/s breaking overnight. a rapidly growing california wildfire threatens hundreds of homes. evacuations are underway this very minute as high winds whip through the region. >> hillary clinton lied many times to the fbi. nothing happened to her. flynn lied nd they destroyed his life. i think it's a shame. >> fbi director james comey testified clinton did not lie to the fbi. now the focus did president trump obstruct justice and can a tweet be evidence? >> a victory at the supreme court for the trump white house. he can enforce the latest travel ban. >> the meghan markle look.

>> the rollback on 2 million acres. enginee jeers from environmentalists. i'm phillip mena. >> i'm frances rivera. >> at least 10,000 acres in ventura county california, triggered mandatory evacuations from hundreds of homes. one person was killed in a car crash associated with the fire. multiple structures have also been damaged. nbc rick montanez has more from the ground. rick, what are you seeing there? >> reporter: philip, good morning. the fire still burning with gusty winds helping it to grow at an unprecedented rate. conditions that will not let up any time soon. fire fighters have another long day ahead of them, already dealing with over 10,000 akers burned out here in ventura county, and just before midnight. an additional 1,000 homes evacuated when the flames began to burn toward the east end of the city of ventura. we know one death at least confirmed this morning. that person died in a car crash

in an attempt to evacuate, we are told. neighbors here say they did not expect the fire to grow this quickly. at one point fire officials reported this to be a 5,000 acre fire. one hour later that doubled. schools will be closed later this morning in the santa paula area as well. the fire also left nmore than 200,000 people in the dark overnight. crews will be on the front line later this morning as they brace for another day of gusty and dry conditions. reporting in santa paula, california, i'm rick montanez for nbc news. >> now to news out of washington, paul manafort president trump's form former campaign chairman under pressure. he violated a court order by ghost writing an editorial about his political work in ukraine. a federal court document said manafort, quote, worked on the draft of that op-ed with a long time washington colleague of manafort currently based in russia and has ties to a russian intelligence service. the washington post reports it

would mark the first time special counsel has alleged a trump official had such contacts. the president doubles down on his attacks on the fbi as he faces renewed scrutiny of his own. for more we go to nbc's hallie jackson. hallie, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, frances, to you. another busy start to the day here in washington. you have just at pennsylvania avenue, members of congress trying to work out the differences between the house and the senate versions of that massive tax overhaul. that is something that is going to affect almost everybody watching this show right now. we also have word from the white house that later on this week, top leaders in congress will be coming here to the white house to meet with the president and, yes, that will include chuck schumer and nancy pelosi we are told, even after that no-sho because of the president's tweet. it's a different tweet from the president, though, that still has a lot of questions bubbling up about obstruction of justice questions that the president's personal lawyer is shooting down. and then of course the

president's endorsement of roy moore yesterday. certainly going to be big headlines throughout the day and the week. we're going to have a look at all of it in just a bit. for more, frances, back to you for now. >> hallie, thank you. >> for more on the controversial endorsement we go to tracie potts. traci tracie good morning. this of what does this mean for roy moore? >> reporter: it means he's getting the back al qaeda of the republic -- backing of the republican party. it is relaunching its support, its people, its money in support of roy moore just days before the election. remember, they had pulled that support, but now with the president's endorsement, the party is getting -- the national party is getting behind him as well. the president tweeted that democrats refused to give even one vote for massive tax cuts, which is why we need roy moore. and he goes on to give a laundry list of items where he feels that republicans would benefit from having moore in office. now, it's interesting because here in washington, most

republicans in congress had pulled their support for moore except for one, and we tried to track him down. rand paul. >> senator paul, do you still support roy moore, sir? we've been trying to get an answer out of your office quite a while, sir. do you still -- >> thanks, guys. >> why is it such a hard question? do you support roy moore? you endorsed him, you're one of the only republicans left. >> reporter: no answer there. but we are viewing from another prominent republican not here in washington, mitt romney tweeting about roy moore saying having him in the senate would be a stain on the gop and the nation. he goes on to say that the victims, including lee cork man, are courageous heroes. now, the bottom line depends on what the people of alabama think and the washington post sharing new information of a relationship with roy moore. another woman coming out saying she had a relationship with hwhn

she was 17, but he still has a lot of support from republicans na alabama. philip? >> we'll see how much that matters to the people of alabama soon. tracie, thank you. >> a big win for the president allowing the trump administration to enforce the ban on travel to the united states by residents of six mostly muslim countries. while it is not a final ruling on the travel ban, it could have far reaching ramifications. it can even indicate how many or how the judges may rule when the ban finds itself before the nine justices in the future. let's bring in nbc's pete williams. and, pete, what does the ruling mean? >> reporter: philip, here's what this means. it means that overseas family members of people in the u.s. who were exempt from this latest version of the travel ban are now subject to it. this version was announced in late september and it applies mainly to visitors from chad, iran, libya, somalia, syria, and yemen in response to challenges lower courts said it could not be enforced against7r family

members overseas who have relatives here in the u.s. but now the supreme court has removed that exemption. just two of the justices dissented, justice ruth bader ginsburg and sonia sotomayor. the travel ban may survive a challenge. philip? >> all right, pete, thank you. former access hollywood today show host billy bush made his return to television with stephen colbert after his op-ed on the infa fa must trump tame that led to his firing from nbc. bush told kolbert he was angry over a report that the president raised doubts as to whether it was really his voice on that crude tape, saying it is reopening wounds for the women who have accused the president of sexual assault. >> that is your voice. i was there. you were there. that's your voice on the tape. all of these women came out with their names and told their detailed accounts.

so, when he said this, it infuriated me on a personal front. 20 women don't get together and say, hey, let's take down a powerful guy together. ha ha. no, they don't. to a man that you didn't -- >> it was ironic he was fired over the tape while trump went on to become president. but he admitted he sacrificed himself in the moment in hopes to see the media help elevate the conversation around sexual harassment and assault. >> all right. we are at a pivotal moment when it comes to our weather. a lot of people feeling the chill. here's meteorologist bill karins. >> the breaking news at the top of the show, that will be the story of the day. the fire and by all reports it still is rapidly spreading. this is the santa barbara area. the power is pretty much out for most of the city. that is where a lot of evacuations are taking place, during critical fire weather watch. the winds will continue to gust today. they'll kick up again tonight. this is a long duration santa ana wind event that could continue into thursday. the fire fighters in that region and the residents, this is going to be a cold front heads to

the east. showers and storms possible with the line of storms from houston to new orleans to mobile. we'll talk more about the storm system heading to the east coast a little later. >> all right, bill, thank you so much. the latest internet meet up is going to melt your heart. 22-year-old spencer shared on twitter he was able to meet 81-year-old rose a lynn gut man after getting close to her playing words with friends. the pair who played each other in over 300 games met in florida with the help of his pastor. even with the app, words with friends they responded to this story on twitter. look at that, we can't get enough of this. amazing, thank you for sharing your story with you. >> love it. sports you will -- sports

illustrated is out with hits its sports person of the year. and how the tax cuts will be affecting you. the instructions are here in spanish as you requested. gracias. ♪ at walgreens, how we care will change over time, but why we care remains the same treating everyone with the care and attention they deserve. walgreens. trusted since 1901. there was an old woman who lived in a shoe. she had so many children she had to buy lots of groceries. while she was shopping for organic fruits and veggies, burglars broke into her shoe. they stole her kids' mountain bikes and tablets along with her new juice press. luckily the geico insurance agency had helped her with homeowners insurance. she got full replacement on the stolen goods and started a mountain bike juice delivery service. call geico and see how affordable homeowners insurance can be.

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the 2017 sports illustrated sports person of the year is a three-time nfl defensive player of the year, he raised over $37 million for the city of houston in the wake of hurricane harvey. ladies and gentlemen, from the houston texans, please welcome j.j. watts! >> what does it mean to you to win this award? >> oh, it's unbelievable. i think this award, it's sports person of the year, but i think jose and i both tell you it's much more than just two people. it's the whole city. >> congrats to houston texans defensive end j.j. watt and houston astros second base man jose altuve. sports illustrated 2017 sports person of the year after their efforts to help houston tans after hurricane harvey. >> it is closer to becoming law with the house of representatives approving a motion to go to conference and merge its tax bill with the

senate. that could be easier said than done. members of the senate are demanding certain provisions be in the final bill while house lawmakers demand an entirely different set of provisions. nbc's capitol hill correspondent kasie hunt be has more, including how the new tax law could impact you. >> reporter: at stake, every american family's bottom line. >> we're now one huge step closer to delivering to the american people the historic tax relief as a giant present for christmas. >> reporter: the nearly 500-page tax bill passed the senate early saturday morning without a single democratic vote. >> can you tell me what that word is? >> if you itemize your deductions, your taxes are going up. if you pay a lot in state and local taxes, your taxes are going up. >> reporter: under the bill, most american families will see their individual tax rate go down. but whether your family wins or loses will depend on your circumstances. americans who could do better under the tax bill include families with children who will

see a higher child tax credit. wealthy americans who will avoid the estate tax if the house has its way. >> people who don't itemize have a distinct advantage and that will be helpful to them. >> reporter: protesters at the capital trying to draw attention to those who could lose out. americans in high tax states who will likely lose their state and local income tax deduction. graduate students who could owe the irs thousands more. and americans who could see their health insurance premiums go up if the senate's repeal of the individual mandate stays in the final bill. the house and the senate plan to hold a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two bills starting this week. in a race against the clock, with unpredictable consequence for families and republicans in congress. >> donald trump and gop leadership in congress never sold this tax bill to the american people because it is designed to benefit businesses. >> reporter: republicans are scrambling not just to pass the tax bill, but also to do a

complex government funding package. leaders in both parties heading to the white house on thursday to try to hammer out those details because government funding runs out on friday. frances? >> all right, kasie hunt, thank you. >> we have breaking news ahead regarding embattled congressman john conyers. plus what does a cvs and aetna health care merger mean for? we'll break it all down straight ahead. research hospital is leading how the world treats and defeats childhood cancer. we won't stop until no child dies of cancer. and families never receive a bill from st. jude... because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. give thanks for the healthy kids in your life and give to those who are not. visit stjude.org or shop where you see the st. jude logo. use pantene shampoo together with 3 minute miracle daily conditioner. their pro-v formula is like a multi-vitamin.

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fast forwarding today, embattled congressman john conyers will make an announcement on his political future later this morning. conyers says the legendary lawmaker will speet on a detroit radio program. "the new york times" will announce cot congressman is not seeking reelection. >> finalist for college's most prestigious trophy, the heisman trophy with oklahoma quarterback leading the pack. lamarr jackson and stanford's bryce love one of the country's best rushers. >> the supreme court will hear arguments today to settle a dispute over a wedding cake after a baker refused to bake a cake for a gay couple arguing he morally opposed gay marriage. >> now to the block buster deal that could affect the way millions of people across the countrymanage their health care. after cvs announced it is buying aetna, the health insurance giant in a deal worth over $69 billion. nbc's jo ling kent has the details of how it could impact

you and your family. >> reporter: it is a landmark merger that could change the way millions of americans get health care and prescription drugs. cvs agreeing to buy aetna for $69 billion means for the first time ever one company will own and control an insurance provider. a retail pharmacy chain and a pharmacy benefit manager which negotiates the price and discounts for your prescription drugs. >> it's really the perfect time to bring these two companies together to create a new health care platform that can be easier to use and less expensive for consumers. >> reporter: the combined company will operate nearly 10,000 cvs fapharmacies and clinics like this one. cvs plans to turn it into one-stop shopping for patients. you'll find more primary care services for aetna's network all in one place. it will continue to serve customers with other insurance, too. it will sounds convenient but will it save you money? >> maybe they get negotiating leverage and try to drive some health care costs down.

>> reporter: experts say this megamerger will mean less competition overall which limits choice for consumers. the deal comes as amazon prepares to enter the prescription drug market. the e-commerce giant has already received approval for wholesale pharmacy licenses in 15 states. potentially disrupting how you get your drugs and driving prices lower. a major shift in how your health care is delivered that could affect the price you pay. jo ling kent nbc news los angeles. >> still ahead as meghan markle setting off a trend for plastic surgeons and a story behind this university of alabama student. you're watching "early today." psoriasis does that. it was tough getting out there on stage. i wanted to be clear. i wanted it to last. so i kept on fighting. i found something that worked. and keeps on working. now? they see me. see me. see if cosentyx could make a difference for you- cosentyx is proven to help people with moderate

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align, press and unzip. the university of alabama's campus is now a little more festive. it's all thanks to her. her name is kelsey hall and she is sporting the christmas tree costume the rest of the semester. the 21-year-old student took to twitter on saturday saying her 300 followers could get this photo retweeted a thousand times, that she would sport that tree costume around school, and guess what? careful what you ask for because her friends delivered. the chemistry major said she never expected to get the retweets and she slightly regrets it. but she'll go ahead and follow through on the promise. out of all things, she chose that. >> you know, holidays, but she'll save laundry not having to pick out something to wear every day. >> look at her face. does she look happy about that? she should have asked for wendy's chicken nuggets. >> exactly, and there you go.

maybe next time. all right meghan markle seems to have it all. her acting career, engagement to a prince, and now apparently a nose everybody wants. well, the huffington post reports that markle's nose is in high demand. it turns out the suits star's nose has become a major inspiration for people looking to undergo cosmetic surgery. that is according to one prominent new york based plastic surgeon. now that she is in the limelight. she has a beautiful nose. i'm going to grow my hair to be like meghan markle's. everything she wears. it's going to be a nose and then some? >> everything, her haircut, her style. they're going to steal everything they can. she got the prince. can't get you a prince. bill karins has our frigid forecast for most of the east coast and the latest on california's deadly fires. you're watching "early today." do i use a toothpaste that whitens my teeth or one... ...that's good for my teeth? now i don't have to choose!

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well, welcome back. cold air will be traveling over the great lakes and the lake effect snow machine is going to be turned on for one of the first tiemsz this season. we will see significant snows over lake superior and lake michigan. we'll also see very heavy snow off lake erie just south of buffalo and the snow town. one to 2 feet if possible and also the tug hill plateau could get hit hard near watertown, new york. we'll see the pictures in the days ahead. >> all right, bill, thank you. fire crews continue to battle fast moving brush fire in ventura county, california, now scorching at least 10,000 acres fueled by winds 25 to 30 miles an hour. one person has been killed in a car crash during the blaze. hundreds of thousands of homes

are without power. a red-flag warning in los angeles and ventura counties. weather officials say the region could see wind gusts up to 50 to 70 miles going into today. >> the backlash is swift over the move to reduce the size of monuments in utah. >> i've come to utah to take a very historic action. to reverse federal overreach and restore the rights of this land to your citizens. [cheering and applauding] >> the president reduced bear's ears national monument by nearly 85% from 1.3 million acres to just 220,000. the grand staircase escalante monument will go from 1.9 million acres to just over a million. environmental groups began filing lawsuits against the move just hours after the announcement. they argue the reduction opens up the risk of environmentally dangerous mining. harms native american lands and reduces public assets. outdoor retailer patagonia plastered this message. the president stole your land but the president and other

supporters say it is utah citizens, not washington bureaucrats who best know how to manage utah land. >> now to a high profile divorce between ucla and one of its most prove nept basketball players with lavar ball saying he has pulled his son lee anglo out of ucla exploring other options. after a star freshman was su pended by the university following a shoplifting incident in china. he was one of three basketball players at ucla to be indefinitely suspended after the incident. >> a surprise at a philadelphia 76ers game had the crowd going wild. they weren't just cheering for the team. now, that is a hug. a touching moment there when a soldier who had served nearly a year in kuwait surprised his girlfriend, a rookie philadelphia 76ers dancer by showing up during the game. it began with a video message from the troops starting with the sergeant who wasn't overseas but waiting in the wings to

surprise his girlfriend after that electrifying performance. >> what a cool experience all the way around for him. thanks for joining us. i am illip mena. ph a fire exploding in southern

california. thousands of acres scorched in a matter of hours near fire exploding in southern california. thousands of acres scorched in a matter of hours. this is near ventura. we are talking about homes and now a medical center up in flames. take a look at this here. you will see the strong winds moving those embers along the road. we are live with where that fire is moving next. good morning, thank you for joining us, i'm marcus washington. >> i'm laura garcia. we'll continue to cover this. first, when it comes to weather in your neck of the woods, kari, welcome back. >> thank you. it is going to be a cool morning, breezy, clear skies. as we go through the day, we are going to get that sunshine and