>>> PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON SHOPLIFTERS. HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RETAIL GROUPS ARE TRYING TO TOUGHEN LOCAL LAWS ON WHAT THEY SAY IS A $100 BILLION PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. >>> LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES OF NEED. AVENUE 211 WARM LINE WORKS.
>>> A LIFE-CHANGING DONATION FOR SOME LOCAL FAMILIES. >> I’M TRYING TO HOLD MY TEARS BACK. >> I FEEL AWESOME, THIS IS MINE. >> THE GIVEAWAY THAT IS TRANSFORMING LIVES. >> YOU’RE WATCHING THE NEWS 4 RUN DOWN.
>> WELCOME IN TO THE NEWS 4 RUN DOWN. THE BLOOM HAS ARRIVED. >> NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET TO THE TIDAL BASIN. WE SAW YOU DOWN THERE EARLIER TODAY, IT IS GORGEOUS IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN DOWN THERE. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS WERE AT PEAK BLOOM, AND THAT IS WHEN 70% OF THE TREES LINING THE TIDAL BASIN ARE OPEN. >> I GOT TO PAY MY RESPECTS TO STUMPY, THE ICONIC LITTLE CHERRY BLOSSOM THAT COULD, I WILL SAY, THE BLOOM COULD LAST
LONGER IF THE WEATHER STAYS COOL, AND HE LIKENED IT TO THE GROCERY STORE REFRIGERATOR, AND THAT IS HOW IT FELT. >> I’M SURPRISED HOW STURDY THEY ARE AND THAT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE NEWLY BLOOMED. IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WE MAY NOT
SEE ALL THESE BLOOMS INTACT. IN FACT, WE MAY HAVE SOME CHERRY BLOSSOM SNOW. >> THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SAID WE COULD BE WAITING FOR THEM. >> THE FACT THAT IT IS COOLER NOW IS GOOD FOR THEM TO STAY LONGER.
THE NEXT STAGE IS THE LEAVES THAT COME OUT IN THE COOLER TEMPERATURES WILL KEEP THE LEAVES THAT THEY A LITTLE LONGER. MAYBE THESE COLD TEMPERATURES, THEY COULD BE GOOD FOR 10 DAYS IT TO TWO WEEKS. >> IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT IS A
LITTLE EARLY FOR CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON, THAT’S BECAUSE IT IS. THE SECOND EARLIEST BLOSSOM ON RECORD. >> AMELIA DRAPER IS HERE WITH HOW OUR CHANGING CLIMATE IS PLAYING A ROLE. >> IT SEEMS LIKE WE BLINKED AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM HIT PEAK BLOOM.
THE SECOND EARLIEST IN RECORD, TIED TO 2000, THE EARLIEST BEING MARCH 15th OF 1990. AS OF YESTERDAY WE WERE THE SECOND WARMEST START TO THE MONTH ON RECORD. WE ALSO SELL BLOSSOMS GO FROM STAGE ONE TO STAGE A SIX IN RECORD TIME.
ON MARCH 2nd THE BLOSSOMS WERE IN STAGE ONE OF SIX AND JUST 15 DAYS LATER THEY ARE ALREADY IN PEAK BLOOM. THE PARK SERVICE SAYING IT WAS THE FASTEST BLOOM CYCLE ON RECORD. AS THE TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO WARM, PEAK BLOOM
WILL GET EARLIER AND EARLIER. PEAK BLOOM USED TO BE AROUND APRIL 6 AND FROM 1981 TO 2010 IT WAS AROUND APRIL 1st AND OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, PEAK BLOOM HAS HAPPENED IN THE THIRD OR FOURTH WEEK OF MARCH. AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO
WARM PEAK BLOOM COULD OCCUR DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH IN ABOUT 50 YEARS FROM NOW. >> THANK YOU. WE WILL MARK OUR CALENDAR. PEAK BLOOM WON’T BE AROUND FOREVER. MAKE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT. WHETHER CHECKING IT OUT AT THE
TIDAL BASIN FOR THE UPCOMING FESTIVAL, YOU CAN ALSO GRAB IT ON THE NBC WASHINGTON APP. >>> SOME OF THE OTHER TOP STORIES WE ARE FOLLOWING. LAWMAKERS ARE FACING ANOTHER CRITICAL ELEMENT FINDING DEADLINE. CONGRESS MUST PASS THE SECOND HALF OF THE PACKAGE BY FRIDAY
IF THEY WANT TO AVOID PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. FUNDING FOR BORDER SECURITY CONTINUES TO BE ATOP A STICKING POINT FOR THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS. >>> A FIRE IN A HOME IN FAIRFAX COUNTY IS BEING INVESTIGATED. NEIGHBORS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD EXPLOSION MOMENTS BEFORE
THE HOME WENT UP IN FLAMES. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS AT HOME AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. >>> NEW-HOME SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURES THE TERRIFYING MOMENTS GUN SHY OR ERUPTED IN IN D.C. AT THE CORNER OF 7th AND P STREET.
SEVEN PEOPLE WERE SHOT, TWO MEN DIED AND FIVE OTHER VICTIMS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. AT LEAST ONE GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT A CAR. >>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ADVANCING WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
IT DEDICATES $200 MILLION TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH TO TRACK AND PRESS ON HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING WOMEN. IT COMES AS JOE BIDEN IS PUSHING CONGRESS TO PASS $12 BILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH. >>> ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT IS A
MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE METRO D.C. AREA AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY , FORCING SOME BUSINESSES TO CLOSE AND OTHERS TO PUT MERCHANDISE UNDER LOCK AND KEEP . >> DOROTHY SPENCER SPOKE WITH POLICE AND THE MEIJER — MAJOR RETAIL ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
>> THIS VIDEO SHOWS WHAT THEY CALL ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT. PEOPLE WALK IN TO VICTORIA’S SECRET AT THE TOWN CENTER LAST MONTH, SPREAD OUT AND GRABBED ITEMS, EVEN STUFFING THEM INTO A BAG AND WALKING OUT WITHOUT PAYING. LIEUTENANT ROBERT STEPHENSON
SAYS IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. >> THESE ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS WHO PUT FORTH A GAME PLAN TO COME AND COMMIT THESE CRIMES. >> HE SAYS POLICE HAVE NOT YET MADE AN ARREST IN THIS CASE BUT THEY SHARE INFORMATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE REGION
TO SEE IF THEY CAN BE IDENTIFIED THROUGH PRIOR ARREST. OFTENTIMES, STEVENSON SAYS, THEY ARE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA. >> GOING INSIDE AND GRABBING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF MERCHANDISE SOMETIMES AND FLEEING IN STOLEN CARS. >> RETAIL CRIME HAS FORCED SOME
BUSINESSES TO SHUT THEIR DOORS FOR GOOD, OTHERS TO BEEF UP SECURITY, LUCKILY INVENTORY AND DISCONTINUE HIGH THEFT ITEMS. >> IT IS NOW OVER A $100 BILLION PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. >> KELLY LIKELIER RUNS THE RETAIL ALLIANCE AND SAYS THE
STATE DOES NOT HAVE RETAIL CRIME LAW AND IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT BECAUSE CRIMINALS KNOW THE CURRENT LIMITATIONS OF SHOPLIFTING LAWS. YOU HAVE TO STEAL $1500 WORTH OF MERCHANDISE IN ONE COUNTY FOR IT TO BE A FELONY. >> THESE RINGS ARE VERY
ORGANIZED, THEY WILL JUMP STORE TO STORE AND KNOW WHAT NUMBER THEY CAN HIT, WHEN THEY HIT THAT NUMBER IT IS TIME TO MOVE TO THE NEXT COUNTY. >> THE ALLIANCE IS SUPPORTING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DEFINE ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, PROVIDE DATA COLLECTION AND ALLOW
THIEVES TO BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY CRIME FOR COMMITTING MULTIPLE THEFTS IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES. >> IT MEANS HIGHER PRICES FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS, LESS SALES TAX REVENUE FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. >> POLICE SUGGEST THAT RETAILERS POSITION HIGH-QUALITY CAMERAS THAT GOOD VISION OF
PEOPLE AND GET TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE OUT WOULD BE SHOPLIFTERS. >> THE LEGISLATION PASSED THE SENATE IN A 45-0 BOAT AND IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE. NEW DETAILS INSIDE THE HAZING INVESTIGATION IN MARYLAND, PROMPTED BY HEAVY DRINKING, FORCED EXPOSURE TO COLD AND
MEMBERS BEING BURNED WITH CIGARETTES. THE SUSPENSION WAS LIFTED LAST WEEK FOR MOST OF THE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES FOLLOWING THE INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, FIVE CHAPTERS ARE STILL BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES.
THE UNIVERSITY SAYS INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS CAN ALSO BASE CONTRACT VIOLATIONS. >>> METRO SAYS IT LOSES FOR THE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR PEOPLE WHO USE THE SYSTEM WITHOUT PAYING. AS OF TODAY THEY CAN DO MORE TO STOP THE INVASION.
ANYONE WHO STOPS CAN BE FINED $100 AND THEY CAN BE ARRESTED IF THEY DON’T PROPERLY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WHEN BEING STOPPED BY OFFICERS. IT IS THE SAME THING GOING ON IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA BUT D.C. LAW PROHIBITED ARREST UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE NEW
CRIME BILL CHANGED THAT. METRO SAYS THAT IT PEOPLE JUMP THE FARE GATES 30,000 TIMES A DAY, AFTER 30,000 TIMES A DAY. THEY CONTINUE TO SEE EFFORTS INSTALLING HIGHER GATES MAKING IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO DO THAT. >>> A NEW HELPLINE HAS BEEN
CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF D.C. RESIDENTS WITH HUMAN SERVICES. IT IS ONE OF FOUR CITIES IN THE COUNTRY TESTING THIS NEW 211 NUMBER. LAST WEEK THEY RECEIVED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WITH A $9 MILLION GRANT. >> THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT ARE LIVING RIGHT ON
THE EDGE ACCORDING TO ROBERT MATTHEWS WITH THE DISTRICT CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES. THEY ARE IN NEED OF HELP PAYING BILLS OR PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE TO REQUIRE INVESTIGATION OR INTERVENTION BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
THAT IS WHERE THE NEW 211 NUMBER CAN HELP. >> WE HAD A NUMBER OF FAMILIES CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY MAY NOT NEED CASH ASSISTANCE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, THEY MAY NEED SOMETHING REALLY SHORT-TERM AS WELL AS CONNECTION TO SERVICES.
>> THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE NEW 211 NUMBER AND WHO IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP. IT LAUNCHED A PILOT PROGRAM IN THREE STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WITH FUNDING FROM THE DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION. >> WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT
THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES COMING INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. — DECREASE. >> THAT IS THE GOAL OF THE DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION, THE 211 PROGRAM IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO ASK FOR HELP WITHOUT THE FEAR THAT A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
WILL TRY TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN. WE MAKE THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASK FOR THE MOST BASIC HELP BECAUSE THEY ARE FEARED OF THE SYSTEM. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO HELP — ASK ONE QUESTION, DO I NEED TO
TAKE THE CHILD OUT OF YOUR HOME. I THINK THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE QUESTION WE NEED TO BE ASKING IS HOW CAN I HELP YOU? HOW CAN I BE IN SERVICE? >> LAST WEEK THE DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED IT WAS GIVING D.C. $9 MILLION TO EXPAND
THE 211 SERVICE AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY MENTORS FOR FAMILIES THAT ASK FOR HELP. >> PART OF THE RESOURCES WE WILL PROVIDE TO FURTHER SUPPORT THAT GROUP OF EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY PROVIDERS TO REALLY IMAGINE WHAT D.C. CAN DO FOR FAMILIES AT RISK.
>> CALLERS TO THE 211 LINE DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE ANY CONCERNS BEING ASKED ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS AND IT IS AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. >>> STILL TO COME, A SPECIAL DAY FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. >> AIMEE CHO WAS THERE AS THEY
GOT THE KEYS TO THEIR VERY OWN CAR. THE HEARTWARMING REACTION, ALL NEXT, AND THE NONPROFIT BEHIND IT AS WELL. >>> COMING UP, SPRING ALLERGY SEASON IS ALREADY HERE. WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU ON THE BEST WAYS TO GET RELIEF AND
WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR. >>> THE FRIENDSHIP GAP SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE. HOW DO YOU FIND NEW FRIEND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE. >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE NEWS4 RUN DOWN. SPRING HAS ARRIVED AND THAT
MEANS YOU MAY HAVE STARTED TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF SPRING ALLERGIES. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. >> ALLERGIES AND COMMON COLDS ALL SHARE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS, MAKING IT TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT’S CAUSING THAT SCRATCHY THROAT OR RUNNY NOSE. WE SPOKE WITH A LOCAL ALLERGIST
ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET RELIEF. SPRING HAS SPRUNG AND FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT MEANS ITCHING, SNEEZING AND COUGHING FROM ALLERGIES. >> WE DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF SNOW AND WE DIDN’T GET A LOT OF RAIN AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS BEFORE
VALENTINE’S DAY, IT IS STARTING TO WAKE UP AND COME OUT. THE CEDAR TREES, MAPLE TREES AND WILL ONLY GET WORSE. >> DR. TREY BAKER SAYS THE SEASON IS ALREADY OFF TO AN EARLY START AND WILL INTENSIFY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
>> IT WILL GET WORSE BECAUSE MORE TREES ARE COMING OUT. WE HAVEN’T SEEN THE OAK TREE OR BIRCH TREES AND SOME OTHER TREES START TO PAWN AND THAT COULD BE WHAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO. YOU MAY HAVE PROBLEMS FROM NOW
ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. >> THE SEASON IS STARTING EARLIER AND LASTING LONGER. ACCORDING TO CLIMATE CENTRAL, A NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON CLIMATE NEWS AND RESEARCH, WARMER TEMPERATURES HAVE EXTENDED THE SEASON BY ABOUT 20 DAYS IN THE REGION.
SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES LIKE COVID BUT THERE ARE SOME KEY DIFFERENCES. >> IF YOU HAVE MUSCLE ACHES OR YOU ARE FATIGUED AND HAVE A FEVER THAT IS MUCH MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT A VIRUS WOULD LOOK LIKE.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS LIKE ITCHINESS, CONGESTION, SNEEZING, THAT IS MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT ALLERGIES LOOK LIKE. >> THE DOCTOR SAYS TO KEEP YOUR WINDOWS CLOSED OR CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR CLOSER TAKING A SHOWER AFTER BEING OUTSIDE. >> IF YOU ARE LAYING IN BED
WITHOUT A SHOWER, YOU CAN BRING POLLEN INTO YOUR BED. >> AS THE WARM WEATHER EMERGES, DR. BAKER SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO STOCK UP ON ESSENTIALS LIKE NASAL STEROID SPRAYS, EYEDROPS, OVER-THE-COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINE AND SALINE. >> IT’S TIME TO START TAKING MEDICINE NOW.
EVEN IF YOU DON’T FEEL THAT BAD NOW, YOU ARE PROBABLY JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY FROM HAVING A LOT OF POLLEN IN THE AIR THAT WILL AFFECT YOU. PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO HELP THE NEW GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
>> YOU CAN GO TO ALLERGIST HER PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN TO GET A SKIN TEST TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE ALLERGIES AND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO TO HELP BRING SOME RELIEF. JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY LIVES IN THIS AREA SUFFERS FROM ALLERGIES.
EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T AS A CHILD, YOU MOVE HERE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE ALLERGIES. ONE OF THE TRADE-OFFS FOR LIVING IN AN AREA THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND GREEN. I LOVE THAT IT IS VERY GREEN BUT HATE ALLERGIES.
>> I START CLARITIN IN LIKE FEBRUARY. >> THAT IS WHAT THE ALLERGIST SAID, YOU HAVE TO START EARLY. >> JUST LIKE YOU STAND ON THE RIGHT AND WALK ON THE LEFT, IT’S JUST WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. LAWMAKERS AND SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS ANNOUNCED A NEW EFFORT TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS GET HOME FROM SCHOOL SAFELY. IT’S CALLED THE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM. THEY ARE CALLING ON LOCAL VOLUNTEERS TO BE VISIBLE IN SIX DEDICATED SCHOOL ZONES AROUND THE COUNTY. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
STUDENTS DON’T HURT THEMSELVES AND THAT THEY ARE NOT VICTIMS OF ANY CRIMES. LAWMAKERS ARE RECRUITING HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS TO BE PART OF THE PROGRAM. >> ASKING FOR AT LEAST 300 VOLUNTEERS, ASKING FOR JUST ONE SHIFT. IF WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS WILLING
TO BE A LONGER, WE WILL START APRIL 15th UNTIL THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FROM 2:00 UNTIL 4:00 P.M., THE CRITICAL HOURS WHEN THE KIDS ARE GOING HOME. >> NO FORMAL TRAINING IS REQUIRED BUT BASIC TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED AND IT WILL
RUN THROUGH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. WHAT A UNIQUE IDEA TO TRY THAT OUT. IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO DO IT. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE A TOUGH JOB. >>> IT WAS A SPECIAL DAY FOR
LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED, THEY RECEIVED THE KEYS TO THEIR VERY OWN CARS. >> ALL THINGS TO THE HELP FROM THE NONPROFIT VEHICLES FOR CHANGE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’M GOING TO CRY. >> EXCITEMENT THAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.
FOR SINGLE MOM CANDACE FROM ANNAPOLIS, HER OLD CAR BROKE DOWN TWO YEARS AGO AND HER FAMILY COULD NOT AFFORD A NEW ONE. >> IT IS PRETTY HARD AND FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS THAT DEPEND ON YOU AND YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY,
HEY, I’M JUST TAKING CARE OF YOUR BASIC NECESSITIES. >> AS OF TODAY SHE NO LONGER HAS TO CHOOSE. >> A VEHICLE WILL TRANSFORM NOT ONLY HER OWN LIFE BUT HER FAMILY. >> THEY HELPED CANDACE BUY A USED CAR FOR JUST $950.
>> I’M JUST IN LOVE. HAPPY TO SAY THAT IT’S MINE. >> VEHICLES CHANGE HELPING FOUR FAMILIES IN TOTAL TODAY. >> I’M GOING TO START CRYING, I’M TRYING TO HOLD MY TEARS BACK. I FEEL AWESOME, IT’S MINE. >> THE FAMILY ALREADY HAS PLANS
FOR THEIR NEW SET OF WHEELS. >> GOING TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND GOING ON TRIPS, EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. >> GETTING IN GEAR FOR BIG THINGS AHEAD. >> I WAS JUST SPEECHLESS, EXCITED AND HAPPY. >> LOVE TO SEE HOW IMPACTFUL THIS WILL BE FOR THESE
FAMILIES. CANDACE SAYS NOW THAT SHE HAS HER CAR SHE PLANS TO FINISH HER BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION. IT WAS PICKED UP AT THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION IN TYSON. >> IT MUST BE SO HARD BEING A SINGLE MOM WITH NO CAR.
>> IT IS SOMETHING WE TAKE FOR GRANTED TO HAVE A VEHICLE AND THE KIND OF CHANGE IT CAN MAKE IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE A RIDE AND DON’T HAVE TO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR YOUR FRIENDS
TO GET TO PLACES YOU NEED TO GO. >> WHEN WE COME BACK, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND STUDIO AT A LOCAL HBCU. >> WE WILL TAKE YOU IN INSIDE THE NEW ART STUDIO AND HOW IT IS PAYING TRIBUTE TO SAVE LIVES, SPEECHLESS.
>>> YOU’VE SEEN IT EVERYWHERE, THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC, FRIENDSHIP GAP, ISOLATION, EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING HE CAN ALL AGREE ON, MAKING NEW FRIENDS IS TOUGH. OVER THE LAST MONTH WE TACKLED FINDING FRIENDSHIP AND WHY IT IS SO HARD AS ADULTS.
HOW AND WHERE SOMEONE CAN MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM. I TALKED TO FRIENDSHIP EXPERTS FROM ALL AROUND THE BELTWAY TO HELP US ALL BECOME BETTER FRIENDS. >> RAN CHIPS CAME EASY, A LOT OF IT WAS BASED ON, WE ARE THE
SAME HEIGHT, THE SAME AGE. WE BOTH LIKE BLUE, DONE, WE ARE FRIENDS. >> FRIENDSHIP AS ADULTS IS NOT BAKED INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. >> THAT’S FOR RECESS, BUT FOR ADULTS, WE REALLY DON’T HAVE THAT ANYMORE. A.B. WE ARE GOING INTO WORK, BUT
MAYBE NOT, MAYBE WE ARE WORKING FROM HOME, AT WORK, WE ARE NOT ALWAYS VULNERABLE. >> WE GROW UP AND GET CYNICAL. THAT’S THE PART WHERE I THINK ALL OF US NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE WELCOMING. >> YOUR SOCIAL HEALTH AND
ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE SHOULD BE ONE OF YOUR GREATEST PRIORITIES IF YOU WANT TO LIVE A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE. THERE COULD BE SO MUCH MORE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND LONELINESS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN AROUND TARGETING OBESITY. >> HOW DO YOU FORM GENUINE CONNECTIONS.
>> THAT IS WHERE WE COME IN. WE ARE FINDING FRIENDSHIP. >> I WOULD MEET A LOT OF ADULTS THAT SAY, I WANT TO MEET FRIENDS AND FIND MY TRIBE. >> FOR CERTAIN SUBGROUPS ONLINE CONNECTION HAS MORE MEANING. >> THE SECOND YOU FIND OUT WHAT
MAKES EACH OTHER SPECIAL, THAT’S WHERE YOU FIND REALLY TRUE FRIENDSHIPS. THAT’S WHERE IT GETS GOOD. >> HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE WEEK YOU CAN WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE AND FIND THOSE FOLKS. >> I THINK IT IS HARDER TO MAKE FRIENDS, I WAS SAYING, MY
SISTER LIVES IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, BUT BECAUSE OF OUR LIVES WE DON’T SEE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE’D LIKE TO. >> SO YOU ARE ON THE, I HAVE ENOUGH FRIENDS, I’VE GOT A DUST OFF. >> I KNOW THAT MAKES WE FOUND
THE DEBT — IS THEN UNFRIENDLY. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND. HOW MANY TIMES DID WE SAY WE WERE GOING OUT TO DINNER, BUT WE JUST HAVEN’T DONE IT YET. >> ALL WEEK LONG I WILL GIVE YOU TIPS ON HOW TO BE A BETTER FRIEND.
ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE MORE ON THAT TOMORROW. AND THE TODAY MUSIC FESTIVAL NOW HAS A NEW HOME, MOVING FROM RFK STADIUM TO THAT AUDI FIELD, AND IT IS A STACKED LINEUP. >> MEGAN THEE STALLION, ISSA RAE, FUNNY MARCO, IT WILL BE A
SEATED EVENT WITH FIELD ACCESS RESERVED FOR VIPS. PRESALE WENT LIVE TODAY GENERAL ADMISSION GOES ON SALE ON FRIDAY. THIS EVENT HAS GROWN EVERY YEAR AND IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE ARTISTS AND CELEBRITIES THAT COME IN, NOT JUST TO PERFORM
BUT ALSO TO WATCH AND BE PART OF THE WHOLE FESTIVAL. >> IT WILL BE GREAT THIS YEAR. >> NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR A PAIR OF RUBY SLIPPERS. >> THE RUBY SLIPPERS WORN BY JUDY GARLAND WAS RETURNED BY THE FBI, THEY WERE ON LOAN IN
HER HOMETOWN OF GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA WHEN THEY WERE STOLEN IN 2005. IT TOOK 13 YEARS FOR THE ISSUES TO BE RECOVERED FROM A STING OPERATION INVOLVING THE FBI AND GRAND RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2018. NOW THE SLIPPERS ARE BACK IN
THE HANDS OF SEAN WHO SAYS HE PLANS TO TAKE THE RUBY SLIPPERS ON TOUR BEFORE ULTIMATELY PUTTING THEM ON THE AUCTION BLOCK LATER THIS YEAR. >>> IN 2023, THE FILM PINOCCHIO WON AN OSCAR FOR BEST ANIMATED PICTURE AND IT USES A TECHNIQUE
CALLED STOCK MOTION ANIMATION. >> IF YOU WOULD WANT TO STUDY THAT TECHNIQUE YOU HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE OF OUR AREA. NOT ANYMORE. STUDENTS AT BILLINGS STATE UNIVERSITY AVENUE STATE OF THE ART STUDIO, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. >> IT IS A METHODICAL
PAINSTAKING PROCESS, SMALL INCREMENTAL MOVEMENTS OF A PUPPET ARE PHOTOGRAPHED, FRAME BY FRAME. >> CLICK, TAKE A PHOTO. >> STRING THEM TOGETHER AND THE SUBJECT COMES TO LIFE. IT IS CALLED STOP MOTION ANIMATION. AND STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THE TECHNIQUE IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART
STUDIO DONATED BY AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN ANIMATION. STUDENTS GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT USED BY THE PROFESSIONALS. >> WE HAVE THE LIGHTING, THE CAMERA SET UP, THE GREEN SCREEN AND BACKGROUND. >> WE USE DIFFERENT PIECES TO
CREATE WHAT WE WANT AND LEARN BASICALLY WHAT THEY DO AND BRING THAT TO OURSELVES, IT IS JUST AMAZING. >> IT IS NAMED AFTER THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN ANIMATOR AND IT IS THE FIRST STUDIO OF ITS KIND AT A HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY.
>> THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE ROOM FOR MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR TO ENTER. WE DON’T SEE THAT MANY AND WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN CHANGE THAT A LITTLE BIT. >> SHE CAN BEND OVER AND BEND BACK. >> THIS SOPHOMORE MADE HER
PUPPET AND NIGHTCLUB SINGER AND IN THE STUDIO THEY MADE IT ALL COME TO LIFE. THANKS TO THE PARTNERSHIP, STUDENTS NOT ONLY PRODUCE THEIR OWN SHORT FILMS, THEY GET FEEDBACK INCLUDING PORTFOLIO CRITIQUES BY A VISITING REPRESENTATIVE. >> IT IS INNOVATIVE, NOT JUST
CREATING THE CHARACTER, BUT MAKING IT FROM SCRATCH AND BUILDING THIS WORLD INTO YOUR OWN WORLD. >> THE HOPE IS TO INSPIRE AND TEACH THE NEXT GENERATION OF STOP MOTION ANIMATORS. MEGAN McGRATH, NEWS4. >> ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY GET THERE OSCAR.
THAT WILL DO IT FOR THIS NEWS4 RUNDOWN. >> SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
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