right now on "america this morning," moving ahead. >> that plan will be built on bedrock science. >> president-elect joe biden's announcement this morning. what he is doing to fight the coronavirus even though president trump is refusing to concede. new details on how the trump team is planning to fight the election results and what happens next. plus, the biden team reportedly planning a series of executive orders. state of emergency, the new wave of coronavirus hospitalizations setting records. a new mask mandate. doctors called out of retirement. the drastic new steps and a prediction of what's ahead. breaking overnight, eta slams the keys, the deadly storm triggers flooding across south florida before heading back into the gulf.

could eta make a third landfall? tributes for trebek. how fans, contestants and colleagues are remembering the tv icon and the answers to the questions of life. the lessons he learned in his 80 years. plus, the army of the future. the plan for robot soldiers. and later a merry marriage. meet the newlyweds with the last names white and christmas. good monday morning, everyone. after days of counting the vote we begin this week with a new president-elect, joe biden. >> but president trump has not conceded, and overnight we learned new details on how he plans to fight the election results in court claiming voter fraud even though there's been no evidence of widespread fraud. >> meanwhile, as cases of coronavirus set records across the country, biden is announcing his coronavirus task force today. >> but we begin with the legal fight being waged by the white house. this morning, lawmakers return

to washington for an unprecedented lame duck period. >> don't give up. do not give up. >> president trump refusing to concede, instead he's reportedly considering holding campaign-style rallies centered around his unproven claims of voter fraud. [ crowd chanting "stop the steal" ] >> reporter: the federal agency that must certify biden as the winner to allow his team access to taxpayer money during the transition released a statement about the election saying, an ascertainment has not yet been made. some top republicans insist the election is not over. >> i believe president trump still has a path to victory, and that path is to count every single legal vote that was cast but also not to cast any votes that were fraudulently cast or illegally cast, and we have a legal process to determine what's legal and what isn't. >> if republicans don't challenge and change the u.s. election system, there will never be another republican president-elected again. president trump should not concede. >> reporter: some of the president's supporters are standing by his unfounded claims of fraud. >> if you look in pennsylvania,

dead people voted in pennsylvania. so, george, i don't know how widespread it is. i don't know if it'll change the outcome of the election, but why is everybody so scared just to have a fair election and find out? >> reporter: a claim that 21,000 deceased people voted in pennsylvania first spread online last week when the president's lawyer, rudy giuliani, shared an article in a far right publication about the allegations detailed in a lawsuit filed by a legal group. in a recent ruling the judge in that case sounding doubtful about the claims wrote, we cannot and will not take plaintiff's word for it in an election where every vote matters. we will not disenfranchise potentially eligible voters based solely upon the allegations of a private foundation. the president's lawyers expect to launch more legal challenges this week in hopes of taking their fight to the supreme court. democrats and republicans want to see evidence. >> if you can't show us, we can't do this. we can't back you blindly without evidence. >> it's important for the cause of democracy and freedom that we

don't allege fraud and theft and so forth unless there's very clear evidence of that, and at this stage that evidence hasn't been produced. >> it's time for the president's lawyers to present the facts, and then it's time for those facts to speak for themselves. >> reporter: in the meantime, president-elect joe biden is moving full steam ahead set to announce his covid-19 task force today. biden is expected to name former surgeon general vivek murthy who was fired by trump and former fda commissioner david kessler to lead the group and will call for doubling the number of covid testing sites, investing in at home testing and encouraging governors to mandate masks. the president-elect over the weekend calling on the country to unite. >> let's give each other a chance. it's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again and to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our

enemies. they are not our enemies. they are americans. they are americans. >> sources say biden is also discussing reversing some trump policies with executive orders including rejoining the paris climate accords and the world health organization. as for trump other sources believe he will eventually concede, but right now he's focused on recounting votes. two runoff elections in georgia could decide which party takes control of the u.s. senate. incumbent republican david perdue did not get the 50% of votes needed to clinch his race against jon ossoff, and the candidates in a special election also failed to meet the threshold. former presidential candidate andrew yang says he's moving to georgia to help the democrats win the runoff in january. breaking overnight, tropical storm eta has made landfall in the florida keys. widespread flooding is reported across south florida, especially around ft. lauderdale. tow truck drivers have been working around the clock to rescue stranded drivers. up to a foot of rain is expected in some areas. we'll have more on eta's track in just a few moments.

the storm is already blamed for nearly 60 deaths in mexico and central america. many victims were lost in landslides. we turn now to the pandemic and the new record set over the weekend. another state has declared an emergency and is now imposing a mask mandate. abc's alex presha has the latest. >> reporter: this morning at least a dozen states reporting a record number of hospitalizations as nearly half the country sees a new jump of deaths from the coronavirus. >> i'm placing the entire state of utah under a mask mandate. >> reporter: in utah, the governor is issuing a state of emergency while wisconsin saw more than 100 newly admitted patients sunday alone, and in indiana officials are now calling for retired health care workers to relieve overworkehom. a new study reveals hard hit states have seen cases quadruple in nursing homes since may. in notre dame new rules for students after this scene over the weekend. the school's now cracking down ahead of the holidays hoping to keep students from bringing the virus home. university officials sending a

letter warning that the school can pause registration for students who fail to appear for testing and students may not leave the area until they test negative. meanwhile, another sports team with an outbreak. nine people connected to the l.a. dodgers have tested positive just days after their third baseman tested positive during the world series. and now concern about these street celebrations after joe biden was projected the winner of the election. >> remember that we are in a current active pandemic. >> reporter: but doctors say, just like political rallies have been relatively safe, events like this are unlikely to spread the virus. >> these events are outdoors and most importantly the majority of people are wearing masks. >> reporter: as for joe biden's inauguration in january, the former head of the fda says don't expect a typical inauguration because that's when we'll likely be at the height of this latest wave of cases. alex presha, abc news. >> time now for a look at your monday weather.

looking at the radar, eta is dumping up to a foot of rain across florida with winds near 65 miles per hour overnight. as the storm made landfall in the keys, eta is expected to meander around the gulf of mexico for several days before possibly hitting florida later again this week. it may even regain hurricane status. checking today's high temperatures, unseasonably warm across the eastern half of the country. some areas are 20 degrees warmer than usual, but it's chilly across much of the west. 38 in denver, 64 in los angeles. coming up, the other big story this monday morning, we remember alex trebek. the new tributes and how the "jeopardy" host wanted to be remembered next. remembered next. remembered next. you clean dishes as you cook, to save time and stay ahead of the mess but scrubbing still takes time. now there's dawn powerwash dish spray. the faster, easier way to clean as you go. it cleans grease five times faster on easy messes, just spray, wipe, and rinse.

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let's have a real big welcome for duncan white. >> that's alex trebek from the early days in canada. this morning, we're celebrating his life. the tv icon was a guest in living rooms for more than half a century. >> in recent months he bravely shared his battle with pancreatic cancer. here's abc's megan tevrizian. >> reporter: he was the man with all the answers. >> the host of "jeopardy," alex trebek. >> reporter: while contestants and viewers tried to come up with the answers. >> nancy. >> who is larry david? >> right. >> monica. >> what is gymnastics? >> yes. >> ken. >> i get to say it to alex. what is okay, boomer? >> thank you. thank you. >> reporter: born in 1940 george alexander trebek started his career hosting game shows in his native canada. >> welcome again to "reach for the top." >> reporter: making the move to hollywood in 1973. >> and now here's the wiley wizard himself, alex trebek. >> reporter: in 1984 he was chosen to host a new version of "jeopardy." >> welcome to america's favorite answer and question game, "jeopardy."

>> reporter: he became such a respected referee and personality that even the parodies were kind to him. >> it's time for final jeopardy. >> and so this was the final "jeopardy." >> never be afraid of poking fun at yourself. self-deprecating humor is worth its weight in gold. >> reporter: for 37 seasons as host of "jeopardy," trebek wanted to make a show about its stars, the contestants. >> i learned english because of you, and so my grandfather, who raised me -- i'm going to get tears right now -- i used to sit on his lap and watch you every day, so it's a pretty special moment for me now. >> reporter: but his personal bout with pancreatic cancer put him in a new spotlight. >> this week i was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. >> reporter: and while trebek was always rooting for everyone else, you could see them now rooting for him. >> what is, we love you alex. that is very kind. thank you.

it costs you 1995. you're left with a buck -- 5 bucks. okay. >> they are the most important elements in my life outside of my family and friends. i can't help but be touched by what they have to say. >> reporter: he approached his diagnosis with an openness that continued during the months of treatment that followed. >> there was one day a few weeks ago when jeannie asked me in the morning how do you feel, and i said, i feel like i want to die. it was that bad. >> reporter: but through it all trebek continued hosting the show until ten days before his death taping episodes until the end of october keeping up his positivity and quick wit throughout. >> truth told, i have to because under the terms of my contract, i have to host "jeopardy" for three more years. >> reporter: when he died sunday surrounded by family, he was 80 years old. overnight tributes pouring in. ken jennings, who won a record 74 consecutive games of "jeopardy," writing, i'm grateful for every minute i got to spend with him.

fellow game show legends pat sajak and vanna white writing, alex trebek's courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him. even canadian prime minister justin trudeau tweeted, we have lost an icon. trebek remembered now the way he wanted to be. >> what you see on air really is what i am. i want to be considered as helpful and generous, generous and kind. >> reporter: megan tevrizian, abc news. >> a true legend. megan, thank you. and the shows that trebek taped will air through christmas day. >> and we will cherish every last one. coming up, a busy day ahead in washington. what we can expect today next. who've got their eczema under control. with less eczema, you can show more skin. so roll up those sleeves. and help heal your skin from within with dupixent. dupixent is the first treatment of its kind that continuously treats moderate-to-severe eczema,

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unlike other sleep aids, our extended release melatonin helps you sleep longer. and longer. zzzquil pure zzzs all night. fall asleep. stay asleep. ultimately the final numbers showed, you know, what direction we want to go in, and so that is what makes me excited. you know, the tears i ultimately shed will be tears of joy. >> that's one of vice president-elect kamala harris' sorority sisters from howard university. alpha kappa alpha is the country's oldest black sorority and from coast to coast the women of aka have been celebrating. more now on president trump planning rallies to push his claim he has not lost the election. >> to get some perspective we spoke overnight to former congresswoman barbara comstock and amanda renteria, former political director for the hillary clinton campaign.

it appears president trump's fight ramps up today. does he have any ground to stand on as he tries to hold on to the white house and with only two gop senators even acknowledging president-elect biden's victory, are party leaders simply holding off because of trump? >> well, i think this weekend you didn't see many republicans out there with any specific details defending the president, and the president's team itself has not come forward with a lot of legal information. you saw chris christie, a former u.s. attorney and friend of the president, saying they have to come up with evidence. so today we will see if they have any actual solid legal information, but to date, neither campaign finance lawyers nor constitutional lawyers have seen a lot of factual information. and, amanda, we know how important, pr, public relations is to this president, and now we're hearing his camp is planning rallies to get his baseless claims out there that he won the election. what could this do? >> this sows more distrust between the parties. it creates a lot more intensity out there in the voting

population, and at the end of the day, we have to come together as a country, and this certainly doesn't help. >> barbara, is it safe to say this will not be a smooth transition of power leading up to inauguration day in january? >> well, i think you are seeing more republicans come forward. we saw president george w. bush come forward with a very thoughtful and gracious statement today congratulating president-elect biden. you also saw condi rice coming forward, so i think there is a desire to move forward on this. >> amanda, there are big issues facing the country on coronavirus. americans hoping to hear about a stimulus. how much is this taking away from those issues, and what is the most important thing biden can do in the days and weeks ahead? >> it's clear it will affect things and will make republicans -- it will make it more difficult for republicans to work with the team and those relationships that need to happen behind the scenes. but i will say this, president-elect biden must

continue with the things he has been doing, number one, putting out what is that plan, making sure that he has the team in place, the task force in place, number two, he too has to communicate what he intends to do come january and what he intends to do behind the scenes while we get to january. >> would a republican led senate and democratic house be better for biden as he tries to unify and be a moderate president? >> obviously i think that would be the case. i've been saying that since august, that would be the best case for joe biden. there are some really good bipartisan opportunities here that i think joe biden can hit the ground running, particularly on covid. >> as we think about the days and the rallies and everything else to come, we have to be able to start to build unification and if we cannot unify in these next couple of days, then i think that doesn't bode well for a divided government while president-elect biden is moving into that position. >> our thanks to barbara comstock and amanda renteria. turning now to sports, a tough night for tom brady and the bucs. they lost to the saints, 38-3. drew brees threw four

touchdowns. the saints were winning 21-0 when the bucs finally got their first first down. coming up, the army of the future with robots. also ahead, the newlyweds with the last names white and christmas. t names white and christmas. not actors, who've got their eczema under control. with less eczema, you can show more skin. so roll up those sleeves. and help heal your skin from within with dupixent. dupixent is the first treatment of its kind that continuously treats moderate-to-severe eczema, or atopic dermatitis, even between flare ups. dupixent is a biologic, and not a cream or steroid. many people taking dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin, and, had significantly less itch. don't use if you're allergic to dupixent. serious allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, which is severe. tell your doctor about new or worsening eye problems, such as eye pain or vision changes, or a parasitic infection.

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garden hose in the parking lot while declaring trump would not concede. reports say the president was told the event would be at the business but he misunderstood the name of the venue. a joe biden presidency means pets will return to the white house. >> the bidens' dogs champ and major will be the first four-legged friends in the building since bo and sunny left with the obamas. >> major will be the first rescue dog to live at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. next the future of the military. men versus machines. >> some troops overseas may soon be fighting machines. the head of the british armed forces says robots can make up one-quarter of the british army within the next 20 years. >> wow. he says machines could even serve near the front lines during conflicts. and finally an early white christmas for one couple. >> a wedding in england saw kieran white and tilly christmas tie the knot. they combined their names to become mr. and mrs. white-christmas. >> their friends shared a picture with the hashtag #whitechristmas. i can only imagine the names for the -- >> the first daughter is going

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checking the top stories, president-elect joe biden is announcing his coronavirus task force today headed by former surgeon general vivek murthy. biden is expected to speak about his plan to tackle the virus. sources say he's drawing up executive orders. the president is refusing to concede. he's filing lawsuits and reportedly planning rallies aimed at touting his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. new records in the coronavirus pandemic. more than 700,000 new cases were reported across this country in the last week. and overnight utah's governor declared a state of emergency. deaths are on the rise in 23 states. eta is bringing widespread flooding to south florida. the storm made landfall in the florida keys overnight. some areas could see a foot of rain and four feet of storm surge. looking at the national weather, record warmth today across much of the east.

thunderstorms in the plains and midwest. heavy snow in the southern rockies and chilly on the west coast today. and finally, alex trebek in his own words. he learned a lot during his 80 years. >> and he was eager to share his experiences and his wisdom. >> and now here is the host of "super jeopardy," alex trebek. >> i got into broadcasting because i applied for a summer job to help make money to pay for my junior year at college. i was a staff announcer, and i was the only bilingual announcer on the english-speaking staff. so i got to do extra programming. i was 27 years old at the time. i was -- i was having a good time. i've always enjoyed intellectual games. i love acquiring knowledge, even useless knowledge. it has helped me to become the person i am. >> let's look at the $1,000 clue just for the fun of it.

>> i've had such a good life. there is no possibility of any regrets in my mind or in my heart. make the most of today. stop worrying about the future. just treat every day as a blessing, and enjoy it to the fullest, and try to be aware of when you leave this earth, that you've made a difference in the lives of other people, a positive difference. if you do that properly, the viewers will look on you as a good guy. he's a nice guy, and i like him, and if that's the way they remember me down the line, perfectly happy with that. >> a tv icon who hopefully made us a little smarter and definitely a little better. >> and that's exactly how we'll remember him. >> that's what's making news in

america is right now on "america this morning," moving ahead. >> that plan will be built on bedrock science. >> president-elect joe biden's announcement this morning. what he is doing to fight the coronavirus even though president trump is refusing to concede. new details on how the trump team is planning to fight the election results and what happens next. plus, the biden team reportedly planning a series of executive orders. state of emergency, the new wave of coronavirus hospitalizations setting records. a new mask mandate. doctors called out of retirement. the drastic new steps and a prediction of what's ahead. breaking overnight, eta slams the keys, the deadly storm triggers flooding across south florida before heading back into the gulf.