good wednesday morning. here's what's coming up on "early today." caught on camera. a train collision causes a major explosion in maryland. we've got the latest. minnesota congresswoman and former republican presidential candidate michele bachmann is calling it quits. home prices rising. consumer confidence at five-year high and stocks hit another all-time record as the economy fights bac tornado watch. our bill karins joins us with the latest forecast. plus myrtle beach's newest attraction has local be officials scrambling. a flash mob of an unusual group. and if you're going to climb to the top of everest, why not just jump off, too? "early today" starts right now. >> announcer: this is "early today" for wednesday, may 29th.

good morning. i'm dara brown. how about this to start off your wednesday? some good news on the economy. not just some but a lot. from the housing market to consumer confidence and auto sales. new reports led to a surge on wall street, but economists say the recovery still has a long way to go. nbc's tracie potts joins us from washington. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: dara, good morning. we're waiting for the opening bell to see if the market can replicate big gains from yesterday. just take a look. the dow at one point surged 200 points, ending up 106. the nasdaq up 29. the s&p up 10. and all of that because consumer confidence is at a five-year high. the conference board reported people more bullish on the economy, more confident they'll be able to find jobs, also housing seems to be making some gains and doing very well. the third straight month of gains last month. we saw the biggest jump in home prices in seven years. and some of the cities that had

been especially hard hit during the recession like las vegas saw big gains. the other part of this, car sales are up. auto manufacturers are actually looking at canceling their traditional summer break, keeping those workers on the job so they can keep up with demand. it looks like the detroit automakers are outpacing the asian brands in this country when it comes to sales. we could hit 15 million in sales. so good signs, and we continue to watch as the opening bell happens as the market opens today and also as we get those unemployment numbers next week. dara? >> thank you, tracie. breaking this morning, minnesota congresswoman michele bachmann says she won't run for re-election in 2014. >> the law limits anyone for serving more than eight years. in my opinion, eight years is also long enough for an individual to serve as a representative for a specific congressional district. be assured, my decision was not in any way influenced by any

concerns about my being re-elected to congress. >> she made the announcement in that video posted on her website. the republican was first elected to congress in 2006. and she's now facing a federal investigation into finances from her failed bid for the 2012 bid for the gop nomination. she's been a staunch adversary of president obama including one of the leading forces behind attempts to repeal the president's health care law. now to a shocking scene in maryland. a train explosion caught on camera. >> back up. oh, my god. >> that blast took place just north of baltimore tuesday. it happened when a csx freight train smashed into a garbage truck. part of the train derailed. the explosion sent a plume of smoke billowing into the air and rattled homes at least half mile away. the truck's driver was in serious condition late tuesday

but two crew members aboard the train were not hurt. at least one of the cars was carrying hazardous materials, but officials say there is nothing toxic at the scene. the crash is under investigation. scary moments at the happiest place on earth late tuesday. a small explosion at disneyland prompted an evacuation of toontown. a witness says he never heard the park's music stop playing but did describe hearing what sounded like a gunshot followed by security surrounding garbage cans. officials say dry ice in a plastic bottle is to blame. no one was hurt, and visitors were allowed to return to the amusement park within hours. police are looking into that incident. now to syria as we learn more about john mccain's secret visit. his meeting with rebel leaders came at a time when concerns are growing that the civil war may be causing more unrest in other parts of the region. nbc's chief foreign correspondent richard engel reports from bay route. >> reporter: senator john mccain is still in the region after his

quick trip that the syrian rebels loved. this is what they had been hoping for from the united states, a senior official meeting them, crossing a dangerous border, if only for a few showhours, and showing solidarity. the problem for the rebels is, he's not the president. and although mccain is pushing for a no-fly zone, u.s. officials tell nbc news there is no new movement on that, but there is the growing realization and concern that something must be done, because this is what's happening without action. at least 80,000 dead in syria so far. more than 1 million refugees. iraq is going back to a civil war. lebanon is heading toward an internal conflict as well. almost every day there are funerals for hezbollah fighters who crossed into syria. to fight in another city. the rebel free syrian army gave hezbollah 24 hours to leave syria, or it would declare war on the group. the u.s. is pushing for diplomacy. they want a conference in geneva next month. that hit a snag, too.

the syrian opposition meeting in istanbul can't agree on who to send. richard engel, nbc news, beirut. federal officials say they've busted a multibillion dollar money laundering scheme. u.s. attorneys announced charges tuesday against digital currency company liberty reserve, saying it could be the largest online money laundering prosecution in history. authorities believe liberty facilitated criminal activity through 55 million transactions for 1 million users totaling $6 billion in proceeds over seven years. this morning liberty's website has been shut down by the feds. arrests have been made in spain, costa rica and new york. the company's founder has been taken into custody. tornado alley is seeing more twisters this week. a city in kansas had such a strong tornado in their town that it actually stayed in one place. two homes were damaged as well as a local business and downed power lines. that twister stayed on the ground for more than an hour. thankfully, residents were unharmed. nbc's bill karins is here

with the forecast. this is crazy weather. >> yeah, that was another big tornado yesterday. it picked up huge hay bales that weighed hundreds or maybe thousands of pounds and tossed them. thankfully it was over the farmers' fields. no fatalities. we have another classic setup with the warm, muggy, humid air coming off the gulf of mexico. the storm that went through the west coast on memorial day has now arrived in the central plains. along with it, a fast jet stream. we'll have an area of severe weather in yellow and an enhanced area of severe storms and the possibility of strong tornadoes in the area of red from kansas to oklahoma. and that unfortunately does include the oklahoma city area, norman and also that moore, oklahoma, area. it's the first threat they've had since the big one almost two weeks ago. as far as the west coast goes, a new storm has moved in overnight, and rain has moved in with it. this one will move up along the oregon coastline into washington state during the day today. this rather large shield of steady rain that is now pushing into the seattle area.

it will last for a good portion of the morning hours there. portland looks like your afternoon has a better chance of being dry. seattle, count on that umbrella being handy. dry in the southwest. northwe northwest, one of the coolest, chilliest spots o70s. much warmer than many areas in the west. this rain will taper off alt bit for tomorrow. looks like a much better day on friday. >> i like the fact that the northwest is cool, and we know it's not just the weather, right? >> yes. >> thank you, bill. >> well done. so moms are bringing home the bacon like never before. we will tell you how much. plus, the unintended controversial image seen in jc penney's newest teakettles. can you see it? "early today" is back in two.

"early today" is brought to you by centrum, the most recommended and preferred multivitamin brand.

welcome back. stories making news this morning. the first passengers from that crippled cruise ship are back in the united states. they arrived on flights into baltimore from the bahamas after the grandeur of the seas caught fire earlier this week. newly released court documents show rutgers' incoming athletic director was named in a lawsuit at the university of louisville. julia herman was picked to replaced the former athletic director. she's also under fire for her own abuse allegations stemming from her time as coach at the university of tennessee. six laws are now in the books in colorado seeking to regulate newly legal marijuana and keep it away from children. among them, tough punishment for driving while high and restrictions limiting the sale of drugs to those at least 21 years old. a florida judge has ruled against george zimmerman's defense team.

judge debra nelson barred zimmerman's lawyers from bringing up martin's school suspension, prior marijuana use and text messages. a pift pivotal movement is getting recognition. honoring those who took part in a sit-in at the woolworth's lunch counter back in 1963 where a group of racially mixed activists were attacked by a white mob for sitting at a whites-only lunch counter. a new attraction in south carolina is taking people to new heights. jet packs using a high-powered stream of up to 1,000 gallons of ocean water are letting people go some 30 feet in the air off myrtle beach. the thrill isn't cheap, though. a 30-minute ride will run you 170 bucks. now for an early look at business, cnbc's bertha coombs. good morning. >> good morning. apple ceo tim cook says he expects the iphone and ipad will be response bible for several

more game-changing innovations. speaking at a tech conference tuesday night, cook didn't drop hints about any new products but says wearable devices could be the next big thing. stock futures are looking lower this morning after wall street's rally yesterday. investors reacting to better than expected data on home prices and consumer confidence. the dow posting its record 20th straight gain on a tuesday. really a lucky streak for that one day lately. and moms are making more money. a new study shows women with children are the primary breadwinner in 40% of u.s. households, up from 11% in 1960. while most are single mothers, the growing number are married, bringing in more income than their husbands. go, mom. back to you, dara. >> thank you so much, bertha. other business news this morning, nike is cutting ties with livestrong after almost a decade as the foundation's largest corporate sponsor. together nike and livestrong have raised more than $100 million to help people with cancer and distributed 87

million livestrong wrist bands. walmart pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $410 million for the way store employees dispose of pesticides returned by customers. next to a jc penney teakettle that has some say it's resembling adolf hitler. check out this new billboard of the new kettle designed by michael graves. penney's has responded to the comparisons on twitter saying certainly unintended. we would have gone with a snowman. how about a tall, cool shaq to quench that massive thirst? the arizona beverage company is out with a variety of cream-flavored drinks they're calling soda shaq. coming up, your sports highlights including a top college prospect who raps his way into michigan's heart. country music superstar blake shelton is warming up for one of the biggest events to hit the midwest and he's bringing a whole slew of friends with him. you're watching "early today."

tonight oklahoma native blake shelton headlines "healing in the heartland," a concert to benefit those from the devastating tornado. he'll be joined by miranda lambert, rascal flatts, and

vince gill, reba mcentire and his cohost on "the voice," usher will also perform. you can watch tonight's benefit concert live from oklahoma city beginning at 9:00/8:00 central right here on this nbc station. in sports, first up, the nhl playoffs. in game seven, justin williams of los angeles scored twice for the kings as they beat the san jose sharks, 2-1. and the kings advance to the western conference finals. in the nba playoffs, indiana's roy hibbert was too much for miami as he scored 23 points. the pacers beat the heat, 99-92. and the eastern conference finals are all even at 2-2. in baseball, the crosstown interleague rivals new york mets honored retiring yankees' closer mariano rivera before last night's game with rivera throwing out the first pitch. ironically in the ninth, rivera gave up a single, his first blown save of the season for a 2-1 mets win. one of the top high school

football prospects peppers in new jersey celebrated his decision to attend the university of michigan with a rap. take a listen. ♪ you see it started as a dream ♪ ♪ my dad planted the seed ♪ when i started to sprout ♪ he couldn't be there to see ♪ still i remained focus and transcended the rest ♪ ♪ solidified through my journey ♪ ♪ how can you not be impressed? and a russian sports star set a new record by jumping off mt. everest. valerie set the record for the highest base jump ever, reaching speeds of over 120 miles per hour. just ahead, beyonce gets slapped during a live concert. wait until how we tell you sasha fierce reacted. reviews are in for "arrested development's" newest season. you're watching "early today."

what a week to be on one of those cruises up in alaska. a nice stretch, three days in a row. fairbanks, 83. anchorage, 75. juneau's looking good, too. probably the only spot that can maybe top that is hawaii today looks absolutely fabulous, too. maybe a little warmer than some would like, but 89 and 86 in honolulu. maui and the big island also looking nice. an afternoon shower in hilo which is typical.

in seattle, that will be with you for at least the first half of the day today. where would you choose? you going to alaska or hawaii? >> i'd take hawaii any time. any time, hands down. thanks, bill. now to entertainment. a top aeg executive testified yesterday that he negotiated a deal for dr. conrad murray to accompany michael jackson on tour and that nobody had even bothered to check murray's credentials because of his history with the pop star. officials are investigating justin bieber on claims he recklessly speeds around his l.a. gated community. former nfl wide receiver and neighbor keyshawn johnson reportedly tried to confront bieber about how his driving puts the kids in the community at risk. in the first 24 hours of its netflix premiere, "arrested development" was reportedly pirated more than 100,000 times. boy, that's a breaker there. and in an interview with "parade," james lipton admits he was a pimp in the 1950s in paris. lipton said jobs were hard to come by after the war and that the work was much more

respectable than it was given credit for. and finally, hands off the goods. our friends over at "e" online shared this video. beyonce paused and threatened to have him escorted out of the show. i'm surprised that's all he got. >> yeah. i'm surprised the bodyguards weren't diving in after him. >> yeah, hands off beyonce. >> yeah, it was bad. there's no excuse. i can't defend the guy. >> no, too close for comfort. i'm dara brown, and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

leading the news this morning in "the new york times," drone strike kills at least four in pakistan. and at least four were injured this morning during an early attack on a house near the pakistan/afghan border. and on nbcnews.com, irs higher-ups requested info on conservative groups, letters show. some of those letters were provided to nbc news by an attorney who was representing 27 conservative political advocacy groups that applied for irs tax-exempt status. just in, minnesota representative and former republican presidential candidate michele bachmann says she will not seek a fifth term in congress in 2014. in an 8 1/2-minute video posted on her website this morning, bachmann explained an eight-year term in the house was enough. the mother of accused boston

bomber dzhokhar tsarnaev spoke to him on the phone for the first time since her arrest. she tells bloomberg news he's mentally normal but shocked. she also says he told her she's, quote, absolutely fine and his wounds are healing. she was promised one phone call a month. seven people are charged with running what federal prosecutors call the biggest money laundering scheme in u.s. history. the online underworld bank handled $6 billion for criminals around the world. a german soccer team's trip to london took a turn for the worse after a big defeat. the players were at stansted airport, ready for home when a flash mob started performing for them. as you can see, though, the players were not in the mood for the surprise. peppy dance routine. disappointing there. >> someone from puma needs to be fired because not only was the german soccer team serenaded with a song in english, but the banner was in english, and none of the players understood what

was going on. >> exactly. and it was a defeat, too. but now it's time for a look ahead. the best young spellers in america face off today. more than 28 # 0 contestants will get a chance to show their skills at the 86th national spelling bee. and three new crew members are at the international space station. an italian, an american and a russian are settling in today as they start preparing for five spacewalks and other assignments over the next six months. and happy birthday to nba star carmelo anthony who is 29. actress annette bening turns 55 and la toya jackson is 57. here's what's coming up on the "today" show. al roker is watching extreme weather, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the central plains. and a reunion of the popular 1980s sitcom "silver spoons" as cast members share their memories. now keep it to this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm dara brown. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a great one.

a bay area congresswoman targeted by threats. now the fed and facebook are entering the fray. first, the bolts, then the rods. another problem has surfaced on the new span of the bay bridge. and inside the debate of how to fight a common disease as california courts prepare to make a landmark decision. we take you live to san francisco, give you a live look at the bay bridge. looks gorgeous as always on this wednesday, may 29th. you're watching "today in the bay." >> good morning, it's 4:30