breaking overnight, the ballot battle goes coast-to-coast california keeping trump's name on the primary, as maine moves to remove him. the legal fight that could reshape the race for the white house. drawing a line over the

beard.b border her case sparked a mini series gypsy rose is free after she was convicted in a plot to kill her mother your privacy at the center after massive settlement how much google is paying to close a caseclaiming the secretly tracked millions of people who thought they were browsing privately and firing on no cylinders, more motor city mayhem as the pistons set a record no team wants to touch it's the last friday of 2023, "early today" starts right now good morning and great to have you with us, i'm jessica layton. there is breaking news this morning that could impact next year's election. maine has become the second state to remove former president trump from the republican primary ballot, following colorado's lead, maine's

election officials cited mr. tr trump's role in that january 6 attack on the capitol. we can only imagine how team trump is responding to that. >> reporter: that's right. a trump campaign spokesperson called the decision atrocious and the campaign will file an objection. they had demanded earlier that the maine secretary of state recuse herself, arguing she's too partisan because she's a former democratic state senator. several states have declined efforts to block former president trump from the ballot. overnight, california's secretary of state certified that state's primary ballot and donald trump was not removed one of his top primary rivals, nikki haley, is clarifying comments she made about the civil war. she faced backlash after failing to mention slavery when asked

about the cause of the war she spent thursday attempting to explain what she meant >> of course the civil war was about slavery. we know that that's unquestioned. always the case. we kn we know the civil war was about slavery. but it was also more than that it was about the freedoms of av every individual >> reporter: even president biden took a swing at haley, responding to her comments by simply writing on social media, it was about slavery haley has been gaining ground in the early primary states but donald trump is still the clear frontrunner, jess. >> all right, thank you. new this morning, republicans score a win in georgia where a federal judge upheld their newest congressional map. the judge, who was appointed by barack obama, rejected arguments from democrats and voting right groups that the latest version of the map illegally diluted the voting power of black residents

living near atlanta. the decision all but ensures that the gop will keep their 9-5 advantage among georgia representatives in congress. to the war now, israel has gone to the rare step of expressing regret over an airstrike that killed civilians. more than 70 people were killed on christmas eve the idf now saying it regrets the harm to uninvolved civilians. but it is just a fraction of the many thousands of palestinian civilians killed in the war. jay gray has the latest from jerusalem. >> reporter: well, we know that fighting on the ground has intensified, specifically in southern gaza where ground troops continue to work through some of the refugee camp areas there. we flowknow that there has beena lot of panic, a lot of frustration from those on the ground who have been urged to leave the area by the idf in the midst of intense fighting in the densely-populated area airstrikes continuing to the

north as well. bad news coming on the hostage front. we know judy weinstein, a 70-year-old mother of four and grandmother of seven was shot during the attack, along with her husband on the 7th he was 73. we learned six days ago that he had passed away, and now it's been confirmed that judy weinstein has died as well at least six americans are still missing and presumed to be held in gaza. and finally, another hostage released is speaking out maya shem, 21 years old, a french israeli wounded and kidnapped during the october 7 attack at the music festival talking for the first time to israeli media and saying, quote, what i went through was like the holocaust, continuing on, saying it's important to relay the truth about the nature of the people who live in gaza. they are all complicit, and it's like one big hamas family.

strong words from someone who spent 54 days in captivity before being released during the pause in fighting. that's the latest here i'm jay gray, nbc news, jerusalem. now a nbc news exclusive the chinese spy balloon that flew across the u.s. earlier this year used an american internet service provider to communicate while in the air that's according to two current and one former u.s. official familiar with that intelligence. the balloon used the connection to transmit and receive data from china the transmissions were primarily related to the balloon's navigation nbc news is not naming the provider to protect the identity of our sources the justice department says it will sue texas if it goes forward with a new state law that lets police arrest migrants who cross the border illegally that's according to a letter sent to republican governor greg abbott and obtained by nbc news.

the doj says the law is unconstitutional since immigration enforcement is the job of the federal government, not the individual states. texas has until wincednesday to comply, but the governor's office says the state it prepared to take the fight all the way to the u.s. supreme court. the murder rate in america plummeted in 2023, that's according to preliminary data. the number of homicides in the u.s. saw a record decline of 13%. that's one of the largest annual drops ever it continues last year's downward trend after murders spiked during covid in 2020 and 2021 nearly three quarters of u.s. cities saw declines, with detroit now on track for the fewest murders since 1966. now to a twist in a 2015 case that inspired a crime drama series and resulted in two arrests. gypsy rose blanchard is out of prison after serving a shortened

sentence for the death of her mother the trial revealing the years of abuse that drove her to the breaking point here's jesse kirsch. >> reporter: gypsy rose blanchard walking free, seen for the first time since being released from a missouri cr correctional center. >> do you have any plans >> reporter: after serving the better part of a decade behind bars in connection with the high-profile murder of her mother, "dee dee" blanchard. >> she's to be sentenced to ten years in the missouri department of corrections >> reporter: her arrest and trial making international headlines. prosecutors say dee dee had munchausen syndrome by proxy which is defined as a form of abuse in which caregivers make up or induce illness in their

child children in a 2017 documentary, blanchard saying her mother forced her to use a wheelchair, a feeding tube and she underwent as many as 30 un unnecessary surgeries. she said she was hit and often chained to her bed >> when you've lived that way your whole life you don't really know you're being abused >> reporter: the allegedly fabricated conditions earning them charitable charitable dona free trip to disney world and even a home from habitat for humanity godejohn stabbed dee dee to death inside the home while gypsy hid in the bathroom. he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2019.

>> have you been able to confirm the girl's medical history >> reporter: that same year, blanchard's story inspiring the emmy-winning hulu show "the act. >> breaking news, gypsy rose has officially been released from prison >> reporter: she's gained widespread support on social media with many calling for her early release. gypsy rose saying she regrets the crime. >> she didn't deserve what happened if anything, she deserved to be where i am >> reporter: now finally free with the chance for a fresh start. >> our thanks to jesse for that report some hospitality workers in california are closing out the year with one last labor action. hotel employees in pasadena are planning to walk off the job in new year's eve the hospitality union says workers at the hilton and hyatt place have yet to reach a deal

on a labor agreement it comes a day before pasadena is expected to host massive crowds for new year's eve for the rose bowl and tournament of roses parade to the ix treatment weather now. parts of southern california are ordering evacuations along coast because of a dangerous storm surge. take a look at santa cruz ride now where water is washing over beaches and coastal roads, flooding entire neighborhoods. the water so high in ventura county that a man was able to paddleboard through his streets. the high surf warnings continue through saturday night the most impactful storm to close out 2023 will be the new system pushing into the west coast bringing heavy rain to coastal portions of washington, oregon and northern california then seattle, portland and san francisco can all expect wet and windy conditions that could lead to more delays at the airports today. strong winds could als could all

coastal flood conditions elsewhere across the country, lingering showers will lead to a dreary end to the month of december across the northeast and new england. there will be a messy mix of snow and ice impacting the miami, nice and balmy at 72. "early today" is back in 60 seconds with a new recall for a popular kids' toy. it could prove deadly. and google set to pay billions to settle up a high-stake battle over user privacy. gh-stake battle over us privacy.

(screams) bleeding gums are serious, jamie. dr. garcia? woah. they're a sign of bacterial infection. crest gum detoxify's antibacterial fluoride works below the gumline to help heal gums and stop bleeding. crest saves the day. crest. (♪♪) honey... honey... dayquil severe honey. powerful cold and flu symptom relief with a honey-licious taste. because life doesn't stop for a cold. dayquil honey, the daytime, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever, honey-licious, power through your day, medicine. we are back now with a pair of important consumer alerts

these magnetic balls sold on walmart.com are being recalled they were meant to relieve stress, but they are stronger than allowed swallowing high-powered magnets can be incredibly dangerous. similar products have caused at least seven deaths customers can contact the manufacturer joybuy for a refund and blendjet is recalling nearly 5 million blenders. dozens of injuries have been reported customers can provide their blender's serial number to get an updated base. one of the biggest electronics companies is cruising into the driving industry arabile, good morning. >> yeah, good morning, jessica look, it's $5 billion that google could be on hand for.

they've actually reached a settlement with a class action lawsuit that had been claiming that google had been tracking people's data, unlawfully, that is, even when people would be using the incognito or privacy function when going onto google. that has meant that the law and the courts have actually ordered google that they are predominantly looking guilty, and it's because of that sentiment then that they had the settlement then with a whole host of that class action lawsuit. $5 billion was on hand there and that could be the figure they pay or perhaps a little bit less and other news story, xiaomi has moved into the ev market they're an electronic company, and they're wanting to compete with the likes of porsche and tesla. it is now going to be an oversaturated electric vehicle market and this will and significant move will they be able to get the numbers, however, is the key question mark here

>> all right, air belerabile, go see you. despair in detroit with a chance to end their historic losing streak, the pistons break down when it matters the most that's coming up right after this that's coming up right after this. jordan's sore nose let out a fiery sneeze, so dad grabbed puffs plus lotion to soothe her with ease. puffs plus lotion is gentle on sensitive skin and locks in moisture to provide soothing relief. a nose in need deserves puffs indeed. america's #1 lotion tissue. king c. gillette is an award winning lineup men's health best beard trimmer for beginners among men's journal's best beard shampoos and washes and gq's best beard conditioners for soft no-itch, facial hair. your beard is our trade these are your tools king c. gillette

ma, ma, ma— ( clears throat ) for fast sore throat relief, try vicks vapocool drops. with two times more menthol per drop, and powerful vicks vapors to vaporize sore throat pain. vicks vapocool drops. vaporize sore throat pain. herbal essences is packed with naturally derived plant ingredients you love, and none of the stuff you don't. our sulfate-free collections smell incredible and leave your hair touchably soft and smooth. herbal essences.

so he's in civvies tonight marquise goodwin comes in as the wide-out flacco almost gets sacked. there he goes. throws on the run. caught inside the 30, inside the 20 goes jerome ford. still on his feet, looking for the end zone, gets there >> joe flacco is defying time itself that touchdown pass from the 39-year-old quarterback was one of five first-half scores for the browns in this thursday night finale cleveland punches their ticket to the playoffs for the third time since 1999 with a dominant win over the jets.

two of the mos most hal low baseball stadiums got a makeover rutgers didn't have to go far for a wigbig win over miami and while kansas state took home the win in the pop-tarts bowl, the attention was on the game's mascot a life-sized toaster pastry named, what else, strawberry they got to chow down on strawberry after raising their trophy and in basketball, the pistons had the best chance yet to stave off hardwood infamy earlier this week, the team broke the record for consecutive losses in a single season with 27 but detroit found themselves up on the league-leading celtics. while the pistons were able to force overtime after boston furiously erased the deficit, a three secured the win for the

celtics. the pistons have dropped 28 straight tying the 76ers for the longest losing streak in nba history. when we come back, more trouble for boeing's 737 max planes the real slim shady not standing up in court the latest in eminem's trademark dispute. n eminem's trademark dispute. i love that my daughter still needs me. but sometimes i can't help due to burning and stabbing pain in my hands, so i use nervive. nervive's clinical dose of ala reduces nerve discomfort in as little as 14 days. now i can help again.

feel the difference with nervive. tide is busting laundry's biggest myth... that cold water can't clean. cold water, on those stains? ♪♪ cold water can't clean tough stains? i'd say that myth is busted. turn to cold, with tide. ♪ on your period, sudden gushes happen. say goodbye gush fears! thanks to always ultra thins... with rapiddry technology... that absorbs two times faster. hellooo clean and comfortable.

always. fear no gush. (♪♪) ♪ (you've got the love) ♪ (♪♪) pandora. loves, unboxed. sometimes jonah wrestles with falling asleep... ...so he takes zzzquil. the world's #1 sleep aid brand. and wakes up feeling like himself. get the rest to be your best with non-habit forming zzzquil. ♪ ♪ it's been said that when someone you love has parkinson's, you have parkinson's. if you have questions, the parkinson's foundation has answers. to learn more, please go to parkinson.org or call 1-800-4pd-info.

we're back with what you need to know "early today. boeing issues a safety warning to airlines over potentially loose hardware on its 737 max jets the warning stems froms from oh, rep the warning stems from oh, repissues on ground planes eminem refusing deposition requests last year eminem sued two stars of the real housewife of potomac. and it's national bacon day

tomorrow can you get a junior bacon cheeseburger for one cent at wendy's, but you'll need to order online or through the app. this deal runs through january 2nd. we'll be right back after this k. want luxury hair repair that doesn't cost $50? pantene's pro-vitamin formula repairs hair. as well as the leading luxury bonding treatment. for softness and resilience, without the price tag. if you know... you know it's pantene. how white do you think your teeth really are? for softness and resilience, let's try the tissue test. ooof, still yellow. whitening toothpaste can only do so much. there's toothpaste white, and there's crest 3d whitestrips white.

so much whiter! crest. ♪♪ vicks vapostick provides soothing, non-medicated vicks vapors. easy to apply for the whole family. vicks vapostick. and try vicks vaposhower for steamy vicks vapors. now a remarkable story of second chances a program in virginia teaching inmates to rehabilitate and train shelter dogs with the hopes of finding them a new home our mara barrett has this story. >> reporter: for gigi, dallas, dara and phoenix, the first stop

on a second chance is an unexpected place >> yes, good girl. >> reporter: the beaumont correctional facility, a temporary home for these dogs and others in a way to get them out of virginia's crowded shelter system where they face the risk of being put down the unique program is a partnership with the prison and fetch a cure, one that was severely missed during the pandemic it allows inmates, some who are serving decades-long sentences to work with a trainer and behavior specialist to get them ready for a forever home >> it's a win-win-win-win. obviously, these guys are learning so much >> team building, conflict resolution, you know so a lot of give-and-take. a lot of compromise. and it helps you with, you know, dealing with people. not just your partner, but, you know, the other guys that's

here and we are an advocate for the dog. >> teaches us, like i said, how to be patient and kind of productive and just finally be able to do something good. there's not too many jobs while you're locked up that you file good about doing >> dogs like gigi will train for six to eight weeks until they pass and ask be adopted. >> reporter: the result, smiles on both ends of the leash. >> they love him >> he comes out and greets each one. >> he really does give ah puryou a purpose. it changes the dynamic of being incarcerated >> the vast majority of any population in here for violent crimes being entrusted with the life and welfare of another creature changes your perspective it may even give you a different

world view >> reporter: penny is one of those graduates. >> i love the dual purpose of it helps a dog that needs a home. and at the same time, it helps the inmates, to help them really learn those life skills. >> reporter: meaningful connections on all sides, and living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. mara barrett, nbc news thanks for watching "early today. i'm jessica layton we hope you have a great weekend and a safe

the 2024 presidential race is heating up. but where will mr. trump be on the ballot that's the question as one of his competitors faces a day of damage control the fallout from nikki haley's answer when asked what caused the civil war. a major change in tone from israel