that's the latest live in pensacola beach. betty, back to you now. >> all right, jay. stay safe out there. bill karins will have more on karen's path and intensity in just a few moments. but first on day four the government shutdown, the impact is growing even more apparent. states could run out of money for a special food program for women, infants and children by the end of the month. and for others waiting for drug trials, the shutdown is literally a matter of life and death. >> every day counts, every second. i've always promised by daughter i refused to let her grow up without a mom. >> that's michelle, told her rare sarcoma could be terminal. without funding drug trials are on hold. >>> with lawmakers at odds over funding of the affordable care act, many americans are frustrated. a protesters heckled steve king at the world war ii memorial on thursday. democrats and republicans alike are pushing their rhetoric and strategy. nbc affiliate wpsd captured these moments between kentucky republican senators mitch o'connell and rand paul. >> i didn't see an end. we are

jonathon is live from pensacola, florida with the latest. hi, jonathon. >> hi, greg. we are on pensacola beach right now and we have been watching lifeguards driving up and down the beach. you can see a vehicle with a lifeguard warning people to stay out of the water. there are plenty of people enjoying what has been a beautiful, sunny day today. if you pan over into the gulf, other than this gentleman over here wading in the shallows, you will not find anyone swimming in the waves. that's because even though tropical storm karen is still well out in the gulf of mexico and weakening, the weather conditions are creating dangerous rip currents. and so lifeguards to be safe are telling people not to risk it and not to go in the water here on pensacola beach. and the hard to predict nature of the storm lead to the cancellation of some major outdoor events in three gulf coast states including the soldout santa rosa triathalon and the blakely bluegrass festival in alabama was canceled for the first time in the 30-year history and in louisiana the fun concert in new orleans

marly hall for cbs news, pensacola beach, florida. >> how could karen affect us in the coming days? howard is up in about ten minutes with your first alert forecast. >> also ahead, from mice to mold. see what kind of trouble is cooking coming up in today's restaurant alert with russ ptacek. >> and october is breast cancer awareness month. in celebration of buddy check 9's 20th anniversary of saving lives through early detection, wusa9 is bringing the mammogram to our home right here at 4100 wisconsin avenue northwest. the date is thursday, october 9th. to find out if you are eligible or to make an appointment for a screening on the van, call (202)741-3252 then remind your buddy to do the same. buddy to do the same. we'll be right back. what's your healthy? woman: for our daughter, emily, it's going home. it's seeing her friends. [ dog barks ] it's just being a kid again. with aetna, we have the tools to find the right specialist, save money on our hospital bills, even call a nurse anytime. no matter what your healthy is, aetna can help you get there. what's your healthy? >>> we have

so many are under tropical storm warnings including us here tonight at pensacola beach. this is a tropical storm and that's three to five feet of surge. this is an area not protected by the levee system that protects new orleans. let me show you what they've been doing today. you can see the big surf behind me here. even with the storm offshore the waves come first. life guards have been keeping people out of the water as the waves continue to grow. they have been trying to se w up anything they can on the beach. we ex expect 15 to 65 miles per hour winds here. this is the track and the timing. plaquemines parish around sunday, 1:00 in the morning. so it will be an overnight landfall there. then again, there's the right turn taking it towards pensacola beach probably sunday at 1:00. a lot of the wet weather will be on the east side of the storm mostly in the florida panhandle, but there will be that surge component. the most dangerous part of any tropical system. >> jim, we'll keep an eye on it with you. thanks. >>> now to the west, there are blizzard warnings in parts o

. >> the wind is picking up here at pensacola beach, but the sky is mostly clear. a hurricane watches in effect for most of the region. some emergency officials have expressed concerns they could face problems getting help to stricken areas because of the partial government shutdown. hundreds and thousands of federal workers are on furlough. the white house says some of those employed by the management agency has been called back to help prepare for karen. local fire departments are getting ready for potential evacuations. >> some people don't heed the warning. they think they are not in a flood zone for whatever reason and they will stay, decide to stay. >> the governors of louisiana, mississippi, and florida, have all declared states of emergency in advance of the storm. marley hall for cbs news, pensacola beach, florida. >> of course the big question, top, could karen affect our weather here at home? >> actually, she could. in fact, we declared monday already a yellow alert day. also a cold front coming in. two systems could combine. let's talk about the satelli

i remember in pensacola when i was managing editor when joe was at pensacola. a reporter was reading a self evaluation and wrote how much she appreciated when i talked to her. who do you think i spent time with some i spent time with her. too often people with bosses sit back and think things are going to happen. i say you need to be in the droifr's se driver's seat and what you want. >> we like our bosses. >> we do. you never let them tell you what you want. >> we will have to work with ow that. we will advocate for you. >> be more direct. you are going to do it. be more direct. >> it is great to see you again and thank you very much for coming on. >> the book is the boom boom book. practical tips to make sure your career doesn't go bust. back in a minute. before they sat down, one more time, just for themselves. before the last grandchild. before the first grandchild. smile. before katie, debbie, kevin and brad... there was a connection that started it all and made the future the wonderful thing it turned out to be... at bank of america, we know we're not the

janet in pensacola, florida, a viewer of w-e-a-r tv wants to know if she'll lose her private insurance and medicare? [sot ed kafes/healthcar e insurance broker] in 10:48:53 "no, she won't lose either. her private insurance could be an advantage plan or it could be a medicare supplement and a drug card. she will not lose either." trt=:10 [2nd question map nashville, tn question: "i keep having trouble signing up online. what are my options now?"] next we go to nashville, tennessee and vgroubgning up jacobsons?ot ron healthcare insurance broker] sot in 11:01:57 "you don't have to worry about signing up online. the same f-lin"t:08lable tx question: "i insuranc"]amn san ign up f more quires more if hes to sedicareaprovides. 10:49:47 "he's got dire 'a' and 'b', dicare 'b'. its individual. but doesgh income he need more insurance? medicare supplement pay what medicare doesn't pay." trt=:14 [map vero beach, florida question: "i have heard there were going to be people out there to help called navigators that are not agents. who are they and how does one contact them?"] from vero beach, florid

up towards pensacola. here's a shot from pensacola. you would think, wow, this must be terrible, must look awful because a hurricane is coming. it's a hurricane. it's not. tropical storm it might not do that at all when it gets there. might just be a 30-mile-an-hour wind maker. clouds, wind, people are still enjoying it. this is why all of those ships crashed back in the 17 and 1600 was all of that gold and silver on board because it was very pleasant the day before a big storm. a storm is coming. it's not a big storm but it's coming for pensacola beach and mobile and gulf port for tomorrow. >> hopefully it won't do any damage. no significant damage. a lot of rain but no damage please. thanks so much, chad. >>> all right. later, we'll head further west on the gulf coast to find out how they're getting ready for this impending storm and find out how they're bracing. >>> and day five of the government shutdown. federal workers staying home but they're not the only ones suffering. copd makes it hard to breathe... but with advair, i'm brea

jay gray is live a at pensacola beach at the panhandle. are they nervous? >> reporter: i would say cautious and getting ready. this is a storm churning in the gulf. clearing taking a look at the gulf coast. after a quiet summer tropical storm karen is churning in the gulf and could be a hurricane before landfall. >> we are preparing for category 1 and deploying assets consistent with our plan. >> reporter: preparations from louisiana to the florida panhandle. the gulf coast for the first time his hurricane season is on alert. >> we have started to remove some items from the beach area. >> reporter: windows boarded up. sand bags stacked and ready. and some have decided -- >> i'm getting out. >> reporter: to move to higher ground as karen starts to move in. and if karen stays on its current path we should begin to feel the severe effects of this storm sometime this evening. it should make landfall taking aim right now at pensacola beach sometime late saturday and sunday morning. >>> bill karins will have more on karen's path and intensity in a few moments. >>

. >> we are joined live from pensacola, florida with the latest on the storm. what are folks doing down there to prepare? all, the national hurricane center just of dated and said this storm is weakening as it makes its way toward the gulf coast. on pensacola beach, we are getting the first hands of the tropical storm as karen makes its way through. the storm is in the southeastern portion of the gulf and that's after forming between cuba. the storm is producing wins at 50 miles per hour. this is a decrease since this morning. the storm was at 60 miles per hour. it is expected to move rapidly through the gulf and could intensify and could turn into a hurricane late saturday or early sunday. residents here are bracing. storm watches and warnings are in effect from louisiana to florida. louisiana has declared a state of emergency and florida has done the same for 18 counties. this dorm is a good challenge for fema. many workers were furloughed this week due to the government shutdown and they are being called back into work in anticipation of this storm and presi

live to jim cantore in pensacola beach to show you how people are getting ready. first, what you can expect around the district for your weekend in you weather and traffic on the 1s. february, 2013. a landmark transportation bill is up for consideration. even though it's backed by republican governor mcdonnell... ken cuccinelli joins tea party republicans to block the plan. but terry mcauliffe believes it's time to break through the gridlock in richmond. mcauliffe presses democrats to support the bill. and the bill passes. terry mcauliffe. putting virginia first. "i'm terry mcauliffe, candidate for governor, and i sponsored this ad." pumpkin's back at dunkin'? now you tell me. try the new pumpkin pie donut or any of our other many pumpkin treats today. america runs on dunkin'. >>> welcome back. it's 6:09. president obama and congressional leaders are facing more pressure to end this government shutdown. a new poll found three-quarters of americans want republicans, democrats the, and the president to come together and compromise on this budget dispute. 44% blame r

there's a nice shot from pensacola. getting cloudy. it was sunnier earlier. still clouds there on the horizon. >> gosh. isn't it beautiful? >> true. >> we know it's potentially dangerous. we know it's got a threating, you know, there's a threat out there, the threatening storm. gorgeous. >> yeah. >> don't go surfing and boogie boarding and all that, right? >> right. red flag warnings at a lot of beaches. >>> coming up later on in the newsroom, the drama surrounding a beloved and ailing radio personality. casey kasem, you know his name. his family is claiming his wife won't let the kids see him. his brother will tell us what he thinks is going on. >>> and next, is the government shutdown a threat to national security? why some analysts are worried about a cyber attack. ♪ don't you ♪ don't you wanna, wanna ♪ don't you ♪ don't you want to see me flaunt what i got? ♪ oh. ♪ don't you ♪ don't you wanna, wanna ♪ don't you ♪ don't you wanna, wanna stress sweat is different than heat and activity sweat -- it smells worse. secret clinical strength giv

jay gray is live in pensacola beach on the florida panhandle. good morning. are people nervous down there? >> good morning, mara. i wouldn't say nervous, but cautious with winds near hurricane strength. it's causing concern here in pensacola beach and across much of the gulf coast right now. after a quiet summer, tropical storm karen is churning in the gulf and could be a hurricane before land fall. >> we are preparing for category one and deploying assets. >> reporter: preparations that stretch from louisiana through the florida panhandle. the gulf coast, for the first time this hurricane season is on alert. now that we are in a hurricane watch, we have removed the items from the beach area. >> reporter: windows boarded up, sandbags stacked and ready. some who planned for a few days on the beach decided -- >> i'm getting out. >> reporter: to move to higher ground as karen starts to move in. now we have seen a bit of a spitting rain this morning. if the storm stays on the current path, we should feel the real effects later today. it's forecast to make land fa

the main threat not so much wind, it will be heavy rains as it moves ashore just south of pensacola. all right, let's talk about the fall colors. now, autumn glory festival in garrett county, not until next weekend, but look at these pictures. look at the colors out in snow shoe. in fact, around snow shoe and even into closer to home, around the valley, it's almost peeked. this was sent to us, and forwarded to us out in snow shoe, west virginia. that is simply spectacular. okay, right now a live look outside. not quite as spectacular. after a high of 90, we are sitting on 87. relative humidity pretty comfortable, 41%. temperatures 87 in college park. but 80 in bethesda and 80 also in fairfax. so, almost like a warm summer night tonight. we're looking at warm conditions for football. 75 to 84 and then high on saturday and sunday and watch karen's remnants in case they arrive on monday. look at the temperatures. 81 by 11:00 tomorrow. 86 by 1:00. near 90 saturday and sunday. showers and storms and maybe plain old fashioned rain on monday, which we need. the showers may linger into tuesd

to the west of pensacola, if that gives you any indication, most of the models really do agree on that consensus. they also agree that this system is going to produce a great deal of rain, up to 6 inches of rain all the way back towards pensacola, maybe even as far east as tallahassee. folks there need to use precaution. meanwhile across the plains we have a monster of a storm, really looking at a blizzard pushing across wyoming. that's going to continue to turn towards the east. look at these differences in temperatures. in between is where the instability is the greatest. and that's where we will see damaging winds hail and isolated tornados particularly across iowa. >> thank you, jelelah. pope francis takes an historic trip. the pontiff visits asisi and calls for church reform. the restaurant industry. >> the employers have the upper hand out here. they can steal from you and face very little if any consequences. >> basically this industry is saying, "we don't have to pay these workers at all. they should work for us but we don't have to pay them. >> two thirds of low-wage workers e

probably around near pensacola also. that weakens into a remnant low over eastern georgia by monday. that's a long way off from our region. it may make it to the mid atlantic by tuesday. the main tracks now, the models have it going well west of us, what's left of it. the bulk of the storm will only make it into alabama before it becomes a low. we do expect to see rain out of it. we have a warm weekend in store for the time being. we got up to 87 degrees today. our normal high is only 71 degrees. >> thank you. >>> let's check on the roads with christy breslin at wjz traffic control. hi, christy. >> hi, everyone. well , a second accident on the outer loop of the beltway at charles street causing major delays. right now traffic is backed up all the way to 95. a second accident on the inner loop as well at south western boulevard. other accidents around the area include red bird avenue at south hanover, east lombard and fagley, green mountain at east 39. as far as the delays go, still jammed on the beltway. on the topside i

jay gray, nbc news, pensacola beach, florida. >> pretty wide storm. parts of it are going to make their way up here. >> exactly. this will be the first time, too, that we get any tropical type rains from the hurricane system that doesn't end until november 30th. still impacting our area. follow me over to the weather wall as we look outside. i'll explain what's going on. we've got out there now a mostly clear sky. very warm evening, too. as we hit the day tomorrow, as we hit the day running some early morning fog by afternoon, just a few clouds out there. partly cloudy afternoon. again, another hot afternoon for us. can't rule out another isolated shower. mainly to the north of us. not a big deal at all. most of you not even noticing it. all right. what's changed from earlier today is that the cold front slowing down a little bit. the moisture from karen slowing down a little bit. so expect the heavy rain, moderate and heavy rain overnight monday, the bigger day that will be impacted will tuesday as opposed to monday. so everything moving a little lat

. >> tropical storm karen still bearing down on the gulf coast right now headed probably south of pensacola by sunday evening, winds maybe 60 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour, but she's going to head northeastward, could effect us monday. we've declare monday a yellow alert day. >>> today it's about fema. we're also anxiously watching the approach of hurricane karen. too bad our republican friends didn't think a little bit more about such things on monday midnight. >>> a man has been hospitalized with life threatening injuries after setting himself on fire on the national mall. >> it happened at seventh and madison streets near the national air and space museum. a witness tells authorities she saw the man dump a red canister of gasoline on his head and light a flame. >>> it was a justifiable shooting. i hate to put it in that way, but they had to protect themselves and others. >> reporter: miriam carey did not have a gun but she clearly was gunning at the officers with her vehicle. >> according to cbs news carey told police she was a profit and that president obama had put her and her ap

tonight manual bojorquez is in pensacola beach, florida. >> reporter: the first sign of the approaching storm here was the rough surf. life guards like alex johnson are busy keeping swimmers out of water. >> the rip currents are incredibly strong or days like today. so no swimming. >> reporter: joanna gurchiek has seen powerful storms in the 26 years she's lived in pensacola beach. she hopes this storm won't be another one. >> because we have a lot to lose. when we had the hurricane in 2004, many of us lost a lot. >> reporter: officials urged reads from the florida panhandle to louisiana's barrier island tolz heed the warnings. winds up to 40 miles per hour and flash flood regular still expected. in mississippi, people are using sandbags to protect their homes. there were some evacuations in low-lying areas like louisiana's plaqueminess parish, where the storm surge could be up to three feet. >> if we were confident, we wouldn't be asking for the evacuation. it's too close to call. we don't want to make a judgment on the wrong side. >> reporter: the storm has impacted oil production in

and the computer models leading it toward pensacola in the wee hours of the morning. and we have to watch monday for anything affecting us. 72, which is warm and humid for this time of year. another warm stat at the bus stop. 60s. very warm again on friday with more sunshine. warm for the high school football game but nice. not so much to play. probably warm to play but if you are trying to watch the game, it won't be freezing again. and out door plans a go this weekend. redskins have a bye, you have to chance to get some stuff done outside. overnight 58-66. partly to mostly cloudy and mild again. by morning partly sunny and pleasant. 60s and 70s. maybe a sprinkle and then by the afternoon a shower possible north and west. high temperatures around 85 and winds will be light. so in the morning, we're talking upper 60s downtown. these are downtown temperatures. at 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., 71 by 9:00. almost 80 by 11:00. and in the mid-80s by 1:00. that is pretty toasty for this time of year. we are still hot on saturday. notice i took out almost. i decided it is just fl

we are currently under a hurricane watch in pensacola, florida. we have karen 100 miles off the coast of louisiana making residents anywhere along the gulf very aware that what seemed like a quiet season is now active. tropical storm karen is heading for the gulf coast this weekend, taking a similar path to that of hurricane katrina which devastated the gulf coast back in 2005. katrina was a powerful category 5 storm, meanwhile karen will be weaker, a low category 1 when it makes landfall late saturday or early sunday. florida and the gulf coast have been pummeled with bad weather and rain all summer long. many areas certainly don't need more rain. >> it has been a record-breaking year for rain across the south. trees are standing in mud. when that wind comes across, 60, 70 miles per hour, those trees are going to fall down. >> reporter: despite the ongoing government shutdown, concerns over the storm are causing fema employees to return to work. >> fema has begun to recall currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency

i want to bring in nick valencia in pensacola, florida. the storm is going to bring a lot of rain, high winds later. what are things like there now? it looks beautiful. >> reporter: it is gorgeous out here, don. when you talk to the locals, they are not that impressed with what karen has been so far. chad myers putting it into perspective. the biggest concern, look at what we have on pensacola beach. those are the rough rip currents. the swimmers were told to get out of the water. they think it's too strong. one of the causes of the storm moving up toward the northern gulf coast, people are anxious and want to get into the water. enjoying this shot here. we have seen so many people, tourists and residents. there's been a lot of good news. earlier this week, it was anticipated to be a significant event. at one time, a hurricane. we are not hearing that anymore. the national hurricane center says there is no longer the possibility of this to turn into a hurricane. that's really good news. some of the precautions people are taking here is thi

jay gray is live in pensacola beach, florida. how are conditions there now? >> reporter: we've seen a bit of spitting rain. if this storm stays on its current path, could begin to really slap the gulf coast some time later today. the potential strike point right here, pensacola beach near this area but, of course, there's still a wide cone of uncertainty so we're not sure exactly where this storm will make landfall. when it does, it will be near hurricane strength. right now gusting at 65 miles an hour and it is predicted it to grow just a bit before of weakening before it makes landfall. that should happen some time late saturday into early sunday morning and as you talk about from louisiana through the florida panhandle, there are hundreds of thousands watching where this storm might go, watching to see the intensity of it. but not waiting. everyone preparing and getting ready for what is the first storm of the hurricane season to make its way into the gulf. aaron, a lot of people tense. a lot of people watching. today is the day to work, officials say, to

>> reporter: we're live here in pensacola beach, currently under a hurricane watch. we'll give you all the details coming up on the looming tropical storm, coming up next. a great. this is the last thing i need.) seriously? the last thing you need is some guy giving you a new catalytic converter when all you got is a loose gas cap. what? it is that simple sometimes. thanks. now let's take this puppy over to midas and get you some of the good 'ol midas touch. hey you know what? i'll drive! and i have no feet... i really didn't think this through. trust the midas touch. for brakes, tires, oil, everything. (whistling) i have a big meeting when we land, but i am so stuffed up, i can't rest. [ male announcer ] nyquil cold and flu liquid gels don't unstuff your nose. they don't? alka seltzer plus night fights your worst cold symptoms, plus has a decongestant. [ inhales deeply ] oh. what a relief it is. . >>> checking our top story, dramatic dash cam video has just been released of adeadly shooting between an armed suspect and oregon police officer, this happened back in au

jim cantore my buddy down there in pensacola, florida. good morning, jim, what is pensacola doing to brace for karen? >> not much. they fuld lifeguard stands off the beach. those are about 45,000 a pop. they sit on sleds so they just come and wheel them back along the sand and get them out of the surge zone. 48 hours ago we were all from louisiana into the florida panhandle looking at the potential of a minimum hurricane at land fall and 48 hours ago you have to make those preparations. so festivals and things like that, the triathalon is shutdown. it's still a beautiful time to be at the beach and the best kept secret because the summer masses are gone and you can come down here and have the beach to yourself but there were thousands of people on the beach yesterday. the problem was rip currents. that will continue to be the problem today. it will be another nice beach day. this thing is barely hanging on to tropical storm status. i expect wind and rain from louisiana into the florida panhandle and eventually, sure, some of that moisture

in pensacola, florida. >>> to politics now. president obama demand the republicans quote end this farce and reopen the government. >> take that vote. stop this farce. end this shutdown now. the american people don't get to demand ransom exchange for doing their job. they don't get to hold our economy hostage over a settled law. >> that settled law that the president referred to is the health care act. that leaves us all in limbo. >> the house is at work today. day five of the government shutdown. >> we are expecting one vote by lawmakers today. >> we have athina jones at the white house today. what is the house voting on today? >> reporter: good morning, victor and poppy. we enter the fifth day. one glimmer of hope today. the house is coming in in about an hour to vote on the furloughed workers. the workers ordered to stay home during the shutdown. this bill would allow them to be paid once the government reopens. we expect the house to vote on it and senate to pass it and the president to sign it. that is the only positive ste

fox news correspondent is in pensacola, florida, with our report. >> at first glance this looks like a beautiful day, a typical day on a florida beach, but when you look closer and the water you won't see anyone swimming. the surface heavier than usual. when we arrived we saw a red flag flying warning visitors to stay out of the gulf of mexico because of the potential for dangerous rip currents as the storm approaches. not the message local officials like sending tourists, but they're taking no chances. despite the government shut down there is activity in critical areas such as the national hurricane center. fema is calling in previously furloughed employees. of course the military is busy. the nearby harbor field has been conducting an air evacuation. the military has been flying planes at a pensacola and moving into air force bases in arkansas and in mexico to protect them against farm damage. however, there are no mandatory evacuations for personnel or families at this time since terry is not expected to make landfall as a strong hurricane. local officials are urging visitors and

. -- news, pence ago to pensacola beach, florida. app tocan use our protect your family. in the area, we have been tracking karen as well. first, more summertime weather. this you do not like weather, a cool off is in store. we have temperatures around 84 degrees at the harbor. a look at the forecast and a latest -- the latest on karen in a few moments. >> what about sleep texting? >> in this afternoon's alert, maryland's first flu case is confirmed weeks earlier than the new season begins. some experts say the cdc may not be able to catch a pandemic when it strikes. >> this is the earliest we have seen the first laboratory confirmed case of flu this season. the cdc has stopped tracking influenza cases, a victim of the government shutdown. no one is watching to sound the alarm. >> i am concern for the experts. we are not going to catch it as we normally would. >> maryland and other states will continue to track, but there is no one tracking it across state lines. and there are no cdc researchers analyzing this year's viruses to come up with a recipe for next year's vaccin

janet in pensacola, florida, a viewer of w-e-a-r tv wants to know if she'll lose her private insurance and medicare? [sot ed kafes/healthcar e insurance broker] n't loseither. her private insurance uld be an could be a medice supplement ana se eitr t=:10 willot [2nd question map nashville, tn question: "i keep having trouble signing up online. what are options now?"] shviennessee and [sot ronat arer options? healthcare insurance t in 11:01:57 "you n't have to worry out signing up onlethe same plans are available off-line." trt:08 [map san marcos, tx question: "i already receive medicare. do i need to sign up for more insurance?"] tv wants to er of keye ppens if he requires more insurance than his medicare plan provides. [sot ed kafes] 10:49:47 "he's got medicare 'a' and 'b', there's a cost for medicare 'b'. its means tested, it could be expensive or it could be free. medicare 'b" could be as much as 350 dollars a month for a high income individual. but does he need more insurance? medicare supplement pay what medicare doesn't pay." trt=:14 [map vero beach, florida question: "i have hea

it should make landfall taking aim right now at pensacola beach sometime late saturday and sunday morning. >>> bill karins will have more on karen's path and intensity in a few moments. >>> on day four of the government shutdown the impact is growing more apparent. states could run out of money for women, infants and children food program by the end of the month. >> every day counts. i always promised my daughter that i refuse to let her grow up without a mom. >> she has been told her rare sarcoma could be terminal. without funding and any new institute of health drug trials are on hold, many americans are frustrated. a protester heckled republican congressman steve king tuesday. democrats and republicans alike are pushing their rhetoric and strategy. these moments were captured between mitch mcconnell and rand paul. >> i didn't see an end. we are willing to compromise. we are willing to compromise. i think it is awful for say that over and over again. >> i do, too. >> i think if they say we wanted to fund it and we are willing to compromise -- >> on the late show with david letterman bri

live from pensacola with more on that. it looks beautiful from behind you, and obviously folks are sunning themselves. >> reporter: exactly, a beautiful day on the beach. some even wading. but you will find no one swimming in the gulf of mexico here at pensacola beach. that's because lifeguards are keeping everyone out of the water. there are red flag warnings. because even though the storm is still well off in the gulf of mexico, it's producing dangerous rip currents here. and so they're warning people not to go in. now, earlier, when forecasters were predicting a much more severe storm heading this direction, as a precaution, local officials canceled some high-profile events. including the santa rosa island triathlon. 1200 people registered to compete. that's canceled this weekend. the 35th annual destin seafood felt v festival has been canceled. mean why, conducted an aircraft evacuation, including most of its osprey fleet. the planes flew to air force bases in arkansas and new mexico to keep them away from the oncoming

then the storm holds it together and makes its way to pensacola beach. a lot of places along the gulf are 10, 15 inches above rainfall. the effects could be a stronger storm thanks to the ground not holding in the trees. that's going to be biggest concern here moving the forward. i'm wondering, are people taking it seriously? taking the threat seriously? >> reporter: they are. people are very familiar with the storms in this region. even though it's a weekend and they know it's nice. they're aware of how quickly things can change. they've been through it before. so many people are asking us the forecast. they want the hour-by-hour update. and when they see the changes they are ready to act. they want to enjoy it as long as they can. the timing could be as late as sunday afternoon if it continues to slow down. so they're going to soak up every last minute that can. >> thank you. >>> as people on the gulf coast brace for tropical storms karen, wild weather is sweeping across the country. from fires in california to snow in the midwest. let's bring in alexa

nbc's jay grey is in pensacola beach with the preparations. >> this morning, the surf is building and the wind and rain is on the way here. >> i hope all citizens will continue to be vigilant. be ericafu be careful and prepared. >> watches and warnings now stretch from south louisiana through the florida panhandle. emergency management teams are watching and working around the clock. the red cross is delivering essentials across the region and crews are packing up or locking down everything they can while many who live in the strike zone are stacking sandbags to keep the water out and stocking up supplies to ride out the storm. >> bought lots of water and food and everything. getting prepared for it. >> reporter: on the beach, even the lifeguard stands, like a lot of the visitors here are moving to higher ground. >> we decided that we're going to leave maybe a day earlier than what we had originally planned. >> reporter: but for some, not before they leave one last set of tracks in the sand as karen continues to track toward the coast. jay grey, nbc news, pensacola beach, florida. >>

we're live in pensacola beach florida with more on the preparations there. good morning. >> good morning, the winds are already blowing on the beaches in pensacola florida. these are the first remnants we're seeing that tropical storm karen is coming. it is currently in the southwestern portion of the gulf of mexico after forming between cuba and the yucatan it has winds of 65 miles per hour down there. karen is expected to move rapidly through the gulf and could turn potentially into a hurricane late saturday or sunday morning near the coast. now, residents here in florida are already bracing. a hurricane watch is in effect from grand island to west destin, florida. they've declared a state of emergency in louisiana, and 1 counties in florida, as well. -- 18 counties in florida, as well. this is a challenge in florida because many workers were furloughed because of the shutdown. many are called back to work because of the storm. and they're making sure the staffing and resources are there if this potentially big storm turns out at bad as many predict. back

it's going to head up to pensacola as a tropical storm. it may become a hurricane for a couple of hours actually . a lot of sheer in the atmosphere. somewhere south of us it will probably bring us some rain we think. maybe an inch or more is possible. you see the tracks down to the southeast and then it will weaken. south winds 5 to 10. the bay temperature around 70 degrees. partly cloudy tonight, 59 for a low. tomorrow back up again in the mid 80s with a lot of sunshine and some clouds. in the afternoon there could be a shower or thunderstorm, which is rare for october. tomorrow's high 84. normal high tomorrow is only 71 degrees. >> wow. >> warm and it could be wet. >> we have been we're -- looking for that rain. >>> wjz is live in capitol hill. reaction from [ male announcer ] in your lifetime, you will lose three sets of keys, four cell phones, seven socks, and six weeks of sleep. but one thing you don't want to lose is any more teeth. if you wear a partial, you are almost twice as likely to lose your supporting teeth. poligrip and poli

. >> the wind is pick ing up in pensacola beach but the sky is mostly clear. a hurricane watch is in effect for most of the region. >> some emergency officials have expressed concerns they could face problems getting help to stricken areas because of the partial government shutdown. hundreds of thousands of federal workers are on furlough. the white house said some of those employed by the federal emergency management agency have been called back to help prepare for karen. local fire departments are getting ready. >> some people don't heed the warning. they think they're not in a flood zone. they will stay. >> the governors of louisiana, mississippi and florida have all declared states of emergency in advance of the storm. in pensacola beach, florida, marly hall, wjz eyewitness news. >> energy companies have shut down production. >>> a large violent storm whips across southeast nebraska. it generated one tornado spotted near hickman. officials say rain and damaging winds struck several homes and downed trees and power lines creating dangerous road conditions.

. >> reporter: the wind is picking up here at pensacola beach, but the sky is mostly clear. a hurricane watch is in effect for most of the region. some emergency officials have expressed concerns that they could face problems getting the help to stricken areas because of the partial government shutdown. and hundreds of thousands of workers will be on furloughs. that some of those employees by the federal management agency have been called back to help prepare karen. and they are getting ready that the potential evacuation. >> and that they are not in the flood zone for whatever reason and that they will stay, they will decide to stay. >> reporter: the governors of louisiana, mississippi, and florida have all declared states of emergency in advancement of the storm. in pensacola beach, florida, marley hall, wjz eyewitness news. >>> our first morning weather continues with bob turk who is tracking where karen is right now. bob? >> reporter: the gulf of mexico is a warm place, but there's a lot of dry air and sheer that is ripping the storm apart. a very disorganized system rig

>> it's gorgeous right now in pensacola beach. people are out inenjoying this gorgeous day, but that's expected to change as tropical storm karen makes its way to the coast. it's expected some time saturday night, perhaps early sunday morning. when you talk to residents here, you don't get the sense they're all that concerned. one resident said she's more concerned about the auburn football game this weekend than she is about the approaching storm. so i asked the mayor, you know, with residents here seemingly not worried this is the storm of all storms, how do you prepare your community here for tropical storm karen? >> we know what storms can do. they can change on a dime. when that happens, you need to be prepared. what we try to do as a government, is let people know, listen, you know, time is of the essence. make sure you have your essentials. make sure you have your waterproof kit for your insurance, your valuables. make sure you have that water, that tarp and hammer ready, all those things to help you be prepared for three d