devastating newsbreaking out of china this morning. more than 100 people killed in a powerful earthquake. with rescue efforts still under way. a live report from beijing neith heree > here in the u.s., we are tracking a system and somewhere's headed now a radical step toward

inclusivity. no blessing on this basketball court steph curry goes cold on his threes we break down the game that halted his five-year shooting streak discover a holiday tradition dating back more than a century. we'll take you to the streets of a place they call the christmas city it's tuesday, december 19th, "early today" starts right now good morning, i'm frances rivera >> i'm jessica layton. we begin this morning with breaking news in china a devastating earthquake has killed at least 118 people, according to the officials there. the 6.2 magnitude quake struck in northwestern gansu province bringing us the latest, janis mackey frayer in beijing what do we know so far >> reporter: jessica, good morning.

it is an all-out race to dig people from the rubble after an earthquake struck in northwestern gansu province. rescue teams have worked through the night in freezing cold temperatures, nearly 2,000 fiefrlts are at the epicenter. at least 118 people have died, according to officials, and hundreds more are injured. the quake struck around midnight the tremors lasting about 20 seconds, and felt as far away as a city 65 miles peraway, and ney 5,000 homes have been destroyed. video shows people running from their homes and into bitter cold temperatures much of china and beijing has been in a cold snap. that's why officials say the next 72 hours are crucial. it happened around the northern edge of the tibetan plateau where earthquakes are not unusual, but this one appears to

be on course to be one of the deadliest of the past decade china's earthquake administration put the quake measured at magnitude 6.2. the initial usgs assessment put it at magnitude a 5.9. xi jinping has order add full-scale searchand rescue effort money and equipment are being deployed to get to people who are trapped, to get survivors to warmth and safety. the worry is that the toll of this quake is going to rise. >> absolute devastation and desperation. thank you. turning now to iceland where after weeks of intense earthquakes, a volcano on the country's peninsula erupted. the public has been warned to avoid the area last month, residents were evacuated from a nearby town after they were alerted to a possible eruption. while it wasn't unexpected, it was larger than expected

lava is spewing from a more than two-mile-long fissure that is continuing to grow and could move toward the town the blue lagoon resort has also been closed as precaution. in what an israeli newspaper has dubbed psychological warfare, hamas has released a harrowing video showing three elderly hostages held in gaza in a proof of life video clearly made under duress. cia director bill burns is now in talks with the head of the mossad and senior qatari officials to reach a new truce with hamas and free more hostages the fate of israeli captives gained renewed urgency over the weekend after three of them were shot and killed by israeli forces, despite them carrying a white flag and speaking hebrew hallie jackson reports from tel aviv >> reporter: at the second day of the shiva for alon, hug after hug. >> he was serving in the army in

the special forces alon is a brave guy. >> reporter: he believes his son plotted an escape from hamas tunnels, along with two other hostages >> if you see the sign, all is his handwriting. >> reporter: the sign that says s.o.s., that's his writing >> yes the army did not act as an army. they act like murderers. they just shoot to kill. >> reporter: it's not just grief. >> i'm really angry. i ask the government stop the shooting and look what's happened >> reporter: what is your message to the government? >> you murdered my son twice you let the hamas take my son on october 7. and you killed my son on december 14. they are not our leaders they thing only of themselves. they are not thinking about the

hostages >> reporter: alon was shot by his own military at the same time as the other two. and at one home, a mother welcomes visitors. [speaking in a global language including an israeli politician. we can only ask for your forgiveness, he says laleh says they're all three heroes they went out, escaped they did all the work. just waiting for you to come get them she tells him, i will not forgive anyone you did not accept his condolences, why [speaking in a global language >> reporter: because these words came late, she says. later, describing how she keeps playing in her head her son's final moment their call for help, the white flag, this what i keep seeing, she tells us i am hurting for these families, pain and rage and for this country, a reckoning.

hallie jackson, nbc news, israel texas is setting the stage for a legal showdown over border governor greg abbott signed a bill last night permitting state law enforcement to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally. the legislation gives judges the power to order migrants to leave the u.s. and provides $1.5 billion to secure the border abbott accuses president biden of deliberate inaction amid record illegal border crossing the new law is slated to go into effect in march, setting up a fight between the lonestar state and federal government over immigration powers today the first woman to ever serve on the supreme court will be honored at a funeral service at washington national cathedral. on monday, justice sandra day o'connor lay in repose the current justices, her family and vice president all came to pay respects and honor that trail blazer >> she never let self-doubt or hand wringing stop here from making a decision or taking charge

she would often say that it was good to be the first, but don't want to be the last. >> o'connor died earlier this month at the age of 93 president biden and chief justice john roberts are both expected to speak during her funeral services later today marvel star jonathan majors is facing up to a year in prison this morning after he was conv convicted of assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend. the actor found guilty of two of four charges stemming from arrest last march. he is best known for the marvel franchise and "creed three." a popular video blogger is pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse in a utah court. she amassed more than 2 million

subscribers on her youtube page sharing her strict parenting style. she and her business partner were arrested in august after police found one of her children with open wounds after escaping hildebrand's house frank's sentencing is scheduled for february 20th. much of the east coast is now in recovery mode after a massive storm brought in heavy rain, flooding and high winds from florida to maine. at least two people were killed. one man in maine and another massachusetts emilie ikeda has the latest >> reporter: with whipping winds and torrential rain, a monster storm is leaving behind a mess for millions after barrelling up the east coast wind gusts topping 60 miles per hour in at least seven states, downin downing trees and cars >> it was raining too hard and the wind was blowing, and everything was so crazy here >> reporter: parts of new jersey

and new york declaring states of merge. first responders jumping into action you can't even make out the rod way here in bay shore, new york, where floodwaters are now criming creeping towards people's homes. >> reporter: officials evacuated a village inundated by a dangerous combination of rain and snow melt. >> there will be damages >> reporter: it's the statement system that sent a car hydroplaning into another killing two people in durham and spawn add tornado outside of myrtle beach nearby, a 35,000 pound semi-truck flipped >> never had a case where i ever thought i'd flip over. >> reporter: while in the great lakes region, snow squalls led to this mass eive pileup a deadly winter wallop hampering the start of the holiday week. >> and our thanks to emilie ikeda for that report. for more, let's bring in angie lassman. good morning, angie. >> that system long gone, but

we're unfortunately dealing with wintry weather across parts of the east today this morning we've got 10 million people under winter alerts you can see downwind of the lakes and down through the appalachians, we've got those alerts up, as we deal with snow falling currently. notice where you see it, most of it downwind. the lake-effect snow something we'll deal with through the day today as we'll pick up make six to 12 inches the good news is news iwill mov out. temperatures across this region ranging from the upper 30s in places like make tonight low 40s as we get down to valdosta that will be something we watch through this morning meanwhile, the middle of the country running warm, at 25 deg above normal for denver as they head to a high of neighborhood.

we'll hit mid 40s in sioux falls, and minneapolis will deal with mostly cloudy skies and highs into the upper 30s and this's aat's a look at the forecast the battle of the birds, the eagles and seahawks. but first, pope francis approved a major change for same-sex couples in the catholic church in the catholic church. new charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go. schwarzkopf keratin color transforms your hair and helps it break away from damage. for strength and a rich striking color, on all hair textures. let the world see your strength. schwarzkopf keratin color

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catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, a change of perception if not doctrine and reflective of francis' own pastoral vision. >> he sends a broad message. >> reporter: the new declaration is a landmark step, signaling the church's welcoming of the lgbtq community, but the documents signed by pope francis industrie industri stresses that it is not the same as a marriage sacrament. >> i think some will say anything short of marriage, anything short of equality is offensive, and on the other hand, some people will see this as an incremental step >> reporter: a statement says each of us needs god's healing love and mercy in our lives. >> i think it's a great step forward. i think that's wonderful news. >> long overdue, you know, if jesus said love was love, then

love is love, isn't it >> reporter: the door now open for so many who have not always felt welcome, thanks to an aging pope still parsparking controversial discussions. >> i think it will be taken as a step eventually toward allowing marriage that's not what the vatican is saying, but that's the way it will be perceived by many people >> reporter: molly hunter, nbc news still to come. it may have been a battle of the birds, but we're breaking down a monday night football grudge match right after this tball gru match right after this. jerry! come see who it is! what are you doing here you said you weren't coming home! i wanted to surprise you! mom, are you coming? i'll be right in! (♪♪) this is not just 1-hour delivery. this is help with the holidays, right in your neighborhood. walgreens.

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against the eagles philly managed to keep the contest close into the final two minutes. seattle's backup quarterback drew loft led a drive resulting in that go-ahead touchdown an incredible interception on philly's final drive, allowing seattle to keep playoff hopes alive, 20-17 drew locke is getting a lot of love this morning after a really heartfelt post-game interview last night going on and on about how much he loves his teammates. >> and lhere we go he hopes that's going to roll into all that play during the golden state warriors' sunday night victory over the portland trail blazers, steph curry failed to make a three-p three-point shot despite his eight attempts the first time he has failed to hit a three in a regular-season game in over five years. the streak dates back to a

december 2018 game against the pistons. and just before the night before, curry had made ey had mt his nba wit his 35th three pointer it doesn't take away from him being outstanding. >> he's still pretty amazing jumping to a familiar face purdue reclaiming its spot in the rankings in the latest edition of the ap top 45, jumping into top position for the first time since week four after handing arizona its first loss you see the standings right there. when we come back, why you may want to check the spinach in your salad sadal. bye, bye cough. - later chest congestion. hello 12 hours of relief. 12 hours!! not coughing? hashtag still not coughing?!

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need to know "early today. spinach sold in seven states is recalled over listeria concerns after it was found during routine testing. the recall impacts eight-ounce bags of fresh express brands with use buy dates of december 14th and 15th. apple will pause sales of two of its latest watches after a patent dispute the u.s. postal service is installing 12,000 advanced security blue collection mailboxes. >> they won't look any different on the outside but they're designed to thwart different types of attacks and a dress worn by princess diana just sold for more then a million dollars. the sale brought in is 11 times more than the auction house had originally predicted

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so you can enjoy life. when you feel the signs, it's time to try align. it is a holiday tradition that's lasted for over a century. one small town in nebraska our harry smith has the christmas story. >> reporter: like a postcard from nebraska. the beautiful christmas lights adorning the courthouse. >> there have been lights on the courthouse since 1922. >> reporter: he learned to love history from lucille cole, his

teacher. >> that's a glass negative, two men up here working on the courthouse lights. >> reporter: after world war ii shall the i, the high school drama teacher was approached >> said do you have anything new we can do when we turn on the lights the light of the world >> reporter: and after year since 1946, give or take an energy crisis or pandemic, menden has hosted the light of the world pageant. >> well, my dad, he would have been so thrilled >> reporter: ben's dad directed it for years, then ted grease. them ben and now ben's son. what is it like for you when you come to the square here? and all the christmas lights are on >> well, it's fabulous it puts you in the mood.

incredible lights. >> reporter: indeed they are >> here in menden, we try to strife to not have christmas be so commercialized. >> reporter: sally has menden roots that go back four generations. >> it's more about tradition and nostalgia and families making memories, and you can drive around this city square. as many times as you want. >> reporter: her friend melanie bealer moved here a few years ago in part because of the lights >> it was something that i wanted to be a part of >> it's just so great. >> reporter: yeah. >> it's just so great. >> reporter: not so fancy, these lights but just fine for more than 100 years. harry smith, nbc news, minden, nebraska >> so beautifully captures all the emotion. the range that we feel at the holidays, right? the nostalgia, the happiness, the joy, the missing people.

>> there is something when it comes to the magic of small town americana during the holiday season and how they appreciate it makes you stop and think, wow, that is the christmas spirit right there. yep, thanks for watching "early today," i'm jessica layton >> i'm frances rivera. see you right back here tomorrow have a good one. have a good one. right now a

not letting up. here is a live look at the south bay, as this weather system makes its way throughout the bay area. >> it's already causing issues on freeways this morning in san francisco. we have live team coverage tracking the storm, plus your wet and busy commute. this is "today in the bay." good tuesday morning to you. thanks so much for making us a part of your morning. i'm marcus washington. >> i'm laura garcia. let's get to the latest r