alert is over. the rest of the bay moving very nicely. >> all right. things move nicely. thank you very much. that is what's happening "today in the bay." we'll be back at 7:25. good morning. breaking overnight. miracle mine rescue. three people brought to safety after spending four days trapped in an abandoned coal mine in west virginia. >> it was terrible. >> this morning what they are saying about their agonizing ordeal. pressure intensifies. president trump feeling the heat after his former lawyer is sentenced to three years in prison telling the judge he covered up for the president. >> mr. president, did michael cohen cover up your dirty deeds? >> what's next for the president and the investigation? we're live at the white house. deadly collision. a high speed train slams into

another train overnight and crashes into a busy station platform in turkey's capital. at least nine people killed. nearly 50 others hurt. crews rushing to save passengers from debris. those stories plus rare and revealing first lady melania trump speaking out. what she's saying about her chemistry with the president. frightening crash. a military jet goes down near a popular beach in hawaii setting off a scramble by tourists to save the pilot. and reunited. >> that's right. they are. it's still there. come on out. >> ellen's special surprise for a couple that accidentally dropped an engagement ring down a grate in times square. >> oh, my gosh. >> today, thursday, december 13th, 2018. >> from nbc news, this is

"today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1 a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today." thank you for joining us on this thursday morning. it's not every day we get to lead with a good news story. but today is that day. >> it is. so much happiness and relief in the little down in west virginia. >> we do want to get right to it. the remarkable story that played out overnight. three people rescued from an abandoned mine where they were trapped deep underground since saturday. nbc's kevin tibbles is with us at a hospital. >> reporter: hi. >> reporter: it was a night of celebration and relief here in coal country as a very tired, dirty and scared group was reunited with loved ones after being checked out here in a charleston hospital. >> praise the lord. >> reporter: overnight an emotional celebration. the relieved families of the three remaining young people stuck in an abandoned west virginia coal mine reunited with

their loved ones after four excruciating days underground. >> it was terrible. >> reporter: codey beverly, one of the rescued, thankful his grandfather has forgiven him for what he says was a bad decision to enter the mine in the first place. erica treadway came out without any shoes. >> i couldn't get my feet warm. >> reporter: kayla williams shouting back to her loved ones as she's taken away for medical treatment. overwhelming gratefulness, especially for the rescuers who got them out safely. >> i thank them from the bottom of my heart. >> reporter: the mission to find them was a harrowing one. the fourth member of the group was able to find his way out monday, telling police where to find the others. rescue teams navigated from both ends of the abandoned mine through a maze of tunnels, at times forced to postpone the

search due to lack of oxygen. >> we didn't quit and found them. >> reporter: of course questions and an investigation remain as to why the four friends were down there in the first place. did you ever give up hope? >> no. >> reporter: but for now these families just grateful their prayers were answered ahead of the holidays. >> we appreciate every one of you guys. everybody. >> everybody involved in searching for us, i want to thank you with everything inside of me. this is the biggest lesson i've ever learned in my life. this is a life-changing experience for me. >> definitely. >> reporter: an investigation is pending as to why the group was in the mine. it is illegal to enter abandoned mines in the state. and some family members have suggested they were down there trying to find copper wire that they could sell. savannah, hoda, back to you. >> whatever reason, we're just

happy that they are out with their families. >> i love that he says that's the biggest lesson i've ever learned. i hope he learned how much the community cares about him. this morning pressure is building on the president after the sentencing of his former lawyer michael cohen. his former lawyer and fixer telling the judge he helped cover up what cohen called the president's, quote, dirty deeds. we have two reports. we'll start with kristen welker. good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning, a defiant president trump tweeting i never directed michael hocohen to break the la. he is a lawyer and she is supposed to know the law. despite that campaign laws adding michael has great liability to me. this morning amid the dramatic down fall of his long-time fixer, michael cohen, president trump brushing aside questions about his former lawyer's fate. >> mr. president, did michael cohen cover up your dirty deeds? >> reporter: cohen sentenced to three years in prison for financial crimes, lying to congress about his contacts with russians and campaign finance

violations including illegal hush money payments to stormy daniels and karen mcdougal, designed to keep alleged affairs with mr. trump quiet. the president and his aides have denied those affairs. reaction from capitol hill swift and sharp. top democrat senator dianne feinstein saying these are serious criminal allegations and they demand further scrutiny from congress. republicans also weighing in. >> anytime a former lawyer of yours goes to jail is probably not a good day. but i have yet to see any evidence coming from mr. cohen of collusion and that's what started the mueller investigation. >> reporter: cohen and federal prosecutors say he made the illegal payments at mr. trump's direction, appearing in federal court. an emotional cohen said it was my own weakness and blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light. adding, i felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds, rather

than to listen to my own innervoice and my moral compass. president trump has offered shifting explanations about the hush money payments. did you know about the $130,000 payments to stormy daniels? months later changing his story. did you know about the payments? >> later on i knew. >> reporter: this week the president down played the money as a simple private transaction. not a campaign contribution. that's been undercut by a dramatic development. federal prosecutors announcing they won't file charges against david pecker, publisher of the "national enquirer" whose company ami wrote the $150,000 payment to karen mcdougal. prosecutors say as part of the deal ami admitted the principal purpose was to suppress the woman's story to keep it from influencing the election. all this as cohen vows to keep cooperating with federal prosecutors in new york and

special counsel robert mueller. >> the president did an interview just this week where he said he wasn't concerned about impeachment, people would revolt if it happened but i know you have new reporting on this topic this morning. >> reporter: that's right. sources familiar with the president's conversations tell us president trump has privately told some friends and allies that he is worried about the prospect of impeachment and fueling the concerns, some republican lawmakers have signalled cracks in their wall of support. senator marco rubio of florida saying over the weekend, that no one is above the law. it is important to underscore that largely republican lawmakers have shrugged off all the latest twists and turns in the investigation. we reached out to the white no comments.y much. we're hearing from a key member of the trump administration this morning. the first lady is speaking out in a rare and candid new interview. nbc's chief white house correspondent hallie jackson joins us with this story. hey, hallie, good morning. >> reporter: hi, hoda, good

morning to you. on board the uss george h.w. bush, melania trump defended the president and took on the press. this morning the first lady opening up. >> i think my husband is doing an incredible job. >> reporter: melania trump talking about her marriage and the media. >> what's been the hardest thing you have to deal with? >> i would say the opportunists who are using my name or my family name to advance themselves from comedians to journalists, to performers, bookwriters. >> does it hurt? >> it doesn't hurt. the problem is they are writing the history, and it's not correct. >> reporter: the rare interview, just her second extended sit-down since becoming first lady. >> is there a moment you realized this is real? >> it's incredible, especially when you think about it, your life, where you were born, and all the steps you took.

i took a lot of steps. it's not just like you end up here. you learn a lot on the way here. you need to have very thick skin. >> reporter: to that end she's taken a stance against online bullying. the critics say her be best campaign often seems at odds with her husband's twitter tirades. >> i don't agree with his tone sometimes and i tell him that. as i said before, sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn't. >> have you ever stopped him like he was going to say something -- >> i said to him, you know, i don't think you need to put that out, but in the end, it's his decision. he knows the consequences. he's an adult, but he's a fighter. >> reporter: the first lady sharing more about how she and her husband first met. >> we had a great chemistry when we met in 1998, and we started dating, and we dated for a long time before we got married. we got married and had a son,

but we had a great chemistry from the day one. >> what would you want america to know about him behind the scenes that maybe they don't see or know? that maybe the media would never portray about him? >> that he's fighting for america and the american people every day. every day. he wants to govern the right way, and sometimes it's tough because you can see the media wants to bash and focus on negativity. >> reporter: mrs. trump was also asked about speculation, rumors about her marriage. she blasted the media for focusing on what she called gossip and nonsense, and said she would prefer it if reporters would focus on the substance. by the way, during her visit yesterday to thank troops for their service, mrs. trump hit a milestone, she became the first first lady ever to fly on an

osprey aircraft. >> a first. all right. thank you. craig joins us with breaking news. >> yes. good morning. a search for survivors underway after a high speed train crashed in a station in turkey's capital. nbc's kelly cobiella has been following this. kelly, good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. nine people are now confirmed dead in this. this high speed train was supposed to sail straight through the small station. it was only five miles into its trip when it barreled into a maintenance train on the same track. the high speed train, a pile of mangled metal this morning. a pedestrian bridge in pieces on top of it. rescuers pulling bodies from the wreckage. they scrambled in the dark for hours trying to free passengers from the twisted train. more than 200 were on board. dozens were hurt. some able to walk away. but at least three are critically injured. the crash happened in the early morning hours at a station west of the capital. ankara's governor said the high

speed train hit another train inspecting the tracks. the high speed train's front carriage jackknifed, landing on the station platform. the bridge collapsing on top of it. it's turkey's second major train accident this year. in july ten were killed and more than 70 injured when a passenger train derailed in the northwestern part of the country. that crash blamed on torrential rains which caused part of the track to collapse. this morning it's still not clear how fast these two trains were traveling or why they were on the same track. questions now for turkish investigators. and confirmed among the dead this morning are three train engineers and six passengers. rescuers say they're confident no one else is trapped. guys, back to you. >> kelly, thank you. the manhunt intensifying for the suspected gunman in the deadly christmas market shooting

in france. richard engel is there for us. richard, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. the death toll in this attack went up this morning. five people remain in serious condition. and police here want to find this suspect before he carries out another attack or tries to go out in some blaze of glory. the manhunt across france intensified this morning to find the shooter who killed at least three shoppers at a christmas market in strosbourg before he attacks again. police asked the public for help and blasted out an apb to find this man. a suspected isis inspired career criminal, french police say, a 29-year-old born in france. 27 convictions for theft and violence. radicalized to extremist islam, police say, while in prison. he had been on a terrorist watch list. elizabeth oserwitch was in the market. she almost ran into the gunfire but changed direction at the

last minute. >> if i had stayed a second longer or done something differently, you know, i could have been right there. >> reporter: how does that make you feel that you were one step away or one place away from being in the wrong place at the wrong time? >> i just feel lucky and i also feel sad. that was -- it was someone's life. it was someone's vacation. it was someone's journey here. >> reporter: police say they exchanged fire with the man, wounding him in the arm. he managed to escape by hijacking a taxi. the driver, police tell us, says the man told him the attack was to avenge his brothers in syria where isis has been taken a beating. france is mourning this as yet another act of terrorism. moments of silence in government, and the all too familiar display of national grief, the eiffel tower went black. the christmas market remains closed as this city and this

country search for a killer. several of the man's relatives have been detained. none of them providing police with information about his current whereabouts. back to you. >> richard, thank you. let's turn to cool images from outer space that we have to show you. first the first selfie taken by nasa's insight land. it's stitched together from 11 different images. the spacecraft landed on mars last weak and will spend the next two years probing the interior of the red planet. next up, the parker solar probe. it made the closest ever approach to the sun. this shows the sun's outer atmosphere. notice the corona. that photo was snapped when the spacecraft was 16.9 million miles from the star. >> i love the selfies from nasa. al is here with a coast to coast winter storm. hi, al, good morning. >> good morning. thank you for getting your first weather from us. the good news is this is a

warmer storm. we're seeing snow now in new mexico making its way into texas where we have a few winter weather advisories. as it pushes east, it's strengthening. wind and rain in the southern plains. we're looking for a strong storm risk for the south as we move into the gulf. friday that pushes into the southeast. into the northeast later making for airport delays from atlanta to new york. and then this weekend it lingers along the coast. we're looking at rain from raleigh all the way into new york, with a mixed bag of precipitation as you make your way into the interior northeast. impacts today. strong winds. 34 million people under some sort of wind advisory today with gusts of over 60 miles per hour. we're talking about severe weather today from texas into louisiana. tomorrow into central and northern florida. can't rule out an isolated tornado or two. heavy rain and flooding as well. moisture from the atlantic and the gulf combining for heavy rain anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of rain isolated. melting snow in the carolinas could increase the flood threat. we're going to get to your local

forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds.

a big change in the jetstream. what does that mean? we'll have the details coming up. coming up, new developments in the mysterious disappearance of a colorado mom. what her mother is now revealing about their final conversation. and dramatic video. the scramble by tourists to save a pilot after this frightening military jet crash near a popular beach in hawaii. but first on a thursday morning, this is "today" on nbc.

just ahead, the couple who dropped an engagement ring down a drain gets a special surprise from ellen. and

wake up.

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making wrinkles look so last week. rapid wrinkle repair® pair with new retinol oil for 2x the wrinkle fighting power. neutrogena® police are investigating an early morning good morning. 7:26. police are investigating an early morning deadly shooting in east palo alto. it happened about 12:30 on beach street and shore breeze court. now, investigators are still on that scene, combing through clues. in the last few minutes, police gave us an updaut. necessity say that victim is an unidentified 19-year-old local man and that he died at the scene. police are not telling us if they know of a possible motive or if this is gang-related. we also don't know if they identified a possible suspect here. we want to get a look at your forecast with meteorologist kari hall. >> here's a live look at san

jose. christmas in the park. beautiful start to the day. heading over to willow glenn we'll be in the low 40s and reaching into the low 60s which is warmer than normal. we'll see nice and nice afternoons in inland valleys heading up to mid-60s. we'll mostly be for the north bay, chance of showers. another round of some more widespread rain will sweep from north to south by sunday evening into the start of the new work week. we'll continue to track that. let's get an update on the commute from mike. >> the richmond/san rafael bridge westbound moves smoothly but eastbound is a problem. i told you there were bits of concrete. it's actually blocks of concrete. the countercommute unexpectedly slow for the lower deck. crash cleared 680 out of walnut creek. the south bay, your northbound

commute continues to build. silicon valley moving well. we'll have another local news update coming up in 30 minutes. this little home of mine,

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♪ to let our great state shine. ♪ let it shine, ♪ the power's ours to let it shine! ♪ you guys you guys dropped something? >> we did. >> oh, my gosh. >> i'm shaking again. one moment. >> oh, back at 7:30. ellen had a great surprise for a newly engaged couple. they reunited them with the ring they accidentally dropped in times square. can you imagine? >> and he's proposing again. what a moment. >> one for the ages. we'll get to that in a moment. let's start with a check of the headlines. in west virginia three people missing since last weekend were found alive overnight inside an abandoned coal mine.

families are reunited with their loved ones after four days. they were alive and grateful to the rescuers who pulled them out. >> what was it like in there? >> it was terrible. >> a fourth member of the group was able to find his way out monday, telling police where to find the others. there are still questions this morning as to why the four friends were down there in the first place. at least nine people were killed, dozens more injured in a high speed train crash in turkey. it hit a maintenance engine on the same track and then crashed into a pedestrian overpass at a station west of turkey's capital. parts of the overpass then collapsed on to the rain. rescuers tried to free passengers from the wreckage. more than 200 people were on board. the cause of the crash is under investigation. now to a bizarre bust at jfk airport in new york.

u.s. customs and border protection stopped a passenger and discovered they were smuggling 70 live birds hidden in hair rollers in a duffel bag. i'm sorry. the passenger just arrived from south american where the finches were turned over to u.s. agriculture. it's an attempt to stop the spread of bird flu. >> a little unintentional humor there. >> yeah. in the meantime the mother of that woman in colorado who vanished on thanksgiving day is speaking out in a new interview. police are expanding the search for her daughter. joe fryer has the latest. >> reporter: good morning. today marks three weeks since kelsey berreth's disappearance. she vanished on thanksgiving. now her fiance's attorney is speaking out. we sat down with her mom who says her main focus is spreading the word about her daughter. >> i still know somebody knows where she's at. somebody has seen her. there's more information out there. somebody just needs to recognize and to say something. >> reporter: has she ever disappeared before? >> no.

no. i can't think of anywhere she's ever gone that she hasn't told me. it's just not in her character to just take off and be gone. >> reporter: thanksgiving is the last known time she was in public. it was at a safeway store where she was captured by the store's security cameras. her mom says she spoke with kelsey by phone that day twice. what did you talk about that day? >> it was small things. initially she needed a recipe. >> reporter: based on that conversation, there was nothing to make you believe anything was wrong? >> exactly, yeah. her voice was fine. yeah. it was a normal day for her. >> reporter: kelsey's fiance told police he last saw her thanksgiving afternoon when he picked up their daughter. kelsey was not reported missing until ten days later by her mother. >> patrick has done he has been asked for by law enforcement. >> reporter: the attorney says his client has been interviewed

by law enforcement voluntarily released his phone to be searched by investigators, and provided photographs along with cheek swabs for dna. police have said the fiance is cooperating. >> i have no reason to believe he is a suspect, and the police have not isolated him as a suspect in this case. >> reporter: they do not live together but berreth's mother says their bond is strong. >> the relationship is good. they're loving. very she remains hopeful her daughter will be found. >> the speculation isn't helpful. just share the photo. there's more important things to be done. >> reporter: at this point police say the case remains a missing persons investigation. >> in the back of my mind sure, there's a possibility something else could have happened, but it does me no good to go down that road, and i don't think it does kelsey any good either. >> wow. at the news conference on monday her family was there, but kelsey's fiance was not. did his attorney say why that

was the case? >> reporter: yeah. his attorney says his client only had an hour's notice otherwise he would have been there. his attorney also says he's advising his client not to speak publicly right now because he doesn't want to taint any investigation. back to you. now to the scary scene off the waters of hawaii. a military jet crashing near a popular beach during an exercise for hawaii's national guard. miguel almaguer has details on that. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: faa officials say they don't know why the military jet went down. the pilot is a civilian contractor and suffering from injuries after he ejected. just before his plane hit the water. the frightening scene unfolding right in front of tiourist who had their cameras rolling. this is the moment the military jet came crashing down. another angle captures the violent impact in the waters off

oahu. >> there's aircraft in the water. >> we heard this loud boom, and then we saw the pilot eject from the plane. and then we see his parachute come out and the plane went straight into the water. >> reporter: stunned witnesses could see the pilot in the water. a fishing boat circling the wreckage, calling out to see if the pilot was still alive. >> when i got in the water i was asking him are you okay? he's like yeah, my back hurts. he had a little bit of blood coming out. i think it might have been the impact. he was going pretty past. >> reporter: a civilian contractor for hawaii's national guard was behind the controls of a single seat hawker hunt jet like this one. the 47-year-old was seriously injured when he crashed just after takeoff. witnesses say the plane went down quickly. the pilot had been participating in a military exercise seen here last year. the pilot was initially rescued

by a civilian sailboat. the coast guard arriving just minutes later. a death defying splash landing in the middle of paradise. >> any idea how long it's going to take authorities to figure out how this crash happened? and do we know how they might go about doing that? >> well, authorities say it's likely going to take months. they'll have to speak to the pilot and pull the wreckage out of the water and all that video you see? they're going to comb through all of that to see if there are any clues as to why the plane went down. >> we're glad the pilot is doing reasonably well. thank you. let's take a turn. we have the weather and a big old coast to coast map over there. >> that's right. you bet. nicely done. we also have the jetstream. it's up to the north. >> jet stream, yeah. >> that's right, jetstream. that's right. that's good news, because that keeps the cold air up to the north. so we're going to have warmer weather in the south stretching from the plains. billings is 4 degrees above

normal. minneapolis at 30. all the way down to houston at 71. that's 7 degrees above average on friday. d.c. almost near 50. nashville 6 degrees above average. chicago is nice and warm at 42. even in billings, 50. that's 11 degrees warmer than you're used to. warm air from the plains all the way into philadelphia with a high on saturday of 53. charlotte seeing 59. mid 50s all the way down to dallas. that's what's going on around and that's your latest weather. it's all about the tone. >> that's right. >> it is. >> thank you, al. just ahead jerry seinfeld

speaks out about the state of comedy amid the kevin hart oscars debacle. and what john mellencamp had to say to harry smith about his own hit songs. and how jennifer lopez turned heads at the premier of her new movie. first, reunited. ellen's surprise for the couple who had the entire city of new york searching for their lost engagement ring, right after this.

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sheinelle you have an update on the story. we've been talking about a couple who lost their engagement ring in a grate in times square. >> can you imagine? there was a global search for that global who not only lost the ring shortly after they got enca engaged but didn't file a police report. nobody knew who they were. they found the ring and tracked down the couple and he was able to put a ring on it again thanks to our pal, ellen. >> it's a heart wrenching viral video seen by millions around the world. a bride to be's brand new engagement ring slipping off her finger and down a grate. they went home to the uk empty handed assuming it was gone for good, but the nypd found the dropped diamond in a messy tour. >> it was sitting on top of that

stuff. >> reporter: with the help of social media users around the globe and this clever tweet, wanted for dropping his fiance's ring in nyc krrk they were able to track them down and share the good news. well, fast forward and the happy couple was invited to share their story on "ellen". >> we're walking back from a show and went to grab her hand. >> i was in amazement looking at the ring. >> so you did it? you knocked it off. >> yeah. it was my fault. >> the feelings still fresh. >> it was every girl's worst nightmare. >> from giant happiness to devastation. >> but ellen had a surprise in store. >> amazing. and where is the ring now? >> still with the new york police department. >> that's right. they are. it's still there. come on out. ♪ >> reuniting the couple with the officers who found the ring. >> i think you guys dropped something? >> oh, my gosh.

>> i'm shaking again. >> before john made it official again. >> be my wife? >> yes. >> yes. >> and like ellen, the police officers had jokes. >> $8 goes a very long way these days. we got some ring adjusters for you. please don't drop it again. >> a storybook ending with quite a nice ring to it. >> good stuff. they say they plan on tieing the knot in the summer of 2020. and by the way, the entire interview airs later today on "ellen". not bad. see your engagement ring go down the grate, you think it's a wrap. >> thanks to ellen, adds usual. >> and nypd. >> very true. coming up, will kevin hart's oscar hosting controversy coast comedy stars to change their issues? we'll talk about it right after this. hurry in to old navy and get up to

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just ahead, more of our holiday gift guide. there are only 12 days left until christmas. we have a good gift idea book. savannah is going to talk about authors about the best books to give. and john mellencamp, harry smith goes one on one with the music icon to talk about his hit song, his new album, and the -♪ he's got legs of lumber and arms of steel ♪ ♪ he eats a bowl of hammers at every meal ♪ ♪ he holds your house in the palm of his hand ♪ ♪ he's your home and auto man ♪ big jim, he's got you covered ♪ ♪ great big jim, there ain't no other ♪ -so, this is covered, right? -yes, ma'am.

take care of it for you right now. giddyup! hi! this is jamie. we need some help. give joy,at kohl's!... and get kohl's cash for you! give lego and get $10 kohl's cash... give a fitbit charge 3 and get $20 kohl's cash... or, give an xbox and you'll get $40 kohl's cash! "kohl's cash for you!" "thanks!" give joy, get joy - at kohl's. the united states postal service makes more holiday deliveries to homes than anyone else in the country. ♪ with one notable exception. ♪

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good thursday morning. we start out with sunshine and chilly temperatureses but a beautiful view of the golden gate bridge. all clear skies. we'll continue to see sunshine throughout the day as our high temperatures head up to 64 in san jose. san francisco, 61 degrees. over the next several days, more unsettled weather moves back into the bay area with afternoon showers especially for the north bay tomorrow. and then on saturday, partly to mostly cloudy skies. highs reaching 6 on degrees and another round of rain moving in by sunday afternoon. this may linger into monday morning and looks to be more widespread. also with some gusty winds moving in. we'll monitor that storm system moving in and by tuesday and wednesday we're clearing out as our temperatures come back up. let's get an update on the morning commute from mike.

>> we're looking at a standard fro of traffic except for san rafael to rich mormond. you're jammed up to just about the toll plaza. concrete in the roadway. we were hoping crews would arrive to clear that by now. meanwhile, the rest of the bay, slower drive. san mateo, very slow. south side jamming up from marsh down to shy of university. in the last half hour, police in east palo alto give us an update on an early morning deadly shooting. a 19-year-old man died at the scene of that shooting on beach street around 12:30 this more. leaders in the east bay are talking about building a new 54-story tower near the water. it would be all residential. on our facebook page,le full score including sketches from

the designers. i'm marcus washington. we'll have more local news in 30 minutes. ♪ whoa! the mercedes-benz winter event is back and you won't want to stop for anything else. [ barks ] ho! lease the c 300 sport sedan for $399 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best or nothing. but he ran into roadblocks trying to get his money back. we helped him sort it all out. and kari has her exclusive forecast highlighting the weekend )s biggest bay area events! tomorrow morning from 4:30 to 7.

it's 8:00 on it's 8:00 on "today." miracle in the mine. three people trapped inside a west virginia coal mine rescued overnight. >> we appreciate every one of you guys. >> how they got out and what they are saying after spending four days underground. plus, no laughing matter. jerry seinfeld speaks out about the state of comedy after the oscars hosting controversy. >> i'll play. oh, here is a new rule. we are cutting this out. >> how comedians are changing their routines and pulling their punch lines. plus, a morning full of music.

we will catch up with jon m. chu abo john mellancamp and what he thinks his top hits. >> my songs that were hits, and i had a lot of them, they weren't weren't that good as far as songs go. plus, country superstar brett eldredge here to perform a christmas classic that will get you in the holiday spirit. december is thursday, december 13, 2018. ♪ >> sending love back home to our families in texas! woo! >> i just graduated from college. >> iowa. >> i just graduated combat medic training, woo! >> we are celebrating her birthday. and being seven years cancer free. >> from rochester, minnesota. >> spending our first anniversary on "today." >> east hampton. >> we are the golden girls! >> oh, my gosh. 12 days of christmas. our crowd is pumped up.

welcome back. we appreciate you being with us on this thursday morning. we are going to get our coats on and hats on and gloves on. >> a festive cheer out there. >> let's start with good news. we have a lot going on. three people trapped in a coal mine since last weekend have been reunited with their families thanks to rescuers who refused to give up. nbc's kevin tibbles is in charleston, west virginia, with this story. good morning. >> reporter: hey, hoda. i am outside the hospital where the trio was brought last night after they were brought out of that mine in nearby whitesville, the town where the mine was. tremendous celebration and, of course, relief, especially from the family members. these kids who were down, the rescue crew had to go in some 4,000 feet just to start looking for them. they were very tired. they were extremely dirty you could tell that they were very scared and thanking their lucky stars that they were rescued out of that mine last night.

i spoke to one of them, and i just simply said, what was it like down there? he looked at me, he said, terrible. he started to cry, and then he asked for his mother at that time. just to wind it up, we talked to the governor as well, who is also expressing his relief and also saying that perhaps this event could be seen as this little town's christmas miracle this year. hoda. >> i think you're right, kevin. thank you. a prison sentence and an immunity deal are turning up the heat on the president this morning. nbc white house correspondent kristen we krist kristen welker has the latest. good morning to you. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. a defiant president trump tweeting today, i never directed michael cohen to break the law. he was a lawyer and he is supposed to know the law. despite that, many campaign finance lawyers have strongly stated that i did nothing wrong with respect to campaign finance laws. cohen, the president's former attorney, was sentenced to three years in prison for a range of

crimes, including campaign finance violations, illegal hush-money payments to stormy daniels and karen mcdougal designed to keep alleged affairs with mr. trump quiet. the president and his aides have denied those affairs. the president downplayed it as a simple private transaction. federal prosecutors saying they won't charge david pecker whose company made the payment to karen mcdougal. some democrats are demanding more scrutiny. >> thank you. well, gas prices are lower than they have been all year, but some drivers, they got the deal of a lifetime this week. the prize? the price fell to two cents a gallon at a number of circle k gas stations around the country. it was a computer glitch. while the chain was updating their systems, the drivers filled up their tanks for as little as 30 cents. one station says it was happy

for customers who got that. one of the great things about tic-tac-toe is how easy the rules are. things got a little complicated during a halftime promotion at an indiana pacers game last night. th the purple player goes for the block instead of the -- >> yeah. >> he gets a chance. he goes for the block again. finally, purple finds the correct square, but it was too late because red beat him to the punch and got the victory because he was the first to finish. >> a sad day of tic-tac-toe. >> maybe it was so good you couldn't get the lay of the land. now to the boost. a young boy who volunteers at a local humane society recently lost his own cat. his mom and santa claus had a surprise waiting for him during a holiday photo shoot. >> ready? one, two, three. here ki-ki. >> a beautiful kitty was posing

on santa a's lap. he told him that that cat would be going home with him for keeps. the reaction had everybody in tears. >> oh! >> pretty happy. he couldn't believe it was happening right there. santa -- >> sometimes i am almost mad at you for the boosts because they are so sweet and make my heart hurt. coming up, a live performance from country music star brett eldredge? first, jerry seinfeld how comedy has not changed amid the kevin hart oscars controversial. that story right after this. even if you don't buy one from them. ahhh-haaaaaa. mmmmm-hmmm. hoohooo. hoo-hoho. haaaa. hey hey! weeeooo-weeeoooo. okay, okay, okay, okay. where ya goin'? no no, yeah. i thought we were making noises.

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♪ beginning, comedy and controversy. >> kevin hart stepped down as the oscar's host after offensive tweets. some critics are asking if our

culture has become too intolera intolerant when it comes to comedy. >> this is one of those things that as the culture continues to change and as we go through eflatie evolutio evolutions, one of the things that kept coming to my mind was that let he who hath not sinned cast the first stone. we've been wondering when it comes to oscars, how exactly is the statute or shall we say, statue of limitations applied. >> kevin hart had to step down as host of the upcoming academy awards because of home phobic tweets from 2011. doesn't the academy nominate mel gibson for an award last year. >> yes, they did. he had an anti semitic drunken rant. when does hollywood or culture decide when a sin is forgiven or

forgivable or is a sin. here's willie geist with seinfeld from an interview. >> when i started out, you know, there were dirty comedians. go back to the cursing thing. if you want to get on the tonight show or tv, you can't use any of those words. all those words are out. and a lot of us went okay. i still want to play. i'll play. >> yeah. >> oh, here's a new rule. we're cutting this out. okay. i'll get around that. that's our thing. >> lenmy bruce was arrested in the early 1960s and convicted of using obscenities. george carlin would figure out how to make the same obscenities into a joke. >> you might be visiting a tonight show and have a bunch of k-9s. you say one is a female. >> comedians are transfer testing boundaries. joan rivers did it. >> bugs bunny saw my rear end and went now i know what's not

up, doc. oh, oh, think how i feel. >> the line between cutting edge and bad taste is so fine it can draw blood. >> do something about your dad's immigration policies. >> samantha b's blunt language about ivanka trump drew rebuke. and because we live in a digital age, nothing is disposed of, and nothing is forgtden. judgment is quick and the echo chamber is loud. nuance and good will are rare visitors. here's willie again with sarah silverman. >> it's scary to speak out when you know there are people actually organizing to take you down through your own comedy. comedians explore the darkest places of humanity. and if you couple that with the fact that comedy is not evergreen, it's art. it changes with the times.

>> who is old enough to remember lenny bruce? hello, there. and just by the by, this amazing interview with willie and jerry seinfeld on this coming sunday. double segment. really, you hear a lot about evolution and him and how he's approached this? >> i think what i heard him say was that he and comedians know how to be nimble and adjust and still be funny within whatever -- >> he always has worked clean, but his whole thing is as the culture changes, he said it's like lindsey vonn and the gates. they change the gates. you have to learn how to get around the gates. >> we seem to be so inconsistent with regards to how we decide and whom we decide to forgive. >> how the law is applied. >> yes. >> yeah. that was a great story. thank you. >> good conversation. we'll be back. next half hour. >> you're staying here. you know that? >> okay. >> pop start.

first up and breaking the rock and roll hall of fame announced the 2019 induck tees. the cure, deaf leopard, janet jackson, radio head, roxy, the zombies, and stevie knicks. some big names. the rock and roll hall of fame induction takes place on march 29th in brooklyn, new york. they are on hbo later in the spring. up next last night was the premier for "second act ". jennifer arrived looking beautiful. pretty in pink. her dress was breathtaking and a show stopper. if you were at the premier -- hoda, how was it? >> the dress was amazing. the movie was outstanding. my favorite part was walking down the aisle with the dress. she flopped it over her best friend, leah remini, and she was

like get that off me. they're girlfriends. the movie is a lot of fun. it's one of those great ones. >> wasn't jennifer sitting right in front of you? >> isn't that wild? >> it was. >> and where was the rest of her dress sitting? on you in. >> if you want to see it "second act" hits theaters december 21st. and the newest movie holmes and watson, last night on jimmy kimmel, two actors got emotional about reuniting again. >> it's good to be back together, and it's been pretty emotional. >> it kind of has. it's just -- a lot of emotion. >> you guys want to take a break or something? >> no. we'll sing through it. ♪ i was a fool to ever leave your side ♪ ♪ me minus you is such a lovely

ride, the breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad ♪ ♪ i realize i want you want you back hey hey ♪ ♪ reunited and it feels so good ♪ ♪ reunited cuz it's understood ♪ . >> they sound pretty good. their movie -- >> it's laugh out loud funny. terrific. totally silly, and there is an amazing show stopping musical number in the middle of the movie. >> okay. that's a tease. good stuff. you want to hear a daily clip? today is a four-year-old, justice. she wanted to play with her younger sister, journey. she moved a chair close to the crib and coached her through the

great escape. >> cute. >> i got you. i got you. okay. >> i love it. the true meaning of teamwork. even though they were able to breakthrough, the baby monitor caught their entire mission on camera. >> good to see kids working together. >> she's like come on. i got you. >> that's a real good one. all right. let's see what we have for you. we're looking at wet weather now. part of the coast to coast storm pushing east. we have winter storm advisories in the middle of texas. this system pushes to the east with rain and storms in the midwest and the south. a wintry mix in central texas into tonight. tomorrow heavy rain across the southeast. northeast rain by late on friday. showers lingering along the coast. it's not a great week in the mid atlantic and into the northeast. rainfall amounts anywhere from 2 to 3 inches. isolated 4-inch amounts.

it's been a wet year. d.c. is on track, the second wettest year on record. wilmington, the number one wettest year, and dallas, texas with 52 inches. a top five wettest year that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, i'm kari hall. a lot of nice weather for the bay area with mostly sunny skies. it's achilly start but we'll warm up to the 60s. afternoon showers for the north bay, with inland valleys reaching the upper 50s. saturday, partly cloudy skies, highs near 60 and a more widespread and heavy rain event set to arrive by late sunday afternoon into early monday morning. by the middle of next week, we're clearing out and warming up. don't forget to take us with you. go to today sirius xm channel 108. now to our special series encouraging you to read more.

if you're looking for a perfect holiday present, may we suggest a good book. here with favorites, isaac fitzgerald, lisa lucas, and anna todd. good morning, everybody. >> good morning. >> everyone get out your pens and pads. you want to write down the recommendations. i love that we're starting with your favorites of the year. take it away. >> an american marriage. it is such an incredible book. this is an examination of love. it's an examination of race. it's an examination of how this country incarcerates black men, but most importantly, it's an examination of marriage and what we owe one another. it is such an incredible book. it's character driven and so well written. it's a love letter to atlanta. let me tell you, and i want this to be a gif. america, don't listen to me. it was also oprah's book club pick. listen to oprah. >> it's isaac's book club too.

what about you, lisa? >> rachel kushner is one of my favorite authors. staying on the theme of incarceration, it's not festive, but it's really important right now. the mars room. it's her third novel, or fourth, and it's a wonderful, beautifully written propulsive novel about the women's correctional system in california and a woman's journey and being a mother and parent, and i think it's important to one, read great writing but also read books that do the work of framing and context ualizing the world. it puts into context the world we live in, and it's a great book. >> great. the mars room. mine is providence. no one was details like this author. she talks incredibly about human

nature, and this book is a little different, but it's a sort of a sci fi romance. i feel like it's more about human nature than anything but there happens to be romance and a kidnapping and a kind of curse happening. but it's mostly human nature. >> i don't know if we've ever done this category before. coffee table books. i think it's a cool present. >> my favorite this year was portraits. it's by a photographer, bay wolf she han. he's taken so many portraits of your favorite writers and some of the writers you have yet to discover. this is a beautiful book for a reader. it's a great gift. it's also a beautiful book if you want to discover new talent. he has this vast array of basically what the literary landscape looks like right now through authors.

i believe he's taken lisa's. >> yes. that book is wonderful. it benefits a youth foundation. >> i went art. there is a beautiful new monograph of the artist henry taylor. i wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for writers i love. there was an essay for vulture about the work that i loved. and there was an essay for the new yorker about the work. he's a multimedia artist, but largely portrait. t one of the most beautiful books. it's striking orange and gorgeous and big, fat. you know more about the artist. i'm not an art person, so i'm always like tell me more about what this is and why it is. but it's largely portraits of black life in america but also thinking about socio-economics and just people and how beautiful they are. >> sometimes that coffee table book is an accessible way to get into things you're interested

in. >> anna. >> mine is home body. i'm new into this coffee book table. i'm more of a fiction reader. but it made me want to redo my entire house, and it was good for gifts inside the book. i was like i'm going to buy that for this person. it's a gift for any person. it's a universal gift. >> i have it too. i do fantasize that my house looks like theirs? >> kids and teens. >> hey, kiddo. here's the thing. being kids is tough sometimes. it is a tough gift. it is a tough book, but it is a very incredible heart warming book about survival. it's the story of how he's raised by his grandparents because his mother was an addict in prison. it's graphic. it's illustrated. if you want a gift for a kid who maybe feels lonely but is looking for -- >> age group? >> over 12. 12 to teens.

a gift for a child that is feeling lonely but needs a piece of art that will maybe make them feel less alone. this is about drawing and self-discovery. it's an incredible book. >> lisa? >> i'm obsessed with julian is a mermaid. it's about a little boy who falls in love with mermaids and wants to dress up like a mermaid. it's just beautifully illustrated. it's like this big, loving just beating heart of a book that's really just -- it stole my heart. >> sounds good. anna? last but not least. >> this is the book i've been waiting for the entire year. queen of air and darkness. it's a little older teen. and this book is specifically really paralleling what's going on in the administration right now and the country and it's var -- i think it's a good way

for people to read about things without knowing they're doing it. i think it's good for teenagers. it's just fantastic. love, action, political. it's really great. >> you guys always get me so excited about readings. they've selected a bonus pick exclusively for the web. you can find it and the full lists on today.com/shop. >> we have a full hour ahead. harry is back with his big interview with music legend john mellencamp, and then a special live performance from brett eldredge. i )m ...

police are investigating an early morning deadly shooting in east palo alto. good morning, it's 8:26. police are investigating an early morning deadly shooting in east palo alto. happened around 12:30 this morning on beach street and shore breeze court. investigators are still on the scene, combing through clues. a short time ago, police gave us an update. they say the victim is a 19-year-old local man and he died at the scene, though they did not release his identity. police are not telling us if they know about a possible motive or if that shooting is gak relagang related and we don know if they identified any possible suspects. we're watching your commute this morning. >> we are looking at a slower drive overall.

silicon valley now the last half hour has seen a lot more trough being out of san jose and in towards santa clara. cupertino now seeing the brunt of it. a much better drive from east, down 580, has cleared recovery from the earlier debris. there were blocks, but now clear. a little clearer from the bay bridge toll plaza. we have the fast track lanes in the middle backed up. always best if you carpool. >> we have more local news if a half hour. sfx: tinny headphone music

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we're back now. it's 8:30 on this thursday morning. the 13th of december 2018. our tree is shining bright. our crowd is shining even brighter. we're so happy to have everyone. we have a few little snow flakes coming down on the plaza, and i hope you can hear we're playing john mellencamp. coming up in the next half hour, a great and fascinating interview with john mellencamp music legend. >> and speaking of music stars, brett eldredge is here. right now he's collecting some donations for our toy drive. when he's done there, he's going to go inside and he's got a good

holiday performance for us. >> we have a special moment. are you guys ready? >> yes. >> and spinning snow. >> where is lolly, sally, and emma? good morning. >> good morning. >> wait. don't cry yet. let's talk first. tell me where you're from. >> georgia. >> and tell me why you're here here. >> we're celebrating our 13th birthday. we came to new york -- >> and it was a surprise. we thought we were going on a ski trip to north carolina. yesterday at 4:00 a.m. they said we were taking a trip to new york. >> we were all screaming -- well, yeah, we were all freaking out. >> do you guys love brett eldredge? >> yes. we love brett eldredge. >> i have something for your 13th birthday. >> hello. how are you? thanks for making the trip. look at this. >> can we sing happy birthday?

>> yes. you ready? ♪ happy birthday to you ♪ happy birthday to you ♪ ♪ happy birthday dear three girls ♪ ♪ happy birthday to you >> awesome. that was good. >> thank you, brett. happy birthday, girls. >> i wish brett had gotten dressed up. >> you look fantastic. >> man. >> you always bring it. >> i'm ready to go. >> we'll have more from brett in a moment. up next a new movie about ruth bader ginsburg. we're going to hear about what it was like. >> first a check on the weather. >> that's right. can you give me that move again? >> i don't know what happened. >> that's my introduction to brett.

>> that's beautiful. >> let's show you what we have going on for your weekend. friday heavy rain along the southeast and atlantic coast. rain and mountain snow in the pacific northwest. warmer temperatures sandwiched between. it continues on saturday. the rain continues. ohio, mississippi, and under the mid atlantic states. then sunday, sunday, a wintry mix in the northeast. mountain, rain and snow in the pacific northwest into northern california. above average continues continue in t >> that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. we're seeing sunshine. here's a live look outside. oakland, as you get ready to head out, cool start, but it will be a nice and comfortable day. we're going to see the high in oakland reaching 60 degrees and 64 in san jose. 64 in napa. san francisco reaching 61. we'll see clear skies today. clouds roll in tomorrow. out ahead of some showers that will start out first in the north bay and then by sunday,

more widespread and heavy rain will be moving in. that's your latest weather. you waited your whole life for this? >> to meet you. >> that's nice. thank you. what's your name? >> leah. >> merry christmas. thank you. let's go back inside. >> that's cool. john mellencamp has been a mainstay in the music industry for 40 years. >> and the lyrics carry deeper meanings. harry smith got to sit down with him. >> so much fun. i should have a cigarette going now. john mellencamp's music is multiplatinum. it's his 24th album. other people's stuff is on track to hit number two on the billboard album chart. we got together at his apartment in new york city to discuss his music, art, and how he has found love again. at a white house concert a couple years back, john

mellencamp played this civil rights song. ♪ keep your eyes on the prize hold on ♪ >> that song has become the corner stone of new album. >> it's soul, blues, folk songs that if i had to say i had an american song book, those songs would be it. >> mellencamp learned long ago that being true to yourself would speak for itself. >> i live an artist's life. every day i have to make something. i need to paint. i write. i'm either rehearsing. art is not being on the radio. that's the most common denominator. if you look at my songs that were hits, and i had a lot of them, they really weren't that good as far as songs go. >> just as a member of the general public, though, i need to stand up for jack and diane. >> i have to tell you i can sing that song anywhere in the word

and don't have to say a world. ♪ >> we know those words, and the words to all of his hits but at the height of his popularity, he stepped back. >> i was told something and took it to heart. pete seger goes john, keep it small, but keep it going. if you want to have longevity, keep it small and keep it going. because if you're one of these guys that need to be the biggest band in the world, you're not going to be for very long. >> about that time mellencamp began to focus on painting. >> i've been painting my whole life. i started painting seriously when i kind of just dropped out of the music business for three or four years. >> when you're painting, what does it do for you? >> it puts you in a place where you are totally focussed on something. i can paint for eight, 10, 12 hours every day. meg lives here in new york, and

so there's no place to paint where she lives, so i bought this place to paint. >> meg is meg ryan, the meg ryan. how's your love life? >> i'm engaged to a -- at 67 to a very funny woman. funniest woman i ever met. >> wow. listen, it's well publicized your relationship has been sort of like an accordion. there's some days it's way out there like this, and some days it's in like that. how did you figure out at 67 now let's do this thing for real? >> i don't know what you mean. i really don't know what you're talking about, harry. one could well imagine i'm probably not the easiest guy to get along with. let's leave it at that. >> while mellencamp disavowed pursuit of the pop charts years

ago, he believes "jack and diane" still have something to say. >> we're getting ready to mount "jack and diane" as a musical. every problem that this country is going through today is in that musical. this is not a jukebox musical. our ambitions are set very high. as close to stain beck as we can get it. >> he wrote you're bound to get ideas when you go thinking about stuff. that's mellencamp, and he's bound to keep sharing them. retirement? >> it's an indian word for slow death. >> so there's no retiring with me. no. they'll have to drag me off stage. as long as the people show up to see me, i'm playing. >> that was a good morning. >> he seems so comfortable in his own skin. >> yep. >> it's just -- thank you for standing up for "jack and diane"

too. >> absolutely. but think about this. he said i want to make this as close to stainback as possible. it's stuff he's recorded in the past, the album, but it's wonderful really, really what's the word i'm looking for? not catalog. cu cureated. and he's going on tour. >> th >> my take away is keep it small. >> that's really why no one was here yesterday? okay. >> that's why i'm on twice this morning? >> two stars for the price of one. one. felicity joan and armie hammer.

one. felicity joan and armie hammer. ♪ when you have doctors working as a team for your health, you get the care you need to help you thrive. ♪ visit kp.org to learn more. kaiser permanente. thrive. ♪

welcome back. >> a film takes place before ruth's rise to the court when she's a young lawyer struggling to be taken seriously because she's a young woman. >> tell me what you want. >> nothing. i want nothing. i want do you go to work and wow your bosses and clients and be the youngest partner in the history of the firm. >> that's not fair. >> i want you to walk me home so i can sit in a corner. go forth and fight for equality. >> i don't understand why you're acting like that's a bad thing. you're out there training the next generation of lawyers to change the world. >> because that's what i wanted to do. >> felicity and armie, good morning. >> good morning. >> this must have been a lot of pressure, but i know you kind of had her blessing because she

helped her nephew write the screen play. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> she sort of had her hands in it. talked about it. >> he's got a great story he tells where he approached his aunt ruth and said look, i'd really love to write a script about this. she paused and said well, if that's really how you want to spend your time. and then he sort of gave her every draft. she vetted it and approved it. >> there must be a lot of pressure to play anybody, but to play someone who is alive and to play someone of her stature must have weighed heavy on you. how did you try to get it right? >> absolutely. it's nerve racking taking on someone who is an icon and beloved. i'm a real fan girl of hers myself. it was just -- we were really fortunate to go and visit her and spend time with her, and just get to know her on a personal level. >> what was that like, you walk

in the room and there's ruth bader ginsburg? >> yeah. it was amazing. when we first went in, we were nervously waiting inside her office. when we went in, she couldn't take her eyes off armie hammer. so she is a human. >> what was she like in the end? >> she's very, very open. she was very obviously as you said, she'd been part of every process of the film and the genesis. she was welcoming. >> i think i read she loved meeting you but then was worried about you nailing the brooklyn accent. but you did. >> yeah. yeah. it was really helpful just listening to all these recordings of her in court and going through those. i became obsessed with ruth bader ginsburg vowel sounds and listening to the great brooklyn sound. >> were you surprised to learn so much about her? the fact that she finished first

in her class in law school but couldn't get a job. all the things that seem unheard of today? >> absolutely. i mean, she just had obstacles in her way the entire time. she was constantly pushing upstream. the system wasn't designed for her to be there, and she broke it and changed it. >> one of the cool things about this particular movie, it's a real moment in time. i think it's a love story with her and her husband. it was unusual for the time. he really supported her, and you see that. >> yeah. he was a really sort of progressive man. i mean, even by today's standards, and more so by the standards of the 50s and 60s and 70s when husbands didn't cook and clean and take care of the kids. he recognized the potential his wife had. he was going to do anything to facilitate. >> speaking of husbands and wives, you were at a cool wedding not too long ago. >> i couldn't go. my wife and our daughter went.

>> she was the flower girl? >> she was one of the flower girls in the wedding. we were there for priyanka and nick's first date. >> you knew in the beginning? >> we were sitting there and kind of watched them talking. we were like hey, see what's going on over there? and now they're married. >> that's what married people do. they look at other people like that seems interesting. that's cute. felicity jones and armie hammer, thank you so much. the movie is called "the basis of sex". it opens nationwide january 11th. coming up, a performance from brett

this little home of mine, ♪ i'm gonna let it shine. ♪ it's energy saving time, ♪ i'm gonna reduce mine. ♪ californians all align ♪ to let our great state shine. ♪ let it shine, ♪ the power's ours to let it shine! ♪

the cit the citi concert series on "today" is proudly presented by citi. we're excited around here because one of our favorite people ever, brett eldredge is in the house. he loves christmas. he's proving it with a deluxe edition of his hit christmas

album, "glow." merry christmas. >> how are you? >> great. this is your time of the year, huh? >> i have dreamt of this for a long time to get to do this. this is my first year from the "glow" record, now it's deluxe. a reason to show up in new york at the most magical time of year. it's amazing. >> you still have the pinch me, like this is my life moment? i remember when you were starting. >> i was here on your birthday. >> i remember. we're so happy for you. what are you going to sing for us today? >> have yourself a merry little christmas. >> all right. brett eldredge. ♪ have yourself a merry little christmas ♪ ♪ let your heart be light ♪ from now on our troubles will

be out of sight ♪ ♪ have yourself a merry little christmas ♪ ♪ make the yuletide gay ♪ from now on our troubles will be miles away ♪ ♪ here we are as in olden days ♪ happy golden days of yore ♪ faithful friends who are dear to us ♪

♪ gather near to us once more ♪ through the years we all will be together ♪ ♪ if the fates allow ♪ hang a shining star upon the highest bough ♪ ♪ oh and have yourself a merry little christmas now ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ here we are as in olden days ♪ happy golden days of yore ♪ faithful friends who are dear to us ♪ ♪ gather near to us once more ♪ through the years we all will be together ♪ ♪ if the fates allow

♪ hang a shining star upon the highest bough ♪ ♪ and have yourself a merry little christmas now ♪ >> yes. yes. >> that was awesome. you weren't in the mood before, you're in the mood now. brett is going to come back with more music later. first, this is "today" on nbc. first, this is "today" on nbc.

just ahead on the third hour of "today," sheinelle sits down with donny wahlberg. and brett eldredge is staying with us. good morning, it )s 8:56... i )m - -... a short time from now .. we good morning. it's 8:56. a short time from now, we may get a better idea of how much longer san francisco's new transit center will be closed. that happened about 2 1/2 months ago it was shut down when workers discovered two cracked beams. investigative unit has since reported that testing showed the steel wasn't faulty and that it was holes cut into the beam that

led to the cracking. our sources close to the investigation say the closure could last up to half year longer. and finally, install it. happening right now, we'll get some answers from a hearing at city hall that should start at any time. our pete suratos is there and will have an update in our noon newscast. police say there was a 19-year-old man who died at the scene on beach street. it happened around 12:30 this morning. you can find more details in our twitter feed. also, leaders of the east bay are talking about building a new 54-story tower in emeryville near the water. it could be one of the biggest residential buildings. sfx: tinny headphone music

sfx: feet shuffling life can change in an instant. be covered when it does... ...with a health plan through covered california. we offer free expert help choosing the best plan for you. and all of our plans include free preventive care. financial help is available, so check for yourself to see what savings you qualify for. for health insurance starting january 1st, enroll by december 15th. because you never know when life... ...will change. get covered today. but he ran into roadblocks trying to get his money back. we helped him sort it all out. and kari has her exclusive forecast highlighting the weekend )s biggest bay area events! tomorrow morning from 4:30 to 7.

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lease the gla 250 for $359 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best or nothing. live from studio 6 a, this is "today." good morning, everyone. welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm dylan with sheinelle, craig, and al, and look at our special guest this morning. >> sweet willie geist. >> happy to be with my pals. >> excited to have you here. >> we're excited to hear about your seinfeld interview. >> we've reserved two-part interviews for only the icons. one with bill murray and now with jerry seinfeld. >> we'll get to that in a bit. we're going