♪ you gotta whip your hair! ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> jimmy: thank you. [ cheers and applause ] this morning on "early today," saying good-bye. whitney houston returns to her home state as her family makes funeral plans. santorum surge. fresh evidence showing rick santorum picking up speed in the race for republican votes. and diva dogs. canines compete in the annual westminster kennel club dog show. captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello and good morning. welcome to our viewers across the nation, including the pacific time zone. i'm lynn berry.

today, we begin with coming home. the body of singer whitney houston is back in her home state of new jersey this morning, where plans for a memorial and funeral to be held later this week are being made. meanwhile, questions and the investigation into what killed the pop star continue. nbc's sarah edwards has the latest. >> reporter: the body of 48-year-old whitney houston arrived late monday night in her home state of new jersey. early in the day, after the singer's remains were released to her family, houston's body was taken to a funeral home where it was prepared for a flight back to her hometown of newark. as houston made her final flight, questions surrounding her sudden death saturday continue. los angeles coroner's office say bottles of prescription medication were found in her room. >> the person could have suffered a heart attack of an embolism or something. no matter what medications they're taking, until we run a

tox and see the level and what's in the system, we're not going to speculate. >> reporter: the toxicology reportsing take up to six weeks to be completed. other factors such as drowning will be looked into as the beverley hills police department told reporters that houston's body was found submerges in a bathtub. a public memorial at newark's prudential center is expected to draw thousands of family, friends, and fans. >> i think not just the city of newark or the state of new jersey, but across the country and across the world. >> reporter: in beverley hills, california, sarah edwards, nbc news. in washington, the tug of war over the nation's finances continue with president obama rolling out his election year budget while house republicans signals a full reversal in their position on expiring payroll tax cuts. nbc's tracie potts joins us from washington with more on that. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: lynn, good morning. let's start with that $3.8

trillion budget. it's the biggest this country has ever seen with $1.5 trillion in new taxes on oil companies, big banks, and the wealthy. the bush tax cuts would expire if you earn over $250,000. plus, he's pitching that controversial 30% minimum tax rate for millionaires. this budget, yes, has a deficit again of over $ 1 trillion, but the president says we need to spend more in some areas. roads, college, energy, manufacturing. republicans call it a campaign document that's debt, as they put it, on arrival. another big issue here in washington, that payroll tax cut. it goes away at the end of this month if congress does not act. that's $40 a check on average. republicans now reversing their position, saying they would be willing to add that $100 billion cost to the nation's debt without paying for it up front with cuts in the pay for federal workers. >> all right. tracie potts for us in

washington. tracie, thank you. well, the latest research poll numbers size up the republican primary race and the matchups against president obama. rick santorum's support is surging among tea party supporters and white evangelicals. santorum is now in a virtual tie with mitt romney with santorum edging romney by two points, 30% to 28%. the same poll found president obama with sizable leads over the top two republicans. mr. obama leads santorum by 10 points and romney by eight points. and now here's a look at some other stories making news early today in america. protesters dangled from a washington, d.c. bridge monday unfurling a banner calling for a free tibet. four people were arrested, including two who were hanging from ropes and lowered into police boats. their demonstration is one of

several expected during the visit of china's vice president. in charlotte, a school bus driver who rescued all of her passengers from an inferno last week was honored. she was at the wheel last wednesday when an electrical fire broke out in the dash board. she immediately told the six kids aboard to move to the back of the bus then helped them escape. she says she's not a hero. it was just part of the job. and finally, the harlem globetrotters are soaring to new heights. meet the world's tallest professional basketball player. paul sturgess is 7'8". look at him duck there. the team showed him off yesterday, where else, but the empire state building. his nickname, tiny. how appropriate. now for a look at your national and regional weather, here's nbc meteorologist bill karins. he has your weather channel forecast. good morning to you, bill. >> yeah, that's tough. 7'8". >> everywhere you go, you're like. >> hitting your head every day.

happy valentine's day to you. >> you too, bill. >> off to a decent start. a little bit of rain, a little shaking this morning. a couple earthquakes in mexico. actually, in san diego some people were feeling it. yuma, arizona, some people reporting they felt the earthquake too. we woke up to that maybe in a few cases. slight rain showers moving through with this weak storm system. we are getting a little bit of snow in the rim country just north of arizona, just north of phoenix, i should say. it will progressively move east during the day today and move out. also, you can see this next little front kicking into the northwest here. that's going to bring light rain to the coastal areas, primarily in the pacific northwest. some showers around seattle and portland. it won't be a soaking. temperatures are cool. it's not often we show the radar in san diego. it looks like at batch of showers are coming onshore. if you're traveling interstate 8, if you keep going up here to the mountains to the north of you, looks like a little snow being reported on the radar. the forecast today, again, it's cold enough at the high elevations.

even areas of utah will get some snow. vegas, just rain showers. temperatures this morning are cool. everyone in the 40s. definitely wear your winter clothes. that's a look at your national temperatures are not bad in california. sacramento at 59. cool but nothing unseasonable. not a bad valentine's day. i think we'd like more sunshine in the northwest. seems like that's always the case. >> if they have a special someone, i'm sure it will be fine. coming up, apple hits a milestone, ipad upgrade rumors, and how your valentines get to the arctic. your early morning business headlines are straight ahead. >> plus, she's the lucky win chosen to be "sports illustrated's" swim suit covergirl. coming up, we'll show you the cover. coming up, lebron goes buck

hunting and a pool side proposal. you're watching "early today."

good morning. welcome back to "early today." i'm lynn berry. here's some of your top headlines this morning. adding to already high tensions, israeli prime minister benjamin neten ya hoo is blaming iran for simultaneous attacks on diplomats yesterday. four people were injured when a car carrying a diplomat's wife was set on fire just hours after a bomb was diffused. iran denies any involvement. elsewhere, a high-ranking u.n. official effectively pointed a finger for what she called indiscriminate attacks on syrian civilians saying president assad was them bolden and has been after efforts were vetoed to stop the crackdown. supreme court justice steven breyer and his wife were robbed

at his vacation home last week. fortunately, neither were hurt. new jersey's state senate has passed a bill approving same-sex marriage. the measure is expected to pass the state assembly this week, setting up a conflict with governor chris christie, who has vowed to veto. finally, it was a close call for a wild boar in italy who lost its footing and tumbled 300 feet down a snowy mountainside. impressively, he picked himself up and walked air way. here's a look at one of your top health headlines. the flu season may finally be picking up speed after the slowest start in nearly three decades. an uptick was found to more than 10% in the first week of february. flu season generally hits its peak in february. for more information on this and

other health stories, you can check out the health page at msnbc.com. and now here's an early look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opens at 12,874-. s&p was up nine. the nasdaq rose 27. taking a look at overseas trading this morning. in tokyo, the nikkei added 52 pointed. in hong kong, the hang seng added 30. the markets may react today to credit downgrades in europe and new economic data here at home. the commerce department this morning will release retail sales figures for january. moody's investors service has downgraded credit ratings on italy, portugal and spain. apple stock went above $500 a share for the first time monday.

two weeks after the company announced it doubled its profits last year. and all the speculation about apple's new ipad 3 could end as early as wednesday, march 7th, with a company announcement on the new and improved tablet. google has won approval from anti-trust regulators to acquire motorola mobility in a deal worth $12.5 billion. the ceo of gulf oil says he expects gas prices to approach $4 a gallon this summer because of refineries closing and middle east tension. general electric says it plans to hire 5,000 military veterans over the next five years. soon, you'll be able to buy a piece of the empire state building when the owner of the skyscraper goes public with an ipo to raise $1 billion for new building upgrades. and finally, delivering valentine's day flowers can be tricky. in the far north of canada, getting roses to the arctic

requires special wrapping to keep them cool but not frozen and then a small airline helps cupid by making the deliveries by air. that's love. coming up, the heat wilt the bucs. the originmen squeeze out a win. and the puck bounces san jose's way. plus, love is in the water for a pair of poolside valentines. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. where did he hide the ring? is we're also watching in weather today warmer temperatures in many areas of the country. your forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if you're just waking up, this serl earl. in sports last night the nba champion dallas mavericks said thanks to a former teammate, and he almost ended up beating them. here's nbc's fred roggin with an early look at all your sports headlines. >> good morning. so how popular have the l.a. clippers become? the vice president of china will visit los angeles later this week, and asked for tickets to a clippers game. unfortunately, the team isn't in town, so he's got to settle for a lakers game. oh, how times have changed. meanwhile, the clippers and dallas. caron butler received a championship ring from the owner mark cuban. ironically, he could have won the game in the last few seconds. he couldn't knock down that

three. the mavs won it 96-92. milwaukee has beaten miami twice this season, but last night the bucs stopped here. lebron james, a game high 35. miami cruised 114-96. syracuse escaped louisville with a win. amazingly, neither team scored the rest of the way. syracuse held on to win 52-51. hockey, you know you're having a bad day when this happens. sharks and caps. dan boyle ripped a shot from the red line. joe pavelski tipped it in an the blue line. like a shortstop trying to fend off a wild hop, brayden was handcuffed. the jets' dustin bufflin scored a similar goal last week. oddly enough, that was also against the capitals. finally, u.s. swimming team members know all about the olympic rings. now they show the most sacred ring of them all. after winning the 100 meter

backstroke, his girlfriend and fellow swimmer congratulated him on the podium. that's when matt dove head first into the deep end. he got down on one knee and popped the question. look at ann knee's face. she could not believe it. it took her a few seconds, but she said yes. matt and annie, the new power couple of american swimming. that's your early look at sports on "early today." i'm fred roggin. >> well done, matt. well, hollywood's top dog. your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. plus, speaking of dogs, they're all showing off their stuff in new york at the westminster kennel club dog show. you're watching "early today."

welcome back on this tuesday morning. valentine's day. we've had some showers rolling through san diego. doesn't happen all that often. during the day today in arizona, more showers on and off. much of california will dry out. pacific northwest, there's a weak front coming onshore with light rain. shouldn't be all that bad. as we look towards tomorrow, looks like we're going to try to clear things out. high pressure builds into the northwest with sunshine hopefully. if you're watching us on kmtr 16 in eugene, oregon, a big valentine's day extra special with a big, wet smooch. sea lion kisses at the oregon coast aquarium. that's your pacific event of the day. >> all right. thanks so much.

here's an early look at this morning's headlines in entertainment. this year's "sports illustrated" swim suit issue is out. 19-year-old kate upton is just one who has appeared on the coveted cover of the swim suit edition. kate's uncle is a michigan congressman. her great grandfather was one of the founders of whirlpool. >> that explains it. >> stop. elsewhere, paul mccartney and wife nancy stopped by the beverley hilton hotel monday to lay a bouquet of roses for whitney houston. believe it or not a trending topic on twitter after the grammys is, who is paul mccartney? and uggie was named top dog in a movie last night in

hollywood at the first ever golden collar awards. bet you haven't been paying attention since i first revealed the cover. you've done your research. you've been figuring it outs. >> letterman had them on last night. i saw a clip of that. she's going to be on the "today" show this morning. yes, i've done my research. >> you have definitely. >> in the name of journalism. >> very smart of you. and this comes from our friends at cnbc and usa network here in new york city where the dogs have taken over the town. the 136th annual westminster dog show and a pekingese won for the second year in a row as top toy. how cute. he could grab best in show honors tonight. there are more than 2,000 entries and 185 breeds this year. martha stewart's entry g.k. took home best breed. of course, the stars of the show are all being pampered backstage, hair styling and all. i'm lynn berry. this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

well, you may kiss the bride was announced nearly 600 times in peru. valentine's day came early as hundreds of couples said "i do" in a mass wedding. romance filled the air as brides and grooms of all the ages gathered to tie the knot. as the newlyweds kissed, families toasted with champagne and threw rice in celebration. the people of haiti have a new reason to celebrate. music, dancing, and costumes filled the streets during this year's carnival celebration under the theme "our culture is our soul." girls performed traditional dances adorning colorful outfits, beaded jewelry, and

ornate head dresses. revelers wore a variety of costume, including traditional skeleton garb. finally, sorry, guys, you're going to have to get pretty creative to out-do one romantic from sidney. the love bird asked his girlfriend to be his wife by hanging a banner bearing the question "marry me, jess" across the queen mary 2. she was completely surprised and happily gave him the answer he wantsed to hear, yes. that's some serious real estate. >> i don't think we're getting the perspective there. that sign must have been huge. >> huge. serious real estate. can you imagine if she would have said to? >> who do you know, the captain? >> there's so many questions we have. well done. well, it's time for an early look at some of the stories we'll follow throughout the day. following vice president biden's visit to china last june, china's vice president xi jinping returns the gesture visiting with president obama today before heading to the

pentagon, where secretary of defense leon panetta will host an arrival ceremony. zplnch a detroit lions fan will appear in court facing allegations he phoned in bomb threats to the louisiana super dome during this year's playoff game between the detroit lions and the new orleans saints. and former "today" show host hugh downs turns 81. all day long, you can stay on top of those stories on msnbc.com. finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. hear from a music producer who was working with whitney houston days before her death. and country pop singer taylor swift sits down with jenna bush hager to talk about what's next in her musical career. 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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