[ cheers and applause ] this morning on "early today" -- east coast chaos. residents in the northeast dig out from a record-breaking blizzard as their ports and public transportation struggle to get back on track. on shaky ground. portions of a california highway give way after days of torrential rain. and rewriting history. archaeologists say they discovered the earliest evidence yet of modern man. captions paid for by nbc-universal television morning. welcome to our viewers across the nation, including the pick time zone. i'm veronica de la cruz.

today we begin with, how much did you get? that's a question people all across the east coast are asking each other when it comes to snowfall totals from the blizzard of 2010. for holiday travelers, new york city airports are open again. with thousands of flights canceled by the storms, it could be days before airlines clear their backlog. nbc's kurt gregory reports. >> reporter: the new york area bore the blunt of the blizzard. up to two feet of snow stopping emergency vehicles even buss in brooklyn and slowing traffic to a standstill. >> stuck. which is bad. this is the worst i've ever seen in my life. >> it doesn't seem like the plows have been out, either. >> reporter: not everybody was frustrated. the storm brought deep snow and winter fun to central park. >> seeing the park covered in snow is awesome. >> reporter: the awesome snowfall captured by a new jersey cameraman in time lapse video, but that snow closed all three new york airports. hundreds of weary passengers spent the night on terminal floors. lines were long at

ticket counters as airlines scrambled to rebook thousands. >> if i can shave and get a nice park bench, i'll be happy. >> reporter: wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour knocked out power to tens of thousands up and down the east coast. power crews working around the clock to restore electricity. >> i used to like snow. i'm not sure i like it anymore. >> reporter: and a big dig was underway from new jersey to new england, as the northeast struggles to recover from a memorable holiday storm. kurt gregory, nbc news. an american em bose overseas appears to be in the cross hairs of suspects accused of planning terror attacks. the embassy in london was among the possible target of a plot in england and that, quote, suitable security precautions are now being taken. the announcement came on the same day that nine of a dozen men in the plot were charged of conspiracy to exploding bombs.

they were detained this month in england and whales in europe's latest terror incident. the united states and other western powers are condemning a moscow court this morning for finding a jailed oil tycoon guilty of new fraud charges. once considered russia's richest man, mikhail khodorkovsky, has called for retribution. adding to the unusual public rebuke and gibbs says the action hurts russia's ability to strengthen ties with the united states. a top u.s. diplomat says washington has apologized to peru for unflattering diplomatic cables published by wikileaks. at issue are documents that said president alan garcia had a, quote, colossal ego, was rumored to suffer from manic depression or bipolar disorder and may have had several extramarital affairs.

in an interview with a radio station, the assistant secretary of state said the u.s. wanted to turn the page on the incident so it doesn't affect relations. and now here's a look at some other stories making news early today in america -- in california, a gaping hole in a mountainside has forced the closure of a state highway after last week's storms caused the ground to give way completely severing the road. engineers are still determining how long it will take to repair the highway which is the main artery between los angeles and big bear mountain. also in california, preparations are under way for the 122nd rose parade taking place on new year's day. each of the 47 elaborate floats are made from natural materials like flowers, trees or tree bark, depicting friendship and memories. and flowers may be charming, but in iowa a combination of thick fog and near zero temperatures create add winter postcard landscape as white

crystals clung to exposed tree limbs. ice fishermen took advantage of cold temperatures and bright skies. even further east in pennsylvania, conditions were far less appealing as folks struggled through several inches of snow. it sass woe bad, check this out, this snow plow got stuck. it was eventually rescued, dug out and towed and was on its way to help out philadelphia residents. now for a look at your national and regional weather, here's nbc meteorologist bill karins with the weather channel forecast. bill, guess how many times i fell trying to get up to stairs to my apartment yesterday. >> you didn't get hurt did you? >> not one, not two, but three. waist-deep snow. i kept falling all oesh the place. >> it's a slip and slide in many areas of the east coast. what melted refroze last night too. that big storm is exiting and a slow warm-up begins. the question, where's the next big storm? already plowing onshore here in northern california. you can already see all the

rainfall, and this is just connected out here well into the pick, just like the last storm system. it's got a hose of moisture moving onshore for about 36 to 48 hours. the snow levels for the most part are on the high side, but we'll get nailed. a lot of high elevations, nevada, up through idaho, northern rockies, a ton of snow from this storm system. so ski resorts are loving in again, but we've had enough rain. we could use a break. radar this morning shows it here off interstate 5, crescent city, up near mount shasta, eventually working into sacramento during the morning. later on today down towards san francisco. so how much rain this time around? you notice that the rainfall is focused for the most part in northern california. if you look at the chart here, two to three inches. further to the south, in southern california, it looks like lighter rainfall amounts. san francisco, you have a good chance to pick up maybe a half inch to three quarters inch of rain. the forecast for today, l.a. to phoenix and vegas, dry today.

chance of rain for you guys tomorrow. today the rainfall is really san francisco northwards. that's a look at your tue >> i'll tell where you the storm's heading on wednesday later on in the show. >> hello yuma. used to live there. so good morning. >> used to the heat. >> yeah. and aig makes noise, and not the best way to test your husband's love. your early morning biz headlines are straight ahead. plus, she is in this year's biggest movie but we'll tell you about the real big news in her life. and the magic cut down the nets and dirk is hurt. you're watching "early today."

good morning, and welcome back to "early today." i'm veronica de la cruz. here are some of your top headlines this morning -- for the third year in a row, a new "usa today" gallup poll finds president obama is the most admired man in america. secretary of state hillary clinton tops the list of most admired women for the ninth straight year. evacuations are under way in more than a dozen towns in northeastern australia where torrential downpours have forced hundreds of people from their homes. in some areas, with up to 11 inches of rain have fallen n within 24 hours. cuba and the united states have reached an agreement with an american money transfer company to eliminate a 10% dollar exchange tax that was previously imposed on foreign funds. the new rule, met with enthusiasm in cuba, where many relies on remittances and salaries that average just $20 a month.

archaeologists claim they found teeth in israel that could be the earliest evidence of man's existens ever found. they are double the age of what were considered the oldest human remains in the world. researchers say the discovery may change the widely held perception that homo sapiens originated on the continent of africa. and now here's an early look how wall street will kick off the day -- the dow opens at 11,555. the s&p was up a fraction and the nasdaq added a point. taking a look at overseas trading this morning, in tokyo, the nikkei lost 63 points. while in hong kong, the hang seng fell 212. well, us a might expect between holidays and the morning after one of new york's biggest snowstorms in recent memory, trading on wall street was flat and slim on monday. with no economic data to send shares far in either direction,

less than half the usual stocks were traded. volatility jumped over 7% after closing thursday at its lowest levels since july 2007. financials rose. boochted by aig, the insurer ended up over 9% on its move to secure $4.3 billion in credit securities. investors shrugged off a surprise christmas day hike by china's central bank in its battle to reign in stubborn inflation. retail stocks were hit hard by the snowstorm which will keep high numbers of east coast shoppers away from stores and malls just after christmas. nordstrom fell 1.6%. the price of oil briefly hitting a peak raising fears of slowing demand, gold ended slightly down as well. today there will be data for trade toers chew on. consumer confidence for december and home prices for october. elsewhere, banking regulators said the firm h&r block cannot

offer loans to customers against its partner hsbc bank. carrying unfairly high interest rates. and finally, spanish police detained a woman who faked her own kidnapping to test whether her husband would pay ransom. adding insult to injury, caught because he went to the police instead of paying. well, dallas rallies without its star. big east heavyweights collide and the air force flies in more ways than one. plus, the defendi ining sup bowl champions saints will punch their back. their playoff lead tomorrow night. your regional forecast is coming right up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, last night the atlanta falcons had won nat a row and poised to lock up home field advantage throughout the playoffs. then the saints came to town. here's mario solis with an early look at all your sports headlines. >> hello and good morning. the saints earned a playoff spot with a gutsy win over the falcons.

to atlanta -- things not go the saints' way early in the fourth. drew brees picked off. falcons in control, up 14-10. championship teams figure out a way to get it done. brees capping off a 92-yard drive with a touchdown pass to graham. saints take the lead and go on to win 17-14. basketball -- maverick fans didn't want to see this. dirk nowitzki coming down awkwardly after taking a jumper. he had to leave the game with a knee injury and does not return. kidd behind the back to marion. dallas won 17 of 18 after a 103-93 victory. to orlando. magic and the nets. gilbert arenas throws up a shot from somewhere near disney world. a bounce off the rim, off the shot clock, and unfortunately, it doesn't count, since the ball hit the clock. turkoglu had his best game since rejoining the team. magic take it.

104-88. college basketball -- pitt outrunning from the start. brad wanamaker to gilbert brown, outrunning from the start. pitt pulled off the upset 78-63. funny moments in the independence bowl. the air force falcon was released before the game. he was supposed to fly around the stadium and come back to his trainer, but he decided to take off. i guess he wanted his independence. the falcon was later found a few miles away. that was enough air force antics for the air force. they scored the game-winning touchdown on the ground. air force beat georgia tech 14-7. that's your early look at sports today. i'm mario solis. your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. plus, paying tribute to the gift everyone wants -- not really -- at christmastime. you're watching "early today."

welcome back pap stormy day in the west as the next storm system is moving onshore. it's hitting now in northern california. eventually it will move down with a rain shield into san francisco and right into the valley of sacramento. also the mountainous areas will get nailed. almost all the mountainous areas over the next two days will see a significant storm. by the time wednesday arrive, notice we're not spared really anywhere. rainfall once again in areas that don't see a lot of it from l.a. to vegas to phoenix.

even san diego could see rain out of this. salt lake city, could see a good sized snowstorm. especially as higher elevations into the northern rockies, too. quite the, you know -- the runner-up storm compared to last week. if you're watching on knsv, stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables and hand-made gifts. head to the las vegas farmers' market on gardens park drive. that's your pacific event for the day. >> i know you make fun of me not getting used to the cold and snow. they're complaining. 55 degrees, oh, my god. it's freezing. >> your body gets used to things. they will get used to t. just saying. all right. now here's a look at this morning's headlines in entertainment, which is filled with babies and engagements. natalie portman and her costar benjamin are doing both. they're engaged and they're having a baby together. the french born professional

dancer since childhood met the 29-year-old actress on the set of their ballet movie last year. a film for which she's been nominated for sag and golden globe awards. sir elton john and husband david have become parents to a 7 pound 15 ounce baby boy born on christmas day. zachary jackson levon furnish john born in california via a surrogate. alana morissette gave birth to a baby boy on christmas day. ever imre morissette treadway. less than two months after rumors of her engagement, leann rimes and eddie are engaged. tabloid rumors they had aaffair shooting a movie. and finally, england's tabloids are buzzing that rachel weisz and daniel craig are a couple rebounding together after both recently ended long-term relationships. lots of love in the entertainment block today, bill.

>> yeah. james bond can't get married. >> why not? >> he's 007. like the single bachelor guy. >> well, he's a good catch, and he's rachel weisz'. there you go. this comes to kaxs, reviled what's become the nation's most controversial christmas food, the fruitcake. all part of festivities for national fruitcake day. kids smash into the fruit-filled holiday cake then put it under a microscope trying to sdover what made it so popular in the '40s and '50s. the highlight, hurling pieces across the floor. doesn't that look like fun. i'm veronica de la cruz and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

how do you rescue a leopard from a well? very carefully. in india, villagers spotted a leopard stranded at the bottom of the well. local rescuers were able to hoist the wildcat out of danger's way and take him to a animal sanctuary. look at that. you probably won't get a warm reception when checking into one romanian hotel and that is because it is made completely out of ice. before being opened to tourists to create the giant structure, which includes 14 guest rooms, water was borrowed from a nearby lake. surprisingly, the cold bedrooms are in hot demand and completely booked for the new yearer year'

holiday. very cool. one spot in peru wins by a knockout when it comes to starting off the year with a clean slate. friends get the chance to air their grievances by going toe to toe in the ring. proof that these bare knuckle brawls solve more problems than they are worth? well, the fights begin and end with a hug. >> for a while, i was thinking typical guys being guys and then you threw the girls in at the end and that was interesting. >> pretty cool. time now for an early look at some of the stories we'll follow throughout the day here on nbc. the frigid temperatures in the forecast for florida, farmers keeping a close eye on their crops today. temperatures in the 20s and 30s, and a freeze warning in some regions. in philadelphia, the vikings game is rescheduled for tonight. catch it at 8:00 p.m. eastern right here on your nbc station. and very happy birthday to actor denzel washington. he will be celebrating his 56th

birthday today. all day long, you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." finally -- here's a look at what's coming up later on the "today" show. meet a family who was stranded on the highway for more than eight hours during the east coast blizzard. and expert advice on how to cope with the pressures of the holiday season. now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm veronica de la cruz. thank you so much for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a terrific tuesday. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com