the weather r sure doesn't feel or look like christmas in the corridor, but some parts of iowa have a white christmas today.check this out, the des moines area got as much as

did cause parts of interstate 35 to be shut down for parts of the day yesterday. a state of emergency is in effect this mid-day in three statesesafter a winter tornado outbreak in the southeast u-s. the massive storm system spawned at least 34 tornadoes across the region.the storms have kilild at least 14 people, and destroyed about one-hundred homes.mississippi was hardest hit, seeing at least a dozen tornadoes in the outbreak.parts of the community of polly springs are in shambles. "i told my wife - run, get in the shower, in the tub.""i looked up and the roof was blowing off the mississippi governor phil bryant says he will ask president obama to declare mississippi a disaster. the salvlvion army is used to people dropping coins into their red kettles during the holidays....but this year, one bell ringer in california got a big surprise from an anonymous donor. donor. thank you merry xmasin the 4 decades (dot)it goes back to the early 80's john shepard has been ringing a bell for the salvation army(nats of

money go into the kettle (thaha you) but nothing like the check that went in this month in la canada(sot) 25:41i couldn't believe itt donor who wants to remain anonymous slipped in a 5k thousand dollar check it was a recoco fofoshepard and for the glendale chapter of the charity too(sot)16:05i would say thank you and feellike it wasn't enoughthat's because the chapter has tripled the number of families it's serving in just the last two years(sot)we got gifts for 600 familiesit says the money went into the general fund and was used for after school programs, the food bank and christmas (sot) 18:00presents food bank and programs, the school for after and was used general fund and was used for after school programs, the food bank and christmas presents(sot) 18:00we get to see the joy in the child's face when they get a gift the 5k donor never saw the joy her gift gave(sot) i have no idea who gave itshepard says when people write checks when people shepard says it(sot) i have no idea who gave it shepard says when people write checks he turns away(sot)it's

confessionalbut he's grateful he tells stories about the people who have walked by his kettle(sot)24:41i had an old fella from world war 1now he has a new tale about a generous donor who may never fully understand how much her gesture was appreciated but total strangers who stop by this bell are e hearing her story (sot)merry christmas. as we e t ready to enjoy our holiliy meals, it can be stressful for those with food allergies. allergies.a recent study from the centers for disease control says food allergies have jumped 50 rcent between 19-97 and 20-11.nearly six- million children in the united states now have some form of food allergy.experts say just one bite of an allergenic food can be life-threatening. " "oss contamination is an issue with some foods more than others. even a small

that gets in something unexpected it could potentiay cause a reaction." reaction."there are some ways you can n prepared for allergic reactions. reactions.first - epinephrine is the only medicine for a serious allergic reaction, so have some of that on hand.if you don't have ix handy, make sure a person with food allergies esn't eat anything with unknown ingredients. second, if you are the one who has a food allergy, reach out to the host and let them know about your allergy.third - pre- pack a snack - that way no one feels left out.fourth, if you're the one with an allergy, play host yourself, then you'll in control of what food is made. and finally - keep the original packages. that way anyone who needs to check the ingredients list, can. across the world, millions of people are starting their christmas at church.here in the corridor, grace community chureh in north liberty welcomedeople to services st night.as cbs 2 news reporter mellaney moore explains, explains,leaders there hope people will come back, even after the holidays are over. over.

a way to start their r chririmas cecebration. celebration.01:51:14 we are committed to the lord jesus.this is his birthday, it is all about that.at grace community church, staff y chstmas is part of what it's all about. about.church executive pastor 20:14:47 we hear the message of the baby jesus and people can think that's all good and cute, but the reality is, when jesus came to earth it was a rescue mission. when he came e it wasasreally the start of him coming back to bring us back into right relationship.more than 1500 people attend the non denominational church with locations in north liberty and downtown iowawaity.ththchurch expects more people on holidays and with some regulars out of town, a different congregation. church executive pastor 20:07:51 we are so glad they're here. we just hope that they continue to be here then throughout the year as well and so that's dedenitely going to be part of our focus tonight .hansen hopes the message is welcoming, authentic and communicates christ can make a difference in one's life.according to the pew research center, fewer americans are identifying as christians.

autonomous culture that doesn't really feel a need. jesus said when he came that he preachedgood news to the poor and if you look at our country, were e fluent.the research shows the decline is mainly attributed to decreases in protestants and catholics. hansen says he has noticed fewer people identifying with a particular`christian denomination, but still havi a relationship th christ. christ.churur executive pastor 20:14:21 i think they're hungry for that authenticity and in a sense, it almost would seem that some of the denominational matters can be kind of superfluous to the main things that we need to be about. about.01:53:58 jesus came to earth as the king and this is his we all want to be our own covering the corridor in mellaney moore cbs 2 news. pope francis prayed for world peace in his annual christmas "to the city and the world" message from the vatican this morning.he asked that the agreement reached by the u-n would succeed in stopping military clashes in syria, and he prayed for a solution to the humanitarian crisis there. the pontiff also mentioned several other high-tension regions, specifically the israeli-pastinian conflict.

damper on christmas celebrbrions in the regioioin the e st bank, the town of bethlehem was mostly quiet, as worshipers spent their morning at mass at the church of the nativity. and in britain, queen elizabeth arrived early this morning for a traditional ristmas service in norfolk. some well-wishers got to the church as early as four a-m to see the royal family.later in the day, the queen delivered her annual christmas message. in it, she proclaimed "light can triumpmpover darkness in these perilous times."she also took a moment to comment on the joys of having a new grand- daughter, charlotte. coming up on the cbs 2 news at noon,the special way some cocoidor veteransnsot to celebrate christmas,s, day early!

on average, it takes three hundred americans working for a solid year, to make as much money as one top ceo. it's called the wage gap. and d e republicans will make it worse by lowering taxes for

their own rules. hillary clinton will work to close the wage gap equal pay for women to raise incomes for families, a higher minimum wage, lower taxes for the middle class. she gets the job done for us.

main weather- your planner shows what's ahead for the next hoursa&- now a live look outside courtesy of our weatherfirst skycama&- a bit of fog in the area this morninga&-temperatures around the areaa&- taking a look at regional temperatures we see highs are mild all around iowa - the regional satellite/radar is keeping conditions quiet - let's move ahead in time by taking a look at the midwest surface mapa&- moving into a closer view with our 'predictor' forecast we see mainly quiet conditions - today's forecast features

temperatures- tonight's forecast has us looking for mainly clear & chilly conditions- the next three days show more dry and cool weather- our 7 day forecast does bring more cool weathehe to the area

christmas came early for some veterans in the corridor.home instead senior

santa for a senior program. more than seven hundred seniors got presents through-out the week.it's the first year home instead has partnered with linn county veteran's affairs.other veterans vovonteered to be santa to deliver the gifts. "a lot of these veterans have to rely on somebody to step forward to m,ake their christmas little more enjoyable." enjoyable."home instead senior care plans to expand the program even more for next year. still ahead on the cbs 2 news at noon, a look inuide a very familiar home here in cedar rapids, with soso of the most decadent decorations you'll find in the midwest. midwest. cbs-2 news connects with the

story tips at 1-800-222-kganor email us at news at cbs2iowa.comor connect with us

on this christmas day - we're

look at some of the best light shows and events in eastern iowa.we've gone from ralville, to the amamas, and even keokuk - iowa's most southern city!but for our last stop cbs 2 news reporter matt hammill brings us back to cedar rapids for a turn of the century holiday home- coming - as we celebrate christmas in e corridor. " absolutely the best time of year to visit brucemore is during christmastime " thousands seem to agree. brucemore is beautiful year round - but stunning during the christmas season.visitors are loving the lights and trees that turn every room - of cedar rapids mostamous mansion - into a wonderland for children." i think the holiday season is about family and i think that's really what brucemore represents ... .. i think it has become tradition for contemporary families to come and begin their holidays and celebrate e their holidays here. " groups gather to hear about the grand stair-case - covered in

view from the top.there are thirteen christmas trees - - nearly one in every room - decorated in glorious themes and all overflowing in sparkling ornaments.and reflections from christmas past - bring all the fire- place mantles to life - some decked out - - others a cozy place for deer." it is totally different than the entire rest of the house. " " tie bene-dix - loves the tahitian* room - howard hall's hangout - with palm trees in lights - and imagines the incredible christmases in this home." margaret had a catillion every year at this time of year in the great hall .. all the parties .. dancing ... ... just being able to come here and enjoy family and friends. " everyone knows the legendary lions who ved at brucemore - - but people forget - three douglas daughters grew up here too.the nursery glows in chrimas warmth - - along with a pair of their roller skates -

puzzle they put together nearyby.brucemore has never been about how,the other half lived - - for visitors it's exploring a simpler time and h hiday history." brucemore is an anchor in our community, it's a cultural hub in our community and it's very much about the stories of who we've been, how we've grown as a community over the last century. "celebrating christmas in the corridor - i'm matt hammill hammill holiday mansion tours at brucemore continue until the end of the year. for more informatatn, you can head to our website - cbs 2 iowa dot com. coming up on the cbs 2 news at noon,we'll see how one corridor organization is working hard to make sure everyone has the chance to get

christmas is a time to give back, and he inhe corridor, mission of hope is doing that today. today.cbs 2 news reporter stephanie johnson. johnson.has been live there all afternoon to give us a look at what they're doing. stephanie hows it oking now? now?merry christmas kelly, you are e ght mission of hope e all about giving back. right now volunteers are prepping.

live in cedar rapidsds.. stephanie johnson cbs 2 nnews. news. thanks, stephahae! justin has your weather to go next...

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