stay tuned for "carson daly." stay tuned for "carson daly." thanks for watching. captions paid for by nbc-universal television have a good night. hope to see you tomorrow. bye-bye. [ chrs and applause ] this morning on "early today," chopping block. republicans in the house slash spending. democrats cry foul and a government shutdown looms. on the run with democrats from wisconsin flee the state to prevent a vote that has thousands up in arms. and sunburn, a rare solar flare-up reeks havoc on the earth's air waves. captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello and good morning. i'm lynn berry. welcome to our viewers across the nation, including the

pacific time zone. today, we begin with a potential government shutdown. that's what is at stake if republicans and demjhu(uáh(p''t work out a deal to fund the government by march 4th. today, the republican-controlled house is expected to pass a bill with deep spending cuts, which democrats in the senate have vowed to block. as nbc's steve handelsman reports, some lawmakers are vowing to dig their heels in, like blocking funding for planned parenthood. >> reporter: the house was hyperactive. >> amendment number 196. >> reporter: quick debate and vote after vote. >> and the amendment is adopted. >> referee: $21 million cut for the national endowment for the arts $400 million in cuts for heating subsidies. grants reduced to half a billion dollars. house speaker boehner says he wants to slash $100 billion. >> read my lips. we're going to cut spending. >> reporter: outside boehner's home, a small protest. blocking pregnancy programs,

economists estimate 200,000 to 800,000 jobs would be lost to boehner's cuts. >> listen, with i don't want anyone to lose their job, whether they're a federal employee or not. but come on, we're broke. >> reporter: the republican party posted a reminder on youtube. it's the second anniversary of the obama stimulus plan. the debt has increased. unemployment is still over 9%. the president says the stimulus worked. >> we're now growing again. we've seen 1.3 million jobs added in the private sector since i've been president. >> reporter: meanwhile, the clock is ticking. two weeks until the government could shut down. to prevent that, democrats asked boehner to agree to short-term funding. >> a government shutdown would be a disaster for our nation and for our economy. >> now he's resorting to threats

to do that without any negotiation. >> reporter: but the speaker says no deal unless democrats and president obama agree to republican spending cuts. i'm steve handelsman nbc capitol hill. meanwhile, democratic lawmakers have chosen a rather unusual tactic to protest republican plans to all but eliminate union rights for state workers in wisconsin. they fled the state yesterday, reportedly checking into an illinois hotel. majority republicans need just one of the 14 democrats to show up for a quorum, which would allow them to vote on and pass the now stalled proposal. the plan would curb the bargaining rights of unions in order to make immediate budget cuts. thousands of union workers have come out in protest, including teachers, whose absence has forced schools to shut down. well, elsewhere secretary of state hillary clinton is cautiously urging the government of the important u.s. ally bahrain to show restraint following a deadly crackdown on demonstrators there. at least five anti-government protesters died yesterday as tanks and police stormed the main square where crowds had camped out.

the country's foreign minister said the assault was necessary and bahrain's leaders have now banned public gatherings in an attempt to keep the movement from re-igniting.ç meanwhile, the extent of violence in libya has been very difficult to assess due to the country's tight control over to media. some reports, though, say at least 20 demonstrators have died in clashes with pro-government groups. there were protests against the libban leader across the country yesterday which had been dubbed a day of rage. now here's a look at other stories making news early today in america. in california, a bizarre turn of events when a taxi driver was attacked for not expecting a $100 bill. a passenger became enraged when the driver told her he needed to go to a gas station to exchange the bill for smaller currency. she then virsly attacked him and

ran off. police are still looking for the woman. in colorado, a three-car crash led to the deaths of five people. an suv was driven erratically before crossing into oncoming traffic. the driver collided with a sedan before going airborne and landing on a pickup truck. all of the truck's occupants were killed instantly. four, including the suv driver, were seriously injured. in florida, police quickly solved the robbery after a video beared the true identity of the culprit. it showed a naked robbery suspect stealing napkins, a first-aid kit and sass auj. police are unaware of the man's motives. finally, in ohio, a cincinnati studio is paying homage to george clooney with hopes that he will pay them a visit. they placed his head in a mural. it depicts the famous painting on the sistine chapelle. they call the mural god's gift

to women. how creative. speechless. >> what are you supposed to say now? here's our gift. >> to women? sorry, bill. i'll save that. >> that didn't cross your mind, huh? >> i'll save that for monday. how is that? >> let's chat about the forecast around the country. the big story has been the warmth. don't tell our friends up in the northern plains or northern rockies. their cold air is returning. record highs possible today, texas to the east coast. the biggest storm out there is lingering off the california coastline, and we're continuing to watch that rain pushing on shore. this storm has dug so far to the south. this is just really incredible. there's also another little storm spinning here just off the coastline of seattle. here we are. our two storms going to the south. it has more moisture with it. it's also producing heavy snow in the high elevations of the sierra. as much as to to three feet is going to fall in the central sierra region. interstate 80 with difficult spots, especially bottom of 6,000 to 7,000 feet.

that rain continues to the south, and as far as snowfall goes, as i mentioned, two to three feet. bring that umbrella with you today. maybe the thunderstorm in l.asp coast. only a few showers. portland, dry and 44. weekend forecast coming up and finally our storm is on the move. >> all right, bill. thanks so much. well, the arms back off ticket hikes. the nfl and its players union head to mediation, and facebook updates its relationship status. early morning business headlines are straight ahead. plus, you may be pushing 60, but that's not stopping liam nissan from taking on another action role at the box office this weekend. >> coming up, the set for the daytona 500 and everything comes up rosy for the bulls. you're watching "early today."

good morning, and welcome back to "early today." i'm lynn berry. here are some of your top headlines this morning. today egyptians held a nationwide victory march celebrating the overthrow of hosni mubarak's 30-year rule one year ago, and no doubt the crowds in cairo's square serves as a reminder of the new power of the people in the streets. president obama travels to oregon today to visit with intel after meeting with some of silicone valley's top executives in northern california last night. among those who attended were facebook founder mark zuckerberg and apple's steve jobs. he had gone on medical leave last month. according to the white house, the president discussed invasion initiatives and ways to promote private sector job growth. doctors say a los angeles reporter who slurred through her live post-grammy report on monday actually suffered what's

called a complex migraine. not a stroke as some suspected. difficulty speaking, loss of vision often mimic a stroke. nasa scientists say recent eruptions on the sun could have affects here on earth this week. the so-called sun flares may disrupt power grids and communication systems, but there is a plus side. apparently the morning lights may be visible much further south than usual. and now here's an early look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opened at 12,318 after gaining 29 points yesterday. the s&p inched up four points. the nasdaq added six. taking a look at overseas trading this morning. in tokyo the nikkei rose six points, while in hong kong the hang sengç climbed 293. on wall street thursday there was no bad news. only read into the buy. traders ignored all negatives, even a potential mideastern

naval confrontation of buying manager and oil. investors accentuated the positives focussing on a strong report from a the mid-atlantic region showing manufacturing nearly doubled between january and february. that helped offset a rise in weekly applications for unemployment benefits by 25,000. consumer prices in january were up more than expected largely due to rising food and gas. earnings were mostly upbeat with dr. pepper's snapple group beating estimates at almost 6%. barrick. nvidia posted gains. fewer americans fell behind on mortgage payments in the final three months of last year, but foreclosures are still rising. in a billion dollar came of

chick oen round trip tickets, the major airlines all decreased or completely pulled back fare increases starting monday by delta after u.s. airways failed to go along with the price hike. keep an eye today on time warner. the company ousted the head of its magazine division after less than six months for what one report calls his polarizing managing style. two weeks before a potential lockout. the nfl and its players union agreed to nonbibding federal mediation beginning today. sfwlirchlgts and, finally, in addition to existing relationship status descriptions like single, married, or it's complicated, facebook now recognizes civil unions and domestic partnerships. dirk blocks out the sun, the rangers crown the kings and waiting on daytona. plus, derek rose thorns the san antonio spurs. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. over the weekend, our record highs are going to come to an end and unfortunately i'm going to mention that word again, "snow."

your weekend forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, serenaded by chants of mvp, last night derek rose led the chicago bulls into the nba's all-star break on a very high note.

here's nbc's fred roggin with an early look at all your sports headlines. good morning. chicago bulls enter the all-star break with a huge statement against the nba's best. here we go to chicago, derek rose put on a show against the spurs. making his way to the back basket time after time. 21 at the half and the bulls were up after the break. he saved his best for last. rose took over the game in the fourth. 13 points in the quarter. finished with a career high 42 and that is no easy task against the spurs. bulls enter the break on a high note, 109-99. mavericks and suns, forget carmelo. steve nash could be traded before the deadline. one guy not going anywhere is dirk know witsky. 35 points and 12 boards. chandler put it away late. follows his own miss with the lay-in. mavs won 13 of 14, knocking off the suns, 112-106. field is set for sunday's daytona 500. dale earnhardt won the pole last weekend.

but because he crashed his qualifying car on wednesday, he'll start at the back of the pack. kurt busch and jeff gordon will run one and two.ç detroit had a 2-0 lead in the first period and then in the third it was datsuke again. he's been red hot. 7 points in the last five games from returning from a broken wrist. red wings won it, 7-2. finally, east meets west during a shootout at madison square garden. eric christianson with one hand on his stick beat ganye. if you thought that move was good, check this out from matt zucarello. rangers lose two wins in regulation, but won in a shoot-out 4-3. that's your early look at sports on "early today." i'm fred roggin. as if the oscars needed it, this year's ceremony will have

an added bit of luster. your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. plus, a record breaking college project that had no problem finding volunteers. you're watching "early today."

welcome back. let's take through your weekend forecast. maybe even a thunderstorm for

atlanta. snow at the highç elevations o the central sierra. we are dry for the most part up the morgan stanley coast, but it is kind of chilly and the clouds will linger. into saturday not a bad day in seattle. we're going to be on the move. san francisco clears out. our storm will be traveling during the day on saturday into the inner mountain west, and on sunday everybody should clear out for a dry day. if are you watching us on news channel 8, portland, oregon, peer through a pair scope and explore the u.s. navy's last nonmoouk submarine at uss blue back, the real thing, as the oregon museum of science and industry, and that's your pacific event of the day. >> thank you, bill. now here's a look at this morning's headlines in entertainment. three new films at the box office this weekend have experts scratching their heads when choosing a clear favorite. big mama's "like father, like son" see hes martin lawrence back and will draw upon its built in fan base to open at around $20 million.

the heavily marketed suspense thriller "i am machine four" is expected to debut at around collars 20 million. in the third debut film, niecen -- liam miessen airs in "unknown" about a man who wakes up in a coma with his identity stolen. it's targeting about $20 million. finally, the 83rd academy awards this month will have new envelopes designed with a red lacker lining featuring the oscar and then hand stamped with the gold leaf. very fancy there. this comes to us from wxia 11 alive news in atlanta, georgia where one college cafeteria's already popular taco line due drew some national focus. this was one major accomplishment emery university students didn't need to do much studying for.

the group set out to assemble the longest line of tacos. after using 200 tortillas, 80 pounds of cabbage and 40 pounds of salsa, the hard-working students are waiting to hear back from the guinness book of world records, but it looks like they did a pretty good job. we give them an a, right, bill? >> i wish i could have some. fish tacos, you ever had them? >> i do like fish tacos. >> but you don't like the regular type of tacos? >> no. fish tacos are another breed. wow, bill. is that an offer? you going to make it for the whole staff and bring it in? a little 4:00 a.m. taco. >> no candle light. >> i wouldn't expect it. >> i'm lynn berry. this is early today, your first stop of the day your nbc station.

one gallery in washington, d.c. has found the ultimate example of bipartisanship by bringing together all 44 presidents, with at least the wax version of them are on display. the $2 million exhibit top ofs bring together 29 commanders in chief. curators hope the president over pop stars display will attract schools now. new year's celebrations in china are coming to the close with a bang, literally. a festival includes splashing molten iron fireworks. while the 300-year-old tradition might look dangerous, the performers take safety

precautions. they're covered head to toe in fireproof gear, which also insures that they can with stand the heat. they are admired for their strength and bravery. that is, for sure. well, a computer just won at jeopardy, and now robots are running marathons. seriously, what's next? a training session took place in japan for the four contest yapts of the world's first ever robot marathon. when the real race begins next week, the androids will run the full 26-mile course that will take them an estimated 4 days to complete. as you can see there, they're really not going that fast. >> i want that assignment. i will cover that in depth for the network. >> why would that be? >> so i can get four days off to just watch the robot. >> sit and hanging out and watching robots. okay. we'll work on that, bill. >> thank you. time now for an early look at some of the stories we'll follow throughout the day here on nbc. there will be a hearing for the man accused of going on a 28-hour stabbing spree through new york city last weekend. four people were killed and four others were injured.

the suspect, originally from ukraine, claims he was set up. nascar fans will be remembering dale earnhardt. ten years ago today, the auto racing star died in a crash at the daytona 500. earnhardt was 49. and congratulations to actor john travolta. today, he celebrates his 57th birthday. 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." and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. details on the disturbing double life of a canadian air force colonel, once trusted to fly queen elizabeth. and two-time grammy winner adelle stops by to perform hits from her new album. now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one.

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