we are actively investigating this to the fullest extent that we can. And just if I could offer any advice, just talk to your kids about it. And try to establish open communication with your children. The school principal releasing this statement in a letter to parents that reads in part, quote, I am deeply troubled to learn of this allegation. Our staff work hard every day to support our students and families, and I remain incredibly proud of the caring and dedicated community we have at Garfield. Please know that we take matters involving students and staff safety seriously and remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our Garfield community. Now, Felder was arrested yesterday and is being charged with five counts of indecent liberties by a custodian. He is being held without bond. And police say that one victim has come forward. But if you have any information or know someone else impacted, you're urged to call police. Back to you. At some point, did you start to cut the body of Yes. What did you, what do you remember about that? Just make a smaller size so that it fit on the can. Shocking moments in the Naresh Bhat murder trial in Prince William County. The Manassas Park man admitted to dismembering his wife's body, but Bhat claims Moth B'Kafl died by suicide. It was his second day on the stand. He told jurors gruesome details, testifying he did the cutting in the bathtub. Ready? Yes. You're a liar. Yes. You lied. July 30th. How are you feeling that night after you'd gotten Nima home and you were able to put her to sleep? All the whole universe bad thing is in my head. I don't know how to describe but like I never ever feel that before. I don't think anybody feel that in their life. So it I it was hard to say. I don't know like what I was feeling. It's completely like out of normal. Also detailed how he talked to the couple's daughter about what happened, telling the child her mother did not do a good thing. A Fox 5 exclusive new reaction tonight from an innocent bystander shot at a D.C. Target store after police released new video of the suspect. The victim is still recovering in the hospital tonight. I'm Sasha Murray. Stone has the story from Northeast. Right now, D.C. police want your help identifying the suspect who they say shot Rodney Lide at this Target store right near this entrance here by the elevator. Now, it happened over here, and Lide has been in a hospital for over 40 days. Meanwhile, police are determined to find the suspect. How are you feeling tonight? Well, I've been dealing with a lot of anxiety and thoughts of, you know, recovery. Things, they're kind of rough, you know, just trying to get back on my feet. In an exclusive interview, Rodney Lide, speaking to me from his hospital bed. On Thursday, September 24th, he is in the Target store on New York Avenue Northeast around 5.30 in the evening. DC police say the suspect, shown in this newly released surveillance video, walking a scooter, wearing eyeglasses, a backpack, and an orange and black jacket with reflective stripes, looking like a crossing guard now on scooter patrol, allegedly stealing iPads, headphones, and clothes. Two target employees and an armed security guard confront him. That's when detectives tell me the suspect grabs the guard's gun during a struggle, fires a shot, hitting Rodney Lide. The innocent bystander. Police have released new surveillance video of the suspect. If somebody recognizes him, what do you want them to do? I want them to come forward and let them know that this is an individual that did this heinous crime towards me. Meanwhile, Rodney Light has hired the Jackson & Associates law firm for legal representation, weighing his options. And he has a message for the suspect shown in the new video. You know, if you do the crime, you gotta do the time. That's it. And Rodney Lide is expected to be released from a hospital tomorrow. He hopes to be able to one day return to his job as a bus driver. Meanwhile, police are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and a conviction in this case. If you recognize that suspect, call D.C. police. I'm Shamari Stone here in Northeast. Back to you. New charges tonight for four of the six suspects accused of setting a massive fire at a Fairfax County training facility in Lorton. Investigators have now charged two of them with arson-related felonies and two others with misdemeanors. The suspects are accused of using a road flare to start the fire in June, then throwing a propane tank into the fire to intensify it. The fire cost a million dollars in damage. An accused 73-year-old home burglar in Fairfax County now connected to more break-ins in Montgomery County. Police say Michael Spolino is suspected in two burglaries in Bethesda last month. He was arrested last week after police say he was caught in the act in Fairfax County. Spolino is still in jail being held without bond. An alleged bank robber with a guilty conscience in Fairfax County called 911 to confess. Police say Dave Jobeson threatened a teller and handed them a note yesterday at a bank on Richmond Highway, escaping with cash. But just hours later, the Alexandria man called dispatchers and turned himself in. Tonight, he's in jail on no bond for robbery and gun charges. The latest design approved for the $1.4 billion sphere at National Harbor. The Prince George's County Planning Board was unanimous today. New renderings show the inside of the 300-foot-tall entertainment venue with 6,000 seats. It will take up about 14 acres on a 50-acre site near the intersection of Oxon Hill Road and the Beltway. In particular, there were a lot of concerns related to transportation, there were concerns related to noise, light pollution, things like that were concerning as well. Some of the concerns even revolved around the actual design. The project is expected to open in early 2030. The site plan has to be certified along with public hearings to address traffic and parking concerns. New details in the fight over the future of the East Potomac Golf Course. Today, the group suing asked for an emergency restraining order. They're hoping to block the Interior Department from closing the park on November 15th. The judge has appointed a special master to conduct an investigation into whether DOJ attorneys misled the court. President Trump signing a proclamation today meant to prevent future changes to his redesigned Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Trump claims he's making it a national monument. Since returning to office, the president has changed multiple parts of the White House, the most notable being additions to the Oval Office and the East Wing Ballroom, still under construction. When we come back at 11, a local lawmaker already letting it be known he's looking into running for president in 2028. We'll tell you who it is after the break. The stock market seeing its worst day today in nearly two years, led by a sell-off in tech stocks. The plunge comes as investors brace for a crackdown on artificial intelligence under an incoming Democratic majority in Congress. More than 40 data center-related ballot measures were up for a vote across 10 states Tuesday night. Voters approved bans or moratoriums on every Every local ballot measure, except for one. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen telling Fox 5 he's exploring a run for president in 2028. And he's not looking to be the next Senate Majority Leader. Newly elected Senator Abdul Al-Sayed of Michigan is calling for Van Hollen to lead Senate Democrats instead of Chuck Schumer. Van Hollen also didn't commit to supporting Schumer. I think it's important that the Senate Democratic Caucus have a full and open debate before we select the next leader, whoever that may be. I don't think it should be automatic, and I think we need to have a plan, and we need to make it clear that we're gonna be united behind a common plan. Senate Democrats will hold leadership elections next month before the new Congress convenes in January. Another flip and pickup for Democrats in Virginia tonight. Shannon Taylor projected to win the Commonwealth's first congressional district west of Richmond, beating longtime Republican Representative Rob Whitman, who's been in office for nearly a decade. And in the fifth district, Republican Congressman John McGuire projected to hold onto his seat, defeating Democrat Tom Perriello by nearly 8,000 votes. A new reminder tonight for drivers to stay alert now that it's darker earlier across the DMV. Local transportation leaders are warning drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments launched its annual Street Smart campaign today. While we do our part, it's critical that everyone on the road does their part to make the road safe. We see far too often the consequences of speeding, distracted driving, and that can be deadly. As the campaign says, slow the F down. The campaign includes safety demonstrations, victim testimonials, and public outreach efforts. All right, let's get another check of that forecast because we're almost to Friday here, only 45 minutes away alive. Look at Fredericksburg from our Fox 5 Sky Cam. Mike Thomas, this winter weather outlook. I mean, I like the work you put into it. I just don't think I like it. I don't really think you hate it, though. Did you read it? No, I just listened to you, but you said no snow cream. You said it won't be as bad. I don't want to take away your, you know. No, please spoil it. Go ahead. What did you hear? And also, why does Taylor Grenda have six fingers on one hand in that graphic? Well, you don't know this about Caitlyn, but she actually has six fingers on one hand. Was it Taylor or Caitlyn? I can't. All right, kids. Caitlyn, I don't think, has any fingers there. It's kind of hiding behind Tucker there a little bit, is it? Hey. A.I.'s getting us better and better. I actually think it looks decently like us. Who's that handsome guy right there? Going right there for the head on the snowball there with Mr. Barnes, as yes, we bring you our Fox 5 winter outlook for the upcoming season. Will it be a winter where we can do this to our dear chief, or will it be a winter where we're dealing with mild temperatures and maybe a lot of rain? It might just be the lather, and there's a reason for that. This El Nino. Now, a lot of times, El Ninos can bring us some significant snows. Here in the D.C. region, in fact, most of our snowiest winters are El Nino years. But the type of El Nino matters. This one, what we call a super El Nino. In fact, it is already at record levels down here for the time of year in the month of November. And it's expected to continue to strengthen for the better part of another month before it slowly weakens through winter. But it's expected to be, by the time the history books are written, the warmest El Nino or the strongest El Nino on record, eclipsing 90. 97-98, 82-83, and 2015-2016. But you may remember, that was the last Super El Nino we had here in the D.C. region. It was a warm winter. No one really remembers it was a warm winter, because what does everybody remember? January 2016, we got a blizzard here in Washington. So even during the warmest winters, you still have opportunities for snow. Now, the Super El Nino before that, 97-98. Forty two point five degrees, eighth warmest winter in D.C. history, I believe, and also a almost snowless winter, just a tenth of an inch of snow. But the graphic for that and move on forward and show you, yeah, the snowfall outlooks as far as. Past strong and super El Ninos, it is feast or famine as far as snowfall concerns. Four of them have given us a blizzard. I mean, back in 57, 58, not a super El Nino, but a very strong one. And we get a lot of snow over 40 inches here in D.C. But these other ones, mostly just. Blizzards that gave us one significant kind of dumping of snow, what most of these have in common and what all of the super El Ninos have in common, about half. We average eight days of measurable snowfall, and that's like a tenth of an inch or an inch. It doesn't have to be that much. It just has to be measurable. We measure typically eight of those in average winter in D.C. Over the course of the winter months, in these strong El Nino years, we average half of that, four days of measurable snowfall in the D.C. region. But sometimes all you need is one day that can give you a good dumping of snow. When you have this much energy out there. So what we're going with officially below normal snowfall, why we do think it's going to be a warm winter. It'll be warmer than last year. That's a virtual guarantee. Last year was the coldest winter in 20 years. Completely different setup this winter from what we had last year here in Washington. So six to 12 inches would still be, you know, welcome snow for some kids would probably get a few days off school if that's all we get. Now, the caveat is there is the above normal chance that one of these stronger cells, we expect to be a very wet winter, but we're dealing with a lot of rain. One of these storms could perhaps link up with a little bit of cold. And then we are talking about a 2016 level storm. So above normal chance of a blizzard, even though we're forecasting below normal snow, we're calling it sort of a feast or famine winter. I think we're either going to get very little. Or a whole lot of snow and whether or not or how that kind of plays out, we just sort of have to wait and see. But the one thing we certainly are most confident about is that it will be a warmer leaning winter this year with a lot of rainfall chances. 69 degrees outside in Washington right now. It is a mild night temps still in the 60s to near 70s in many locations overnight. Not cooling down all that much. Why? Because we got warmth and we got southern moisture in place tonight. And that is leading to a couple of rain showers starting to fade away north of Baltimore. As we head into the overnight hours, though. Those may reform here in D.C. Could start the day off with maybe a little bit of shower activity, particularly those of you who live east of town. Afternoon, some sunshine breaks through. High temperature one more day, about 70 degrees. We're much cooler. We're breezy for the weekend. Next week, we keep the dry streak going a little bit there, heading into Tuesday, Wednesday. Veterans Day looks pretty nice, mostly sunny. Temperature about 65 is pretty seasonal. Kenneth? Mike, I did read your outlook, by the way, you know, during the 6th. It was good. You know I love to give you a hard time. I know you do. But stick around. Why not? Because I think you'll enjoy this next story. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is on its way to New York City. The 76-foot Norway spruce was cut down in western New York today, put on a trailer for the 200-mile trip. The tree is scheduled to arrive at Rockefeller Center either tomorrow night or early Saturday. And just like Mike Thomas, it will be lit throughout the month of December, starting All right, two fun facts for you. I mean, I'm in this story for a reason. My fiancee, Sherry, is from New York. We did this last year and the year before, and we're going this year again. It is pretty cool, but, oh, man, New Yorkers, they come out in droves for that. First year, we tried to go. We couldn't even get in. It's so crowded. How cold is it? I mean, it's freezing, right? Right? It depends. It's varied year to year, just like here in D.C. Sometimes it's cold. They do it in early December, so we've gotten lucky a few times with some milder conditions. But fun fact number two. I put up my Christmas tree yesterday. Already, Mike? We haven't even had Thanksgiving. Come on, man. It's time. Did you put a little turkey on the tree? Did I put what on the tree? A turkey. Yeah, yeah, right at the top. Okay. All right, turkey, see you later. See you again. We'll come back. The Pentagon wants to keep National Guard troops deployed in D.C., but could this week's election results change all of that? Stay with us. Fox Local. A new post-election effort tonight to get the National Guard off the streets of D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto is urging newly elected Democratic governors who flipped red states to recall more than 600 troops. The Pentagon has confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to beef up National Guard presence in the nation's capital. He's also calling for up to 60 marked patrol cars, tactical vehicles and boats. We don't want them here. We don't need them here. As of Tuesday, we have five new Democrat governors that have the opportunity to make that a reality and take back their troops. They can do that on day one. Those five states account for over 20 percent of all of the National Guard who are in D.C. right now. And so we're calling on them to act quickly. There are nearly 3,000 troops deployed in D.C. We reached out to some of those newly elected Democratic governors. We have not heard back. New e-scooter and e-bike restrictions could be coming to the W&OD trail over speeding complaints. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is considering the regulations, possibly limiting what kinds of e-bikes and e-scooters can be used. That would completely exclude electric motorcycle or electric dirt bikes. And it would also limit e-bikes. If approved, breaking these regulations will result in a Class 4 misdemeanor and a ticket costing up to $250. The trail manager says they consider implementing a speed limit, but police oppose the move, saying it could affect cyclists. The new regulations are set for a vote on November 19th. Maryland got the federal government green light to replace the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The plan includes two new four-lane spans and tearing down the existing bridges. Construction could start as soon as 2032. The estimated cost between $14 and $17 billion. When we come back, does it count as fat shaming if it's a bird? Think about that and we'll be back in two. A hawk in Virginia needed a little help after eating a little too well. The bird of prey was discovered in a driveway just outside Roanoke. She was taken to a wildlife center where they determined she was basically too fat to fly. Now, it is rare for a wild animal to become overweight without humans getting involved. But the mystery may have been solved when wildlife officials found out.