>> i'm reggie aqui i'm lyanne melendez, i'm luz pena, i'm tara campbell, i'm j.r. stone at abc seven news we deliver local stories with real answers to help make our city better. tonight, the major thanksgiving storm taking aim at the northeast, with millions of americans on the move. and the news just coming in, a security breach at jfk airport. a stowaway found on an international flight. and the fbi investigates

numerous threats targeting president-elect trump's nominees. first, our weather team is tracking that powerful storm already causing treacherous travel. this multi-vehicle crash caught on camera on a snowy interstate in colorado. what it means for the big parades and americans trying to get to their holiday destinations. and trouble in the skies. what we've just learned about that stowaway aboard a flight at jfk. how did they get onboard? bomb and swatting threats targeting some of president-elect trump's cabinet nominees, as trump makes several more announcements. the high stakes prisoner swap between the u.s. and china. three americans held for years reuniting with their families. martha raddatz is standing by with new details. celebrations and relief as a fragile cease-fire between israel and hezbollah begins in lebanon. thousands of residents return to their homes. as civilians in gaza hold out hope for an end to the fighting there. authorities here in new york are on alert. how the nypd is getting ready for the big parade. and what they say concerns them

most. the new warning from law enforcement, as the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear. the crime ring targeting new iphone deliveries. the news just coming in. a judge rules on bail for sean comens. and it's is the case that's captivated the nation for decades. the new statement on the murder of jon ben nay ramsey. and america strong. two heroes reunited and ready to celebrate the holiday together. good evening, everyone, and thank you so much for joining us on a busy thursday night, i'm linsey davis, in for david. we begin tonight with the thanksgiving journey across this country, coinciding with a major coast-to-coast storm moving into the northeast. millions of americans are now on the road or in the air for what's shaping up to be record travel over the thanksgiving holiday.

at this hour, most travelers are facing peak driving time from los angeles to chicago, philadelphia to new york. more than 71 million are expected to drive at least 50 miles over the next few days. in newport, delaware, a portion of busy i-95 closed due to a crash after a dump truck hit an overpass. further complicating travel in some areas, rain and snow. near-blinding snow in parts of colorado. and at the nation's airports, tsa is screening people in record numbers. late today, delta re1r50e8 revea stowaway was found on a flight from jfk to paris. abc's trevor ault leads us off. >> reporter: tonight, a massive security breach. abc news has learned a stow awa passenger boarded a delta flight from new york to paris. the tsa says the passenger went through the metal detectors, but bypassed the i.d. check podium and also bypassed a delta agent at the gate to board the aircraft.

the fbi is aware of the breach, and delta is launching an exhaustive investigation. meantime tonight, a delta flight from paris to atlanta had to be diverted to ireland to remove one rulely passenger. it all comes as tsa says they expect to screen more than 18 million passengers by monday. and in that rush at the busy newark airport today, the faa again issuing a ground delay because of air traffic controller shortages. united blames the faa for not fixing the problem, saying it's caused delays and cancellations for hundreds of thousands of passengers just this month. the faa says most delays nationwide are from weather and airline operations, but hiring more air traffic controllers is a top priority. and further snarling travel, millions in the path of a major coa coast-to-coast storm that is set to slam the northeast on thanksgiving. near-whiteout conditions in colorado. watch as this semi on i-25 narrowly misses a truck that's spun out, slamming into a wall.

traffic at a crawl in the aftermath. with several highways shutting down. >> i was driving to colorado springs, and i started hydroplaning, and we crashed. no injuries. someone else crashed in front of us. >> it is not a good sign that i'm standing here in the middle of i-95. >> reporter: a dump truck striking an overpass and another vehicle, crashing through a guardrail, crossing the highway. i-95 south shut down for a time with traffic backed up for miles. >> linsey: never a good time, but this is one of the worst. and trev var joins us now. wait to go back to that stowaway. tell us more about what you're learning. >> reporter: well, the tsa is stressing that while the stowaway did bypass the agent doing the i.d. check, they did go through metal detectors, which means they weren't a security threat. but still, very alarming that they were able to make it all the way onto that plane. >> linsey: certainly is. trevor, thank you. here in new york, rain is on the way for tomorrow's macy's

thanksgiving day parade. let's get right to lee goldberg from our station wabc here in new york. lee, how's it looking? >> reporter: linsey, if we can only press the pause button on today's storm. the weather has been cooperating throughout much of the country. and for the balloon inflation here in new york city. the balloons will fly tomorrow. it will be breezy, but not too gusty. this is all because of a storm that dropped a couple feet of snow in colorado. meanwhile, rain has broken out across i-70 all day, but it's expanding. heavier rain over the ohio valley tonight. by morning, a full-plefledged rainstorm on the i-95 corridor. the good news is, it's moving right along, so, by evening, we're starting to dry out. just some leftover snows over new england. this storm is a game-changer. it unlocks cold air and the l lakes are warmer than normal. we could see feet of snow across parts of upstate and western new york. it's going to be cold into early december.

linsey? >> linsey: lee, thank you. we move on now to alarming reports about threats targeting several of president-elect donald trump's cabinet nominees. the fbi is currently investigating multiple bomb scares and swatting incidents. abc's selina wang reports from west palm beach. >> reporter: tonight, the fbi investigating numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting several of president-elect trump's cabinet picks and appointees. trump's spokeswoman says the targets, which sources tell us include trump's nominees for secretary of defense, secretary of labor, cia director, and ambassador to the united nations, were subjected to "violent, unamerican threats to their lives," adding that "law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly." it comes as trump moves quickly to fill out his administration, today appointing retired general keith kellogg, a former national security adviser to vice president mike pence, as his special envoy to russia and ukraine. >> i don't think world war iii has begun, but we're right on the precipice. >> reporter: kellogg recently

said the u.s. should continue aid to ukraine on the condition that ukraine enters peace talks with russia. he's long been close to trump, there with him in the white house on january 6th. today, the president-elect saying, "he was with me right from the beginning. together we will secure peace through strength." kellogg's appointment one of a flurry of pre-thanksgiving announcements. the president-elect also nominating dr. jay bhattacharya to lead the national institutes of health, the world's largest medical research agency. the stanford physician and economist controversial for harshly criticizing covid vaccine mandates and lockdowns. >> the lockdowns themselves have been incredibly damaging, damaging to everybody. they transform the lives of nearly every single human being, and for poor people around the world. they've been particularly devastating for young people. for children they've been devastating. >> reporter: he also argued efforts to prevent covid should be focused on seniors and that the virus should be allowed to spread among the young and

healthy to develop herd immunity. those views well outside the medical mainstream. still, dr. ashish jha, who oversaw the biden administration's pandemic response, today acknowledging bhattacharya is qualified to to lead the nih, saying, "there were times during the pandemic where he took a set of views that were contrary to most people in the public health world, including my own views. but he's fundamentally a very smart, well-qualified person." he joins a team of health appointees led by rfk jr., donald trump's choice to lead the department of health and human services. many of them are deeply skeptical of america's health agencies and policies. bat char ya today saying they'll reform american scientific institutions so they'll be worthy of trust again. linsey? >> linsey: sell lee na, thank you. now, to the release of three americans wrongly detained in china. one of them held for more than a decade.

they were set free as part of a prisoner exchange. the swap comes more than a week after president biden met with china's president xi. here's abc's chief global affairs correspondent martha raddatz. >> reporter: tonight, three americans, one held for more than 12 years in a chinese prison and sentenced to death, are free, part of a prisoner swap. the american held the longest, mark swidan from houston, was arrested in beijing on a business trip in november of 2012. chinese police charging him with drug possession, but providing no evidence. sentencing him to death in 2019. his mother releasing an emotional video during his incarceration. >> i just can't fathom what mark is going through. i know he's suffering. >> reporter: kai li, a long island, new york, businessman has been held since 2016 on espionage charges. his son harrison pleading for help to win his father's release

during a congressional hearing in september. >> personally, i have now spent a third of my life missing my dad. >> reporter: and john leung, held since 2021, charged with espionage, as well. the 79-year-old, sentenced to life imprisonment. he had been an fbi informant, according to "the new york times." the biden administration had been in highly secret negotiations for months, including a private meeting between president biden and chinese president xi jinping in exchange for the americans, three chinese prison nerps held in u.s. jails were released, including a chinese intelligence officer, a spy caught in an elaborate sting operation by the fbi. the americans are now on their way home for what will surely be emotional reunions. kai li's son harrison saying tonight that the family is thrilled that kai and the others have been released, and deeply grateful to president biden and

everyone that made it possible, saying they delivered just in time for the holidays. linsey? >> linsey: martha, thank you. overseas tonight, the new utz br cease-fire between israel and hezbollah appears to be holding. thousands are returning to their homes in southern lebanon. hezbollah is claiming victory in a statement. that cease-fire is now raising hopes of a possible end to the fighting in gaza. here's abc's chief international correspondent james longman. >> reporter: celebration and relief on the streets of beirut today, as the cease-fire between israel and hezbollah begins. the thousands of citizens who fled yesterday's massive bombardments in central beirut flooded back into the city. and those displaced from southern lebanon finally returning to what's left of their homes. >> we are back on our land. i can't believe it. >> reporter: we've been in touch with gia since she evacuated over two months ago. despite the loss, they are determined to rebuild.

>> oh, my god. >> reporter: and there was huge loss. nearly 4,000 people killed. thousands of homes leveled. hezbollah is selling this as a victory, stopping an israeli occupation, inflicting heavy losses. but israel says the group has been set back decades, with its leadership was decimated during weeks of bombardment and intense military assault. and now its northern residents are getting ready to head home, too. zion saying, "we've been waiting for it to end so we can get back." the war in gaza, though, is not over, with no cease-fire in sight. civilians there continue to live this horrific conditions. now, they look on with faint home. zaki tells us, "we also want peace, and god willing, there will be a truce and the war will stop. enough is enough." and linsey, there are reported incidents in southern lebanon tonight. israel firing at some lebanese

villages, but broadly speaking, the truce is holding. for now. linsey? >> linsey: so many hopes it lasts. james, thank you. here in new york, the nypd is on alert ahead of thanksgiving and the parade. police are screening huge crowds coming to see the balloons on manhattan's upper west side. more than 2 million people are expected to line the streets for the parade tomorrow. authorities warn the event is a high profile target. here's abc's erielle reshef. >> reporter: tonight, security top of mind as those iconic balloons get ready for flight on manhattan's upper west side just hours ahead of the macy's thanksgiving day parade. the nypd out in full force. scores of families filing through metal detectors set up to screen the crowds trying to get a peek. it comes as a new bulletin obtained by abc news warns that the parade's high profile nature may be leveraged and exploited by individuals with various political or personal grievances. >> free, free palestine. >> reporter: last year,

pro-palestinian demonstrators disrupted the parade, jumping barricades. some even gluing their hands to the ground. tonight, local and federal agencies all on high alert. >> i really want to take a moment to tell those grinches that believe they're going to disrupt the parade, it not going to happen. >> reporter: linsey, i can tell you, the excitement is building here, but there is a massive police presence. authorities say that the u.s. continues to face a heightened risk environment, but there is no actionable or specific threat to this parade. linsey? >> linsey: good to know. erielle, thank you. now, to a new warning about a nationwide crime spree. thieves who are targeting iphone deliveries stealing packages almost seconds after they arrive. authorities believe the thieves may have access to tracking information and delivery locations before the packages even hit the doorstep. here's ab kbc's aaron katersky. >> reporter: as holiday shopping kicks into high gear, tonight, a warning about a nationwide crime spree targeting the delivery of

iphones, and police worry it could get violent. this thief in virginia stealing an iphone package and pulling a gun on an eyewitness riding his lawnmower. it doesn't say how, but a law enforcement bulletin obtained by abc news says "criminal actors obtain cell phone tracking and delivery location information before the deliveries" and know exactly which package to swipe. >> it was, like, so fast. >> reporter: in georgia, this fedex driver walked up to jaqueline rosales' front door. >> he kept looking over his shoulder, like, realizing somebody was there, i guess, following him. he dropped the package, took a picture, and then, exactly one minute later, a suspect grabbed it and took off. the bulletin also warns some thieves, like this one in reading, massachusetts, are disguising themselves as doordash delivery people. others are wearing amazon vests. at&t says in a statement, "we regularly make changes to our processes, whether it is type of delivery or even type of packaging, to reduce instances of these thefts." and fedex saying, "we have rigorous safety and security

programs in place and regularly remind our team members of the importance of both personal and package safety." in some of these cases, linsey, the thieves were armed, or confronted the delivery men, intim dating them to drop and abandon their packages containing iphones. linsey? >> linsey: aaron, thank you. when we come back, the news just coming in about sean combs' latest bail request. what the judge just ruled. the new statement from police on the murder of john ben nay ramsey. and the soldier and his dog. their long journey home. but psoriasis swooped in to clip them. it crushed my confidence. it kept me in the shadows. but no longer will psoriasis get a piece of me. with bimzelx, i can't wait to say... i'm back. i'm back. i'm back. i can love my skin again. only bimzelx targets and blocks il-17a plus f to calm inflammation. i can start getting myself back. bimzelx helps adults with moderate to severe psoriasis control plaques,

to deliver clearer skin fast for results that last. i will give myself back the freedom of shorts. dare to wear black again from head to toe. most people got 100% clear skin. some after the first dose. serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and behavior, infections and lowered ability to fight them, liver problems, and inflammatory bowel disease have occurred. tell your doctor if these happen or worsen, or fevers, chills, muscle aches, or cough occur, or you've had a vaccine or plan to. before starting, get checked for infections, tuberculosis, and liver problems. start to get yourself back. ask your dermatologist about bimzelx. you founded your kayak company because you love the ocean. not spreadsheets... you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. our matching platform lets you spend less time searching and more time connecting with candidates.

visit indeed.com/hire weathertech presents. ♪ deck the halls with gifts so happy ♪ ♪ fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ ♪ made right here so nothing's crappy ♪ ♪ fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ ♪ laser-measured ♪ ♪ perfect fitting ♪ ♪ fa la la, la la la, lahh lahh lahh ♪ ♪ auto, home and even pets, too ♪ ♪ perfect gifts for me ♪ ♪ and perfect gifts you ♪ happy holidays start at wt.com (vo) this black friday, verizon will turn your old or broken phone into a gift. anyone can trade in any phone, in any condition. and get samsung galaxy s24+, and watch and tab, all three on us. only on verizon. ( ♪ ♪ ) start your day with nature made. the #1 pharmacist recommended

vitamin and supplement brand. next tonight, just before we came on the air, a judge in new york denied music mogul sean combs' request for bail, saying combs is potentially dangerous to the community. it's the fourth time he's been denied release. he's been in jail since his arrest in september. he's likely to stay there until his trial in may. combs has entered a plea of not guilty. when we come back, news tonight in the jonbenet ramsey case. rough, or tired? with miebo, eyes can feel ♪ miebo ohh yeah ♪ miebo is the only prescription dry eye drop that forms a protective layer for the number one cause of dry eye: too much tear evaporation. for relief that's ♪ miebo ohh yeah ♪ remove contact lenses before using miebo. wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in.

eye redness and blurred vision may occur. what does treating dry eye differently feel like? ♪ miebo ohh yeah ♪ for relief that feels ♪ miebo ohh yeah ♪ ask your eye doctor about prescription miebo. can neuriva support your brain health? mary. janet. hey! eddie. no! fraser. frank. frank. fred. how are you? support up to seven brain health indicators, including memory. when you need to remember, remember neuriva.

shop etsy's cyber spectacular suppor until december 3rd health indic for up to 60% offemory. gifts crafted by small businesses. get fetching finds for friends with fur friends and everyone else on your list. for up to 60% off gifts that say i get you. etsy has it. why pay more for an effective daily body lotion? gold bond healing lotion hydrates for half the price of the leading daily moisturizing lotion. it visibly heals and moisturizes dry skin in just 1 use. choose gold bond.

so i trust everyone has read the prospectus? mmhm. - lance? - hm? why don't you take us through it. [chair rolling] [clunk] [click] [chair rolling] let's get into the prospectus. ok. ♪ i am genius (whoaaa) ♪ to the index now. police in colorado are out with an update on a case that's made national headlines. 6-year-old jonbenet ramsey was found murdered in her family's basement in 1996. the case is now receiving renewed attention thanks to a netflix documentary. but authorities say claims that there's evidence including dna testing that they are not pursuing is completely false. when we come back, the holiday reunion.

two american heroes together for the holiday and beyond. a chewy order for coal is on the way. because mom and dad told the girls if they weren't on their best behavior... this year, they'd get... coal? (puppy crying) (excited screaming) and with coal in the family, mom and dad used chewy to get everything delivered in time for the holidays. at prices everyone feels jolly about. (♪) for low prices and fast shipping. for holidays with pets, there's chewy. singer: this is our night! shingles doesn't care. but shingrix protects! only shingrix is proven over 90% effective. shingrix is a vaccine used to prevent shingles in adults 50 years and older. shingrix doesn't protect everyone and isn't for those with severe allergic reactions to its ingredients or to a previous dose. tell your healthcare provider if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. increased risk of guillain-barré syndrome was observed after getting shingrix. fainting can happen so take precautions.

most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling where injected, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach. ask your doctor about shingrix today. it's time for the main event: wayfair's black friday savings spectacular is here! headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach. right now, get up to 80% off furniture and cookware, holiday decor, and more at wayfair's lowest prices of the year! plus, score 24-hour flash deals you have to see to believe! and get free shipping on everything! save up to 80% off wayfair's black friday savings spectacular! now through december 2nd! ♪ wayfair. every style. every home. ♪ (cough cough) (sneeze) (♪) new alka-seltzer plus cold or flu fizzy chews. chew. fizz. feel better fast. no water needed. new alka-seltzer plus fizzychews. your record label is taking off. but so is your sound engineer. you need to hire. i need indeed.

indeed you do. our advanced matching helps find talented candidates, so you can connect with them fast. visit indeed.com/hire for more than a decade farxiga has been trusted again and again, and again. ♪ far-xi-ga ♪ ♪ far-xi-ga ♪ ♪ far-xi-ga ♪ ♪ far-xi-ga ♪ ask your doctor about farxiga. downy does more to make clothes softer, fresher, and better. because your jacket does more than keep you warm. like when it smells like home... ...even far away from home. downy is more than just a fabric softener. it breathes life into your laundry. ♪ ♪ downy is more than just a fabric softener. (vo) with verizon, trade in any phone, any condition, this black friday get iphone 16 pro with apple intelligence. get four on us. only on verizon. after careful review of medical guidance and research on pain relief, my recommendation is simple: every home should have salonpas.

powerful yet non-addictive. targeted and long-lasting. i recommend salonpas. it's good medicine. ♪ hisamitsu ♪ finally tonight, america strong. the reunion just in time for thanksgiving. on this thanksgiving eve, two military heroes in san antonio, texas, have extra reason to be thankful. after more than two years apart, 8-year-old retired military dog jacob is reunited with staff sergeant payton may. the pair developed a deep bond after serving for nearly two

years together, nine months of that time deployed in iraq. jacob has a nose for detecting explosives. >> working with each other and going on secret service missions and going on deployment, we were able to come together and build that trust. >> linsey: the duo was forced to separate. >> it was kind of heartbreaking, to be honest. >> linsey: but when payton learned that jacob was being retired, he reached out to american humane to help bring him home forever. >> hi, baby. >> linsey: he's now home for the holidays and beyond. >> oh, hi. >> linsey: complete with a belly rub and tackle for his partner and friend. payton, oh so grateful to be reunited with his cuddle buddy. >> it fills my heart to see him again. >> linsey: this time around you jacob might get an extra special holiday treat. >> i haven't actually seen him have turkey on thanksgiving, but i'm sure he'll love to have some. i'm very thankful to have this little guy home this

thanksgiving. happy thanksgiving, everyone. l >> linsey: thank you for watching, i'm linsey davis. for david and all of us here, good night. starts right now. >> but there's no doubt this is going to be immensely impactful to this community. it already has been, and it will continue to be so. >> this is rough. a deadly crash in the east bay takes three young lives. >> unfortunately, two unintended individuals were hit by gunshot. >> san jose teacher caught in the crossfire. why he's thankful today the harms from these

lockdowns are absolutely devastating. >> a stanford doctor who fought covid lockdowns, now a trump administration nominee, and the holiday travel rush is ramping up. >> we'll help you prepare. good afternoon. i'm kristen sze. >> i'm larry beil. thanks for joining us. we'll begin today in the east bay. sadly, three people dead. another hospitalized after a fiery crash this morning in piedmont. >> friends have identified the victims as piedmont high school graduates who were sophomores in college. abc seven news reporter anser hassan is live with the very latest on this tragedy. answer. >> christine and larry, good afternoon. you can see friends have come by to drop off flowers and pay their respects. police say they are still very early in the investigation, but you can see this is a very wide road. and they point out they don't know how fast the car was going, but that speed was likely a factor. >> they're just devastated. i know that i know the