good friday morning, everyone. coming up on "early today," swirling subpoenas. the legal onslaught is unleashed on new jersey governor chris christie's mignons with 20 subpoenas going out. extreme drought. 63% of california is facing historic weather conditions right now. and the dangerous situation in the west is getting worse. the new nsa, get ready for president obama's new and improved surveillance strategy. plus, duck down. the audience flees from the robertson family in their tv premiere. google's latest invention of a smart contact lens. and the u.s. military testing what may be the perfect sniper rifle. it is friday, january 17th. and "early today" starts right now.

good friday morning, everybody. i'm brian shactman. we have new details on that growing and out of control wildfire near los angeles. flames are burning just miles from the famed hollywood sign. we can tell you three men are now in custody for starting the blaze. we have two reports this morning, beginning with nbc's miguel almaguer in the fire zone. >> reporter: explosive and out of control. the so-called kobe fire sweeping down through tinder dry canyons toward neighborhoods with million dollar homes. >> it is really spreading very, very quickly. >> reporter: with fire hopscotching through neighborhoods, palm trees turned to blow torches. the day's sky, a dark eerie glow as ash rained across the region, closing schools and clogging freeways. the terrain here couldn't be more difficult for firefighters to battle. the san gabriel mountains, feeding this blaze, literally

drops into the backyard of hundreds of homes. firefighters were ready, strike teams were in position before the blaze because conditions were ripe for fire. >> reporter: this is mike taibbi in los angeles. it is the driest and deepest drought on record in much of the southwest and getting worse fast. in just the past week, one estimate of extreme drought for california more than doubled, from 27% to nearly 63% of the entire state. the reason, a high pressure ridge beneath the jet stream that has seemed unmoveable. >> the jet stream is so far to the north, taking the storms up and over that ridge, so that's why we're not getting the much needed rain and snow that we so desperately need in california. >> reporter: among the consequences, reservoirs that feed tens of millions of people and water the farmland that feeds much of the nation at record low levels. scientists measuring the crucial snow pack -- >> we got six -- >> reporter: are worried as they trudge over bare ground that is

usually blanketed by now. less snow melt means some species of salmon can't get to their spawning grounds. and had this bear crossing a ski slope instead of hibernating. the biggest threats are the public safety. record temps feeding a drought now covering 11 states and to the agriculture-based economy. some water use restrictions are now being rolled out. it is so bad that last week catholic bishops asked their parishioners to pray for rain. those prayers, so far, unanswered. >> our thanks to miguel almaguer and mike taibbi for those reports. later today, president obama unveils plans to overhaul the nsa. he is expected to roll back some of those controversial practices that were exposed by edward snowden, but it is expected to be a delicate balance to try and protect the nation and protect your privacy. nbc's tracie potts live in washington. tracie, we just learned the president will call for ending the nsa's control over americans' phone data.

give us details on that. >> reporter: he will modify the program so that the court, you know, the court would actually have to give an order, brian, first, before those records are searched. he will also say according to a senior administration official today that the government should not hold on to those records. phone calls, e-mails, texts, today president obama lays out what he thinks the government should and should not do. the national security agency argues monitoring helps them track down terrorists. >> we can and should take steps to make the activities we engage in, in order to help keep america safe, and americans safe. >> reporter: critics say americans should know more. >> could have been a lot more candid with the american people up front about this program. >> reporter: new this week, reports that the nsa has been collecting nearly 200 million text messages a day. that's with phone records and allegations of spying on world

leaders, all linked by former nsa contractor edward snowden. >> we're dealing with an agency that didn't have adequate enough safeguards to keep a subcontractor from stealing millions and millions and millions of files. >> reporter: the president is expected to back the spying programs, but call for more transparency and oversight, perhaps a public advocate, on the secret foreign intelligence surveillance court. he may send privacy protections to foreigners and limit spying on world leaders. but congress would likely have to deal with what information the nsa can collect and keep. and the public has weighed in on this. the public is actually split on this issue. that records, that phone records program is set to be reauthorized in march. brian? >> tracie, thank you very much, live for us in washington, d.c. the next chapter in the new jersey bridgegate saga is here. nearly two dozen subpoenas going out this morning and they hit hard at governor chris christie's inner circle. among those targeted,

reportedly, christie's former campaign manager as well as his spokesman, current chief of staff and former deputy chief of staff bridget anne kelly. kelly, you'll remember, is the one who sent that now infamous e-mail saying it was, quote, time for traffic problems in ft. lee. governor christie reportedly not included in this latest wave of subpoenas. he's remaining defiant and now seeming to play down talks of a potential presidential run. >> i was born here. i was raised here. i'm raising my family here. and this is where i intend to spend the rest of my life. and whatever test they put in front of me, i will meet those tests because i'm doing it on your behalf. >> it became a very bumpy ride at 30,000 feet for some people. united flight 89 forced to return to newark, new jersey, after it encountered severe turbulence. it happened about 45 minutes into the flight to beijing. the pilot had just told the

flight attendant it was safe to get up and then tit hit air spae that was so rough, that it tossed some right around the cabin. some suffered minor injuries. all 189 passengers are said to be okay. let's get the latest from the weather forecast with bill karins. >> no thank you to be on a flight like that. what is the worst turbulence? >> i dropped -- i've dropped. >> air pockets make you drop. >> i haven't hit my head -- >> i never had the mask fall down. >> that hasn't happened to me either. mike taibbi and miguel almaguer reports, i mean -- >> we could probably do the same story with them probably ten more times in the next ten days. >> palm trees up in flames. >> the drought will continue. if any fires form, they'll blow up in a hurry. these are the numbers released yesterday. the big thing was the extreme number that is in drought in california. it jumped from 27 to 63%. i don't want to leave the rest of the west out. the drought has been growing in much of oregon and nevada. we have got some exceptional drought there.

and areas of southern idaho even too. it is not just like it is only california. of course, they get the most attention, the biggest population and biggest water problem trying to get water to the people there. 73 yesterday in san francisco. that tied for the third day in a row, the warmest january temperature ever recorded at the san francisco international airport. that's just a crazy stat. numbers like that just don't happen. over the next ten days, very little if any rainfall is expected in this region. just got to keep beating the drum. this is the rainy season. just no rain coming, drought gets worse throughout much of the west. that's your national >> as far as water woes, the mayor of los angeles said they have enough water until next

year. smaller towns in northern california, one town said they have enough water for 100 days. >> two football games, denver at seattle and weather will not be a factor in either game? >> should be fine. >> patriots, need cold, snow, like a blizzard. >> not happening in denver. >> thank you, bill. appreciate it. all right, oklahoma senator tom coburn will not serve the rest of his term. plus, the uproar over a death row inmate's prolonged execution by an untested, two-drug cocktail. details when "early today" returns in two minutes. my mother and my grandmother are very old fashioned.

i think we both are clean freaks. i used to scrub the floor on my knees. [ daughter ] i've mastered the art of foot cleaning. oh, boy. oh, boy. oh, boy. [ carmel ] that drives me nuts. it gives me anxiety just thinking about how crazy they get. [ doorbell rings ] [ daughter ] oh, wow. [ carmel ] swiffer wetjet. you guys should try this. it's so easy. oh, my. [ gasps ] i just washed this floor. if i didn't see it i wouldn't believe it. [ carmel ] it did my heart good to see you cleaning. [ regina ] yeah, your generation has all the good stuff. [ daughter ] oh, yeah. [ regso, if you're sleepingation in your contact lenses, what you wear to bed is your business. ask about the air optix® contacts so breathable they're approved for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. serious eye problems may occur. ask your doctor and visit airoptix.com for safety information and a free one-month trial. [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] you may be an allergy muddler. try zyrtec® for powerful allergy relief. and zyrtec® is different than claritin® because it starts working faster on the first day you take it. zyrtec®. love the air. [ sneezes ]

natural energy from tea packed with real juice from delicious fruits and veggies. it's what you need for that extra boost! oh and did we mention it's only 50 calories? need a lift? could've had a v8. in the juice aisle. welcome back. the search for a missing wall street journal reporter enters its fifth day. a source close to the family tells nbc news david bird's credit card was used in mexico on wednesday. he vanished saturday after leaving his new jersey home for an afternoon walk without his cell phone. boston police are looking into whether former new england patriot aaron hernandez was involved in a 2012 double murder. police believe hernandez was

driving a car used in the crime and may have even been the shooter. the former nfl star has pleaded not guilty in a separate murder case. a condemned ohio man took nearly 25 minutes to die from the time the new and untested two-drug cocktail was administered to the time of his death. witnesses describe dennis mcguire, convicted of raping and stabbing a pregnant woman to death, as making noises and gasping for air during the process. his family plans to sue the state. oklahoma senator tom coburn will leave the senate at the end of this congressional term. in a statement the 65-year-old republican said his battle with prostate cancer is not the reason. coburn was first elected to the senate in 2004. construction has officially started on a 175 foot ferris wheel that will give tourists a bird's-eye view of our nation's capitol. the capitol wheel scheduled to be finished by may and will offer views of the white house, the washington monument and

other d.c. attractions, just in time for the summer vacation schedule. now to business, beef, never been more expensive if it is what you want for dinner. cattle futures in the u.s. scaled all time highs in 2013, predicted to peak early in 2014. it costs more to fly these days. the average domestic round trip ticket last year soared to just over $363. up more than $7 from the year before. feels like even more, though. the 2% hike outpaced inflation. google, doing it again, they're testing a smart contact lens for diabetics. it is an ultra thin lens that would be equipped with tiny chips and antenna to help them check your blood sugar levels. that would save diabetics from having to patririck their finged test for blood several times a day. 3-d printing for chocolate bars? hershey assigned a multiyear deal with 3-d systems to develop ways, that's right, to use the technology to make edible food,

including their precious chocolate. and a smart rifle built by texas company tracking point says they can make a sharpshooter out of anyone. kind of scary. the u.s. military currently testing the weapon. users tag their target and a computer takes over by working out range, wind, other weather conditions. the weapon costs $27,000 and can even be controlled by an ipad app. just ahead on "early today," getting ready for some nfc and afc championship football. we'll have all your sports highlights coming up next. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. everybody knows that parker. well, did you know auctioneers make bad grocery store clerks? that'll be $23.50. now .75, 23.75, hold 'em. hey now do i hear 23.75? 24! hey 24 dollar, 24 and a quarter, quarter, now half, 24 and a half and .75! 25! now a quarter, hey 26 and a quarter, do you wanna pay now, you wanna do it, 25 and a quarter - sold to the man in the khaki jacket!

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now time for some sports. let's start with tennis at the australian open, serena williams making history. the scorching heat down under continues and so does her heat. five-time champ nailing her 61st match. with that, she's won more matches at the australian open than any other woman ever. and she also advances to the fourth round after dominating daniela hantuchova 6-3, 6-3. french tennis player jo-wilfried tsonga tweeted this photo. that's right. that's the classic frying the egg right near court side. and he wrote in the tweet, mate, may i please order a t-bone. he advances to the third round.

that is hot. this sunday, afc and nfc championships. some grilling at my house, come on over. some hot dogs and might even try ribs this weekend. tom brady, peyton manning battling it out for the afc title. then san francisco and the seahawks for the nfc title. over 320 nfl players were surveyed by espn and asked which player do you respect the most. that guy, number 18, broncos quarterback peyton manning was first followed by vikings star running back adrian peterson and patriots quarterback tom brady, tied for second. major league baseball, owners and players agree to an expanded instant replay system including each game they have the access to baseball headquarters in new york where umpires will issue their final decisions, really moving in the 21st century. it will go into effect this coming season. talk about baseball, late night with jimmy fallon. cc sabathia and mark teixeira, well, they got a little theatrical and re-enacted a scene from the oscar nominated

film "august:osage county" and got into it. >> there are a lot of losers out there. >> don't think i know that. but just because you got a bad one last time doesn't mean -- >> barry wasn't a loser. >> barry was an [ bleep ]. >> good fake slap. good fake slap. nba now and london where the mets blew out the hawks in the second. dennis schroder, sweet alley-oop. joe johnson, he will nail the three at the third quarter buzzer. the nets win it 127-110. just ahead, is the dynasty done for the duck loving robertsons? you're watching "early today." [bell rings] [prof. burke] at farmers,we make you smarter about your insurance,because what you don't know can hurt you. what if you didn't know that home insurance can keep your stuff covered,even when it's not at home? or that collisions with wildlife on the road may not be covered.

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welcome back. red flag warnings have been extended all the way through friday. and that means if any fires do form, we can't get to the extreme fire behavior. that goes for pretty much all of the areas here outside of san diego, through the mountainous regions there up to santa barbara and the northern portions of the valleys too. this could dry out and goes all the way to northern california. even if fires form there, it wouldn't be good, especially with how warm in july we were. no rain in the forecast. and temperatures pretty much where they have been, a little cooler today than yesterday. >> thank you, bill. i'm a big -- i watched the real husbands of hollywood. >> don't admit these things. >> i drove by it on, but kevin

hart who is hysterical is teaming up with ice cube and they're hopefully getting box office gold this weekend with "ride along." mlk day on monday, big movie weekend. "jack ryan shadow recruit," "the number job," animated right there. "ride along" is expected to finish first with 30 million bucks. >> reviews are good. >> you saw "captain phillips," "12 years a slave," "gravity" getting rereleased. speaking of the oscars, a number of big names and movies that got snubbed. tom hanks for "captain phillips," oprah winfrey for "the butler" did not get nominations. they say redford deserved it. hollywood lost two classic tv stars on thursday. russell johnson best known as the professor on "gilligan's island" died. >> everyone knew him. >> i don't know what the age cut off was, but he was -- why

didn't he get romantic with ginger or mary ann. he was a decorated fighter pilot in world war ii. he had the purple heart. dave madden who played the partridge family's manager robin kincaid. and he made the round on classic tv. appeared on "bewitched," "happy days" and "the love boat." he was 82 years old. following the whirlwind of controversy over homophobic remarks, duck dynasty down 28% from last year. might have thought the opposite would happen, right? >> who knew? >> just one of those things where they get -- still 8.5 million people, still a ton, but way down from before. have a good weekend. i'm brian shactman this is "early today." we hope it is first stop of the day on nbc. ♪ ♪

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leading the news in the new york times, list of smoking related illnesses grows significantly in u.s. report. in addition to cancer, researchers say smoking also causes diabetes, colorectal and liver cancers, erectile dysfunction and ectopic pregnancy. in the wall street journal, sacramento kings to accept bitcoins. the nba team becomes the first major sports franchise to accept the internet currency known as bitcoin, controversial because it can go to zero at any time. stories you may have missed. with no drama, the $1.1 trillion budget bill was passed by a 72-26 vote in the senate. it pays for u.s. government operations through the current fiscal year, which ends september 30th. president obama says he will sign it. classes resumed at a new

mexico middle school after the classmate. the governor says doctors are optimistic about the boy shot in the face. the girl wounded in the arm should be released soon. very, very good news. in iraq, the army has retain a town in the anbar province, not far from fallujah, as the military battles al qaeda's branch in iraq. the militants reportedly handed out recruiting pamphlets in fallujah on thursday, urging people to join their fight against the government. well, this may be true for you guys. i'm sure true for my wife. do you feel like throwing your husband off a cliff? well, now you can, sort of. check out these hoisted hubbies. every january 15th, never knew this, this japanese tradition has husbands hurled into a six-feet of snow. all supposedly started by men angry about outsiders marrying local girls. i guess they were throwing them -- >> teen boys, okay to do stuff like that. >> fun. nothing bad about that. time for a look ahead and look back.

the first lady turns 50 today. she is awesome. her birthday party, guests have been told, okay if you get the invitation, wear comfortable shoes, practice your dance moves and eat before arriving. supposedly it is dessert and dancing. and on this day in 1961, president dwight eisenhower issued a famous warning in his farewell speech as covered by nbc news. >> in the counsels of government we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. >> and happy birthday to the greatest of all time, muhammad ali, 72 years old. >> two greats. >> yeah. james earl jones, 83. >> betty. >> darth vader. and of course betty white, 92. >> what a trio. >> three of the greats. keep it here for more news, weather and sports.

i'm brian shactman. thank you for watching "early

good friday morning. it's 4:30. i'm terry mcsweeney. >> i'm laura garcia-cannon. the breaking news happening now in san francisco. crews are battling a house fire. the fire is burning on apollo street near thornton avenue. >> christie smith arrived on the scene. you are hearing a family had to jump from windows to escape the flames. >> reporter: good morning to you. that's exactly right. what a night for this family in the home. flames moved so quickly we're told they had to jump out of the window. two went out of a window, one was able to make it out of the door, this at a home midway up the block. there are firefighters up and down the street blocking it.