>> right now on america this morning, deep freeze. million americans waking up to frigid temperatures. arctic air bringing snow, ice and record setting cold just ahead. the power grid concerns in texas and what to know if you're planning to fly this week. >> countdown to caucus republican candidates braving the bitter cold in iowa. trying to earn support in the hawkeye state, where the first official

contest of the 2024 election is held today, their final pitches to voters and how the wicked weather could affect the race. red sea attack houthi rebels firing a missile at another u.s. navy destroyer, an american jet shooting it down the rising tensions coming as two navy seals are missing off the coast of somalia. >> what we're learning plus a mid-air disaster, a skydive trip turned tragic. >> what officials are saying after a hot air balloon plummeted to the ground, crowning a achievement. >> meet the newest miss america for the state she represents. and why her victory is historic and slopeside surprise the tourists who saw this bear on their ski trail. >> how they grinned and beard. on this monday, january 15th. >> from abc news in new york. this is america this morning. >> good monday morning, everyone . thanks for joining us. i'm rhiannon ally and online or more

is in for andrew. >> we begin this morning with the cold weather turning downright dangerous for millions of americans. >> yeah, people are used to scenes like this one in buffalo, where the lake effect snow is finally ending today, but wind chills near the great lakes will remain below zero this morning. and it's not much warmer as far south as texas. this morning. 100 million americans are waking up to an arctic blast, bringing snow, ice and record setting cold in texas. the power grid operator is asking residents to conserve electricity as below freezing temperatures push farther south. wind chills overnight in dallas were expected to dip to minus seven. >> windchill alerts are stretching from montana to the southern tip of texas. some cities in iowa feeling like minus 30 in mississippi and alabama, people are urged to wrap exposed pipes in their homes with temperatures in the teens expected along the gulf coast this week.

>> it comes as communities from oregon to the great lakes dig out after a weekend of heavy snow, parts of iowa getting up to ten inches tens of thousands were without power in wisconsin after the storm dropped more than a foot of snow in some areas in colorado, this avalanche along highway 40 buried at least ten cars more than 1100 flights are canceled already today after more than 1400 were canceled yesterday. in kansas city on saturday, the fourth coldest nfl game ever on record taking place. the temperature at kickoff negative four degrees with a wind chill of -23. chiefs coach andy reid leading his team to victory even as icicles formed on his mustache. and in western new york, lake-effect snow leading to whiteout conditions, forcing officials to postpone the bills playoff game. the team offering free food and $20 an hour to any

fans willing to help clear snow at highmark stadium. yeah this fan going shirtless as he took a ride down a makeshift snow chute. at least they had some fun with it. but seriously, be careful out there. overnight temperatures in parts of florida could dip into the 20s. we'll take a closer look at the forecast coming up. >> that deep freeze could also affect turnout in iowa, as residents prepare to cast the first votes of the 2024 election, former president trump heads into the iowa caucuses far ahead of his rivals, and nikki haley is gaining ground on ron desantis in the latest poll. abc's em nguyen is live in des moines. good morning, m lionel. >> good morning. yeah. tonight's caucuses lead off the election year with candidates urging their supporters to brave the bone chilling weather and vote. kicking off this election year after months of campaigning being the first in the nation, iowa caucuses, subzero temperatures and blustery winds

still slamming the hawkeye state gop frontrunner donald trump rallying sunday, downplaying the weather. >> it's all endure, so you're not going to have to worry about that, the former president, who faces 91 criminal charges, is imploring his supporters to deliver him a decisive victory. the big event at 7:00 and hopefully we're going to have some tremendous numbers, trump holding a dominant 28 point lead in a new des moines register nbc news poll. >> nikki haley and ron desantis now in a heated race for second place haley with her eva pilgrim song what i love about the poll is i was the only one going up and everybody else was going down. haley canceling an event sunday with desantis nearby still in person, pushing the idea that he, not haley, is the only candidate who can beat trump. she cannot win conservative or poor voters. >> republicans. she's trying to win. you know, people in the other party in des moines, his supporters going door to door trying to win over new voters.

>> as his poll numbers decline. then you got another one. arkansas governor asa hutchinson, still in the race, but polling in the single digits, criticizing the other presidential hopefuls for not aiming their attacks at trump candidates that think they're going to win without taking on donald trump. >> uh, they're our they're behind 28 points in the polls. so we'll see what strategy works . the caucuses begin tonight with the power to reshape a president race here in the media room. >> media outlets from across the globe will be able to see results and report them out in real time. rhiannon. >> we'll be watching em. thank you for that. iran backed militias in yemen fired a missile at an american navy destroyer in the red sea, but not a u.s. fighter jet. shot it down. it was the first attack by the houthi rebels since last week's us led strikes on dozens of militant targets in yemen. the pentagon said there were no injuries or damage in yesterday's attack, and a search continues this morning for two u.s. navy seals missing off the

coast of somalia following a night time mission, officials say one seal fell into the rough waters as they were boarding a ship on thursday, and the second one dove in to help. in accordance with protocol, officials say they have regularly intercepted weapons bound for the houthis and the boarding mission was not related to the recent airstrikes. >> now to the deadly hot air balloon crash in arizona, about 65 miles from phenix, in an area known as the skydiving capital of the world. this morning we're learning a young nurse is among the four people killed this morning, the ntsb and the faa are investigating what caused this hot air balloon to crash in a desert area. >> 65 miles southeast of phenix, arizona, killing four and leaving one fighter for their life. >> this is sad. this is sad. >> sunday morning, police believe 31 people initially went up in the hot air balloon in eloy, an area popular for skydiving. eight of them were skydivers, and before the crash,

they successfully jumped out. but that left the pilot and four others inside the basket. the gondola. when something went wrong. there are reports that the balloon was deflated and coming straight down before a hard impact, and abc affiliate knxv is reporting that the pilot is among the dead. >> shortly thereafter, something catastrophic occurred with the balloon, causing it to crash to the ground. >> they saw the last 10s before the impact and they said that the material of the balloon portion was just straight up. >> our affiliate also talked to family members who say one of the victims was 28 year old katie bartram from indiana. her family says she just became a registered nurse last year and went to arizona with her friends for adventure and skydiving. >> she was a beautiful person. she recently became an rn and was making it on her own. >> just last month. also near

phenix, a hot air balloon crash landing right on the roof of a house. the nine passengers on board that balloon were not injured. the mayor of eloy says the area is a popular location for skydivers, and he describes it as a very well-known area and loved area among enthusiasts, and that when something like this happens in the community, it affects everyone. rhiannon >> lionel, we're following some breaking news in california. crews are searching in half moon bay after a plane apparently crashed into the water. officials say multiple people reported hearing a plane sputtering and into stress. video shows a helicopter hovering above the pacific ocean with a spotlight. authorities say they have found debris. it is unclear, though, what type of plane it was or how many people were possibly on board. >> texas officials are denying claims that national guard soldiers stopped border agents from rescuing three migrants who drowned in the rio grande. the bodies of a woman and two children were recovered on sunday, days after the state put

up a fence with gates and razor wire in eagle pass. the texas national guard says it searched the river for people in distress after being contacted by border patrol, but says it didn't find anyone. >> lava from a volcano in iceland has forced a town to evacuate for the second time in less than a month at least one home about 30 miles from iceland's capital, has burned after the same volcano erupted last month. defenses against the flowing lava were partially built, but they were not completed. it is time now for a look at your morning weather. >> good morning. the cold is here and it's here to stay as we go through the morning hours, accuweather. real for valleys and places like binghamton, new york, near and below zero. and of course we've got snow working into the northeast. it stems from the south, comes into the northeast as we head through monday evening. and yes, lifts northward into tuesday evening. so we will be talking about a quick 1 to 3in of snowfall

across the northeast for accuweather. i'm meteorologist melissa konstanzer >> coming up, remembering a beloved actress from the honeymooners. >> also ahead, breaking her silence, the georgia da, who's prosecuting former president trump now accused of having an improper relationship with a lawyer on her team. what she is saying about the allegations and the new plane from nasa promising to revolutionize commercial aviation

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it feels like forever ago that our lives were changed when you were diagnosed with cancer. i know this has allowed you to see how hard life can be, but always realize it's full of opportunities to make someone's day better. there's been so much kindness surrounding you, starlight who made you smile even on your toughest days. never forget those who loved you so well and know that you have the responsibility to give back. love, dad. usher on gma. >> at least one person was hurt after a car slammed into a whole foods in bethesda, maryland. police say a woman was injured when that driver lost control plowing through the front door and into the produce section. the crash is under

investigation. >> the district attorney in georgia, who filed charges against former president trump, is speaking out after she was accused of having an improper relationship. abc's derrick dennis reports this morning, fulton county district attorney fani willis, the hard headed, flawed, imperfect servant before you at a sunday church service in atlanta, speaking publicly for the first time since a court filing accused her of being romantically linked to a lawyer she hired to lead the election interference case against former president trump and 18 others. >> she pushed back on the criticism over her appointment of nathan wade, one of three special counsels on the case. >> i appointed three special counsel, as is my right to do paid them all the same hourly rate. they only attack one. >> willis did not mention wade by name, nor deny an alleged affair, but claimed race is behind the scrutiny of wade's appointment and that $650,000 in legal fees. wade has been paid so far is legitimate, despite

critics who say both have allegedly benefited from the cash by taking lavish vacations together. in a statement, an attorney who represents trump codefendant michael roman denied race playing a role, writing if anybody doubts our claim that nathan wade is inexperienced, ask him how many rico cases he has handled. ask him how many felonies he has tried there all you saw the fanny fan willis. >> you saw that deal at a campaign appearance sunday in iowa, trump suggested willis's alleged relationship as a conflict of interest, disqualifying the case. >> but willis claims trump and others have attacked her for being a black woman in power. >> the first thing they say, oh, she going to play the race card now? but no god, isn't it them who's playing the race card when they only question one? huh >> legal filings from both sides will now have to be considered by the judge trying the trump election interference case in georgia, and whether willis is alleged relationship with her special counsel appointee compromises the case. rhiannon

lionel. >> all right. thank you to derek. dennis for that. nasa has introduced a new supersonic jet it says could change the future of commercial flight. the x-59 was developed with lockheed martin, and it's expected to fly at about 925mph with minimal noise impact. the plane's first flight is expected this year. >> that is super fast. all right, coming up, the bear surprising skiers on the slopes also had the major update expected in the gilgo beach killings. >> what we are learning about a >> what we are learning about a possible introducing ned's plaque psoriasis. he thinks his flaky, red patches are all people see. otezla is the #1 prescribed pill to treat plaque psoriasis. it can help you get clearer skin. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it. serious allergic reactions can happen. otezla may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. some people taking otezla had depression, suicidal thoughts, or weight loss. upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur.

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iconic 1950 sitcom now to the so-called gilgo beach serial killer, who is now expected to face charges in the murder of another woman in new york. >> this morning, alleged gilgo beach serial killer rex herman is expected to be charged in the death of a fourth woman in new york. herman was already the prime suspect in the killing of maureen brainard barnes, the 25 year old seemingly vanished in 2007. her remains found in a marshy area near gilgo beach. three years later, wrapped with a belt which had a buckle bearing the initials w.h, possibly standing for humans father now sources say prosecutors are preparing to announce that a grand jury has returned an indictment formally charging herman with brainard. barnes murder. when he returns to court tomorrow. so there's a lot of evidence we had, but they weren't ready to charge. >> so now we're six months into it, a long time for investigators to work at. and apparently they forward to the forwarded the case. so they're

going forward tuesday morning. >> herman is already charged with killing three women. their bodies found wrapped in burlap on long island's south shore. he's pleaded not guilty to killing megan waterman, melissa barthelemy and amber costello. all three were found dead in december 2010. >> it's bittersweet because i know the details of her death. she was just a normal person and that she had a normal, loving heart, just like any person that you walk down next to on the sidewalk. and she didn't deserve this. >> investigators spent days searching herman's home over the summer, seizing his cell phone office, storage unit and even zeroed in on this pizza box, collecting what they say is a critical piece of dna evidence. there are six other women whose bodies were found near gilgo beach, whose deaths remain unsolved. >> a close encounter with nature was captured on camera in lake tahoe. how would you like to be this close to. yes, a black bear seen frolicking in the snow over the weekend. the family from sacramento. they kept their

distance as the bear started climbing a tree there, and then they spotted it again. >> it was exciting and very sweet and he was gentle. and i think, you know, we're kind of in his home. >> absolutely. and experts say when you do see a bear, it is best to give it plenty of space. >> i don't think they gave it enough space. all right, coming up, the new miss america was the slithery surprise inside a refrigerator. refrigerator. >> coming up next if your moderate to severe crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms are stopping you in your tracks... choose stelara® from the start... and move toward relief after the first dose... with injections every two months. stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. pres, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition, may be possible. some serious allergic reactions

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yarder for the lions was just enough. they win 24 to 23, ending their drought. >> earlier, a shocker in dallas as the packers dominated the cowboys. >> jordan love throwing three touchdown passes as green bay won it 48 to 32. it wasn't close. the whole game, and of course, all the teams in the playoffs are hoping to reach the super bowl. >> will usher is this year's halftime performer. >> it's his second time being involved in music s biggest gig, but is its first time headlining . usher talked about the upcoming performance with abc's kelly carter. >> it's been a dream of mine and a bucket list, you know, thing to be able to get it, you know, they say, what is it? uh oscar. tony, grammy, emmy, right. yeah. you should put super bowl on there, too, right. >> well, we'll have much more from usher coming up later on. good morning america. here she is, miss america 2024. hailing from the great state of colorado, 22 year old air force second lieutenant madison marsh was crowned last night, making

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survivors. a plane crashes into the water off the coast of half moon bay. we hear from witnesses who say they saw it happen. >> today is caucus day in iowa, the first state to weigh in on the presidential election. republican candidates not named trump face type competition on a day of brutally low temperatures . >> and the big story across the country, winter weather, even where some places are even facing subzero wind blasts and several feet of snow. >> good morning. it's monday, january 15th. many of you have work off today for martin luther king junior day. yeah >> happy martin luther king junior day. i know all of us are here at work