>> join us at 11:00 for nbc bay area news. of course, enjoy in friday eve. it's the last thursday of the year. last week of the year. >> better make it special. good morning. brutal. that punishing cold blanketing much of the country is now spreading. more than 200 million americans waking up to below-freezing temperatures this morning, and the worst is yet to come. braeaking overnight, deadly blasts rock cob buekabul. an explosion leaves dozens killed and even more hurt. isis is now claiming responsibility. we're live with the latest. not so fast. a new warning for homeowners thinking about paying next year's property taxes now before that new tax law takes effect. why the irs says you could be

making a big mistake. all that, plus meghan markle's sister firing back at prince harry for saying this about his fiance and the royals. >> it's the family that i suppose she's never had. >> a power outage at disneyland leaves voters at the happiest place on earth not so happy and lottery fever, the power ball that megamillions jackpots now at nearly $700 million combined after another night without a winner. while in south carolina, a computer glitch dashes the dreams of players across the state as they walk away empty handed. today, thursday, december 28, 2017. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today," live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. and welcome to "today." we appreciate you joining us on this thursday morning. savannah and hoda both off. 15 degrees on the plaza.

>> and the folks are still smiling. >> especially brie. >> i have to tell you, once we go below 25, i kind of lose track. it's just freezing. >> it is freezing. >> just uncomfortable. >> literally. and we are far from alone, as we said, extreme cold gripping much of this country, shattering nearly century-old records in some states and it's not going away any time soon. we've got it covered for you this morning, including the impact on your new year's eve plans. but let's start with nbc's ron allen. he remains on duty for us in snow-covered erie, pennsylvania. good to see you, buddy, how are you holding up? >> reporter: good morning, guys, yeah, erie is hoping to catch a break today. the snow has stopped falling, the snow emergency has been lifted. now it's time for the cleanup and digging out after what can only be described as a historic record-breaking holiday storm. here, like in much of the country, now they're also facing bone-chilling cold temperatures.

>> the ice on the front of my house is so thick. >> reporter: this morning, much of the country has frozen over. homes encased in ice or buried under feet of snow. this is what fell, all of this. a big chill just in time to ring in the new year. it's good for the slopes but bad for the roads. >> we're kind of over it. >> i wish i could go on vacation already. >> reporter: temperatures plunging to minus 37 degrees in international falls, minnesota, breaking a 90-year record. and in erie, pennsylvania, 65 inches of snow in just four days. it seems everyday there's a new record. >> we have broken one record after the other after the other. >> reporter: county executives called in reinforcements. >> now we have with us the national guard unit. >> reporter: the national guard digging out this nursing home. its entrances and exits blocked by snow. plows working around the clock to clear the streets. driving by, it looks like a winter wonderland, but it's serious business inside this

emergency operations center where crucial decisions are being made to keep residents sa safe. on the tarmac in erie, pennsylvania, signs of progress, planes finally taking off after siends signs of a standstill and deirdre walsh is finally on her way home after being stranded for days. on tuesday she told us her christmas meal was reese's peanut butter cups from a machine. >> i want a salad. >> reporter: did she ever get the salad? >> no, but when my sister picked me up she made spaghetti and meat balls. >> reporter: sounds like a rehabilitated christmas miracle. she was one of the lucky ones. she got out of here on the first flight out to detroit. there's still a long backlog of passengers. the airport was shut down for several days. just in case you thought it was over -- well, think again. there's a winter storm watch in

place for this region. up to a foot of snow headed this way this coming weekend if you can believe that. guys backs to you. >> my goodness, let's turn to dylan for a look at what's to come. >> good morning, guys. if the cold styx around, the great lakes freeze then it shuts off the lake-effect snow snow machines. so it takes a while, it's a slow process. i'm trying to look at the positive side. the frigid cold weather is going to be the story for the rest of this year going into the start of 2018. we have windchill warnings, windchill advisories, some higher elevations where it's windiest you can see windchills at 40 degrees below zero. that's dangerous cold if you're outside for too long. this dip in the jet stream allowing the cold air to set until from the north. minot, north dakota, the windchill 30 below. feels like 12 below in minneapolis, feels like five in chicago, so not much wind there. cincinnati the windchill makes it feel like it is zero. in the northeast we're looking at record low temperatures, up

in watertown, 31 degrees below zero. that's the air temperature. it feels like three in new york, atlantic city, feels like zero. we're going to get a reinforcing shot of cold air. sunday in chicago we start off the day at one degree. in fargo, 27 degrees below zero sunday morning, all the way down through little rock into charlotte we're looking at temperatures in the teens and 20s. monday morning in the northeast ing to feel the chill, bangor, maine, will be 25 degrees below zero when you factor in the windchill. it's just stay inside cold and if you have to go inside make sure you have to hat, gloves, scarf. bundle up. >> reporter: let's get to the breaking news in afghanistan. dozens killed in a tragic suicide bombing attack in kabul. the country's president calling it a crime against humanity. nbc's matt bradley has the latest on that. matt, good morning to you. >> morning. there were at least three blasts in this complex attack, craig, and the first, a suicide bomber,

blew himself up in a baseme mem lecture hall. multiple bombs then struck rescuers and people trying to escape. today carnage among afghanistan's most vulnerable. unknown gunmen bombed then stormed a shiite muslim cultural center in the capital, kabul, leaving at least 40 dead and nearly 60 wounded. ali reza witnessed the attack. "i saw many dead in the area" he said. "i looked for my cousin but i couldn't find him." an isis affiliate claimed responsibility. the group has made false claims in the past but it's recently turned its cites on afghanistan's shiite minority. it's part of the rising wave of violence posing a fresh challenge for the 15,000 u.s. servicemen and women still in country. s president donald trump has ramped up the pace of bombings on fighters and narcotics production. just a week ago vice president

mike pence here on a surprise christmas visit pledged a gloves-off approach to terrorists. >> this commander in chief has empowered our battlefield commanders with the freedom and flexibility you need to win. >> reporter: as america's war here enters its 17th year with no end in sight. isis attacks aren't new to afghanistan but as the group faces defeat in the middle east, many worry fighting between isis and afghanistan's shiite minority could open a dangerous new front in this already lengthy conflict. craig? >> matt bradley for us there, matt, thank you. there's much more to get to, including the ongoing confusion created by the new tax law, and this morning the irs is out with new advice for you. nbc's chief white house corps opinion is dent ha -- correspondent has the latest. >> reporter: here's the bottom line on the irs guidance. it may not pay off for you to wait in line for your property

taxes now with that new tax law on a lot of people's minds this holiday break and that includes president trump himself making a rare public appearance here in west palm beach. this morning in florida, the calm before the storm of work waiting in washington in the new year. >> how are your 401(k)s doing? pretty well? >> reporter: but before 2018, president trump is talking 2017 at a surprise stop at the west palm beach fire house near his mar-a-lago resort. >> a lot of legislation passed. the country is really -- you have a big, big beautiful ship we're turning around and a lot of good things are happening. >> reporter: now to help sell the new tax law the president is proudly promoting a flurry of e op-eds by gop lawmakers in newspapers this week. and new guidance from the irs says you could save money by paying next year's property taxes now. but you should check with officials in your town first

since it all depends on how taxes are assessed where you live. the gop tax plan also eventually gets rid of the individual mandate, that's the part of obamacare which requires everyone to have insurance or else pay a fine. >> we have essentially repealed obamacare. >> reporter: but republicans did not repeal obamacare, everybody as the president hints he'll push for a new bipartisan health care plan. that's just one of the tweets he sent on his working vacation that's seen him online and on the links. like other presidents, barack obama in hawaii, george w. bush in texas, president trump takes holidays where he wants. unlike other presidents, donald trump's selections happen to bear his name. as his first year in office comes to a close, he spent nearly a third of it at a trump-branded property, whether in florida, new jersey, or in washington where, besides his own hotel or golf club, he rarely branches out. >> i love the food in the white house. the white house is the greatest restaurant.

it's the most beautiful. >> reporter: the associated press describing him as "the homebody president" in 2017, though there seems to be a new presidential resolution for 2018. >> i was accused the other day, well, when i leave the white house -- which is seldom -- i always go to my hotel on pennsylvania avenue and they say he should go to other places and i never thought of it and i'm going start doing that. >> so we'll see if the president does come 2018. he's mostly been laying low here in south florida so far but his secretary of state is now out with a new high profile op-ed writing in the "new york times." rex tillerson, of course, has been dogged by rumors that he may leave the state department some time in 2018 but this morning he is defending the administration's diplomacy saying he is proud of the work it's done. >> hthank you. the cold is not all that the new year's eve crowd is going to

have to face. they'll encounter unprecedented security. stephanie gosk is in times square with that. steph, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, craig. as you mentioned at the top of the show, the temperatures out here are in the teens. that's the forecast for new year's eve, making it one of the coldest on record. those people who are brave enough to be out here in this cold are thinking of two things -- cold and security. as crowds gather in new york city's times square, biting winds and an arctic chill will grip those looking to ring in the new year. >> new year's eve in new york, you have to. you have to. i'd stay no matter how cold it was. >> it's been on my bucket list for many, many years. it would be the experience of a lifetime. the cold wouldn't stop me. >> reporter: some aren't willing to suffer the bitter conditions. >> no, i would not. >> reporter: and the frigid temperature already hitting the northeast isn't making it easy

on those preparing for the ball drop. the iconic sphere is loaded with over 2,000 crystal pieces. workers are installing many of them by hand without gloves as the mercury drops. >> this year it's honestly brutal. it's been worse. a couple years ago it was cold but we have to do what we have to do. layers of clothing, you know? >> reporter: the global tradition is expected to draw more than one million people into the heart of new york city and police already on high alert aren't taking any chances, posting heavily armed officers and barricades throughout the area. today the nypd is expected to detail their plans for this year's festivities and the amount of security will likely be unprecedented. this coming after an attempted suicide bombing earlier this month and a number of attacks throughout the year, both home and abroad. out west, las vegas celebrates with a massive fireworks display on the trip, but following the country's worst mass shooting at a music festival last october,

security is on everyone's mind. >> the numbers are going to be doubled. >> reporter: police say they're putting more officers on and above the streets? >> in previous years we had elevated position spotters, this year they'll be accompanied by snipers. >> reporter: as americans gather with their loved ones this year, law enforcement will be working overtime to ensure everyone has a safe and happy new year. so though it will be bitterly cold here on new year's eve night, it's not going to break the record. that was set in 1917. it was just one degree in times square. guys? >> let's hope we're nowhere close to the record. steph, thank you. meantime, we're learning more about last week's deadly amtrak derailment near seattle. authorities are releasing recordings from the day of that tragic crash. gadi schwartz haas ts the lates. good morning. >> reporter: people were thrown

from the train, others were pinned inside and all the while, dispatchers working to keep calm while surrounded by utter chaos. >> 911, what are you report? >> tons of people are hurt. >> reporter: among the wreckage of amtrak 501, voices trembling with fear as people frantically call for help. >> we're all security. >> is anybody in the car that you're in hurt? >> yes, a lot. >> reporter: a woman trying to keep calm with her 14-year-old son by her side. >> my son is hurt, my head is bleeding. >> reporter: all across the highway, inside mangled train cars and up on the tracks dozens of wounded trying to help others or save themselves. the aftermath of a massive derailment when amtrak 501 took a 30 mile an hour curve at what investigators say was nearly 80 miles an hour on its inaugural run sending passenger cars careening off the bridge. >> i think's been a mud slide on i-5.

my car got hit. >> reporter: ntsb investigators say cameras inside the cab showed the engineer appeared to realize the train was going too fast six seconds before the crash but never pulled the emergency brakes. >> amtrak 501, emergency, emergency, emergency. we are on the ground. >> reporter: as the calls to 911 continue to flood in, dispatchers worked to keep those hurt from panicking. >> and how old are you? >> i don't know how old i am off the top of my head; that's okay. >> the amount of injures staggering. >> how many patients are you do you think? >> i see one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, probably a dozen. >> reporter: all told, police say nearly 100 people were taken to several hospitals. three people killed, including friends jim hammery and zach hoyt. ntsb investigators are working to figure out why the engineer failed to slow the train down before the curve and reviewing everything that happened in hopes of preventing another

tragedy on the tracks. as for answers, the ntsb says a full review could take one to two years. part of that review could include a look at whether an automated safety feature called positive train control would have prevented this crash. that system is supposed to be in place on all tracks by the end of the next year. back to you. >> gad i, thank you. there were no winners in last night's massive powerball jackpot, sending the big prize soaring to $384 million. the next drawing is saturday night, but if you can't wait that long, there's always megamillions. that jackpot right now standing at $306 million. the next drawing tomorrow night. and some more news on the lottery front, a computer glitch led dozens of south carolina residents to think they had won the lottery when they actually had not. the mistake caused machines to generate an overabundance of winning tickets worth 500 bucks. people lined up at the lottery headquarters to cash in the

tickets only to be turned away. officials advised them to hang on to their tickets. the south carolina lottery says they'll make a decision on what to do by tomorrow. >> everybody gets $500. >> yeah. >> well, that's a lot of folks. >> was your family part of the team thinking they won? >> no, but there are a lot of angry folks down there. >> dylan is back with the rest of the forecast. >> across the country we have another clipper system trying to move into the upper midwest and that will bring a brief one to two inches of snow. it races through the great lakes, reinforces lake-effect snow into the weekend. it's sunny and dry in the southwest, messy in the pacific northwest and watch out for freezing fog across parts of northern texas this morning. that's a look at the weather across the country. your local forecast is coming up in the next 30 seconds.

happy new year! and welcome to the family... the chevy family. the chevy employee discount for everyone ends soon. good thursday morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. it's az take a live look outside in san francisco. chilly temperatures, make sure you are bundled up as you step out. we have dropped below freezing in napa. san jose at 42 degrees now and 37 in oakland. as we go into this afternoon a lot of sunshine, highs in the upper 50s in san francisco and low 60s for tomorrow. we will have some upper 60s for the inland areas. and that's your latest forecast. thank you. coming up, prince harry stirs up controversy saying the royals are the family meghan markle never had. what her sister is saying about that this morning. and we are going to reveal "time's" most powerful images of

the year and the story behind those pictures. first this is "today" on nbc. ♪ toyland, toyland

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a very good thursday morning to you, its 7:26, i'm laura garcia. happening today, the man accused of plotting a christmas day terror attack at pier 49 in san francisco is due in a fresno courtroom later this morning. everitt jameson is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. he was arrested after investigators say he communicated with an fbi informant who he believed was an isis leader. now san francisco is beefing up security for new year's eve. let's check the forecast right now with meteorologist kari hall. some coworkers went outside and they said it's cold. >> of course. it's really cool in the tri-valley, even colder there where it's 35 degrees. we have had some temperatures just above freezing in some of the north bay now, 34 degrees,

watching out also for patchy fog. even though we do have a cool start it's going to be a really nice day, highs reaching into the mid to upper 60s in some spots, upper 50s for san francisco and half-moon bay, 64 degrees. we will have updates on what else to expect as we go into the rest of the forecast. minutes. let's head over to mike for an update now. >> the drive is easy like a sunday morning, but it's not sunday. it's the bay bridge toll plaza right here, a smooth easy flow of traffic as traffic gets over here from the maze, no major delays. our maps aren't showing any slowing on our sensors, although in oakland we do have an issue -- i'm sorry, san leandro southbound 880 at marina a % side. no slow there. at the split there is an earlier disabled vehicle which should be cleared from lanes but there's activity where the warren freeway moves off there so be careful. the south bay no delays except for a tiny blip north 101.

see if you can spot it. back to you. i will be back with another local news update in about half an hour.

. back at 7:30 on this thursday morning, december 28, 2017. the rockefeller center christmas tree shining bright on really another bitter cold morning. in fact, just 14 degrees here in manhattan right now. >> that big chill is being felt all over the country this morning. that is where we start our check of today's headlines. >> america the frozen. more than 200 million people waki waking up this morning to below freezing temperatures. arctic air blanketing much of the nation. >> ice on the front of my house. >> as the national guard is called out in pennsylvania after more than 5 feet of snowfalls

since christmas eve. deadly attack. dozens dead. even more hurt. isis now claiming responsibility as officials search through the rubble looking for survivors. still fighting. roy moore's campaign launches a last minute challenge over his defeat in alabama's special senate election, moore claiming potential fraud was behind his loss to democrat doug jones. not playing around. the world health organization set to recognize excessive video game playing as a serious mental health disorder. and this 18-year-old pint size pooch is caught on camera fending off a coyote in a yard and lives to tell about it. that little chihuahua's name is paco. he may be pint sized but he has all right. >> also toothless.

>> and still scared him off. now to a remark from prince harry about meghan markle's first christmas with the royals that's not sitting well with members of his fiancee's family. kelly, good morning. >> reporter: sheinelle, good morning. all families have their quirks and the royal family is certainly no different. prince harry shedding some light on the royal family christmas when he ran britain's flagship morning radio show interviewing his dad and also talking about how meghan is fitting in. her future brother-in-law, a future king, a father-in-law first in line to the throne and a queen for a grandmother. prince harry says it's the family meghan markle never had at christmas. >> it's fantastic. great fun staying with my brother and sister-in-law and running around with the kids. she's done an absolutely amazing job just getting in there.

it's the family that she's never had. >> reporter: meghan's reportedly estranged half sister hit back at that. she has a large family who are always there with her and for her. our household was very normal and when they divorced we all made it. it was like she had two houses. no one was estranged. she was just too busy. meghan already an activist at 11. >> you can make a difference not just for yourself but lot of other people. >> reporter: she talked about her own family christmas in 2015. her dad building a special barbie doll family to put under the tree. a black mom doll, a white dad doll and a child in each color. my dad had taken the sets apart. her mom, a social worker and yoga instructor and dad a lighting direct nor l.a. divorced when she was six. meghan famously close to her mom. harry called her amazing.

she spent time with her dad on the set of "married with children." harry still hasn't met him. >> he's talked to my dad a few times. hasn't been able to meet him just yet. but it's been worth every effort. >> in an interview with his own father, a prince talking to a prince but also a son talking to his dad. >> it makes me very proud to think you understand. >> reporter: prince harry and meghan markle are rewriting royal rules as the couple gets set to bring their two families and nations together to celebrate their union. and so many questions still about that may wedding at windsor. will meghan's dad walk her down the aisle? and of course who will be on that guest list? craig and sheinelle, you bet on just about any famous name you can think of. you can actually place a bet

here. >> not surprised i guess. >> dylan dreyer standing by. you got your invitation in the mail. >> yes. i should go check my mail to see if it's there. >> tell us about the forecast. >> let's focus on this. we've got a clipper system that's going to move through the upper midwest. we've got some light snow falling across minneapolis. it's a clipper system, a fast moving system. it will produce a quick amount of about 1 to 2 inches of snow as it races through the great lakes tonight and then on friday we'll start to see this reinforce some of the lake effect snow, especially off lake erie and lake ontario. as we go into saturday we will see spotty snow showers you but no significant accumulation unless you're in those great lakes areas where we could end up with about 6 to 9 inches of snow. that's just that system that's moving through the upper midwest. elsewhere we don't really have too much going on. sunny across the northeast.

down through the south minus the fog this morning. we do have another system making its way to the pacific good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. it's going to be a cool start as you head out the door, but a nice warm afternoon. even warmer than it was yesterday by a few degrees. livermore expect a high of 63 degrees and 64 degrees in san jose. half-moon bay 64 there, also 64 in santa rosa. over the next few days it continues to warm up with mostly sunny skies, as we start out the new year, more clouds and each a chance of rain in the forecast by the middle of next week. and you can you can find your full forecast on the weather channel on cable. >> dylan, thank you. still ahead, we are revealing "time "photos of the year and the incredible stories behind them. plus luke bryan's christmas surprise for his wife. wait until you see what was in

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welcome back. 2017 was a historic year filled with unforgettable and powerful images. >> our friends at "time" magazine scoured through count lds pictures to select their top photos of the year. paul moakley is "times'" deputy director of photography. good to have you. we should note your list includes pictures from around the world but this morning we'll focus on the domestic pictures and this was the first image. from august. a white nationalist. a domestic terror incident down in charlottesville, virginia. tell us the story behind this photo. >> sure. i think that august morning we

all woke up to images from the night before of this protests. they were terrifying, and all of the protesters came out and it was just an insane day. this was the culmination of all of that violence from that day, all that hate, and this picture is fascinating. you could look at it forever. there's countless little details of shoes, cell phones flying through the air, and it's just -- an image that i think will -- was instantly iconic this year from all the images we saw, and i also think it will just go down in the long line of unfortunately in history as one of the long -- the images from the civil -- you know, in the long line of civil rights imagery. you know? the cops with the dogs, you know -- >> you indicated the photographer didn't even know he'd had this picture. right? >> no. he said it was an instant reflex and he went with his instincts and found this image later, and -- it just -- it captured it

you a. >> next we have an image that became iconic from the worst mass shooting at the music festival in las vegas? >> yes. this photographer, david becker, was actually working. filing, finishing his work for the night and heard the gunshots. this image was taken right after the second round of shots and he just walked in to the whole scene and it was chaos and he was shooting in the dark, could hardly see anything and the amazing thing about it is he went back to file his images and he saw just horror on his, in his files, and the amazing thing about his persistence, he got the image out and we all woke up to this. it was on every home page. on social media. all the newspapers that morning. >> number three, this is puerto rico. this is back in september, of course. hurricane maria and its aftermath. >> yes. this image was taken by a photographer in a helicopter. she was looking at the skyline in san juan. it's a surreal image she

happened upon of a couple in their living room. sitting there with their dog. actually looking at the photographer carolyn cole, and it's -- it just shows you that we're all vulnerable to mother nature no matter where we live and where we are. >> sure. this next photo in the news. chris christie instantly became a meme. sitting on a beach over fourth of july weekend. a lot of -- the public ones, obviously shut down. >> the weekend the beaches were shutdown in jersey and it's chris christie he's at the beach when no one else could be and resulted in what we now know at beachgate. the image that day was taken, and then a couple hours later, chris christie was at a press conference saying he didn't get any sun, and later this image came out and proved otherwise, but within two days, christie had to sign a budget and everyone was back at the beach for fourth of july. a great gotcha image.

>> and this is not the picture i thought would come up. i thought it was the solar eclipse. but talk about this one. the wring ling brothers picture. there's the solar eclipse picture. >> the solar eclipse picture we love this. it's one of the more joyful pictures of the jeer and an image of everyone coming together under the hollywood sign. >> one of the more unifying moments, i feel like, of the year. a moment we could all come together for something bigger than all of us, really. >> yeah. usually in los angeles you see people gawking at movie celebrities. here just coming together to look at the wonder in the skies. a beautiful moment from this year. >> look at the nfl. this was huge this year. the nfl national anthem. the protests which sparked a lot of don't this year. tell us about this picture. >> this picture was taken about a month after the president was talking about the players at a rally and i think it spurred more protests and this was taken

in october. we love this image. it looks like they're soldiers kind of kneeling down in a very solemn moment. you see the weight of what they're protesting in this moment, i think, and just with the smoke in the background, all the corporate logos. you see the risk these players are taking and it's a very solemn moment. >> and this is the image, this next one that sort of helped us start the year. >> yes. we were at the inauguration. we were all in our positions. all morning. this one photographer spent hours just waiting for the departure of the president. i love looking at this picture. there's such different body language between obama and trump and it's a little bit of a rorshach test depending how you see the image but it's just them isolated in, you know in a setting where there were tons of people around them and they were set on these cold, wet, stone steps. it looks like a cloudy sky and just a very interesting moody image from that day. >> seems like so long ago. doesn't it?

>> it does. >> one year. what a year. and head over to carson. what's coming up in the orange room? >> guys, thank you so much. chaos at the happiest play on earth after a power outage hit i love you, basement guest bathroom. your privacy makes you my number 1 place to go number 2. i love you, but sometimes you stink. febreze air effects doesn't just mask, it cleans away odors. because the things you love the most can stink. and try febreze small spaces to clean away odors for up to 30 days. breathe happy with febreze.

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place on earth. plus, kids are out of school. no injuries reported, a power outage around 11:00 a.m. sarah writes, how's disneyland going to have a power outage on the day we paid about $154 per ticket. disney responded, we are very sorry for today's outage. during the power outage about a dozen attractions affected. imagine on a ride, power out. escorting kids and families off of these rides. dana tweeting, stuck with 30 minutes, three small kids. backup generator let one speaker turn on. darn song, really stuck. kids can't stop singing it. the small ride's going to die. i don't trust those dolls, another one. reached out to disney about refunds and did not hear back but are told it will be handled on a days-by-case basis.

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good thursday morning. right now at 7:56. we head out the door to some cool temperatures and some sunshine. as we are taking live look afternoon. it will be up to 64 degrees there for the high temperature oakland, expect a high of 61 there andph÷ 64 in santa rosa. ñ;#? weatherú6:; we go into the res of the week into the weekend and more clouds moving in and also a chance of rain by wednesday of next week. inland areas will be as warm as 67 degrees tomorrow with more sun. let's head over to mike for an update on how the commute is rolling. >> still very light commute obviously around the bay, but this issue would normally set off alarms during a normal commute, west 580 just getting to the shoulder, but, look, the speed sensors no slowing.

the live look shows you westbound your commute, easy, good spacing through the cars through dublin approaching the dublin interchange. the bay bridge toll plaza shows you the reason we continue to have no metering lights, we have good sunlight there, the clouds are burning off and a smooth flow down the east shore freeway, a great drive across the bay. a little fog in the north bay without any problems. back to you. >> thank you very much. happening now, security is being beefed up for new year's eve events in san francisco. in light of the foiled terror plot at pier 39 last week. this year the city is allowing non-residents to sign up for emergency text alerts just for new year's eve. plus the powerball jackpot now up to $384 million this morning after no one won last night's drawing. the winning numbers were 3, 9, 16, 56 and 60 with a powerball number of three and a power play of 3. there was one five plus power play winner for $2 million but that happened in georgia. another local news update coming up in half an hour. hope to see you then.

also join us for our midday newscast at 11. eve celebrations. the new tool now available in the south bay to report illegal fireworks. plus- kari has specialized forecasts for your holiday destinations across the state. when you join us tomorrow

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, bitter cold. more than 200 million americans bundling up as below freezing temperatures sweep over the country. while pennsylvania digs out from a record snowfall. >> we're kind of over it. >> is there any relief in sight? we've got your forecast. ♪ let me go >> plus, cashing in. >> put the button over there to subscribe. >> youtube stars bringing internet stardom to retail. >> we built a physical business out of a virtual business. >> this morning, the clever ways these digital celebs are making some cold, hard cash. ♪ yeah, that's my kind of night ♪ >> and hoppy holidays! >> oh, my gosh! what?

>> the wild gift country superstar luke bryan gave his wife that has fans swooning, "today," thursday, december 28, 2017. [ cheers ] >> so here i hear jackson wants to be a meteorologist? give the forecast? >> it's freezing cold out here. >> you traded 81 for 18. why? >> because we are "today"! >> what are you checking off your bucket list before 2018? >> rockefeller plaza! ♪ thunder, thunder >> hows this? >> both: twins turning 21 on "today." >> who do you want to say hello to this morning? >> we love you! >> this is your first trip to the plaza. >> all: all the way from the bahamas! [ cheers and applause ] and welcome back to "today." thanks for being here. i'm craig melvin along side

sheinelle jones. savannah and hoda are both out. it is 14 degrees out on the plaza right now. we're going to put on our coats and go on outside. >> a couple from the bahamas? are they sure this is what they wanted to do? goodness. we begin the half hour with your news at 8:00. we're not alone. more than 200 million americans are battling bone-chilling temperatures this morning. the worst is yet to come. ron allen is in erie, pennsylvania, where the snow finally stopped falling. ron, good morning. >> reporter: yes, it has stopped falling sheinelle and they're hoping this is a break in the action to get to work cleaning up and digging out of all the snow that's here. a historic record-breaking holiday season. i think at last count there were 65 inches of snow. that's 5.5 feet that fell in a four-day period. a snow emergency in effect, but now that's been lifted. again, they're hoping to get to digging up and out and cleaning up all of this snow. just like much of the rest of the country, they will be doing it in bone-chilling, cold temperatures. we are in the teens and single

digits here. just when you thought it might be over -- well, yeah. think again. there's now a winter storm watch in effect. perhaps as much as a foot of snow coming this way for this weekend, if you can believe that. guys, back to you. >> all right. ron allen, thank you. >> dylan is standing by. again, roughly two-thirds of this country's waking up to subzero temperatures, and our understanding is that it's going to be here until next year? huh? >> it is. sounds so far off. just until monday. seeing frigid temperatures pouring down from the north. on saturday heading into the weekend, we are going to see some scattered snow showers in and around erie, pennsylvania, as a clipper system races through and turns on the lake-effect snow machine again. on sunday, most of the country is quiet, but it's that area of high pressure that keeps the clear skies around, and clear skies at night allow temperatures to tumble. that's why we're going to see such frigid temperatures sunday morning into sunday afternoon. could be a little icy through

arkansas. something we'll key an eye on. the details of that storm ironing themselves out. could see a little ice. at midnight, lake-effect snow falling off the great lakes. brutally cold through the northern plains and pacific northwest. also only in the 30s. then at midnight, 11 degrees in new york city. if that's the actual temperature, that will be the top two coldest new year's eves of all-time and then record morning lows as we kick off the new year. sunny and frigid in the northern plains. so, yeah. it is going to start off cold in 2018. sheinelle? >> thank you, dylan. breaking overnight, attackers stormed a shia cultural center in kabul afghanistan killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens of others. officials say suicide bombers set off an explosion outside the center before detonating more explosives inside. the crowd was gathered to commemorate the 1979 soviet invasion of afghanistan, and an isis affiliate claimed responsibility for today's attack. afghanistan's president called the bombings a crime against humanity. here in new york city, more than two dozen people rescued

wednesday night after a ferry hit a sandbar and got stuck. passengers were left stranded about five hours in subfreezing temperatures. late last night pulled off the ferry and taken back to land by fire department boats. no injuries reported. this is the second such incident in a month, though, for the city's newly expanded ferry service. when a basketball coach calms time-out most nba players are busy trying to find out what the next play is. last night, irndiana's damian ad his fiancee had something else to worry about. the gender of their baby. >> we're about to find out together. what is it? what are they having this spring? it's a boy! congratulations! >> boomer, the pacers mascot on hand to help give the couple the

news. took him a couple seconds to figure it out, what the sign said. teammates there to congratulate him and eventually attention was turned back to the game. >> he did a double take. much more ahead on "today." a controversy, and then sharing the nicest things that happened in 2017. and hoda cooked up a meal for a family that empowers the spirit of "today." and what you can learn from a new generation of youtube millionaires. planning a big new year's eve party? creative ideas for fancy yet easy to make appetizers that are sure to leave your guests impressed. fi

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when it's time to eat, frida enjoys the culinary-inspired taste of meow mix bistro recipes. made with real chicken, salmon or tuna. it's the only one cats ask for by name. ♪ (christmas marching band music) (drumsticks click) we are back at 8:10 with "what's trending today" as 2017 um cans to a close, we are starting to reflect on the year that was. rounding up a list of nice things that happened this year.

we wanted to share a few. >> nice things. >> yes. amen to that. >> first up, who can forget april the giraffe? >> how many that baby doing? >> a giraffe pregnant like half the year? >> it was half the year. >> millions of folks watched that live stream event, showcased letter pregnanher pre. april gave birth to a son in april. >> tough, watching a giraffe six months, when that's the best thing -- >> very good point. >> another nice animal moment. remember our very own kerry sanders did this? rescued that dolphin during hurricane irma? >> or did the dolphin rescue kerry? we don't know. >> and another thing that happened. harry styles performs on the plaza, in that bright, pink suit. favorite moment of the year. >> they picked that moment. huh? i remember that moment, being downstairs when he was here.

he is one of the nicest guys! i mean, right? >> very polite. >> really like him. >> last, not least -- 2017, the year of twins. beyonce and jay-z, amal and george clooney, and ma ddonna a well. a lot of twins. >> something in the water. >> go around the table. what was your nice moment of 2017? >> i would have picked my twins -- kidding. my oldest. something besides that? right? i picked this moment. when i re-enact add scene from "scandal" with tony goldman. right in front of me. this -- came on -- the 9:00 hour. >> you were into it. >> this was my moment. >> she's more into it than he was. >> this was my moment, carson! i love kerry washington! i was into it. we googled the scene. you want to do a scene? he was like, sure. >> was that on youtube? i need to go back and watch t. i smell an emmy. >> she'll send it 0 to you.

she's got it on the ready. >> what's yours, craig? >> family vacation. went to hilton head. started what we hope to be a tradition. there's me, my dad and my brothers. smoked cigars. >> that's a good hang right there. >> the highlight of the year. down about a week at hilton head. you, d.? >> on my birthday. brian brought in calvin and surprised me on the show, dressed up as superman with dean cain, a/k/a superman right next to me. the ultimate surprise and wasn't expecting it at all. >> it was very, very sweet. >> calvin looked like he had a good time, too. >> he's such a cute baby. >> for you? carson? >> hate to be a downer. hurricanes, lost a lot of people. my parents passed away. greatest moment of 2017 this. this sunday night. the final ten seconds of 2017 will be my favorite part of the year, because i, and i think so many of us, desperately are

waiting to usher in a new year, a fresh start and that's what 2018 feels like sunday night at midnight. start again, put this year behind us. >> absolutely. >> cheers to you. >> and don't have a mug, do one for you. >> there you go. >> cheers. >> happy 2018. >> shall we "pop start" now? >> start. do it. forbes reveals highest grossing actor and actress. 2017's global ticket sales determined the top spot. guesses for male actor? highest grossing. think about tickets that sold. movies -- >> roughly raking in $1.6 billion with the help of xxx return of zander. vin diesel. actress? >> wonderwoman. >> is that right? >> gale gadat.

>> congratulations to them. >> and crazy. bono's latest interview making headlines. u2's singer sat down with "rolling stone" to discuss his latest album. he revealed making his album he suffered a near-death experience. didn't want to get into the particulars about what happened. it worried him. didn't want the topic to become tabloid and experienced, it had a direct impact on the album. the theme of the album focuses on mortality. shocking to read and glad he's okay now. finally, christmas may be over. many sharing the gifts received over the holiday including luke bryan's wife. making sure his wife caroline had an extra hoppy christmas. >> we have caroline's gifts. this is the brett's barn gifts. here's your purses. your two purses. take your blindfolds off. >> oh, my god!

what? -- [ laughter ] oh, my god! >> that's right! >> two? >> luke gifted not one but two baby kangaroos to his wife. >> does he realize how big they get? >> i don't know. tell him. caroline posted on instagram named them margo and todd and they are adjusts perfectly. >> are they wearing diapers? >> i hope so. >> maybe getting that blue bber massage we did yesterday. and double clicks of daily -- a dad testing out his son's hov per board. the wife is saying, this is not a good idea. >> oh! >> oh, no. >> almost crashed -- told he and his son are whipping around the neighborhood in that. eventually he figured it out. >> how about the p.j.s. >> seconds before, his wife going, please, don't. i don't foley like going to the

hospit hospital. >> and there's dad. and next, a golden retriever with a special christmas surprise. take a look. the dog unwraps the gift and gets his very own puppy. look at that. a new friend for cash. watch how excited cash gets. >> ah! >> pumped up there. >> ah! >> that's cool. >> it's like a kid who opens up a toy, like, i love it! oh, my god! an xbox. >> that's so sweet. >> that was worth two today. >> cute puppy present. guys? >> thanks for leaving u.s. with a smi smile. the forecast not making us smile so much. >> i'm sorry. but it's december, it's cold and just happens to be extra cold. take a look at what we can expect on new year's eve in times square. mostly clear. those clear skies allowing temperatures to drop down to 11 degrees. the windchill will be around zero. so that's right at midnight. so it is going to be cold all night long, and how does this

stand and compare to some of the previous new year's eves? well, the coldest its ever been was 1 degree in 1917. 1972, 11 degrees. if we hit 11, ties for the top two cold new year's eve on record. windchill, as cold as 21 below. i don't think we'll break a record as far as windchill is concerned but pretty brutal for all of those folks standing outside in new york city on sunday night. we do have some snow that will move through the western great lakes. it's a clipper system, and as it races through the great lakes into the weekend, we are going to see more lake-effect snow especially in areas like erie, pennsylvania. it's chilly this morning down through parts of texas. sunny and dry in the south west and all the way down in southern florida, it's 81 degrees. so one of that's a look at the weather across the country. now here's a peek out your window. >> good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. we also have some really nice weather here in the bay area. a lot of sunshine. that will help warm our temperatures up a few degrees

over yesterday. we'll be up to the low 60s for the inland areas. livermo livermore, 63 degrees. 64 in morgan hill and san jose. we'll be up to 59 degrees for the high in san francisco. over the next few days, we keep the dry weather. mostly sunny skies. we'll start to see clouds on new year's day. we'll be followed by some rain by the middle of next week. now to this week's special look at the best of "today." some of our most memorable stories of 2017. >> for pink power today, hoda introduced us to erin ludwig a courageous woman battling breast cancer. sadly, she lost that fight earlier in the year. hoda showed us erin's strength and love live on in her husband and children. >> yeah! >> yeah! good job. >> reporter: there's no question 35-year-old jason ludwig is an amazing dad. he knows how to play in the yard. >> you want to have a race to get the ball? >> reporter: make his kids lafr

and even make a hurt feel better. >> that feel better? >> yeah. >> okay, good. >> reporter: but just a year ago, the last time we visited with the ludwigs he was not doing this alone. jason was raising these precious girls with his beloved wife erin, battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. >> the difficult talks -- they've been, you know, been difficult, and so we've talked about, you know, like the future and everything like that, but not -- not too much. we treat it more as, you know, tomorrow is not promised. live every moment, in the moment. >> reporter: where's erin? >> whew! yeah! >> reporter: getting to meet erin -- >> hi, erin. >> hey, hoda. >> reporter: and experiencing her courage and her family's courage is something i'll never forget, and i will never forget her simple wish -- a family portrait, and to be surrounded by those she loved.

just a few short months later, our beautiful erin passed away. but erin's legacy of love is ever-present. aubrey is now almost 3. savannah, just turned 6. and jason is finding strength in the memories of his wife. even as he learns a few new skills. >> so i learned how to braid by watching youtube videos. >> reporter: like braiding hair. >> there we go. >> reporter: or cooking spaghetti. >> realizes life's moving on whether you're ready or not. either jump onboard or get left behind is the way i look at it. >> reporter: and some mile stoermilestones are especially bittersweet woo. >> happy and sad. accomplished this milestone. it's like -- erin never got to see that, really. it feels like since march it's -- the time has gone by very fast, but --

it feels like forever since she passed. you know? >> reporter: one thing is for certain, jason and his sweet girls are doing the best they can. and i couldn't wait to see them again. ♪ >> you're okay. come on. >> ah! >> ooh. what is that? >> bears. >> are those big bears. >> hoda! >> hi! come here! >> who's that, aubrey? >> hi! >> hoda -- >> hi, aubrey. i remember -- can i hold you for a second? >> here, daddy! >> what a surprise. >> look, i want to show you one quick thing. on the bottom of the feet, this one says -- aubrey! >> and that one says -- >> both: savannah! >> thank you. >> reporter: watching you with those girls just melts my heart. how are you doing? >> um, it's a struggle, every day. just getting into our routine now instead of, you know, when

erin was here. >> how often do you talk about erin? >> every day. every single day. we'll just be doing something, a little thing will remind me of her. just like mommy used to do, or that's what mommy liked. >> we love your girls so much and you know that. we wanted to do something to help. we know a couple things are heavy on your heart. you have to cook and you've got to keep the house clean. so blue apron, an outfit that helps with meals will provide feels more you guys for a year. >> wow. >> and metjets, the group that flew in your entire family last time i was here, agreed to donate $10,000 to help with all of that housework. so don't worry about the mops. don't worry about the vacuums. don't worry about any of it, it's taken care of for you. >> that is awesome. thank you so much. >> reporter: walking along the beach it was so incredible to see the girls be their happy-go-lucky selves. a wonderful tribute to jabe jasd

to erin. >> reporter: watching your girls. they seem carefree, what are your hopes as they grow up? >> that they'll follow in erin's footsteps and be strong, opinionated and be themselves and have the same values that erin has. >> reporter: it is clear they already do. >> yep. >> goodness. >> one of the strongest stories we did all year. seeing it the first time and for all of us who have kids, seeing the resilience and strength in jason in a world without erin and how he's been able to just cope. so heroically. gives me chills. >> wasn't a dry eyes in the house when we heard that story. >> those girls hit the parent lottery, too. >> they did. coming up, a look at some of the legends lost in 2017. also, the youtube stars cashing in on their online fame as we count down to the new year. we have some last-minute appetizer ideas as well for your night of celebration, but first, your local news. i )m ...

continuing coverage this good morning. it's 8:26. i'm marcus washington. continuing coverage this morning of the hayward chp officer who was killed in the line of duty. a public memorial service is now being planned for saturday, for officer andrew camareli. it will be held at the christian life center in stockton. an end of watch ceremony was held for the officer in west sacramento at chp's training facility. a donation site has been set up for the family. we posted a link on our website nbcbayarea.com. for your morning commute, mike has a look at what's going on traffic wise, not much. >> not a whole lot at all. we've been searching for last three mornings for anything major to report. we don't have anything major to report. at the bay bridge, there is a crash reported there. a look at the live shot.

no meter lights and no backup. there was a fender bender reported over here. but they've all cleared as well. that's great stuff. another live look, this time in san jose. great sunshine so maybe the sunglasses is what you need heading south across the peninsula and the east bay. the sunshine slowdown might be an issue. an even light drive through the curve. back to you. >> smooth sailing. wish it could be like that every morning. i'll have another local news update for you in half an hour.

[ cheers and applause ] good morning! 8:30 now on this thursday morning, december 28, 2017. we've been talking a lot about the extreme cold all morning. so finally, it was our time to step outside and experience this. 14 degrees! >> man! this is a real -- anyone can come to the plaza in may or june or july, were ut it takes real "today" show fans to show up when it's 14 degrees. >> it's cold! >> thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! >> so we have someone we want to highlight this morning. >> okay. >> a special birthday on the plaza. all the way over here.

i hear -- where's haley? haley! it's your 14th birthday? >> yeah. >> who all do you have here with you? >> all of my friends. nicole, kiley, cheyenne. >> and your dad. >> yeah. >> i love this. i woke up at 4:30 for this -- so how was it at 4:30 this morning in 14-degree weather with a whole bunch of girls? >> there's not enough coffee in the world! >> we hope you have a very wonderful birthday. >> thank you. >> and good luck to you. >> thank you. >> i hope you get more coffee. >> i will. thank you. >> happy birthday, haley! >> happy birthday! >> so fun. >> thank you, dylan. coming up here, modern day moguls turning their internet fame into real-life fortunes and what we could all be learning from them to perhaps cash in. >> i'll take notes on that one. then what are you serving guests for new year's eve? great ideas and recipes that will be like gourmet and you can

do them in a few minutes. one of the best to show us how to do it. >> first, dylan a check of the weather? >> yeah. cold and more cold for most of the country, too. really no place except southern florida that is enjoying anything other than the cold. so we are looking at windchills down in the -- teens, below zero. marquette, 17 degrees below zero. chicago is only a 5 degree windchill, actual air temperature, too. also looking at syracuse -- or part -- my mouth is so frozen. 82 below zero. does anybody know what that feels like? outrageous. we have snow that's moving through the western great lakes. a quick clipper and then moves eastward tomorrow through the great lakes. we'll see more snow develop in areas like erie, pennsylvania, already buried under feets of snow and see more lake-effect snow.

pacific northwest, more snow and ice especially across the rockies. and northern florida, temperatures in the 60s and 70s, and it's going to remain very much below average in the that's a look at the weather across the country. now here's a peek out your window. >> a lot of sunshine and a nice cool start as our temperatures are in the mid-30s. 35 degrees right now in the north bay. we've also had some patchy fog. we're going to see a little bit of fog rolling across the bay near san francisco. 47 degrees now with our high of 59 degrees later today. some low 60s for the inland area. and we will continue on with this kind of weather even as we go into the weekend, staying dry and maybe a slight chance of rain early next year. and that's your latest forecast. sheinelle and craig? >> all right, dylan. thank you. now to the very big business of youtube. entrepreneurs using the site and the fame it can bring to make millions.

here's nbc's business correspondent jo ling kent. >> reporter: from rachael ray -- >> it's so beautiful. i love this. i'm obsessed. >> reporter: to ellen degeneres. >> they're so, so soft. what i love about them. >> reporter: celebrities long used their fame to hawk their own line of products. now the next generation is taking a page from the same playbook. youtube stars cashing in. >> finally, we arrived at this formula. >> it smells clean and smart. and funny. >> reporter: over a billion hours of video are watched on youtube every day according to forbes, the top ten youtube stars earn a combined $127 million this year, from ad revenue alone. on top of the list, daniel middleton, evan phuong and dude perfect. [ cheers ] and now some influencers are leveraging their fame in the real word branding their own merchandise to sell to millions of followers. >> the smartest influencers know

that their fame has an expiration date, and if they want to have a career out of this, they can't just be an influencer, have to be bigger than that. they have to be a brand. >> reporter: between homecoming and gymnastic classes, these two document their every move and song on their youtube channel. >> we are here today with the "today" show. jo interviewed us. >> reporter: they are putting their own line of products branded with a double b in front of their 4 million subscribers. >> i call it an everyday line. we have t-shirts, wallets, pencils. >> reporter: was merchandizing something your followers were asking for? >> anytime we'd post an oo tv they would want the outfit we were wearing. >> the outfit of the day. >> yes. and we were seeing they were wanting the things we were wearing and decided to create something of our own to feel

more connected to us. >> reporter: they did not say how much they're pulling in, other than the line is doing well. they're saving all of that money they make for college tuition. >> on the weekdays we go to school. it's very normal. we have math homework, too, but at the same time live a totally different life. going to business meetings. >> reporter: another youtube star cooking up a success story. >> hey, guys. welcome to another nerd. >> reporter: baker rosanna panxeno. >> just arrived -- >> reporter: caught up with her on a road trip across america promoting a new line of kitchen tools. >> it feels surreal. it is the only word i can think to describe it. >> reporter: fans anxiously waiting in line to get their hands on aprons, mixing bowls, cookie cutters and sprinkles. >> this is the first time i've ever made a baking line. so i learned so much about the process. there's so much work that goes into it. >> reporter: you built a physical business out of a

virtual business. >> i knew it was possible to have a career online, and make a living creating content full-time, but i do know that i didn't know it wa happen for me. >> she's amazing. >> reporter: why? >> she's like the coolest person in the world. >> just to watch her. >> reporter: turning virtual fame into a real world of fortune. for "today," nbc, los angeles. >> crazy, right? >> what can i come up with to be a star? >> you're too late. my 5-year-old daughter, if i let her, she will watch youtube all day long. she watches other little kids play with dolls all day. or toys. my kids, videos, and what are these videos? can you put them on youtube? no! >> my kid would rather watch other kids their own age play with the same toys that they have and could be playing with. it's weird. >> it is weird. >> like, you have that toy five feet away. you don't have to watch nor kid

play with it. up next, sure to class up that new year's eve party. we're going to eat. apparently at 8:30 in the morning. >> tequila, too. >> but first, is is "today" on th

all right. finally. back with "today food." this morning, appetizers for new year's eve, fancy enough for your guests yet super easy to make. executive chef of a brand new restaurant here in new york, the loyal, received rave rue vievie tuesday. >> so many restaurants, lucky to be reviewed. >> and to get a great one, like you did. >> right. >> walk us through appetizers. people are coming over, want to step it up but no idea where to begin. >> right. a couple things going through this morning, things to eat with your hands. number one.

number two, super easy to prepare and can be ready for when your guests arrive. >> okay. >> right? we're going to start with the shrimp toast. it's something you would see typically on, like, a chinese menu. >> something i would never attempt to make. look at the ingredients. it's really not that complicated. >> it's not. it's yesterday's toast, basically. rock shrimp. >> you hear the noise, it's our oil. >> serrano chilies, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, egg and -- >> you can pre-prep this in the morning, chopping it all up and just dump it in? >> we're doing this yesterday. right? we're going to sweat this. the vegetables in the pan. basically take them into soft. right? >> what do you have in here? aromatics? >> right. >> what are they? >> a lot of oil. bloom the oil with the heat. right? then soften the vegetables. vegetables mixed in with our shrimp. >> how long do you sweating this stuff? >> five minutes. take it out. go into the refrigerator.

happens yesterday. this also happens yesterday. >> when you go to make this, you're making this -- this whole thing is done in ten minutes if you've done the pre-pep. >> the idea, you have time for your guests, yes. aromatics in here. using rock shrimp. could use whole de-veined shrimp. >> fresh or frozen? >> fresh is better. go into this with eggs, sesame oil and soy sauce. this is really screaming here. >> getting hot. >> see what this does. okay. not going to puree too much. the right thing here. yeah. and we're going to pulse this. right away. right? not to a complete puree -- just so you know it's still shrimp but it's going to spread easily on to toast. you still know it's shrimp. we have some pre-prepped here. >> what do you have for toast? any old toast? >> i like wonder bread, but use

whatever you want. push it into the bread. >> you're actually going to fry that whole thing? >> exactly. some here. drop it straight into the oil. >> how hot is the oil? >> about 350. it will take five or seven minutes, something like this. you'll know it's done, pick it with a knife and it comes out a little warm. >> have you had the shrimp? >> so good. i finished the shrimp toast and the tater tots. >> how do you know it's done? >> when you pick it with a knife are and it comes out warm. >> hmm. surprised that the shrimps adheres to the bread. >> the eggs. epg eggs of the magic glue for that. come out of the fryer. >> garnish it with something green. >> made a little slaw with avocado, celery and applish finished with cilantro. get it on there. >> and set up the next one. you're going to do -- >> we have tater tots. serve those with caviar and sour cream. >> that's delicious. >> obviously, tater tots, all had them as kids.

nostalgic and a grown-up garnish with caviar. this is sour cream. push in a little bit. is that your watch? >> yeah. sorry. >> nice work. lemon juice. load it into a squeeze bottle so it's nice and easy to throw on to the plate. >> sour cream and lemon juice? >> yes. and tater tots, already cooked an on skewers. >> exactly. easy to handle. you don't have to get sour cream all over your fingers. go with caviar. what do you prefer? red, black. >> i prefer the black. >> cavern jaiar, sturgeon. >> american caviar has come a long way in the last five years. that's where i would go with it. >> how do you like the caviar on the tater tot? >> i have a happy plate. >> what a great combination. >> who ever heard of that? >> and that goes on top of that. >> the way to do it. really! the only thing i cook.

>> get in on that, too. last, not least, reward ourselves. right? we've got a cocktail. cocktail's going to be made with tequila grapefruit juice. >> unbelievable. >> not bad, right? >> this drink is amazing. >> so good. >> pace yourselves it's only 8:45. >> and stir this up. >> what's in that again? >> repasato tequila, grapefruit juice, sugar and bitters. >> okay. this is not a champaign drink? >> it is. >> it is? >> exactly. >> doesn't that make it a long island iced tea somehow? >> it all goes back to that. doesn't it? >> exactly. >> strain this in here. >> okay. >> i'm going to have you top that with champaign. >> oh. at the end, just a little -- wow. this is nice. >> you got it. >> this is like a fancy -- >> shall we do a little cheers? >> snakebite. >> cheers. >> cheers. >> appreciate it very much. happy new year. >> happy new year to you. how about that?

step up your party, go to the website, do all this you'll look good at today.com/food. much more ahead on this thursday morning. eat up, guys. >> so good. >> appreciate it. >> first, this is "today" on nbc. happy new year!

welcome dylan, let's set brailcelebrate birthdays. >> turn around the smucker's jars. and this lovely lady from hoboken, new jersey, celebrating his 100th birthday. ed thoems, somerset, kentucky, 101, worked for ford motor company climbing his way up the ladder more than 60 years. happy 100th birthday to elizabeth nimmo of willoughby, ohio. loves to dance and produced many musicals and dance pageants.

good for her. and mr. matt watley, celebrating 100 years from minneapolis, minnesota. didn't retire until he was 99. wow. and from runville, minnesota, this woman is 101 years olds has 33 grandkids and 48 great-grandkids. getting a lot of birthday cards this year. and a retired teacher from iowa. she says the secret to longevity is having a fantastic sense of humor. love to have a nice meal we with her and hear some jokes. if you no someone celebrating a 100th birthday, send them to us and don't forget that picture. >> we're back in a moment. this is "today" on nbc.

back at 8:51. from actors to activists to moguls and musicians we said good guy a number of legends this year. >> and this morning wanted to pay tribute to some of those we lost in 2017. ♪ >> hi, guys! ♪ who can turn the world on with her smile ♪ ♪ >> i never dreamed i'd ever get to do something like this. >> i wanted "benson" to embody the american dream. ♪ >> an especially nice touch, clarise. ♪ ♪ go, johnny go, go

johnny b. goode ♪ ♪ ain't that a shame my girl fell like rain ♪ ♪ >> that's what i do. i laugh at life. ♪ >> jerry lewis! >> good evening to you. welcome to the muscular dystrophy telethon. [ applause ] ♪ ♪ like a rhinestone cowboy riding out on a horse ♪ ♪ i've got to run to keep ♪ black hole sound won't you come ♪ ♪ it doesn't even matter

>> roy holliday has thrown a no hitter! >> and denver recovered. oh, my! >> hi. and welcome to playboy's penthouse. >> my name is bond. james bond. ♪ ♪ oh, yes, i'm thankful for this beautiful day ♪ >> shazam! ♪ batman ♪ ♪ these days >> i'm going to tell mom on you! ♪ ♪ i think i love you

i think i love you ♪ no ♪ she was an american girl ♪ and i'm free, free falling, now i'm free falling ♪ free falling ♪ free falling, i'm free falling ♪ yeah, i'm free ♪ >> we lost a lot this year. >> hmm. yeah. >> a lot of big names every year, obviously. you look at that, seems like a generational change. names, icons people grew up in our generation watching from "happy days" to the original "batman." >> you watch a spot like that and feel emotions with each person that comes through. >> roger moore. >> all the memories tied to them. >> absolutely. quite a year. >> quite a year indeed. that's all the time we have. megyn kelly is straight ahead, but first, your local news. i )m - -...

the man accused of plotting a good morning. it's 8:56. i'm marcus washington. the man accused of plotting a christmas day terror attack at the popular tourist spot is due in court later this morning. charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. he was arrested after investigators say he communicated with an fbi informant who he believed was an isis leader. a public memorial service is being planned for saturday for fallen chp officer andrew

camaleri. at the christian life center in stockton. yesterday, an end of watch ceremony was held for the officer in west sacramento at chp's training facility. happening now, security is being beefed up for new year's eve. events right here in san francisco. in light of the foiled terror plot in pier 39 last week. this year, the city is allowing nonresidents to sign up for emergency text alerts just for new year's eve. plus, the power ball jackpot is now at $384 million this morning. after nobody won the drawing last night. the winning numbers were 3, 9, 16, 56 and 60 with a power ball number of 3 and power play of 3. there was one five-plus winner and still a lot more to go. eve celebrations.

the new tool now available in the south bay to report illegal fireworks. plus- kari has specialized forecasts for your holiday destinations across the state. when you join us tomorrow

my wish was a clubhouse, but we call it "the wish house." people visit national parks from all over the world. food tastes better when you don't have to cook it. he was just supposed to be my dog. i don't know why. (vo) we're proud that, on behalf of our owners, the subaru share the love event will have donated over one hundred fifteen million dollars in just ten years. get 0% financing for 63 months on select models.

this morning on "megyn kelly today" a hopeful holiday. meet the chef who warms hearts and fills stomachs with the help of 9 red kettle brick gad. then, how to break the new year without breaking the bank. uncorking the truth whether in a bottle of wine is worth the big bucks. plus, sultry and smoking looks for yo eyes from one of magazine's most influential people on the internet. all that and more on "megyn kelly today" right now. >> hi! [ cheers and applause ] hello! . hi, everybody. hello. hello, and welcome to the show, everybody. i'm megyn kelly. we have a great show for you today including how to make your eyes hot and