across the bridge for everyone to see. local legend, anyone who sees it will receive good fortune. we all saw it. happy new year. >> the last few hours of president trump in florida before heading back to the white house this afternoon. the president and the first lady ringing in the new year last night and a lavish party at his mar-a-lago resort, but also, speaking out on twitter as you might imagine. turmoil in iran. hello, and happy new year to you. i am heather childress, nice to be with you. >> great to be with you. happy, i am leland vittert. the present has been taking aim at the iran regime, the wave of antigovernment protest continues to sweep across the country, so

far, a reported 12 deaths. that number only certain to arise. traveling with the president in west palm beach, florida, as we continue to talk about this issue. good morning, steve. >> they -- tweeting about foreign policy, and the main topic and situation in our entry of the president writing the following, this morning, iran is failing at every level, despite the terrible deal made by the obama administration, the great iranian people have been oppressed. they're hungry for food and for freedom. along with human rights, the baltimore iran is being rated. he also taxes, 33 billion over the past 15 years. but lies and deceit nothing back. no word back from pakistan, reaction to that, pretty harsh tweets. lastly, the president was at mar-a-lago with family and friends come to submit the new

year as he has the past two decades. he stopped briefly to chat with reporters before entering a party. this was what the president had to say. >> we will have a great year, a fantastic 2018, we are off to a very good start. a great tax cut and getting rid of the individual mandate, which is very, very unpopular, as you know. will have a tremendous year. the stock market is going to continue to go up. companies are going to continue to come into the country. >> the present is out playing golf with former pj great with one more round before he returns to washington about 4:00 this afternoon. back to you in d.c. >> leland: as we have seen in the past, making a stop if he does, back to you steve. heather has more. >> heather: north korean dictator kim jong un ringing in the new year with a new threat.

saying that he always has a nuclear button on his desk, but also appears to be offering a potential olive branch. as former mike mehlman offers this ominous warning. >> we are actually closer in my view to a nuclear war with north korea, and in that region than we have ever been, and i do not see -- i do not see the opportunities to solve this diplomatically at this particular point. >> heather: from our london bureau, first of all, happy new year, and secondly, more importantly, what did kim jong un say in his speech? >> happy new year to you too, heather. this is an and -- annual, kim jong un said in speech, their nuclear capability is about reality, not as threat. the u.s. should know that

nuclear weapons button is on my table, and also claims that north korea is not capable of striking the u.s. could the speech followed pyongyang's celebration with thousands of people out there watching fireworks as well. kim jong un did sound a little more positive when talk about south korea. he mentioned the chance of sending a north korean delegation to the winter olympics and south korea. he was open to dialogue. >> heather: how certain is it that north korea does haven't nuclear capability not? >> this is the threat that north korea has been talking about. the question is, how realistic are those threats having nuclear capability? we did see in 2017, north korea conducting a series a missile test. each appeared to be more advanced. the intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have seen in the more recent test could have sufficient rains to strike

cities, and significantly nuclear test further indication that north korea does want to be taken seriously as a nuclear power, and north korea is all long ignored the outcry, ignored the sanctions against them. it has continued to develop this weapon. >> heather: chemical weapons as we talked about last week. thank you so much, katie logan, and you're going to talk more about it, leland? >> leland: moron kim jong un, there is an ulterior motive for his call for open dialogue with the south. lieutenant colonel ralph peters, nice to see you, sir. the south has been dovish towards the north then the united states, is this an attempt to drive a wedge between us and the south koreans? >> yes, and it is to buy time.

kim jong un does not have a nuclear button on his desk. the button claim is a claim like hillary clinton's reset button with russia. it's not real. with south korea, he can paint by months, continued to develop his missile program, matching warheads, some analysts believe, within a year, kim jong un could have a real threat against united states, and have that, you need some time to develop a full arsenal. but mike mullen is right, we've been closer than we have ever been. the north koreans now are really being smart for the first time in a long time in trying to target south korea away from the seamless alliance we have had. >> leland: inconceivably come at the u.s. was going to launch a preemptive strike against north korea, whether it be some kind of surgical strike to kick out there nuclear capabilities

or decapitation strike, you pretty much need the south korean to approve and hel help. >> we can do it unilaterally, but that would break the relationship with south korea. they'd be the ones to most exposed to retaliation. the conventional wisdom is certainly that any attack on the north korean leader would be the devastation of it south korea. that's not necessarily so. the danger is we would try a surgical strike of something small, which would leave the ability to retaliate effectively. we need -- if we must ever hit north korea, we have to hit them really hard on a broad scale and decapitation strikes. >> leland: secretary tillerson with the bank handle with china to discuss how that would work. speaking of conventional wisdom, conventional wisdom during the obama administration was any

support of protests in iran, regime change in iran was a bad idea. president trump clearly taking a very very different view of that, and he is now coming out very openly in favor of these protests that are continuing in iran. is 2018 the next iranian revolution? >> we do not know. probably not. although these devon although these protests, they started economic protests. everything was going up in price, 10% a year. 40% are unemployed, and the 70% are under 30. do the math. an economic protests i quickly spun into a political protest were people tearing down

billboards, the supreme leader, attacking the revolutionary guard, you have been there and done that. this is really changed. the great impediment to any movement in iran is the hard-line moments, guys of the top, they have learned one key lesson, do not fold. the shot felt because he was not willing to harm his own people, kill his own people the leaders of iran today we may hope for change. >> leland: when they did not shy away from killing their own people in the streets back in 2009. what option do the niceties have to take advantage of this tag rescue ?

to undermine it and perhaps to destabilize it, and also to perhaps occupy it, so that the spend more time focused inside iran than they do supporting hezbollah and creating mischief and the rest of the world. >> there something important we can do in a short order. let me observe i know these are serious concerns, we do not know where they will go, but they are serious because the russians put a blackout on them. not a word on russian media states that make sites, because vladimir putin does not want them there, iran is an ally. what we could do is learn a lesson the sanctions have been working. these started out protests over economic, so we can oppose more sanctions on iran, and let the europeans have their deal, we can do it over the u.n. resolutions that they violated.

although we do not want to hurt the iranian people, who are disaffected with the regime, in that short term, they will have to take some pain, they'll make it even harder for the regime to placate them. and leland, you know this is part of the world. once you get outside of israel, that iranians are the only people with real civilization behind them. the tragedy is that iran is a country with such powerful potential, has become an enemy of the u.s., not because the iranian people want to come a bit because bureaucracies do not work. >> leland: as you pointed out, increased sanctions may make it more difficult for them to continue their mischief in yemen with a proxy war. always good to see you, sir. i'm afraid to say, 2018, you will have a lot to talk about. >> you too leland.

>> leland: when we certainly will. happy new year, sir. >> heather: still to come, newsy tragedy in costa rica as an entire family from new york is among ten americans killed in a plane crash. we'll have horrible details nex next. the state department releasing thousands of emails longing to fall atop the clinton aide houma abdomen what happens next? we will discuss. >> the sequel server that hillary clinton set up is the reason there is classified information those put on anthony weiner's laptop. anyone else would have been prosecuted. and this is why the justice department needs to get its act together and reevaluate what james comey did it what loretta lynch did in terms of giving her a get out of jail free card.

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>> leland: a fox news alert as we are learning new details about the ten americans among 12 people killed in a plane crash in costa rica. investigators now looking into what caused the small plane to slam into a wooded area shortly after takeoff. a rabbi, identified five of the victims and entire family from a suburb of new york city. costa rican officials say the same plane has been forced to lay landing at an earlier flight that day because of the strong winds, but it is unclear if that or anything else played a role in this crash. >> heather: some people calling for a new investigation into hillary clinton's use of a private email server. this after state department releasing thousands of emails from the account of huma abedin, a former top aide. the fbi found emails on a laptop seized from her estranged husband, that is anthony weiner. judicial watch wayne in.

>> it was intentional and negligent in the lease. it was intentional in the sense, both abedin and clinton were warned about nonsecure devices to do government business. hillary clinton herself talked about, the security hawks told me. they were warned repeatedly, and they put this material out there for to potentially and he upheld the rule of law, and this is why people are upset, because they know what the rules are. >> heather: joined me now to discuss from the "washington examiner," cometary editor. thank you so much and happy new year to you. whatever year is this going to bring related to this latest release from huma abedin and hillary clinton. new investigation, is awarded? >> i don't know if it is warranted. it is the election at the root

was the fact, why were these emails on anthony weiner's computer. why were they out there, why was huma abedin out that using a different server? hillary clinton set up a different server. her intention for doing that was to evade public record logs which is clear. they allow the public to see it, and she set this up to avoid that. that politically is why a lot of people could not trust her and why president trump will make the election. >> heather: doesn't even matter, why they were there to begin with? they were not supposed to be. that is the bottom line. >> there is no good reason for her to set up this extra server. the fact that she kept the knowledge of the server from the authorities come the state department who are in charge of collecting all the emails, because her emails are official records. some might be redacted from the public, so might be redacted,

but what she did was our business as a public print as journals and members of the public, and setting up her own server, that was an attempt to hide from that. was she paranoid? did she think she was above the law? was it a matter of her having something to hide? those things i think the voters issued a verdict on that, it that's why she's not the president. >> heather: now that it is over, over and done with, did they just get away with a? do we move on and look pass it at this point? >> again, the penalties for avoiding public record logs and a lot of states, it is a fine. federal level, very little president for prosecution of these things. as a journalist, i want to strong, but it is not like a decade in jail or anything. >> leland: what about james

comey and his involvement in all this do we know, july 2016, he used that phrase which we know no has changed for him. he said extremely, extreme carelessness in her handling of the private server emails. >> i think that misses the other half of the story. it is not just careless. why were they even out there for her rather than estate the. that is the intent she wants to see with the public so rather than the state department officials to see with the public saw. when comey said that, there was a prior question, why were they even out there. in that regards, he missed that aspect of what she did. >> heather: should we go back

i james comey on this? >> i am moving forward, and a lot of people think they are avoiding the rule of law, but the public record log act that is going to get you locked up for any jail, and the public electorate, electoral college, they have reached a verdict on hillary clinton appeared someone who will do this and we cannot trust in office, and even a political novice donald trump in office over her. i am saying, move on, the public said its verdict, and we can put anthony weiner in jail, we are putting people, hillary ed abedin and joe. >> heather: it's a brand-new year. thank you so much for joining us, and have a great day. >> leland: scary discovery of another mask it like the one in las vegas. we will tell you what police found inside a man's hotel room

but the suspect is told investigators. plus, the president's plan for congress in 2018 and the measure he heads for democrats. when it comes to protecting the dreamers. liberty did what? yeah, liberty mutual 24-hour roadside assistance helped him to fix his flat so he could get home safely. my dad says our insurance doesn't have that. don't worry - i know what a lug wrench is, dad. is this a lug wrench? maybe? you can leave worry behind when liberty stands with you™. liberty stands with you™. liberty mutual insurance.

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>> welcome back, a frightening find discovering a small arsenal in the hotel room of a man, who security say was trying to escort him back to his room after they say he became drunk and belligerent at a new year's eve party. the man telling investigators that he brought an ar-15 shotgun, handgun, and ammo into his room, because he did not want them to get stolen from his truck. police say they do not believe the 49-year-old man. they did arrest him for unlawfully carrying a weapon and trespassing. >> leland: president trump, congress, and the 2018 agenda. they will all collide. the president now making it very clear to lawmakers on the other side of the aisle. in order to protect the dreamers, other things have to happen. here is the tweets. the democrats have been told fully understand that there can be no daca without the wall at

the southern border, and end the horrible chain migration at ridiculous lottery system of immigration, et cetera. we must protect our country at all cost. tony katz in indianapolis and online as well. good to see you, sir. this is about to come to a head. january 19th, government shutdown, democrat won a deal. outlined in the tweet, is that a good deal? >> it is the only deal, and his supporters will except in a deal that republicans know they have to do. they do not want this as a midterm issue. in any way, shape, or form, and they don't want anything tied to how they are going to find that the government. they know they're going to have to put this together, the fight comes letting him lead the fight. he wants the wall, and allow him to do exactly what he does the situation for the campaign or for the first year. same thing will happen, and

force the democrats to deal with it. >> leland: the last time the democrats came to him with the deal, there was a lot of republicans, life his supporters, who were quite upset about the deal that was made. the daca fight is maybe the ugliest. teaming up with the freedom caucus to demand president trump refused they get family migration, letting green card holders bring the family. that trade-off appears dead on arrival, but breitbart is already insisting is the only way trump can keep his campaign promise to end obama's executive emma c. how long, how tough can the president be willing to fight democrats? >> let's go to the first part, this is my john kelly, the chief of staff, is leading this conversation. it will not be the president, because the president wants to make a deal.

he is not being dragged to the center, he's going both directions, making a deal is when he is. trump is about making a deal. this idea about chain migration -- >> leland: trump is is about ending the dealer policy >> the wall has to get built, it is not about policy, he built his life and symbols, trump tower, the ice skating rink, he put that there in 1986 for $3 million, over four months, when the city of new york spent $9 million over six years and could not get it done. the wall has to be built. he has to be willing to create some kind of deal on daca. yes, chain migration has to be at, but the deal has to happen, whether or not these daca kids will get citizenship. there is where i think the

support is going have a real issue. citizen have to be off the table. stayed in the country will probably be allowed, citizenship, ability to vote. >> leland: if democrats know that his supporters are demanding the wall, as you say, symbolism is everything. don't they really have the president wrapped around her finger to make it they can hold up any funding for the wall until they get whatever they want, albeit citizenship? >> i think the standard argument would apply if jeb bush was president. with president trump, no, i do not do so i think that applies. i think he is willing to fight, and i'm not trying to disparage the president. i don't want to be one of the follows, this is a reality. he needs to make a deal, because this is what he does. is there wiggle room? absolutely. trump supporters, while they want the wall, has been very forgiving about other things

regarding president trump, there may be something they forgive, i don't think they would forgive the idea of fido citizenship. >> leland: you make a point, they have given him a lot of wiggle room on promises and talking points. he is not want them back, so only delay the. like to talk about, sure will be getting a chance to talk about a few times as well. >> happy new wear. >> heather: people seem not to agree online. pot smokers rejoicing in one state is a new law now makes it legal for even more people to light up. that's ray's next. >> it will be exciting, crazy , complete change to the industry. hello mom. is santa claus

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coming?>> leland: it was a very special new year's for folks who enjoy marijuana. people in california for the first time can now enjoy recreational marijuana. a new law went into effect on midnight allowing stores to sell pot to adults 21 and older. marion rafferty joining us from los angeles bureau. only 9:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m. in l.a. our people already lighting up? can you buy pot legally? >> yeah, you can buy it legally, but in order to open up, marijuana businesses in the golden state had to have a state license, and also have to adhere to strict new rules. because i may not look like you, but this is marijuana. marijuana. candies, cookies, and of course, jar after jar of the smokable variety. all sold only as medicine. until now. >> they change from medication

and said, i hope you feel better to come enjoy the high. >> does because california has joined five other states that have legalized recreational pot, opening doors to the public and ushering in new rules and regulation. >> will have to be preweighed and steel. >> he has a lot of work to do, because unlike before, there are now prohibited come in for the first time, he must pay tax on every sale, leading to higher prices, which will get passed on to the consumer. >> i expect 30% increase, will be burdened with heavier taxation and we will have to hire more staff. >> cannabis sales have been legal for four years in colorado. supporters say in spite of early stumbles, government regulation works. >> you can control it, you know who is producing it and selling it, and their following rules to protect public health and safety. >> not to mention, millions of

new tax revenue for state and local government. california, lawmakers hope to collect $1 billion in 2018, and billions more in the years to come. with legalization, it is not worth it. >> what we have seamen that use increases is traffic fatality increase, the use with a abuse in adults increasing. things like hospitalization, homelessness, and a whole other realm of things that are unintended consequences ponders legalization. >> what happens here in california, as yet to be seen, but the new law coming had to be 21? cannot smoke in public, and road signs remind drivers while driving is still driving under the influence. >> leland: marianne rafferty, thank you. heather has more. >> heather: more, let's bring

in a legal panel and jesse weber, attorney at the law and crime network. thank you so much for joining us, happy new year's. a good new year for pot smokers in california or not. good thing or bad thing? >> we surprised that is california? and one end, it is great for the state to bring in millions if not billion dollars i would not be surprised to see more than that. the problem is what people do not realize, black-market sales will increase. increase fees on retail shops, more people are going to go to the underground market. more people will try to go towards it, this is going to be the issue of people driving while high. having said all that, i don't think that this is a terrible thing. i think this is the same problem that existed before to exist now, and in a good way come it is regulated more. everything from seed to sale.

that's a good thing. >> heather: do you agree that regulation is better in this case? >> i think california is going to make a lot of money over this, i think a lot of people are going to be able to know where their product is coming from. regulation is going to be good. i think what is important, people need to remember that while it is legal in california, it's still illegal in so many states. it's important that people don't just think they can take pot from california and smoke it here in new york. it is still illegal. that is really important. >> heather: as you mentioned, some the opponents, they do talk about an increase in traffic fatality. increase in people using it also increase in homelessness, the unintended consequences of the spirit >> i think that existed before, but will be increased now. with enforcing these regulations all across, that is a real big issue.

we know los angeles and san francisco, this will take time. so take money. it will not be easy, and i want to point out, just because it is illegal in california, doesn't mean every community has rationalizes. bakersfield, riverside, is still illegal to buy recreational marijuana. >> it is interesting to hear you say, regulating it all the palms existed before will still continue. if you were doing a? >> i think it was still worth doing it for a of reasons, people will continue to smoke. if it wasn't regulated and they are doing it and it is criminal. still unintended consequences, judges, juries, and having to go through the court system. i think that will be a positive, especially for those that use it for medical reasons or other purposes that other states

consider legitimate. >> leland: >> heather: why notp it medical, but it's more money to the state. let's talk about this other law, which would basically in illinois, it would allow judges to treat pets more like children rather than property with divorce proceedings. >> they can say who took better care of the animal, vaccinations come about the food. what is the best interest of that animal for which spouse, and i have to say -- >> heather: how do you determine that? you cannot ask at the pet? >> who spent more time with the animal, and that this is the time they had to step it up, or they may lose that animal in the divorce proceeding. >> or they want to use it to stick it to their ex-spouse. that's a danger. i think it is great, packs are family now. they really become an ethical

part part of the parent unit. people view pets as children. a pet is more important than a couch or property. it is a great decision. >> heather: to some people it is. >> if that pet is no longer there, you want the, i really do. i think the thing is, is a great thing to treat these animals known as property, back today, they base our value on the animal, and animals remember that human beings very quickly. the make divorce proceedings allow more contentious. >> heather: more than they are if that's possible. what will happen next is is a t of this really? >> it's hard to say who took better care of the pet. it will be, how many child custody proceedings, they'll be messy, and two sides to every

story. it will prolong divorce proceedings and litigation, reminds people to write out an agreement, what they want to do to their pets if things turn sour, and nobody thinks about that, but in this case, that might be the best decision. >> heather: you have to think in advance these days come on. happy new year, thank you for joining us. what is up, leland? >> leland: in florida had to bundle up. the conditions in "new york times" square, it was arctic. it is now the time for the debate about climate change? plus, as democrats keep talking about the chances for retaking congress in 2018, there is tough medicine that a key dem says his party must take her political panel at that, next.

♪ >> leland: welcome back under its new year's moaning. democrats hope 2018 is the year they can retake congress, and lay the groundwork in 2020. former dnc chair and presidential candidate howard dean says his party aging leadership needs to get out of the way if they're going to have any chance of retaking the white house. take a listen. >> i am very much for somebody who is younger. i think my generation needs to get the heck out of politics, moving up the next generation, fiscally same, neither of polkas

or democrats can claim fiscally responsible anymore after what the republicans did in the tax bill, and this generation is going to pay for it if we do not get the heck out of the way let them run the country. >> leland: >> leland: that remae seen whether the party will take his advice for democrats has a 13-point edge over the g.o.p. on a generic ballot in the politics, similar when they won control both the house and the senate. democratic strategists don calloway, missouri state representative charlie kerr, founder of turning point usa. nice to see you, gentlemen happy new year to both. howard dean was specifically talk about the presidential race, but you think about the congressional race. dianne feinstein, nancy pelosi, these are not exactly spring

chickens themselves. does the democratic party have a problem with bringing in new blood? >> democratic leadership averages 75 years old in a house in the senate. that is a flat affect. i think we're looking at a different situation between congressional leadership in the flesh means everything, and gerrymandering districts has leadership embedded. seniority means everything. >> leland: how can democrats expect to be in touch with younger generation of americans, dianne feinstein, who is 15 years past the age limit to fly a commercial airliner running for reelection? >> congress is based on experience, experience matters and pushing thing through the legislative process. it's a much different game than pushing rank and file. there is a disconnect between leadership and the members of the party. joseph kennedy out of new england, younger members

energetic, who are highly active and participatory in the process. i think the presidential site is much different. we are probably going to see a change election, and the political market like most markets will self-correct, and go see her nominee be between a 40-58. >> leland: charlie, conventional wisdom says the party in the white house always loses seats at the midterm. that is historical fact. is there a way for republicans to reverse that and number two, does the age found that they have with the congressional races related to it? >> a couple points. the aide problem with congress, you look at paul ryan, the speaker the house, youngest speaker of the house and nearly 150 years. it is not a problem that is in both parties. it's a democratic problem that continues to reward patronage and web's been around the longest per the republican party has youth and leadership. the republican party has eight in the 40s.

as far as republicans holding ground and gaining ground in the midterm, there's a couple positives. there's a lot of negative coverage around -- the democratic party is in shambles, debt, not raising money, and very low grassroots momentum financially. the democrats have to defend 12 house seats that donald trump won by five points or more. those are mostly in the midwest. it's important to note, those are hypertargeted with a well-financed republic and party raising tens of millions of dollars for the republican party raise $100 million, that will make a big difference. >> republicans have to defend 25 seats that hillary clinton won that are held by republicans. i could say the same thing either way. i admit the senate map does not look good for democrats, by the same time, we do four years ago, we're dealing with a president, and how hoary fieldbus policy, was historically low approval

ratings. >> leland: that brings up the question of how big are the presidents coaches. obviously that was it an aberration. this is what mike allen had to say. in his note this morning, he wrote the president understands the following statements. republicans lose the house in 2018, it will be an existential threat to his presidency, with in this investigation, legislative obstruction and likely a move toward impeachment. charlie, is 2018 do more die for republicans. >> it is not do-or-die, it is highly important to continue the agenda come will be the socialist party or the impeached donald trump party, and those are two very radical position for the new democratic party to hold. to respond, the cartels are very

strong, missouri, indiana, montana. >> leland: charlie, conceivably, they should have been strong, alabama. >> i completely agree. no question. roy moore was not the most perfect candidate. he look at the president's approval rating in the midwest, it's a lot different than the national approval polls, not to mention the vice president on the campaign trail campaigning in indiana, they'll make a big difference. the map is definitely in favor. >> leland: states have democratic senators that are up for reelection. missouri is one of them. i will give you the final word on this as a relates to president trump and his coattails. dude emma katz need run on a platform does the president need -- do

democrats need to run on a different method? >> they need to develop one that is run occlusion for everyone, around rejecting things like in charlottesville. >> leland: you cannot say is about inclusion for everybody, identity politics are never stronger. tom perez -- >> that has nothing to do with resisting trump. occlusion for everybody, the president historically popular, look at what just happened with the tax bill. that tax bill was obsessively and very objectively for the upper-class bread that is nothing to do with the president's agenda. >> leland: the proof will be in the paycheck, and people will see before this election and before the primary. gentlemen, we will leave it there. a preview of the debates to come in 2018. >> heather: coming up, the hurricane devastation in puerto rico just one of the weather stories in 2018,

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>> heather: welcome back, severe weather making major headlines to say the lease in 2017. hurricane wiping out the

countless number of homes, claiming many lives in places like texas, puerto rico, u.s. virgin islands, and that is not all. janice dean takes a look back. 2017 was marked by hosts of extreme weather events. january started off deadly and parts of the southeast, more than 80 confirmed tornadoes across georgia, the second largest tornado outbreak ever in the state. claiming the lives of 20 people and causing $1.3 billion in damage. february, northern california received its widest winter ever, flooding flooding rainfall and snow triggering flooding and landslides, killing five people. jeopardizing the states large dam. this is a flooding had 14,000 residents to move. a late-season blizzard dumping ,

march also saw destructive tornadoes in several parts of the u.s. when a break in the midwest killed two people as twisters hit missouri and illinois. straight-line winds following that system also affected new york and michigan. damage from that wind event causing $2.1 billion. in april, more tornadoes. this time, in the nation's capital. a rare twister touching down near d.c.'s. cherry trees uprooted. the month of may liberating wind and baseball size hail to denver, damaging property in one of the most expensive hailstorms in colorado history. $2.2 billion. it may also seen historic flooding parts missouri. 20 people were killed. in june, 12 states affected by severe hail and wind damage. wyoming to new york. minnesota was hard hit would to buildings and cars, and this summer, active atlantic

hurricane season. 17 storms including six major hurricanes. among the biggest, hurricane harvey in late august, inundated texas and louisiana, killing more than 90 people. and costing nearly $200 billion in damage. just days later, in early september, hurricane irma roared ashore, catastrophic storm for more than 130 deaths. it did not stop there. september went on to be the most active month on record for atlantic hurricanes peered towards the end of the month, another deadly storm, hurricane maria, devastating puerto rico, destroying homes and knocking out power the fault was the warmest ever in parts of new england and florida, california, and the southwest. the september through november marking the warmest. on record and more than a dozen cities, including maine, miami,

florida, and san jose, california, . by october, deadly wildfires were making headlines in northern california. killing more than 40 people. the blaze continued more than 325 square miles, and destroy the lease 5700 homes and businesses. as for the winter had come a government scientists predict many americans could get a balmy winter, mild temperatures expected across the south and the northeast. there is a chance of chillier than normal weather from the pacific northwest to northern wyoming, north dakota. high snow totals are also predicted across the northern plains from the iraqis to the great lakes. in your , fox news senior meteorologist, janice dean. >> heather: >> leland: arctic l, gearing up for a big week when he heads home late and a day with north korea and the ironic protest front and center. we will tell you about another big-ticket agenda item for congress as the new year begins.

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>> leland: hardly a warm new year greeting from north korea as kim jong-un puts the united states on notice saying his nuclear forces are a reality, quote, not a threat. and with that, good morning and happy new year. perhaps a more pleasant new year's greeting than kim jong-un had for the world. great to be with you for this brand-new hour of america's newsroom. >> heather: we begin a new year with what we've heard in the past year from the korean leader saying the u.s. should know that a button controlling his nuclear forces is right on his desk. kim jong-un also struck a conciliatory tone in his annual address mentioning the possibility of a dialogue with south korea. rich edson is live in washington with more on all of this. good morning, rich. >> good morning.

president trump has responded to kim jong-un's missile boasting. he says we'll see. after a year of progress on his missile and nuclear weapons program he promised his military technology can reach the united states. >> the united states will never be able to start a war against me and our country. the entire united states is within range of our nuclear weapons and a nuclear button is always on my desk. this is reality, not a threat. >> we're actually closer in my view to a nuclear war with north korea and in that region than we've ever been and i just don't see how -- i don't see the opportunities to solve this diplomatically at this point. >> he says north and south korea should lower military tensions and make the efforts and north and south korea should discuss the north

sending agent lets to the olympics next month in south korea. >> heather: north korea not the only area of the world we're concerned about right now. also widespread protests in iran. how serious is that getting? >> citing reports, a dozen are dead as a result of protests and an attempt to take military and police installations. protestors say they want more economic opportunity from their government instead of costly proxy wars with saudi arabia, arab states and the west. >> what you see is very reminiscent of the 2009 uprising. i feel it's far deeper than that and a lot more promising because now on the top there is a big risk among different factions of the regime. each faction is blaming the other. the discontent is so deep and widespread and expanded to other cities much more than it was in 2009. >> administration has said the u.s. publicly supports the

iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption in that country. >> heather: rich edson live for us. thank you, rich. >> leland: meantime we're learning that donald trump's former campaign advisor that is cooperating with federal investigators may have been more than just that self-described coffee boy or described by the campaign as a coffee boy. "the new york times" reporting that george papadopoulos helped set up a meeting between the egyptian president and candidate donald trump. that report also claims papadopoulos as you can see circled in red, may have been instrumental in starting the f.b.i.'s russia investigation. catherine herridge to sort it out for us in washington good morning. >> thank you. and good morning. sources close to the special counsel probe tell fox news the central line of questioning has focused on the campaign aide george papadopoulos who floated the idea of brokering meetings

with senior russians officials. in may 2016 he told australia's top diplomat in britain that the russians had damaging information on hillary clinton. two months after the meeting wikileaks post evidence dnc emails. auts trailian officials passed information about papadopoulos and his claims to u.s. intelligence. the timeline, a month earlier in april 2016 fox news first report et on the obama administration's extradition lazar. the 46-year-old hacker compromised the email account of cindy blumenthal in 2016 and through that hack that clinton's use of a personal email.com first came to light. he told fox news in 2016 his preference was to always use russian proxy servers.

they scrutinized the meeting at washington, d.c.'s old post office now the site of the tumble international hotel. the times reports today that the papadopoulos meeting was another piece of intelligence separate from the controversial trump dossier that led to the russia probe. on sunday a senior republican questioned why the f.b.i. and department of justice continue to block access to the dossier records. >> here is what i want to happen. mr. mueller to do his job without interference and i want somebody to look at the way the department of justice used this dossier. it bothers me greatly the way they used it and i want somebody to look at it. >> this week the justice department and f.b.i. are under new pressure to meet a wednesday deadline to comply with a request for records and witnesses from the house intelligence committee. leland. >> leland: continues into 2018. catherine, thank you. heather has more. >> heather: president trump talking about the protest in

iran.

>> heather: getting drunk and saying these things over a conversation and this is what started this entire f.b.i. investigation? >> trump's critics will try to say that george papadopoulos is someone who is very high ranking within the campaign and certainly his role went far beyond that of a coffee boy. there is a reason most people had not heard of george papadopoulos until this fall because he was never really one of president trump's key foreign policy advisors. he was someone who didn't take a paycheck from the campaign

and role stayed more or less informal on the foreign policy panel. it is not like we're talking about a paul manafort who is someone that reflects badly on the white house. papadopoulos was not that conscious quensal in trump's orbit. >> heather: who was questioned when with the f.b.i. that will actually also tell who was important to the f.b.i. and i'm wondering when exactly he was questioned by them in all of us. thank you for joining us. appreciate it. happy new year. >> leland: supreme court chief justice john roberts making a major announcement. we'll tell you what the chief justice is now calling for after a rise in sexual harassment claims in the workplace. plus president trump and elizabeth warren debating climate change politics on twitter as an arctic blast covers much of the country. so is this a winning strategy

for democrats? debate next. maybe, you could trust he wouldn't leave the upstairs water running. (woman screams) or, you could just trust duracell. ♪

>> heather: supreme court chief justice john roberts looking at how the judicial branch handles sexual harassment saying that courts aren't immune after a judge retired after a "washington post" story detailing several accusations of sexual misconduct. >> leland: a near record cold new year's eve in new york and guests at the winter white house needing fur shawls for last night's festists. president trump not shieg away from sharing his opinion on twitter a couple days ago. in the east it could be the coldest new year's eve on record. maybe we could use global warming that our country was going to protect against.

bundle up. senator elizabeth warren firing back saying i'm going to say something really crazy. i believe in science, climate change is real and we have a moral obligation to protect this earth for our children and grandchildren. with that we bring in our panel. national review contributor julie kelly and former ohio senate minority leader capri cafaro. democrats are staking an enormous amount trying to bring back a house majority in 2018. is climate change right to start pounding on? >> i don't think it's a winning strategy nationwide. places like ohio care more about the economy than the issue of climb ant change. it doesn't make it not an important issue. we need to focus on that fact but we don't need to lead with that as part of the campaign strategy. when you look at the actions

taken on the paris accord. when you look at what has happened with the epa and walking back a lot of the evidence-based aspects of science within the trump administration, there is cause for concern. however, that is not a winning strategy because it's not the lead thing that people care about. >> leland: the polling supports that. we'll get to that in a minute. first for the optics of it, julie, what do you make of president trump for lack of a better word almost mocking democrats and climate change right now? >> i think it just shows how ridiculous this whole debate has become. it is not a scientific debate anymore, it's a political debate. after a year of being told by the climate propaganda that every extreme weather event is due to climate change. now they are saying this is just weather, not climate. so this is how this whole debate has devolved. i don't think it is a winning

issue for votes certainly. and i think that it is time to really examine where we're headed with this debate. whether somebody believes in manmade climate change or not is kind of irrelevant. it's how we address extreme weather conditions. >> leland: i wonder whether you believe it or not being irrelevant. let's look at the polling now and where you are on climate change is where you are on everything else. democrats view priorities, healthcare, 28% say environment and climate change is top priority. republicans. climate change not even in the top four. and now we'll get to the issue of independence. if democrats want to win especially senate seats in some very contested states, west virginia, missouri, michigan being among them, again climate change is number four with only 18% of people saying that's the most important thing. >> right. you know, the issue of climate

change in the environment has never been a leading issue. >> leland: it may not have been a leading issue in polling. if you listen to the former president he said it was one of the if not the most pressing national security issues in america. >> again, i think this is a matter of common sense. you can certainly believe that climate science is important, that climate change exists and manmade, but again when you focus on where i come from in the middle of the country, places like ohio, pennsylvania, michigan, west virginia that have thrived on industrial growth we value investing in job creation, a lot more than focusing on the environment. we see it as more of an elitist issue and out of touch with mainstream america. >> leland: do the republicans run the risk of getting in the way of democrats before they drive off the climate change

cliff? >> could be. i hope that they don't get in the way of this because climate science has a lot of problems right now. there is a lot of criticism about flawed modeling. a lot of the projections and predictions have not come true. you see the hysteria that happens every time there is an extreme weather event. they've backed themselves into a corner. i think that moving forward there could be some collaboration on both sides, which is how to use technology to mitigate extreme weather events. right now i'm in southwestern nra. it is amazing to see that a hurricane went through here. major hurricane just four months ago and a lot of that had to do with using technology to warn people to protect their property and get to shelters. that's where we really need to invest our money and time and stop the debates about who believes in manmade climate change. >> leland: i hear they're breaking out the fur coats in florida.

a chilly 65 degrees. stay warm. it is colder in washington good luck today watching foot ball. take care, ladies. >> heather: we just ushered in a new year as president trump is set to wrap up his first year in office. we take a look back at the political headlines of 2017. violent protests in iran getting louder by the day. we have a live report coming up. people would stare. psoriasis does that. it was tough getting out there on stage. i wanted to be clear. i wanted it to last. so i kept on fighting. i found something that worked. and keeps on working. now? they see me. see me. see if cosentyx could make a difference for you- cosentyx is proven to help people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis...

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>> heather: welcome back. fox news alert for you in the most violent day of anti-government protests in iran at least 12 people were killed when armed demonstrators tried to take control of police stations yesterday and then they were forced back by security officers. that's according to iran's state media. this is the largest public display of resistance since the so-called green movement of 2009. we're following the story live in our jerusalem bureau. how have authorities responded to these protests? >> protestors continue to defy iranian authorities taking to

the streets across the country for the fifth straight day. unlike during the green revolution in 2009 where protests were centered in tehran, these protests are scattered across the entire country and smaller in size and more diverse across the entire country than the last time there were large-scale protests. the current president a moderate in the iranian political system said the violence will not be tolerated but acknowledging that iranians have a right to protest and legitimate grievances. the government has blocked access to the internet and instagram and telegram this weekend. hundreds of people have been arrested, 12 people killed. given iran's history and repressive regime it is unlikely the protests will continue without further

repressive regime tactics against the protestors. >> heather: president trump has been tweeting in support of the iranian protestors. most other u.s. allies have remained silent. any word as to why that's happening? >> president trump and nikki haley have responded with strong supportive statements and tweets in support of the protestors while european leaders like merkel and macron have stayed silent similar to the obama administration during the green revolution in 2009. there are divided views whether or not this support by president trump will help the protestors or hurt them. hard liners in iran have already tried to paint protestors -- hard liners in iran have tried to paint protestors as paid agitators or pawns of the united states in an effort to delegitimize them. president trump with the travel ban and the efforts to rip up the nuclear agreement is deeply

unpopular in iran. but president trump is also following the path that ronald reagan followed back in the 1980s where he was supporting dissidents. that's something that anti-communist activists and opponents said was a huge support during the 1980s in places like the soviet union and poland. that appears to be the method president trump is following and it has a lot of support among american legislators and other politicians here. whether or not it makes a difference in the protests on the ground in iran, that still remains to be seen. >> heather: people in iran saying they expected the nuclear deal with benefit them economically and not seeing the benefits and we see the protests happening as a result. thank you, connor powell live for us. >> leland: despite all the division in politics perhaps we can agree on this. that 2017 was a rollercoaster year in politics starting with president trump's inauguration back in january and ending with the gop overhaul of the tax

code. lauren blanchard takes a look at the year. >> president trump: i donald trump -- >> the inauguration, a solemn moment of unity and a notable turning point, a nation increasingly divided. >> i have thought an awful lot about blowing up the white house. >> 2017 introducing the term alternative facts. >> this was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration period sglao. the president also changing the law on travel issuing an executive order stopping people from several predominantly muslim countries from entering the u.s. >> the safety of the american people and security of american homeland continue to be the president's top priority. >> welcomed in judge neil gorsuch named to the supreme court. out the door was the president's national security advisor michael flynn as well

as chief of staff rens priebus and others. it was the firing of f.b.i. director james comey that led to the appointment of robert mueller to lead the investigation into russia's election meddling and the trump administration's alleged collusion with moscow. the investigation led to the indictment of former trump campaign chairman paul manafort and former campaign aide rick gates and flynn pleading guilty to lying to the f.b.i. about his contacts with the russian ambassador. president trump insisting there was no collusion. the president fulfilling a campaign pledge in the spring. >> president trump: the united states will withdraw from the paris climate accord. >> another pledge in the fall. >> president trump: it is time to officially recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. >> steve scalise shot at a

congressional baseball practice. he returned to the house floor 15 weeks later. >> i'm a living example that miracles really do happen. >> another lawmaker senator john mccain dealing with illness, announcing his brain cancer diagnosis. the president's response to deadly clashes in charlottesville, virginia further dividing the nation. >> president trump: i think there is blame on both sides. >> and his decision to end the daca immigration program leaving it up to congress to extend it. fears over a nuclear conflict with north korea escalating amid the back and forth between kim jong-un's regime and the trump administration. >> president trump: the united states has great strength and patience. but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we'll have no choice but to totally destroy north korea. >> the president inserted himself into the debate over protests during the national anthem. personally attacking nfl players who chose not to stand while the national anthem was played. >> president trump: wouldn't

you love to see one of these nfl owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say get that son of a [bleep] off the field right now? >> after trying all year republicans fell short on repealing and replacing obamacare and democrats made gains in off-year elections winning big in new jersey and virginia. that was shortly besore the me too movement began rocking washington with congressman john conyers, al franken among those facing allegations of sexual misconduct. they reached a fever pitch after roy moore lost the alabama senate special election. >> part of the problem with this campaign is we've been painted in an unfavorable and unfaithful light. >> the end of the year not without controversy with the gop delivering on tax reform. 2018 will certainly be an eventful year here in the nation's capital. all eyes on president trump in his second year in office and

how he handles a wide range of issues from north korea to whether his party can pass healthcare reform. his agenda will play a large role leading into the 2018 mid-term elections and we'll be here to cover it all. in washington, lauren blanchard fox nu.s >> heather: the new year bringing a new era to the u.s. military as well. transgender individuals can enlist starting today. a live report from the pentagon on that. there is an arrest of a virginia man. what the f.b.i. is saying about his plans ahead. >> when i saw the big truck and a lot of, you know, police people and say okay, something is going on. that's all we know. >> did you ever think it could be linked to terrorism? >> no. ♪ video-game dance music

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>> leland: welcome back. hope you're having a great new

year's morning. starting today, transgender individuals can enlist in the u.s. military. this after a federal court ruling last month forcing the pentagon to comply with that decision. jennifer griffin live from the pentagon. happy new year. what changes for the military today? >> as you mentioned, leland, starting today the pentagon must allow transgender individuals to join the u.s. military if certain conditions are met and a doctor certifies that the individual has completed medical transition and in stable condition. the u.s. military was forced to comply with a federal court order last month that goes into effect today. this is just one of the four high-profile court cases in the wake of a dictate from the white house reversing an obama-era decision to allow transgender troops to serve openly in the military. after consultation with my

generals and military experts, please be advised that the u.s. government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the u.s. military. our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. thank you. those tweets from president trump resulted in several high-profile lawsuits and protests outside the white house from transgender veterans and supporters. it doesn't change the status of the troops already serving. other cases pertaining to them that are winding their way through the courts. >> leland: so you have the president's tweets on one side, you have the court rulings now and today this policy changes. so is it resolved once and for all, or chance things could change again? >> well, these other lawsuits brought on behalf of the transgender troops already

serving in the military are winding their way through the courts and likely to go all the way to the supreme court at some point. in the meantime jim mattis has ordered a commission to review the impacts of transgender troops on unit cohesion and he will report the findings. the justice department has decided not to appeal a stay ordered by the court. the department of defense announced it will be releasing an independent study of these issues in the coming weeks. rather than litigate the interim appeal before that occurs the administration is waiting for the study and continue to defend the president's lawful authority in district court in the meantime. bottom line. today if a transgender person has a medical professional certifying the individual has been stable for 18 months and has completed all medical treatment associated with gender reassignment, that person can enlist in the u.s. military if that transgender person meets all the other

enlistment qualifications. >> leland: as you note, significant on what can and can't happen today. jennifer griffin at the pentagon. thank you. >> heather: some disturbing news here. f.b.i. making an arrest in an isis investigation. a virginia man is in custody for trying to destroy evidence after allegedly expressing an interest in planning an attack here in the u.s. let's bring in michael, a former homeland security direct fore the state of new york. thank you for joining us and happy new year to you. the new year starting out with an arrest. this virginia man destroying evidence that was linking him to supporting isis. does this surprise you? >> no. unfortunately i think what we're seeing is there is a transformation of the isis caliphate. it has gone from the physical caliphate to a virtual caliphate. you have individuals coming back from the battlefield and that's of particular concern in

europe. but for the united states we're going to see this continuous messaging. we've seen the sophistication in al qaeda as isis as it relates to message than and using the worldwide web. what they're trying to do is radicalize individuals here at home. which is what we've seen. just a couple weeks ago we had the attack in new york where there was an attempted detonation of a device in a port authority-based pedestrian walkway. before that halloween where again in new york and we also had the chelsea bombing early in the year. they are picking cities like new york, which have always been their targets. but they're doing so in ways they aren't attacking iconic sites but casualty counts. >> heather: speaking of the caliphate itself, the physical caliphate we know isis according to most numbers have lost somewhere around 98% of their physical caliphate just since president trump took

office less than a year ago. the danger of that is that then it spreads to other countries like what we're seeing here in the united states. we also have the defense secretary, we want to talk about this in terms of his plan for defeating and fighting isis in 2018 amongst the things that he said three points, continue to train troops and local police with the iraqi government to handle terrorism. shift u.s. troops to more of a stabilizing effort and hunt down isis fighters who escaped raqqa into other areas there in the middle east. >> that's important from the standpoint of being able to not only stabilize the area and bring peace to the area but monitor who is trying to leave there and if you have hardened, battle-field veterans that will come over into the european theater and possibly come into the united states. that's of huge concern. now they will have the trade craft of warfare. it is still what we face in

terms of individuals who get on the web, who don't have any particular training, and then decide to take matters into their own hands. as we know, the hardest thing about that is trying to prevent any type of attack when you don't know when that radicalization and when that operationalization has taken place. >> heather: when or where or how? how do you begin to fight that? >> so what the f.b.i. has been doing over the years and you have to give them credit because frankly i think they're understaffed and could use more individuals in the counter terrorism mission. have worked with local law enforcement. you have new york city police department great example, los angeles, great example of a counter terrorism-focused law enforcement agency but they need federal partners in terms of resources and in terms of intelligence. it is also about the public. many times what we've seen is that neighbors of individuals are making that call saying this just doesn't sound right. this individual is acting wrong

and it is those million eyeballs is what the security forces refer to. they give us so much information as to what is happening. there is really no way that law enforcement can be everywhere at all times. but it also means we have to deter them and make sure that we stand up our forces so that people know it won't be easy to do. >> heather: step it up here at home certainly when we know the number of isis fighters there in iraq and syria is down to about 1,000 from 45,000. it means it will spread. we have to be aware. thank you so much for joining us michael. we appreciate it. happy new year. >> leland: even before the new year flu season starting earlier than usual. our next guest shares some tips on how to protect yourself and your family from the virus and why the flu shot my not help. hundreds of thousands ringing in the new year despite the cold weather. we'll look at the best costumes

and the most dedicated revelers coming up next. there they are staying warm. hi, i'm joan lunden with a place for mom every day we hear from families who partnered with a senior living advisor from a place for mom to help find the perfect place for their mom or dad thank you so much for your assistance in helping us find a place. mom feels safe and comfortable and has met many wonderful residence and staffers. thank you for helping our family find our father a new home. we especially appreciate the information about the va aid and attendance program. i feel i found the right place. a perfect fit.

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>> heather: welcome back. happy new year to you. pope francis celebrating new year's day mass at the vatican. tens of thousands of people packed into the square to watch. he says avoid consumerism and rediscover what matters m 2018. he also used his address to give a voice to refugees. >> it is important that

everyone, public institutions, organizations providing assistance and education and religious organizations make the effort to assure refugees and migrants to everyone a peaceful future. we ask the lord to work in this new year with generosity to achieve world that is more emotion -- more welcoming. don't sufficient case the hope for peace. wonder if it was as cold there, leland? >> leland: people aren't quite as bundled up. folks are out there enjoying new year's resolutions. despite the flu shot a near epidemic of the flu cascading across the country even before the normal flu season takes holds. the center for disease control is saying so far 36 states reporting widespread cases of influenza. you see it through the south of the united states and the strain is only partially covered by this season's flu vaccine. here to discuss family

physician and associate professor, dr. jen. good to see you. you think you get the flu shot you'll be safe but no dice. >> even though it's not 100% the flu shot gives us a good amount of protection and it varies from year to year. >> there is still time to get the shot. >> yes. you were talking about the flu season. it is from october to may. the height of the flu season is december to february. that is right now. i tell people if you haven't gotten the flu shot even though we're still -- the word is out on how effective it will be. get it. it is one of the best chances of protection. >> leland: every couple years they guessed wrong which strain of the flu to immunize you against in the flu shot. can they change the flu shot mid-season to make it better against this strain that's out there?

>> there are a couple of things. scientists before the season begins work and use all sorts of models to try to predict which strains will be most common. that's how they develop the flu shots for that season. we have the flu shots for this season but this information will go into next season. the estimates about how effective or lack of effectiveness for this year, those are based on models from australia. maybe it's not the best coverage, but i think verdict is still out. i don't know if we know how little it really is or not. that's why i still say get the flu shot. >> leland: evidence, a lot of deaths even of younger people across the southern part of the country, the cdc putting out a map of where the flu is the very worst. areas that are the worst highlighted in i guess that would be white now. it was red on the cdc's map. glad i looked up. why the southern part of the united states? you would think where people would be getting sicker where it's colder. >> it's difficult to say. i have think the most important

thing here is what you talked about, the deaths. a lot of people don't realize just how serious the flu can be. every year there are tens of thousands of deaths related to flu-related complications and hundreds of thousands are people are hospital liesed with the flu. >> it is not like getting a flu. hot to cold, hot to cold you will get the flu because of that. >> no. remember, with the flu it's a virus. the cold is a virus as well. so that's why prevention and hand hygiene and preventive measures are important. what's most important how the virus gets transmitted and by us sneezing and coughing and robbing our nose and touching someone. >> leland: thank you, i appreciate the visual. there it is 11:49 on new year's morning on the east coast. if you still have a hangover we may not be able to help you. if you are waking up the west

coast at 8:49 in the morning and having had a little too much new year's cheer ideas. >> a lot of old wive's tales about hangover cures. >> leland: my friends tell me about the hair on the dog. i haven't tried it. >> i figured not. truth be told, what works for one person may not be for the other person. some things that are helpful. drink plenty of water before bed and sometimes electrolight solutions. sweating it out? hair on the dog. i prefer you not drink any more. painkillers have sometimes help. what is on the list is sleep. sometimes you just have to sleep it off and drink in moderation. >> leland: stay in bed. keep watching us. another hour of us coming up. heather here to tell us what's coming up on that hour. >> heather: drink in moderation, i like that tip. >> leland: no fun there. >> heather: the tragic end of

the year for 10 americans. this is horrible. these people were vacationing in costa rica. their plane crashed killing everyone on board including the two pilots. we have the latest ahead.

>> leland: 51 inches of snow in erie, pennsylvania. we're glad you're inside enjoying new year's morning with us. bone chilling temperatures are gripping much of the country. so far two deaths attributed to exposure as an icy white out condition is blamed for a pile-up in western michigan and meantime, time square last night. ♪ that was one way to stay warm. there you go. more than a million revelers

bundleed up. tight security. the security in time square was incredible. you have to hand it. all the revelers out there having fun and had friends and family and you saw the poor police officers and first responders standing out there. to their credit they were freezing as everybody was. every one of them said happy new year and a smile on their face. what a credit to the nypd. >> heather: they were able to wear the masks. what do you call them? >> leland: balaclavas. our thanks to them for being out there. it went off without a hitch last night. >> heather: happy new year, everybody. glad you survived the cold weather if you were out there. a horrible story to begin the new year for you, 12 people including five members of one family were in this plane when it crashed in a wooded area of northwestern costa rica yesterday. the aircraft reportedly had

mechanical trouble shortly after take-off before it crashed and then you can see it burst into flames. laura engels is live from new york with details. we're learning more about these five family members. >> this is indeed a very tragic story. the details make it even more heartbreaking as we learn this was a mother and father and their three sons. many of them -- a couple of them young who loved to travel the world together. according to reports, bruce and irene steinberg told friends they were looking forward to taking their son william, zachary and matthew on an adventure through costa rica. the family was also known for being very involved in philanthropy and local jewish community. they were on the last stop of their trip yesterday and headed to costa rica's capital when the small plane they were on crashed into a wooded area. you see the photos here. it happened near a popular tourist beach. five other americans and two

local pilots were also on board. no one survived. there were reports of strong winds that morning that force evidence a change in the itinerary. the flight continued on its flight plan. >> heather: what about the safety record of this airline and the company that operated the plane, anything? >> we've looked into it. the director of the civil aviation agency told reporters the plane had passed a safety inspection a month ago. the cessna 208b was operated by a local company nature air which billsist self-as the largest private airline in costa rica with 20 years experience. this is the second fatal nature air incidents this year. in september an american and another passenger died on a nature air flight we've learned. the plane crashed minutes after taking off very similar to what happened here. the investigation continues. >> heather: our prayers with those family members and those not yet identified. >> leland: there is a lot on president trump's agenda.

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♪ >> leland: president trump bending of the few hours before heading back to the white house this afternoon. the president and first lady rang in the new year last night at a lavish party at mar-a-lago resort. also the president this morning out about the turmoil and i run in the past couple of minutes, we also heard from the vice president on iran about the protest. i must not let them down appeared promising to be a huge story. 2018 with that, happy new year. i am leland vittert. >> heather: m i am and i'm heather childers.

and your boots. very busy new year taking aim at the hard-line islamic regime at tehran, continuing to sweep across the country, protest, resulting in at least 12 deaths so far. steve harrigan is traveling with the president and joining us from west palm beach. steve, looks pretty nice there. weather-wise, . >> the president wasting no time in the new year getting off to an early start on twitter as he had throughout this ten day working vacation in southern california. following a pattern. a few postings in the early morning, around of 18 holes with golf professionals, and more post in the afternoon. foreign policy is concerned, and iran, writing the following. they are failing at every level, despite the terrible deal made with the obama administration, the great iranian people have been oppressed for many years,

they are hungry for food and for freedom, along with human right rights. the wealth of a a iran is being polluted. he also made taxed income of the u.s. allies we have given them $33 billion over the past 15 years and had got nothing back but lies and deceit. we do not hear that often in the public sphere. >> leland: pakistan has responded as well this morning, but how did the president's all right new year's eve? >> as he had for the past decade, the president with family and friends celebrating new year's eve at the private club, mar-a-lago, where tickets were going for it $750. he stopped briefly at the entrance to talk to reporters to pass on accomplishments in the past year, and also predicted a banner in 2018, here is the president. >> we will have a great year. fantastic 2018. we are off to a very good start, with the great tax cuts and

getting rid of the individual mandate, which was very, very unpopular as you may know. we are going to have a tremendous year. the stock market is going to continue to go up. companies are going to continue to come into the country. >> the president is playing golf with fred funk, former pga great. back to you. >> heather: i was looking at the red carpet arrival on twitter, it's in beautiful gowns. the first lady being first and foremost. thank you so much and happy new year to you as well. >> leland: so cold in florida, a lot of guests arriving wearing first shawls to walk the red carpet. she'll eat there, chilly here in new york really good tidings in french, not so much for kim jong un. he did not get the memo. he rang and it new year with a new threat, saying he always has

a nuclear button on his desk, and is offering an olive branch, trying to split north korea and south korea and south korea with the united states as senator lindsey graham one, 2018 could be a year of extreme danger. >> 2018 will be a year of opportunity and extreme danger. the president has drawn a line would north korea telling the regime, i will never let you hit america with a nuclear tipped missile. if i have to, i'll use military force to stop you. the iranians are watching the way he engages with north korea and vice versa. we have a chance here to deliver some fatal blows to bad actors in 2018. if we blink, god help us all. >> leland: live from our london bureau, the speech by kim jong un, annual new year's message, a little more nuanced than a threat, right? >>

yup interesting elements, this is an annual speech. he took this opportunity. in his speech, he said he claims that north korea has a nuclear capability. we do not know if this is the case come up but he's using the possibility to up the ante and e rhetoric you're talking about having the nuclear button on his desk that north korea has the capability of striking the u.s. is interesting to note, some experts believe that some of the intercontinental ballistic missiles we have seen in recent tests could have the range to hit our cities, and the weapons technology by north korea is advancing rapidly. >> leland: ralph peters on that saying it seems that he is overstating his capability, but certainly giving a direction he wanted to go. about this olive branch to the south koreans, what is the end

goal? >> more positive note to his speech, he is talking about sending a delegation to the olympics which will be held in south korea. he's also been more open to dialogue, and this well received. as always, leland, the rhetoric from the u.s. remains tough, with to see how real those threats really are. >> leland: a lot of questions about the olive branch is trying to drive a wedge. kitty logan, london, where it is already new year's day evening. thank you. heather has a lot more. >> heather: let's bring in harry because janice , thank you for joining us and happy new year to you. the new year beginning with more of the same from kim jong un, he has the button and is willing to use it. more rattling or how do you take a? >> heather, pyongyang and kim

jong un strategy, and i think the strategy is clear. he is trying the old divide and conquer tactics. his goal is to offer this big olive branch in the hopes that they will bite in, and then have some crazy preconditions to talk. i don't think our allies are going to buy into it, and i don't think president trump is going to buy into it. also, we have to remember that coming into the springtime, north koreans usually test a lot more of their missile technology. i doubt the north koreans are going to abandon that. this is basically a ruse and i don't think any of our allies or president trump is going to fall for. >> heather: why do you think that south korea is not going to play into it? >> i think the south koreans understand that there are in mortal danger. they had the nuclear capabilities, the first weapon in 2006, and you forget that, they have chemical weapons, biological weapons, i think the south koreans really want to see

some sort of confessions from kim jong un before they send any sort of talk. i do not see this going anywhere. i just think it is a way to deflect from all the evil, nasty things that kim has done. >> heather: bring china into it. president trump has put permit is pressure or leasees try to do so in terms of what they are willing to do, but at the same time, they continue to be skirting different sanctions in terms of oil. >> heather, china will never be the partner we want them to be. president trump try this bro-strategy for sanctions, we have now had ten different ten security council resolutions. the chinese probably never followed through with the letter on any of them. we have to have a realistic approach, and that chinese will

never be our ally, they will cheat. and that was the trump administration a tough position with the pushback. >> heather: different approach with the trump administration when it comes to north korea and how we deal north korea. also different approach and how we deal with iran come up with the nuclear agreement, and in terms of the protests that we have seen wrapped across iran over the past weekend. what do you see happening moving forward into the new year in terms of our relationship with iran? >> i think it will be a troubled relationship. keep in mind, the iranian regime has gone through some major challenges with the protests over 400 people arrested. as many as 12 people dead at the reports if they're accurate, and they want a better future for themselves. if you think about it, iran has something like the fourth largest oil reserves in the world, the streets should be paved with gold.

instead, iran had these different words of choice, syria, yemen, cause trouble and iraq, and all that money could be back into their economy and feeding their people. that is not happening, and we are seeing the results. >> heather: we have talked about this earlier. when you hear responses from the former administration, coming over the weekend, they said what this administration giving advice to president trump and other, they say they should be quiet when it comes to the protests and what is going on. do you agree? >> this is not the trump administration doing anything wrong. it is encouraging tweets is a good thing. the united states is the moral leader of the world and are trying to be helpful in this situation. i don't think any kind of tweets by president trump, trying to be positive on the situation is a bad thing. i think with the president's strategy is doing, simple, trying to keep the iran regime accountable for any one who dies

in these instances or to engage a large crack on. this is nothing wrong. coming from the obama administration, who did nothing to help come i think that is ludicrous. >> heather: harry kazianis, thank you for joining us. we appreciate your insight. >> leland: we all know about the first person pleads guilty in the russian investigation, and there is a new report that he may have started the entire fbi probe. catherine herridge writes down the timeline for us, plus, a drunk hotel guest with guns in a big a style attack police found in the suspect's explanation overtime when i can get it. i need my blood sugar to stay in control. weekends are my time. i need an insulin that fits my schedule. ♪ tresiba® ready ♪ (announcer) tresiba® is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes. don't use tresiba® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis, during episodes of low blood sugar,

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export back to his room, because he was belligerent at a party. the man telling he brought the ar-15 shotgun, handgun, and ammo into his room because he did not want them to get stolen from his truck. video of the truck right there while police say they do not believe the 49-year-old man shown here intended to use the gun, they did arrest him for unlawfully carrying a weapon and also trespassing. >> heather: be of new information on the timeline of the fbi's rush investigation. it comes in the wake of a "new york times" report that a trump campaign aide may have sparked the probe after he told an australian diplomat that the russians had dirt on hillary clinton. chief intelligence correspondent catherine herridge is live with the strike to break it down for us. happy new year. >> they're reporting that may have 2016, tom trump campaign e

said he had damaging information and then killed her clinton. two months after the meeting , they hacked the inseam the timeline may be more nuance. months earlier in april, 2016, first on the obama administration's expedition of romanian hacker to alexandria, virginia. the 46 rolled hacker compromise the email account is to that hacked of an unsecured personal server first came to light. also, federal indictment use proxy servers in russia to hide his identity. the times showed that the meeting was another piece of intelligence from the controversial trump dossier and also investigated the march 2016

meeting officials. on sunday, a senior republican press why the fbi remains reluctant about how much they relied on the dossier to justify the russia probe into also secure surveillance. >> i want mr. mueller to do his job without interference, and with somebody to look at the way the department of justice use this dossier. it bothers me greatly that they used to come and i want somebody to look at it. >> this week, the justice department and the fbi are under new pressure to meet a wednesday deadline to comply with the request for records and witnesses from the house intelligence committee. >> heather: catherine herridge lie for us, thank you. >> leland: starting today, transgender individuals are going to be allowed to sign up in the u.s. military. this after the pentagon was forced to come comply, but thee

of transgender people armed forces remain murky. jennifer griffin live at the pentagon with what things mean as of today. hello, jen. >> happy new year, leland. transgender individuals can join the u.s. military under certain conditions and her doctor certifies that the individual has completed medical transition and has been stable for 18 months. the u.s. military it goes effect today. katie schmidt filed a lawsuit against the federal government. >> i love dragon eyes for my work prior to coming out, having to hide who i was preventing me from having full confidence as a leader and strong relationships with my unit. >> this is one of the four high profile court cases in the wake, reversing an obama era decision

to allow transgender troops to serve openly in the military. >> the defense department and the military need to avail ourselves of all talent possible. in order to remain what we are no, the finest fighting force the world has ever known. >> last summer, president trump waiting on the issue in a series of tweets after confrontation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the united states government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the u.s. military. i notary must be the focus victory and cannot be burdened with the medical costs that they have in the military. today's decision does not change the status of the transgender troops already serving in the military, there are other cases pertaining to that that are winding their way. >> case closed as of today, or a

lot more out there? >> the other lawsuits brought on the half already serving are winding their way. through the court center, likely to go all the way to the supreme court at some point. this is far from over. in the meantime, secretary mattis has a condition to review the impact of transgender troops on units. and he will report to the president on march 23rd. bottom line, today, if a transgender person has been a medical professional certify that they have been stable for 18 months, and has completed all medical treatment, associated, and that person can list in the u.s. military. >> leland: we will see if it happens. jennifer griffin at the pentagon. thank you. >> heather: coming up, new year's eve tragedy. entire family from new york in a plane crash. the family looking for answers

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>> heather: combat, ten americans are dead in a plane crash in costa rica. investors are now looking at what caused this plane to slam into a wooded area shortly after takeoff. it happened yesterday. the costa rican say the same plane had been forced to delay landing on an earlier flight. that day by strong winds and it is unclear of that impact played a role in the crash. >> the plane from the accident had recently been authorized about a month ago. it was within to operate as an airline. in this case, the was duly registered goes through functionality to commence operation as those carrying out. >> heather: a rabbi identified five of the victims and the entire family from scarsdale, a suburb of new york city. >> leland: and american arrested in the philippines

shall come and now stanley wants answers here's the story. a 42-year-old documentary filmmaker traveled the world come originally from boston, he worked i chose for "national geographic," in the history channel. he also worked for making inexpensive housing for the poor. that was what he would recommend the philippines when on decemben child trafficking charges. his family says, those charges are plain false. less than 12 hours later. the filipino law enforcement said he committed suicide in his prison cell, claiming he was found hanging by his own belt. his family does not by the explanation and says, they are getting help from the government to find the truth. jesse sister joins us now. it's nice to see you. our condolences and the death your brother. what have you tried to get answered and what hasn't been answered so far. >> the primary question, what

happened after he was brought in for questioning that monday night a few weeks ago. everything hinges on the question. we know because we know our brother and other factors have come out after the event, he would never have taken his own life we believe he was murdered, and we want to know who is responsible and how to happen. >> leland: would be the filipino law enforcement understandable that they deal with slightly different standards than we do. u.s. state department needs an explanation to turn. had they been helpful, the embassy in manila? >> their diplomatic. they pull is that their hands are really tied. they don't have any jurisdiction i went filipino law enforcement, and it will require to try to get justice for jesse and find out what really happened. more public pressure to have internal investigation and public media pressure that will allow the state department to

have possible interfere little bit more and help find i would really happen. if you want to bring your brothers body home, i know you'll have an independent autopsy done. this brings up serious questions. he was arrested. you say it was trumped up. give us a sense of what the philippine law enforcement say in their evidence, and why you do not believe it. >> we have the final report, and even the final report from the filipino president of the fbi, there is no actual evidence that he was engaged in human trafficking is true, for about a year now, he has been living there. he moved away from his camera and film work and was moving towards how to build sustainable housing for poor folks, and jesse loved people from all walks of life and especially

befriended people who are really vulnerable, and he befriended this community of kids and parents where he lived, and was helping them out financially, taking them to school sometimes come i think the optics on that were really bad. human trafficking is a problem in the philippines. we think he was figured by somebody he was formally helping, but because he looked like he maybe was doing something he wasn't. they attributed poor motives to them, brought them out for questioning, and thought he was a bad guy, someone took matters into their own hands. that's what we believe happened. >> leland: any evidence beyond the facts that you have laid out here there's a circumstantial case for him not taking his own life, and i understand how difficult of a question this is, but is there any hard facts that say, pointing to the scenario that you put forward other than the circumstantial evidence?

>> the most credible evidence we have is the kids themselves, the kids helping been in constant contact. they are devastated by his death. they found us, based on mine maiden name. they gave us witness and video testimony that jesse was only helping them. he wanted them to stay in school. they were weeping in the video testimony. they wanted us to clear his nam name. we are close on the heels of our independent autopsy done here in boston. the initial findings of the pathologists say, his death is not 100% consistent with suicid suicide. >> last question for you, the state department or anybody showed a willingness to put pressure on the philippine government to demand answers from their own people? there are not bastions of justice shall we say or do process. is there been any any attempt from the state department to put

some pressure on the philippine government to get answers? >> there has been empathy, but i think they are waiting for more public pressure to allow pressure on the filipino government. that is what we are hoping for it were so grateful to tell the story for you today. >> leland: without passing judgment on the case, i would say, you are dedicated and loving sister, and that says a lot about you and about your love for your brother, talking about him. it's not easy to do. we'll follow this case. we reach out to the state department. obviously, holiday we can. they wouldn't necessarily expect to hear back, it will hear back from you also on the progress in your investigation. >> thank you, we are playing an independent investigation with $30,000 and go fund me, we are going to get justice, even if were not getting help from outside sources. we'll wait to hear back from

you, thank you. >> heather: let's hope they get some answers. president trump about to return to washington from his florida vacation. we'll take a look at the president to-do list for 2018. it is a long one as congress gets back to work this week. more tough talks come from north korea. diplomacy still an option or are we edging closer towards a military confrontation? we are closer to a nuclear war with north korea, and in that region than we have ever been and i do not see i don't see the opportunity to solve this diplomatically at this point. not just being in the military, but at home. she thinks she's the boss. she only had me by one grade. we bought our first home together in 2010. his family had used another insurance product but i was like well i've had usaa for a while,

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>> leland: benjamin netanyahu, when the world leaders praising the iranian protesters were

challenging the rule of their country's hard-line regime. meanwhile, north korea dictator and kim jong un with another warning for the united states today, part of his new year's address to the people. what a warm and lovely message she had seen, he always had a nuclear button on his desk, and once again, claiming the rogue regime had missile capable of striking anywhere the united states. john bolton, well, we have heard this before. >> it is propaganda from kim jong un. this is his regular new year's speech, and obviously come he wants a conversation with united states that looks a possible preemptive military force. not the most attractive option, but an option that we deftly have to use. if they do not come up their weapons program. we need a very careful calibration of what the north's capabilities are. >> leland: rich edson back from the warmth of the winter

white house and travels with the president back in d.c. with more, the president, talked a bit last about north korea. >> he responded to what we heard from the new year's day address. turning that attention to the korean pencil. kim jong un bragged about the ballistic missile develop meant. he says, the entire united states is within range of our nuclear weapons. a nuclear button is always on my desk. this is not reality, they should that these weapons will be used only if art society is threatened. the leader who regularly launched the ballistic missile over japan since north and south korea should calm the situation. he says, when it comes to north-south relations, we should

lower the military tensions on the korean peninsula to have a peaceful environment. both the north and the south should make efforts. even north and south creation meet to discuss north korea sending athletes to the olympics and south korea next month. president trump in response to all the says, we will see. his administration says they continue pressing other countries to cut off north korea, secretary of state rex tillerson says north korea and south korea would be in discussions only when kim changes his behavior. >> leland: that olive branch may be trying to drive a wedge between the united states and south korea. that is one side of the world to the other side, we have these iranian protest turning deadly. president trump responding to them very differently than his predecessor, right? >> that is what his administration is contending, it's up to see what they will actually do as the president is now sane, they have the right to protest. the demonstrators as he said

should not make the public feel concerned about their lives and security. iranian state media reports was that ten are dead in an attempt to seize military and police installation. meanwhile, world leaders are wayne and wow what is going on in iran. >> they seek freedom, justice, the basic liberties that have been denied to them for decades. iran's resume weighs tens of millions of dollars persuading them. this could have been schools and hostiles. no wonder fathers and mothers a walk in the streets. the regime is terrified of them of their own people. >> thousands are protesting a poor economy with proxy wars across the middle east. these are the largest protests since 2009. >> leland: since the green revolution. we discussed this yesterday, we

talked about president trump and of her time supporting these iranian protesters come at the world is watching. we just heard from the vice president that we cannot let these protesters down. and in some way, you have to be determined though stand up, what about their reaction from europe commit so much it is the europeans who cannot wait to jump out in front of any kind of human rights violation. your people being killed in the streets, and anything from the brits, the germans, the italians? >> the criticism we have heard from so many in the united states about the europeans is that they have increased their business with iran's result, and have been hesitant to criticize the iran regime as a result of that. as united states move forward, and says it is no longer certified that iran is complying with the agreement, the europeans very much wanted the united states to stay in that iran nuclear deal with the increased business that they

have had there. also the europeans point out, the united states get out of this be a nuclear deal, and in the problem, the benefit to the regime. however, the united states by re-imposing sanctions. allow that money is already gone to the iran regime. >> leland: is a president points out, we know a lot about money was spent by the iran government. rich edson, washington, d.c. blindness as it happens. thank you. >> heather: sb six returns, trying to build on last month's success in congress after the g.o.p.? commit immigration and hot spots as we were talk about such as north korean and iran. and that is for starters on the to-do list. former member of the trim campaign finance committee and democratic strategist. thank you both for being here,

and happy new year's to you. it is starting out with a bang already, right? we will start with you, to begin with, your response to what is going on, both in terms of north korea and iran and president trump's response. >> i just wish he would do some self-evaluation and look himself in the mirror and see if he's going to be our commander in chief and leader in this country, or will be our tweeter in chief. the treats will not deal with the issue that i we face. this is like a real crisis on the brink of facing if we are not careful. that is why his leadership will be so critically important over the next coming days and weeks as we move into this year. >> heather: as we were discussing and leland pointed out, we are hearing from president trump and terms of his support for the protesters, specifically in iran. we are not hearing from a lot of

the other european leaders. >> that's great. i have confidence in president trump taking a hard line. americans and iranians will only take so much. and people do stand up, and i am praying and supporting the people of iran as they face a hard regime that is kept them in poverty and stolen their natural resources for so many years. >> heather: let's move on, domestic issues. i will let you begin your as well, veronica, in terms of what the president hopes to accomplish moving forward into the new year. we know infrastructure plan is on the table. he is coming off this major tax reform plan, which was a big win for him. >> the infrastructure, is a key part in in the making our gdp higher. i am looking for him to lead the nation in strengthening our infrastructure, which had been first taken.

and also our growing cities. a city in north texas, where one of the largest and fastest growing cities in america, so i would like to work with the administration and see how we can help our older cities, but also new emerging cities as well. >> heather: what is the most important thing he should tackle first? >> his idea of leadership. we need him to play chess and checkers at this point. when you think about infrastructure, you think about the children's health care plan that needs to be reauthorized. when i think about the fact that we have to deal with doctors, there's a number of issues that will take real leadership and will start with him and has to be done in a very bipartisan way. we do not need tax work on the daca, we need a long-term immigration plan. we need to make sure that not many children they get health insurance, we need a budget. congress is operating on a temporary budget. we need leadership from the white house, and we haven't seen that over the course of years,

and the fact that the congress cannot point to the point they put on the scoreboard. >> heather: is it fair to blame the president for that in terms specifically with daca? he gave them time to come up with a solution, now we're down to the wire. january 19th, some sort of compromise is going to be able to read there. >> i think president trump was correct. he gave the issue back to congress. his congresses responsibility throughout immigration and our supreme court ruled that way. and president trump did exactly what he should've done, give it back to congress. >> he has not led on the issue. he has not led on the issue of pressing the congress, the g.o.p. caucus to get something done. he pressed the gas to make sure it they ramp the tax bill down, they will not benefit middle-class working families. he could have done the same in immigration issue. >> heather: 80s percent of

americans will see a tax break under that plan. >> that is a short-term, long-term, middle class families be very hard, and this plan will cut to the fabric of the middle-class families in this country. >> heather: think you both for joining us. we have to wrap it up come out a time, happy new year. lot of work to be done. >> leland: about this, people want to start 2018 and a high note. right? we are talking a really high note in california. we will tell you about how they are legalizing recreational marijuana, and some of the challenges that are facing. >> the last few days have been a little bit crazy as you can see, a lot of our cannabis patients are coming in, stacking up before the taxes go up in the new year

>> leland: with the new year, recreational pot shops in california open for business. more than six dozen marijuana

distributors right to sell toda today. 9:45 on new year's morning, and i guess some are open for business. >> leland that is correct. but to obtain a state license, required approval by city jurisdiction and also the new law making public consumption legal, also coming with strict new guidelines for how it is sold. >> it may not look like this, but this is marijuana. candy, cookies, elixirs, and of course, jar after jar of the smokable variety all sold only as medicine. until now. >> it is going to change from medication and say, i hope you feel better too, enjoy the high. that is because california has joined five other states that have legalized recreational pot, opening doors to the public and ushering in new rules and regulation. >> everything's going to have to be preweighed and sealed.

>> the owner of this dispensary has a lot of work to do, because unlike before, the packages like this is not prohibited. and for the first time, he must pay tax on every sale, leading to higher prices, which will get passed on to the consumer. >> i expect 30% increase, because it will be with heavier taxation and will have to hire more staff. >> cannabis sales have been legal for four years in colorado. in spite of some early stumbles, government regulation works. >> we can control it, we know who is producing it and selling it, and we know that they are following rules that will protect public health and safety. >> not damage, millions of new tax revenue for state and local government. california, lawmakers hope to collect $1 billion, and billions more in years to come. opponents of legalization say, it is now worth it. >> we have seen, the traffic

fatalities increasing, the use, abuse, and adults increasing. we'll look at things like, has blazed nation homelessness and a whole other realm of things that are unintended consequences from this legalization. >> what happens here in california is yet to be seen, but the new law doesn't come without rules. you must be at least 212 buy, you cannot smoke in public, and roadsides along many california highways reminding drivers that while driving while high is still considered a dui. >> leland: jack-in-the-box evidently coming out with a new munchy meal, it is called the mary munchy meal, the price to come up $4.20. go figure. marianne, thank you. >> heather: protecting your pets from the bitter cold. ahead, pet experts with tips on how to keep your furry friends safe and warm. plus this.

>> kyle williams, touched on. amazing. >> heather: the longest proceeds, it the drought is over. buffalo bills are headed to the playoffs.

we won the buffalo bills are headed to the playoffs, ending the longest current drought and north khmer professional sports in 17 years. the bills beat the miami dolphins yes take 20-16, they just wanted out, watching to see if the ravens lost so if they can make it in. that was the locker room celebration, the bills a rafting after the bangles took the lead from the ravens clearing the way to head to the postseason, giving the long-suffering fans, and you may ask, why we are doing this troy? it is because one of the very long-suffering fans, we have a picture of a live shot of the

control room. we do not have a shot of the control room, but didn't williams, our executive producer is chairing this play over and over and over again. congratulations to the bills. they're heading to the playoffs. speak to their odds still questionable. >> leland: there is hope for everybody. we have been there before, we needed something. it is football season, it is also fall weather. there are freezing temperatures blanketing much of the united states right now. record cold and of course, folks always bundle up before heading outside, but what about your pets? they could be hard-hit by the cold as we are, and owner say, they are trying to make it -- the dog looked like it is having fun. >> keep them bundled up, it is really cold out here. try to make her do the business and go back inside. >> leland: joining us now, pet

expert, wendy dimon, and this is her dog, hope. hope is dressed up for cold weather. >> happy new year. we all have our new year's resolutions, number one, the most popular is to exercise, right? exercise. 50% of all pets are overweight. it is really important to feed healthy food and treats. treats are treats. chocolate, we do not eat chocolate every day. you could. is the same thing with pets. you have to care for their health to keep them. >> leland: other low calorie pet treats? can you put them on a diet? >> if you keep your pet healthy, right? all natural food, number one, your pets best friend is you, the pet parent, but also number two, it is your vet.

you new year's resolution can always contact your vet come up because need to make sure you have a healthy pet. >> leland: these guys all have coats on. >> day are the most adorable dogs up for adoption. this is me from the humane society of new york, she is a disease which is very easy to medicate, look how sweet, and these dogs are little older, but as you see, deb the most docile and sweet dogs. >> leland: as an important question, people have pets for christmas that they decide they do not want, also it is cold out, tough time to get a pet. is it harder for pets to get adopted in the winter? >> first of all, it's always a good time to adopt a dog. number one, there over to

two and a half million dogs up to adopt. it's always a good time to adopt an animal. >> heather: this is mia, and who is this? >> this is autumn. she is in adorable rain jacket with fleece lining. not all docs should be. you see mia, and she in this rough coat, which is perfect for the winter. those from canine styles, these are a4 double and good if you your dog out. >> leland: you think about on the streets, there is salt, gri grit, the chemicals. what you need to do? >> get out rag, warm water, and wash off the ponds. the salt is toxic. you want to make sure you clean up the pause, because you have them licking it and getting sick. not every pet should be outside. especially senior animals with health issues, when it is cold

out, i would not put them outside. there's so many treats we can put a treat in foreign our. >> leland: there are some that are little bit smarter. >> or you get a puzzle or anything and find ways to entertain your pets inside, especially when it is below zero and freezing out. >> leland: your like tv ready. you made a great point, you think, it is cold out, never leave your dog in a hot car, but in the winter, sometimes the cars can get so cold they end up becoming like refrigerators. >> it is just like the summer, never leave your dog in the car. that is number one. in this time, just be careful. if you're going to bring them out, bring them out quickly. >> leland: wendy, great reminders. go online if you want to adopt.

humanesocietyofnew york.com. you cannot ask for a sweeter dog. happy new year. >> leland: ed henry and molly linee coming up with more news. for up to 12 hours with just one pill. aleve. all day strong.

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so, i traded in my lederhosen for a kilt. ancestry has many paths to discovering your story. get started for free at ancestry.com. >> ed: good day and a fox news alert, president trump ringing in the new year and is mar-a-lago's art, by keeping eye on the protests in iran which is into the fifth day. brand-new hour of "america's news hq," i am ed henry. >> molly: and i am molly, happy new year's to everyone. antigovernment unrest in iran as protesters take to the streets for a fifth straight day. president trump speaking out on twitter, saying it is a time for change in iran. harvard law professor agrees. >> i think president trump has indicated that he will not stand behind the iran regime. the iran regime is failing. the people there are hungry