accuweather meteorologist jim dickey. good morning to you, jim. >> good morning, rob and paula. well, beryl moved onshore during the overnight hours. continues to bring soaking rainfall to northern florida, southeastern georgia through this memorial day. along with that, strong gusty winds. 40 to 60 miles per hour. and now this rain will be heavy throughout the day. many cases, good news. many areas here under extreme drought. plenty of rain, 4 to 6 inches. likely too much of a good thing. liedth widespread floodyfloodyi likely into tuesday. now the rest of the memorial day weather. any big plans? >> you are looking at it. >> i'm going to see the back of my eyelids. heavy rain and gusty winds around detroit. and around oklahoma city and abilene. showers in the northern rockies. up to ten inches of mountain snow in montana and wyoming. >> 62 in billings. 623 62 in salt lake city. 90s in chicago, indianapolis and

dallas. 88 here -- >> mr. enunciator. >> 85 in atlanta. i don't know why. it's the holiday. no one is watching. so just say whatever. >> whatever? >> it's 120 in boise! just joking. no, it's not. >> in jersey? >> boise. wildfires are burning out of control in at least five states this morning. mostly out west. winds finally relented in new mexico where an enormous fire burned more than 120,000 acres and a dozen homes. crews were finally able to move in after being forced to sit on the sidelines and watch the unpredictable flames. national guard troops have been called in to help. firefighters are scrambling to put out a wildfire tearing through michigan's beautiful upper peninsula. light rain aided crews in getting the fire nearly 50% contained. the fire started by lightning has already burned through more than 20,000 acres near lake superior. dozens of homes, dozens of buildings have already been destroyed. back to the story we mentioned at the top of the

show. police in chicago are hoping for a peaceful memorial day after a weekend filled with violence. four people were killed and more than two dozen injured this weekend as abc's alex perez reports. one victim shot is a 7-year-old girl. >> reporter: little deja smith was doing what she loves to do. playing with her friends on her bike outside her south side chicago home when she was caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting. >> doesn't make sense all this shooting, you know. every day. >> reporter: the shooting that injured deja was just one in an outbreak of violence across chicago this hot memorial day weekend. one person has died so far. at least 24 people were shot and injured between late saturday afternoon and early sunday morning. police believe most shootings were gang or drug related. >> and it's frustrating that you are here one minute talking. the next hour, you are dead. from a single gunshot wound. >> reporter: despite a number of efforts to get guns off the streets, chicago is still struggling with gun violence and homicides are up 58% so far this

year. 183 so far in 2012 compared to 116 over the same period last year. chicago police say they will assign more officers to areas of high crime. little deja is expected to make a full recovery. but andrew holmes hopes her story won't be forgotten. >> it's tough and someone should be behind bars. >> reporter: chicago police are still investigating all of these shootings. at this point, they say they can't pinpoint any one factor that led to the uptick in violence this weekend. alex perez, abc news, chicago. >> how telling that the source of the story had a bulletproof vest on during the interview. they are honoring vets who lost their lives in a special way in the state of kentucky. 25,000 flags were sent out in louis strol spell out usa. the flags honor all of america's fallen heroes from every state in the union, including military, law enforcement and firefighters as well. the flags come down on tuesday

and then will be placed on veterans graves in 17 states. let's remember that is the reason for the holiday today. more than the grill out and all that kind of stuff. that's what we're honoring today. >> yes. we do thank all of the men and women who have served past and present, lost their lives representing our country. two minnesota girls thought they were just part of a group running in a pregame race around the bases at target field in minneapolis. but they were in for a pretty big surprise. >> we love these stories. when they rounded third and headed for home, they were supposed to high five twins mascot tc bear but who was there instead? yeah, that's their daddy, master sergeant rob, fresh off a plane from afghanistan where he'd been deployed since early january. >> of course, a big hit. a home run, maybe even a grand slam with the crowd who gave him a standing ovation. >> love that story. particularly today. that is great to see. hope they are having a great holiday back with dad. coming up next, the wild

fugitive finally captured and sent back to the zoo. >> an 80-year-old woman's thrill as a skydiver. after this scare, what is she going to do for fun next time? we'll find out on "world news now." ♪ and i'm free free falling ♪ ♪ i'm free free falling ♪

hey there. an 80-year-old woman bravely -- >> it's monday. it's a holiday. what do you expect? >> i'm a little rusty. an 80-year-old woman decides to try her first ever skydive. the jump is anything but smooth. >> her ordeal all caught on tape. she's survived and is sharing her unbelievable experience.

clayton sandell has more. >> reporter: she's the world's most famous skydiver. >> i just turned 80. >> happy birthday. >> reporter: this octogenarian's birthday sky dive has gone viral. it shows laverne jumping ift plane for her 80th birthday. a celebration that turns into a free-fall of terror when her safety harness comes loose. she dangles holding on to her instructor for dear life. >> i just held on. you do what you got to do, you know. >> reporter: laverne says even though it appears she was having second thoughts before jumping -- >> my knees had given out inside the plane there. >> grabbing hold of the airplane door her instructor did not force her out. >> put yourself in my position. i think you'd be holding on, too. >> he had to give me a little nudge. >> reporter: as they approach 125 miles an hour straight down, laverne says it's a blessing her

shirt blew up blocking her view. >> i had this one little peek hole of light shining through. i didn't get to see anything. >> oh, my god. >> after a nightmare ride, laverne and her instructor eventually reached the safety of terra firma. she is shaken but apparently not hurt. >> i fell. i had a rough landing. >> reporter: the company that makes the harness says someone loosened it to make her feel more comfortable. that the instructor should have checked it for a perfect fit. even before she jumps you can see it's slipped off her should wrer it should be. she's just glad she made it out alive. her next adventure, driving a race car. clayton sandell, abc news. >> i'm the first to admit i'm not brave enough to go skydiving. i get the adrenaline rush and all that. god bless her for 80-year-olds. but fatalities are only -- dropped to about 21 every year. >> 21. >> that can't be right.

they've dropped to about -- >> yep. of course, i'm going to feel it first. i'm going to take the brunt of that, aren't i. >> you feel a lot of things in those pictures. we should do that. that would be like a team building experience for the overnight staff. you all need to go sky diving. >> like from the desk. three feet. >> i'm not doing that. have you ever done it. >> would never. my knees -- i have a phobia of heights. >> so you don't -- me either. skydiving is not your thing? >> no. >> glad grandma is okay. >> keep my feet on the ground. coming up, the indy guy and the nashville girl have a reason, a big one, to celebrate. >> and j. timberlake, he's your guy, right? >> he is my justin. great guy. >> he has a reason to change his facebook status. it's all next in "the skinny." >> announcer: abc's

♪ skinny so skinny ♪ so pretty exciting finish in the indy 500 which was on abc early on sunday. and how many people actually tune in just to see ashley judd

who is married to dario franchitti. well, you were in for a treat because dario won not once, not twice but for the third time and ashley was the proud wife. >> and i am so proud of him. and i said to him today when he got in the car, i will see you in the winner's circle. >> and s did. and dario is putting on those sun glasses, a tribute to dan wheldon, one of his best friends. he tragically died last october. wheldon actually won the indy 500 last year. and his three best friends, tony kanaan, scott dixon and dario franchitti finished in the top three. a nice salute to dan wheldon as well. >> very cool. they are having a good time in that household tonight. that's for sure. good for them. >> and i know you are a huge fan of the cannes film festival. >> i go every year. hobnobbing on my yacht. >> if you are wondering how hollywood did. big goose egg. they may as well not even have

gone. the celebs, the directors scored a big nada. here's the big winner. austrian director michael hanacke with french actors. they won for "amor." but there were a lot of a-list celebs there. kristin stewart and her man, you know, pattinson. how do you say his name? i can never say it correctly. >> i'm not a "twilight" guy. >> brad pitt who also starred in "killing them softly" came up empty-handed. not a really good showing for hollywood. >> no one star -- they don't need another award. france on the yacht, party with the models and eelting the caviar. they are fine out there in cannes. i broke my pen. >> your pen just exploded. >> everything at abc is -- i'm so excitid can't contain myself. i hate when that happens so early in the game. also, big engagement --

>> where are you going? >> they don't do that on "nightline." justin timberlake and jessica biel had a big engagement party. why not have a huge old party there. we saw her ring a few weeks ago. this is such a cool kind of sexy young couple. they are doing their thing. they had a big, big party. lance bass was there, ellen degeneres. a big old shin dig. we want to say congratulations. >> they are bringing sexy back. >> indeed. so hopefully they are, you know, together for the long haul, let's hope. also, zuckerberg, the most famous billionaire on the planet. where do you honeymoon if you are -- you just got married and had a big 28th birthday. of course, you go to rome. maybe getting away from all the madness here in america. the eyes of the world are on this guy. they snapped him everywhere doing his thing. he and his wife priscilla. they were in rome at the coliseum. a fancy restaurant. doing all the things newlyweds do. we wish them well on their

overseas honeymoon. >> he needed to change his -- he changed his status to in rome. [ female announcer ] removing facial hair can be irritating.

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you're watching "world news now." >> sleep is overrated. ♪ welcome back, everybody. a fugitive that had escaped has been caught in japan. that would be a fugitive penguin who escaped from an aquarium. yeah. different story. >> so nothing too malignant there? >> no. >> the penguin had been on the loose for 2 1/2 months. how did he escape and save for so long? >> reporter: akiko pays fujito has more on this jailbird. >> reporter: may 25th, 2012. penguin number 337 was apprehended after 82 days at large and has been returned to custody at the tokyo zoo.

>> reporter: you can just see the defiance, the elusive penguin only known as 337 refused to even face the media gathered for his highly publicized arrest. he's caused quite the flap in japan since his flight from captivity 2 1/2 months ago. the 1-year-old penguin scaled a 13-foot wall to freedom winging his way to tokyo bay. all that time eluding capture and bellying up to an all you can eat sardine buffet. that's him taunting his pursuers. but yesterday it was his captors doing the taunting. the director telling the press he caught the bird with his own bare hands. 337 isn't the first animal to go rogue. this deadly cobra slithered his way out of the bronx zoo for six days and lived to tweet about it. and this chimpanzee in japan, he spent two hours tenaciously fighting for his freedom. remember this peacock?

he flew the coop from a central park zoo after an afternoon of people watching in new york city. still none have managed to hang on to freedom as long as this penguin. 337 is in his home safe and sound. tokyo sea life park says he'll do his time behind newly reinforced walls. akiko fujito, abc news, new york. >> we all can sleep easier now. >> it was good while it lasted. you were scared of that penguin. >> i'm the one that helped get it back. look. >> penguin trainer. >> i talked it back from the ledge. you have a lot to live for. it was like shawshank. >> what were you saying right there? >> like morgan freeman in "shawshank." get busy living. getting busy dying. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades.

this morning on "world news now" -- extreme weather. tropical storm beryl made landfall this morning with strong winds and some soaking rain. >> it's no beach holiday in northern florida and southern georgia with nasty conditions at this hour. it's monday, may 28th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good morning, everybody. happy memorial day. i'm rob nelson. and you are -- >> i don't remember my name. it's been a whirlwind. >> yeah. paula -- >> paula. i think it's paula. i forget. i was gone. >> welcome back. >> i was gone like a month. i missed you terribly. >> early in our marriage, we were separated but came back together. >> it was just a trial separation. no, just something they do for all anchors and correspondents.

typically like when you first get here, although i didn't do that when i first got here. i did this day one so just a couple of months in the making. >> network boot camp. >> it was boot camp. i'm sore. but my arm ooze. >> you look good. diesel. all right. good morning, everyone. accuweather will bring us up to date on the tropical storm and extreme heat. you'll see how unbearable it was at the indy 500 where big fans were brought in to keep everybody cool. my brother-in-law went. that was not him with his face in front of the fan but -- >> one driver's boot got stuck to the gas pedal. like 130 degrees on that track. imagine that. also, firefighters are spending this memorial day hard at work. to say the least. in several states. in fact, from new mexico to upper michigan, where a dry winter is making for a mean fire season in a lot of areas. >> and later this half hour, families and loved ones pay tribute to those who died serving our country. sometimes we all could use a little reminder, maybe a big

reminder about what memorial day is all about. as you say, it's not about barbecues and going to the beach. it's about -- >> honoring heroes. yes, indeed. the stormy memorial day forcing holiday beachgoers indoors. tropical storm beryl has reached the mainland. >> beryl slammed into the northeastern shore of florida early this morning. wind nearing hurricane strength. it's expected to swamp the coastline into georgia and south carolina well into this evening with nonstop rain. flooding and rip currents. warnings went out early to stay alert and aware. >> this storm has a potential to produce localized flooding, downed trees and power lines that can impact the public safety. >> now even before the storm hit, lifeguards were busy keeping swimmers out of the water. memorial day observances and a jazz festival were cancelled in jacksonville. three people and a dog had to be rescued from a sinking boat in rough waters off charleston, south carolina. ginger zee did a fabulous story on rip currents and what to do.

it you get caught in one, swim parallel with the shore. get out of it and then swim towards the shore. extreme heat is causing problems this weekend. anyone who -- just ask anyone who attended the indy 500. it was near record heat there. temperatures shot past 90 degrees. nearly hitting a record. fans got a little relief from some giant cooling fans. and the shade helped out, too. but not nearly enough. first responders had to scramble to treat people for heatstroke as well as dehydration. >> the humidity is just a bit above normal right now. it's unbelievable. i have had a drink in my hand all day. if i wouldn't have, i would have passed out. >> we have rags with ice water to put on your neck if you get too hot. >> why i watch it from my living room. race organizers tried to warn them about alcohol consumption in all that heat. on the track, temperatures soared to 130 degrees. so hot the driver marco andretti said his boot actually started

melting to his gas pedal. >> so hot on the track. then when you get inside those cars, i can just imagine the heat compression. so many people traveling today. let's get the latest on all the heat and the threat from tropical storm ber pim. >> jim dickey brings us the latest from accuweather. >> good morning, rob and paula. beryl moved its way onshore yesterday. continues to bring torrential rainfall as we head through this memorial day. we'll sit over here not just today but into tuesday. around into wednesday. then eventually steers its way out along coastal north and south carolina. by the time all is said and done, five, six inches of rainfall not out of the question. with that, flooding a big time concern. along with this here today, many spots once again, record challenging heat. especially true tennessee valley, lower misvalley into portions of eastern texas into the northeast, into the ohio valley. continues to stream in here. yesterday chicago hit 97 degrees. likely just as warm here today with thunderstorms that could be strong during the afternoon.

rob and paula, back to you. >> thank you for that crucial information. stormy weather cut short the annual memorial day concert last night on the national mall in washington, d.c. capitol police told the audience to seek shelter after a line of severe thunderstorms moved in. trace adkins and rock band daughtry of chris daughtry fame had already performed before the plug was pulled at the outdoor concert. >> natalie cole looking good. other parts of the country, it's hot and dry weather causing all the problems. crews are on the fire lines in nine states this morning trying to fight -- put out the flames that are now destroying hundreds of thousands of acres and forcing people from their homes as well. with more on this, here's abc's clayton sandell. >> reporter: across the country, apocalyptic scenes like this. in new mexico, a 122,000-acre monster is forcing residents to flee the town of mogoyon. >> we are hoping and praying mother nature will give us a break. >> reporter: 600 firefighters are up against extreme

conditions. high winds, dry fuel and the fire is growing. smoke from new mexico is prompting down wind states like colorado to warn people about breathing unhealthy air. on michigan's upper peninsula, a 20,000-acre blaze is charring the shores of lake superior, destroying 28 homes and cottages. but there's good news in crown king, arizona. >> been to this place for a long time. ready to go home. >> reporter: firefighters have contained about half of the 16,000-acre gladiator fire. >> we get to go home. and it's going to make me cry. >> reporter: meaning grateful residents get to spend memorial day back at home. clayton sandell, abc news, los angeles. a bicycle belonging to missing louisiana college student mickey shunick has been found. two fisherman found the black and gold schwinn under a bridge about 25 miles from where she was last seen riding on may 19th. detectives say the video showing a bike rider, they believe is shunick also shows a white

pickup truck. these are the first real clues offering hope to family and friends. >> we're trying to think positively. we're trying to think effectively, rationally and quickly. even if it's minute, it's huge at this point. >> police are not releasing any information about the bicycle's condition. they will resume searching the area where her bike was found. and turning overseas now where the vatican has been shaken by the arrest of a top aide to the pope. the embarrassing scandal comes at a critical time for the on. with more, here's abc's jeffrey kofman. >> reporter: pope benedict xvi spoke about unity. but he presides over an embattled church. its seven-year. a papacy. he learn more about gabriele, the pope's personal butler. gabri ele is said to be a modest man who began at the vatican as a cleaner working his way up.

he has been at benedict's side since 2006. >> there are a lot of people who can't understand why he did it if he did it. and many think that maybe he was framed up. >> reporter: we are told that the apartment with the red flowers is where gabriele lives with his family and where the secret church documents were found. he is now being held in a room in the tiny vatican police station. the documents expose money laundering and kickbacks at the secretive vatican bank which has operated outside of international banking laws. the head of the bank fired last week. benedict has tried and failed to reform it. the hunt for potential accomplices of the pope's butler continues here at the vatican. court cases inside the vatican walls are held behind closed doors. so while some information may come out, we may never know the truth behind all this scandal and intrigue. jeffrey kofman, abc news, the vatican. >> a lot of people think there

were accomplices and that maybe he may have been just a pawn in a larger scheme. but the -- a lot of these documents were embarrassing for the pope. even one that disclosed -- it was a plot to actually kill him. cronyism. so definitely some things that are getting out that they didn't want to get out. >> and proof no matter what the lot in life, there are always dirty little secrets behind everything. >> it's going to -- >> that again is not immune to that same human falliblity that affects most organizations. so it's there for the world to see. and it comes at a tough time. they're trying to prove their financial transparency. but it's just bad timing for a lot of reasons. everyone is joking. the butler did it. >> of course the butler did it. >> i'd probably say if there's one short ticket to hell it probably would be stealing from the pope. >> don't do that. >> that's taking it to the extreme. that guy is -- >> three years before it was a movie. facebook could be the next

software company to develop its own smartphone. anonymous sources tell "the new york times" that they've been looking for engineers. facebook already hired several apple engineers who worked on the iphone and ipad. look for the facebook phone next year. i imagine it is going to be really compatible with facebook. lobstermen in maine say some of their traps are filling up with soft shell lebsters a month or more ahead of schedule. the soft shells are shedders. usually reach their peak throughout mid-july. the height of tourist season. so a lot of the shedders is such a big hurry? you can blame it on all the weird weather this year. >> but it was uncharacteristically warm water in march and they were active. and then the water cooled off six degrees in one week. we had that cold stretch the 1st of april. and i don't know whether that did something or not. >> the concern is that the early catch will drive prices down, which of course is great news

for customers but not so good for the industry. a scrappy little stray dog has become an unlikely hero inspiring bike righters around the world. >> a team of cyclists traveling across china to tibet came across this dog one day basking in the sun. she decided to stay with them. she ran with them every day for 20 straight days covering more than 35 miles a day. >> that dog is in better shape than i am. that included climbing 12 mountains and a fair amount of bad weather and she never lost pace. not once. only the dog and three cyclists actually finished the 1,000-mile journey. that's an incredible thing. one of the riders started keeping a blog to document the whole thing which is cool. >> what about maybe some blisters on those paws. doggy cure. >> come home, benji. coming up, what memorial day is all about. paying tribute to those who fought and died for our country.

>> and paying tribute to the bridge that engineers said could not be built 75 years ago. the unforgettable golden gate. you're watching "world news now." ♪ in san francisco >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by hotwire.com.

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♪ ♪ i'll give some and some gave all ♪ ♪ some stood through for the red white and blue and some had to fall ♪ welcome back. on this memorial day monday we take a look at the true meaning of this holiday. and that, of course is remembering those who served our country. >> children who have lost a parent in service will mark this day for the rest of their lives. abc's david kerley takes a look through their eyes. >> reporter: flags adorn the

headstones, the ceremonies are under way. the outward signs of memorial day. but it is what is inside these young americans which is the true meaning of this remembrance. these are the children of the fallen. >> just a lot of fun stuff mostly. >> reporter: four years ago, captain andrew pearson was killed in iraq leaving four children. >> it's like the whole future that we had planned is all of a sudden, it's gone. it feels like a bad nightmare. >> he was a good person. >> reporter: still grieving, they have come to this event every year since their loss. tragedy assistance program. they call it tasp. >> we would joke around and sometimes scare my mom and say there's a snake in the backyard. >> reporter: they wrote notes to their loved ones. from caylee, hi, dad. i love you and miss you. another, i really want you to come back to earth.

notes tied to balloons. a simple act with deep meaning for a 9-year-old boy. >> three, two, one! >> it helps him because he feels closer to his dad that he's able to send that message. and there's a way to get it there. >> reporter: a little closer to heaven. >> right. right. >> reporter: while we remember on memorial day, they remember every day. david kerley, abc news, arlington, virginia. >> i think it's such an important thing to keep in mind for so many folks. it's about, oh, it's a day off, a long weekend, it's the beach house, the grilling out. and for so many people it is so much more than that. for a nation that is still in the middle of a war. so that's just a sobering story. especially those kids who have lost their parents way, way too young. >> it actually puts additional faces. we see the faces of the fallen. but we don't often see the faces behind that face and the families and the little kids and, you know, i just think

that's so great what they were doing with that program to really connect and kind of psychologically connect with their parents. >> thoughts and prayers with all of those folks up there and with the ones they left behind down here as well. coming up next, an architectural landmark like no other. >> why experts say the golden gate was an impossible project 75 years ago. it's still standing. you're watching "world news now." >> announcer: abc's "world news now" will c

it is a bridge that's been crossed more than 2 billion times since it opened way back in 1937. we are talking about san francisco's golden gate. >> and thousands showed up last night to celebrate the bridge's 75th anniversary. abc's david muir looks at the golden gate's place in history. >> reporter: it's been the backdrop for so many hollywood favorites. vertigo and jimmy stewart. but the golden gate bridge itself has a suspense story all

its own. in the early 1930s, an american feat of engineering was about to get under way. winds often 60-mile-per-hour. ocean currents dangerous, too. in the middle of the great depression, nothing could match the american might. >> it was regarded by many as a bridge that could not be built. >> reporter: there were safety nets to catch the workers who fell. the old pictures showing them walking cross beams tethered to nothing at all. 75 years later, one of those workers who fell and went back to work weeks later is tonight being remembered by his son. >> dad always would say it took 90% guts, 10% know-how. >> reporter: at the time the thirst for work was so strong there was no training except what you got on the job. a major contractor bethlehem steel, supplies sent in from three different states. finally came time for the first meeting in the middle. >> these two bridgemen volunteered to take a trip out along the cables. they call it swimming the

cables. swim, fellows, or you'll swim the gate. >> workers with their own nerves of steel. >> did they make it? well, here they're. meet months anderson and cliff. the first men to cross the golden gate bridge. >> reporter: so many of us have followed. lucky for us in our cars. more than 1.9 billion vehicles have now crossed the golden gate bridge northbound and southbound since it opened 75 years ago. >> the bridge that pessimists said could not be built has been built. >> reporter: david muir, abc news. >> what a beautiful bridge. what a moment there when those two guys meet in the middle for the first time. the first two to cross. the bridge cost 36 million back then. that would be just over a billion bucks today. >> and as he mentioned in the piece, men were so starved for work back in that day. no -- absolutely no experience. 11 guys died building that bridge. >> but we support their hard work and, of course, one of the

country's best landmarks. we had a good time there, paula. >> your hat is crooked, though. [ female announcer ] with swiffer dusters,

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>> announcer: "world news now" delivers your "morning papers." >> this story blows my mind. there's a guy ark parentally pretty drunk in alberta, canada. he passes out on these railroad tracks. here comes the train. this guy fell asleep on the tracks and literally 26 train cars ran over him. >> how is that possible? >> ran over him. apparently however he was positioned he woke up without a strach on him. they had the emergency brakes on, tried to not hit him. they sound the horn. in the track, 26 cars went right over him. he woke up or came to, probably is a better term, and he was okay. not a single scratch or injury. he was -- had he woken up or stirred up because of -- moved he would have been instantly

killed. because he was so drunk and so passed out, he didn't feel a thing. >> i bet he was just ly wedged . >> a guy in his 20s in canada. lucky to be alive. lucky he's a -- had a heck of a night. >> i know when most brides get married they like to wear a fancy dress and fancy shoes. well, uggs, the famous boot company. they are now making a line of uggs for a wedding. >> come on. >> they have glitter fabric and swarovsky crystal covered. the feedback from brides. they aren't girlie enough. just high-end slippers. they say they are a little ugly. >> men like to see women in pumps. feminine icon. >> sexy. >> sweat filled uggs walking down the aisle. no. >> a little powder in those. >> please put some baby powder. please. sweaty bunions. disgusting. also, an app for that.

we should not be surprised by things the iphone comes out. apparently some good folks at the university of missouri are designing this app you can literally take a picture of your tongue and it can tell you how healthy you are, whether you have any pending diseases based on a 5,000-year-old chinese principle. it detects positive and negative energies in the body. it's called the physical health or zeng of a person. take the picture and can diagnose you. not out yet but coming soon. imagine that. right there. >> can it determine if you have stinky breath. >> exactly. love this story. so they discover at this cafeteria that this neon light which had been wedged into a corner of -- had been on for 77 years. they estimate it cost over $17,000. they didn't know it was there because it was hidden in a wall during renovations. they finally discovered it. >> we need those lights here. >> these have been on for about

this morning on "world news now" -- making landfall. tropical storm beryl strengthens as it hits northern florida and southern georgia this morning. >> beryl is arriving before the official start of hurricane season turning this holiday into a soaker. it's monday, may 28th. from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good memorial day monday morning. i'm rob nelson. and this stranger -- >> hold on. let me get a good look at you. >> it's like lionel richie. ♪ hello you're real. i feel like we've aged since i've seen you last. welcome back. what do you mean on assignment.

>> you were working like around the shift for all the shows. >> it's typical for a lot of correspondents when they get here. they do it right away. but my first day here i was doing this show so we just had the indoctrination period like four months later. >> exactly. but reunited and it feels so good. nicely done on the other shows. good to be back here at home base. >> i missed you. my husband was like, when was the last time you saw rob? i was like five years ago. we were strangers passing through the night. >> back in the saddle. >> i might fall off the saddle. >> you've got your caffeine. >> we're going to check in with accuweather and get the latest on beryl. and it's not the only extreme weather. the record heat is making large areas of the country feel more like the fourth of july. >> summer is here, folks. and the thing is, june 1st is the start of storm season. here we go talking about weather maps and storm surges in all of this. summer is here.

also this morning, new inside information from new york detectives questioning the suspect arrested in the murder of etan patz 33 years ago. the huge obstacles and why this case has been so difficult, or will be so difficult to prosecute. >> later this half hour, the very wealthy tech executive accused in an elaborate scheme to rip off lego toys from target. everybody has got to have a weird fix, don't they? >> got love a criminal with high goals like that. >> you got your legos. lego my -- oh, it's eggo. >> we tried. on this monday morning we bedwin with the extreme weather. late developments from the southeast where beryl made landfall this morning and it's only part of the extreme weather picture. >> tropical storm warnings and watches are posted across a big section of the coastline as beryl, the first tropical storm this season to make landfall makes a mess out of the holiday weekend. more from abc meteorologist ginger zee.

>> reporter: get out of the water. lifeguards are keeping a close watch on swimmers along the coasts of florida, georgia and the carolinas this memorial day weekend. the surf is up and rip currents are dangerous as tropical storm beryl is hitting the southeast coast. >> this storm has a potential to produce localized flooding, downed trees and power lines that can impact the public safety. >> reporter: beryl's threats include a storm surge of up to three feet. three to six inches of rain and wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour. >> it's gotten a lot hotter. >> reporter: extreme weather of a different kind is baking almost half the nation. >> it's like 95 degrees today. and it's really hot. >> reporter: but after all, it's the unofficial start of the summer season. and the heat combined with drought conditions is fueling wildfires across the country. the biggest one in new mexico forcing people to flee. >> we are just hoping and praying that mother nature will give us a break. >> reporter: 600 firefighters

are battling that blaze. winds have died down in the past few hours making helicopter water drops possible. and water is just what residents along the southeastern coast are worried about and welcoming. an area in severe drought that may now get too much rain too fast as beryl slows and weakens. it could cause major flooding. this storm isn't going anywhere fast. it's going to drop heavy rains the next couple of days in northern florida and southeast georgia. an area that desperately needs it. ginger zee, abc news, jacksonville, florida. >> getting so hard to believe we're talking about this. not even june 1st and already a storm like this. you hope it's not an omen for the rest of the six months of hurricane season. folks in that part of the country, we don't want to freak people out. in f y if you live in florida or the southeast. people don't sweat tropical storms too much. it's more of a nuisance than anything else. so it's a nuisance but it's --

we're not, you know, we don't want to hit the panic button or anything like that. >> there is some good coming out of this. they need rain. and that's what's going to happen in georgia and florida. because that area is really dry. but in orlando, holiday travelers there, especially in the disney tourist areas were dealing with some smoke. look at this video. forest fires so bad that parts of interstate 4 had to be shut down. luckily it didn't reach the park. >> near disney, the happiest and hottest place on earth. >> potentially. >> good luck to all those folks in that part of the country. now the latest on beryl's strength and what to expect. >> our coverage continues with accuweather meteorologist jim dickey. good morning, jim. >> good morning, rob and paula. well, beryl has moved onshore. continues to bring soaking rainfall to northern florida and southeastern georgia. many spots by the time all is said and done over six inches of rainfall going a long way towards denting the extreme drought in places across the region. also likely too much of a good

thing cause something flooding. winds earlier on during the weekend brought this onshore here. winds will shift and drift out to sea. will hug the coast continuing to bring heavy rainfall to coastal north carolina on through tuesday into wednesday. rob and paula, back to you. >> they you, jim. now to an eye-opening headline. on the number of veterans filing for disability benefits. the government says among the 1.6 million veterans from iraq and afghanistan, 45% of them seek compensation for injuries suffered while in service. we want to compare that to the 1990s when only 21% of gulf war vets filed claims. today's vets are suffering from back injuries, hearing loss or multiple psychological and physical problems stemming from bomb blasts. definitely war is different now than it was 10, 20, 30 years ago. >> a timely story on this memorial day for sure. in other news, the u.n. security council is condemning the, quote, outrageous use of force by syrian government forces in the town of hala.

friday's relentless attacks on residential neighborhoods left at least 108 people dead, including 49 children. with more on this, here's abc's alex marquardt. >> reporter: how to get president assad to step down in no small part because of the large number of children who were killed. the dheerks white house believes is russia. what is being talked about is putting more pressure on russia and more pressure on assad to go. syria is one of russia's closest allies and a big buyer of russian weapons. the plan the u.s. is proposing is to get assad to hand over power while keeping much of his government in place during a political transition. but for the time being, any sort of unified plan is a long way off. alex marquardt, abc news. we now turn to the unfolding scandal at the vatican. one of the pope's top aides is now under arrest for leaking confidential documents. butler paolo gabri ele gave

information to the italian media. investigators say he was trying to discredit a leading vatican official. investigators now they more arrests are likely in the case. prosecutors here in new york are working to submit their case against the man who confessed to killing etan patz. pedro hernandez is charged with second-degree murder. abc's tanya rivero reports why this case is ever so challenging. >> reporter: intimate details about etan patz's murder only his killer could have known were revealed by pedro hernandez, according to "the new york post." >> scars, birth marks, unique characteristics. if, in fact, pedro did state those things, that does tell you that he had at least some intimate contact with etan. >> reporter: these closely guarded clues known only to a handful of investigators won't be revealed in case hernandez is exonerated or there were others involved. but if true, this new information could bolster a case many say is looking weaker by the gap hernandez, seen here in

a photo obtained by "inside edition" allegedly confessed to luring etan into the basement of the bodega where he worked as a stock boy. strangling the boy and disposing of his body with the trash. with no physical evidence, is the confession of a man known to have mental problems enough? even with these intimate details? >> if, in fact, pedro was able to tell investigators unique physical characteristics about etan, i think that's a great piece of evidence. however, i would feel very uneasy going to trial if that is all i have. >> reporter: but the fbi remains skeptical of hernandez's account saying that his story is inconsistent. the fbi says as far as they are concerned, the case is still open and they continue to investigate etan's disappearance. tanya rivero, abc news, new york. >> such a bizarre story here. interesting to note, apparently

this morning's "new york times" is reporting that pedro actually confessed to the strangling to a prayer group back in the 1980s. he said it in a group setting here and so they said, why didn't you go to the cops is the next logical question. and the leader of the group was like, i didn't go because he said it in a group. i don't have to say it because he said it in a group. someone else will step forward. if he confessed to this more than 20 years ago, it sounds like. and now we're just unraveling the mystery now. it seems odd. >> does seem odd. no physical evidence but if he's knows these intimate details. birth marks, scars. >> something happened. >> definitely. all right. an unexpected deposit was made over the weekend at a south florida bank. an suv sped over a median and crossed several lanes before slamming right through the front of the bank of america. the driver says she doesn't know how her jeep ended up inside the bank. thankfully no one was hurt but the bank was closed over concerns about security. >> you think?

>> now the dry through fee. >> that wasn't the drive-through, by the way. she just made her own drive-through. speaking of driving, another spectacular finish at the indy 500 with dario franchitti ki picking up his third. sato has pulled even with franchitti on the last lap and spun out and crashed barely missing franchitti. he wore a pair of white s sunglasses to honor dan wheldon who won indy last year but then died in a crash last october. >> among those joining the celebration, she's counting, one, two fleerngs that's ashley judd, franchitti's wife and sue wheldon, making her first trip to the track since her husband's death. >> honor the friend and the other thing was good. we'll be right back with more "world news now" right after this.

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welcome back, everybody. here's a real puzzling story. a vice president from a major tech company has now been arrested for ripping off legos. >> couldn't he afford them? >> i don't get this. >> was it a compulsion, a desire to beat the system or just greed. neal karlinsky puts the pieces together. >> reporter: police say it's a scheme more complex than a lego death star set. the building blocks this time include a 47-year-old silicon valley tech executive named thomas langenbock, a home computer and printer, and lots of lego. >> believe it or not, this will be our first tech executive in a lego case. >> reporter: investigators say the big-time tech vice president who lives in this gated multimillion-dollar home used his love of lego and computers to rip off target stores. this is him captured repeatedly on store surveillance cameras with expensive lego sets in the

cart. detectives say he did something called a ticket switch changing out the price by allegedly putting his own bar code stickers on boxes so he could pay less. a $249 millennium falcon set, for example, for just $49. police photos from a search of his home showed dozens of home made bar codes neatly organized. plus stacks and stacks of brand new lego sets. >> it certainly looks like an ongoing enterprise and to think that we caught him the only five times he ever did this would be difficult to believe. >> reporter: lego can make an adult do strange things. i made this almost certainly award-wing stop motion lego movie with my son. prosecutors say langenbock spent his spare time on a thriving ebay business where he sold 2100 lego items for roughly $30,000. langenbock is so far refused to comment. he's free on $10,000 bail facing

felony burglary charges. not exactly child's play despite a whole lot of lego. neal karlinsky, abc news, seattle. >> so he sold over 2,000 items in just over a year on ebay and made over 30 grand. not that he needed it. you were a big fan of legos. >> as a kid. there's me at halloween. having a good time. >> your rigid arms. >> who was my body double, webster? that's a strange picture. man. what i do in my spare time is my business. let me be. coming up next, what is driving up car sales. >> you look great in red, by the way. >> and who is cashing in far from the dealerships. you're watching "world news now." >> announcer:

on this holiday weekend,

things are looking up for car sales. business is up at dealerships 30% from last year alone. >> good economic news. so what is with this auto buying frenzy? abc's akiko fujita shows us what revved up all those car customers. >> reporter: in rockland county, new york -- oliveio is enjoying his busiest month in years. the confidence is back in his show room and customers are buying again. >> we found people that were holding back from two years ago. now they are feeling comfortable. maybe they have a job now. >> reporter: how are they winning over those potential buyers? by offering sweet deals on one of their biggest weekends of the year. >> there are a lot of apr finance deals on almost any vehicle out there on the road. you can get 0% or 1.9% financing. >> reporter: on a typical weekend, this dealership sells 20 cars. this weekend, they are expecting to sell 70. >> it's halftime, america. >> reporter: detroit is mounting a big comeback.

already chrysler has added 3,000 factory jobs to keep up with demand. gm, 4,300 jobs in four states. three years ago, manufacturing at this michigan plant was halted. by early this year, those workers told us all 2,200 of them were back. back at the dealership, we found joe and his wife phoebe buying not one car, but two. both american cars helping to create american jobs. >> where your guys going to go now? >> we're going for a road trip. >> one car off the lot on the road to recovery. akiko fujita, abc news, new york. >> that's especially good news. a year ago we were just a few months out from the tsunami earthquake in japan. those car dealerships were having difficulties because of the shortage of parts because of all the damage in japan. >> you would know that. >> i go sell cars.

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♪ welcome back, everybody. time now for insomniac theater. >> your mike is hot, by the way. >> time for insomniac theater and our look at this weekend's number one movie "men in black iii. kwrchlths i'm always reminded when i do this segment, how far behind i am in terms of pop culture and movies. so to break it all down. somebody cooler than us. we have our digital news associate. you went to see the movie. >> i did. i'm so excited to report on it because the last few films i've reported on i have had to give harsh critical review. i'm giving this a very high rating, a very high score. i really did like it. i think this is a fantastic movie to kick off the summer box

office. i guarantee you if you go see this film, you'll definitely leave with a smile on your face. >> and a pair of sunglasses? >> you'll have some critical sunglasses. in this third sequel, agent j has to travel back in time to help save the life of agent k who is played by the tommy lee jones. josh brolin is actually probably the most talented actor in this film as he plays a younger agent k during 1969. j's mission is to convince younger k of what's about to happen to the world if they don't stop boris the animal and his aliens from taking over. they shed lights on secrets of the universe but also he learned something new about himself. let's roll some footage of moviegoers reactions. >> i thought it was very good. much better than the last one. not as good as the first. >> it was great. it was pretty good compared to other movies we've just seen that had 3d. him dropping out of the building was pretty good. i would have liked to see more

tommy lee jones. >> i liked the story line going back seeing new york in the '60s. i thought it was very good. very animated. i thought it was amazing. will smith and tommy lee jones are great but josh brolin really -- ten stars on him on his performance. >> it's really interesting about this film. sony almost did not get this film out in time by this weekend. >> really? >> the writers, they had to hire a new set of writers to finish the film. they started the film not knowing what the end plot was going to be. the first part of the film is a little slow but the end is terrific. it's great. you'll love it. i'm giving it four stars. >> four? that's your best review in several weeks. >> let's hold it up. four. >> there it is. >> this is a weak marker. bad choice. >> budget cuts. it's all right, though. will smith pretty good? >> yeah. but everyone is talking about josh brolin mean did a phenomenal job.

this morning on "world news now" -- tropical trouble. the first tropical storm of the atlantic season to make landfall hits the coasts of florida and georgia. >> the storm threat cleared the beaches as a big section of the southeast prepares to get soaked. it is memorial day monday, may 28th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good monday morning, everyone, on this memorial day. i'm paula faris. and it is so good to see you. >> paula faris. i met her once before. >> a long while ago. >> the name rings a bell. a little foggy. i think i met her -- >> nice to meet you. >> i'm rob nelson. how are you? welcome back. >> missed you. a little sarcasm this morning. i missed you. and i missed you. >> and you missed your caffeine. >> i'm surrounded by it now.

>> you're swimming in it today. it's good to have you back from your tour of duty. tired but here. >> i'm tired but, honestly, i missed the family. i was on assignment for a couple of weeks. and it's good to be back. this is something they typically put anchors and correspondents through. mine was just a little later. >> it's all good. let your hair down with those other serious daytime shows. now you're back to the overnight. scratch yourself and wax. >> scratch myself? where? >> i'm rob nelson. we'll get up to date with beryl in a moment. also a more serious story on this holiday morning. it's been a very violent weekend in your old neck of the woods, chicago. that's where at least 24 shootings have taken place just in the last 24 hours. unbelievable stat there. we'll take a look at chicago's longtime struggle with gun violence that appears to be getting even worse. >> so many of these shootings overnight were in the same area so they are wondering if there is a connection between all of those as well. >> i'm sure. i'm sure. also this morning, the 80-year-old women -- you've probably seen her by now -- she

was in for a birthday thrill. she could have been killed. what she has to say now about her skydiving experience that really could have ended in complete and utter disaster. i mean, it is just so hard to watch, but give her kudos for actually talking about this after it happened. >> look at that. >> she's just hanging on. >> for dear life. >> she didn't have a view the entire time. >> that's a far cry from -- yeah. she made it, though. >> let's just put our feet on the ground and feel good about it. later in "the skinny" a three-pete for this year's indy 500 winner, dario franchitti. how the champion driver and his wife, the lovely ashley judd, celebrated the big victory. that's coming up in "the skinny" this morning. first, the wild weather gripping parts of the country this memorial day. and as tropical storm beryl makes landfall, it's going to be a washout for north florida and south georgia. >> beryl came ashore with

70-mile-an-hour winds as a strong tropical storm as watches and warnings are posted. ginger zee leads our coverage from jacksonville. >> reporter: holiday halted. beaches clearing out up and down the southeast coast as tropical storm beryl looms offshore. >> with the increased risk of rip currents, we're urging everyone to stay out of the water. >> reporter: rip currents are just the first threat from this storm. closing beaches and forcing at least 100 rescues from florida up through the carolinas. those in beryl's path from south of charleston to daytona beach can expect storm surge of up to three feet. three to six inches of rain and wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour. >> this storm has a potential to produce localized flooding, downed trees and power lines that can impact the public safety. >> reporter: a trip to the beach was an escape from the summer-sized sizzler baking almost half the nation in 90 to 100-degree heat. >> it's gotten a lot hotter. >> it feels like 100 degrees.

>> reporter: and it was even hotter on the track in indianapolis. but that didn't slow down drivers in one of the hottest indy 500s on record that made it to 91 degrees. and up to 130 on the track. >> you heard marco andretti say his boot is actually melting to his gas pedal. and the temperature is only going up. >> reporter: from washington, d.c., to kentucky, the heat was the hot topic. >> it's hot. it's really hot. >> oh, i'm listening. i guess humid summers are back. >> it's like 95 degrees today. and it's really hot. >> reporter: this storm isn't going anywhere fast. it's going to drop heavy rains the next couple of days in northern florida and southeast georgia, an area that desperately needs it. ginger zee, abc news, jacksonville, florida. >> beryl hit the shoreline this morning as a strong tropical storm. >> let's see where the storm is now heading as we check in with accuweather meteorologist jim dickey. good morning to you, jim.

>> good morning, rob and paula. well, beryl moved onshore during the overnight hours. continues to bring soaking rainfall to northern florida, southeastern georgia through this memorial day. along with that, strong gusty winds. 40 to 60 miles per hour. and now this rain will be heavy throughout the day. in many cases, good news. many areas here under extreme drought. plenty of rain, 4 to 6 inches. likely too much of a good thing. widespread flooding is likely into tuesday. rob and paula, back to you. >> thank you, jim. now the rest of the memorial day weather. any big plans? >> you are looking at it. >> i'm going to see the back of my eyelids. sdormy in the great lakes. heavy rain, hail and gusty winds around detroit, chicago and st. louis and oklahoma city and abilene. showers in the northern rockies. up to ten inches of mountain snow in montana and wyoming. >> 62 in billings. 68 in salt lake city. 92 in phoenix. 90s in chicago, indianapolis and dallas. and 88 here in new york.

>> mr. enunciator. >> 85 in atlanta. 92 in new orleans. it's the holiday. no one is watching. so just say whatever. >> whatever? >> it's 120 in boise! just joking. no, it's not. >> in jersey? >> boise. wildfires are burning out of control in at least five states this morning. mostly out west. winds finally relented in new mexico where an enormous fire burned more than 120,000 acres and a dozen homes. crews were finally able to move in after being forced to sit on the sidelines and watch the unpredictable flames. national guard troops have been called in to help. firefighters are also scrambling to put out a wildfire tearing through michigan's beautiful upper peninsula. light rain aided crews in getting the fire nearly 50% contained. the fire started by lightning has already burned through more than 20,000 acres near lake superior. dozens of homes, dozens of buildings have already been destroyed. back to the story we mentioned at the top of the show.

police in chicago are hoping for a peaceful memorial day after a weekend filled with violence. four people were killed and more than two dozen injured this weekend as abc's alex perez reports. one victim shot is a 7-year-old girl. >> reporter: little deja smith was doing what she loves to do, playing with her friends on her bike outside her south side chicago home when she was caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting. >> doesn't make sense all this shooting, you know. every day. >> reporter: the shooting that injured deja was just one in an outbreak of violence across chicago this hot memorial day weekend. one person has died so far. at least 24 people were shot and injured between late saturday afternoon and early sunday morning. police believe most shootings were gang or drug related. >> and it's frustrating that you are here one minute talking. the next hour, you are dead from a single gunshot wound. >> reporter: despite a number of efforts to get guns off the streets, chicago is still struggling with gun violence,

and homicides are up 58% so far this year. 183 so far in 2012 compared to 116 over the same period last year. chicago police say they will assign more officers to areas of high crime. little deja is expected to make a full recovery. but andrew holmes hopes her story won't be forgotten. >> it's tough and someone should be behind bars. >> reporter: chicago police are still investigating all of these shootings. at this point, they say they can't pinpoint any one factor that led to the uptick in violence this weekend. alex perez, abc news, chicago. >> how telling that the source of the story had a bulletproof vest on during the interview. our other news this morning, they are honoring vets who lost their lives in a special way in the state of kentucky. 25,000 flags were sent out in louisville to spell out usa. the flags honor all of america's fallen heroes from every state in the union, including military, law enforcement and firefighters as well. the flags come down on tuesday and then will be placed on

veterans' graves in 17 states. let's remember that is the reason for the holiday today. more than the grill out and all that kind of stuff. that's what we're honoring today. >> yes. we do thank all of the men and women who have served past and present, lost their lives representing our country. two minnesota girls thought they were just part of a group running in a pregame race around the bases at target field in minneapolis. but they were in for a pretty big surprise. >> we love these stories. when annie and alex rounded third and were headed for home, they were supposed to high-five the twins mascot tc bear, but who was there instead? yeah, that's their daddy, master sergeant rob, fresh off a plane from afghanistan where he'd been deployed since early january. >> of course, a big hit. a home run, maybe even a grand slam with the crowd who gave him a standing ovation. >> love that story. particularly today. that is great to see. hope they are having a great holiday back with dad. coming up next, the wild fugitive finally captured and

sent back to the zoo. >> and an 80-year-old woman's thrill as a skydiver. after this scare, what is she going to do for fun next time? we'll find out on "world news now." ♪ and i'm free free falling ♪ free free falling ♪

hey there. an 80-year-old woman bravely -- >> it's monday. it's a holiday. what do you expect? >> i'm a little rusty. i've been gone. an 80-year-old woman decides to try her first ever skydive. but the resulting jump is anything but smooth. you've seen this video. >> her ordeal all caught on tape. she's survived and is sharing her unforgettable experience.

abc's clayton sandell has more. >> reporter: she's the world's most famous skydiver. >> i just turned 80. >> happy birthday. >> reporter: this octogenarian adrenaline junky's near disaster birthday sky dive has gone viral. it shows laverne jumping out of a plane for her 80th birthday. a celebration that turns into a free-fall of terror when her safety harness comes loose. she dangles holding on to her instructor for dear life. >> i just held on. you do what you got to do, you know. >> reporter: laverne says even though it appears she was having second thoughts before jumping -- >> my knees had given out inside the plane there. >> reporter: grabbing hold of the airplane door, she says her instructor did not force her out. >> kind of throw, i guess you would say. put yourself in my position. i think you'd be holding on, too. he had to give me a little nudge. >> reporter: as they approach 125 miles an hour straight down, laverne says it's a blessing her shirt blew up blocking her view.

>> i had this one little peek hole of light shining through. i didn't get to see anything. >> oh, my god. >> reporter: after a nightmare ride, laverne and her instructor eventually reached the safety of terra firma. she is shaken but apparently not hurt. >> i fell. i had a rough landing. >> reporter: the company that makes the harness says someone loosened it to make her feel more comfortable. that the instructor should have checked it for a proper fit. even before she jumps you can see it's slipped off her shoulder where it should be. she's just glad she made it out alive. her next adventure, driving a race car. clayton sandell, abc news, los angeles. >> i'm the first to admit i'm not brave enough to go skydiving. look funs. i get the adrenaline rush and all that. god bless her for 80 years old, jumping out of a plane. but fatalities are only -- dropped to about 21 every year.

>> that can't be right. they've dropped to about -- >> yep. of course, i'm going to feel it first. i'm going to take the brunt of that, aren't i? >> you feel a lot of things in those pictures. we should do that. that would be like a team building experience for the overnight staff. you all need to go sky diving. >> like from the desk. three feet. >> i'm not doing that. have you ever done it? >> would never. my knees -- i have a phobia of heights. >> so you don't -- me either. skydiving is not your thing? >> no. >> glad grandma is okay. >> keep my feet on the ground. coming up, the indy guy and the nashville girl have a reason, a big one, to celebrate. >> and j. timberlake, he's your guy, right? >> he is my justin. great guy. >> he has a reason to change his facebook status. it's all next in "the skinny." >> announcer: abc's "world news now" will continue after this from our abc stations.

♪ skinny so skinny ♪ so, pretty exciting finish in the indy 500 which was on abc early on sunday. and how many people actually tune in just to see ashley judd who is married to dario

franchitti? well, you were in for a treat because dario won not once, not twice, but for the third time and ashley was the proud wife. >> and i am so proud of him. and i said to him today when he got in the car, i will see you in the winner's circle. >> and she certainly did. and dario is putting on those sunglasses, a tribute to dan wheldon, one of his best friends. he tragically died last october. wheldon actually won the indy 500 last year. and his three best friends, tony kanaan, scott dixon and dario franchitti, finished in the top three. a nice salute to dan wheldon as well. >> very cool. they are having a good time in that household tonight. that's for sure. good for them. and cannes, i know you are a huge fan of the cannes film festival. >> i go every year. hobnobbing on my yacht. i go over. it's a big deal. me and joan rivers having cocktails. it's great. >> if you are wondering how

hollywood did, big goose egg. they may as well not even have gone. the celebs, the directors scored a big nada. here's the big winner. austrian director michael hanak with french actors. they won for "amore." but there were a lot of a-list celebs there. kristin stewart and her man, you know, pattinson. how do you say his name? robert pattinson? i can his last name correctly. >> i'm not a "twilight" guy, so i don't know. >> brad pitt who also starred in "killing them softly" came up empty-handed. not a really good showing for hollywood. >> no one star -- they don't need another award. they're fine. >> and they're in france. france on the yacht, party with the models and eating the caviar. they are fine out there in cannes. i broke my pen. >> your pen just exploded. >> everything at abc is -- i'm so excited, i can't contain myself. i hate when that happens so early in the game. all right. also, big engagement --

>> where are you going? >> they don't do that on "nightline." >> no, they don't. >> also, justin timberlake and jessica biel had a big engagement party. why not have a huge old party there. we saw her ring a few weeks ago. this is such a cool kind of sexy young couple. they are doing their thing. they had a big, big party. lance bass was there, ellen degeneres. a big old shindig. we want to say congratulations. >> they are bringing sexy back. >> indeed. >> to being engaged. >> so hopefully they are, you know, together for the long haul, let's hope. also, zuckerberg, the most famous billionaire on the planet. where do you honeymoon if you are -- you just got married and had a big 28th birthday. of course, you go to rome. maybe getting away from all the madness here in america. the eyes of the world are on this guy. they snapped him everywhere doing his thing. he and his wife priscilla. they were in rome at the coliseum. a fancy restaurant. doing all the things newlyweds do. we wish them well on their overseas honeymoon.

>> he needed to change his -- he changed his status to in rome. [ female announcer ] removing facial hair can be irritating.

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you're watching "world news now." >> sleep is overrated. ♪ you can't catch me baby you can't catch me ♪ welcome back, everybody. a fugitive that had escaped has been caught in japan. that would be a fugitive penguin who escaped from an aquarium. yeah. different story. >> so nothing too malignant there? >> no. >> the penguin had been on the loose for 2 1/2 months. how did he escape and survive for so long? abc's akiko fujita has more on this jailbird. >> may 25th, 2012. penguin number 337 was apprehended after 82 days at large and has been returned to custody at the tokyo zoo. >> reporter: you can just see

the defiance, the elusive penguin only known as 337 refused to even face the media gathered for his highly publicized arrest. he's caused quite the flap in japan since his flight from captivity 2 1/2 months ago. the 1-year-old penguin scaled a 13-foot wall to freedom winging his way to tokyo bay. all that time eluding capture and bellying up to an all you can eat sardine buffet. that's him taunting his pursuers. but yesterday it was his captors doing the taunting. the director telling the press he caught the bird with his own bare hands. 337 isn't the first animal to go rogue. this deadly cobra slithered his way out of the bronx zoo for six days and lived to tweet about it. and this chimpanzee in japan, he spent two hours tenaciously fighting for his freedom. remember this peacock?

he flew the coop from the central park zoo for an afternoon of people watching in new york city. still none have managed to hang on to freedom as long as this penguin. back in tokyo, 337 is in his home safe and sound. tokyo sea life park says he'll do his time behind newly reinforced walls. akiko fujita, abc news, new york. >> we all can sleep easier now. >> it was good while it lasted. you were scared of that penguin. >> i'm the one that helped get it back. see. look. >> penguin trainer. >> i talked it back from the ledge. you have a lot to live for. come on back. it was like "shawshank." >> what were you saying right there? >> like morgan freeman in "shawshank." get busy living. get busy dying. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades.